A CRUCIAL KEEPSAKE
Deciding to elope can be a fantastic way to celebrate your marriage, and while it eliminates much of the hassle associated with planning a traditional wedding ceremony complete with a reception, numerous guests, and too many details to count, there is still quite a bit that needs to be considered. Pamela Hale uncovers why videography is one of the most significant elements worth incorporating into your special day.
Creating a wedding video is a time-honoured tradition, which results in a lasting memento of your wedding day that can be treasured for years to come. When it comes to documenting your special day, inviting an experienced videographer along becomes all the more crucial for eloping couples, regardless of what style of elopement you’ve settled on.
Much like your wedding photography, having a video memento is an important remnant of your marriage. When eloping, important details such as hiring a videographer can sometimes be left to the wayside, or perceived as an unnecessary extravagance. If you’re already having your wedding photographed, having a video produced may not seem like a necessity, however video has the added benefit of capturing the little ephemeral moments and emotions that can be near impossible to adequately document through photographs.
FACTORING IN FAMILY AND FRIENDS
One of the biggest difficulties associated with eloping is balancing your desire to celebrate your wedding the way you’d like with the expectations of others. For any family and friends who are disappointed about missing your big day, having a video to share with them can help to make them feel as though they were a part of the occasion. If you’ve pre-warned your would-be guests of your upcoming elopement and the video you intend to subsequently share with them, it can really help to alleviate any potential post-wedding upset among your nearest and dearest.
STYLE AND SUBSTANCE
Whether it’s a quick trip to the Victorian Marriage Registry, or a lavish escape to the locale of your dreams, regardless of what type of elopement you settle on it’s worth having it documented for yourselves to reflect on in years to come. Besides, even if you do take a simple approach without much fanfare, it will still be unique to you and for that reason it’s worth recording.
That being said, don’t feel obligated to take a simplistic or clandestine approach to your elopement just because it’s what has been historically expected. Take the time to consider how you’d like to celebrate your nuptials, factoring in the things that are important to you as a couple.
SAVVY SPENDING
Choosing to elope can be an excellent way to save your money for the things that are truly important to you and the life you’re establishing together as a married couple. The expenses of a wedding can be radically reduced without the costs associated with receptions, bomboniere and additional specialty services such as photo booths or entertainment. Spending a little extra money to have a high-quality video memento of your special day is well worth the additional expense.
If you’re choosing – as many couples do – to elope to a far-flung destination, having a video that captures the special surrounds you’ve chosen, as well as the wedding itself, will prove to be a heart-warming reminder of not only your union, but your travels together as well. On that note, video content is a fantastic way to create something that represents your style as a couple. If you love travelling together for instance, and you’ve done so for your elopement, the wedding video will beautifully represent this special aspect of your relationship.
Regardless of what approach you take, your wedding video will be a long-term reminder of the two of you at a particular time in your lives, and will likely become a cherished representation of a momentous day that you shared together.
AN IDEAL ANNOUNCEMENT
In today’s social media driven society, widely announcing your marriage – once you’ve informed the people most important to you – via Facebook or Instagram can be an easy and effective method. A stunning highlights video from your elopement will provide ideal content to share for your wedding announcement.
CHECK IT OUT, CHECK IT OFF
Regardless of whether you are a Type A or Type B personality, checklists are an excellent way to structure your day and ensure that you get the most out of the expo. Before attending jot down a rough list of which vendors you are most interested in and what you are looking for. Doing so will ensure that you spend your time wisely and will act as a helping hand when you understandably get side-tracked by all the beautiful and colourful displays on show.
Wedding expos offer a unique experience that allows couples to view a range of different exhibitors all conveniently located in one place! Make the most of being able to interact with the friendly vendors in person and be sure to ask as many questions as your heart desires. Ensuring you have a checklist will enable you to navigate the day smoothly so that you leave feeling fulfilled and satisfied that you have got the most out of this wonderful experience.
SAFETY IN NUMBERS
Though not a perilous environment, navigating the waters of wedding planning isn’t always smooth sailing. To help you on this journey, it is always wise to bring a second pair of eyes who can act as your sound board and ask any questions that you may have overlooked. Whether you bring your friend or family, make sure that it is someone you trust and who has your best interests at heart so you can be sure that they’re imparting you with the best wisdom.
NOTE IT DOWN
Seeing so many different exhibitors in such a short space of time can be overwhelming. Make sure that you make a note of any vendors who catch your eye whether it’s on a piece of paper, or on your phone so that you can be sure to go home and research them and make sure that you want them to be a part of your wedding day. This is also where having a friend comes in handy as ‘two minds are greater than one’ and they can also help to remember any titbits of information that you may have forgotten once the day has wound to an end.
DEALING WITH DETAILS
Because you’ll need to allow at least one month after having signed your Notice of Impending Marriage before you can be lawfully married, there’s plenty of time to consider what style of elopement you’re interested in and who you’d like to participate.
Different videographers will utilise various techniques in regards to both filming and editing. It’s worth taking some time to research and speak with a few different videographers to ensure you find the right person to capture your special day in the perfect way. Once you’ve found a videographer you might be interested in, be sure to have a good look through their portfolio and see if they’re capable of capturing weddings in different styles and consider how you want yours to be depicted.
Be sure to discuss precisely what you’d like your wedding video to look like, and don’t forget to speak about the practical logistics of the day with your videographer beforehand.
For instance, if you’ve settled on a destination elopement, many Australian wedding videographers will offer packages that factor in travel expenses to local and overseas locations. While you will incur the additional costs of your videographer’s airfares and accommodation, having the chance to meet beforehand, develop a rapport, and feel comfortable the quality of their work, is something that may be more difficult to achieve if you select to book someone local to your wedding destination.
Audio content is also something that couples may not always think to ask about, but you want to ensure your videographer will be capturing every word of your ceremony clearly. This may require the use of lapel microphones or access to a PA system depending on the type of venue you’ve selected, and in cases like these, it pays to be prepared.
From the romanticism that can be conveyed through sweeping cinematographic shots, to a quick and direct newsreel-style short film that captures the main highlights of the day, there are numerous ways to put together a wedding film, and its worth ensuring you find the right style to suit you. Your wedding video has the potential to become an incredibly significant memento; not to mention, it will allow you and your loved ones to reflect and reminisce on your special day for generations to come.