Questions? - we love them!

We always urge our couples to ask questions, but to save you some time, here are some which get asked most often.

A wedding video is just a luxury isn't it?

Actually no, in fact in terms of how long it will last, your wedding video is the best investment you'll make because along with your wedding photographs, it will become a family heirloom to be passed down from generation to generation. And remember, when you great-grandchildren ask "what did your Granny sound like?", well, you'll be able to play your wedding video and they'll hear and see for themselves.

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes. We know that a wedding can be costly so you can pay for some or all of your wedding video from PHP Weddings by Visa or Mastercard.

All wedding video companies are the same aren't they?

Of course not, no more than all florists, or all wedding car companies or all photographers are the same. There are good and bad, just as in everything else. Remember that unlike all the other suppliers who'll come and go throughout the day, your photographer and your video crew will be around all day so be sure you have people who you'll enjoy being with. Their experience and talent is important but if they're not people you can get on with, it's best to choose someone else. We think you'll like us!

Wedding videos are either all the same or bizarre - what makes PHP Weddings different?

PHP has been making programmes, including weddings, for more than 30 years, but we've decided to concentrate on weddings at the suggestion of an old friend, himself a noted wedding photographer, who felt that most wedding videos were not as good as they should be. A video made by PHP Weddings is different firstly because you choose so much of what's included in it. Secondly, we have three decades experience of making people look and sound their best on television. We know how to interview people so that their answers don't sound like answers but their own expressions. In short, we know how to make great programmes.

All wedding video companies claim to use "broadcast" equipment - what exactly does that mean?

These days, frankly not a lot, but it wasn't always so. Many years ago, before satellite television and programmes of blurry police videos, the BBC laid down technical standards for broadcast programmes. But today, even inexpensive "consumer" cameras give good pictures and our High Definition digital cameras give the very best images. What really makes the difference - and always has - is how the equipment is used.

We're already having a still photographer - why do we need a video as well?

Because they're very different products. For example, the video has sound as well as images, but unlike still photographs, it can't be hung on the wall in a frame. The video has movement and music but you have to sit down and watch it - you can't "browse" a video. The most important difference is that the video will allow the bride and groom to experience again the whole wedding, not just the parts in which they featured.

At least five of our wedding guests have super video cameras - between them they'll produce a video as good as yours won't they?

They might, if they're professionals like us. We bring years of experience to our business and although it's not impossible, it's unlikely that amateurs will produce the same results. Another thing, you've invited these people as guests; is it fair to expect them to give their entire day to recording your wedding? That's exactly what we shall be doing.

The church in which we're getting married is very tall and "echoey". Will the sound on our video be echoey too?

In all our years of recording images and sound we've learned how to deal with all sorts of unusual environments. The soundtrack of your video will be clear and audible because although you won't be aware of them, our miniature radio microphones are just inches from your mouths. That will remove most of the echo; the little which remains will be part of the ambiance of the church.

What's the situation about copyright?

For over 30 years we have been contracted to the organisations responsible for copyright protection in the UK. When you buy a video from PHP Weddings, all copyrights involved in your wedding video will have been observed and the fees paid. Those are included in our price and each DVD package has a holographic sticker confirming that. Our own copyright is protected by law. That means that if you want additional copies of your programme you should buy them from us. Unlike some companies which charge £20 or more, additional DVDs ordered from us are very reasonable.

Can I make extra copies of the DVD or video myself?

To do so would be an infringement of our copyright and the copyright for which we have paid, but we are realists and we know people sometimes make copies of our DVDs on their computers. However, bearing in mind how inexpensive our duplicates are, people who make themselves illegal copies are doing a lot of work and not saving a great deal of money.

My friend's wedding DVD didn't work on her player - how do I know mine will work?

PHP Weddings guarantees that your wedding DVD will play properly - if it doesn't play on your machine we'll give you one on which it will.

I've been told that the DVD recording won't last and that I should pay for a videotape "safety copy" as well - is this true?

The stories about how long recordings will last have been around as long as recordings have been made. The true and simple answer is that provided you take care of your recordings they will outlast anyone who wants to watch them. However it is easier to look after a DVD than a tape recording for two reasons. Firstly tightly wound tapes suffer from "print through", an effect which actually copies the recording between adjacent layers of tape. Secondly, unless a videotape is fully unwound from time to time, the tape tends to bond and eventually forms a solid mass. DVD's need only be stored carefully to last.

How do I know that the cameraman who films my wedding is competent?

PHP Weddings is owned by Philip and Nicola Howells and only they record your wedding. We don't use freelance cameramen.

If I don't like part of the video can it be changed afterwards and how much will it cost?

When you commission PHP Weddings to make your video you complete our Client Specification form. This tells us in great detail everything you want included - or excluded. For instance, many couples prefer the hymns to be shortened or omitted and we agree this in writing before the wedding. This document forms part of the contract between us. If your programme doesn't include all the elements you specified we will correct that without charge. If, at the approval viewing, you require small changes outside that agreement we will be pleased to make them without charge, However if you want major changes which aren't part of the agreement we made with you then we shall quote you for making the changes. Above all, our objective is to make a programme that you'll want to watch time and time again.

Can I choose the music in my video?

Of course you can. In fact we ask you to supply any music you want - that ensures we use precisely the right music.

How long after our wedding will the video be ready?

In the peak season it may take us four or five weeks to reach a stage when we can show you the programme for your approval. After that, the DVD has to be authored with chapters so you can move quickly to sections you especially want to see, and the copies are made.

Do we have to come to your premises to approve the programme?

Not at all, in fact we prefer to come to your home. It's simple. We want you to see the programme on the equipment you're going to play it on - not the latest high tech equipment in our editing workshop.

Are there any hidden costs?

Not unless you order any optional extras. Our single price includes all recording, your Full Wedding Video, your Dream Wedding Video and VAT.

If I need extra copies of the DVD or video in a few years time, will you still be able to make them?

Yes - we keep the master copy of your DVD for as long as we're in business. If by "a few years" you mean after we've retired, it is our intention when we retire to contact all our clients at the last known address we have for them and offer them the master copies of their finished programme.

Isn't it better to have a company that has only ever made wedding videos?

As long as the video production company, like PHP Weddings, uses equipment suitable to the occasion ie not huge studio cameras but small, High Definition cameras, the advantage in choosing a company with wide experience like PHP Weddings is that they will bring a freshness to your programme which may not be there in a programme made by people who've only ever made wedding videos. We recently saw a demo programme by a wedding specialist who claimed to make each programme differently. In fact their demonstration disk consisted mainly of different couples running through showers of confetti in slow motion - everything was the same, only the couple changed!

Will we have to spend hours acting things out for the camera?

Absolutely not. We won't ask you to repeat anything or do any acting. Our sole intention is to make a beautiful programme of you enjoying your day.

We're getting married in Mauritius; will it cost extra for you to record our wedding there?

PHP have made programmes on five continents. Wherever you're getting married we shall be pleased to make your wedding video. In fact, because we used to work in the airline industry we enjoy special rates on some airlines so choosing us may reduce the travel costs. Also, remember that other parts of the world have different television standards. That means your wedding video made by a Caribbean or Hawaiian company may not play in your home.

My sister's wedding was spoiled by a terrible church choir - if something like that happens on our wedding can you edit it out?

Of course. In fact sometimes we can replace the terrible music by a recording of the same piece and make it sound as if it was played at your wedding. Unfortunately we can't make choirs sing in tune!

Will my video be in widescreen?

Our programmes are all recorded in High Definition which is a widescreen (16:9) format. More importantly, our cameras are true HDV widescreen cameras not cameras which simply chop off the top and bottom of a standard screen.

I have family in Canada who can't get over for the wedding. Will they be able to play the DVD if I send them a copy?

Probably not, because Canadian televisions use the American television systems, whether you choose to have a Standard definition DVD or a High Definition disk.

My fiancé's family is Asian and although we're getting married in church, his relatives don't speak English. If his friend writes a commentary in their language can you record it and add it to the DVD?

Yes, although writing and recording commentaries to fit into an existing programme (known as "writing to time") is a skilled business. There will be an additional studio time cost for this service which, because it can vary so widely, must be charged by the hour.

A friend of ours is playing the organ for our wedding - can you make a separate sound recording on CD of the music?

Our previous work has included producing a number of professional music CDs and DVDs and we are fully equipped for this job. We'll supply a specialist sound engineer and equipment and a separate quotation will be provided.

What does it matter if you use one, two or three cameras to record our wedding?

There are two reasons why we use three cameras, for variety of angles and to enable us to edit sections seamlessly. One of our cameras is on a special wireless controlled mount and gives us pictures most other companies simply don't record. And remember, broadcast companies never cover an event like a wedding with just one camera - so why should you have second-best?

Do we have to provide meals for your camera crew?

We have always found couples and their families to be very generous to us but we never ask for food and drink. Only if the venue is overseas or far from our base do we expect our clients to pay for meals or accommodation.

How much is the deposit and when do we pay for the video?

PHP Weddings requires only a modest £150 deposit at the time of booking. A further 50% of the total price is due six weeks before the wedding but since we don't believe in full payment until we've fulfilled our part of the agreement, the remainder is only due when you receive your finished DVDs. And remember, all PHP Weddings bills can be paid by credit card for which we make no additional charge.

My brother's girlfriend is a TV celebrity and can only appear in videos for which she is paid. Can you make sure she isn't on the video?

We will do our best to include or exclude any particular guest but you have to point them out to us on the day. In the case of your brother's celebrity girlfriend we need her co-operation as well. We'd also like you to query whether the celebrity's contract includes family weddings in which she plays no speaking part.

The groom's little niece is going to sing a special song at the reception but it's going to be a surprise for him. Can you make sure you film her singing and his reaction?

Of course. These details play an important part in a wedding and we will always endeavour to include them. However, whatever surprises you're planning, please let us in on the secret so we can plan for it. It should always be mentioned as early as possible.

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