Professional Wedding Video has made remarkable progress in the last few years. The new digital cameras can capture your day in razor sharp detail and lifelike color. Most of today's professional video cameras are extremely light sensitive - rendering stunning quality even at your dimly lit wedding or reception. And new shooting and editing techniques not only make wedding videographers less obtrusive, but more creative. 

Most brides order their wedding video's on DVD.  DVD's have an average shelf life of up to 200 years, and if properly stored may outlast your photographs.  Interactive chapters in these DVD's allow you to instantly view any part of your wedding video, your vows, cake cutting, baby pictures, etc.

1. What is the best way to hire a videographer? Hire a videographer whose work you have seen, the best way to do this is to directly hire the videographer. If you hire through a company, be sure you view the demo tape of the videographer that will shoot your affair. If they can not guarantee you which videographer will be available for you, go to another company. You must see the actual camera and editing work of the person you are employing. Always check with friends about people they have used and are happy with. This goes for all areas of the wedding. Do not rely entirely on recommendations provided by the videographer, of course, they will only give you the names of people whose events came out perfect.

2. What's with all the bright lights? Know what the lighting needs of the videographer are! If their equipment needs lots of light, be sure this is what you want. Today's equipment needs much less light, however if the reception or chapel is dark the videographer must use some light to get a quality picture. The question is how much! Is a 30 watt light on the camera enough, or 3000 watt lights on poles all around the room. Some people like the room to look like a TV studio, the video taping is part of "show", with lights and cameras, everywhere. Others want the videographer(s) to be almost unseen. It is YOUR wedding, make it what you want! If you want lots of lights...go for it... if you want low lighting, get it. You, not the videographer, should decide.

3. Can I have a friend videotape the wedding for me? If you can afford to have it videotaped by a professional, then definitely do so. If however you can't then I would say even a poorly taped affair is better then none, just make sure the person videotaping the event has a tripod. Again however we would only have a friend videotape the wedding as a last resort. Just like having a neighbors kid play CD's at the reception rather then a DJ or band, better then nothing but not recommended.

5. Do I have to feed the videographer? Some reception halls insist you feed the band / photographer / videographer, in that case you do, but no, you don't have to. Talk to the videographer before hand. Save your money. If you are not going to feed them, however, let them know. If the videographer will be spending the day with you 5+ hours, then they will need an hour off to eat. Talk it over with everyone in advance. Many reception halls have a special rate for a basic meal for the service providers. Check with them.