What are the benefits of a professional wedding videographer? How does your pricing structure work? How much experience do you have? How visible is the videographer during the ceremony? Do you come to the rehearsal? How do you do receptions? Do you use your own lights? How many cameras do you use? How many cameras do you recommend? What is your most basic package? Why are your prices not listed here? What if I don't want anything complex? Can I trust your judgment for editing? Are you digital? Does that even matter? How soon can I see my footage? What about DVDs? Will it play on my DVD player?

What are the benefits of a professional wedding videographer?
Any experienced bridal consultant will tell you that there are major differences between the video and photography. For example, photos are posed. My videography is not. Video captures everything that happens as it is. Videos capture the reality; the real time images, movements and audio. It is watching the video that makes people cry, not the posed photos.

In addition, with all the new technologies, you are no longer limited to sitting down in front of a T.V. and VCR to watch a two-hour video. With the internet, CDroms and DVDs, you can re-live the moments with short video samples on any computer, worldwide.

Talk to other couples who videotaped their wedding. Many times, they will say something like "we weren't going to do a video, but then we did, and now, five years later, we're so glad we did. With the video, we get to see all the things we didn't notice before; the groom's expression when he first sees the bride coming down the aisle, the flower girl, ring bearer, the bridesmaids walking down the aisle, the opening music, the parents of the bride and groom when they start crying, etc.

If that isn't enough, you will also have your vows recorded forever on high quality audio and video.

You may not see the value now, but trust me. In a few years, you will be so thankful that you captured this once-in-a-lifetime moment on video.

How does your pricing structure work?
Over the years of learning what brides really want the most, I have chosen to structure my services so that I offer the bare minimum I would recommend as a professional, and then add all the additional bells & whistles and extra options on the side, that can be added A La Carte. You get a top quality videographer using professional equipment (camera, lighting and audio) and a professional presence, regardless of the editing package, or time coverage you choose.   If you haven't budgeted for a Hollywood movie, you don't have to pay for it.

How much experience do you have?
Over the past five years, A Cappella Productions has done over 75 weddings, from Catholic to Protestant, Jewish, indoor, outdoor, one camera, two camera, lavish receptions, simple backyard gatherings, day, night, summer, winter, fall, spring, young couples fresh out of college, older couples getting re-married, etc. I've got samples of most of them I can show you.  I have two other experienced videographers that I book for weddings, whom I've trained in my style of shooting and that I have full faith in to match my level of professional discretion and competency.  Once the three of us are booked for a day, I do not book any more weddings for that day.     

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How visible is the videographer during the wedding?
During the ceremony, my goal is to be unobtrusive as possible. My equipment is minimal and compact. My cameras are small, lightweight, and designed to work in all levels of light. My job is to capture the drama, not to create it. I'm not producing a television show here, I'm capturing real-life. Many times people will try to talk to me, or feel the need to say something when they see the camera pointed at them, but I never encourage this. When I am filming your wedding, you are free to forget all about the videographer.  We are not being anti-social, and neither are you.  We're just doing our job. If people get in my way, I move. If the minister doesn't want me near the pulpit, I won't go near the pulpit. This is a sacred ceremony, and I respect that.

Do you come to the rehearsal?
Yes. If desired, I will make it a point to attend rehearsal. Every wedding ceremony is different. Every Church/Synagouge/Backyard, etc. is different. With all these factors, finding out about the logistics of the building ahead of time is an important part of the process. Seeing the location before the wedding day is how I will determine the exact camera placement, touch base with the priest/rabbi/minister, and figure out the sound and lighting conditions to make sure you get the best recording possible without intruding or interfering with the sacred atmosphere of the ceremony.

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How do you do receptions?
The receptions are recorded at your discretion. If you want me to go around to each table and try to get everybody to say something to the camera, I'll do that. If you just want me to capture unobtrusive shots like I did for the ceremony, then I'll do just that. Feel free to boss me around, but don't feel the need to. It's your reception.
If you only want one hour of the reception, I'll stay for an hour and leave. If you want me to leave after the cake cutting, but don't know what time that will be, then after the cake cutting, we'll finish up, and you don't get charged for any more time.

Do you use your own lights?
Because my cameras work very well in a wide range of lighting, there is not a need to set up extra lights for the ceremony. Receptions are another story. I have detachable lights on my cameras for the dark-lit dance floors and/or night shots.

How many cameras do you use?
I've done all different setups, from just one camera, all the way up to five different camera angles, and I know the value of each setup. I'll show you the value of each setup, so that you can make an educated decision as to how many cameras will be best for you.

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How many cameras do you recommend?
It depends on the building/setting of the ceremony.  I tend to recommend a minimum of two cameras.  This allows for close-ups of both the bride and the groom as they face each other and say their vows.  It also allows for cutaway shots of the guests, and the parents, friends and family.  Much of which the bride and groom never even notice because they are so busy with everything else going on.  But if there is a really nice view from the balcony, you may want a third camera as well. You may even want to add a fourth one if there is space available in front of the pulpit. The choice is yours. 

What is your most basic package?
The most basic service I can offer is simply me, with one camera, filming at an hourly rate. Most other professional wedding videographers are reluctant to offer this service, but it does allow the bride and groom to budget for other things.  You can always commit to additional editing any time in the future, and still guarantee that you get a high quality footage of the day, with good audio and well composed shots from a professional.

Where are you prices?
The main reason you do not see my prices listed here is because I do not want my competitors to know how much I charge. (Most of them would probably not approve. But I'm not here for them, I'm here for you.) So when you contact me, I will give you my rate sheet for the season, which is the standard I use for all weddings I do, regardless of what kind of car is parked in your driveway.

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What if I don't know what I want?
My approach to your wedding package is based on the premise that you are looking for a quality product. Wherever you are in your wedding planning, odds are, you are feeling a little taken advantage of by all the other the wedding vendors and professional services. My desire is to be a bright spot amidst all of the hype and circumstance of the wedding industry.
I have taken all the bells and whistles that videographers like to add on their video (i.e.; photo montages, extra copies, highlights videos, pre-wedding day interviews, etc.) and have listed them all individually on a separate page of additional options that you can browse at your discretion. This keeps the cost of the meat of the video dramatically lower than my competition. If you do decide on any "additional toppings", you pay for them individually. If you do not want any of them, you will still get a great wedding video, with quality image composition and sound, and can make editing decisions later, after you review the footage.

Can I just trust your judgment for the editing?
Yes you can. Just say "we trust you" and you'll receive a top quality job based on my best judgment. If you don't feel the need to analyze every frame of all your footage, I recommend this. I always make it a point to edit the best shots together, and make the final piece the most aesthetically pleasing production possible. Once I hear those words from you, you will recieve the edited master about two weeks later.

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What does "digital" mean?
Many videographers today advertise that they use high-quality 3-chip digital cameras. The major advantage to digital cameras has to do with image quality. They do give a high-quality image, so long as the videographer knows what he's doing behind the camera. (No digital technology will be able to fix an out-of-focus shot, a shaky camera, a poor exposure setting, or bad editing.) Of course, some digitial cameras are better than others.

I currently use a 3-chip digital camera, that is the premiere choice of cameras for wedding videographers in the area.  (Actually, Sony designed it as a result of feedback from professional wedding videographers), but I will not charge hundreds or even thousands of dollars more for it. You can make the final determination of the image quality when you see the actual video samples I give you.

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How long before I get to see my footage?
I generally make it a point to get the raw footage to you no later than two weeks after the ceremony, but I could easily get the footage to you as soon as the day after the ceremony. This means that if you work it out with me ahead of time, your footage can be waiting for you at your home on the same day you return from your honeymoon.  

Once all your final editing decisions are made, the edited master will be completed in about 4 weeks.

What about DVDs?
I currently offer my customers two DVD options: a basic DVD, that plays straight without an interactive menu (you can still jump forward in five-minute increments), or one with custom chapter links and interactive menu. There is currently a lot of confusion about the DVD production process concerning formats (DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RPW, 2x, 4x, 8x, etc.), image quality, DVD player compatability, etc. That is why I personally design and produce all my DVDs using only top-of-the-line, professional production equipment and software. If you experience any problems playing one of my DVDs on your particular DVD player model, whether it's a $40 model from Radio Shack, the latest $300 model from Circuit City, your laptop, or your X-Box, I will address and troubleshoot the issue personally. I will make sure you recieve a DVD that is compatible with all mainstream models.