Useful Information for Videoing Weddings

Your wedding videographer is very different from your photographer. Whereas the photographer needs to be very involved with the organisation of you and your guests at certain moments during the day to ensure good quality posed shots, the videographer needs to be quietly working in the background during most of the day to ensure he captures the events and moments as they unfold.

This requires experience and expertise on behalf of the videographer, but a little help from you before the big day can go a long way to improving the final production of your video. This is especially true if you wish to film entrances / exits. The photographer often places the bride and groom in set positions upon exit. We think that a good videographer will advise you on all aspects of the creative process. Like any service, videography needs input from the cameraman to capture the moment. Certain aspects of the shoot, will be choreographed in the most sensitive manner to ensure the event is captured in the best possible light, without being intrusive. Here are some points you might want to consider :

1. Always tell your minister or registrar as early as possible that you wish to film. Tell them that you have booked a professional videographer and that you wish to have him video the ceremony. There may be a form for us to fill in, so let us have it as soon as you can.

2. The ideal position for us when filming the ceremony is just forward and to the side of the bride and groom. This may not always be possible due to restrictions placed by the minister/registrar or the layout of the venue. In the worst case, we may have to film from the rear of the church. If your package includes the multi-camera choice then ideally place a camera at both locations. Assure your minister that there will be no loose cables, lights or noise from the videographer and he may be more accommodating.

3. If your video service pack includes filming the Bride’s Final Preparations prior to the ceremony, we can provide a female cameraperson to film. However we must have time to film the final preparations and get to the ceremony venue in time to film the guests arriving. This is only possible if the bride is ready at least an hour before the ceremony and the venue is reasonably close to the house.

4. The speeches at the reception are an important part of your day and we will do our best to capture these in full. Sound & Lighting is usually the two biggest problems, but you can help by letting us know in advance where the venue is and who the speakers are. If they are not to be seated at the main top table then where they will be seated will also help. In some circumstances we can provide discrete back and front lighting that will be remote controlled and switch on only during the speeches. We use broadcaster type Sennheiser directional microphones for the speeches but if you are worried we can provide a hand held radio microphone.

5. Have you arranged any surprises? Please don’t keep them a secret from us or we might miss them - we promise not to tell. Also let us know about anything unusual or anyone special that you would particularly like us to feature in the video.

6. Licences & Copyright. Most people do not realise that you need licences to record a service at a church, or record their relatives dancing at the reception disco. To do so with out a licence can mean you are in breach of copyright, which carries a stiff penalty. This even means Aunt Mabel armed with her Handy-cam. We hold all three MCPS/CCL / PPL licences should the event require them. We have been praised by the MCPS for our understanding of the licensing laws and our consideration of handling these licences on behalf of our customers. Most other companies simply put a disclaimer requiring their client to obtain the licences. We believe you have enough to worry about, so we do this for you charging you only for the cost of the licenses. All our media carry PPL authenticity Holograms.

7. BOOK EARLY! There are lots of weddings and only a few good wedding video companies, even fewer that can provide our level of service so if you would like AJS & Associates to film your wedding, book us now to avoid disappointment.

People We have worked with and can recommend.

	Local Skegness florists, Tracey and Claire produce some of the most wonderful floral displays for weddings, being very creative they can produce displays to suit the customer's wishes.
	Alfred of Nottingham, A Photographer with over 30 years of experience with Wide format cameras, 35mm and newer 15 Mega Pixel digital cameras. A traditional photographer in heart Alfred knows where to take the best formal photos, whilst his wife takes the candid, informal photo's that many couples like.