Frequently Asked Questions

Have another question we didn’t answer? Connect with us today to ask yours..

What does the pre-wedding process look like?

Wedding photography and videography are unpredictable, and it’s nearly impossible to capture every moment as it unfolds. That’s why we’ll send you a detailed questionnaire and meet with you 4-6 weeks before the wedding. It’s our chance to understand your priorities and your timeline. We’ll also ask about the people and details you want us to focus on during the editing process.

Do you provide same-day edits?

Yes! We offer two options for this. 1) Our “content creation” service is designed for this. Our talented filmmaker team uses a dedicated device so that highlight films can be edited that night and typically sent the very next morning. 2) We film, edit, and present a 3-5minute film at your wedding reception! Contact us for more details on either of these.

What’s the difference between content creation and teasers?

Content creation typically refers to a dedicated person (or camera) filming more casual photos and videos throughout your wedding day. These are edited and sent to you that night or the next day so you can immediately watch and relive your favorite moments.

Teasers refer to a one-minute highlight, created using our traditional filming and editing techniques and delivered alongside the rest of your included films.

To get the best of both of these, we highly recommend adding a content creation film to an existing package. This way we can use the same talented filmmakers to capture your content creation piece as are filming the rest of your day.

What makes Smiling Toad special?

We’ve been filming weddings in Chicago for over 20 years. In that time, we’ve worked at many of Chicago’s most popular wedding venues. We’ve also developed a process that lets you be as involved as you want – hire us to handle everything, or customize every aspect of your film. The choice is yours.

As we’ve grown, John has hand-picked a team of creatives, each with their own personality and strengths. Once we understand who you are and what you want from your wedding film, we can build the ideal team for you.

What are your typical delivery timelines?

We typically deliver films and photography 4-6 weeks after your wedding date, but some seasons are busier than others. We’re always transparent about how long we expect your results to take, and if you need it sooner, we offer priority edits.

How long will our videos be?

The length of our feature films depends on the length of your ceremony (processional through recessional) and the reception program (moments when all your guests are watching, like speeches and cake-cutting). As an example, a wedding ceremony where Mass is celebrated will lead to a longer feature than one without a Mass.

Our shorter films are as follows:

Content creation: 1-2 min
Teaser: 1 min
Trailer: 3-5 min
Short: 10-15 min

How are my videos delivered?

We deliver what we call a “digital collection.” It’s similar to a traditional DVD menu but higher quality and a responsive design, so it looks great on any device. You’ll receive a login that you can share with loved ones if you’d like, and we’ll also provide YouTube links for your highlight films, adjusted to your preferred privacy level.

Who’s in charge of the music?

We want to edit with the music you love! We’ll share with you where we typically source licensed music so you can select individual songs. If you don’t want to be that hands-on, just tell us the genres you like and don’t like, and we’ll take it from there.

Who will be the one filming my wedding?

About 4-6 weeks before your wedding, after we’ve had our planning consultation, we’ll select the team member(s) who are best suited for your wedding. We take into consideration a number of factors, including your coverage priorities, your venue, and your personalities. We’re always very transparent about the process, and we want you to know well before the wedding.

Do you offer one videographer packages?

Sorry but we do not offer one videographer packages.

Using two manned cameras is the only way to ensure a fluid and inclusive end product. There are some companies that are able to have lower cost packages by reducing coverage to one videographer for your entire day but we do not do this for following reasons:

There’s no way to fully cover your wedding with just one camera. Although you may have planned your ceremony to the minute, there’s no way to plan for the unpredictable changes like one of your groomsmen taking one step further than he was supposed to and entirely blocking one of the camera’s view of you saying your vows. With a one-camera setup, you would be faced with either missing that moment entirely or seeing shaky camera movement in your final product. With a manned, two-camera setup, we’re able to switch to the unblocked camera angle while the first camera is repositioned to compensate for the obstruction.
More cameras allow for less obtrusiveness. It sounds backwards, but by having more operators and cameras at your wedding, you will actually notice us less. On the contrary, a one camera and videographer setup will need to constantly be moving and adjusting angles in order to maximize coverage, which you will notice. A properly planned 2/3/4 camera setup at your ceremony will likely not need to move at all if planned and executed correctly.