More and more couples want video memories of their weddings. In fact, wedding videography has become a big business. With the affordability of DVD camcorders, wedding video DVD's are high in demand as well.

Hiring a professional videographer to do a wedding video can be costly, but you can save money by learning to make your own wedding video production and how to do wedding video editing.
 

Tip 1: Get the information you need

There are many tasks that you will need to perform before the day of the ceremony. You will need to start by talking to the bride and groom, and determining exactly what they want to be in their video.

As one person, you cannot be in two places at once, so you will need to work with the bride, groom, and wedding planner to find out what will occur when, and where you need to be. Take notes, and work with the bride, groom, and wedding planner to set up a schedule for the day of the wedding.
 

Tip 2: Shoot some test video

It is a good idea to visit all of the places that are to be included in the
video, such as the church, the hall where the reception will be held, and
possibly the homes of the bride and groom. This will help you determine what type of light you will be shooting in, as well as determining where the camera should be for the best shots ahead of time.

Have others help you out with your testing, posing as the bride and groom. You also need to determine where wireless mics need to be placed, and decide if you will need a back up cassette recorder to make sure that the sound is captured as well.

Find out about the music, the source that will be used to play the music, and how loudly it will be played as well. You won't want the music to drown out the couple exchanging vows on the video!
 

Tip 3: Make sure you know your camera

You need to know everything there is to know about your camera, including how to use the different features to get different effects, and to reduce red-eye.

You also need to make a list of everything that you need to bring to the wedding, including a tripod, extra batteries, wireless mics, video tapes or discs, extra lenses, headphones, products to clean lenses with, and anything else you think you might possibly need.

It is better to be over prepared than it is to be under prepared! Don't assume that you will remember to bring everything that you need. Write it down, and check it off as you put it in the car on the wedding day.
 

Tip 4: Know what you will ask

Make a list of questions to ask the bride and groom when they are getting ready for the wedding, such as 'Are you nervous?' 'What has gone wrong today?' 'When did you know he/she was the one for you?' Add a little humor. Try to catch the groom off guard and ask him what the date is. The bride will love you for this!
 

Tip 5: Use multiple cameras if possible

If possible, use more than one video camera to make the wedding video. The second camera can simply be used as a backup, or it can be used by another videographer to get scenes that you can't get due to that pesky 'can't be in two places' problem.

The more video cameras in use, the better. Make sure that the date and time are not embedded in the video on any of the cameras in case you need to edit one video using footage from another video. Make sure that the settings are identical on all of the camcorders being used.
 

Tip 6: Make a list of shots to get

The bride and groom will want you to make sure that you get specific shots, such as the ring exchange or the cutting of the cake, but there are other memorable shots that you will want to make sure are on the video.

Some examples include: the father of the bride putting a penny in her shoe, shots of all of the flowers and wedding decorations, and panoramic views of the church before and during the ceremony. Talk with the wedding planner for more ideas.
 

Tip 7: Things to avoid

Use the tripod as much as possible during the ceremony, and avoid touching it when you can, but make sure that you do use the pan technique when it is appropriate. This will reduce or eliminate shaky shots, and make the video more professional. Avoid sudden movement, or fast zooming. It's a wedding, not a car chase.
 

Tip 8: Wedding Day

Make sure that you arrive where you are supposed to be early enough to set things up. Allow yourself plenty of time, and don't take no for an answer. Use common sense when shooting scenes. For instance, if the bride starts having second thoughts, nobody will appreciate that appearing on the video if she goes through with the wedding.

If you are asked not to shoot a scene, by the bride or groom, don't shot it. Don't ask the bride or groom inappropriate questions about the wedding night. This is unprofessional, and they won't want to let their future children see that. Relax and do the best job that you can do for the bride and groom.
 

Tip 9: Editing the video

Begin by watching the videos as they were recorded and taking notes. You want the video to tell a story and follow a specific order, for example:

• The introduction that shows the names of the bride and groom
• The date, time, and place of the wedding
• The groom getting ready
• The bride getting ready
• The photo sessions
• The arrival at the church by the bride and groom
• Last minute preparations by the bride and groom
• The ceremony
• The receiving line
• The cutting of the wedding cake
• The first dance and other important dances
• Toasts and speeches
  
  ... and so on.

Write out how the final product will be organized. Make a copy of all of the videos before you start editing anything, just in case. After you've decided exactly how you want the video to be, begin the editing process, and keep at it until you have what you want. Keep the original videos until you know that the bride and groom are happy with the finished product.