Questions couples ask
Hi, I’m Danny. Here are the questions I hear most, with short, honest answers. If yours isn’t here, ask me.
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Is a wedding film really worth it?What does “from $5,000” include?What is the Story Conversation, and how does it work?Do we have to wear microphones?Who will film our wedding?Can you film in our church or venue?How long are the films?When will we get everything?How do we watch it, and for how long is it online?Can we download it? What if you close the business?Who owns the film, and can we share it?Can we choose the music?How do we book, and how do payments work?What if we have to cancel or postpone?Do you travel, and what does it cost?Can we get the raw footage?How many changes can we ask for?What if something goes wrong, like you’re sick or your equipment fails?Who do you film?Will you work with our photographer, planner and venue?Is a wedding film really worth it?
Photos show you the day. A film lets you hear it: your vows, the way your dad laughs, the people who spoke who may not be here in ten years. You won’t watch it every week. You may watch it every anniversary, and your family will watch it more than you think.
What does “from $5,000” include?
Every film I make starts with a recorded Story Conversation before your day, keeps your full ceremony whole, and comes with your own private page, downloads and a USB. Packages start at $5,000. Tell me your date and venue and we’ll talk. After that I’ll send you the package details and tell you which one fits. Extra hours, a longer film, raw footage and extra speeches can be added.
What is the Story Conversation, and how does it work?
It’s the heart of what I call The Spoken Story. A few weeks before your wedding we talk for 45 to 60 minutes, recorded, about how you met and what matters to you. We do it by video call, or in person if you’d rather. You each record a short letter to the other, and the people who love you can record a short blessing. On the day I record your ceremony and speeches with proper audio. Then I listen to everything first and cut the pictures to your voices.
Do we have to wear microphones?
It’s not required, but I strongly recommend a small clip-on microphone on the groom, and on the bride where it works with the dress. It gives me a clean backup of your vows even if the room echoes or someone speaks softly. If you’d rather not, I’ll use recorders near you and tell you if I think the audio might suffer.
Who will film our wedding?
Me, Danny. On packages with a second shooter, I’ll tell you who it is once you’ve booked.
Can you film in our church or venue?
Almost always, but the church or venue decides. Before you book, I talk with everyone involved: you, your officiant or church, and your venue. We agree on whether I can film and record, and how. That’s part of signing up, and it happens before the contract. I ask first, I stay out of the way, and I do what they tell me.
How long are the films?
I’ll tell you the length when we talk. Your full ceremony and your speeches are kept whole, so they run as long as the day did. Everything is on your private page.
When will we get everything?
Your films are ready 12 to 16 weeks after your wedding. If I’m running behind, I’ll tell you before you have to ask. Your contract also names a final delivery date of 20 weeks, so there’s a firm date in writing.
How do we watch it, and for how long is it online?
You get your own private page with your film, your ceremony, your speeches, your audio keepsake and a written transcript. No account and no app. Open the link and press play. It works on a phone and a TV. The page stays online for as long as Story Driven runs, included, with no yearly fee. Your films are yours to download and keep forever. You also get a USB at delivery.
Can we download it? What if you close the business?
Yes. At delivery you get your own downloads of every film and the audio keepsake, so the page is never the only copy. If I ever close the business, I’ll give you 12 months’ notice and a download link.
Can we choose the music?
Tell me how you want it to feel and a few artists you love, and I’ll choose licensed music for your film. You can ask for one swap. I don’t use popular songs, because they need separate licences and can be muted online.
How do we book, and how do payments work?
Tell me your date and venue. If I’m free, we talk, then we sort out the filming rules with your church or venue, and then I send you a proposal and a contract. It’s 30% when you book, 50% 30 days before the wedding and 20% when your finished films are delivered. There is no late fee. Prices are in Canadian dollars. GST/HST is added only if I’m registered when a payment is due. Most couples book 9 to 18 months ahead.
What if we have to cancel or postpone?
Your 30% holds your date, and it isn’t refundable. If you need to move the date, tell me as soon as you can. If I’m free on the new date, I’ll move you once at no charge. What you would owe if you cancel is written out in your contract.
Do you travel, and what does it cost?
The Greater Toronto Area is included. Beyond that it’s $1 per kilometre. Niagara, Muskoka and Prince Edward County are quoted case by case.
Can we get the raw footage?
Yes, for $500. I put it on a USB for your personal use once your final payment is in. I decide which private moments are left out, such as prayer or the getting-ready rooms. Your finished films already hold the moments I think matter most.
How many changes can we ask for?
One round of changes within 14 days of delivery. Fixing a mistake, like a wrong name or a technical glitch, is always free. Your ceremony and speeches are kept whole, so changes there are limited to audio and technical fixes. Extra rounds are $150 each.
What if something goes wrong, like you’re sick or your equipment fails?
I carry backups of my gear, especially for audio. If I can’t film because of illness or an emergency, you get every payment back. My responsibility is limited to the amount you’ve paid.
Who do you film?
I film any wedding.
Will you work with our photographer, planner and venue?
Yes. I don’t offer photography. Your stills are graded frames taken from your film.
If yours isn’t here, ask me.
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