It’s a chilly Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia and I am heading out of one of the city’s premiere wedding venues. I just spent my morning meeting dozens of newly-engaged couples at a showcase and talking with them all about their wedding day. I love attending events like this one because it gives me the chance to meet couples at the very beginning of the planning process and offer some advice that I have picked-up from working in this industry. It also gives me the chance to dispel any rumors and correct the misinformation I still hear about wedding films.
Over the past few years, I have definitely seen a shift in the wedding industry where more couples are becoming educated and aware of the necessity of having their day filmed. They get that it’s the best way to relive their wedding because they can see and hear all the amazing moments and value the need to have their day captured professionally. But even with all this new knowledge out there, I still have some couples coming up to me at wedding showcases and asking me if a film is really necessary. Since I probably won’t be able to meet all of you at a showcase, I’m doing the next best thing and sharing my answers to some of your biggest questions about wedding films.
1. I don’t really need a wedding film, right?
You may not believe it now, but your wedding day will come and go before you know it. All the months of hard work and planning will play out over several hours and then it’s done! Once the last piece of cake has been eaten and the last floral arrangement has wilted, all there is to look back on the day are the film and photos. Of course the photos are a great way to remember special moments, but nothing compares to being able to hear the toasts being given in your honor and see all your guests enjoying themselves on the dance floor.
I have found that in spite of all of my knowledge on the topic, the couples we work with truly say it best. Here was a review we received from Chris and Sarah after they watched their CinemaCake film for the first time:
“Unsurprisingly, we are blown away by what CinemaCake has created for us. They managed to capture not just the major events of our wedding day, but the feeling, emotion, and atmosphere of the celebration as well. To say that we are impressed would be an understatement and we truly cannot thank them enough. The whole team was fabulous to work with from the start and they not only went above and beyond, but did so in an entirely unobtrusive way, capturing moments without us even realizing they were there. In our opinion, that’s the mark of a phenomenal videographer and one we would recommend to anyone who asked. Thank you for all of your hard work and for creating something that will be invaluable to not only us, but our families (and Ella!) as well for years to come.”
2. Ok, I get it! I definitely need a film! But I can just have my friends film it on their iPhones right?
The old adage, “you get what you pay for” definitely rings true in this scenario. Sure, having footage just for posterity’s sake is good, but you’ll probably end up with clips that are blurry or audio you just can’t hear. Having a professional crew, like the teams CinemaCake sends out, ensures that you will have amazing footage from multiple angles and crisp, clear audio from all of the important moments of your day. Now, you’ll truly be able to experience the important moments of your day all over again!
Surprisingly, a recent survey of more than 750 newlyweds found that 35% of the couples wish they had spent more on their film! Budgeting for your wedding film is just as important as budgeting for photography and a good rule of thumb is to budget the same amount for both services if you want the same service and quality. Of course, you want to have beautiful photos of your day, but those images won’t let you hear your vows or see your first dance again. Only a film will let you fully experience your day again and again.
Can’t find the space for your dream cinematographer in your budget? Why not include a film on your registry! Zola.com gives couples the ability to create cash funds for your wedding film or any other elements of your day. You can let your guests gift whatever amount they like or set fixed amounts so multiple guests can split the cost of your item. Instead of getting more kitchen knick-knacks you’ll probably never use, ask your guests for a meaningful gift that you will treasure for the rest of your lives.
3. Alright, I’m hiring a professional! How do I find the best company for me?
One of the biggest mistakes couples can make when they are planning their wedding is not doing the research. It can be hard to figure out who you want to work with or who you can trust to provide the quality and service you are looking for and it’s important to educate yourself before you sign any contracts. First, it’s good to talk to other vendors you are already working with and see who they recommend. Most vendors take recommendations very seriously and will point you in the direction of someone whose work and personality they trust.
Once you have some names, you will want to start looking online to see what other couples have to say about working with these companies. By simply Googling “Name of Company” and “Reviews”, you can find several websites where clients have shared first-hand accounts of what is was like to work with the company on their wedding day and what the delivery process was like once they got to see their work. I always recommend couples check out the review site as well and make sure that reviews can’t be removed by the company. It can seem like a lot of work, but it will definitely be worth it when you’re working with the perfect team on your wedding day!
Planning your wedding can seem difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. If you prioritize the important elements of your day, budget for them or include them in registry, and do the necessary research, you will be able to put together an amazing team. Your team is going to be with you throughout the biggest day of your life and they will work to make sure you have the best wedding day possible!
Best of luck with planning and make sure to come visit me at a wedding showcase soon!
