Congratulations!  The big day is drawing near.  You've invested so much in your wedding video; we want it to be perfect for you – after all, you will have it forever.  The following tips and suggestions are designed to help you maximize the benefits of your investment.  Ultimately, your cooperation will lend to the success of your wedding video.  We hope you find these suggestions helpful.

1.  Don’t chew gum.   Chewing gum on camera, especially in slow motion looks very, very bad.

2.  Bride’s Prep:  If you opt for coverage of bridal preparations, you may wish to ask your attendants to dress first so they are comfortable and look their best on camera and in photos while they help you, the bride and/or groom, prepare.  Prepare the environment by removing any clutter and turning down any noise, such as TV or radio – we want to capture all those oohs and ahhs!

3.  The Processional:  Don’t rush.  Advise your attendants to walk slowly down the aisle.  Processions are one of the most difficult parts of the day to shoot, usually because this is the first time guests see the bride and in their enthusiasm for a snapshot, they block your professional photographers. 

4.  Grooms lead your bride:  The tendency is to allow ladies first, but grooms walk ahead of your bride so you do not step or trip on the train (don’t want any torn trains or veils!).  You may want to practice this at your rehearsal so it comes naturally the next day. 

5.  Cameras during the ceremony:  We strongly recommend making an announcement prior to the start of the ceremony, or printing a request in your program, for guests to stay seated during the ceremony and refrain from taking pictures.  (They will snap pictures, anyway, but it may discourage them from getting up and roaming around, creating obstacles for your paid professional services.)  Far too often we lose valuable moments that you paid us to capture due to an overeager guest with a camera.  They mean well, but chances are you will never see that photo or video so why risk compromising your paid services.  Some churches will make this announcement prior to the processional and often those are the best ceremonies we capture.  Again, this is completely up to you, but we strongly recommend that you protect your investment. 

6.  Readings:  Have all readings/speeches/performances delivered near a standing microphone, such as a podium or mic stand.  If not possibly, have the officiant step aside and have the reader stand in the same spot as the officiant, between the bride and groom, facing the guests, so their voices will pick up on the groom’s lapel mic.  Otherwise, the audio is compromised.  Remind readers to speak slowly and clearly.  TIP:  Give them a copy of the reading beforehand so they can practice.  Too often the wedding day is the first time readers have an opportunity to look at the reading and if nervous, they end up stammering through it. 

7.  Outdoor ceremonies:  While they are often very beautiful settings, they can pose some of the biggest lighting challenges.  The most ideal situation for an outdoor ceremony is to have the officiant, bride and groom all in even lighting conditions  – either everyone in the shade or everyone in the sun.  Mixed-lighting is our greatest challenge and will sacrifice the beauty of your video.  For more information on how to improve this situation, please contact us.

8.  Unity Candle:  Whenever possible, face your guests, standing behind the unity candle, looking out at your guests.  TIP: You may wish to pre-light your unity candle prior to the ceremony so it lights easily on the day of the wedding.

9. Vows/Rings:  The most important part of the ceremony!  Bride and groom face one another, standing toe to toe so everyone, including the camera, can see your faces!  The most frequent obstacles for us during the vows & rings are bridal attendants, guests, and photographers.  Please inform us if you know of any possible obstacles so we may plan accordingly.  Also, if the video is important to you, please emphasize this to your photographer and ask them NOT to block the vows and rings.  You cannot hear the vows in a picture – typically, this is an important moment for your video.  We strive to work with your photographer and we ask only for the same consideration, for your benefit.  And the request always means more when it comes from you.

Ideally, guests should remain seated during the vows.  Some officiants ask guests to stand during the vows.  This greatly limits our ability to get decent coverage due to the added obstacles.  If you have the choice, please ask your officiant to keep guests seated during the vows and rings, if it is important to you.

10.  Receiving line:  We suggest the bride and groom stand last on the end rather than parents or bridal party.  This helps the line move faster, as well as allowing for a clear shot of you interacting with your guests. 

11.  Toasts:  Advise your best man, maid of honor, parent, or anyone giving a toast or speech, TO STAND DIRECTLY BEHIND YOU, THE BRIDE AND GROOM, BETWEEN YOU, FACING THE GUESTS so we may capture them, as well as you and your reactions.  We will mic this area, as well as the DJ/band amps.  We will ask the DJ/band to NOT MOVE OR TURN THE AMP away from our mic during the toasts.  If seated at a round or family-style table (with bridal party on both sides), we will ask the bridal party to remain seated to avoid obstacles.  Please understand that we cannot control the environment or people’s actions; therefore, we may be limited in our ability to adequately capture every word if these conditions are not met.

12.  Visiting guest tables:  During dinner is an ideal time to visit your guests so you are free to enjoy the celebration to follow!  You may wish to start with older guests, as they often have a tendency to leave earlier and are less likely to be on the dance floor later.  The bridal party usually eats first and is finished before the guests, so dinner is usually the least hectic opportunity to visit.  (We wish we had done this at our own wedding!)

11. Vendor meals:  Ask your reception hall or caterer to feed your professionals at the same time as the head table so we are finished and ready to go when you are.  If possible, please have us seated in the room, so we can see if anything is happening that we need to get up and shoot at a moment's notice, such as you visiting with your guests.  We don't need anything fancy, just the basics.

12. Have fun!  By taking care of the important details beforehand you will be able to relax and enjoy your fabulous wedding day!

Questions?  Concerns?  Contact us at  (270) 312-9760 or email Ron@DigitalCreationsSite.com  This information has been graciously provided by: Jennifer Moak at www.imagesbymoak.com