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1) Start looking for a videographer months ahead of time. The most popular ones are sometimes booked a year in advance. The preferred season for weddings compresses their availabilities down to just a few months of mostly weekends. So, as soon as you've set the date for the wedding you must be ready to move on the selection of your videographer.
2) You will have spent a lot of money to create your wedding and reception. Your wedding video records the splendor of the ceremony, the gorgeousness of the bridal gown, the emotions in your family's faces, the Father and Daughter dance at the reception. Only a professional has the experience and skill to deal with the changing lighting. Only an experienced professional can anticipate the right angles for the next shot. Please resist the temptation to place all this responsibility into the hands of a family member with a camcorder in order to save money. If you place a lot of importance on the wedding video you will always regret asking Uncle Bill to shoot your wedding. It's not fair to Uncle Bill either.
3) Of course when you are interviewing a videographer, you'll ask to see his or her reels to determine if his or her style suits you. And that's where they've put all their best clips. Ask to see the latest wedding video they've shot, the whole job, not just the prepared video promotional reel. Take a look at what they've done lately. See how well they've captured the day.
4) In the edited video reels listen to the balance of theme music, clarity of words, quality of sound, consistency of sound levels from cut to cut, smoothness of edits, and consistency of editing style. Are images in focus, generally well lit, varying in angle and framing areas, not too exclusively close-ups or wide shots? If you see shot after shot that relies on the camera either zooming in or zooming out you're watching a rank amateur's work afflicted with "zoom-itis".
5) Look at wedding videos of friends and relatives who've used videographers in your area.
6) Ask for recommendations from florists, reception site coordinators, or caterers.
7) Choose a videographer who is the best blend of technical quality and personality. You must like them. If they have a slightly abrasive style during your interview don't expect their mood or personality to improve when they are working under the pressure of your wedding day.
8) A good experienced videographer can go with the flow and doesn't panic if things get a little crazy. They are good-natured and good humored. Generally a videographer has different responsibilities than a photographer. They are expected to float and capture candids. They usually don't hold people for formal posing sessions the way a photographer does. Discuss what they need from you to work successfully to get the best video possible.
9) Give your videographer a list of all the "must have" shots. The list usually specifies singles and group shots involving the bride, the groom, the family, the pre ceremony dressing, the ceremony, the post-ceremony poses, events of the reception, comments and well-wishes from family and guests, the leave taking and family expressions as the newly marrieds drive away.
10) Attend Bridal fairs to see the work of many videographers gathered in one place. Be sure to get the cards and reels of those you like.
11) Get everything detailed on paper once you have agreed with the videographer to reserve that date for your wedding.
12) It is your responsibility to find out about any restrictions at your planned location and pass those along to your videographer. Some churches, synagogues or temples do not allow videography or do not allow supplemental lighting during the ceremony.
13) Ask if the videographer can work without lighting cords to trip over in a packed reception hall. Ask if he or she is going to keep a supply of batteries immediately available and a hotcharger nearby with batteries recharging. They should NEVER run out of camera batteries or camera light batteries. For instance, just as you are about to toss the bridal bouquet or the bride's garter. Taking 10 to 15 minutes running outside to their car in the parking lot to get more supplies is unacceptable. They must come to the event ready for everything on the spot, including extra tape stock.
14) If they are permitted to videotape the wedding ceremony and it is not miked to a public address system ask if they can put wireless lapel mikes on the bride, groom, and officiant. If the ceremony is picked up by microphones on stands, ask the videographer at the time you are booking them to make sure they arrange to get a "clean feed" back to their videocamera from the house system. Nothing is more distracting on a wedding video than seeing the ceremony but not hearing the words because the camera microphone is just too far away.