What to do for Reception with no dancing??? at DVinfo.net

Zach Stewart · September 14th, 2007, 03:38 PM

We are booked for a wedding in January and the reception is at the church (baptist) which does not allow for dancing. Typically we fill alot of the "fun" and "slow" parts of the reception with dancing. My gut feeling is that we will do interviews of the guest(which we never do) to extend parts of the video, but all in all it will be shortend due to the lack of activity.

What are some ideas that you might have to extend the length of the video without it being too boring? They are having the typical cutting of the cake, garder/bouqet toss, no alcohol, i believe there is dinner (sounds like a great party to me so far) and once again....no dancing

Marcus Marchesseault · September 14th, 2007, 04:11 PM

Get lots of setup shots of the dinner (though I never shoot people eating) and maybe people at the buffet if it is attractive. Make a good presentation of the location. If the kids go outside and play, get some of their craziness as it will be the only action besides the events. Then, don't worry about it being short. Don't pad a video with boring stuff.

Vito DeFilippo · September 14th, 2007, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Marchesseault

Don't pad a video with boring stuff.

Absolutely right. They chose this type of wedding reception because of their beliefs and wishes. I'm sure they don't expect you to transform it into something else.

Something will be happening. Not dancing, perhaps, but something. Look for the details. Kids playing, people enjoying each other's company, whatever. You'll be fine.

Sure, do some testimonials if you want. Could be useful.

Jim Fields · September 14th, 2007, 10:03 PM

I just did an Indian/Christian wedding 2 weeks ago that had no dancing. First time ever for me. I just went around with the camera and made sure to film people, decor, and more of the bride and groom. Because of the no dancing, I was able to spend more time on cool shots, than the chicken dance......

Mark Holland · September 17th, 2007, 07:22 AM

Also consider shots of the B&G as they mingle with their guests...

Marcus Marchesseault · September 17th, 2007, 07:47 AM

Is the chicken dance that you guys refer to related to the Philipino dance done between bride and groom where the groom is supposed to seduce the bride with his strutting?

Sorry for going off-topic, but that dance (though uncommon) is a must for the video.

You might want to look into Phil Bloom's videos. He is good at making interesting video out of things other than events, not that his events are boring. He does a very cinematic establishing montage and some cute interviews which seem to work well with that style. Perhaps this wedding will be more of this sort of tempo instead of the usual inebriated dancing.

George Mentzer · September 17th, 2007, 07:57 AM

I just finished a wedding that did not have dancing. During the slow times I interviewed the wedding party and families(apprx 12 people), caught the decorating of the car, all the usual suspects. My daughter took pictures and we put a slide show at the end of the video which worked well as an extender also!

September 14th, 2007, 03:38 PM	#1
Zach Stewart Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 176	What to do for Reception with no dancing??? We are booked for a wedding in January and the reception is at the church (baptist) which does not allow for dancing. Typically we fill alot of the "fun" and "slow" parts of the reception with dancing. My gut feeling is that we will do interviews of the guest(which we never do) to extend parts of the video, but all in all it will be shortend due to the lack of activity. What are some ideas that you might have to extend the length of the video without it being too boring? They are having the typical cutting of the cake, garder/bouqet toss, no alcohol, i believe there is dinner (sounds like a great party to me so far) and once again....no dancing

September 17th, 2007, 07:22 AM	#5
Mark Holland Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, & surrounding areas) Posts: 301	Also consider shots of the B&G as they mingle with their guests... __________________ These are my own opinions, based on my own mistakes...

September 17th, 2007, 07:57 AM	#7
George Mentzer New Boot Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pflugerville, TX Posts: 5	What, no dancing? I just finished a wedding that did not have dancing. During the slow times I interviewed the wedding party and families(apprx 12 people), caught the decorating of the car, all the usual suspects. My daughter took pictures and we put a slide show at the end of the video which worked well as an extender also!

September 14th, 2007, 04:11 PM	#2
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	Get lots of setup shots of the dinner (though I never shoot people eating) and maybe people at the buffet if it is attractive. Make a good presentation of the location. If the kids go outside and play, get some of their craziness as it will be the only action besides the events. Then, don't worry about it being short. Don't pad a video with boring stuff.

September 14th, 2007, 10:03 PM	#4
Jim Fields Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fort Worth Texas Posts: 247	I just did an Indian/Christian wedding 2 weeks ago that had no dancing. First time ever for me. I just went around with the camera and made sure to film people, decor, and more of the bride and groom. Because of the no dancing, I was able to spend more time on cool shots, than the chicken dance......

September 17th, 2007, 07:47 AM	#6
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	Is the chicken dance that you guys refer to related to the Philipino dance done between bride and groom where the groom is supposed to seduce the bride with his strutting? Sorry for going off-topic, but that dance (though uncommon) is a must for the video. You might want to look into Phil Bloom's videos. He is good at making interesting video out of things other than events, not that his events are boring. He does a very cinematic establishing montage and some cute interviews which seem to work well with that style. Perhaps this wedding will be more of this sort of tempo instead of the usual inebriated dancing.