Do-it-yourself Wedding Video - Good video cameras?

Question

My fiance would like to have a video of the wedding ceremony, which I think is really cheesy (funny considering usually a guy would find it cheesy?) And I don't want to hire someone to do something if you can do it yourself (editing too). All we do is stand there, a tripod does the same thing as a pro phtographer! Of course, it would look more professional if a company does it b/c of lighting or whatever. Is there a really good video camera out there that would be perfect to record it ourselves? I don't feel like dealing with those sleezy people, I'm hoping to get the professional photographer my cousin used for her wedding who doesn't give you that "you can't keep the proofs" load of bulls***. They did my cousins wedding and he just gave them all the pics and they made their own scrapbook. Unfort, there are no video people in my family... Any knowledge on the subject? FYI, there will be NO video of the reception, the church is very bright and spacious, and we are both good with cpu's.

Answer 1

I agree with the above answer.
While in the short term it may seem more expensive to hire a Professional Videographer, it won't be in the long run, and for the future you will enjoy it much more. I'm not saying this simply because I own my own production company, but because of what I have experianced. For something like this, you can hire someone to do a two or three camera professional shoot of the ceremony (at least these are my prices) for under $600. It will be shot and edited by professionals, and generally placed on a high quality DVD with three or four copies. If you plan on doing something like this on your own, it will cost you the same, if not plenty more. First of all you will have to purchase the camera, which you're not going to find one for under $400 that will give you a farily quality image (all of mine, and most professionals are well over $18,000 a piece), the you will have to purchase the editing software, which are generally about $100 and over (once again, the one I use, as well as most professionals is well over $1600). Then comes the DVD Burning software, the DVD's and covers etc. So all in all, you will be paying much more for what you are getting.

In addition to all of this, the Professional knows (hopefully :). What he/she is doing, how to frame a shot, light a shot, adjust settings on the camera, get professional audio (Another big task, as the audio you will get from the camera you will not be able to hear a word the party says, only congregation noises such as Coughing and all movement).

If you do plan to do this however, best of luck. If you have any questions feel free to contact me about the filming and/or editing process at
[e-mail]

Answer 2

You can be the god of editing, but think, if you dont plan on hiring anyone then whos going to shoot it? It sounds like your just going to put it on a tripod- fine, but remember that people move around, and even if you have it at wide angle the whole time, there are probably times when you wont have coverage, not to mention an unmanned camera is more likely to get knocked over, or have something happen to it and no one will ever know until later. If someone in your family is taping it, they will have to stand there the whole time, and also, since you said no one in your family is really good at video, he will have to learn how to use the camera, etc. I understand when you say you dont want to deal with the bull crap thats associated with most video companies nowadays, but I think if you plan on something watchable, hire someone (not necessarily a video company), or dont do it, because it will be detracting from the ceremony, and if someone in your family tapes, they will be standing behind a camera worrying about controls instead of witnessing an important moment in your and everyone else's life. I guess if you want to just leave a camera on a tripod unmanned, thats ok, but dont get anything too expensive (under $300, unless you take a lot of videos regularly anyways, then getting something $600+ so you can use it afterwards as well), and remember that if its just going to be sitting there, theres not a lot of editing you can do to it, so dont make it so cheesy and flashy, just something simple with a title and maybe some music. Anyways hope this helps, I cant recommend a specific model, but theres my two cents for you. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Here's a list of the best camcorders for 2006:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/CamInfo-Selects-2006.htm