by Natasha L. Kohlhoff Polak

Created on: July 23, 2010

Your wedding is a memorable day, but goes by so fast that it is so very helpful to have it on film.  Moreover, when you have children, you can show them the video footage of your wedding and have proof that you were once young and vibrant.  It also is a way of reliving moments with your closest friends and family who might have passed on since then.

What makes video more personable than mere photos is the fact that you can incorporate music, moving pictures, and written words on the screen to create a work of art.  Whatever style of recording you desire, it is best to check out your options ahead of time, and know your budget well in advance.  Otherwise, you run the risk of having a mediocre video for an outrageous cost.  Get recommendations on videographers, and decide how you want to have your day documented - and if you want to even include your rehearsal dinner and photo stills.  Also keep in mind that a video can be limited, depending on how long your event is, so get a game plan together to have key moments filmed.  A word of caution: separate your videographer from the photographer, or else you might find certain parts of your wedding ONLY on video or ONLY on film, or have neither recorded at all!  In my case, the photographer had to play both roles due to a last-minute bail out by the videographer, and he didn't bring enough film.  Therefore, we ended up with lots of footage on our rehearsal dinner, pre-wedding day prep, and everything up to the first dance before he ran out.  Plus, during the wedding ceremony, he took pictures most of the time, leaving the camera on a tripod in the back of the room - so that there were no close-ups of our vows and there was no audio!  Therefore, I cannot stress the importance of keeping the two modes of media separate if you desire to have video and photos!

Your wedding video is much like a documentary, revealing every little thing that happened on your big day.  While there are bound to be tense, shy, or embarrassing moments, you will be laughing about them in later years.  Overall, your video is a gift you give yourselves, because it allows you to go back in time and rediscover those emotions you felt for your spouse.  Not that you have to watch a video to remember how to love him or her, but there is something magical about watching movies on the screen, and the little reminders don't hurt.  Granted, you can also relive your wedding through a photo album, but even then, there will be elements missing.  Having photos and a video of your wedding are your best bet.

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