1) Why purchase a video for your wedding?

Your wedding day passes by in the blink of an eye, faster than you'd think. You want to make sure you have an objective documentarian capturing these moments and creating something beautiful with them. It's also easier to share one video with people then hundreds of photos. Videos are a great way to share the experience of the event for people who couldn’t attend, and may include many beautiful moments that you missed while the cameras were rolling somewhere else. Video also offers you the option for audio which is something you can’t get with just photography.

2) How do I secure a booking?

Simply call or email me that you want to be booked. Once you do this the date will be on hold and will remain so unless I receive a challenge from another couple requesting the same date. In this case you get first priority as the first holder to confirm your booking. If you decide to book the date I will send you a contract and when I receive your deposit your date is secured. To receive a contract I will need both your names, addresses, phone numbers, email, the addresses of the wedding venues, the a la carte items you’d like included in your video, and the phone and email of your wedding planner, photographer, and DJ. You can either pay in full or make a deposit of half your total. Deposits are non-refundable.

3) How do you handle payment?

I accept a check made out to "John Appleton" or payments via Venmo (@john-appleton-2). Many clients pay via Zelle as well. Upon booking you can either pay in full or make a deposit of half your total to secure your booking. If you make a deposit then your balance payment is due one month before your wedding date.

4) Can I add things to my package before or after signing a contract?

Of course! Many couples find that after they see a highlight film they decide they would also like a full ceremony video. With each change you will receive an itemized invoice in addition to your original contract. 

5) Teaser… Vignette… Highlight… ? Ceremony, dances and toasts? What’s the difference?

Teaser Videos are one minute preview videos which are great for social media and sharing with your family and friends and give you a quick look into what your final video will look like. You will receive this before any other video. Think of them like the trailer to the feature film of your wedding! Vignettes, or short Highlights are 5-7 minute cinematic montages of your day. These are perfect if you want a concise visual of your special day and have a more modern fast paced aesthetic with non-linear editing. Highlight Videos are extended shorts, generally between 8 and 10 minutes. These videos take excerpts from everything throughout the day, so while you might not see every single thing that was shot, you will have a polished and artfully crafted concise video that highlights the most significant, poignant, and beautiful moments of your wedding. These videos are professionally edited, color graded, and audio mixed to give you a polished and beautiful film. They include audio excerpts from your ceremony officiant, your vowels, and from toasts. These videos take a more traditional and linear approach as opposed to The Vignette. I don’t offer Feature Videos because I feel they are outdated, too long, lack replay value, and given that I edit 4K footage with full color grades to render, editing feature videos requires more time to edit while you wait for your video. I personally feel I can capture everything you would want to see in an hour and a half feature in an extended Highlight video. That said, it’s completely understandable to want to see your ceremony, dances, and toasts in their entirety, which is why I offer these as separate videos that require less processing time, which means a faster turn around and sooner delivery. Everything is delivered digitally via Vimeo. I don’t offer DVDs. In the era of the optical disc coming to an end I like to ask, “would you pay money to have your wedding put on a VHS?”

6) I’m camera shy. Do I need to take direction or perform for the camera?

In short, no. I like to take a fly on the wall approach, letting you enjoy your wedding day while staying out of the way as best as I can. That said the most I might ask is that you move into the light coming from a nearby window or repeat an action like tying a tie or kissing your soon to be. I'm also a big fan of the nose rubbing shot. Getting ready/dressed and a few romantic posed shots after your ceremony are you only time I would give your direction.

7) When can I expect to receive my video(s)?

Each video will be delivered 10 to 12 weeks after the wedding, however you may receive them sooner depending on the time of year.

8) How do I receive my videos(s)?

You will be emailed an online downloadable link on Vimeo. You can also embed videos onto your favorite social media directly from my Vimeo page. This is a hosting service I am happy to provide for the streaming of your videos. If you choose to receive an PC/MAC compatible external USB hard drive you will receive full resolution copies of your films along with all of the raw footage shot in the mail 3-5 business days after all of your videos have been finalized. All videos stay on the vimeo platform forever in case you need to re-download one, but I do encourage you to move your digital files to a new HD, internal or external every one to two years as hard drives do have a shelf live.

9) Can we meet before the wedding?

Of course! I prefer to meet before the big day so we can get to know each other better. That said if you're more than a two hour drive outside of Seneca, SC a Zoom call or phone call might be better than a face to face meeting. My phone consultations are free. 

10) Do you have insurance? Can you provide a certificate for my venue, etc? 

Yep!

11) So... music? 

I don't charge any additional fee for music licensing unless a specific song is requested. While I have my go to websites for finding royalty free music, I am just as happy to send these sites your way for you to browse or I can choose the music myself if you like. I’d say 95% of the time I choose the music myself. Keep in mind none royalty free music, i.e a song by "The Beatles" can be used for personal viewing but legally cannot be shared publicly. Websites like Vimeo and Youtube may actually decline your video from being uploaded unless you can legally prove you own a license to use it, therefore I suggest to stick to royalty free music tracks. It is also good to keep in mind just because you have a favorite song, then song may not lend itself well to a wedding film. For instance if the song has singing throughout then this would clash with Toasts or Ceremony Vows. In most cases I choose the music and my clients have always been pleased.

12) Why book with John Appleton Weddings?

Book locally! I can’t stress this enough. Large nation wide companies will bait you in with low prices but are disorganized, non-transparent, and can’t vet their vendors fully, so you don’t really know who will be filming your wedding. I’ve heard horror stories from these scam like companies like videographers just not showing up and ghosting the couple. This would not happen with a local vendor.

After my first year in business I have learned that I have an inability to offer quantity over quality. I will intentionally book fewer weddings per year so I can spend more time on the ones I do book. While profit is necessary for a business, I believe passion and integrity for one’s work is what is most important.

I am a hopeless romantic. 

I refuse to create anything cheesy or campy. I've seen this in wedding videos but you will never see it in mine. Don't mistake romantic for cheesy. There is a big difference. 

I can offer an artistic sensibility you won't find with other production companies. 

I am open minded and offer vintage and experimental wedding videos. I want to hear your ideas. It’s your vision. It’s your story. No film is the same.

I have been working in video production for 15 years and in the wedding industry for the past 6 years. I stay on top of the ever shifting advances in video technology and in wedding film production.

I offer 12-16 minute Extended Highlight Videos. With the rise in popularity of the 4-6 minute montage edit, this is something you won’t find with many other videographers.

I also offer unique vintage stylized re-edits of previously made wedding videos. These make for the perfect anniversary gift and are a service I haven’t seen any other professional provide.

I am a small, locally owned business. This means I am dependable. Do not trust nation wide businesses. They will let you down at the least, and in worst case scenarios their videographer may not even show up. I’ve seen and heard about it before. This simply would never happen with a locally owned business. Don’t be tempted by cheap prices. If it sounds too good to be true… it is.

Didn't answer your question? Drop me a line at johnappletonweddings.com