An Austin Videographer

Live musician at a concert.

Seems reasonable that it would be much better to have a live band over a DJ, doesn’t it?  After all, music is just more exciting when played live.  Well, there are some considerations to be aware of.  There are some bands out there that have played many receptions, and will do a great job.  There are also some fine musicians out there who just arn’t cut out for the job.

Questions to think about:

1. Does the band have a good deal of experience with wedding receptions?
2. Are they experienced and willing to act as your MC?  Yes, you do need one.
3. What about breaks?  Will the band provide recorded music for these portions?
4. Can you speak to referrals? Do they have demo video?

One of the advantages with some of the better DJs out there is that they are typically prepared to act as master of ceremonies.  It’s reasonable to expect a DJ to perform not only this task, but to track and coordinate the events of the evening.  Not necessarily the case with a live band. There are some great bands that can do both roles as well.  And there are some great bands that just aren’t cut out for this role.

It’s also reasonable to expect that the band will need at least one break during the evening.  Be sure and find out what happens when they do!  They should play recorded music, and the song list should be approved by you.  In some cases, the band will actually supply a DJ/MC, and this combination is hard to beat.

If you go with a DJ, it may not quite be the same as live music, but it’s much easier to manage your event.  A DJ can easily fade a song out smoothly when it’s time to toss the bouquet.  Not so easy for a group of live musicians.  A good DJ will typically allow you to choose from a list of songs for the evening.  Most can come up with music to please almost all tastes too.  This is a big plus when your guests are culturally mixed.

Please make no mistake here.  My intention is not to discourage hiring a live band for your reception.  I’ve attended a number of receptions with live music, and most were a wonderful experience.  A few came to a screeching halt when the band left the stage.

Hey, where’s the music?

Austin Couple Downtown

Ah, what could be more perfect than an outdoor ceremony? Well, some are a little closer to perfect than others. Here around the Austin Texas area, there are quite a few days of the year that offer perfect conditions for an outdoor ceremony. There are however a few considerations that will make for better photos and video, as well as a more comfortable experience for your guests.

In most cases, it’s best to schedule the ceremony in the last hour or so of daylight. High noon is the worst, as the light is it’s most harsh. As sunset nears, the light is softened, and takes on a golden hue. Photographers call this the “golden hour”. If your wedding day is in one of the warmest months of the year, your guests will appreciate not having to sit in the hot sun.

An outdoor location near a stand of trees, or some other land or architectural feature, will help reduce the breeze. A light breeze is fine, but stronger winds can cause several problems. Wind noise through a microphone can be annoying, and can’t be eliminated in the final production. Special covers for the microphones can reduce the problem, but not eliminate it completely.

Finally, it’s best to choose a location that also offers an indoor alternative. Most do, and just in case a little rain comes your way, it’s good to have a backup plan!

The reception is the celebration of your wedding. Most celebrations have music, and most brides and grooms turn to a DJ for this reason. I’ve worked with many DJ’s here in Austin Texas, and the surrounding area. They definitely vary quite a bit. The couple is at a little disadvantage, since they don’t really know what they should expect in the first place.

You should expect any DJ you hire to help you select the music for your reception. They should make you aware of this before you sign, and be able to present you with a list of available music. It’s also reasonable to expect most any DJ service to provide a wireless microphone for toasts. Hopefully, they have one that is of sufficient quality, such as a Shure wireless system.

A DJ that is above the rest will do a good deal more. It’s reasonable to expect your DJ to act as your master of ceremonies. They should be able to manage a list of events, make appropriate announcements, and oversee the key moments of your reception. I’ve worked with many that will even coordinate with photographers and videographers for each event. You should be able to enjoy your reception without worrying about what time the cake should be cut.

An image of a wedding videographer

I’ve learned quite a few things as an Austin wedding videographer. I’ve attended over 100 weddings, and thought I’d share some of what I’ve learned. This is directed more towards future brides and grooms, but if it helps other videographers out there, it’s a way to “pay it forward” for those that have helped me.

If your reception takes place in the evening, the lighting will likely be low. It’s very common to have the lights dimmed as the dancing begins. You should ask your DJ or master of ceremonies about this in advance. If possible, it’s best to wait until after your first dance, and the parent’s dance for the best video quality. Ideally, the lights would be dimmed just as the rest of the wedding guests are invited to dance. Many times, I’ve seen the lights brought down in the middle of a key dance, or during a speech. This should definitely be avoided.

Ask your videographer about the lighting they plan to use, and ask for a demonstration if possible. They should be using a dimmable camera light. When the lights are low, it’s usually necessary to have some type of additional lighting for the video camera. Some on-camera lights are extremely bright, and cannot be dimmed. A light that is dimmed just to the point of providing useful light, but not blinding you and your guests is the goal here. Ask if they use a “softbox” or other light softening accessory. This will not only produce better looking video, but will also reduce any harshness dramatically.