There is such a lot to think about when you’re planning your wedding. It’s an exciting, occasionally overwhelming time, but it’s worth all the preparation because you know it’s going to be a perfect day. The dress, the suits, the venue, the flowers, the cake, the DJ and more all contribute to the day you’ll remember for the rest of your lives. But how will you remember it?

Once the day itself is over what will you have left? You might keep your wedding dress and shoes in a box in the loft; you might even freeze the top tier of your cake to enjoy on your first anniversary. For most couples though, the only ways they can really look back on their day are the photographs and the wedding video. Do you really want to entrust either of these once in a lifetime jobs to a well meaning relative?

Yes, it’s definitely cheaper to get Uncle Bob (who has an HD camcorder and makes great holiday videos) to film your wedding, but making that saving now so that you can afford that ice sculpture for the reception could be a decision you will regret when you see the result.

Now I’m not saying your Uncle Bob doesn’t know how to use a video camera, but I am going to make some assumptions about him.

1. He probably doesn’t have two cameras, so he won’t be able to film you saying “I do” and your mum wiping away her tears of joy at the same time. Also, if his one camera malfunctions, that’s that.

 

2. He probably doesn’t use professional microphones and audio equipment. The microphone on his camcorder will have trouble picking up the vows clearly in a church or large hall, where the sound echoes off the walls.

 

3. His camera probably stays on auto-focus. This is great for general family filming, but low-light conditions (like those found at most wedding receptions) cause the auto-focus to ‘hunt’ for the right image, causing a lot of blurry shots. Meanwhile, the bright white dress and dark suits are making the auto-exposure swing from one extreme to the other.

 

4. He probably doesn’t have professional editing software, the skill to edit the footage into an engaging film that captures the emotion of your day while telling the story, or the time to do it. A good wedding video can take up to ten times as long to edit as it did to film.

 

5. He probably wants to enjoy your wedding day, so he may not be focussing on making sure he’s in the right place at the right time to film you cutting the cake or taking to the floor for your first dance. He also may not ensure he always has enough battery and video tape to catch all the important moments.

 

6. Chances are he’s not a member of a respected industry body such as the Institute of Videography. Organisations like the IOV offer ongoing support and training to their members, as well as requiring that members adhere to a code of practice which, among other things, ensures they carry Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance.

Uncle Bob might be great, but if you want to make sure the sights and sounds of your wedding day are captured in a way you’ll want to watch over and over again, my advice is to decline his kind offer and get a professional to do the job – just like you did with the dress, the flowers, the cake…

Last month we filmed Jean-Maré and David’s wedding at St Nicholas’s Church, Harpenden – it was a fantastic day.

The bride, who looked absolutely stunning and beamed from ear to ear all day, arrived at the church in a vintage double decker bus.  A note of humour came in the ceremony when the priest asked Jean-Maré if she would take David to be her wife, which his friends then referenced throughout the day.  Everyone piled onto the bus and headed to The Old Bell for the reception, starting with a photo session in the garden with the very talented wedding photographer Peter Hearl.

We set up a kind of diary room in a corner of the venue for guests to come along and leave messages for the bride and groom, which they did in great number – inspired by the promise of chocolates as a reward (the chocolates were very tasty, I must say!)

David made a very heartfelt and moving speech which had both his sisters and many other guests in tears.  Jean-Maré and David are a fantastic couple and we at Aardvark Wedding Films wish them a long an happy life together.  Here is their highlights video:

About a month ago I tagged along with Cambridgeshire Wedding photographer Andy Fountain while he photographed Emma and Elliot’s wedding in Bury St Edmunds.  We headed up to a nearby derelict church for some great shots before making our way to the reception at Ravenwood Hall.

All this is in aid of a project I’m working on with the Wedding Partners, where I’m filming most of the members in their natural habitats, creating videos for their websites, and then using bits from each of the shoots to create one big ensemble video for the Wedding Partners website.  In theory, this will all be done in time to show the video at the Wedding Partners exclusive wedding open day at Anstey Hall, Cambridge on October 17th.  If you’re getting married anywhere in the Cambs, Herts, Suffolk area you’d be crazy to miss the chance to come along and meet the Wedding Partners – elite professionals, working together.

Here’s Andy’s video:

In the fourth of my monthly series of interviews with members of The Wedding Partners – (a local group of fantastic wedding suppliers that includes Aardvark Wedding Films), I have asked Suffolk Wedding Pianist Matt Carter to answer a few questions.

Hi Matt.  How long have you been playing the piano?

I’ve always loved music and started playing the keyboard in 1985. I moved onto the piano in 1990, then got a degree in Pop Music (no – I’m not joking!) where I got the opportunity to play the piano with amazing musicians every day. I still enjoy every moment I’m playing.

How did you get into playing at weddings?

I started off as a pro playing jazz standards in hotels and restaurants. When I looked at what other events I could play at, weddings were the number one choice. I played at a couple of wedding fairs (with a whole new repertoire) to test the water and got inundated with bookings. Weddings are now around 80% of my business!

During which parts of the day do you usually play?

The ceremony, drinks reception and wedding breakfast are when I usually get asked to play. I have occasionally been booked for evening receptions too when the bride and groom have wanted an alternative to a DJ or live band.  Having said that, I am also in a wedding band and get many evening bookings from this.

Do you have a standard playlist?

I have a repertoire of songs that is increasing all the time. I’m happy to learn new songs for couples and have had some fantastic and sometimes challenging song requests in the past.  I will play anything, from Chopin to Snow Patrol, Frank Sinatra to Beyonce, Beethoven to The Beatles. Having this wide range of songs to hand allows me to create the right atmosphere and surprise guests when I can play their impromptu requests!

What if there’s no piano at the venue?

I have a portable Roland EP880 digital piano that I can bring along, as well as a 300 Watt amplification system. With the constant advances in music technology, it now actually sounds like a grand piano is in the room with you!  It also means that I can set up outside as I’m fully portable. I’ve had the privilege of playing on many beautiful terraces, ornate verendahs, and in marquees and private gardens for brides and grooms.

What’s your favourite part of the job?

I genuinely love everything about my job! But to choose a favourite part – I’d say it has to be putting smiles on people’s faces with what I do. To give you an example: a bride’s father used to play Beethoven’s ‘Fur Elise’ to her when she was a little girl. The bride requested it and I said I’d incorporate it into my set. During the wedding breakfast, I saw the bride’s father talking to the bride and linked from the song I was playing (Sting’s ‘Fields Of Gold’) into Fur Elise. They both stopped talking and stared at each other for what seemed like ages to me. Then they turned around together, misty eyed, and both gave me the biggest smile. Music is an extremely powerful and emotional force.

How far in advance do couples need to book you?

The majority of couples tend to book 9-12 months in advance. Leaving it any later will always increase the risk that I’ll be booked. Please contact me to check availability.

What do you wish couples already knew before they came to you?

Some couples book their evening entertainment before coming to me for their afternoon entertainment and ceremony music. I wish they already knew about my wedding band, Cupid’s Wish, beforehand. Then they’d have their entire day’s music sorted!

 

We’ve played alongside some of the top names in the music industry, including Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin, The Verve, Newton Faulkner, Bonnie Tyler and Brian May from Queen. We’re available as a trio (with professional backing tracks), or as a completely live 5-piece band and will have your guests on their feet all night! Our website is www.cupidswish.co.uk

And finally, what makes Matt Carter – Event Pianist special?

Apart from it being an anagram of a tongue-in-cheek marriage reference (Matt Carter Event Pianist = ‘Entrapment is attractive’)….

I’m different to most people’s idea of a pianist; I’ve found that the word ‘pianist’ typically conjures up images of either classical recitals in large halls or late-night cocktail bars. I play classical music and jazz of course, but there’s a whole range of popular music to choose from too: classic rock, pop, soul, disco, indie, motown, Rat Pack, right up to the songs in the Top 40 right now!

Why restrict yourself to a certain musical style when I can turn your favourite songs into piano instrumentals especially for your wedding day?

I’m passionate about detail. I pride myself on providing a very personal service. And I cover the whole musical package for you, from pre-ceremony music as guests arrive through to the last encore when the bar shutters have come down.

For MP3s, Youtube videos, my repertoire and more, visit Matt’s website at www.eventpianist.co.uk. And for enquiries, or just to have an informal chat about your music requirements, contact him on his mobile, 07770 734414, his landline, 01284 700014, or you can email: matt@eventpianist.co.uk