Perusing the site of Lern 2 Liv Productions will likely convince you of the experience that this videography team has, along with the quality footage that couples receive of their special day. Just take a look at some of their samples of weddings—or even of the milestone events and other videos—that this expert team shoots. If you’re looking for complete packages that are tailored to your needs, then you should check out Lern 2 Liv Productions. Here’s what we found when we did...
Backgrounds
Lern2 Liv Productions was founded by Ernie and Livia, a videography team based in London, Ontario. Before we get started on their background, let us first explain the company name, because, as they tell us, like many couples who they work with, we wondered why the misspelling? As Ernie explains, the name comes from a reference to their motto on life: Learning to Live. On top of this is that Ernie’s nickname is “Ern,” and Livia’s nickname is Liv, hence: Lern 2 Liv. It puts a fun spin on things—much like this videography team. The third part of the trio is Derek Roberts, aptly titled, “Now the Most Experienced Camera Operator with Lern 2 Liv Productions.”
So let’s talk about their history. While weddings aren’t the only thing that Lern 2 Liv films, they say their specialty is taking a video and adding fitting music in order to highlight a person or couple’s special history; something you’re obviously interested in when looking for videography services for your nuptials. And with years of customer service and video production expertise behind them, they’ve got the know-how to back them up. David, the newest addition to the triumvirate, brings over fourteen years of experience, including work as a news shooter and music video producer. He’s been nominated for awards for his first-rate editing abilities and has even won an award for video production excellence. If that’s not enough, Lern 2 Liv is highly recommended by some of London’s top wedding vendors, so they’ve also got a stellar reputation to boot.
Their approach and style
What’s different about this team, but is something that we at The Ring love is that Ernie, Liv, and Derek take a unique approach to wedding videographer. As they explain: “While it’s the bride’s day, we realize that the complete re-capture of your wedding is for the whole family, including parents, grandparents, and even future children.” So while they want to capture intimate moments that show your story of love, they also want to show the bigger picture: a gathering of family and friends to celebrate your history and your new lives together. This is what they like to call their “family-results approach.”
Another thing we love is that rather than warning you that you need to ensure that all your other wedding vendors stay clear of their shots, they promise to work with them. No prima donnas here. As they say, they are “an extra set of eyes that can help prevent problems or recommend ways of doing things to enhance your day!” This extremely professional and highly cooperative attitude means they follow a team approach—something indispensable on a day when you don’t want to have to deal with a battle of the cameras, say between your photographer and your videographer.
And while they do have this professional approach to doing things, they are also very down-to-earth and incredibly friendly. Take Liv, who often acts as a second producer for your wedding. She has a great eye for style, often giving advice to bridesmaids. She’ll notice details that will greatly improve your wedding video, like the need for makeup retouches, the possibility of wardrobe malfunctions, or the need to stop Bridesmaid Number Two from constantly readjusting her sweetheart-top dress. Their filming style really keeps you and your guests in mind “We want to provide unobtrusive coverage while capturing every moment. This allows for the best possible guest experience.”
Packages and pricing
Lern 2 Liv offers three packages, along with multiple upgrades. On top of their dedication to you, as they say, “we capture the day, then personalize and produce it so you can enjoy, relive, and celebrate it over and over again.” All of their footage is shot in HD, includes a personalized case and label design, some personal music choices, use of professional-grade wireless microphones (if necessary), and use of a tripod or dolly for filming (if needed). As they told us, they use the best possible equipment, including the option of shooting in 3D (but they like to remind couples that you have to have a 3D TV in order to view this type of video properly). These packages and their inclusions are:
ESSENTIAL PACKAGE, from $1,600
Attendance at wedding rehearsal
2 professional HD cameras & operators
Wireless and ambient microphones for clear audio
3 songs, music of your choice
Professional editing and motion menus (with custom and classic effects)
10 photos to introduce the video
3 DVDs
Footage of photo shoot and reception hall
4 hours of filming of the reception
PLUSH PACKAGE, from $2,200
Attendance at wedding rehearsal
2 professional HD cameras & operators
Wireless and ambient microphones for clear audio
5 songs, music of your choice
Professional editing and motion menus (with custom and classic effects)
25 photos to introduce the video
4 DVDs, plus digital back-up
Footage of: bride getting ready before ceremony, photo shoot and reception hall, reception until 11pm, and interviews with bridal party, parents, and guests
5-10 minute highlight included in main video
Ceremony trailer on website one week after the wedding
LA GRANDE PACKAGE, from $2,700
Attendance at wedding rehearsal, some video recording, and a 5 min trailer
2 professional HD cameras & operators
Wireless and ambient microphones for clear audio
5 songs, music of your choice
Professional editing and motion menus (with custom and classic effects)
30 photos to introduce the video
4 DVDs, 1 Blu-Ray, plus digital back-up
Footage of: bride getting ready before ceremony, groom and his party getting ready, photo shoot and reception hall, reception until 1am, and interviews with bridal party, parents, and guests
5-10 minute highlight included in main video, plus 3 individual highlight DVDs
Ceremony trailer on website one week after the wedding
UPGRADES
- Extra Hours - $100 per camera operator
- Slideshow - $250 (maximum of 60 pictures)
- Projection SVC - $250
- Courtship video - $300
- Blu-Ray upgrade - $200
- Extra Blu-Ray disc - $50
- Extra DVD - $30
- Wedding Trailer (10-15 minutes in length) $200
- Same-day editing - $1000 (only available when purchasing the Plus and La Grande packages)
Words of advice
Ernie and his team offered us a few tips for couples looking into videography services:
- “Consider having your first dance before dinner and immediately after you’re introduced. You won’t find another time when you have the attention of all of your guests. No one’s at the bar, the smokers are all inside. Everything and everyone still looks great. This is also the best time from a video sound-quality perspective because there is less chatter because everyone is still paying attention. It’s even an ideal time for other wedding professionals.”
- “We do offer a steady cam, but remember, it can be more intrusive.”
- “Some of the most important parts of your wedding video are the ceremony and the speeches—they cannot be re-created.”
- “Remember your family’s experience as well. Some videographers will get the shot at any cost, including blocking the view of your guests, say, during your first dance, or even cutting in front of the photographer trying to get that special shot of your first kiss."
