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 skill that takes years to hone. It is a craft that merges the creative and the technical, 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…

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.  It's a pity that even today, recognizing how far we've come, so many people, including other wedding professionals, still undervalue wedding videography.

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 as quickly as possible, giving you time to enjoy your day and mingle with your guests.

Richard's job is to capture the flavours and emotions of the day as they happen and not to direct people, or make them pose or kiss, or take over the proceedings. It is a documentary style approach, with the end result being a mixture of documentary and cinematic styles.  Couples are sometimes stunned by what Richard was able to capture, given his discreet, documentary style and manner, and most of the time they forget that he is even there. Richard comes dressed for the occasion so it's easier for him to blend in and not be distracting. We're also aware that you want your guests to have a great day too, without being annoyed by having a camera "in their face", as some put it.  Richard utilizes HD-DSLR cameras and lenses.  These are small and compact, and have the appearance of still photography cameras (in fact, a HD-DSLR is a still photography camera too).  Due to the size and appearance of the body of the camera, it's not intimidating to people who are shy or self-conscious, and usually people are totally unaware of Richard floating about filming.

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 wedding 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.  All wedding are shot in full High Definition.  Standard DVDs are provided, with the option to choose 'Blu-Ray' discs (high definition).

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 video is just as important as the image quality.

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. 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.

In order to maintain a low profile, and to be as unobtrusive and discreet as possible on the day of your wedding, Richard works alone.

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, which gives him plenty of time to back up footage that was shot earlier in the day on several hard drives and perhaps get some detail shots of the venue before the speeches/cutting of the cake.

Yes, back-up equipment is carried at all times in the unlikely event of equipment malfunction.  Richard carries two or three of everything: cameras, lenses, memory cards, batteries, tripods, microphones - you name it.  Problem-free assurance is great for you our client, and great for our blood pressure!

For most weddings, the answer is "No". It would 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.  We use a second camera, if required, necessary and possible, at certain parts of your wedding day (like during the speeches).

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.

"I'm writing you a long letter because I don't have the time to write you a short one".

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 films weddings all over Ireland.  There is no travel fee.
 

Richard remains as discreet as possible throughout the day, but is always professional, approachable and open to conversation. Usually by dinner time, the guests are aware of the fact that Richard wants to remain in the background, shooting away, so they get on with enjoying themselves and just forget about the camera. Richard has received many compliments at weddings throughout the years from guests who commented on the fact that they were able to relax and enjoy themselves and not really notice the camera.

There is no travel fee, and we film weddings anywhere in Ireland.  This includes Northtern Ireland.

Yes, we do not charge extra for filming the bride's and/or groom's preparations, if this is required.  We can film both if the bride and groom are leaving within close proximity of one another, otherwise distance and time becomes an obstacle.  Most couples opt to just have the bride's preparations captured, from about 90 mins prior to the ceremony start time.

Yes, we can include a childhood photo montage and/or honeymoon photo montage at the start of your wedding film, if it is required. The cost is included in the price of any of our packages, providing we receive the images (approximately 10-15 pictures) in a digital format, 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. As an alternative to childhood photos, you can e-mail us photographs taken from your honeymoon, and we can make it a honeymoon photo montage at the start of your DVD.  Or, you can mix childhood and honeymoon pics.

Yes. A list of suggested wedding video music will be e-mailed to you upon booking. You have the option of choosing your own music and giving Richard a CD (before, on or after 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 DVD or 'Blu-Ray' discs are personalized to include the names of the couple, and the date of the wedding day. Your DVDs are presented in custom 'Bride & Groom Films' presentation boxes, but you can choose to have traditional DVD cases with printed insert sleeves. 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 (incorporating clips from your wedding film in the background) on each DVD with the 'Play' and 'Chapters' options.

Yes, you can order additional copies of your wedding DVD after your wedding. We will keep a copy on file here at the office for duplication purposes, for as long as possible. You are given the opportunity to order extra copies of your wedding film when booking.

Sorry, but we only produce DVDs and 'Blu-Ray' discs. 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 generally 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.  If you have not provided your music choices and/or photographs for the childhood montage prior to the wedding (or on the day of the wedding), then this will inevitably lead to you waiting a little longer. It is impossible to guarantee a specific date for when your DVDs will be ready, just an average waiting period. The average waiting period is approximately 16 - 20 weeks from the date of your wedding.  The time you wait is relative to the number of weddings in the queue, whether you have sent your music choices and/or images into us for editing on time, and where Richard is with his editing schedule. Because editing combines the technical and creative, it's almost impossible to predict accurately how long it will take to edit a number of weddings before your own is finished. 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". Editing is the critical phase, where everything comes to together. It takes quite some time, so it is important to be patient, as you will have the rest of your lives to enjoy your DVD.

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 link on the 'Wedding Packages' page.

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, but will not be expected.

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 you are being served your meal.

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. All you need to do to secure your date is to pay a deposit of 200 Euro, and fill out the online booking form.  Once we receive your deposit and booking form, a booking confirmation is sent to you, and we will work out the details as the wedding day gets closer, and as you confirm more things about your wedding.

Checking availability and booking couldn't be easier. You can contact Richard by phoning him on 086-3704098, 01-4420071, or e-mailing info@brideandgroom.ie . Alternatively, you can check his availability by filling out the 'check availability' form on the right (above). After you have checked Richard's availability, and if he is available, you can then book online (no credit card required). Alternatively, you can book over the phone while having a chat about your requirements (if any).

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 arises, the first person to get their deposit into us will secure the booking.

A wedding date cannot be considered booked until a deposit of €200 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 online bank transfer. Please make your form of payment payable to 'Bride & Groom Films'. The balance is payable on or before the day of the wedding. Please contact us for our postal address. We don't publish our postal address on this website for security reasons ('Bride & Groom Films' operates from Richard's home).