If you've been asked to video tape a wedding for a friend or relative, here are some important questions you may want to ask yourself, the couple, and others before you begin shooting the event.

The first and most important question regarding the ceremony itself is this: Does the minister/clergy know that you are going to videotape and do you have permission from them? Save yourself the embarrassment of being told in front of everyone at the ceremony to put your camera away by asking first.

You will, of course, want to know when and where everything is - an itinerary. This is crucial. You may even need a map, even hand-drawn if you're in an unfamiliar town or city.

Here are some typical examples of what you need the "where and when" for – depending on what the couple have told you they want: It is a list that you can use as a starting point to find out what the bride and groom wants you to video tape and what they don't really care about.

- Rehearsal.

- Rehearsal supper, if there is one AND if you’re invited - either that or it’s homeward bound to the cheese and macaroni.

- Hair appointments for the ladies.

- Where the ladies will be getting ready.

- Where the groomsmen and groom will be getting ready. You may not be able to cover both the bride and groom so get them to pick. They may not want you at either location, so make sure you ask.

- Church celebration. Which also includes their approximate arrival times and what vehicle they will be arriving and departing in. Some couples use one vehicle to arrive in and a different one to depart in.

- Reception / greeting line if not at church / supper / speeches / 1st dance etc. / cake cutting / bouquet and garter toss – not all weddings have these but they are typical of many.

The most important thing is that you need to sit down with the couple and ask them what they want you to shoot.

When asking this question, “everything” is not a suitable answer for you. You need to know what is and is not important to them. For example, if they are Catholic and they are having a mass at their wedding, they may want the readings, Gospel, homily, vows, prayers of intercession, and Communion, but don’t care if you get any of the rest of the mass. Which means that you can either take a break, or shoot what’s known as “cutaways” or "B-roll" if you plan to get fancy and do some overdub editing later.

Titles - Who’s who? If you are very adventurous and you plan on doing some serious editing after, maybe even on a computer – which is getting to be so easy now - and you plan to add titles, then you’ll want to know the names and correct spelling of everyone involved in the wedding.

Get phone numbers where people in the wedding can be reached - or someone close by - on the day, should an "emergency" arise or you just get lost driving from one location to another.

Is anything “special” happening at the ceremony that you should know about? For example: Is there a special candle being lit by the couple for a deceased relative? A lot of this you will find out about at the rehearsal, but it helps to ask ahead of time.

Is there a professional photographer at the church or hall? You need to touch base with them at the wedding to make sure you're not getting in their way. Most professional photographers are easy to get along with.

At the reception, is there anything happening other than the speeches? You’re looking for things like PowerPoint presentations and people getting up to sing or do a skit etc. Knowing this will help you be prepared, and also let you know if you’re going to have to move temporarily to see the screen etc. Sometimes you have to ask the Master of Ceremonies about this at the reception hall, because they usually know the most.

How many “official” dances are there – assuming there’s a dance? Usually there are three: 1) The couple's dance, 2) The bridal party and 3) The couple dancing with their parents.

Other than what’s already been mentioned, and the things that are obvious – like shooting the vows - is there anything that the couple definitely want you to get on tape? Like, “Oh, make sure you videotape my grandma ‘cause she’ll cry for sure when we say our vows!” Or, “We’re going to have ‘HELP’ painted to the sole of the groom's shoe so that everyone will see it when he kneels.”

Ask if there are any definite “Don’ts”, like “Don’t shine the light in my mother’s eyes or she might go blind and fall off the edge of the earth!”

Some of these questions, and others that you may come up with, may only get answered when you actually show up at the event. For example: You may ask someone where the best place is to set up at the church only to find out when you get there that the minister tells you to set up somewhere else. Or, you may get to the reception hall and everything is so squashed together that you can't get anywhere close to the head table, or a table has been reserved for you way at the back of the hall. So, the key is to always ask, but more than anything else you need to be flexible.

The Scouts have a motto, "Be Prepared".

By arming yourself with the information that you need, you will go into video taping your friend or relative's wedding fully prepared to do a great job for them.

Happy shooting!