When you come to choose your wedding video it is worth remembering that they are not all of the same quality and the actual amount of content can vary dramatically as can the skill level of the cameraman. I hope that you can tell the difference.  

It is not always easy to compare like with like. You may even be quite impressed by what you are shown and never realise how much better it could have been. If you are not careful you can end up paying more and end up dissatisfied.

1). Most people spend a lot more time choosing a Photographer than a Videographer, as pre wedding, the photographs will seem to have a higher priority, so trust your photographer to suggest a videographer. It is important that the two are compatible. Photographers  know the value of working with a skilled videographer every bit as much as we know the benefits of working with a talented wedding photographer. If you are using an Ayrshire Photographer and he or she wants you to get the best possible results from your day then there is a very good chance that you will be pointed in our direction. 

Jill & Alastair at Western House

2). Make sure you know who will be filming your wedding.  In spite of what it says on many of their websites about you being their only customer on the day, some  unscrupulous videographers will deliberately take extra bookings knowing that they can get someone to film for them. ( this is becoming a lot more common than you would imagine and by the time you find out it will be too late to do anything about it)You may find that with that sort of person you end up waiting several months to get your DVD ****  Your photographer may be aware of those that do this, so please ask them.

  Emma & Bridesmaids at the Marine Troon     

3). When it comes to deciding what time to get married and when to have the meal remember to consult your photographer about how long will be needed to take your particular package of photographs.... You will get better results if you give us time to capture images that you will treasure. Allow for travel time to the park or hotel and be aware that when the clocks go back it gets dark early so it is best to start earlier.

Natasha

I consider myself very lucky to have my wife involved with the business at every stage from initial meetings, to filming and editing part of the video. She gives me the benefit of a woman's viewpoint and seems to know instictively what is important. Unlike most of the people doing this job, I have also been the " Father of the Bride" and have seen the day unfold from the other side of the camera.

bedroom at Gailes

4). See at least 2 demonstrations. It is best to view a real wedding sample rather than a showreel made up to show small snatches of the "best bits" from many weddings. 

Genna & Brian at Moorpark House

5). Never buy on price alone - in this industry a higher price is no guarantee of a higher quality product. Look beyond slick opening sequences that are designed to impress -- its the content that is important so give it priority over the "wrapping paper"

Troon Beach

6).  Some companies actually take several months to provide you with the DVD.  Ask about this and if the timescale given is unacceptable then look elsewhere. 98% of our 2008 weddings were ready within 14 days and  96% for 2009. All have been finished within 21 days and yes we have been very busy.

Gailes Lodge

7). You can say anything in an advert and it often seems to be that the less able people spend the most on promotion --- it's because they have to and sadly it often works. Please don't be tempted by last minute discounts, if you were not prepared to pay the full price in the first place then it's not worth having ,even with money off. The words "professional" and "reputation"are often overused on websites so try and ask around particularly about reputations. You may be surprised at what you find out if you ask the right people.

Emma on Horseback at Belleisle

8) "Reportage" seems to be a popular style for new digital photographers to adopt. It means that your photoshoot will be less formal and to a large extent unmanaged. In my opinion you may not get the best results from the day. Why not choose an established wedding photographer who has the ability to get you to enjoy the photoshoot  and can work in a variety of styles, including some reportage, for one of the most important days of your life.

under the tree at Brig o'Doon a Robert Clark Image

Reportage means different things to different photographers and to different clients so if you do go for that style make sure that you are both on the same wavelength.

Troon Beach

If you are not having a religious service then an alternative may be to have a Humanist Wedding Ceremony. They are legal in Scotland. This can include music and be as relaxed,informal and fun filled as you wish. I recommend  the Celebrant - Nicola McCormick for Ayrshire Weddings and you can find her on the web.

St.Mary's Irvine

Frequently asked questions:-

Do you belong to a professional video organisation?  When I started up I did join a professional association - submitted work for approval and easily passed the acceptance level which then permitted me to use the Association Logo in my advertising. I did not renew my membership.

Will you use our wedding video for promotional purposes? From time to time we may wish to show extracts at wedding fairs or when we give a demonstration at our home. You can stipulate that you do not wish this to happen and your privacy will be respected.

Brig 0'Doon

Lochgreen House Troon

Do you offer a package including photographs?

No -- the best wedding photographers would never dream of involving themselves in video work and always operate independently. You are far more likely to get the quality and style of image that you want by using 2  specialists that can work together comfortably. The combined price of this need not be more expensive than the package that many video companies now offer - the quality difference can be massive. Why not ask us to suggest some photographers that can produce the style of image you wish to have.?

semi silhouette at Culzean

Zoe & Scott at Brig o' Doon

If you have read through this page then you may realise that I am passionate about the quality of product that you deserve to get. Many of our Brides tell us that they watched their DVD half a dozen times in the first week - some tell us that they can't stop watching it. We sometimes meet them years later and they still watch and enjoy it from time to time. To me that defines a good wedding video.

Sarah-Jane & Kevin who were married near Stirling

Kids at Culzean

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