There was a time when a couple exchanging vows had limited means to capture that special moment. Photographs have been around since the mid-1800s. Today’s photos are a far cry from the sepia-toned plates of old. Modern-day pictures are crystal clear, in full color, and can be sent with a click of a mouse. Videography lets you capture the sights and sounds of that special day in a movie-like format. Thanks to the wonders of high-definition video and Blu-ray discs, videographers are able to produce professional quality mini-movies that can be shared with one another. All you have to do is book the videographer and get ready to be movie stars for a day, or longer.
Basics of Wedding Videography
There are different styles of wedding videography. The video journalistic style is more documentary. The film is created and edited as the event unfolds, capturing your wedding from start to finish. Cinematic videography offers a bit more flash, more of a “wow” factor. It is more dramatic, and the videographer edits to create mood and a bit of drama.
The storytelling method includes sound bites taken from interviews with the bride and groom, the wedding party, and guests. These are edited into the video footage. The traditional wedding video is one that captures the day from beginning to end, with little or no editing. Traditional videos can last two to three hours or more, and sometimes look more like family home movies. Short form wedding videos are edited versions that are between 15 and 50 minutes in length.
Videographers may use one or more of these methods. The length of the movie frequently depends on whether it only captures the ceremony or if it continues to roll from the moment the bride and groom put on their wedding attire until the last guest leaves. Many of Maine’s weddings are held outside, perhaps in the fall to take advantage of the changing leaves or on a sandy beach. These are both ideal backdrops for videography. There is frequently an outdoor reception after canopy weddings. Kids, pets, and guests may all be included in the film.
The price varies between videographers and depends on the style, length, and inclusion of other services. Sometimes videographers charge for travel time, especially if the wedding is in a remote location. Prices can range from about $900 to over $4,000 for a combination video, photography, and DJ package. Booking windows also vary. In Maine, things tend to book up faster from early summer through the fall. As in most wedding plans, the sooner you book your videographer, the better.
Finding Your Maine Videographer
Maine has professional videographers throughout the state, most clustered near the larger metropolitan areas, such as greater Portland, Bangor, and Augusta. Some, like Sweet Thunder Productions in Wiscasset, offer multiple camera operators and coverage of the rehearsal dinner or even a pre-wedding coastal cruise along with a still-photo album. Others, like Wedding Videography of Maine, based in Patten, will often travel to all of Maine’s regions and beyond to video your special day.
Another company that will travel almost anywhere in New England is Lasting Memories, based in Kittery. One of their specialties is a “trash a dress” party. Sometime after the wedding day, the couple and their friends pick out a location for an all day party where the trashing, or dirtying up, of the wedding dress is captured on film. The firm also does “Save the Date” videos. The finished product is uploaded online, so the couple can email this 21st century wedding invitation to everyone.
