By Antoinette DeNise
POPULAR SINCE the puffy-sleeve, big-hair, pastel-tuxedo weddings of
the ’80s, photo montages are a standard feature found in many receptions
and engagement parties. Now, thanks to modern technological advances,
the typical photo slideshow has been revamped. Couples can now choose
from three fresh, innovative takes on the classic.
INVITATION MONTAGE Want your wedding to be unique? Why not start with
the invitation. One of the hottest new options in videography is creating
a movie teaser about your wedding and sending the DVD as the invitation
or save-the-date. “This is definitely a growing trend among couples
who are interested in doing something fun and different,” says
Marc Smiler of Marc Smiler Video Artist (888-860-0110; thevideoartist.com),
whose company is based in Manhattan and Philadelphia. “With a video
invitation, the couple can show their personalities and express their
love for each other, while getting guests excited for their wedding.
It has more of a wow-factor compared to a magnet or paper invitation.”
The invite is designed like a movie trailer, and gives couples endless
options to personalize their message. The DVD’s customizable menu
has an “info” page, an “email us” page for guests
to RSVP online, an “additional photo montage page,” and a “play
again” option.
SAME-DAY MONTAGE If a photo montage is not your style, why not show
highlights of your wedding at the reception. With this new service, called
same-day edit, videographers and an editor follow the bride and groom
from getting ready in the morning to the wedding ceremony. The editor
then takes the raw footage and edits it down to a five- to seven-minute
montage that can be shown at the reception.
“This is becoming a very popular option for couples,” says
Dan Bitcon of the Wayne-based Bitcon Productions (973-720-6600; bitconproductions.com). “We
can show the couple and guests behind-the-scenes footage from the morning
and various angles of the ceremony they might not have seen live.”
3D MOTION MONTAGES Three-dimensional motion pictures, once reserved
only for commercials and television, are now stealing the show at several
weddings. With a few magic clicks of a mouse, videographers can now take
a plain picture, and turn it into an animated film. They can take a picture
of the bride as a young ballerina and make her twirl around, and turn
the groom’s high school graduation headshot into his debut as a
racecar driver at the Daytona 500. “A montage featuring these animated
shots can incorporate the wedding’s theme, tell a fictional or
true story about the couple, or highlight the bride and groom’s
interest and personalities,” says Smiler. “This is an excellent
option for couples who aren’t happy with their photos, but still
want to have a montage at their wedding.”
By Antoinette DeNise
I can just imagine it. Her family gathered in the bridal suite, helping her slip into her ornate wedding gown. Her sister painting her lips the ever-perfect pink hue. And her groom, pacing his quarters, anxious for the festivities to begin, while his father fixes his bowtie and gives him last-minute marital advice.
I could picture her walking down the aisle, her long train, and her hair flowing down her back in fashionable ringlets. And her soon-to-be husband, looking relieved at the sight of her. The reception is relaxed, yet elegant, with guests dancing to Sinatra, and Italian wine flowing. And there they would be—my mom and dad—happy, dancing their first dance, with my large extended family looking on. All the aunts and uncles I’ve heard of growing up, and my grandfather, our family’s patriarch, who I sadly knew for only six years, all forever captured on film.
I wish I had that tape, and if you asked my parents they would tell you the same. But unfortunately, in 1977 cameras weren’t readily accessible, and for a modest family of Italian immigrants, they couldn’t have afforded it anyway. But now, with the advances in videography and reasonable prices, it would be considered crazy to have a wedding without hiring a videographer, right? “Many couples fail to see the importance of a videographer until it’s too late,” says Anthony Francese, a videographer who owns the Somerset-based Artistic Expressions Journalists with his wife, Suzi. “Couples spend a whole year planning the wedding and when it comes, they’re pulled in a million directions, the day becomes a blur. But, by having it on tape, they can relive the whole day and experience it as a guest.”
It’s believed that less than half of the weddings in New Jersey use videographers. For many brides, it’s an oversight, a detail lost while deciding flower arrangements and favors. Other couples had bad experiences with novice and obtrusive videographers, carrying a clunky camera and big lights.
While planning her wedding, newlywed Gina Lappas, of Denville, had overlooked the option until her mother gently pushed the topic. “I was so worried about other details of the wedding that it didn’t even cross my mind,” says Lappas. After deciding to hire a videographer, the couple found a local photographer-videographer duo that offered both services at a discounted price. “But, now that the whole day is over, I’m so glad we hired a videographer. My husband and I, and even our friends, can’t wait to see the film.”
“It’s a common mistake made by young couples,” says Carol Beaugard, wedding planner and owner of Affairs of Distinction in Upper Montclair. “When one of my brides decides against videotaping her wedding, I ask her ‘If you were given the option to see either your grandparent’s wedding photographs or wedding video, which would you choose?’ They always pick the video, because it’s an experience—you can watch people dance and move about and you can hear their voices. Photographs are just still life.”
But, for some brides, past encounters with novice videographers can supersede the ability to best document their day. “I’ve had several experiences with wedding videographers and they all seemed intrusive,” says Jessica Godin, a high school English teacher from Caldwell, who is getting married in October. “You’re dancing with your friends, having a good time, and then all of a sudden there is a bright light and a camera shoved in your face. As a guest, I didn’t like that, and I know I won’t as a bride.”
According to Francese, this experience happens frequently, and it’s often the result of amateur videographers. “Professionals are trained to blend into the crowd,” he says. “Our job is to capture the entire day without interfering with the couple and guests. If I shoot a wedding and the bride and groom are constantly looking into the camera, than I’m not doing my job. They should be enjoying the day, not worrying about where I’m going to pop up next.”
And with technological advances, professional cameras are small, with the light and microphone built-in. But don’t just think that the equipment makes the videographer. When choosing a professional, the most important thing to consider is the end product.
“Just like a Hollywood movie, the finished video will engage the viewer by creating an intimate and candid portrayal of the couple,” says John Decker, a professional videographer in Ocean. “It should be entertaining from start to finish, and capture moments they might not have seen during the day. It should be sentimental, yet witty. If a video succeeds on these levels, it’s never just watched one time. It becomes an heirloom that will be enjoyed by friends and family for years to come, always with a box of Kleenex and clicker at hand.”