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Looks great! I like your use of natural audio in the beginning of the video too. Making sure you get good audio/having some backup sources is definitely one of the harder parts of wedding videography, but once you make one mistake I bet you won't make it again! For the ceremony I bring my own lapel mics, mic up the groom, the officiant, and plug into the soundboard/speaker if there is one available. These Sony recorders are so clutch, the battery lasts for ever and theyre really tiny so you plug a lapel mic direct into it and slip it in the grooms jacket pocket.

I would've liked to hear audio from those speeches at the reception. Don't know if you plugged into the DJs soundboard or not but that's something I would do going forward. Also, make sure you have about every audio cable possible because you never know what the DJ or band will have for you. Usually it's either XLR or RCA but I do get the occasional band that has a 1/4" input for me. Make friends with the sound guy/DJ when you arrive, it goes a long way. Backup sources are key here as well.
Don't know if you've watched any Matt Johnson videos on YouTube but he has some extremely informative videos for wedding videographers including this one about audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSJKxcfFagE&

Anyway, keep up the great work you have a lot of skill, and for your first video it really looks awesome! Best of luck in the future!

50+ weddings here. The subtle jerks in the camera motion is most likely due to in-camera image or lens stabilization. It’s meant for slowing down movement to capture a better still frame, but fails when being used to stabilize video since your usually performing camera motions beyond what the software algorithm can handle. The result is these little bumps in the shot like the camera hit some invisible wall. I recommend turning these functions off as they conflict with any other attempt by the user to get a stable shot.

A solid drag head tripod is essential for getting smooth pans and are not too spendy if your shooting DSLR. Davis and Sanford have a great product on Amazon here

Don’t use gimbals if they are not properly balanced. the shot looks worse if it sways too and fro. Gimbals are only worth is when they are optimized and the shot floats, and glides through a scene.

Other than that, I would shorten up the title splash. It displays for too long and was noticeable.

Color, composition and exposure looks great!

Wedding Videographer for 12 years here.... I used a monopod to shoot 98% of my weddings as the primary video, with a tripod as the secondary stand. You can get a monopod for about $15.00 from Walmart or you can go the more expensive route and get one for about 100.00 + dollars from a pro camera shop. For the actual ceremony, I always placed my tripod camera to the entrance and I would stand near the front by the Groom as the Bride came up the isle... edited together is was very professional. The monopod will give you the option to move out of the way during the ceremony. The lav mic was only used for the vows because when you go to edit you will have to go from the sound in the room to the mic... if you try and place both together you will get an echo. Find out ahead of time if there are any speeches, toasts, dances, bouquet toss ahead of time so you can be ready for them during the reception (get a schedule if you can). Don't shoot people eating food and keep the reception as natural as you can. I would keep the reception to one camera on your monopod... you will catch all of the action and keep your editing down to a minimum after the fact (important). Lighting.... I used those LED lights that run about $24.00 on amazon - (see link at the end) ... hope you have external lighting to prevent grainy video footage. Ask the photographer for still shots of groups so you can use them in your video ... using the "Ken Burns Effect" in your video editor. If your going to do a montage remember, people look more romantic and elegant when slowed down in your editor... Good luck... and oh yea... watch out for your equipment and drunks putting their drinks down near your stuff... one spill of a soft drink and its done for.

Here is an example of a small wedding for an older couple (2nd marriage) that I did a few years ago. It was shot with a single GoPro Camera on a monopod. The wedding took place in a courtyard in the French Quarter of New Orleans and features a short intro montage. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXxVpNqnbyQ

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Link to camera light - https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Dimmable-Cameras-Battery-Included/dp/B06XDFGDCX/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=newer+led+video+light&qid=1570037334&sr=8-5

Thanks for the tip, a slider looks handy. Is this something I can cheap out on a bit and still get decent results, or should I cough up for better equipment/consider renting? If it's more for establishing shots I'm considering going the Amazon route.

I think I've ruled out renting the DSLR gimbal. Still might get the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 - it's pretty reasonably priced and some shots with the iPhone/Pixel 2 might round things out nicely (I've been very impressed with the video I've gotten from them!).

If you can't afford the gear yet, I would look to see if there are any good rental shops in your area. At the bare minimum you want a monopod and 2 tripods.

Good audio doesn't really come cheap. The best you can do right now on a budget is probably a couple of these http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007Z7NL34/ref=s9_simh_gw_p229_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-2&pf_rd_r=1QXDDNGHFAX04ZEW37C5&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2091268722&pf_rd_i=desktop with mics to go a long with it. Put one on the groom and one of the officiant. Eventually you will want lavs in order to be able to monitor your audio.

You will also want a recorder such as this one http://www.amazon.com/DR-40-4-Track-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B005NACC6M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1451510522&sr=8-2&keywords=tascam along with a bunch of varied audio cables to be able to record from any audio sources they may have on site. This is likely going to be your best source of audio.

I'd suggest a single source led light. Like this: https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Reflector-Continuous-Recording-Photography/dp/B07PBG17PG

The light can be shaped more easily than with an led panel, and you can get modifiers like a fresnel. They're the best

I use the AZDEN EX503 with a H1 all the time. It is a great mic, especially for $22.

It feels pretty well built, and mine is still preforming very well after a year of use.

I usually wear a black cargo pants like this with plenty of pocket room for batteries, cards and filters. (Pants are also pretty useful for crouching without being afraid of flashing people!) You can get a lens pouch like this with a strap to carry with you if you don't want to bring your bag.

It depends on the mixer, but generally the outputs on offer are XLR, 1/4", and RCA. I'm not sure if the H4N Pro is any different, but I'm fairly sure the XLR input on the H4N is a mic level input and you're better off connecting to the H4N with a 1/4" connector into the combo port. Buy a selection of cables that have XLR, 1/4", and RCA at one end and 1/4" at the other for your Zoom.

For example, and RCA cable to 1/4" might look like this.

This would give you two 1/4" connections to connect your Zoom and potentially have two different input levels, though from memory, the H4N has decent auto-levels.

In terms of sharpness and speed of focus is very good. For weddings it is excellent. The only problem would be the weight, due to its construction. But for me it's perfect.

By the way, have you seen this? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074TPFYFD/ref=psdc_3017941_t1_B01H8CWRBM

I saw it a few months ago, although I think it does not sell in Europe. For weddings it is a very complete kit. Although I think they put a Canon lens in the pack.

Get a Takstar shotgun mic: amazon (only $27 USD!!)

To anyone other than video / audio professionals, the audio quality difference is unnoticeable when compared to the rode video mic pro. Just tried it out for the first time on a wedding a couple weeks ago and it was fantastic. Incredibly useful investment.

I find that for wedding videography given that you always need to be ready to shoot, unless you're some sort of uncanny expert at balancing the gimbal, even if you had a perfect quick release system to switch between them, I just wouldn't do it anyway.

With my set up, I have one camera that always remains on the ronin-s, and my other two cameras have manfrotto QR plates on them which I use on tripods, monopod, or even handheld in some situations.

Also, on the bottom of my ronin-s, I keep a manfrotto QR plate, and use a QR mount connected to the little tripod it comes with to slide on so I can set it down. But sometimes, I take the Ronin-s and mount the whole thing on to my Monopod, so I can get smooth motion shots and then rest my arm in between.

It also works pretty well to emulate just a tripod when you have the foot of the Monopod planted.

That said, if you want to just switch your camera in between them anyway,

Buy something like this: Wecooland ACamera Quick Release Plate Rapid Adapter Mount for Manfrotto 577/501PL/500AH/701HDV/ 7M1W/561B https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075WPNLP1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4kTzCb1Z0CZPN

And mount the base pretty much permanently to your Ronin, and mount your camera to that and figure out the balancing with it.

There also might be a way to use the Ronin-s qr plate, and have some sort of adapter for manfrotto tripods, but I haven't seen them.

Steve Madden makes these low cut boots that are great for shoots because the have decent arch support, they’re great for all types of terrain, and they look dressier than wearing tennis shoes (for weddings or corporate shoots where appearance matters). They make them in a leather option, which is what I recommend.

Steve Madden Low Cut Boots

different mixers output their LINE OUT or HEADPHONE OUT at different levels. You gotta check 'em before just leaving them there. If they run too hot you gotta use an attenuator like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004YUAGFG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use it and it works great.

The best solution I've found that's affordable and my current hardware bag for all tripods and stands:

Gator Cases Steel Frame Rolling Drum Hardware Bag With 100 Pound Capacity (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001ECQPY8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_AtLjzbK1XB3TP

I was actually thinking about doing it this way too, I was thinking about buying this light, mounting it on a hot shoe, and yeah, the microphone is a great addition would likely be better than with the Rode shotgun. And also the diverse backgrounds would be a big plus. Do you think the light is overkill? I dont want people to be getting blinded while I talk to them. But now that I'm imagining the edit, it would be kind of boring if all the stories had the same static background.

I was about to ask this question, but the difference is that I also purchased the Laing M30P stabilizer with the Cinemilled Universal Plate adapter (Link). The arm has a payload threshold of up to 33lbs. We will be able to attach the Ronin to the sled and have the ability to fly our cameras for much longer.
We plan on picking up the Cinemilled Steadicam arm post adapter as well (Link) to completely remove the need for the sled. Will report back when it's all said and done.

oh yea i forgot about that. I recently bought a cheap 160 LED light panel. works great! link

You need an LED video light.


I have these. They're cheap and they work well.
https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Packs-Dimmable-Bi-Color-Lighting/dp/B072Q42GXQ/ref=sr_1_15?keywords=video+light&qid=1573919639&sr=8-15

Non-mobile: Laing M30P stabilizer

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