One new thing I plan on doing is posting regular tips and little ideas for your upcoming wedding. Some of these will be ideas from weddings I’ve attended and other may just be random things I have found or come across. Either way it will be a great little place to just toss ideas around.  I thought I would kick it off with a topic I know a little bit about: Video. Since I’m officially out of the video business I thought I would share a quick thought on having your wedding filmed.

YOU HAVE TO GET THIS DONE! NO QUESTIONS ASKED! DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT NOT DOING THIS!

Seriously, this is a no brainer. I get so sad when I work a wedding and see “Uncle Bob” over in the corner as the designated videographer. If this is one of the most important days of your life, don’t you think getting someone who knows what they are doing with a camera might be a good idea? I can’t tell you how many times I would have a bride come back to me after the wedding and tell me how much they loved their pictures but they wished that they had also set aside some budget for video as well.

One thing I want to be super clear on is that I totally “get” wedding budgets.  There is only so much money to go around, but this really is one area where you don’t want to short change yourself.  I LOVE making albums for couples, they are a great way of showing off just a few of the hunders of photos you get from your day, but if you have to decide between spending money on a fancy album that may end up collecting dust or getting a talented person to film your wedding, then I would encourage you to forget the album and hire a videographer.  You will never regret it.

I was talking to Vanessa and Brent McKellar about this a few weeks back and they also wished that more people could get the value of this service. This is not a “home movie” with a camera on a tripod at the back of the church. The stuff they put together is like something you want to see in a theater. Wonderful editing, a great musical score. It’s something you and your kids will want to watch more than once. You also get something that even the best photographer can’t give you. SOUND. As amazing, incredible, and awe-inspiring as my photos are, getting to actually hear what you each were feeling on that day just adds a whole new level of emotion.

They recently got some fancy shiny new HD cameras as well so your video will look extra pretty. In fact, I got together with them a few days ago and took some shots of them with their new “baby”. :)

Such a proud father.

Anyway, I’ve rambled enough. Here are two pictures of a bride and groom who most of you probably don’t know.

Now that you have started at it and thought “so what”, take a look at this quick video The McKellars posted and see if all of the sudden you feel their joy, emotion, and a bit more of a connection with the couple.

Laura and Greg’s Pre-Wedding Thoughts from Vanessa McKellar Productions.com on Vimeo.

After you do that call Vanessa ASAP (903.596.7977) and see if you can still get her for your wedding date.

UPDATE: I can’t believe I forgot to mention that if your guy is not the super sweet say something meaningful type guy that it’s ok.  It’s still a good idea to have a videographer.  You never know when a music video might break out.