FAQs

and photographs

We now do DVD / photo combination packages!

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Frequently Asked Questions

1) Why have our wedding day filmed by a professional company, my uncle Fred's got a camera?

Well, the answer to that is simple, we are professional videographers, meaning no shots of the floor that you've seen so many times on home movies, and no shaky, wobbly shots. We film your event using professional equipment meaning the audio is crystal clear so you can hear everything that's being said and the images are high quality. We professionally edit the footage, and master the completed film(s) to DVD.

2) We're having a photographer we don't need a DVD do we?

While it is good to have photographs and it is traditional to do so, remember that photos are just that - they are still images. There is no movement, there is no speaking. Photographs do not give people the same entertainment and enjoyment that a good wedding DVD does, and do not evoke as much emotion and sense of atmosphere. It is good to have photos on the wall from your wedding but consider how much pleasure is derived from flicking through the photo album compared to watching your wedding film. Extra copies of the DVD can be easily and cheaply produced for friends and relatives as well, where as reproducing a photo album would be very costly and they are large things to lump around.

It is for these reasons that you should consider spending a higher proportion of your budget on a DVD than on the photographs.

3) Why Special Day DVDs?

We provide excellent value for money and produce high quality, creative DVDs. We are unobtrusive in our filming so we are not in your face and we are flexible for you as it is, after all, your DVD. The DVDs we create are entertaining and so you won't watch it once and shove it in a cupboard till your anniversary, you'll want to watch it again and again and you'll want to show it off to everyone you know. But don't take my word for it, see what other people have said and have a look at some clips for yourself

4) What types of events do you cover?

We specialise mainly in weddings but if it's an occasion you don't want to forget then it's an event that needs the Special Day DVDs treatment. Christenings, engagement parties, wedding anniversaries, reunions and graduations are just some of the days you'll want to treasure.

5) I'm a bit shy, will you be in our faces with the camera?

We are there to simply film what is happening, we do not need to be in your face with the camera to get the shots we need, in fact we get better shots if you are at ease so we are as unobtrusive as possible. We don't get you to pose, and we only set up shots for special sequences which are optional anyway, for everything else we do our best to blend into the background.

6) How long will the film be?

The length of the film will differ depending on several variables, e.g. the package you choose, whether the ceremony is civil or in a church, how long the speeches are, etc. We always try to make the film very entertaining rather than making the film as long as we can. We therefore keep the film to a maximum of about an hour and a half.

7) How long will it take to receive the finished DVDs?

Because of the great care and attention we take in editing, editing takes approximately 16 weeks. It all depends on the time of the year and how busy we are. It is definitely worth the wait.

8) Can we choose what music we have on the DVD?

In short, yes. Choose four or five songs and we will endeavour to use them all. It is best to select songs with a variety of tempos. When editing the film we often select other songs that fit with particular parts of the film, too.

9) What are the Special Sequences?

These are extra - fun features for your DVD that we can shoot before or after your big day. Click here for more info

10) What equipment do you use?

It doesn't often mean a lot to people if we tell them what equipment we use, they just see it's professional equipment and they see and hear how good the quality of the finished product is. However, as you've asked, we shoot with professional Sony digital camcorders - HVR-Z7s. We have an array of different microphones and other equipment for capturing your sacred sights and sounds, including a lapel radio mic that we clip on the groom to clearly pick up the vows. The ceremony and speeches are shot with both cameras on tripods, and for the first dance one is on a tripod and one the other on a special camera support to give flowing movement. We edit on Canopus Edius 5 workstations with lots of other additional software for producing exciting DVDs.

11) Will our wedding day film be used on your showreel or other promotional material?

Unless you specifically request that you do not want us to use footage recorded at your wedding, we may use footage/stills for promotional purposes. This includes appearing on our DVD showreel and on our website, and your wedding DVD may be entered for awards.

12) Can we have our film in another format other than DVD?

Yes, we are able to provide you with your wedding day film in a number of different formats, including iPod/iPhone compatible, PSP and other mobile devices. Contact us for more information and prices.

13) What about HD?

All our weddings are now filmed in high definition. For a small charge we can replace the DVDs in your package with Blu Ray discs in HD. If you're not ready for Blu Ray just yet, don't worry we'll still be recording and editing in HD and we'll store your wedding for you on Blu Ray for when you are ready.

14) Do you have insurance and copyright licenses?

We have public liability, professional indemnity insurance and employers liability and of course all our kit is insured. We obtain the correct licenses for music copyright.

15) Do you cover the whole of the UK?
Yes we do. We love to work in different places, it gives us variety. Depending on where and how far away it is we may have to charge an extra fee for the travel and accommodation.

16) Do you film outside of the UK?
If you are getting married abroad and want to ship us out there to capture your once-in-a-lifetime event give us a call and we'll be happy to discuss this with you and look into the viability of it.

17) What are the different editing styles?

Impression - This editing style is what sets us apart from our competitors.

It's important to understand that every DVD we create is unique, there won't be another couple on the planet with a DVD like yours, it will be as unique as yourselves. So to define this as a style should not imply that everyone with an Impression edit has a film made the same - far from it. With an Impression edit we edit the film for maximum entertainment and storytelling power, striking a balance between the two. Cutting down the footage and using music to accentuate the drama and vary the mood and tempo, we create a sharp, flowing piece of entertainment.

Things don't necessary have to be shown in the order that they occur on the day, we are telling the story of your life and so we may, for example, use the speeches to narrate that story with flashbacks to other parts of the day. We use advanced editing techniques to condense time, create atmosphere and send you on a rollercoaster of emotion as you sit down together and enjoy your film.

Impression Documentary - This style is used on the Prestige Package. It is similar to the Impression style, but with the additional components of the Prestige Package package such as your childhood photos, interviews and honeymoon pictures we build up a documentary of your lives.

Traditional - This is a simpler editing style. There is no compromise on quality and professional production value but it has a more traditional narrative flow. In other words the events of the day are shown on the film in the order they were shot, so for example the film may start with people arriving at the church and go right through to the first dance chronologically. We cut less out of the ceremony, and the speeches are shown in full in one continuous sequence. Your choice of music is still used on this type of edit. Some people prefer this more traditional film style.

For the Elegance, Enchantment and First Dance packages we edit in this style as it suits these packages best. On The Classic package you may select this style instead of Impression if you wish and on The Prestige Package you get two versions of the film, both Impression Documentary and Traditional. Ring us to arrange to see examples of a Traditional edit.

18) What should we do now?

Give us a call, firstly to make sure that we're free on your wedding date and secondly to arrange an appointment to have a chat and see examples of our DVDs. You can contact Wesley on 01302 729679 or 07970 794906.

19) Do you require a deposit?

We require a non refundable £200 deposit in order to secure a booking.

20) Can we pay in instalments?

Yes, you can pay in monthly instalments via standing order, leading up to your wedding day.