25 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Videographer Before Booking
I’m guessing you’ve contacted few wedding videographers in Melbourne when you are reading this article. Some of them have sent their wedding videography package and someone you’ve planned to meet them this weekend. But hold on to your money, ask these 25 questions before you proceed to next steps.
Brides are curious what questions or things shall I ask when she meet her wedding videographer?
To find the best wedding filmmaker in Melbourne, and most importantly, the videographer suits you best. Here are 25 Top questions to ask before booking your wedding videographer.
Wedding videographer availability
- Are you still available on my wedding date?
Apparently, it would be first thing bride need to ask before meeting your wedding videographer. I’m sure you don’t want to be disappointed that you found your wedding videographer are booked out when you spent one hour travelling to his studio.
Pro tips: It is advised that you could confirm your wedding day’s availability through email before you attend the consultation.
Particularly, if you intend to book one of most popular wedding videographers in Melbourne, you shall book them in advance from 6 to 12 months, if you are getting married on a popular wedding date in 2020 and 2021, you should book them even earlier.
- Do you need a second wedding videographer or assistant to help you on my wedding?
Some wedding videographer need an assistant or second shooter on the wedding, particular at the ceremony and reception.
Pro tips: If you need to have two wedding videographers, you probably need to ask when the second wedding videographer’s start and finish time. In Melbourne, your wedding suppliers are your guests as well, if you could provide the food for them at the reception, your wedding suppliers would provide you a better service.
So do check the number of wedding videographers coming on the day.
- What if the wedding videographer is sick?
You spend a lot of time for organizing your wedding with your partner in the past few months and you want everything to run perfectly. However, no one can guarantee they can be at 100% health state in his whole life. Do you have a plan B if the wedding videographer can’t show up on your wedding day?
Pro tips: In the wedding industries, it’s not like a big enterprise which it has a lot of employees. Lots of wedding videographers work on their own. You shall ask him or her whether they have a backup plan if they are sick or any emergency happens.
Luckily, some wedding videographer works with his partner, that means you would still have a backup plan.
Or, you could book a wedding videographer from a studio/company, they normally have the consistent and comprehensive training to maintain every wedding videographer have a similar shoot style and great experience. And as they usually have multiple residential shooter, a backup plan shouldn’t be a problem for them.
Wedding videography style and background
- How do you describe your wedding videography style?
Comparing to our parents’ time, nowadays we have more wedding video styles to choose. The main wedding cinematography style in Melbourne is:
Pro tips: If you don’t know what does each of cinematography style exactly mean, you can ask your wedding videographer by sending his or her previous wedding video. If any wedding video genre gives you a good feeling, you probably found the suitable style for you.
If you have a clear insight of wedding videos and knows what you want. It is good to show your inspiring wedding video to videographers, then he can get an intuitive understanding.
- Do you film my wedding in a candid way? Or do you like to be visible and give us a direction?
You want to have a perception on how your wedding videographer will be filming on your big day.
Pro tips: Every couple has their own personalities; some bride and groom want to be their true selves and feel more relaxed on their wedding day. Some couples are looking for a cinematic wedding highlight, so you should be expected that the wedding cinematographer will be more engaged on your wedding day and give you some professional directions.
- How many years do you shoot wedding? How many weddings do you film in a year?
Make sure your wedding videographer are qualified and professional. The more experienced your wedding videographer is, your wedding video quality are more likely to be guaranteed.
Pro tips: Unfortunately, there is no certificate or degree for wedding cinematographers In Australia, but there is an authority organization named APVP (Accredited professional video producer) in Australia.
It requests the wedding videographers have at least 2 years videography experience and his portfolio are assessed by a panel of experienced APVP assessors. If your wedding videographer is one of the members of APVP, that means he is a professional one.
Also ask your wedding videographer how many weddings does he work each year.
Some videographers have many years of shooting experiences, but it is his side job during weekend. You want your wedding videographer to take care of your wedding. A decent number is 50-100 weddings per year. More experiences mean that he or she can handle some unexpected things during a busy wedding.
- What cameras and equipment do you use?
Normally, a wedding videographer’s creativity and knowledge is more important than his cameras and equipment. However, proper equipment is also an essential thing to keep the bottom line.
Pro tips: One of the really important things you need to ask your wedding videographer is how many cameras does he use on the wedding day.
The correct answer is at least two. In contrast to wedding photographer can take a photo and stop, the wedding filmmaker have to use two cameras during the ceremony and reception. One camera setup in the mid of aisle to capture the wide shot footage in real time, the other camera captures the bridal party and guest’s reactions from different angles.
A two-camera setup also ensures him to not miss any cherish moments from your big day even if one camera breaks down, the wedding videographer need to have a backup camera and equipment to make sure the hassle-free.
- I want to hear my vows during the ceremony. How do you capture the sound?
In regard to a great wedding movie, the audio is as important as the footage. A movie with terrible audio is just as unwatchable as the one with low resolution.
Pro tips: If you want to hear your vows in the wedding video, you shall ask your wedding cinematographer how he capture the sound. Some wedding videographer just use sound captured by the build-in mic in camera. In fact, the sound captured from camera’ mic is regarded as poor quality and the sound would come with lots of windy noise and echo in a big church.
The pro wedding videographer use the dedicated recorder to get clear digital sound from the celebrant PA system or set up a lapel mic inside groom’s jacket.
- Have you been to my wedding venue?
Pro tips: Ask your wedding videographer whether he or she has been to your wedding venues or some similar wedding venues.
The wedding videographers would know where are the best wedding photo spots at your venue during different season and time.
If your wedding videographer has not been your wedding venue. Don’t worries too much if you do like his wedding video style. You could discuss where the hot spots are at the wedding venue and look through the wedding venue’s gallery to get some ideas.
- Have you ever worked with my wedding videographer?
If you do not intend to book wedding videographer and photographer in a same company, perhaps you should ask this question before making a booking.
Pro tips: Every wedding videographer and photographer have their own shooting styles. You wedding day would be busy and fast paced. At certain moments, particularly during the ceremony and first dance, the wedding videographer and photographer want to capture a great shot at a same angle.
Make sure they know and respect each other.
What if my wedding videographer hasn’t work with my wedding photographer?
You could ask them to have a chat to touch base before the wedding, so they would stay friendly and effectively on your wedding day.
- I like my cousin’s wedding video, could I give you some suggestions for my wedding video?
If you are into your cousin’s wedding videography that she got married in NSW few months ago and you wonder if you should book his wedding videographer in NSW or a local Melbourne videographer.
Pro tips: You’re better to book your wedding videographer in local in regard to being cost-effective as well as ease of transportation.
But you could ask your wedding videographer whether he or she can do the similar video style as you’ve seen in your cousin wedding film or something similar on social media.
Do show the wedding video highlight so that the it will be easier for the wedding videographer to understand what you want for your wedding video.
- My partner is Greek, our ceremony will be held at a Greek Orthodox church, have you ever filmed a traditional Greek ceremony?
If your wedding has some traditional elements, do ask your wedding videographer this question.
Pro tips: Most professional wedding filmmaker are familiar with the Australian weddings. But if you are Greek, Italian, Jewish, Viennese and etc. If the wedding videographer is from your community or have been filming your cultural wedding for years, he or she will understand the important element of the traditions.
Wedding Videography Package Detail and Price
13. What items do include in your wedding videography package?
Every wedding videographer provides different wedding video products.
Pro tips: The most common wedding videography productions provided in Melbourne:
- Wedding highlight reel (4-8 minutes)
- Documentary live footage (1-1.5 hours)
- Sneak peek video (60 seconds)
- USB or DVDs.
- Do you edit my long version of live footage?
Most wedding brides are more focused on the shorter wedding video (4-6 minute) that they forget to ask about the longer wedding video. Simply because most wedding videographers will only use the wedding highlights to demonstrate his videography style during the wedding consultations.
Pro tips: Some wedding videographer only edit the wedding highlight reel and the Raw footage will be given to the couple as unedited. Obviously, no bride wants to watch unfinished wedding video, particularly in front of their families. Do ask whether they edit the long video as well.
If the editing long video is not included, please ask how much do they charge to complete this service.
- My partner and I live in different suburb and I have a big wedding, do I need a second videographer? And How much?
Some bride and groom’s preparation places have long distances and they want to start getting ready at the same time. And some bigger weddings do need the wedding videographers to capture from different angles.
Pro tips: If you do need a second wedding videographer to film a big fat Greek wedding, so you should ask how much to pay for the second videographer. You have more chance to negotiate a better deal for a big wedding videography package before your sign the paper.
Don’t leave the negotiation until one month before your wedding. You have no choice few weeks before the wedding if your wedding videographer is little bit greedy. You know what I mean.
- Do you provide Same day edit (SDE) and drone service?
Some wedding couple want to see something different and the package involves some extra options with extra costs.
Pro tips:
- Same day edit ($1200-$1500)
- Drone video ($500-$800)
- Do you have current wedding videography package promotion?
Don’t be shy to ask your wedding videographer, you can add more budget for your bridal shoes if you can save some money from your wedding videographer.
Pro tips: Some wedding videographer has the weekday and winter package promotion. Also, some studio has full package of wedding photography and video. You can find which package gives the best value.
Wedding video workflow and turnaround
- Will you arrange a pre-wedding consultation?
Every bride wants to feel comfortable with their wedding videographers on their big day in Melbourne.
Pro tips: Most professional wedding videographer will organize a pre-wedding meeting few weeks before the wedding. They also understand if they get to know you better, they will be able to create a better wedding film for you.
- When shall I attend the pre wedding consultation?
Pro tips: The best time for the pre wedding consultation is around 4 weeks before the wedding. At this time, you would have confirmed your wedding timeline, guests list, wedding venue settings. You have more comprehensive knowledge of your wedding day by that time.
Also, don’t arrange the pre-wedding meeting until the last week of your wedding, you will be too busy at this time.
- How long does it take for you to edit my wedding video?
Pro tips: Some wedding couples have to wait for 3 months or even longer. Ask your wedding videographer his workflow and turnaround time, you don’t want to stay in the endless waiting list so make sure you put the agreed waiting period into the contract.
Post Editing and Music for the Wedding Highlight Reel
- Do I get to choose the music for my wedding video highlight or you will choose the music for me?
Lots of wedding couples in Melbourne have their own ideas for wedding music. You could also get some suggestions from your wedding videographer.
Pro tips: You are the person that knows best on your wedding theme and know what the appearance of the video you want to see. So, why not choosing music by yourself.
Also, if you trust your wedding videographer’s taste, you would get appropriate songs from a true artist’s perspective. Have a chat with him about your music.
Here is some the wedding video editing tips in 2020.
- Do you offer revisions for my wedding video?
Pro tips: Later when you received your video, if you want to change something in your wedding video, you’re better to ask the videographer whether they provide the chance for a revision.
You could give the wedding videographer your feedback and suggestions through email or arrange a face to face meeting.
Some wedding videographer work in the sharing co-work office, you can only discuss the revision via email. If you think you want a massive change, you shall ask whether they can provide a face to face meeting after the wedding since communications are much easier when talking directly.
- How do you back up my wedding video footage?
Some wedding couples would go on honeymoons after the wedding or they got married in Melbourne but actually live in another city. So, the wedding videographer have to keep their wedding video footages for a while.
Pro tips: If you’re not sure when you can come back to Melbourne and copy all wedding video, do ask how long they can keep the wedding video safely, maybe 6 months, 12 months.
Most professional wedding videographer have at least two backups for your wedding video. Some videographer with caution uses the Drobo data storage system, this system is more reliable than a normal USB and hard drive. Make sure your wedding videographer take care of your wedding film as you don’t want to lose your precious memories.
Term and Condition and Refund Policy
- I am happy with your service, how much deposit do you require to secure the date?
Pro tips: Different wedding videographer has different policies. Usually, you will pay an amount from $500 to $1000 or 1/3 of total amount.
- Do I lose my deposit if I have to change my wedding day?
Every videographer and company have different policies. To guarantee your rights and benefits, you should double check with your videographer before signing up.
Pro tips: According to Australia commercial law, a deposit is nonrefundable. It is quite hard to get a refund without a good reason. But if you change the wedding day, ask the wedding videographer whether they can assist to change the day without extra charge.
What if I have to cancel my wedding?
No bride wants to cancel a wedding, it’d never like you cancel a family event. But if you have no choice and don’t want to lose your deposit. You could ask for a credit note, that means you could use the credit note for portrait photo or you could transfer the credit note to someone else. At the bottom line, you won’t lose your money.
Final thoughts
Organizing a wedding is a long journey. Don’t rush to make decisions and make sure there isn’t any landmine or hidden cost in your wedding videography package. Do ask everything you’re unsure and understand them clearly. Make everything clear in front.
If you still have more questions the article doesn’t cover, you couldcontact methrough email.
