Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I have my wedding videotaped?
What is the difference between an edited and unedited wedding video?
How should I choose a videographer?
Will my photographer and videographer work together?
Won't the cameraman be disruptive?
Will you use wireless microphones?
Will you interview the bride and groom on camera?
Do you offer slideshows to play at the reception?
Do you charge for mileage?
How is your time billed?
Will you attend the rehearsal?
Do I have a choice of music for our video?
When will I get my finished videotape?
Can I make copies of my wedding video?
What is your payment and cancellation policy?
Can you send me a demo of your work?

Why should I have my wedding videotaped?

For the same reason you have pictures taken - to preserve the memories of this important day. There is nothing like a professionally edited video to capture the sights, sounds and emotions of your wedding day. What better way to create a classic heirloom to be cherished for years to come? Many couples tell me their video was the best money they spent on their wedding day.
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What is the difference between an edited and unedited wedding video?

An unedited video is a basic recording of your wedding ceremony. The footage cuts from one shot to the next, there is no music added nor anything done to the footage. It is simply a straightforward, chronological video of your wedding.

An edited wedding video is a more creative, emotional viewing experience. The footage is fed into a digital editing system and edited with music, motion effects, titles and transitions to create a beautiful program that captures the action and emotion of the day. It is a viewing experience that cannot be duplicated by still photography or a home video camera. Basically it is a movie of your wedding day.
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How should I choose a videographer?

It's a fact of life that price plays a role in determining your choice of professionals. But don't ruin your wedding day by blindly choosing the lowest bidder for everything. Your wedding should be more important to you than that.

For starters, don't trust anyone who offers both photography and video. Anyone who claims to be a professional in both fields is just plain lying. They saw an opportunity to make a quick buck, so they purchased a video camera and call themselves professional videographers. It is vendors like this that give video a bad name, and they are doing a disservice to you by claiming to have expertise in both fields.

A professional, 3-chip camera (separate chips process the 3 primary colors) is a must if you want vivid, broadcast picture quality. A home video camera uses only 1 chip (a single chip must process the entire color spectrum resulting in duller color) and is unsuitable for videotaping a wedding, particularly indoors or at night.

Your videographer should have professional shooting and editing skills. This is where the clear line is drawn between amateurs and professionals. Just because someone buys an expensive video camera does not make them a professional videographer. Viewing a demo of someone's work is the best way for you to know who is a professional and who is not.

Finally, don't be tricked into choosing your videographer based solely on price. Beware of vendors who lowball the competition or offer one stop shopping for all your photography and video needs. It is the surest sign of a desperate vendor and is not worth the few dollars you might save. You should evaluate your professionals based on the quality of their work, not the lowest price you can find.

Remember, your wedding is a one-take event! A well-meaning relative or a poor videographer can ruin the most important keepsake you'll have of your wedding day. Your wedding video is something you should want to watch over and over, and it deserves the same consideration given to your food, flowers and other professional services.
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Will my photographer and videographer work together?

Wedding videography is relatively new, only coming into its own in the past several years. Wedding photography, on the other hand, has been around for almost two centuries! Some photographers see video as a nuisance and an infringement on their photography time. Some can be rude and refuse to allow the videographer any time to do their work, or they will ignore their presence and step in front of the camera on every shot. This punishes you, the client, and can ruin your wedding video. Fortunately many photographers appreciate the importance of both photography and video and are willing to work in a collaborative capacity. In my own experience, I have become good friends with many of my colleagues and have encountered only a few photographers with an attitude. If your wedding video is important to you, it is imperative that you talk to your photographer and make sure he or she is willing to work side by side with the videographer. Please refer to my links page for a list of recommended photographers.

Remember: your vendors are working for YOU on your wedding day, so be sure to let them know you expect them to work together. Your wedding day is not the time for professionals to exert their egos or cause problems for anyone. This is YOUR DAY, and your vendors should do everything they can to work together and make your wedding day a wonderful celebration.
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Won't the cameraman running around be disruptive?

The horror stories of videographers erecting huge lights and running around disrupting the ceremony will not happen with me. I record wedding ceremonies unobtrusively and with solemn respect for the occasion, using no lights and remaining in one location throughout the ceremony.
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Will you use a wireless microphone?

Yes, wireless microphones greatly improve the audio quality. It is usually the groom who is chosen to wear the lavalier "clip-on". The microphone is removed immediately after the ceremony to allow the couple their privacy.
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Will you interview the bride and groom on camera?

An interview chapter may be added to any package for $150. It is a separate chapter in the DVD and is filmed prior to the wedding day. The interviews are conducted at my house at least one day before the wedding (or earlier if your schedule permits). The bride and groom are interviewed separately on my deck, then together in front of a waterfall in my backyard. I ask lots of questions, some funny and some serious, and I encourage the couple not to share their answers with each other until they see the video. The results are often surprising, funny and very touching! An interview chapter allows a couple to tell their love story in their own words and it adds more depth to the video. Couples are always happy they added an interview chapter to their package!
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Do you offer slideshows to play at the reception?

A photos chapter (slide show) may be added to any package and is a separate chapter in the DVD. You may select one song ($175) or two songs ($250) with a limit of 50 photos per song. Typically the first song is used to show individual pictures of the couple growing up. The second song is used for pictures of the couple through their courtship and engagement. In addition to being a separate chapter in the DVD, the photos chapter can be created before your wedding day to be played at the rehearsal dinner, the ceremony or the reception. Please note photos must be provided well in advance of the wedding, and the venue must provide A/V facilities and someone else to run the equipment. We will provide the DVD and a backup copy!
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Do you charge for mileage?

There is no travel charge for weddings in Eureka Springs. However, due to the price of gasoline, there is a $50 travel charge for weddings in northwest Arkansas and Branson, MO. If the event is at night and beyond a 75 mile radius from Eureka Springs I may have to charge for gas and/or hotel expenses if an overnight stay is necessary. I am only interested in covering my travel expenses and am not out to gouge anyone's pocketbook! I will inform you of any possible travel charges prior to your booking.
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How is your time billed?

My time begins after I reach the first location. After that, all time is billable including travel to any other locations. If your reception is at a different site from the ceremony, travel time between locations is included as billable time. Keep in mind that weather, traffic, parking and unfamiliar roads can sometimes cause delays for couples and/or their families. Any delays are billable time and may reduce the amount of time I have to videotape. This is unavoidable since I may be booked for another wedding that same day! It is for this reason that it is better to book a bit more time than not enough. Please take this into account when choosing your package!
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Will you attend the rehearsal?

The rehearsal is not part of any package, however I am happy to offer it as an additional option. If you would like the rehearsal and/or rehearsal dinner covered, please book it in advance, otherwise I might not be available!
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Do I have a choice of music for our video?

Yes! I want your wedding video to reflect your tastes and personalities. If you have a favorite song, I will be happy to include it in the video. However, many couples prefer to leave the music up to me, and after discussing your tastes in music, I have an extensive library from which I choose appropriate selections. If you wish to choose your own music, I would ask that you send me your CD(s) well in advance of your wedding day.
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When will I get my wedding video?

Believe it or not, normal production time for most videographers is 3-4 months after the event! However, my experience and organizational skills usually allow me to deliver your video within 4-6 weeks! May, June, September and October weddings take the longest due to high demand.
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Can I make copies of my wedding video?

It is illegal to copy a tape that has a copyright, and duplication services will not make copies without a signed release form. Additional copies are available for you to purchase at a reasonable price.
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What is your payment and cancellation policy?

A deposit is required to guarantee your booking, and deposits are determined by the package selected. For the Elopement Package ($150) and Silver Package ($250), the deposit required is payment in full. For the Gold Package, a $250 deposit is required, with the balance due 30 days before the wedding. For the Diamond Package, a $300 deposit is required, with the balance due 30 days before the wedding. For the Platinum Package, a $400 deposit is required, with the balance due 30 days before the wedding.

Cancellations: Your deposit reserves a specific date and time and is your guarantee that no other bookings will be accepted. If for any reason (including but not limited to weather, medical emergencies, travel delays, etc.) you need to cancel or reschedule your booking, your deposit will be forfeited and may not be transferred to another date. No refund is possible since other requests for that date and time will have been turned down. That is why you make a deposit!

Refunds: All deposits are non-refundable. Balance due payments made on Gold, Diamond and Platinum packages will be refunded if cancellation is made no later than 72 hours before the wedding. If the wedding is cancelled within 72 hours of the wedding, both the deposit and balance due payment will be forfeited.

In the event that I am unable to make it to your wedding for any reason, the cancellation policy above will be waived and I will refund both the deposit and any balance due payment in full.

Can you send me a demo of your work?

I would be happy to send you a demo! I provide a very personal service and want my clients to feel completely worry-free about their wedding video. The vast majority of my work is done by referral, which you can see in the comments page I have provided. I love my work and you can be assured I will treat your wedding video as if it were my own!
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