If you've been asked to do this, then make sure you've discussed exactly what 's expected - you probably wont have the formal shots you get with stills, but it's worth knowing if there's someone who absolutely must be included (or excluded!).
If it's a church wedding, make sure you know what's allowed.
If you're going to have the 2 cameras running simultaneously, try and make some audible cues so you can synchronise them afterwards.
Remember to set the cameras' white balance - white dresses realy highlight wrong sett ings!
If you've got the option of using an external mike, take it.
Possibly too late, but if you've got the chance to influence the wedding stationery, pick something with a font you can duplicate on your PC - it's a nice touch if you can use the same for the DVD, titles etc.
Make sure you know what the music is so you can get more of the same later - that goes down well on the DVD too.

Ian G.

Try this forum,
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=72

Thank you for all your help and tips. I will be checking out those websites and forums.

Al

As for the font thing, you may already know this, but:

You can buy just about any font from places like Adobe or elsewhere. Once you know the name of the font, you'll likely be able to buy it somewhere for not much.

So, the trick is knowing the name of the font, right? If nobody can tell you, there are forums where you can post an image or font sample and people will tell you what it is. You might try typophile or identifont. Google will no doubt turn up more.

You will want to use the wide shot camera for the audio with a good mic. Best if you can plug straight into the audio feed if they have it.

Don't start/stop either camera. Start both before hand and use a clap board or a camera flash to create a sync point between both camera. Leave both cameras running the whole time. Problem will be when you hit the 1 hour mark and run out of tape. If you have to change tapes, then look for a natural sync point between the videos such as if the couple kneels or turns. Syncing is fairly easy to do manually.

Once both clips are in the editor, manually look for the clap or flash point and align the two clips in time. This way the close ups that include face shots with speaking will be synced to the master audio from the wide shot camera.

Think about lighting. Backlighting can be created with a Halogen work lamp (cheap one from Home Depot) reflected off of a white foam board. Think about shadows on the faces, especially when they will be turning. Be sure to white balance both cameras from a white board located where the couple will stand after the lighting is set.

Think about using a third camera. 1 for the fixed wide shot from the audience, 1 for hand held, and 1 fixed med shot on the couple either from an angle or from behind the minister. This third fixed camera may be best for audio if there is no direct audio feed. Think about using a good directional mic.

When editing consider whether you want to give the couple a complete blow-by-blow video or an edited version. Friends and Family will only want to watch the edited one whereas the couple may want to watch the whole thing.

Also consider overlaying stills on top of the video to break up the slow dragging parts. Also consider overlaying music and fading in and out of the real audio. Be sure to use only their CD's and music not yours (Fair Use stuff).

Last thing, be sure to turn off any date/time stamp on the cameras. Looks really cheesy if its shows up.

>Be sure to use only their CD's and music not yours (Fair Use stuff).
OK, I'm being pedantic, but even then it's not legal without a synchronisation license.

Ian G.