Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs)
about
Wedding Videography
Q. How many
packages do you offer?
A. We do not
offer pre-set packages. We custom design each and every wedding to meet your
individual needs. We charge by the hour and you decide how much coverage you
want, how many cameras and how long we stay. However, occasionally we may design
a package as a special offer or as an example.
Q. How can I
be sure that you will get what I want in my video
A. We speak
with all of our clients to tell them the services we offer and to find out what
their coverage requirements are. We interview our clients to get to know
them better so that the best possible coverage is available.
Q.
What
makes your company different from just setting up my own camcorder and having a
friend operate it?
A. We have the
necessary equipment, training and experience to make your video more than just a
video tape, but a cinemagraphic movie about your wedding day. We have had
years of experience video taping weddings and working with your photographer,
caterer, DJ, etc, to make sure we all work together. We also can offer you, not
only the best video, but exceptional quality audio. We use digital
broadcast quality Sony camcorders, wireless microphones and industrial tripods.
Q. Why
should I have my wedding videotaped at all?
A. Although a
picture is worth a thousand words, sometimes you need more than a mere thousand.
A professional video is like having an encyclopedia about the day. A
picture can't show how you moved in your bridal gown, the change of emotions of
your husband-to-be's face when he first sees you in your wedding gown and as
you are coming down the aisle. You can't hear your vows on a photograph and you
can't enjoy the wedding music, soloists songs or your special readings from your
still picture. Also you children will someday enjoy watching your wedding
day and the happiness you shared. Your grandparents, aunts, uncles and
other relatives may not appear in any other professional video production and
this way you are capturing the way they look and sound for future generations to
see and hear.
Q. How far
will you travel to video tape a wedding?
A. Currently we
travel 300 miles or less from our town. We have video taped weddings in
West Virginia, Northern Virginia, Roanoke, Lynchburg, Wytheville, North Carolina and
throughout the New River Valley in Virginia. We are willing to
travel and although mileage and hotel charges may be added, many brides have
agreed it was worth it.
Q. How much
time in advance should we let a vendor, such as yourself, know we have chosen
them?
A. We book
weddings up to a year in advance. We suggest that you book us as soon as you
know you would like our service. Also, if your wedding is just a few weeks
away, call us and check if your date is still available. We have two teams
which can go out at the same time. We may be able to help you on short
notice.
Q. Do you have
more than one videographer working for the company?
A. We have
several and the owner of our company is present at 96% of our weddings, using
her artistic talents to video tape, create and later edit your wedding.
Q. How much
do you charge if we run over on hours?
A. We add 20%
to our hourly rate. The payment for overtime is due before we will start
editing.
Q. Do you
bring backup equipment with you?
A. Absolutely!
And all equipment is checked the evening before and used at the wedding
rehearsal. We then go back and check the tapes. The equipment is serviced
regularly by Doctor Video. Ask in your interview with other
videographers, when interviewing their company, who services
their equipment and how often. If they can't give you an
answer right off the bat, you may want to steer clear of them!
Q. Do you
visit the sites before the actual dates?
A. We attend
your wedding rehearsal. We check positioning, lighting, audio, and the
general flow of the wedding. We ask for a wedding program at that time as
well as directions to the reception.
Q. What type
of equipment do you have?
A. We use Sony
digital, broadcast quality camcorders. We have wireless microphones for
the groom, the pastor, and to place on the podium for the reader or soloist.
For the reception we have lights mounted on our camcorder to add just a
touch of light, if necessary. We also have wireless
connections to your DJ (or band if permitted) to get perfect audio of all the
music, announcements and speeches at your reception.
Q. What is
your payment policy?
A. After you
decide what coverage you would like, we take a retainer fee at the time of the contract signing.
Two months before the
wedding date a second payment of 1/2 of the balance is due. The remaining
balance is due at the time the edited video is ready for pick-up.
Q. Do you offer photography?
A. We are not professional photographers. We highly recommend
that you find a professional photographer who has been in business for 3 years
or more. This is the only way to be assured you will receive the quality
type prints you were hoping for. However, yes we have done photography
for several brides in the past year, using our Canon Rebel digital camera.
These brides were unable to find a photographer that wasn't already booked,
the photographer got lost and didn't arrive until 5 minutes prior to the
ceremony or who couldn't come on extremely short notice. We are happy to help
you out in extreme situations. But please look for a professional
photographer first. Call us for more information. Sample
photographs are available.
Q. What is
your cancellation policy?
A. If you
should find need to cancel the contract it must be done 90 days or more prior to
the ceremony and in writing. All retainers will be refunded, less a $50.00
administrative retainer fee. Absolutely, no refunds are given on the
retainers paid, if you cancel 90 days or less to the event. We turn down other
brides after we reserve the date for you and cannot guarantee the date will be
re-booked. If your wedding is postponed, the retainer can be credited for
up to 12 months and is subject to a change of date service fee.
