>I (Robin Pascall Age 15 of Fort Erie Ont Canada), have been called upon 
>cousion to be the offical videographer of her weeding.  I was wondering 
>anyone could give me advice on ANYTHING I should know about taping weedi
> Lights nesscary? How many cameras? I was thinking 2..... Uhm if we use 
>do we get 1 constant soundtrack etc ?
>If anyone has any info that could be usefull please get back to me...
>Thanks Again!
>
>Robin Pascall
>
>Ps. THe weeding is next year in May  I believe...
Hi, Robin.  Most weedings take place outside, in a garden or lawn, so 
you don't need lights....   oh, you probably mean WEDDING!  (Sorry, I
couldn't resist.)
This being your first project, I suggest keeping it simple.  Stick to one 
camera.  If you get nearly anything, everyone will love it!
Before the weeding, er, wedding, get a wide shot of the church, some 
people filing in, sitting down -- especially the parents of the bride and 
groom.  But don't let the camera run endlessly.  Just a few seconds of 
each person to show what they look like, how they were dressed and such 
will do.  You might do some quick "interviews" to spice it up, but 
sometimes people will kind of clam up on camera.
Talk to the minister to see where you can set up the camera for the 
ceremony.  The best place for you and the camera is as close as possible, 
behind the minister, so you can shoot over his shoulder and get a good 
look at the bride.  But I find that, for some reason, they often don't 
want cameras right in the middle of things (something about this being a 
wedding, not a TV show).  They probably won't let you add extra lights.
Attend the rehearsal, and bring the camera.  They'll love some shots of 
the rehearsal, and you'll find out what's going on and where you can best 
cover the action.
Try to find the best place you can to shoot the bride and groom coming 
down the aisle, and the rest of the ceremony... all from one spot!  They 
won't want you running around like crazy during the ceremony.  There will 
be some compromises here -- you probably can't get everything from one 
spot.  
You probably don't have a wireless mic, so you'll be using the mic on the 
camera.  The closer you are, the better the sound.  Fortunatly, people are 
generally very quiet during a wedding, and that helps your sound.
During the ceremony, just let the camera run -- you want to catch it all. 
 If you can pan and zoom more or less smoothly, zoom in for close-up's of 
the bride and groom.  A tripod will help you keep the shots stable.  Keep 
shooting up to the point where the parents get up and start walking down 
the aisle.  Then grab your camera and get outside.  Get some shots of 
people coming out of the church, (especially the bride and groom).  Maybe 
get a couple of interviews with people.
Find out in advance (at the reheasal) what happens next.  There may be 
things like a bouquet-toss, a garter-toss, etc.  Shoot those for sure!  
And the photographer will probably have the bride, groom, parents, 
bridesmaids and groomsmen gather for photographs.  ASK PERMISSION from the 
photographer to shoot some video, and stay out of the way!
Finally, get some shots at the reception -- people talking, having fun.  
Very quick shots here -- just a few seconds.  Maybe some more interviews. 
 Be sure to get shots of the "first dance," and the brides dance with her 
father!  Somewhere in there they'll cut the cake and, if you're lucky, 
shove it in each other's face.
Then.... relax and have a good time.  You'll have been one busy guy.  
Later, when the tape is played back, you'll be a hero!
Good luck,
Gary Pearce
Raleigh NC
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