Tips for Planning Your Wedding

1. A wedding, like marriage, is larger that the two individuals involved – it's about your family, your friends, your community, and the culture.  The job of your wedding professionals is to make planning your wedding as stress free and fun for you as possible.
2. You don’t have to spend mega-bucks to have a great wedding. A festive and elegant wedding can be planned on a budget.  You should not hesitate to convey your expectations and seek vendors who can work within your budget.
3. The two aspects of a wedding reception that your guests will notice and enjoy most are the music and the food.   Your guests eat the food and dance to the music. These two things are the heart of the party to your guests.
4. In evaluating a band, once you have seen the video, it is helpful to see the band live if possible.   Videos are not always representative. An expensively, professionally produced video can disguise a weak band. Conversely, a live video can be rough and not fairly represent a great live band.
5. Before choosing a band, it's imperative to speak to the band leader.  You can get a good sense of people over the phone and decide if the fit is right.

Frequently asked questions about our services:

What distinguishes you from other photographers? We are a small group of independent photographers who share a photo-journalistic approach to wedding and other event photography. We also take formal portraits and posed shots, but our emphasis is candid, action pictures that are contemporary and appealing.

What does your price of $750 include? We offer three hours of digital photographic coverage, additional time is $75 per half hour. We provide all photos on a disc, a minimum of one hundred 5 by 7 prints and an album.

What does your price of $1500 include? We provide six hours of digital photographic coverage, a minimum of two hundred 5 by 7 prints, a dvd photo slideshow and an album.

Do you provide black and white photos? Any of the digital pictures can easily be transformed to black and white, or sepia.

Can we review examples of your work? There are a number of examples on our photography web page, if you request a contract we will also mail a dvd photo slideshow, and/or you can visit our Dupont Circle studios. Please call 202.232.4942 for an appointment.

What is the payment plan? Usually clients submit a deposit of 50% with the contract. The form of payment is check or credit card. You don’t pay the remainder until the photos are developed and you have approved the result.

What about reprints and enlargements? We give you a photo disc with all your images. This disc is not protected or copyrighted, thus you can then reprint, share, email, enlarge as many as you choose.

Why are you less expensive than other photographers? We are a small group of photographers, so we share the costs of advertising and other over head. We have passed along to our clients the reduced cost of digital vs. film photography.

How can I reserve my date with Washington’s Best?

Please fill out a request contract form or call us at 202.232.494

What distinguishes you from other videographers?

We are a small group of independent videographers who share a photo-journalistic approach to wedding and other event videography .

What does your price of  $500 include?

We offer three hours of coverage with additional hours available for $75 per half hour. We tape the entire ceremony and highlights of the reception including wedding customs, candid footage, and interviews as appropriate or requested. We will provide three DVD copies. Additional copies are $25 each. VHS copies are available upon request.

If we already have a photographer, is there any reason to also have a videographer?

Family members and friends who cannot attend your wedding may enjoy the video. Future relatives or friends may feel the same way -- just as you would love to see a video of your parents' or grandparents' wedding, or the weddings of other relatives who married before you were born.

Can we review examples of your work?

Click here to view video online. To receive a example video in DVD format or to send for a contract for video services, please click here.  Examples of our videography may also be viewed by appointment at our studios located at 1724 C  Corcoran St NW Washington, DC just two blocks from the Dupont Circle metro. To schedule an appointment, please call us at (202) 232 - 4942.

How long is the tape?

A three to four hour event is usually covered in 60 to 90 minutes of footage. We are always prepared with extra tape if you request additional hours or there is more to record.

Do you edit the video?

Only at your request. Most wedding clients choose to keep all of the footage and don't need a shorter version. Thus, if you choose to edit your tape, the choice of footage to be included - or deleted - will be yours. Our editing fee is $50 per hour.

What about titles or pictures?

We will, at your request, include the text of your wedding invitation and a few still pictures at the beginning of your tape. This footage can be accompanied by music of your choice.

What kind of equipment do you use?

We use three-chip digital cameras.

What is the payment plan?

Usually clients submit a deposit of  50% with the contract.  The form of payment is check or credit card.  You don’t pay the remainder until the photos are developed and you have approved the result.

Are you obtrusive?

No. We do not use flood lights or multiple cameras -- they are not necessary for a great wedding video. Our coverage is unobtrusive and tasteful. We will not turn your wedding into a "production." Most people want straightforward, photo-journalistic coverage with minimal disruption and expense. This is precisely what we deliver.

Why are you less expensive than other videographers?

We are a small group of videographers,  so we share the costs of advertising and other over head.   We have passed along to our clients the reduced cost of digital videography

How can I reserve my date with Washington’s Best?

Please fill out a request contract form or call us at  202.232.4942