Rachel Jo Silver knows a thing or two about weddings. The founder of LoveStoriesTV, an online platform where users can upload their own wedding videos, browse tons of others, and research vendors, Silver has created a destination for brides (and grooms) to get inspired about everything from venues to bridal dresses and more. This boss babe has seen it all when it comes to saying “I do:” That’s why we just had to pick her brain and get her takes on the latest wedding trends, how to budget when planning your big day, and the advice she would give to every engaged couple.
Lulus: First things first: What inspired you to start LoveStoriesTV?
Rachel Jo Silver: I got married in 2013 and did not hire a wedding videographer. I actually had very little to do with planning my wedding–my mother and grandmother did the whole thing! I didn’t even see my venue until the day before the wedding! When my mother asked me if I wanted a videographer I said no because I remembered wedding videos to be sort of cheesy–but after my wedding I immediately regretted not having a video (even if it had been cheesy). I wish I had my father’s speech, my grandfather’s toast, and our vows on video. Plus, my family did the most amazing surprise flash mob which is really the best thing that has ever happened and we only have spotty iPhone footage. So this experience caused me to start paying closer attention to my friends’ wedding videos when I’d see them on Facebook–at which point I realized that these were not cheesy at all–these films were the best thing I’d ever seen: high quality, emotive, and real. I was working on the Birchbox marketing team at the time creating content that entertained women and helped them make purchase decisions. I realized that these videos were the best way to do that when planning a wedding: and the rest is history.
Lulus: In your opinion, what makes a great wedding video?
RJS: First, a cold open: It’s tempting to just tell the story in chronological order starting with a sweeping view of the location but I prefer videos that open right into the best part which is usually the first look, the vows, or an amazing toast. This draws you in, sets the tone, and then you can show the rest of the details as you move through the video.
Lulus: How important is videography in the grand scheme of wedding planning? Is there a set percentage of budget or range couples should use as a guideline when deciding how much to spend?
RJS: Not hiring a wedding videographer is the #1 regret of couples according to a recent survey by Zola. I can confirm that in my own experience I have never met a couple who skipped a wedding video and don’t regret it. Every couple has different priorities. When you start to plan your wedding the first thing you should do is figure out what’s most important to you and build your budget around that. Do you want 200 people or just your 20 closest friends and family? Do you love to dance and want a live band, or are you more of a food and cocktail person? Are you passionate about flowers or hardly notice them? Is fashion your thing and you want 3 dresses or are you more simple? Answering these questions will help you allocate what to invest in. My advice is: Pick the most important things to you and really invest there–don’t try to spread your budget over a million things not done well.
Lulus: Good point! What is most important when choosing a videographer?
RJS: Watch a lot of their videos! It’s actually such an easy vendor to choose because their work is so easy to see. Look them up on lovestoriestv.com and watch all their videos. Do you like their visual style? Are you drawn to more interviews and actual audio or music video style? Does this videographer typically shoot in the type of venue you’re getting married in? (Lighting and setup are very different in a ballroom than a mountain top!)
Lulus: What are some of the most creative things you’ve seen in wedding videos?
RJS: I’m obsessed with A Little Long Distance. Josh Helton regularly integrates home video footage from the couple and doesn’t go in chronological order. I’m always immediately drawn in to his work.
Lulus: So clever! Any tips for choosing the perfect music for your wedding video?
RJS: You should let your videographer choose the music. They’re the expert and you hired them because you love their work. They’ll have been with you your entire wedding day and have a sense of your personality and the vibe of the day. If your videographer is open to your suggestions then you can watch videos and send the songs you love to your videographer. (Here is a handy list of the most popular wedding video songs.) Remember: They need to license the music so no matter how much you love Beyoncé they are not going to be able to use her music in your video. Sorry.
Lulus: Any fun new wedding trends you’re seeing a lot of recently?
RJS: Geometric, industrial shapes and colorful flowers are really in right now. I love the triangle art accented with a burst of flowers in Danica and Chase’s camp wedding for example. The mismatched bridesmaid trend is still going strong, which I love! I personally prefer a look that’s coordinated but not identical. Here’s one where the bridesmaids are mismatched in Lulus that I love!
Lulus: So gorge! Do you have any tips for not losing your mind during wedding planning? Or the one piece of advice you’d give every bride-to-be?
RJS: Remember how lucky you are! You have found someone that you love and want to be with every day for the rest of your life. How amazing is that? It’s really really important to remind yourself how lucky you are every day. Otherwise my best advice is: hire professionals. They will help you invest your money wisely and get the most bang for your buck. Everyone is trying to watch their budget during the wedding planning process but trying to do things yourself is actually not the best way to spend efficiently.
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