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Producing a wedding video is about capturing the emotions of that moment in time and keeping them alive forever. Here are some questions — and answers — you should consider in your planning.

 

1. Will the videographer we discuss our wedding with be the same that will record our video?
2. Are the videos in the sample video collection recorded, edited and encoded by the same videographer who will be recording my wedding?
3. Will you take video before, during and after the ceremony?
4. What type of cameras do you use?
5. What type of lighting setup and additional equipment do you use?
6. Do you bring a backup camera to the wedding in case yours fails?
7. What length will the final version of my wedding video be?
8. What special techniques or special effects do you offer?
9. Will you follow a checklist of special video sequences I request?
10. What is the number of hours you will be available for my wedding?
11. How many other weddings will you record on my wedding day?
12. What are your charges, and conditions for payment?
13. How long after the wedding will my video be ready?
14. How does the videographer dress for the wedding?
15. Can we include additional materials like childhood photos in your editing process?
16. Will you interview guests and family members on video?
17. What is your style for event videos?
18. Have you done many weddings before?
19. Are you members of any videography association?
20. How does the videographer coordinate his/her workflow with the wedding photographer?
21. Do you include background music in your productions? If so, what kind? And what about copyrights?
22. Can you add text to the wedding video?
23. Can you produce an engagement video?
24. Can you produce a DVD to be inserted in our wedding invitations?
25. Can you include a photo montage or a video scrapbook?
26. Do you include a highlight video (a trailer) as well?
27. Will you be willing to meet us at the location of the wedding?

 

Will the videographer we discuss our wedding with be the same that will record our video?

Absolutely! This is important for various reasons. First of all, you have the right to meet the actual person who will be present at your wedding and be comfortable with him/her. But meeting in person with you is also important for us. We need to understand you, your style, your wishes, your preferences, and that can only be done properly when the videographer himself gets to know you before the wedding day. (top)

 

Are the videos in the sample video collection recorded, edited and encoded by the same videographer who will be recording my wedding?

Yes. If more than one camera operator will be used, you will see the work of the main one, or director, who will also be responsible for every other aspect of production, from your ideas to the finished product. We guarantee a personal approach through the whole process. (top)

 

Will you take video before, during and after the ceremony?

Yes. Your wedding is much more than just a ceremony. In our standard package we include coverage for the ceremony, the reception and the photo session. We also work with you to offer you just what you are looking for. The options are many, and we want you to remember that day in the best way possible. Just talk with us, and we will do our very best to meet your needs at an affordable rate.  (top)

 

What type of camera do you use?

We use state-of-the-art equipment. We will record your wedding with professional Digital Video or High Definition cameras that are field tested and proven to provide the best possible results without the bulkiness and encumbrance many of the older analog cameras came with. Our cameras have also been used in movie and documentary productions.   (top)

 

What type of lighting setup and additional equipment do you use?

This really depends on the circumstances. We do our best to maintain the natural light of the environment where your wedding takes place. However, there are conditions in which recording video, even with the most sophisticated and advanced equipment is simply not possible. Modern cameras work fairly well even in low light conditions, but as light diminishes, video noise and “imperfections” also increase. It is (and it has always been) a matter of compromise. On one hand, you don’t want to turn your wedding into a movie stage, with lamps and equipment everywhere, and an artificial look at the end. At the same time, though, you cannot have movie perfect images with little or no light. To avoid being too intrusive, we tend to use on-camera and hand-held lights with dimmers so that they will not be too bright or disturbing. On occasion, however, we have been asked to provide full lighting for a specific venue, and we have done that, too. Whenever possible, we like to offer our consultation to our customers on location, so as to be able to discuss the specific conditions, limitations and challenges we may face, so that on that most important day, everything will work fine. We record sounds via on-camera microphones or wireless lapel microphones. When we use a wireless microphone for a wedding ceremony, the microphone is generally hidden in the groom’s boutonniere and becomes invisible against a black tuxedo. In certain circumstances, we have also tapped into the main sound board with a high level digital recorder, and that has given excellent results, too. Certain sequences we are requested to produce may also require special equipment. This may be the case for crane or dolly shots, much like it is done in a movie or a high level documentary. However, all this will be discussed and planned in advance. It all depends on the location and your specific needs. One thing we don’t do: we don’t just show up on the day of your wedding, trying to figure out how to do our job, or use the same set up for everyone. We will work very closely with you and your venues to obtain the best results with the least possible intrusion.  (top)

 

Do you bring a backup camera to the wedding in case yours fails?

In short, yes. Even more, we often produce our videos with more than one camera. The reason? We are unable to be in two places at the same time, and don’t want for you to miss out on that special expression or that tear that happens just as the main camera is recording you cutting the cake or having your first dance. Again, we will work with you to obtain the best result possible.  (top)

 

What length will the final version of my wedding video be?

The final length of the video depends on what you envision it to be like. Do you want uninterrupted coverage of your hour long ceremony? No problem. Do you wish to see just the essential moments? That’s fine, too. We will discuss it with you before the wedding and blend your needs with our creative experience to produce something that is quite pleasant to view, and relevant to you. (top)

 

What special techniques or special effects do you offer?

There are literally thousands of possibilities available. Just like too many fonts on the same layout will end up looking poorly, so can too many special effects. The idea is to use the effects that are most suitable to enhance your wedding video, not to overwhelm it as if to show off what we can do. It is really an art: the selection of the appropriate look for the moment and for your audience. From a fast paced more modern style to a slower and more classy blending of sequences, it all must be done with taste and  in a way that is appropriate to the occasion and the intended audience. (top)

 

Will you follow a checklist of special video sequences I request?

Absolutely. That is one of the reasons why we wish to talk with you before the wedding. We will make sure that what is important to you will be included. (top)

 

What is the number of hours you will be available for my wedding?

This depends entirely on you. We will discuss it in our free consultation. Our standard package includes up to six hours, but we can be flexible based on your needs. (top)

 

How many other weddings will you record on my wedding day?

None. We make sure we have all the time needed to serve you in the very best way possible. Once we book a wedding, we make sure our full attention is dedicated to that event, and we never book a videographer for more than one event on the same day. (top)

 

What are your charges, and conditions for payment?

We do our very best to offer you the best possible quality at the lowest possible price. Our standard fees are clearly listed at http://www.cozzivideo.com/pricelist.html but we will work with you and do our best to meet your needs. All our fees will be discussed in advance. We accept cash, checks, and VISA, MasterCard or Discover cards. (top)

 

How long after the wedding will my video be ready?

This depends on several factors, including the amount of special edits you require. Generally the video should be ready around the time you come back from your honeymoon. Of course, if you opt to include pictures from your honeymoon in the video, we will get everything else ready, but will have to wait for you to come back before we can finalize our work. (top)

 

How does the videographer dress for the wedding?

We will arrive dressed appropriately for the occasion: from suit and tie to a full tuxedo, depending on your dress code. It is no problem for us. (top)

 

Can we include additional materials like childhood photos in your editing process?

Yes. Depending on the quality and appropriateness of the materials you will provide, we can even blend it with some of the footage of the event, or we can prepare a special presentation accessible from the fully customized menu of the DVD. (top)

 

Will you interview guests and family members on video?

Yes we can, but professionally and with discretion. We will never put your guests “on the spot” by just pointing the camera at them. Interviews can be obtained in a discrete way, without pressure or embarrassment, and without disrupting the moment. We also offer a “Special Greeting” option as a separate segment of your video (or to be blended with it). Although this is a more complete set of comments from the couple, relatives and friends, it provides precious memories for many years to come. In addition to this special option, we may include very quick comments at various points of the video as part of our documentary production for your wedding. When we blend it with the main video we may use a variety of techniques, like voiceover, cutaway scenes, or reaction shots. (top)

 

What is your style for event videos?

Depending on the need for the specific occasion, we may use a cinematic (movie) style or a documentary style. In some cases we may use both. A cinematic style is like a movie, telling the story of your wedding day. It generally requires additional editing work and will affect the way we capture the video as well. A documentary style, instead, tends to record the events of the day rather than “recreate” them into a story-flow. But make no mistake: to us “documentary” is far different than just simply turning on a camera on a tripod and recording whatever happens in front of it. Whether we use a cinematic story-flow or a documentary approach, the way we capture and edit the video has a “cinematic” feel to it that eliminates the coldness that often makes digital video look more like home videos. (top)

 

Have you done many weddings before?

This is an important question. Although we may be fairly new in New England, our experience goes way back. Our producer has been a wedding and event photographer in Italy since the mid 70’s and has a great deal of experience. After several years commitment to other work he has returned to his passion for creating images that capture not just the events, but the emotions as well. Currently he dedicates himself exclusively to video and no longer offers still photography.  (top)

 

Are you members of any videography association?

We are currently pursuing membership in several organizations and are members of WEVA (Wedding and Event Videographers Association International). We always strive to improve our skills and our expertise and to operate at the cutting edge of technology. (top)

 

How does the videographer coordinate his/her workflow with the wedding photographer?

Generally we work very well with other professionals. We welcome the opportunity to talk with your photographer of choice, and coordinate our workflow with him/her. We have many friends among local photographers, and are very familiar with their needs, so we do not need to compete with them. It should be understood by everyone that while it may be relatively easy to repeat a still photograph, we will always be conscious and aware of the work of your photographer so as not to disturb him/her. However, if the photographer steps in front of the video camera even for just a fraction of a second, he/she may spoil an entire sequence that can never be repeated. This, however, should not be one of your worries. We will be more than happy to talk with your photographer and coordinate our work flow with him/her, so you will have nothing to worry about. (top)

 

Do you include background music in your productions? If so, what kind? And what about copyrights?

Yes, we include music. In fact, we will score your entire production with appropriate music to evoke the feelings of the moment. We also respect the copyright laws, and every musical composition we use is fully licensed for video production. We have a large variety of music we are licensed to use in our productions, and continually add more. We are also able to purchase a license for many individual songs if requested.  (top)

 

Can you add text to the wedding video?

We can easily add text, captions, titles and even credits at no extra cost to you. One great use of this is to include “credits” at the end of your main video as a way to say thank you to your wedding party, relatives and friends who may have played a relevant role in making your dream wedding possible.  (top)

 

Can you produce an engagement video?

Yes, we can. Talk to us in advance, and we will work with you. (top)

 

Can you produce a DVD to be inserted in our wedding invitations?

Yes we can. Contact us with plenty of advance notice, so we will not have any problem scheduling a recording session for the video, and producing the invitation DVD. Invitation DVDs have been in fashion for some time now, and provide a very interesting way to invite people who are particularly special to you. It is also a great way to share a little about yourselves by including with it your family or childhood photo montage. It is also a great way to introduce your fiance to distant relatives. (top)

 

Can you include a photo montage or a video scrapbook?

Yes, we can. There are several options in our packages for this. We can also work with you and plan something different and special just for you. (top)

 

Do you include a highlight video (a trailer) as well?

Yes, it is one of our options. A highlight video, some times referred to as a wedding trailer, can be a wonderful addition to your wedding video. It is perfect for those relatives who come to visit you and who may not have time to view the entire full video of your wedding. It is perfect to show at special anniversaries, or at a gathering with special guests. (top)

 

Will you be willing to meet us at the location of the wedding?

Yes. In fact, we prefer to meet you on location for our consultation or as soon as possible. Meeting you on location has many advantages: we can immediately see what we are talking about and determine the best way to record your wedding video. It is a small investment of time that can save much more later, and lead to better results. This is just one small example of how much care we place in producing the best possible wedding video for you.  (top)