"Should we hire a videographer?"

Couples often ask me if they should hire a videographer. My answer is consistently "if you can afford to have videography, I think it's a great idea."

There are definitely aspects of the day which video can capture but that still photography cannot: the music, the quiver in your voice when you say your vows, the texts of the toasts, the fluid motion in the dancing.

My favorite example of video's special contribution comes from the wedding of Prince Charles Philip Arthur George Windsor and Diana Frances Spencer; when Princess Di said Charles' names in the wrong order, the video caught it.

When all is said and done, all you have to remember the day are your fading memories and the still photographs, so if you can add to that with video, then go for it!

My only advice is to shop for videographers looking for the same qualities you've looked for in a still photographer; if you've chosen an unobtrusive photojournalistic photographer, then most likely you don't want a videographer who will be staging photo opps and getting in your way all day.

And, it's great if your videographer and photographer can talk for just a minute or so ahead of time to make sure that they understand how each other works and can both serve you well without getting into each other's way.

My favorite videographers are the ones who have at one time worked as TV cameramen because they understand the "photojournalism" perspective.

If you've hired me as your still photographer, and you want me to look at the web site of any videographers you are considering, just let me know and I'll take a look.

Can't find a spot in your budget for professional video? Ask a friend or family member with a video camera to bring it along for the day.

WEDDING PLANNING TIP: Put a special stamp on your wedding

I like using distinctive stamps on my correspondence, so when I was in the Brunswick post office today to drop off an armload of shipments, I asked the postal clerk to show me the latest stamps. When she whipped out the new "Our Wedding Stamps," I knew I had my next blog entry.
For years the Post office has offered the very popular Love series stamps, and the wedding stamps promise to be just as successful. Priced at $20.40 for the booklet, it is the perfect solution for wedding invitations. One half of the booklet contains twenty one-ounce First Class (39¢) stamps, and the other half contains twenty two-ounce First Class (63¢) stamps. The idea is to use the 39¢ stamps for the enclosed RSVP envelope and the 63¢ stamp for the outside envelope (which is so much heavier because of all the enclosures.)In addition to being practical, the stamps are elegant with scrollwork and a single dove. The 39¢ stamp is lavender, the 63¢ stamp is sage green.

The post office also sells a sheet of twenty 39¢ stamps, good for brides who need one-ounce stamps for Save-the-Date announcements or thank-you notes, or for regular postal patrons who simply enjoy using pretty stamps on everyday correspondence.

If your local post office doesn't have the stamps, you can call in your order toll-free at 1-800-STAMP-24 or shop online at http://www.usps.com/shop

Looking for stamps that are unique to your wedding? Go to PhotoStamps and use your own photos to produce one-of-a-kind wedding stamps for a small premium over the cost of the actual postage.