I Vow to Videotape

Shooting weddings are a necessary evil for a single gal birthing a HD Production business in a sea of competition. And, because I’m no fan of gushy sentiment and sappy hallmarks desperate times demand desperate measures. So, when my buddy Ian of Wedding Combo set me up for a half a dozen or so this summer I knew I had to make some adjustments to my attitude and routine. First off, to get me in the mood for the happy couple (me bitter? no way) I treat myself to copious amounts of grease and sweetness.

“Make that a double rootbeer float topped off by A&W’s 100% U.S. Beef Papa Burger and curly fries please.” The waitress approvingly winks and rushes back to the kitchen with my order. Yessss… I feel better already. Minutes later I’ve shaved off 2 months of life-sustaining salads for a quick fix of happiness. I chug down the caffeinated concoction, wipe the vanilla dollop from my chin and feel satisfied with myself.

Like last weekend, tonight’s wedding is at the Fort William Henry Resort overlooking beautiful Lake George and the Adirondacks in the distance. Clouds look ominous but rain isn’t predicted and the bride and groom are relieved since the ceremony is sans roof. I mic the groom, toss together positions for both cameras and then jump into motion as the wedding march signals the start of bliss and harmony… or until the honeymoon ends (still not bitter).

“Do you, _____________, take this woman/man, _______________, to be your wife/husband…do you promise to be to him/her a loving and loyal husband/wife, to cherish and keep her/him in sickness and in health..”

As I brace for the right answer I feel my sacchrine-laced drug wearing off much too quickly. Usually Big Macs and Quarterpounders keep a smile stapled to my face until long after the cake-eating contest but tonight I’m feeling anxious. And then I know why. Out of the corner of my eye (with one glued to the viewfinder) a wanna-be guest with a crummy-little palmcorder is standing in front of my second camera. He’s totally blocking the wide angle view! Oh no! I loathe it when muggles interfere with the magic of the moment and intrude on my job. My stomach grumbles for a McChicken.

I try motioning to him to back off but to no avail is he budging. He bounces from right to left but never fully allows the second wide shot camera to do its job. Ugghh, so much for that.

And so goes another reality-driven moment in the world of wedding videography where, unlike cinema, nothing can be controlled, done over or even rehearsed. It’s as spontaneous as you get including the queasy stomach I got from sneaking a piece of wedding cake.