Wat to look at?
1. Style: Go view a few VGs and decide what kinda style u like. Video is a creative thing so there is no fixed way.
2. Budget: Generally I notice $900 above mainly pros. Below namely freelancers. Reason is freelancers have no studios to maintain rental fees.But this also means u are at risk of no show... then again it all depends on the reputation. Some freelancers are really good and priced reasonably.
Why so steep compared to photography? Because PG basically snap, post process in batch and print.Its a tough job too but somehow VG has to spend more time.
VG has to film, post edit and some even have customised DVD sleeves and cover. The total time spent is more for the deliverables.
Eqpt wise is a lot more demanding in terms of videocam pricing is easily 4k above for decent HDV cam, while nice SLR can be 2.5k odd. This is minus other eqpt that both needs to have but generally, VG has more to spend (including more highend PCs/Mac + HDD space)
3. Deliverables:
a. Wedding Montage - The typical from young till old thingy. Has been around for years now and guests r used to this. Do we want to have this for the pre 1st march or... Music Video instead?
b. Pre Wedding Music video - MV style 'making of wedding", or something more creative like telling how u two met and fell in love? The latter is not easy and requires good exp and skills to produce a meaningful product.
c. Express Highlights? Actual day stuff for yr guest to witness the morning torture? Pretty nice isnt it? Something to share with the folks who could not be there in the morning. Nice to pre 2nd march in.
Post edited video for morning n dinner? If u do not have express highlights, would u like to have edited video or just raw footages? The latter is kinda shakey at times. No matter how good the VG is, it will still happen. Those that u do not see shakey videos have be edited and cut off!
These are time and effort. Personally i will go for edited stuff. Of cse the dialogue has to be there or the poor bride still doesnt know what happened!Ah so.. this depends on the editor skills. IF the VG is the editor, it is likely he will shoot with post editing in mind. Otherwise it will be a different feel. No right or wrong, only u like or not!
c. DVD- Any customised menu? Scene selection? How many copies? 1, 2 or 3? Cost for extra copies for both parents?
DVD Sleeve/Disc custom design? Movie like style of final presentation? Or just a XXX brand DVD with some words written?
Return of original DV tape? Not much use for most people actually in my opinion. But just in case something happens!
In conclusion, video is must must in my opinion. Photos also must must! Both have different feel to it. So my friends if u could, budget a little more for the VG so that he can tke less jobs and produce higher quality work