watchthebirdie@btinternet.com
FAQs:
Here's a collection of Frequently Asked Questions that Watch The Birdie has received about wedding videos, that we hope will be of use to you. If you think there's something we've missed, please let us know, and if it's a 'good 'un' we'll add it to the list.
1. Why should we have a wedding video?
The best question of them all! And here are the answers...
A video of this once-in-a-lifetime-occasion let's the Bride and Groom see what happened during the day when they were busy concentrating on their own tasks.
But even more importantly, it's a permanent audio/visual memory of the whole day that can be re-visited for years to come, not just by yourselves, but also by friends, family and colleagues, and those who couldn't make the big day.
2. Why should we have our wedding video done professionally?
For much the same reasons you use a professional wedding venue, dress supplier, limousine company, 
photographer....because they have the skills and the experience.
They've done it many times before, their product has been 'tested' by previous customers, they're insured, they use quality equipment (with back-ups if something goes wrong)...and they need little direction from you...in other words, they hit the ground running!
Watch The Birdie has these skills and the experience necessary to professionally video and edit your wedding footage to the high standard you would expect.
3. When should I book a wedding videographer?
Better sooner rather than later, and usually 6 - 12 months before the wedding. So probably around the same time you book the wedding photographer. We can take last minute bookings if we have the date free, but during the summer/autumn months we tend to be at our busiest.
4. How do I book you?
Contact us by phone or email. We'll discuss your wedding video requirements with you, give advice and arrange a meeting if required and then ask you to complete our Booking Form.
5. How much does a Watch The Birdie Wedding Video cost?
Our wedding video package is very competitively priced at £950. This is an all-in price that includes the filming, editing and three copies of the wedding video and covers from 'guests arriving' till the 'first dances' in the evening.
We also offer a range of options for customising your video such as Morning Preparations, 2nd Cameraman, and/or for adding to the evening entertainment eg the Same-Day Edit, Pop Video etc.
In addition, we now offer Gift Vouchers that guests can purchase towards the cost of the video, or for the customisable options.
Please see our Prices page for full details on all the above.
6. Do you have a wedding Showreel or some examples you can send me?
Yes, we have a wedding Showreel that we will be pleased to send to you. It is updated each year. Get in touch with your contact details and we'll send one off to you. Or pop into the Studio to collect one. And, of course, there are video samples for you to view on the Examples page.
7. What parts of Scotland do you cover?
We cover the whole of Scotland.
We video weddings from Dumfries to Ullapool and scores of locations in-between, including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
Distance is not an issue for us; tell us where and when you want us and we'll arrange a videoing schedule to suit your wedding.
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8. Will you attend the wedding rehearsal?
If required and the location is local, we will always attend.
9. Is it possible to meet you prior to booking?
Yes. We'd be delighted to have you visit our Spindle Studios on the outskirts of St Andrews where we can discuss the ins and outs of your big day, show you more of our work, fully brief you on 'the making of a wedding video' and even pass on general advice about wedding suppliers and who we would recommend.
If you can't come to the studio then we can discuss meeting elsewhere. Please contact us to arrange a meet.
We will also be attending a selection of wedding fayres during the year. Please see our News page for details.
10. Will you be intrusive when videoing the wedding?
No. During the wedding ceremony we film from a fixed position giving a front view of the bride and groom, and the audience. Our second camera (whether it is a slave, or manned by a 2nd cameraman) will usually be to the rear, also in a fixed position. We also use fixed camera positions for the speeches.
The rest of the time we will usually be mobile, capturing guests arriving, people interacting and the evening dances.
We wear smart, dark clothes that allow us to blend into the background.
11. Will the wedding vows be audible on the video?
Yes. For the ceremony we either attach a tiny, wireless microphone to the groom, or capture sound through one or two other discreetly placed wired microphones. Sometimes we do both if there is any doubt.
During the speeches we place a microphone on the top table to capture the sound from all those giving speeches.
12. Will you get video messages/interviews from the guests?
Yes, if time allows, which it usually does. Our customers tell us that 'messages' are a big plus for their finished wedding video.
We'll seek messages from grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts, bridesmaids, best man, family and friends...and the Bride and Groom! But if some folks are shy, we don't push them.
Video messages are currently a free option.
13. 'Evening Video Highlights' .... what's that?
The Evening Video Highlights happens during the evening reception, around buffet time, when we project the video highlights of the wedding day onto a large screen positioned on the dance floor for all to see.
We try to make the Highlights a mixture of tears and laughter. The Highlights include the guests arriving, extracts from the ceremony itself, and lots of other footage usually up to the first dances.
The Evening Video Highlights is very popular since it gives all the evening guests an opportunity to see what has been happening during the day, including the actual wedding ceremony itself. Also the bride and groom get to revisit events from earlier in the day, and catch up on those they missed.
The Evening Video Highlights provides something different and very special for all the guests to enjoy at the mid-point of the evening reception. The Evening Video Highlights is also sometimes knows as a Same Day Edit (SDE).
14. I've got something I'd like you to add in for our wedding video; can you do it?
There's a good chance we've already got what you're thinking about listed in the Customise section on our Prices page. But if it's not, then please let us know what it is and we'll do our best to include it.
15. Do I get to choose the music on the wedding video?
Yes. We'll advise you what types are suitable for the different parts of the wedding, but usually leave the final choice of tracks down to you. All music we include on the DVDs will be fully licensed.
16. How long will the wedding video be?
Depending on the length of the ceremony, speeches etc, it will usually be between 1 and 2 hours.
17. What will the DVD case and the DVDs look like?
The high-gloss Case cover includes a quality image of the bride and groom on the front, and the list of Chapters on the back.
The DVD(s) carry a similar image of the bride and groom.
18. How many copies of the wedding video do you supply?
3 copies, with extra copies costing £15 each.
For more information or if you have any questions on our Scottish wedding videos, please e-mail us at watchthebirdie@btinternet.com or phone us on 01334 850 051 (Studio) or 07973 130 878 (Mobile).