Wedding Video FAQs

Why are 2 cameras at the wedding ceremony chosen instead of the 1 camera option?
Two cameras provide more footage and camera angles for a video that shows the ceremony from the audience’s perspective as well.

Why do people use a wireless microphone?
Vows can be clearly heard when the groom wears a microphone. The camera microphones pick up the vows from the camera location(s). Can I add the engagement package on to my one camera package?
Yes, the engagement package can be added to any one or two camera package.

What are bridal prep shots?
Bridal prep shots are taken while the bride is getting ready for the ceremony. Arrange with the videographer for the types of shots and locations.

What’s a “highlight recap”?
The highlight recap is a summary taken from special moments of the day, edited into one continuous video segment.

What are transitional graphics?
Transitional graphics are computer generated characters / pictures that can be used between photos and video segments.

What are opening titles?
Opening titles show the audience the date and names of the couple by using a special text screen.

Is there a way I can find out what previous customers thought about the services and results you provide?
Yes, it’s as easy as a visit to our Client Comments web page

How can I best find the bridal information on the web?
When searching the web via search engines such as Google, about.com, vivisimo.com, alltheweb.com, et cetera, remember that the more specific you are, the better your search results will be.
If you are searching for information on wedding videos and would like to focus on the San Jose area, the following text will work in all search engine queries and will keep you from sifting through results that don’t pertain to the topic and geographical region you are interested in seeing results for:
“wedding video” + “san francisco”
Remember to use the quotes around specific phrases you are looking for and to use the ’+’ sign to specify that you require both phrases to be present in the search engine results. The same method works for other topics, just remember to use the quotes and the ’+’ sign. If you do not use the ’+’ sign, both phrases might not be present in the web pages you’ll be choosing from. Thus, you’d be sifting through more results yourself.
You can also use the “Bridal Links” we’ve provided to help you identify those who provide the services you need.

If I choose a DVD option, will the DVD be delivered with the video package?
Yes, if both are ordered at the same time.

May I order a DVD later?
Yes, as long as we have the master tape of your event, we can provide you with a DVD. We keep the master tapes for YEARS after the event dates.

May I order more than one DVD?
Yes, after the initial DVD production price (see DVD package page for details) extra copies are available for $50 each when ordering quantities under 15.

Can we capture special moments as a couple prior to the wedding on a video to show at the wedding reception or rehearsal dinner?
Yes, our Love Stories engagement video package was designed to help you do just that.

Who shoots my video & why should I meet them?
Like a wedding photographer, wedding videographers have different styles and personalities as to how they approach the documentation of an event. The most important first step to a great video is how it is covered. Our videographers are creative, unobtrusive and specialize at wedding documentation. We work closely with you from the pre-planning, production and post production process of your wedding video. Don't take the risk of basing your decision on one person's work and getting somebody totally different. Our videographers take pride in their work, and will work with you to ensure you get what you expect.

What does editing include?
Our edited packages include an opening visual montage that incorporates the wedding invitation with establishing shots of the ceremony/reception location, and shots of the bride and groom. We add music throughout the video for establishing shots, photo sessions, various pre and post ceremony pictures, Photo and Highlight Montages, as well as the closing credits. The editing process also ads tasteful digital effects to enhance certain scenes or moments. We also create a closing credit sequence that includes the names of the parents, bridal party, etc., that is layered over several highlighted scenes from the ceremony/reception. Don't forget that editing times can stretch out longer if you are tardy in getting to us the information we need to start and complete the edit.

What is the Highlight Montage?
The Highlight Montage is a recap of the wedding/receptions main events tightly and creatively edited to a single song, like a music video and runs approximately 3 to 5 minutes.

What is the Photo Montage?
Photo Montage is a collection of favorite photographs of the couple and family, edited to one or two personal songs. It includes dozens of transition, dissolve and/or wipe choices between the pictures. It is included as a part of the edited documentation.

What happens to my Master Tapes?
All master tapes are strored by us indefinatley. You have the option of purchasing Digital masters when pre-ordered before editing or VHS masters at a later date.

What is your availability for meetings?
Our focus is on quality, not quantity. Staff and equipment availability limits us to how many events we can produce per weekend. Please contact us by phone at (415) 753-6454 or e-mail for availability. Coverage for weekday events is usually available.
We invite you to come to our offices to see our work, and let us answer any questions you may have. Day and evening viewings are available by appointment.
• Monday through Thursday 9:30 AM - 7:30 PM.
• Fridays 10 AM - 3 PM.
• We have limited weekend hours due to productions.
• Our address is 1272 46th Ave., San Francisco, CA, 94122.

What kind of eqiupment do you use?
We use only professional broadcast quality equipment. We use DV cameras that record at approximately 500 VLR, and S-VHS cameras that record at 400 VLR. All our cameras have three CCD's (the part that actually captures pictures and translates them to electronic signals) that record a minimum of 500 VLR.
          We use the tape formats that we do because they offer the highest quality, and performance for NTSC televisions.
          Editing is done on a computer at a resolution of approximately 500 VLR, and mastered on S-VHS tapes. If you get VHS copies from us, they are mastered from tapes that have roughly twice the resolution that standard VHS is able to retain.
          If you want the best quality your TV can handle ask about our Custom DVD Option which is piped straight out of our computers at 500 VLR, to your TV. Along with a superior picture, there are a multitude of advantages to having your wedding on DVD.