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When all the expenses of your wedding add up and you nearly have a heart attack, or your parents nearly have a stroke, you may end up cutting items. So, do you really need a video of your special day? Many people would consider this an extra and not really necessary. Well, there are, of course, many things to keep in mind.

1. You could have a friend or family member capture the event. If you are not too particular about quality, this could be the way to go. To thank your cousin or friend, give them a gift comparable to an attendant gift. This would be a much cheaper option than a professional, but be sure to check that this person has actually filmed things before so that it isn’t a total disaster.

2. Consider the intrusiveness of a videographer. Will you mind having a camera following you all day? They may get quite close to you while saying your vows, for instance. This could be an unacceptable distraction to some people. Furthermore, videographers can be a little bossy. Make sure you meet with the person you hire and explain your expectations and how much intrusion you can bear from them.

3. If you are going with a video, a great idea for replacing the traditional guest book is to have your videographer tape a message from each guest. As guests come in to the ceremony, there is usually a bit of mingling as everyone waits for things to get started. This would be a great time to have each guest give you a special message on the tape.

4. To make sure the videographer hits all the key moments, be sure to speak to him or her about what events they must get on tape. Give them a list that includes the must see moments.

5. Be clear and firm about how long the videographer should be there filming. Make sure you hire them for long enough, say four to six hours. If you only hire them for three hours and then decide you want more coverage, they could charge exorbitant “over time” fees.

6. As with both photographers and videographers, beware copyright issues. Many will own the copyright to your video, preventing you from making copies without paying them first. There are companies out there who will give you the rights free of charge. It may be worth your time to find one of these if you plan to copy the DVD for many people.

I chose not to hire a videographer for my wedding. My husband and I felt that pictures would be enough and we did not need the extra expense. Some people may be more willing to splurge on anything to keep the precious memories alive. Either way, as long as you are smart about it, your memories should live forever.