Moving Memories on DVD
Some frequently asked questions about Byland Media Wedding DVDs...
How long will my Wedding video be?
Can you film in church?
My uncle has offered to film us with his camcorder. Why do I need a professional DVD?
We’ve already booked a photographer, thank you.
How far ahead should we book Byland Media?
Can we choose the music for the wedding DVD?
Will you “take over” our wedding and upset the guests?
How far do you travel?
How many cameras do you film with?
I’m keen to have a DVD, but my fiancée isn’t...
What about music copyright licences?
When will we receive the DVDs?
Can we order any more DVDs?
Will you record what people are saying?
How long will you stay?
Do you need feeding?
Can you make sure you film my Gran?
Will you cut out any silly or rude bits?
When do we pay you?
We’ve got a very limited budget, but would love a DVD of our wedding
Can you recommend a First Dance song?
And finally
How long will my Wedding video be?
DVDs vary in length, depending on the nature of the day and what you’ve booked. Most are 1½ - 2 hours running time.
Can you film in church?
Byland Media have filmed weddings in so many churches, from small village churches to the magnificent York Minster. No two are the same, so we always try to attend the rehearsal and meet the vicar. You should tell him or her well in advance that you are planning to have the service filmed. Most are welcoming, but the occasional church doesn’t permit it, which is a great pity because the ceremony is the most important part of your wedding day and you won’t have a record of your vows. You can assure the vicar that our video cameras are on tripods and we don’t move around. They are totally silent (unlike stills cameras) and we never use video lights in church.
You may be asked to pay a bit more to the church as a facility fee for filming. A figure of £25 is typical and £250 is definitely excessive! Byland Media’s charges already include the music-recording licenses, so you won’t need a “video licence” from the church.
My uncle has offered to film us with his camcorder. Why do I need a professional DVD?
With due respect to Uncle, do you really want to trust such an important task to an amateur who probably has little experience of filming weddings, who has only one camera and no professional microphones or tripod? Will he be able to edit his recording into an entertaining programme? And doesn’t Uncle want to enjoy your wedding too, without all that work and responsibility?
We’ve already booked a photographer, thank you.
Good, you’ll need one, especially for the high quality formal photos, the sort that will sit in a frame for years and be admired long after your big day. Still photographs can capture a particular moment, an expression on someone’s face. They can show all your guests in their finery. No wedding album is complete without a big group shot. A skilled photographer can also take the pair of you aside to get some beautiful arty shots that capture the romance.
But will the photographer capture the full emotion: the sounds, the words, the children playing and the movement of your dress? A DVD will add the extra dimensions of sound and movement. At certain times of the day such as saying your vows, the speeches and the dancing, a movie means so much more. So many of our clients say “It’s like re-living our wedding day!”
How far ahead should we book Byland Media?
The best time to book us for your wedding is NOW! Bookings come in at all times and as we only film one wedding a day, the longer you leave it, the greater the risk of us being un-available. Some people book us two years ahead, others have left it to two weeks, but that’s like playing Russian roulette!
Can we choose the music for the wedding DVD?
Absolutely. We prefer clients to give us help and guidance because music is such a personal choice and it can set the mood of a piece of video, just like on TV or at the cinema.
Will you “take over” our wedding and upset the guests?
Certainly not; we are working for you, not for our own ego trip! Most of the day, we are silently recording what you and your guests are doing. People often comment on how discreet we are. But we’re not aloof and will happily mix and chat with your guests too.
How far do you travel?
Our main area of work is Yorkshire and Teesside, but we have filmed further afield, such as Germany and France. Let’s discuss your plans. We have done many weddings in and around York, Harrogate, Scarborough, Leeds, Whitby, Malton, Pickering, Northallerton, Bedale, Leyburn, Thirsk, Ripon, Boroughbridge, Knaresborough, Wetherby, Tadcaster, Selby and Middlesbrough.
How many cameras do you film with?
Most of the day, we are using two. For instance during the drinks and canapés, Breda will mingle with the guests using a hand-held camera, whilst Mike is further away, using a tripod to get the wide shots. Editing them together makes a more interesting programme. Sometimes we have a third camera for church services to cover awkward shots when, for instance there is a rood screen.
I’m keen to have a DVD, but my fiancée isn’t...
Let’s have a meeting, when we can discuss the doubts and hopefully allay some misconceptions. So often couples say to us afterwards that they were pleased they had a Byland Media DVD of their wedding and that they would recommend us to others, even if one of them was uncertain beforehand.
What about music copyright licences?
Not to be confused with any wedding licence required by the church, Byland Media prices include the necessary licence fees for both live (M.C.P.S.) and recorded (P.P.L.) music on your DVD.
When will we receive the DVDs?
We aim to get the finished discs to you within a month. At busy times of the year, e.g. August weddings, this can slip a few weeks, but we will keep you informed.
Can we order any more DVDs?
Yes, we keep the masters, so you can re-order at anytime. If you are thinking of Christmas presents, please allow at least a fortnight for delivery.
Will you record what people are saying?
During the formal parts of the day, we go to a lot of trouble to get a good clear soundtrack for the speeches, vows, readings and prayers etc. At other times, such as the drinks and canapés, we only pick-up the general hubbub and don’t eavesdrop on private conversations.
How long will you stay?
If you ask us to film the evening party, we usually stay until sometime between 10 and 11pm. It all depends on what’s happening; we’re happy to stay-on if it’s worth filming.
Do you need feeding?
We don’t expect to have the full wedding breakfast; that would cost you too much. However, a plate of sandwiches or some of your main course, served in the bar would be welcome, especially if we are working 12 or more hours.
Can you make sure you film my Gran?
Although it is your wedding, you will want to see special people in your DVD. Grandparents, young children, friends from afar, even celebrities: if you tell us, we’ll do our best to feature them.
Will you cut out any silly or rude bits?
This can be very subjective, so we’ll be guided by you. However, any obviously objectionable or embarrassing content will get cut. We aim to please all our viewers, not to make them cringe.
When do we pay you?
We ask for £100 deposit to secure the booking. Half the balance is due one month before the wedding and the rest when we deliver the DVDs to you.
We’ve got a very limited budget, but would love a DVD of our wedding
The Byland Media Mini Package is very reasonably priced and will give you a real taste of your big day. Don’t forget that video is better than still photos for covering certain parts of the day, such as speeches or dancing. Have you considered asking for contributions to the cost of your DVD? We are happy to add the “sponsors” names to the credits.
Can you recommend a First Dance song?
Are you planning a two minute shuffle round the dance floor together, or a spectacular demonstration of your Strictly Come Dancing skills? Just do what you’re comfortable with. You can always arrange for the wedding party to join in after the first minute or so. Sometimes a bride and groom have secret dancing lessons and amaze their friends with a choreographed routine. Don’t forget that it’s not as easy to dance in a large wedding dress as a pair of jeans!
We can show you examples of first dances when we meet, but here’s some of the songs our couples have danced to: -
A Moment Like This |
Leona Lewis |
And finally
On the wedding day itself, make sure you enjoy it. Something is bound to go wrong, but don’t let it upset you. It’s a unique day when all your favourite people are there to support you, so does it really matter if it rains, or the cake is a bit lop-sided? The day will be all over in a flash and then all you’ll have is the happy memories and some lovely photos. And a glorious Byland Media DVD too.