Weddings are the most important thing in anybody's life. It is a celebration of love! There is no doubt that you would want to document it and relive the moment again and again. I did it by hiring a wedding videographer. But before I go through my experience with you, just to sum it up she was a SCAM and it was a DISASTER. Therefore, I am writing this blog to avoid any future bride to be to NOT have to experience this awful decision I had made. The Videographer I hired a videographer through Thumbtack.com and her name is Connie Liu or her chinese name is Xiaolu Liu. This could be harsh for me to list out all her details but I think I am obligated to protect all bride-to-be to NEVER experience or fall for any of her or similar videographers. Our wedding was back in May 2017 and now is July 2018 and she has given me just raw videos in February 2018, and 50% refund, no edits and we're still missing a trailer. She promised to provide the edited trailer and I tried contacting her but NO RESPONSE FROM HER Name: Connie Liu Videography Email: [email protected] Phone: (857) 265 8146 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/liuxiaolu/ Website: connieliu.contently.com Instagram: connielxl Vimeo: vimeo.com/xlliu Thumbtack: Connie Liu Videography Tumblr: lxlphotos.tumblr.com 1. Research, Research, and Research No matter where you found this videographer do a research on the videographer individually. For example, if his name is Sam Smith, search his work this could include his presence across social media (Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo and etc). Look at people's comment on each of the social media to know whether his work is legit or not. Plus, this would make sure that the person does actually exist. 2. Quality of Work & Credibility Although you have to search for them on social media, do look at their work, meaning videos and what inspires them and their style. Is it something that you are looking for? My experience was slightly different although I have a particular sense of style of how the videos I wanted it to be but I was really on the budget side so as long as it records from great angles I'm happy! And I did look through her work and it was good. But the only problem is she worked for this known company in Boston that do wedding videography called BKB & CO so the videos she had was when she worked at the place (not so sure if she did or not, should have called and checked). If you stumble upon videographers who started on their own, please do a reference check and call their company. I'm not saying that all of them are a scam, if they haven't built their reputation yet, it would do you good and add that extra safety net for your big day. If you want to be on the safe side search through theknot.com for videographers because most likely they are big companies which you know that things like these will unlikely to happen. But there are also individual videographers on the site so be sure to always RESEARCH, RESEARCH, and RESEARCH. 3. Reviews Reviews are your source of evidence of their work. BE CAREFUL of spam comments and reviewers that leave SUPER GOOD reviews or simple reviews. This could be just a scam to increase their credibility. If they do have negative reviews, see how they respond and react to the reviews. Better yet if you can contact that customer and ask them what happened and what he or she did to reconcile the matter would be perfect and I'm pretty sure he or she is willing to tell you the story and even help you decide whether or not you should go with the videographer. If the videographer responds to the negative reviews, that means they care about their job and reputation and they take it seriously. See their latest reviews and see whether the same pattern or repetitive negative comments about the videographer keep appearing if they do, then you know what to do. EXIT THERE! This is my REVIEW FOR HER 4. First Impression I would suggest meeting with your videographer firsthand and upon meeting tell them to show some of their work (credibility) and ask them how he/she will perform their job on the day. Talk to them as you would talk to someone for the very first time, ask them where they're from? how did they end up with this job? what is their favorite part of the job? and etc. Also, show your preference in style by showing an example of what you like about their work or another video sample you have seen that you like. So you could also see their reaction and thoughts firsthand. Along those conversations, if you develop a connection with your videographer that is GREAT! If you DON'T that is fine as long as they could deliver the job that is fine. However, if you feel like there is something not right or you're heart is telling otherwise; PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR HEART instead of your mind. This is where I was wrong in my process. She was also late upon our first meeting and she told me about the Uber and traffic, I was already having doubts just because of this. I SHOULD HAVE JUST EXIT THE DOOR. 5. Communication Once you agree to consider the videographer, make sure you continue your communication via email or text and see how fast he or she responded. Pay attention to how she delivered information, ask for information and suggestions that he or she provided. If you feel something is not right, I would really suggest just EXIT the door right there. For mine, she was okay in terms of communication prior to the wedding but it was after the wedding that she was gone. NO UPDATES, NOTHING. It's been more than a year since our wedding and still nothing from her. 6. Last Minute Details This may not be your job to ask for last minute details, it should be their job. But ask how many people will he or she be shooting that day, provide car park details to your vendors (when available) and any other things that your vendor should know about. In my case, just a week before our wedding she told me that she'll be bringing her husband along to help her with the videos. I was panicking because I need to provide another meal for her husband and the hotel gave me a deadline which has passed. Luckily, the hotel was kind enough to accommodate for one more. Again, she told me at the very BEGINNING that she will only be shooting by herself. 7. Check other Videographers Lastly, have 1 or 2 other videographers as your second option. Do all the things as well as what you did with your primary choice of videographers. Compare with other videographers this might be easier to spot RED FLAGS as well. I did and I should have gone with the other videographer but I was on a budget, if you really want a videographer on your wedding day, I would definitely just pay the extra money and delay your honeymoon if you really want a good videographer. CONCLUSION This is her apology letter and her resolution to the problem. I was SO HAPPY to hear from her regardless this was in March 2018 and our wedding was MAY 2017. As I mentioned she did offer a full refund but I asked HALF of it because I understand that she is trying to set up her own business and I respect people who want to start on their own. Plus, she did come to our wedding. The raw footage was horrible some were in good angles the rest were just like recorded on your phone. Some videos would have the sound and some are not. It was a MESS! But she still hasn't provided the edited trailer and I think this is the only video that I could share with my friends and family given the raw was so bad and I'm still waiting for it. The last time we heard from her was in March 2018 and it's July 2018. I think she should at least update us on her work regardless of her condition and it's been months. At least, tell us that she needed more time and she will update us in 1 month or 2. I am a very understanding person and I too have lost someone VERY CLOSE at a very young age. I could totally understand but it's been a year and not she's gone missing again and would not reply to any of my emails and texts. This is very UNPROFESSIONAL. You can see she had corporate works and I think that's her main focus and she updates her page with her corporate works so she might be just giving me excuses for all I know. IT IS SOMEBODY'S WEDDING AND YOU ONLY DO IT ONCE! THE LEAST SHE COULD HAVE DONE IS DELIVERED ALL HER WORK AS SHE PROMISED. I still kept contacting her through email and text but no success from her, I think she might have blocked my number and email just to run away from this. I would still be PLEASED even if she delivered the edited trailer late. Because in the end, that's what I wanted. My final thought is, if you come across any of these please save yourself and do yourself a favor! RUN FOR THE HILLS! PAY THAT EXTRA FEW DOLLARS for a better videographer.