Why You Should Hire a Videographer for my weddings…
Wednesday, September 9th, 2009Why You Should Hire a Videographer
Why should couples hire a professional videographer?
Here are 25 of the questions from Peter Bruce Photo & team bELLE that you could ask a photographer
The ABC’s of Video
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Just when you thought selecting a video person couldn’t get any more complicated, well it has. DVD, with its amazing features, can be the greatest thing to happen to your wedding video, if it is done right. It can also be one of the most complicated to understand. Read this and learn what you need to look in a DVD…
More Is not Always Better…
Most videographers will provide a demo DVD’s. This, after all, is one of the best ways for you to view a prospective studio’s work. But be sure to view a full length DVD. This is important when shopping for a DVD wedding video because unlike a simple VHS tape a DVD has no set time limit. A DVD’s length is determined by how much the images are compressed during production. Depending on the quality of the production equipment and how much the video is compressed, the visual quality of the end product can be affected. Therefore, that 20-minute demo might look great, but will your full-length version look as good? Do yourself the favor and ask to view a full length DVD.
In-house Versus Out-house…
It is more desirable to have the DVD completely done in house by the actual wedding studio as opposed to an outside agency. This gives better control of quality. When bELLE video create a DVD we use different compression levels for different parts of the video to optimize the visual quality. For instance, we compress the ceremony part smaller than the reception. Why you ask. The ceremony is comprised primarily of people standing or sitting, therefore it can be compressed more without any noticeable loss of picture quality. On the other hand, the reception contains video of an action filled room full of people dancing and lights flashing. If I compressed the reception at the same level as the ceremony, the ceremony would look fine, but the image quality of the reception would deteriorate. An outside company would be more inclined to have the entire video compressed at the same level.
Technology Speaking…
Mass duplicated DVDs, such as those you buy at Blockbuster, are created with a different process then the one your wedding video will be done in and may not be compatible with some players that are more than two years old. Fortunately, DVD players today cost little more than a good VCR. Also remember that the quality of your wedding DVD will only be as good as the equipment used to tape it. There is no magical cure for poor camera quality and shooting.
Know What You Want…
One of the benefits of a DVD video over a typical VHS is that you can have chapter points that allow the viewer to instantly go to various points of the video, similar to changing tracks on a music CD. You can go from your vows to the first dance in just seconds. This will eliminate the need to pay extra for a shortened version of your wedding video. It’s also another reason why you should view a full length DVD sample rather than a 10 minute demo DVD . This feature will allow you to get a good idea of the length and quality without having to sit through an entire three hour production. Since these chapter points must be programmed into the DVD during production, please don’t assume that your DVD will have them…. Be sure to ask about this ahead of time if you want this feature for your wedding DVD.
We hope this helps with your video, and as always let us know
Best Peter & bELLE team

Question what’s the hottest color for weddings now a days. Green…
There are ‘green’ favors, ‘green’ flowers, ‘green’ invitations and even ‘green’ wedding gowns, we are all seeing green
Here are 10 great ideas for making your wedding day green
#1. Go on the Smaller side… The less guests you have at your wedding , the less fossil fuels that will be used. You’ll also consume less, and make less trash. If you go with a small list, you will also give you more choice of venues. Why not have your small wedding at a designated green inn or have it at a restaurant that serves locally grown foods, less transportation less gas.
#2. Get Consumable Favor… Consumable favors are fun, fabulous and mother nature friendly. Some suggestions include homemade jam, cookies, candy, free trade coffee, beeswax candles, handmade soaps or lotion.
#3. Don’t buy any favor… Another great option for favors is to donate money to a charity in the names of each guest at your wedding. The guest receives a card that informs them that instead of a favor, money was donated to a specific charity.
#4. Be a ‘Locavore’… Choose a caterer that sources ingredients locally grown. Buying local ingredients supports your area farmers, as well as decreases your carbon imprint. Even better, choose locally sourced organic foods, and offer vegetarian choices for your meat free guests.When you start looking you will be surprised how many there are out there.
#5. Have your Ceremony & Reception at the Same Location…. This means less traveling for you and your guests. Many inns and bed and breakfasts can accommodate both the ceremony and the reception.
#6.Potted plants or trees… Potted flowers are great so are potted herbs and saplings.
#7. Buy a Second Hand Wedding Dress & Bridesmaid Dresses…. Have you seen some of the gorgeous vintage gowns out there,you will also save money
#8. Ditch the Disposables… Don’t even think about having disposable cameras at your wedding.Most guests will bring their own digital camera. You can even remind them in your invitation that you’d love for them to capture their wedding with their own camera and send you the images.
#9. Don’t use Throwaway Dishes or Flatware… Use china dishes, flatware, cloth napkins and glasses instead of plastic cups. Not only will this save a ton of waste, it will look more elegant.Maybe buy your glasses and plates and re use them later
#10. Scrap the Balloons & Confetti... You don’t need confetti? If you feel it’s a must, then use flower petals. Totally avoid balloons when decorating, as well as any other landfill bound decorations.
Hope this helps you have a green wedding and think of what good you will feel know you have helpped save the planet one wedding at a time
Cheers Peter Bruce & team bELLE
When it comes to wedding favors, your choices are almost endless,every wedding site you look at has favors. Some couples like to go with traditional favors, or ones that have historical or family meaning. Other brides try something new and fresh , or add their own personal flair. What you do about favors will depend on your personality and the overall feel of your wedding.
The old (sometimes boring) standbys are popular for a reason. You can’t go wrong with these traditional favors…

You may already know that traditional wedding stores can be unnecessarily costly . The big trick is to get past these money traps when shopping for favors. Instead, try craft stores, department stores and even local flea markets. Look for high quality rather than buying favors specifically sold just for weddings. Another option is to workout a deal with a local craftsman who’s willing to give you a discount for all your business. Bottom line people, take the time to shop around and don’t rule out any options.Also don’t leave this task to him, I have seen some real crazy wedding favors when the groom was in control.

Many years from now, nothing better than looking back on all the beautiful photos & video from your wedding day. Here are four tips that will make them all just right…

After the ceremony, you’re still going to be faced with a few major wedding chores. One, writing thank you letters, and another is selecting wedding photos from the proofs. Some of these will be blown up and framed for your wall or as gifts. But the biggest job will be selecting and organizing photos for your wedding album.
It’s up to you to choose your favorite shots, but many photographers will include a photo album service, for a fee. You’ll get professionally mounted photos, artistically presented in a keepsake album you’ll treasure forever. And take your time on this, do not RUSH it and try not to buy the album from the photographer,call or e mail and i’ll tell you why…

Cheers Peter Bruce
I first met Holly over the phone; she was calling from Chicago- trying to plan her wedding through the internet and telephone. She and her fiance , Rick, told me a lovely story about his mom and dad; it seems his dad, while he was alive , always took his wife on an anniversary trip to San Francisco, the most romantic place he knew. Well flash forward to the present- Holly and Rick decided to honor this tradition by having their ceremony in San Francisco. Of course Mom and her very best girlfriend( who incidently is also the mother-in-law to Rick’s brother) were a big part of the plans. Everyone was so excited and Holly is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. This adorable couple chose the Fairmont Hotel Terrace Garden for their ceremony and- big fun- the Tonga Room for their reception dinner. Of course we had to get some cable car action in ( Holly, you should have taken the conductor’s offer to drive!) and yes the first dance was to a certain Tony Bennett song…
The last pic is the Fairmont lobby of a weary tourist back from the wine country – gotta love it.
Enjoy
Bernadette & Peter Bruce

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Here are four factors which can help measure the scope of your wedding photography investment:
Larger retail photography studios may employ a staff to streamline the production, an independent wedding photographers will cater to the individual needs of their wedding clients, which may limit their time & only allow them to capture a limited amount of weddings each year. An independent wedding photographer regards their consultation time as valuable moments to engage and learn about the objectives of their clients, straying from providing coverage of their event and instead personalizing the objectives in order to execute to their client’s wants and needs of there wedding.
As often shown with larger retail wedding photography studios employing numerous staff photographers, you may never meet your photographer until the day of your wedding. At Peter Bruce photo, we think this is BAD. What happens if you don’t get along with that person. With an independent wedding photographer you will meet them right away, allowing you to measure your level of compatibility immediately and whether you like the person. The photographer and video people are going to be with you for the whole day. As I have said before, just because they are a great shooter does not make them a nice person. And your wedding day is not the day you want to hang out with a A__ hole.
Larger retail studios systematically use an opportunity to cut costs by providing a company spokesperson or sales representative whose responsibility it is to meet with every client and provide them a generalized code of conduct, a universal task/shot list and other common objectives that their assigned photographer must pledge to demonstrate. Larger studios may also receive discounts from product manufacturers for producing high volume sales which aids in keeping their prices aggressive, where as independent photographers offer competitive industry standard rates based on their merit while striving to provide the best quality products and services for the amount of time not divisible amongst a staff, whereby shooting fewer events per season and therefore providing a more personalized one on one, prompt performance and service. An independent wedding photographer may offer to discount their services based on a given time period such as an off peak seasons event or a Friday or Sunday weddings. Larger retail studios however rely on a constant price structure which is as low as they’re typically willing to go based on a system driven on volume, whereby not allowing clients to bargain for discounts and/or other special offers. And though larger retail studios may entice you to walk through the doors with the promise of an cheap “package”, this offer usually includes their lowest tier, lackluster, self-assembled album of comprised of considerably less pages/photos than an independent photographer’s comparable product that the studio anticipates you’ll upgrade to meet the level of popular consumer spending averages which compels their bottom line: a compounded and generalized service with additional products offered based on an average of volume sales. Be careful things may sound good, but not work that way.
A Photographer hired by larger retail studios earns a small amount of the larger studio’s profit forcing these photographers to often also hold a full or part time job which may not prove as beneficial to the client as an independent photographer working on their craft constantly. These retail studio freelance photographers are usually new to the wedding industry and utilize the opportunity to work for larger retail studios as they practice their shooting while perhaps continuing their education. Most successful, independent wedding photographers have sought their apprenticeships previously & finished their primary education prior to gambling with not only their reputations but their client’s memories as well. While an independent photographer’s livelihood and continued success relies alot on loyal customer referrals, larger retail studios more often than not focus on their bottom line – quantity often over quality. We Believe that the most important factor is QUALITY.
Cheers Peter Bruce and Staff
Don’t hire a photographer by the hour… why ? Read & pass on.
Peter Bruce photography and Belle Fine weddings have always believed that when you shoot a wedding, it should be just that,shoot the wedding. I have never believed you should charge by the hour or do the whole “package deal”, you should (within reason) be there for the bride and groom. After all the only thing the couple are going to have left after the cake has been eaten and the flowers have faded, are the photographs or a video. A lot of other photographers may hate me for this, but that is just how I feel. Give the day to the bride and groom. If you charge by the hour what happens if the wedding runs late or if , God forbid it rains and the wedding is delayed. For the most part people are honest in the wedding industry, but I have heard of a photographer who I won’t name , who would charge by the hour like this. They would offer a 6 hour package knowing that the ceremony was at 4pm and the reception started at 6pm. The bride was getting her hair and make up done at 2pm, (keep in mind travel time) so he would say why don’t I get there a little earlier to get some getting ready shots (of course the bride doesn’t wants that) so he knew that would put him into over time at the reception and the couple had the pay overtime. I feel this is very unfair and unprofessional. That is why we don’t charge by the hour and with reason do not charge for travel. Given that you, only get married once, you never find these things out until it is to late. The same should be said for video, hire them for the day for a flat day fee. And if they really want to work with you there should be no problem. I don’t need to be there until the last person is leaving the party, but I want to be there for the couple. Also, it’s a party, it’s not like your having a bad time, have fun.
Cheers, Peter Bruce