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My First wedding Experience - Video

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rlee
Posts: 593 - Karma: 1,144
Hey NS,

(Skip to the bottom if you just want to watch the video, but I thought I would write up how my first wedding experience went for anyone else interested in shooting their first video)

This summer I got to film my first wedding. A few months back, my mate Joe said he was getting married and needed a videographer to film the day. It was on a night out and as you do after a few, I said ''I would do it for him for free, just pay for my travel expenses and we got a deal''. We shook hands and it was done.

From there on I set out doing my research on how to make the best wedding video I could. For all those who helped on NS, thanks a lot! When it came to the actual day, even with all my planning, there were moments (as you would expect) were you could not plan for and had to go with the flow. I actually much prefer these moments.

I managed to get an "assistant'' to help get the second angles during the ceremony and speeches... but about a week before she pulled out, leaving me to go at it solo. One of my mates said he would help so I gave him a quick crash course on how to use a 7D on the day (he did have some basic knowledge beforehand). I set a tripod up in the church and hoped for the best. I was using a monopod.

Before that... when filming Charlotte and her bridesmaids getting ready the bolt holding the handle to my fluid head snapped... Unbelievable. Luckily it did not effect the head just that you no longer had a handle. Im now in the market for a new fluid head if anyone has any suggestions on that.. haha

[IMG]651286[/IMG

As soon as the wedding was done, it got a bit more relaxed. I could chat with my friends who were there, have a few drinks but still had my camera on me filming. The speeches went well and then Joe told me to relax and go eat. At the end of dinner without warning they did their first dance. I had no time to change lens or setup. I wanted a glide cam shot but had to made do with what I got.

All in all it went well. A few minor hiccups here and there, first time using wireless lav mics and professional recording equipment but otherwise it went smoothly. Joe and Charlotte have been very complimentary, as well as the family so thats whats really important. Hope you guys enjoy my highlight video as well.

Critique of course is welcome, I know I have much to improve on each time.

Aug 12 2013 5:46AM
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rlee
Posts: 593 - Karma: 1,144
Click for larger image

I hope that worked this time...
Aug 12 2013 5:48AM
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Balbertt
Posts: 1585 - Karma: 4,723
The vows for some reason reminded me of Pirates Of The Caribbean. Just me?
Aug 12 2013 9:07AM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
this turned out really well man! the audio sounded great and you had a lot of nice shots. 
Aug 12 2013 1:07PM
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rlee
Posts: 593 - Karma: 1,144
Thanks man, I appreciate all the help you gave me prior to the wedding. Pretty stoked with the outcome and had a lot of positive feedback which is always nice.

@ balbertt - Interesting comment about Pirates of the Caribbean...
Aug 12 2013 3:56PM
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TheMort
Posts: 63 - Karma: 119
My girlfriends a wedding planner so I always end up watching a countless number of these a week. I've found the best ones include audio from speeches, toasts, etc as well as music throughout. I personally love the amount of recorded audio you've included in this. A few down times is always nice, but still awesome.

Awesome job for a first go around though!
Aug 12 2013 6:02PM
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rlee
Posts: 593 - Karma: 1,144
Thanks bud. Im glad you liked the audio I included in the video, I felt this was a very important part of telling a story of the day as well as the couple themselves. Glad to hear the direction I've taken this is a more popular route. Thanks again for the feedback.


Aug 12 2013 8:05PM
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paco5555
Posts: 456 - Karma: 102
very well put together
Aug 12 2013 10:06PM
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gusestomp
Posts: 1377 - Karma: 746
Wow, that was really great. But there is something I wanted to point out..

Towards the beginning I was unclear about who the bride and groom was. It just seemed unclear for me. Other people might be able to distinguish them apart from the rest of the people, but I just thought it was sorta unclear.

Other than that, that was just about perfect. I loved it, the song, the way it was put together, everything was just stunning. Congrats.
Aug 13 2013 8:44AM
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rlee
Posts: 593 - Karma: 1,144
Thanks a lot man, I'm glad you liked it. It was a challenge shooting a wedding but its all worth it in the end. I can defiantly understand where you're coming from, while editing I did think that I may have to introduce the bride earlier than I did, I just couldn't find a shot which I found suitable for the way I was telling there story. I think in the end, for those that matter, it was clear. Maybe a little more planning next time will sort that out.

@simple and Paco5555 - Thanks guys, appreciate your feedback
Aug 13 2013 2:25PM
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mBall
Posts: 1690 - Karma: 2,827
Great work man. It turned out really nice.

I felt like you could have shot a bit more close ups of some of the detail of her putting on her dress and stuff at the start. Like another person said, until she walked out of the car, it was a bit hard to tell who was the bride.

You did a great job catching all the important parts though. I'm sure with another person shooting you could have got some more B-roll and had more time to swap lenses.
Something about the zodiac signs part didn't do much for me.

All in all it was really good though. They will love it for sure! I also just shot my first wedding this last weekend and learned a lot. Once I finish mine, I will post it with my experience.
Aug 14 2013 3:56AM
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rlee
Posts: 593 - Karma: 1,144
Thanks man, appreciate the feedback!
Agreed about the closeups of putting the dress on but sadly this wasn't possible. She didn't want anyone bar her sisters in the room getting ready with her. I was also going in-between her hotel room and the grooms house (15 min drive) all morning so timing wise it was hard.

Zodiac signs were very important to the family, they had little gifts for all the guests of their signs so I felt it was a strong part for them.

Thanks again for the feedback. All very important to me.
Aug 14 2013 4:53PM
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