$$$   Here is a price list of what I charge, but remember this is just for events in Westchester County. $$$

First and Foremost:

Hire a Videographer whose work you have seen, the best way to do this is to directly hire the Videographer. If you hire through a company, be sure you view the demo tape of the videographer that will shoot your affair. If they can not guarantee you which videographer will be available for you, go to another company. You must see the actual camera and editing work of the person you are employing. Always check with friends about people they have used and are happy with. This goes for all areas of the Wedding. Do not rely totally on recommendations provided by the Videographer, of course, they will only give you the names of people whose events came out perfect.

We have a professional photographer, can we just have someone stand next to them and shoot the video?

What's with all the bright lights?
 

Know what the lighting needs of the Videographer are!
If their equipment needs lots of light, be sure this is what you want. Today's equipment needs much less light, however if the reception or chapel is dark the videographer must use some light to get a quality picture. The question is how much! Is a 30 watt light on the camera enough, or 3000 watt lights on poles all around the room. Some people like the room to look like a TV Studio, the video taping is part of "show", with lights and cameras, everywhere. Others want the videographer(s) to be almost unseen. It is YOUR wedding, make it what you want! If you want lots of lights...go for it... if you want low lighting, get it. You, not the videographer, should decide.

Can I have a friend videotape the wedding for me?

If you can afford to have it videotaped by a professional, then definitely do so. If however you can't then I would say even a poorly taped affair is better then none, just make sure the person videotaping the event has a tripod. During the wedding be sure the camera is near a speaker in the church/hall/etc. or close to the wedding couple. If they set-up back with the guests you can easily pick up the kids playing/crying, all the coughing etc. During the reception again, with the tripod, and be sure the back of the camera person is toward the windows of the room. If you shoot toward the windows the video picture will be dark. Again however I would only have a friend video the wedding as a last resort. Just like having a neighbors kid play CD's at the reception rather then a DJ or band, better then nothing but not recommended.


Why does it cost so much?

Everything to do with a wedding has the prices marked up, the food, limo's, band, DJ's, flowers. Is it fair, of course not, that's why you have to shop around. Don't be afraid to ask the Videographer how the price can be lowered. You may not need everything included with the package, if the wedding and reception are in the same place or nearby, you may be able to get a lower price, if you don't need baby pictures or a recap, that should lower the price. Remember if you hire a professional and just get the tape the end of the evening it will cost you a lot less. (editing a 2 hour wedding tape can take 5 to 15 hours) and you will have all the benefits of the videographer (wireless mikes, professional camera, etc.) Be sure to make copies of the tape as soon as you can, or pay the videographer for a few copies, it is money well spent. Most videographers call this their 'basic' package.