Our team at Levi Weddings understands that your wedding film is a living memory. Unlike a photo, a video captures the sound of your partner’s voice and the way your friends cheered when you entered the room. Because technology changes so quickly, we want to make sure your film stays safe for your children and grandchildren to watch. We believe that protecting your digital files is just as important as the day we filmed them. By following a few simple steps, you can ensure your Wedding Videography remains a treasure forever.
The Power of the Triple Backup Rule
We always tell our couples to never keep their wedding film in just one place. Hard drives can fail, and computers can break. We suggest following the “3-2-1” rule: keep three copies of your video, on two different types of media, with one copy stored in a different location. For example, you could have a copy on your laptop, another on an external hard drive, and a third in a cloud storage service. This ensures that even if an accident happens at your home, your weddings footage remains safe and sound.
Understanding Different Video File Formats
Technology moves fast, and the file formats we use today might change in twenty years. We provide our films in high-quality digital formats that are widely used across the world. However, we suggest that you check your files every few years to see if they need to be updated. Just like people moved from VHS tapes to DVDs, we might eventually move to new types of digital files. Transitioning your files to the latest format every decade keeps your memories from becoming “extinct” on old devices. We want your film to be as easy to watch in 2050 as it is today.
Using Cloud Storage for Extra Safety
Cloud storage is one of the best inventions for preserving memories. Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud allow you to store your video on secure servers far away from your house. This means you can access your film from any phone or computer in the world. We believe this is a vital step because physical hardware like USB sticks can easily get lost or damaged. Furthermore, cloud services often keep their systems updated, so you don’t have to worry about the tech becoming old as quickly. We take pride in helping our clients in Richmond Hill, Vaughan, and Markham secure their digital legacies.
The Danger of Social Media as a Backup
Many people think that because they uploaded their video to Facebook or Instagram, it is safe forever. We want to warn you that this is not a good backup plan. Social media sites often lower the quality of your video to save space on their servers. If you ever try to download it back, it might look blurry or pixelated. Also, social media companies can close down or delete accounts without warning. We suggest you always keep your original, high-resolution files on your own private storage. If you want to share your joy with the world, go ahead, but keep the “master” copy safe at home.
Sharing Your Video with Family Members
Another great way to preserve your film is to share it with your parents or siblings. By giving a copy to your loved ones, you create even more backups in different locations. It also ensures that your family can enjoy the memories whenever they want. We find that sharing a digital link is the easiest way to do this. We love seeing how our films bring families together in places like Scarborough, Etobicoke, and North York. The more people who have a copy, the less likely the memory will ever be lost.
Storing Physical Drives Properly
If you use external hard drives or USB sticks, where you keep them matters a lot. We suggest a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Heat and moisture can damage the tiny circuits inside these devices. We also recommend that you don’t keep them near strong magnets, which can erase digital data. We believe a small fireproof safe is a great investment for your most important digital drives. This protects your film from unexpected accidents. If you need more advice on hardware, please Contact Us so we can recommend the best storage solutions.
Creating a “Legacy Plan” for Your Files
It sounds a bit serious, but we suggest you tell someone where your wedding files are stored and what the passwords are. If you keep everything in a locked cloud account that only you can access, your family might not be able to find it later. We think it is a beautiful idea to include your wedding video in your family’s digital estate. This ensures that your story stays part of your family history for generations. We enjoy filming love stories because we know they represent the start of a new family legacy.
Watching Your Film on Special Anniversaries
The best way to make sure your video stays preserved is to actually watch it! We suggest making it a tradition to watch your wedding film every year on your anniversary. This not only keeps the memory alive but also lets you check that the file is still working correctly. If you notice any glitches, you can use your backup copies to create a fresh version. We take great joy in knowing our work in Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge is being watched and celebrated year after year. Contact us today.
FAQ
How soon will I get my wedding video?
We spend a lot of time carefully editing your film to make sure it is perfect. Usually, you can expect your final highlight film within a few months of your celebration.
Can I get the raw footage too?
Most couples find that a professionally edited film is much better to watch than hours of raw clips. However, we can discuss options if you really want the unedited files for your archives.
What if I lose my copy of the video?
We keep a backup of our clients’ films for a certain amount of time, but we cannot guarantee it will be there forever. This is why we urge you to make your own copies immediately.
Is a USB stick enough for a backup?
No, USB sticks are small and easy to lose. They can also fail quite easily. We suggest using a USB stick only as one of your three backup locations.
Should I print my video to a DVD?
DVDs are becoming outdated and hold much lower quality than modern digital files. We suggest staying with high-definition digital formats on hard drives or cloud storage.
Can you help me update my file format in the future?
Technology is always changing, and we are happy to offer advice to our past couples on how to keep their films current as new formats arrive.
Meta Description: Don’t lose your wedding memories! Levi Weddings explains the best ways to store and protect your wedding videography for the future.