Do I really need a videographer?
by Alyssa Pallett - Ancaster Video Productions

You`ll spend months planning your wedding day. And, when the time finally arrives, chances are you`ll be completely caught up in the rush and excitement of the days events. Traditionally, photographers have been the official appointees handed the responsibility of capturing those romantic memories for the children and the grandchildren. But paying your respects to the local bridal show reveals an ever growing population of professionals trying to add themselves to your wedding planners` list of needs - and in the past few years, more brides than ever agree: a wedding video is every bit as crucial as wedding photos. I, of course, have a completely biased view, seeing as I just so happen to be a wedding videographer! Wedding videography has, however, been around since the eighties, and today, is flourishing into a mainstay with the wedding industry. But why, you ask, are videographers becoming more sought after, especially with todays affordable do-it-yourself home video equipment present in every other home in North America? Perhaps its the same reason why not everyone with a camera calls themself a photographer, or the same reason why not everyone with an oven and a recipe book calls themself a chef! It`s not the ingredients that give the Souffle its gourmet name - its the time and technique that the chef invested in creating it. Videographers are not chefs, but they are professionals, and this is a more than appropriate moment to use that logical saying: you get what you pay for. Uncle Fred has a digital camera and has offered to do your wedding for free? Sure, sounds great...or does it? My advice: find a girlfriend who had her wedding taped by her uncle, and then go hunt down a video that was done by a videographer. If you do this, I could very well end here, because I know you will have made the right choice in the end! The truth is, you don`t know what your missing until it fades away with your memory. Video will capture - better than anything else - the emotions of the day. Are you really willing to take chances on one of the most important days of your life? Here is why I guarantee you`ll love to have a wedding video (from an unbiased perspective, of course ;0)

• You`ll see and hear things that you would otherwise have missed. How else will you know whether your beloved Groom was relaxed or frantic before the ceremony?
• You`ll get to relive your vows. Imagine showing this to your children!
• You`ll see and hear messages from your family and friends - some of the most priceless moments!
• The days events won`t just be recorded, they will be artistically and professionally made into a complete story you`ll want to watch again and again!
• You`ll be able to give copies to family, friends, and those who were unable to attend - and you may even want to give highlight videos as gifts to the groomsmen and bridesmaids!

...after all, you didn`t spend all that time picking out the right table setting and the right flower arrangements just to have it all disappear with the blink of an eye...did you?

Alyssa Pallett - Ancaster Video Productions