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Home: Video University Forums: Wedding & Event Videography:
First Wedding

woolbrig
Novice

May 1, 2008, 10:58 AM

Post #1 of 22 (666 views)
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First Wedding	Can't Post

My wife and I are shooting our first wedding this weekend. Thanks to this forum, I think we are as prepared as we can be. I've started thinking about what order the events should be in on the DVD. I would like to get an idea of what others are doing.

My thought was this:
Love Story/Photo Montage
B&G Prep
Pre-Ceremony (establishing shot of location, guest book, etc)
Ceremony
Post-Ceremony (Photo Session)
Reception
Highlights

Does this order sound reasonable? I'm open to any input.

Thanks,
Joe

glimmer
Veteran

May 1, 2008, 11:00 AM

Post #2 of 22 (663 views)
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Re: [woolbrig] First Wedding [In reply to]	Can't Post

I don't see why not...it's fine, but once you film and get the footage on your computer, see how it goes from there. I always have an idea on things but don't plan some stuff deliberately as I feel it keeps a good level of openness.

2ndMile
Enthusiast

May 2, 2008, 12:07 AM

Post #3 of 22 (581 views)
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Re: [woolbrig] First Wedding [In reply to]	Can't Post

Joe,

Do whatever you want. Your order is fine but there is no set pattern. Blaze a trail, share it here, you might win an award!

Brian Morris
2ndMile Blog

Kenneth
Veteran

May 2, 2008, 12:13 AM

Post #4 of 22 (578 views)
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Re: [woolbrig] First Wedding [In reply to]	Can't Post

My only advice would be to put the highlights first. It's what they are going to show the most so why make them hunt for it?

Get back to us on Monday and tell us all about the screw ups. LOL
(don't get mad, we have all screwed up on a first few weddings)

You may want to contact this person as I think they have stolen your website:http://www.altaredvows.com/
......................................................................
Philadelphia Wedding Video
The Kenneth Stillman Blog
Philadelphia Trash the Dress

RT Steele
Veteran

May 2, 2008, 12:45 AM

Post #5 of 22 (573 views)
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Re: [Kenneth] First Wedding [In reply to]	Can't Post

(don't get mad, we have all screwed up on a first few weddings)

And the 6th... the 15th... the 37th...

Woolbrig. Don't worry about the DVD presentation order yet. Get this baby "in the can" first.

Oh yeah, make sure your fly is up before you shoot the processional. Blush

- RT

Kenneth
Veteran

May 2, 2008, 12:53 AM

Post #6 of 22 (570 views)
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Re: [RT Steele] First Wedding [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

(don't get mad, we have all screwed up on a first few weddings)

- RT

We should start a thread of major first time wedding screw ups. I'll start to put Woolbrig's mind at ease.

My first wedding I was so nervous about running out of tape that I stopped and restarted my cameras every time I moved them during the ceremony. I ended up with a catholic ceremony that was chopped up into about 30 different segments between the 2 cameras. What an editing nightmare I had trying sync up all those clips and then having to cut back and forth with the audio. I seriously should not have been paid for that job. LOL
......................................................................
Philadelphia Wedding Video
The Kenneth Stillman Blog
Philadelphia Trash the Dress

RT Steele
Veteran

May 2, 2008, 1:19 AM

Post #7 of 22 (567 views)
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Re: [Kenneth] First Wedding [In reply to]	Can't Post

We should start a thread of major first time wedding screw ups. I'll start to put Woolbrig's mind at ease.

My first "paid" wedding was probably my best one. Sly

That's all I did for 2 weeks was plan it out. It was a single cam shoot and I came home with something like 11 tapes. Wink

I wonder why it took me 6 weeks to edit?

Now my clients are lucky if I show up wearing pants and matching socks.

- RT

Kenneth
Veteran

May 2, 2008, 1:24 AM

Post #8 of 22 (565 views)
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Re: [RT Steele] First Wedding [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Now my clients are lucky if I show up wearing pants and matching socks.

- RT

Okay, I won't be sleeping tonight with that image in my head. I guess I'll go edit something until the crack of noon.
......................................................................
Philadelphia Wedding Video
The Kenneth Stillman Blog
Philadelphia Trash the Dress

woolbrig
Novice

May 2, 2008, 12:28 PM

Post #9 of 22 (511 views)
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Re: [Kenneth] First Wedding [In reply to]	Can't Post

They didn't steel it. It looks like they took the easy way out like I did. It's actualy a free template you get when you host on yahoo.

(This post was edited by woolbrig on May 2, 2008, 1:17 PM)

Coleman
Veteran

May 2, 2008, 12:44 PM

Post #10 of 22 (507 views)
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Re: [woolbrig] First Wedding [In reply to]	Can't Post

Are you going to do best wishes?

Coleman

Kenneth
Veteran

May 2, 2008, 12:56 PM

Post #11 of 22 (502 views)
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Re: [Coleman] First Wedding [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yes, yes! Make sure you do lots of table interviews. The guest think it's a hoot and it makes you the hit of the party.
......................................................................
Philadelphia Wedding Video
The Kenneth Stillman Blog
Philadelphia Trash the Dress

woolbrig
Novice

May 2, 2008, 1:17 PM

Post #12 of 22 (497 views)
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Re: [Coleman] First Wedding [In reply to]	Can't Post

The bride requested a few, but I'm not doing any more than the names on the list! I had her give me a contact at the rehearsal to point the people out. I'm sure they will love being put on the spot...

RT Steele
Veteran

May 2, 2008, 6:24 PM

Post #13 of 22 (466 views)
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Re: [woolbrig] First Wedding [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Don't listen to Kenny the knucklehead regarding table interviews. But if you absolutely have to do them... make this contact person round them up beforehand and go off to a secluded corner somewhere. Don't pounce on them at the table.

Do you have a dolly with wheels on it? Laugh

- RT

videogal
Novice

May 3, 2008, 12:44 AM

Post #14 of 22 (450 views)
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Re: [woolbrig] First Wedding [In reply to]	Can't Post

Words of interview advice ...

Take them to a secluded (quiet) location
Use a mic - the shotgun on your camera may not pick up well if ambient noise
Come up with some questions to elicit more than the BORRRRING "They are such as sweet couple" BS
Examples - wedding of Susie and Bob
- How do you know (Susie? Bob?)
- When did you first find out about Bob (Susie's parents, friends)
- When did you nkow Susie was "the one" (Bob's parents, friends)
- what was Susie like as a kid (aunt, friend)
- what was it like living with Bob in college (roommate)
- Tell me a funny story about Susie (anyone - friend, roommate, sibling)
- Dad - what did you think when you saw Susie in her dress the first time?
- Mom - what did you think when you saw Susie on her Dad's arm at the back of the (church or whatever)

OK, so my best word of advice is - don't do them! I hate doing them. We interview the bride&groom, both mom&dads, Maid of Honor & Best Man. Sometimes I sneak in a Grandma if I'm feeling friendly. That's it - any more is a $500 upgrade. Wish I could get out of them completely but it's pretty much expected here. Plus I sometimes get really good sound bytes that I can use in other places in my movie.

Good luck with your first wedding!

In Reply To

woolbrig
Novice

May 3, 2008, 9:47 AM

Post #15 of 22 (412 views)
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Re: [woolbrig] First Wedding [In reply to]	Can't Post

Well, it's the day of the wedding and it is cloudy and windy. Not good since it's an outdoor wedding. I've got windscreens on the mics, but with 20-30 mph winds don't know how good the audio will be...

RustyB
Veteran

May 3, 2008, 11:09 AM

Post #16 of 22 (401 views)
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Re: [woolbrig] First Wedding [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

....I would like to get an idea of what others are doing....

~~Love Story/Photo Montage~~
~~B&G Prep~~
Pre-Ceremony (establishing shot of location, guest book, etc)
Ceremony
~~Post-Ceremony (Photo Session)~~
Reception
~~Highlights~~

Edit on Sunday, drop it in the mail on Monday, and spend the rest of your week booking new gigs instead of making 3 cents an hour editing 10 hours a day trying to "wow" everyone. Tongue

j/k

Good luck on your first shoot. Get rock solid footage, use a tripod, use a light at the reception, mic the groom for the vows, make sure the camera is recording when it's supposed to be and not when it shouldn't, focus on shooting the faces at the wedding and less of the meaningless inanimate objects, and finish the DVD's as quickly as possible. You'll have a happy client.

Let us know how it goes!

savvy houston bride
get a video....not an excuse

Kenneth
Veteran

May 3, 2008, 5:06 PM

Post #17 of 22 (361 views)
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Re: [RT Steele] First Wedding [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I thought my sarcasm was painfully obvious. Wink

......................................................................
Philadelphia Wedding Video
The Kenneth Stillman Blog
Philadelphia Trash the Dress

Kenneth
Veteran

May 3, 2008, 5:07 PM

Post #18 of 22 (359 views)
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Re: [woolbrig] First Wedding [In reply to]	Can't Post

As long as you have your Glidecam with you this wedding is sure to win some kind of award. Wink

......................................................................
Philadelphia Wedding Video
The Kenneth Stillman Blog
Philadelphia Trash the Dress

RT Steele
Veteran

May 4, 2008, 4:46 PM

Post #19 of 22 (233 views)
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Re: [Kenneth] First Wedding [In reply to]	Can't Post

I thought my sarcasm was painfully obvious. Wink

It was to me.

I just didn't want woolbrig to go out and buy a useless shotgun mic like other first-time shooters that listen to everyone here when it comes to that, "gotta have gear". He can buy mine a lot cheper. Sly

- RT

Kenneth
Veteran

May 4, 2008, 5:28 PM

Post #20 of 22 (224 views)
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Re: [RT Steele] First Wedding [In reply to]	Can't Post

My advice is to buy tripods and dollies (so they can be moved easily).

I had a bride stop by my place yesterday. She's already booked but we haven't met. One of her first questions is what do I use my tripods for. I told her we use them for just about everything except the fast dancing and preps. She said GOOD!

She told me how she had gone through about 20 videographers in the Philadelphia area (even some of the expensive ones), and none of them got steady shots like she wanted. They all said they went handheld or with a Glidecam, and their shots weren't steady.
......................................................................
Philadelphia Wedding Video
The Kenneth Stillman Blog
Philadelphia Trash the Dress

RT Steele
Veteran

May 4, 2008, 6:35 PM

Post #21 of 22 (210 views)
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Re: [Kenneth] First Wedding [In reply to]	Can't Post

I told her we use them for just about everything except the fast dancing and preps

I would think most of us do at least 85% of our shooting from sticks. I can't remember that last time I've seen footage that had a lot of hand-held in it.

I'm about 98% because I'm getting fat and lazy and just don't want to move. Even the rare times I do prep, the bridesmaids just have to scoot their asses to the side.

- RT

MLiebergot
Veteran

May 4, 2008, 7:08 PM

Post #22 of 22 (201 views)
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Re: [RT Steele] First Wedding [In reply to]	Can't Post

Well, my main footage is the opposite, 85% handheld using a DVMulti Rig Pro in either pod supported handheld or pod supported shoulder mode.
For the ceremony I shoot handheld for the processional then go to a preset tripod for the remainder of the ceremony. Camera 2 is on sticks and shooting wide center. For the reception I am entirely handheld using DVMulti Rig including briald party intros and speeches. Again camera 2 is on sicks. I have been told the opposite of my footage by brides. That they think my footage was shot from a tripod because its so steady looking to them. I don't try to do anything fancy with the shots anymore (I got too carried away with moving camera shots), but try to get solid footage from different angles and perspectives.

In Reply To

I told her we use them for just about everything except the fast dancing and preps

Michael

Cameras: I do use them.
Audio: Yes, it does come with audio if you like.
Software: I am learning...
Support: I need all that i can get.
Computer: MAC BABY!