A good wedding video is something that can give hours of pleasure for many years after the event and the choice of a videographer is as important as the choice of photographer - maybe even more so. The video captures the day as it really was; The people who were at the wedding, how they looked, how they dressed and wore their hair (all of which becomes increasingly funny as years pass and fashions change!) - all of these memories are captured and never need to fade.

Most importantly, a good video allows the couple to relive the wedding day, much of which will just have whizzed past them in a blur, and to see the event from another angle entirely.

The importance of a video can't be overstated, so it's vital to get it right.

Unless they have lighting and recording equipment, sound mixing studio facilities and experience of what does and doesn't work, leaving your wedding video to an enthusiastic amateur is a recipe for disaster and something that you may always regret.

As with the photographer, ask to see examples of their work. A good videographer will send you a video free of charge - ask to see a couple of examples. Have a look at friends' wedding videos as a source of ideas.

Before hiring a videographer find out:

1. If they member of any professional organisations -
2. If they have insurance to cover any disasters
3. What exactly is included in the initial quote. How much are additional copies?

When you finally decide on the videographer you want, book them as soon as you have decided. Good ones are usually booked up well in advance.

After you have chosen the one you feel comfortable with, talk to them to decide what sort of things, and which people will be filmed - particularly if there are any people that you may not want to be on the video - your spouse's ex, for example. Let the videographer know in advance to avoid filming them or to edit them out in the post production work.
Listen to the videographer's advice on what works and what doesn't, but make it clear exactly what you are looking for in the finished video. Clarity of instruction helps the videographer do their job better.