Why Hire A Professional Videographer?
Once their wedding is over, many brides say they regret not having hired a professional videographer. Your wedding day will be filled with thousands of emotional nuances, moments you’ll savor forever, moments you’ll undoubtedly forget. A professional has the skills and equipment to capture those moments that would otherwise be lost. 
Don’t rely on a friend or family member to record your wedding day with their home camcorder. While it might save you some money, it will also leave you with a video that’s either too dark, too shaky, totally inaudible, or all of the above.

Videography Has Changed.
Gone are the days of big cameras, bright lights and long cables that would normally overpower a wedding. Rapid advances in video production technology have allowed videographers to become as discreet and unobtrusive as any photographer. Additionally, videographers have begun reaping the benefits of new computer-based editing systems which have allowed for more stylish and entertaining videos unlike those from the past.

Costs
Shop quality, then price. There’s no reason to spend less money on a video that you won’t be happy with. A well-produced video takes many hours to piece together, therefore you should expect to pay at least as much for a good video as you would for a good photographer. If your budget is tight, eliminate love stories or photo montages. Top priority should be filming the day’s essential events, including the nervous anticipation before the ceremony, the ceremony itself, and, of course, as much of your reception as possible.

Finding The Right Videographer
Much like photography, videography ranges far and wide in both quality and price. In general, the higher the price, the more polished your finished video will be. Start by requesting demo tapes or visiting the studios of candidates who make a good impression. Once you’ve narrowed the field, concentrate on those candidates you feel most comfortable with. Don’t base your final decision on a slick demo video—ask to see full-length videos from a variety of weddings. When you feel confident with a particular videographer’s work, ask for references.

You’ll want to make absolutely sure their presence will complement the atmosphere of your wedding day. More importantly, you’ll want to be 100% certain your videographer will make your guests feel comfortable.

Clarify Your Expectations
Be sure to discuss your ideal video with your videographer. Do you want something with a romantic edge or something slanted more toward the humorous side? Do you want a lot of black and white or do you want mostly color? Do you want a lot of guest interviews or would you prefer the videographer concentrate on other areas? Clearly, there are many options to consider. Your videographer should be flexible enough to accommodate your special requests and honest enough to tell you whether or not he’ll be able to meet your expectations. A true professional should take time to collaborate with you beforehand so that he fully understands what elements you consider most important in telling your unique story. 

DVD
Many videographers offer the option of putting your finished video on DVD. You should definitely consider this option since the expected lifespan of DVD, as well as the picture and sound quality, are significantly better than the VHS standard.

Photo Montages
The past few years have seen a growing trend toward projecting a photo montage or “love story” segment at either your rehearsal dinner or reception. Again, these options vary quite a bit in both price and quality.  Be sure to investigate your options.