Jenna and Tad were married on August 9th in Gainesville, GA. They celebrated their wedding at the First United Methodist Church of Gainesville. Naval members of the wedding party wore their Dress Whites and later saluted Jenna and Tad with a sword ceremony presentation of the newly married couple. The reception was held on the grounds of the Chattahoochee Country Club. The twinkle of thousands of miniature bulbs added to the magic of the evening. Enjoy a brief collection of highlights from Jenna and Tad’s wedding day.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

A wide-shot of the church on a beautiful afternoon. A close-up of a tear on the bride’s face during her vows. Video has the timeless ability to invoke emotion and allow a couple to experience all of the joy and excitement of their wedding day. However, one often overlooked (but very important) aspect that helps to re-create these emotions is the sound of the big day. So what should a couple look for when it comes to good audio?

First, make sure that the videographer is using high-quality broadcast mics. Broadcast-quality mics are field tested to withstand daily use and should allow the operator to adjust wireless channels to meet the needs of the venue. In other words, if your church also uses wireless mics (as most do), having a professional quality adjustable mic allows the operator to avoid these channels already in use and ensure crystal clear sound.

Second, have multiple mics. There is simply no way to get great audio of a couple’s vows using a camera-mounted mic from 100 feet away. Make sure that thevideographer is using at least one wireless ‘lav’ mic on the groom or officiant to pick up vows and a second camera-mounted mic to pick up surrounding audio such as music.

Some videographers will also use separate, portable audio recorders to capture musicians, speakers and other important audio. These portable recorders are very small and can be hidden very close to the subject while still remaining discrete.Videographers may also use these recorders to ‘plug in’ to the church or venue’s sound system for very clear audio.

Finally, ask your venue contact or coordinator what restrictions you may have when it comes to audio. Some venues do not allow the use of wireless mics. It is important to ask these questions up-front and let yourvideographer know as soon as possible that other alternatives need to be explored. Spend a few minutes talking to your potential vendors about their experience when it comes to capturing audio. Good audio from your live event will definitely add more depth and emotion to your final wedding production.

Join us on Sept. 11 at Villa Christina for a fund-raising event to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society fighting blood cancers. The evening will include live entertainment, cocktails and appetizers. We will be covering this event and will be sure to post footage to the blog for anyone unable to attend.

About Light the Night: www.lightthenight.org

About Villa Christina: www.villachristina.com

Darlene and Steve were married at the John Oliver Michael House in Statham, GA. There was a great deal of detail on the grounds and in the house where Darlene was getting ready. The couple had an outdoor ceremony that included a traditional hand-tying ceremony over the town anvil. The on-site reception afforded casual dancing and plenty of photo opps. This footage was included in the pre-ceremony coverage for this relaxed outdoor wedding.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

While many videography companies are now starting to sell High Definition shoots, we made the investment in equipment and training early-on in order to offer this service to our clients. We are sometimes asked if this option varies in quality between vendors. The short answer is yes - experience and equipment do make a difference in the final product. For the longer answer, read on…

High definition is an in-demand option because it significantly increases the resolution, or overall size, of a couple’s video. Compared to still photography, it is the difference in looking at a 4×6 snapshot vs. a 16×20 enlargement hanging on the wall. High Definition provides the medium to see the details of a couple’s wedding day.

However, shooting in High Definition also requires a videographer and editor who is trained and experienced in shooting this higher resolution format. On the camera operator’s side, it is much easier to see mistakes made by a shooter who may not have the right amount of experience with HD. Details such as critical focus, exposure and a steady shot are much more important when shooting High Definition. On the editing side, this format requires more advanced hardware and software techniques to create the final production from the raw footage.

Some couples worry that High Definition may provide too much detail. They still want a final production that provides the smooth and polished look of film. With the right professional and the right equipment, couples may achieve the best of both worlds. Take a few minutes to chat with your potential vendors and ask what experience they may have with High Definition. It truly is a great option to include on your final wedding production.

For a more detailed look at the benefits of HD, please check out our High Definition guide at http://www.atlwed.com/highdef.html.

Welcome to the new blog for Atlanta Wedding Productions! Check back often for updated cinematic highlights, technical tips and industry news.

Mike