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Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that we have discussed with many of our Brides and Grooms.Q: Why should I have my wedding videotaped?
A: There is nothing like a professionally made video to capture all the sights and sounds of your
wedding day, an event that has become one of the major social events in a person’s life.
What better opportunity to capture all of your family and friends and create a classic heirloom to be
cherished for years to come? I have had many couples tell me that having an
all digital video DVD made was the best thing they did on their wedding day.
Extra copies of the DVD are also provided free of charge.
Q: Can't a friend or family member videotape my wedding?
A: Certainly, but don’t expect professional results. Suncoast Video has been taping weddings since 1993, and we know all the ins and outs of capturing such an important event. We use professional three chip CCD digital DV cameras and tripods, professional wireless microphones and plenty of backup equipment. We edit using all digital computer-based non-linear editing equipment, digital mastering, titling and authored DVDs to create a true television production. We have no problem with other guests videotaping as long as they do not interfere with our efforts.
Q: Won’t the cameramen be obtrusive and disruptive?
A: I have heard horror stories of bright lights during the ceremony and videographers stepping right up between the minister and the couple. The kindest compliment anyone ever gave us was "I never even saw you all day". Suncoast Video makes every effort to record your wedding unobtrusively and tastefully, using no lights at the ceremony, remaining stationary and silent throughout, and using a documentary style in all of our recording.
Q: How should I choose a videographer?
A: It’s a fact of life that price plays a key role in determining your selection of professionals, and there is a photographer and videographer for every budget. Once you determine your spending limit you can begin to evaluate your professionals for quality, experience and compatibility. A professional camera is a must if you are to get true quality. Also, a minimum of 2 cameras for proper coverage should be used, as well as professional microphones. Ask your prospective videographer what equipment he or she will use at your wedding, and specifically who will be operating that equipment. Ask to see a sample of that person’s work. Don’t merely watch promotional videos—ask to see actual weddings with actual sound, preferably taped in the same locations as your upcoming event.
Q: Will my photographer and a videographer work together?
A: Wedding videography is relatively new, only coming into its own in the past few years. Wedding photography, on the other hand, has been around for almost 1½ centuries! Generally, photographers
and videographers get a long just fine.
In our own experience, we have even become close friends with our colleagues.
You should be aware that there are still some photographers that
resent the rapid onslaught video has made on the market.
One time a photographer returned the deposit to his client when it was discovered that a
videographer had been hired. Another time we worked with a photographer who had a
clause in his contract that stipulated that any other photographers or videographers had
to defer to him! A wedding coordinator hired by the couple did not notice that particular
clause, and when the photographer began ordering the videographer around it became a crisis
situation that required the intervention of the families. Remember: your photographer and
videographer are working for you on your wedding day, so be sure to let ALL of your vendors
know exactly what level of cooperation you expect. Your wedding day is not the time for a clash of artistic egos.
Q: Should I sign a contract?
A: A contract protects both you and the videographer, and should be comprehensive and clear. Don’t hire any professional with merely a verbal agreement.
Q: Will you use wireless microphones?
A: Suncoast Video uses two, three or four Samson UHF wireless microphones during the ceremony.
Wireless microphones offer a quicker setup. It is usually the groom who is chosen to wear the
black lavaliere clip on mic. The second wireless mic is placed to pick up the people that speak
or sing during the ceremony. There is also a stereo microphone on each camera to ensure all
the audio is recorded. Be sure to check with your church or synagogue to see if there are
any restrictions on the use of wireless equipment or microphone placement.
Q: What if my church has restrictions on video?
A: It is the client’s responsibility to find out if there are any restrictions on photography and videography wherever the event takes place and to notify the studio(s) well in advance. Many churches and synagogues have guidelines, such as no flash photography and no moving around during the ceremony, and understandably so—the place of worship is not a television studio.
We strive to place a camera in a position that affords us a clear view of your faces during the ceremony. This is not always possible because some churches restrict all videotaping to the balcony only. Be sure to find out what is allowed before you contract with a videographer or a photographer. Most celebrants realize the importance of video to the bride and groom and their respective families. One couple told us that watching their videotape was like renewing their vows, and it’s hard to find fault with such a wonderful sentiment as that. Suncoast Video asks for access to the site of the ceremony at least 1 hour prior to the scheduled starting time in order to set up our cameras and microphones and to make a proper test of all the equipment. It is our experience that churches sometimes fail to schedule enough time between events, so be sure to find out exactly how much time you will have access to the site before and after the ceremony. Photographers, videographers, florists and other vendors need sufficient time to do their best work.
Q: When do you begin taping?
A: We optionally begin a wedding day with a visit to the bride's home or other location where preparations are being made. Some of our most emotional and special shots have been made as the bride and her attendants are getting ready. We spend anywhere from 5 to 12 hours covering one wedding, but 8 hours is usually sufficient to get complete coverage.
Q: Do you charge for mileage?A: We almost never charge for mileage. If your event is outside a 150-mile radius from Venice, Florida, then we may have to charge for mileage and other expenses. We once did a wedding in Rochester, New York, which included 2 nights lodging, meals and other expenses, but that is certainly outside the norm. We enjoy visiting different places and meeting new people.
Q: Are your prices negotiable?
A: Our prices are based upon our 15-year experience videotaping weddings, as well as the high quality of the professional equipment that we use, and therefore are not negotiable. We encourage you to shop around and compare—but please look at the actual work—don’t just shop by phone.
Q: Will you attend the rehearsal?
A: Suncoast Video is usually able to attend the rehearsal especially if your site is not familiar to us and, if you wish, the rehearsal dinner. Attending the rehearsal allows us to determine the best placement for our three or four video cameras. It also allows us to discuss the camera placement with your wedding officiant. Also, we find that folks are more relaxed at the rehearsal and it provides many of candid video moments that are fun to watch.
Q: What should I look for in a professional wedding video?
A: The picture and sound should be crystal clear.
Any titles should look professional and be easily read. The production should be tightly and tastefully edited, making the
DVD more enjoyable to watch than real-time, raw footage. Special effects should be enhancements to the production and not appear "gimmicky". The most important element to shop for is the actual videographer, whose experience and talents are what you really want.
Q: How long will the finished tape be?
A: Suncoast Video likes to edit a complete production down to between 1½ to 2½ hours. That may include an opening of some rehearsal and rehearsal dinner highlights, a childhood, still photo montage, pre-ceremony coverage, ceremony, receiving line, reception and Grand Finale recap. We may shoot up to 12 hours of raw, unedited tape with three or four cameras. It can take us up to 40 hours to put the edited version together and another 5 hours to produce the authored DVD with chapters and scene selection menus. We can also supply a copy of all the raw footage for your archival records.
Q: Do I have a choice of music?
A: Suncoast Video encourages you to provide your own music. When you supply your own music on CD or mp3 format we know that it is music that you like and it also helps to solve the music copyright issue.
Q: What is “in-camera” editing?
A: Something we do not recommend. In-camera editing is merely pausing and starting the
videotape in the camera as events warrant and then handing the tape over
to the customer at the end of the day. We shoot a lot of footage
with many cameras to ensure that we capture all the special moments and then use our post-production editing suite to complete the
DVD, adding background music, and possibly titles and limited special effects
and removing our taping mistakes—yes, we do make some mistakes.
Q: Can I make copies of my wedding video?
A: Yes, but any copies that you make may suffer serious quality degradation and won't be labeled. All of our DVDs are produced from our digital computer editing system and additional copies are available at a nominal fee. We would rather provide you the amount of DVDs that you need that are correctly produced and labeled.
Q: Should I provide a meal for the videographers?
A: We are on the job for sometimes up to 10 hours between the time we arrive at the bride’s home and the time we leave the reception. It is a welcome courtesy if you provide a meal for your photographers and videographers, and to provide it quickly so that we are ready to work again at a moment’s notice. Please don’t feed your vendors last because you will probably want shots of the newly married couple as they greet their guests at the tables. If you cannot provide a meal, we will need to take an off-site meal break sometime during the reception.
Q: What about those obtrusive interviews?
A: We do not go around from table to table putting people on the spot to "say something for the bride and groom". Rather, optionally, we set up a microphone somewhere in the back of the reception area or in a lobby and invite people to come up and say a few words voluntarily. Usually we get the DJ or band leader to make an announcement so that everyone gets the opportunity.
Be sure to let us know if you want interviews or not. We will also send you a “proof”
copy of just the interviews to let you decide which interviews are
to be included in the edited video.
Q: When will I get my finished videotape?A: Normal production time is 3-6 months after the event. We encourage everyone to gather all musical selections and, optionally, all photos for the Childhood Montage and send them to us before or after the wedding.
Q: Can you send me a sample DVD?
A: We prefer meeting our prospective clients in person and to show several samples of our tapes; however, if time or distance precludes our meeting I will be happy to send a DVD of a wedding that we recorded that is similar to yours. We take great pride knowing that the great majority of our work is done by referral. A meeting in person allows us to get to know you and for you to get to know us. This is a very personal service that we provide and we feel that we cannot deliver our best work if we do not meet the principal people involved in the event.
Q: What do we deliver?
A: We create a master DVD with chapters and scene selection menus. It is labeled with a still image from your wedding and delivered in an Amaray style DVD case with a glossy sleeve printed with a still image of your wedding. We will provide up to 10 copies of the packaged DVD at no extra charge. We can also provide a copy of the wedding video on VHS tape if requested.
Q: What is a Highlights video?
A: OK, you have decided to go with one of our premium packages. We will deliver a DVD that will probably be 2 or more hours in duration. Many friends and relatives will want to see the full video and many would be happier to see a "best of" video that is about 10 to 20 minutes long. We can produce a highlights video and provide extra copies on DVD.
Q: Anything else you can think of?
A: Whatever studio you choose to videotape your special day, take the time to shop and look at the actual work, and hire someone you feel comfortable with. Don’t shop price—an expensive video may be awful and an inexpensive video may be very good.