Hello everyone!  Sarah here, excited to be done with college and back with Serendipity!  I’m older, wiser, and not as single as I was earlier this year.  I simply can’t wait to get my hands on the footage from your special day and to make “cinemagic”!  If being an Editor has taught me anything, it has taught me that your final film is only as good as the hands who shot it.  At Serendipity our Videographers have spent years as professional Videographers- capturing those moments they know will sing, framing a shot up just right, and making sure that the unique sights and sounds of your day are properly documented.

That’s why when Taryn showed me a new videography company featured on a popular wedding blog last week I was disgusted – nay – appalled by what I saw.  Said company sends you anywhere from one to five flip cameras, you pass them out to your family and friends, send the footage back, and either edit it yourself online, or have a ‘professional’ edit them for you.  All for only $300.

Friends, let me explain something to you – putting your memories into the hands of your best friends or family members who are knocking back one too many glasses of wine is a bad idea.  The reason that professional cinematographers exist is because brides were sick of their uncle’s shaky shots, bad audio, and inability to capture the important moments.  And now you’re paying ‘professionals’ for just that.  How have things come full circle in such a bad way?!

I understand the need to save money, believe you me.  As a new college grad and potential bride, I am pinching every penny I can.  This company has given today’s couples an opportunity to save in an ingenious new way, and in theory it is a really good idea.  But in actuality, you will be much happier in the long run going with the professionals.  Do you really think you will be satisfied with the footage your drunk friends and family are going to provide you with?  Are you willing to leave that responsibility in their untrained hands?

Let me get personal for a moment here; My dad got in an accident 4 years ago and was taken from this life.  As his unmarried daughter, I would give anything in this world to have him at my wedding.  When I get married, you had better believe that I will have a videographer there, because I know what it’s like to loose someone unexpectedly.  I know what it’s like to treasure the pictures and videos that we still have of him.  What are your memories worth?  What are your family and friends worth?  When you hire a videographer, you’re not just paying for the cost of some camera men to hang around at your reception, high priced video equipment, or the few DVDs you receive in the end.  You’re paying to have a cinematic memory of all of your loved ones gathered around you on your special day.  You can’t put a price on that.

When you hire Serendipity you can be sure that you will not have any drunk, bone headed well wishes or interviews.  Why?  Because we’re experienced enough to know that all interviews should be done before or during cocktail hour.  You won’t have hours of wide shots of your reception because we understand the importance of variety.  Your shots won’t be shaky and inaudible because we are professionals!  We document your love in the way that you choose to create a piece that you will love to share, and love to watch over and over (not one that makes you nauseous).

Please, I beg of you – Your wedding is something that only happens once.  Don’t let this be a case of ‘live and learn,’ because you won’t get another chance.  Trust me on this one – I’m a college grad.