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KEY CHARACTERISTICS TO LOOK FOR WHEN BOOKING A WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHER

// WHO FILMS THE WEDDING DAY AND WHO EDITS YOUR FILM 

Just like yourself I recently got engaged this past December and I’m in your shoes in terms of planning my own wedding. With over a half a decade of filming weddings, working with vendors, and exploring venues, I gained some very valuable insight. Here are some characteristics to consider when booking a wedding videographer.

From the outside looking in everything you see on a videographers website looks great, but do you know the actual person thats going to be showing up to your wedding day and the one editing it?

Before starting my own wedding videography company Matt Alt Films, I worked for a bunch of studios that would outsource their work. Most of the time the work you see showcased along their front page isn’t even the person that will show up to your wedding day. This typically happens with larger studios because they have a lot of work. Because of the number of weddings they do, a handful of their jobs are outsourced. It is important to ask questions such as “who is going to be my videographer” or do you “outsource your edits.”

A huge benefit of booking with Matt Alt Films is that I am the one that films your wedding day and I am the one that edits all your films. There is no middle man and always constant communication which in return lets me produce a higher quality film.

// CLEAR WITH WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE AND WHEN IT WILL BE

From the time you inquire about pricing &  information the videographer should have a clear outline on what you will receive. A simple but detailed pricing brochure should show the kind of films and turn around date.  That leads me to my next characteristic, organization.

// ORGANIZATION AND TIMELINE OF THE DAY

Communication leading up to the wedding day is very important so all the special moments get filmed. These details of the day could be as simple as telling the videographer that you have a surprise dance routine, or maybe even a special blessing during the ceremony. Your wedding videographer should be comfortable working with your other vendors. When working with a videographer ask for photographer recommendations, it can’t hurt.

// FILMING STYLE AND PERSONALITY

Do you want a short film? Do you want a longer documentary film? Most videographers offer both. However, their filming style and personality will vary from each videographer. I see far too often wedding videographers being intrusive during the wedding day. This means bulky equipment, staged shots, and not natural moments. Let’s be honest, most people are camera shy and it’s not a Hollywood production. It is a wedding day with real people and not actors. To get the most authentic and candid moments I focus on composition and lighting rather than cumbersome equipment. I am usually seen as just another guest at your wedding.

Closing thoughts

//   I believe that getting to know who is going to be filming the most important and happiest day of your life is a good thing. I understand weddings can be a little overwhelming planning, but I am here each step of the way. Take it from me, an engaged filmmaker that has been in the industry for quite some time. //