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  • I'm ordering a video for today's date. Can you guarantee it will be delivered today?

    Not only will it be delivered today, but you can choose the time of day. We usually deliver on the hour, every hour.

  • I'm ordering my video for a date much later in the year, but would like it delivered now. Is that possible?

    Yes, of course. We can deliver a video for your chosen date and year within the next hour. This can be a particular help if you have forgotten someone's special day and need to find a present which can be delivered very quickly to someone's mobile, tablet or computer.

  • Can I preview the video before I buy it?

    Not the whole video, but you CAN preview the first 45 seconds of the year you choose, which will give you a good flavour of what to expect. All you need to do is enter your chosen date and year, click on the box marked "FREE PREVIEW", and that preview will start to play.

  • What do I get?

    Celebrities, royalty, people and news report extracts which, over the last century, have a connection with the date and the year you have chosen. The emphasis is on the date rather than the actual day, so you can see a selection of some of the famous people and events sharing that date going back in time, plus highlights from the actual year you select.

    Each video is made in two parts. The first, which is usually around a couple of minutes long, reveals who and what you share your big day with, usually birthdays, anniversaries or important events down through the ages, from different years. The second section, which usually runs for at least three minutes, deals with stories and happenings relating only to the 'big year' that has been selected, including major historical moments or landmarks. So, when you combine the date and the year, you get a picture across both. All the stories are told with television and film along with photographs, sketches and etchings from the past.

  • How long is each video?

    Most are around 6 minutes long; some slightly longer.

  • Where did you get this historical footage?

    By researching the archives of two great news organisations, Reuters and ITN - with photographs from Cover Images.

  • How did you decide what to include?

    Our editorial decisions were based on images and stories that will be of interest to most people. We don't pretend to be comprehensive - that would be impossible in just a few minutes, but we have aimed to include what we think is newsworthy, informative and fun; and which should trigger a memory or two.

  • Do you have news pictures from every single year - even those before the arrival of television?

    Yes we do. We cover the years from 1917 to 2002 (with later years to follow) but in just a few of the years in the 1920s and 1930s where there was not sufficient archive material we also include film that gives a good flavour of what life was like during that particular decade. From 1937 onwards we cover every single year on its own.

  • Is there bad news?

    We cover a selection of the big stories of each date and year, and therefore these include momentous or serious events, but there are no distressing images and everything is told in a positive and straightforward way.

  • Do the videos only cover events in the UK?

    No, we include memorable stories from around the world, but priority is given to content that will interest and entertain a predominately UK audience.

  • Are the videos in colour or black and white?

    Where possible, all of the videos have strong colour content, but historical footage from the early 20th century is sometimes in black and white or sepia.

  • Can I see the video I'm buying?

    Before buying, you can preview the first 45 seconds of your chosen year to give you a good flavour of what to expect. At the precise moment the email link to the video is delivered to the recipient, you will also be sent a link so you can watch the whole video at the same time as the recipient.

    In addition, once you have paid for the video, you will receive an email acknowledging your order, and at the bottom of this email is your video’s unique QR code (it looks like a black and white maze in the shape of a square). Scan the QR code using your device and follow the link that appears. You will then be able to instantly view the full video you have just ordered. Note that it can take up to 30 minutes after ordering for this to become available.

  • I haven't received my confirmation.

    The email confirming the details of your order should arrive within seconds of you placing the order. If it does not, please check your spam/junk folders. Sometimes our emails will get picked up and filed as spam by your email provider. Be sure to add hello@yourbigday.tv to your safe senders list.

  • The video I ordered hasn't arrived.

    Please check both your and the recipient's spam/junk folders. Sometimes our emails will get picked up and filed as spam by an email provider. Be sure to add hello@yourbigday.tv to your safe senders list.

  • Is the video suitable to show to my child?

    Yes. Every video is child friendly and does not feature adult content or distressing images.

  • How do I personalise my message?

    Before finalising the purchase of the video online you will have the option to add a personal message of up to 90 characters. This will be embedded in the opening titles of the video.

  • How are the videos delivered to the customer, and in what format?

    Both the recipient and sender receive an email containing a rectangle marked "WATCH YOUR BIG DAY". Click on that and the video will start to play within seconds. Videos are streamed to your mobile, tablet and computer, and can also be downloaded on compatible devices for you to keep.

  • Is there any other way to deliver the video I have ordered?

    Yes. At the bottom of your email receipt you will find a QR code for your specific video. It looks like a black and white maze in the shape of a square. You can copy and paste this into an email, or print it out for inclusion in a physical card. Scan the QR code using your device and follow the link that appears. You will then be able to instantly view the full video. Note that it can take up to 30 minutes after ordering for the QR code to be activated.

  • Can the videos be delivered on DVDs or memory sticks?

    No. Delivery is purely online. The videos are streamed via the website and can be downloaded on your computer or compatible phones and tablets. You are free to transfer the video to your own memory stick or DVD if you wish.

  • Can I store them on my computer, laptop, tablet or mobile?

    Yes, the video is available for you to download and keep. Unfortunately Apple do not enable video files to be downloaded on iPhones or iPads, so this option is not available for these devices. But you CAN download via an Apple iMac or on ANY Android device.

  • Can the videos be shared with our friends and neighbours via social media?

    Yes, but everyone should be aware that the videos cannot be used for commercial purposes.

  • I don't live in the UK. Can I still download a video?

    Yes. Your Big Day is worldwide and is available wherever you can access the internet.

  • How do I pay for each video?

    Your Big Day accepts all major credit and debit cards.

  • Will I be charged extra if I use a credit or debit card that invoices me in a foreign currency?

    It is easy to pay from other countries outside the UK and there are no barriers to doing so. Transactions are processed in British pounds, so there may be a small fee depending on your bank.

  • I don't know the exact date/month/year for my video, can I still use the service?

    You will need to know a date, month and year in order to create the video.

  • Can I order more than one video at a time?

    You can order multiple videos for different recipients with different dates within each transaction. Every gift can be personalised with its own unique message.

  • Is there a Your Big Day app?

    Not yet. Watch this space.

  • How do I get in touch with Your Big Day?

    Email us at hello@yourbigday.tv. We welcome comments about our videos, and suggestions for future video products based on archive material.