Ready for my Close-up

There's a set list of things that any bride should and shouldn't spend her money on. A bride should spend money on the photographer, the food, and the DJ but she shouldn't spend her money on her dress, the decorations (unless the space is hideous), the cake, or a videographer. According to all of the budget bridal guides, spending money on the "shouldn'ts" is wasteful and unnecessary at the end of the day. But...

I don't know. I like videos. I don't really like to be in videos, but I like videos of other people. It would be sort of fun to have a movie to play for our kids. On the other hand, I take enough home movies, it's not like our kids won't know what we looked like at 25 and 26 (and 24 and 23 and 22...). My biggest concerns about getting a videographer are that it will be too expensive and that they'll get in the way of the photographers. I've heard horror stories of videographers who stepped in front of key pictures or got right up on the bride and groom during the vows/dance/kiss.

I've also been reviewing wedding videos on youtube. Sometimes they're really cute and sometimes they're really awful. What I'm gathering is that you have to pay a lot more if you don't want 30 minutes of slow motion footage set to Kenny G. I like some of the editing, but some of these videos are just so freaking cheesy. I know it's a wedding, but come on people. Don't abuse the zoom.

The other alternative is of course to equip the bridal party and guests with video cameras. Those little Flip cameras are around $150 and hold an hour of footage. Apparently wedding videography costs run the gamit from $400 to $4000, but assuming I was going to pay around $1000 for a videographer, I could theoretically buy about 6 Flip camcorders + tax and then 6 people could have Flip cameras when the day was over. I'd also have 6 different takes on the wedding to splice together with other video taken from guests (or am I the only person who walks around with a camera superglued to my hand?).

The drawback here is of course the quality of video (unknown actually, I've never used a Flip), the quality of videography (unless you're into that whole seasick sensation), and the fact that I would be forcing 6 of my guests/attendants to be on guard for movie moments. Maybe Kyle and I will just get Flip cameras and it can be a Blair Witch Project style wedding video. Nothing says I love you more than "Can you hold my camera while I put your ring on? Thanks."

(...I know at least 30% of you are wondering if I'm serious about that last idea. Am I? Hmmm...)