The mood outside the Little White Chapel was one for the ages for Jennifer Baits, 31 and Jason Frisby, 29. Located at 1301 Las Vegas Blvd, this charming and cozy chapel has been home to numerous celebrity weddings and has been featured on “Entertainment Tonite”, and the Discovery Channel.

Las Vegas is where such icons as Zsa Zsa Gabor, Richard Gere, Elvis Presley and a host of other famous singers, actors, and entertainers have tied the knot. So what is it about the city of neon lights that attracts over 150,000 couples to exchange vows each year?

Perhaps, it’s the excitement of saying; “I do” above the lights of the strip in a helicopter. Or perhaps, it’s the excitement of getting married by an American icon like Elvis, at the Graceland wedding chapel.

A common challenge for couples planning a destination wedding is finding the right vendors. For example, Las Vegas couples can sign up for the video package offered by the venue or book their own.

Fortunately for Jennifer and Jason, they didn’t rely on luck, but instead hard work in selecting their wedding videographer.

Yes To A Quality Wedding Video -

Like photography, videos are something that should allow you to relive your memories for a lifetime. With all the unique wedding attractions in Vegas, you can be assured your day will be worth remembering. Unlike other mementos such as flowers, wedding cake, and even that special champagne, they are something that can be passed on from generation and experienced for a lifetime.

If you want a great video, you have to do it right. Don’t simply do what everyone else does. To hire a competent videographer, do your homework and don’t just settle on the lowest priced vendor. Remember that you want a video that you can look at for a lifetime. Look at quality first, not price. If you don’t, you may regret what you get; remember that you wedding happens only once, so you can’t do your video over, either.

Use Your Eyes and Ears -

In order to make an effective decision on who will successfully produce a video illuminating the overall allure of a wedding, analyzing the previous work of a potential professional is essential. Las Vegas has a bunch of video professionals offering different packages. As you view samples, it is important to pay attention to clarity, quality of video, composition, as well as skill in shooting and editing. Some videographers will give you sample DVDs or CDs of their work. This is a good way to sample their work on your own time. You can take your time, compare styles and make your decision without being rushed.

Pay attention to audio quality. Most experienced videographers use wireless microphones during the ceremony and reception to make sure they fully capture such important moments as vows and speeches. Audio is a critical element. When you have Elvis singing at your reception, you don’t want him to sound like he’s rehearsing in the shower. Therefore, if you find a videographer during your search that only uses one microphone, look elsewhere- it should not sound like it was recorded in an airplane hangar.

If this all sounds like a lot of work, it’s worth it because these are memories that will literally last a lifetime; you’ll be sharing them with your children and grandchildren, too, if you’re lucky. After the fact, you’ll be glad that you put in the extra effort to make sure you had a quality video. You can even have your videographer do something special like a “vignette” tape on the Las Vegas strip, where he or she constructs a short “movie” or series of photographs in a montage set to music, to encapsulate you and your spouse’s lives before your special day.

Video Formats -

Nowadays, there is a wide array of video formats that a videographer may offer when covering a wedding. To guarantee the best quality and results, knowing the different types of options you may select from will help you make a decision a lot easier. The most commonly used approaches include S-VHS, DV, and HDV. S-VHS produces the lowest quality, while HDV (also known as high definition video) offers the best in quality, which can be repeatedly recopied without loss of quality. For couples looking to receive video with the feel of a broadcast quality event, HDV offers the best display of digital sound and video that comes in the form of a DVD. Just make sure you have a high definition compatible player such as Blu-Ray or HD-DVD.

Get Special Touches In Your Video -

You can ask your videographer to add some special touches in your wedding video such as family interviews, a stroll down to Excalibur Hotel & Casino, and even some special behind the scenes coverage. It would be great for you and your spouse to be able to watch the video afterwards and see each other before the wedding while getting ready. You can share some special moments, laughs and memories for a long time.

It’s also worth noting that Las Vegas has a ton of excitement to offer. A romantic way to capture those precious moments in the city is to have your wedding filmed not only at the ceremony and reception but also as you tour the city.

Some memorable attractions worth mentioning include a trip to the Grand Canyon, a romantic tour on the waters of Lake Las Vegas, or a lift in a helicopter across the lights of the city.

Whatever you choose to do, the sin city will bring substance, excitement, and allure, to your wedding.

The Cost -

Videographers generally offer a variety of options and therefore, prices can vary wildly. For a basic package, look for:

1. The Number Of Cameras/Operators At Your Event
2. The Hours Of Coverage They Provide
3. The Add-Ons (Such As A Photo Montage) Included
4. What If Any Editing Of The Footage Occurs?
5. How Many Final Copies Of Your Video You Receive?

There can be other factors as well, although these are most common. The market in your area will generally determine how much you’ll pay. Again, online searches can do a lot to help you determine the proper price range. Some videographers will charge by the hour, while others will provide one flat package price. Other services, like same day highlights, may cost extra. One new option that has recently come into play is that some videographers are now offering high-definition video.

If the quality of the work and the personality of the videographer fit what you want, then you’ve found the right one. Viva Las Vegas!

About the Author: Mark Pommett is an experienced wedding videographer. He shot his first Las Vegas wedding video 10 yrs ago and has been shooting ever since.