Question 1

How long will it take to receive my finished video?

Accepted Answer

It varies from wedding to wedding, and depending on the time of year, but most wedding films are delivered in a 3-6 month range.

Question 2

What exactly is 4K Ultra-HD?

Accepted Answer

Ultra HD (often referred to simply as 4K) is four times the resolution of HD or 3840x2160 pixels. All of our packages include filming in 4K with final videos delivered as both 4K and HD copies.

Question 3

How many cameras do you use?

Accepted Answer

The exact number of cameras depends on the specifics of the shoot, but we generally use 3-4 cameras during the ceremony, and 2-3 cameras for most of the reception, with single camera coverage for getting ready footage and cocktail hr.

Question 4

How long do you keep a copy of the finished wedding film?

Accepted Answer

Once your edit is finished, we create an archive copy of the finished video(s), which is kept indefinitely. We recommend keeping your own backups (preferably in cloud storage), but if you ever need a new copy, as long as the archive drive still works, we can send you a new copy.

Question 5

How are the video files protected/backed up?

Accepted Answer

All of your wedding footage is backed up first to a portable drive, usually the same day as the wedding. Then several more copies are made within the first few days, one of which is kept in a fire-proof safe.

Question 6

How long have you been filming weddings?

Accepted Answer

Our first wedding was New Year's Eve 2009, and we have filmed hundreds of weddings large and small in the years since.

Question 7

Do you interview guests, or have people talk into the camera?

Accepted Answer

No, we don't do interviews of guests, ideally, we want them to forget they are being filmed. We find this produces the best results for a great wedding film. What we do offer as an alternative to this is a Selfie-cam package. The guests pass around a camera with a small mic and light on it leaving messages.

Question 8

What is your shooting style/approach?

Accepted Answer

Generally, we want to get natural looking, candid footage of you and your guests, so we try to stay out of the way, and blend in to the background to the extent that is possible. This means filming with longer lenses from off to the sides, and taking advantage balconies or other places where we can place cameras out of sight.

Question 9

Can I pick the music for my Highlights Film?

Accepted Answer

The music in the highlights film, and any music we add, must be licensed from a publisher specifically for use in the wedding film. We cannot use music that is bought retail (or downloaded from youtube). While we try to select the best music to work with your wedding film, from what is available, we would be happy to provide a link to the music library so that you can select a song yourself.

Question 10

Will you have a bright light on your camera?

Accepted Answer

No, we don't use on camera lighting. Nobody likes having a bright light shined in their eyes. We have lights on light stands for the reception, which can be adjusted to match the color of the ambient light in the room (from daylight to candlelight). Once the room lighting is dimmed for dancing, our lights are usually at their lowest setting.

Question 11

Will you have an assistant or second videographer?

Accepted Answer

A second videographer is included with the Platinum Package, and is an optional upgrade with the other packages. I will sometimes have an assistant depending on the location and logistics of the wedding.

Question 12

Who will be the videographer on the day of my wedding?

Accepted Answer

Jim Merchant films all weddings at Pirates Lane Video as the primary videographer.

Pirates Lane Video

Full wedding (ceremony and reception) pricing

Elopement pricing

About Pirates Lane Video