When your wedding budget does not allow for a professional videographer, what should you do? Time to call on your camcorder-toting friend or relative!  Couples are creating videotaped presentations to open their receptions. The plasma screen televisions send a welcome message from the two of them along with photo montages of them as a couple.  Some couples even include video taped footage of the moment when the groom proposed to the bride. What a great way to start off the celebration! Here are some other ideas: As a gift to the bride and groom the camcorder-toting friend can interview their family members and friends as recently as at the rehearsal dinner... and portray those loved ones'wishes for the couple, favorite memories, and best advice about how to have a happy marriage. Children of the couple can be the stars of a special video presentation, talking about how happy they are to have their new stepmommy or new stepdaddy, even singing a song or just blowing kisses into the camera for the happy couple.  And of course, just like the Golden Globes, a touching video tribute to a departed parent or sibling can include that much-missed relative in the big day, sharing footage of them in their best and happiest times with the bride and groom as a priceless gift to all guests.

Hope this give you some ideas!  Happy Wedding Day!  Jan Simmons Photography, Panama City Beach Florida