| Your Questions Answered |
 Click on the questions below to view the answers. For the same reason you would choose a professional photographer, dress-maker, cake-maker, band etc… Your friends and relatives are not professional videographers. It doesn't matter how good their camera is. Just because a person can press the 'record' button on a camera and then point the camera in the general direction of where the action is happening doesn't mean they are a videographer. Just because one is a videographer doesn't mean they are a wedding videographer. Wedding Videography (doing it right) is a very precise and particular skill that takes years to hone. It is a craft and it deserves respect when done well.
Hopefully, this advice will save you heartbreak in the future. The biggest mistake you can make at this stage is leaving the job of a professional wedding videographer in the hands of a friend or relative. Chances are you wouldn’t leave your wedding photographs up to uncle Frank to take. If you want a stirring and elegant document of one of the most important days of your life, then choose a professional to capture it for you…
Here's a tip: Be very wary of some photographers offering "the video" for a little bit extra or for a terribly low price. You'll more than likely get what you pay for in this situation. Richard has an “eye on the wall” approach to filming a wedding occasion, so in turn he always remains discreet and unobtrusive. This is one of the main reasons photographers enjoy working with Richard. Richard doesn’t intrude on the day. This allows the day to flow smoothly, allowing you to get your photography session out of the way and to enjoy your day.
Richard’s job is to capture the flavours and emotions of the day as they happen and not to direct people or take over the proceedings. Couples are always stunned by what Richard was able to capture and most of the time they forget that he is even there. Richard comes dressed for the occasion so it easier for him to blend in and not be distracting. He's aware that you want your guests to have a great day too, without being annoyed by having a camera “in their face”. The only truly important thing is that you like the videographer's work itself. Price is also important, but you’re not going to feel very good in 10 years time that you saved a few hundred Euro, when you’re stuck with a terrible wedding video that you’re ashamed to show to people. As the saying goes “The bittnerness of poor quality remains, long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten”. This isn’t always the case, but again, check the work first. Absolutely, whatever it may be. Richard always welcomes ideas and suggestions from couples regarding the making of their weddings films. The best way to communicate your ideas is to speak to Richard openly about what you have in mind. Sometimes, what seems like a good idea initially, may not work out, and the advice of a professional with experience is highly valuable to couples. Yes. Broadcast-quality camera, audio and editing equipment is used. Yes. The best and most appropriate audio equipment is used to capture the sounds of the day including the wedding ceremony, the speeches and the dancing. We promise that the sound on your finished Wedding DVD will be impeccable. Any professional videographer will carry a small on-camera light in case the lighting conditions are so low that it would be impossible to capture a good image. In most lighting conditions it is not necessary to use any light, because of the quality of the professional camera being used. It is only at the reception (depending on lighting) that sometimes a small on-camera light is necessary.
A light is never used in a church unless it is completely necessary, and cleared with the celebrant beforehand. The only scenario I can think of where this would be necessary is if it were a very dark and dull day and if there were no windows or lights where the ceremony is taking place. Richard’s aim is to make your wedding film the best it can look, but also understands that a couple might be hesitant about "big bright lights". The use of a small on-camera light always goes unnoticed, and when you sit down to watch your DVD you will be amazed at the image quality. Richard shoots with the best of low-light cameras, but remember, "low-light" doesn't necessarily mean "no-light". All equipment used is small, discrete, compact and very mobile. There are no cables or lights on stands needed. Not unless you ask us to. If it's a religious ceremony in a church, Richard normally only films and includes the parts that are relevant to the couple and the wedding itself, leaving out mostly what you would hear at a regular Sunday mass, unless otherwise asked to do so by the couple. There are certain parts of a wedding mass that would be considered by a lot of priests to be impolite or disrespectful to film, like the eucharist and the consecration for example. If you're having a different kind of ceremony, every part is usually filmed and included. When confirming everything with you prior to your wedding, Richard will ask you what you would like. No. The guests will never be made to feel uncomfortable and filming the meal would be an annoyance to you and to them. Richard feels it would not be in good taste to film people while they are eating. When you are having your meal, Richard will eat his dinner in the nearby bar or restaurant. Richard is usually finished his dinner by the time your guests are finished their starter. Yes, back-up equipment is carried at all times in the unlikely event of equipment malfunction. For most weddings, the answer is "No". It would only be necessary under very few circumstances, in Richard's opinion, and it may be a matter of the videographer's particular shooting style. If you feel you need a second cameraman, then speak to Richard and he will be able to advise you. Remember, if you have a 2nd videographer on the day of your wedding, this means that you will have 3 people working around you for the day, which isn't desirable with most couples. It's not always the case that you will get a "cinematic" result from having two cameras, or any benefit at all. It sounds like a great notion, and yes, if done well, it can look great. But a wedding is an event, not a film production where there is the opportunity to have a second take. From experience, sometimes the work of a second videographer doesn't match or complement what the first videographer is shooting (they are after all two different people with different shooting styles, reacting to events as they unfold), and when edited together, is in reality, a total mess. Richard has experience on two-camera wedding shoots, but chooses to shoot weddings alone, finding the finished result a lot more pleasing. It's possible to achieve "cinematic" results with just one camera, if you choose the right videographer. The word "cinematic" doesn't mean just being able to cut from one camera to another. Richard Finlay will film and edit your wedding. No one else. If you book Richard, you get Richard. No other cameraman or editor-for-hire, ever. This means if you like Richard's work, you will be hiring the exact same hands who created the work you like. You can never tell the running time of a wedding DVD until the editing is finished. You and I have no idea how long your ceremony or speeches will be, or how long the dancing and other elements of your day will be. Some wedding DVDs are one hour in length, while others can be 1 hour and 30 mins to 2 hours, or even longer. It depends on a lot of factors.
The emphasis is on providing you with a tightly constructed work, that you will be happy to watch again and again (and proud to show to others), without having to 'fast-forward' through hours of unedited footage to get to the part you want to see. One of our brides said in her e-mail to us: "Just love the way you captured the days best bits without intruding on people, and kept the video short and to the point." When it comes to wedding DVDs, less is more (more often than not), and it will serve you better upon viewing. So the answer is "It will be as long as it needs to be." There are no hard and fast rules on length. Richard lives in Dublin and provides a Nationwide service.
Click here to view a comprehensive list of wedding venues in Ireland that Richard has filmed in.
There is no travel charge if your wedding takes place in Leinster. A nominal travel fee may apply if your ceremony location and/or reception venue is outside Leinster. Full details upon enquiry. Leinster counties are: Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow.
Yes, we do not charge extra for filming at the bride’s home or where she is preparing, if this is required. Yes, if it is required. The cost is included in the price of both of our packages, providing we receive the images (roughly 5-10 pictures) on a CD or by e-mail. If you require that we scan your photographs, a charge of 50 Euro will apply. We would strongly discourage you from sending precious family photographs to us by post. Click here to read what is included as standard in both of our packages.
Yes. A list of suggested wedding video songs will be e-mailed to you upon booking. You have the option of choosing your own music and giving Richard a CD (before or on your wedding day), choosing some songs from the list we e-mail to you, or you can let your editor, RIchard, choose the most appropriate music for the edit. We recommend being open to all three options. The more choice Richard has when editing, the better.
Your wedding DVDs will be professionally authored and created. The discs and the cases will be personalized to include the appropriate text and pictures from the big day. The DVDs are fully-chaptered, allowing you to skip back and forth to key moments from the day. There will also be a motion menu on each DVD with the ‘Play’ and ‘Chapters’ options. Still images from the day (taken from the video) will feature on your menu.
Yes, you can order additional copies of your wedding film. The discs and the cases are all personalised, and are identical to the copies you receive with your chosen package. PAL (European format) and NTSC (American format) are available if you’re sending a copy overseas. You are given the opportunity to order copies at a later stage after booking.
Sorry, but we only deal with DVDs. VHS video is now an obsolete format. RIchard will shoot your wedding in true 16:9 Widescreen, to suit all television sets. This “future-proofs” your DVDs, as it's more than likely you will be viewing your wedding DVD on a widescreen TV. If you're not viewing it on a widescreen TV, then it will still look fine. The turnaround time depends on how busy it is at that time, and the complexity of editing. Richard edits his weddings in the order that they are filmed, and always aims to get your finished wedding DVDs to you as soon as possible. The average wait time is usually anywhere between 4 – 12 weeks, but under certain circumstances (usually due to unforeseen circumstances) it can take longer. It is impossible to guarantee a specific date for when your DVDs will be ready, just an average waiting period or date. Please be assured that it's in Richard's interests to NOT have a pile of work to edit and get through, which is good for you, as it means you'll get your wedding video as soon as possible, without receiving a "rushed job". It's not uncommon to see your package sitting there waiting for you when you return from honeymoon either. Richard will usually let you know how long you will be waiting at the end of your wedding night when he is saying "Goodbye", and it is rare that it takes anywhere near the 4 - 12 weeks waiting period.
It is understandable that you may want to see your wedding DVD straight away, but as this is not always possible and in order to make sure that your wedding film is up to our highest standards, Richard places a lot of time, care and creativity into the editing of your wedding film. Richard does not outsource editing work at any time. Check out our Optional Extras. You have enough planning to worry about already, so a sit-down meal with the guests is certainly not required or expected. Since Richard will be working for the entire day, he will sit and have a meal at the bar or restaurant, near the main function room while the guests are eating, so he can keep an eye on what is happening (when the cake is about to be cut, when the speeches are starting etc). Whether or not you pay for his meal is entirely your choice.
It would be very much appreciated if you could tell your contact at your hotel that there will be a videographer present (this is so Richard will be able to get fed as quickly as possible). Most wedding venues are already accustomed to providing a meal to the wedding videographer when dinner time comes. Yes. All Richard needs to know at the booking stage is the date of the wedding to see if he’s available, the location and a few other details. See the online booking form for details. Checking availability and booking couldn’t be easier. You can contact Richard by phoning him on 086-3704098, 01-4420071, or e-mailing
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. Alternatively, you can check his availability by filling out the form on the home page or the contact page of this website. After you have checked Richard’s availability, and he is available, you can then book online (no credit card required) or contact Richard for a booking form. Alternatively, he can e-mail one to you, or you can book over the phone while having a chat about your requirements (if any). When you finally speak to Richard he will no longer refer to himself in the third person.
Unfortunately, we do not hold provisional bookings due to high demand. We will, however, try our best to let you know if someone else is interested in your date while you are thinking about booking. But without a deposit, a date cannot be secured. There are often several enquiries for a single date. When this situation occurs, the first person to get their deposit in will get the date. If you contact Richard you will be provided with an address to send the deposit. A date cannot be considered booked until a deposit of €300 is received and acknowledged. You will be provided with a booking confirmation when the deposit is received. You can pay by cash, cheque, bank draft, postal order or bank transfer, made payable to ‘Bride & Groom Films’. The balance is payable on or before the day of the wedding. |
