Although it takes roughly 12 months to plan an entire wedding, the day itself is all too fleeting. You could be standing at the altar in one moment and then the next you and your spouse are saying your goodbyes to all your guests as they leave the reception. This is why almost all couples tend to record the day one way or another. To reminisce.
We've all seen those beautiful wedding videos that manage to capture the day and pull at your heartstrings at the same time. These are the videos that couples re-live and watch 10-20 years into their marriage to reminisce about the day they took their relationship to the next stage.
It probably won’t surprise you to hear that not all couples choose to have a wedding film taken on their wedding day. It's an added cost that might not fit within your budget. With that being said, if you can make room in the budget, we highly recommend hiring a videographer.
The difference between a videographer and a photographer
Photos from your wedding will capture a single moment in time. Good photographers will be able to capture intangible things like vibe, energy, and emotion, but a lot of times these won’t be obvious.
On the other hand, a wedding video captures all of these intangible details, and sometimes even enhances them (with good editing). A video will be able to show the silent tear running down the Father of the Bride’s face, your friend’s laughter after a funny speech... you’ll even be able to hear the cheers of the crowd after the “first” kiss!
Wedding videos not only capture the memories of your special day, they also can be edited into a complete compilation of major highlights. Not only will your videographer capture a ton of raw footage, but they'll be able to edit the video into a small movie that can tell your wedding day story from start to finish. This movie can also include things like music and speeches that your wedding photos just won’t be able to capture.
Another major benefit of a wedding video is that wedding videographers will be able to capture things that you and your partner won’t be able to see. Think: the getting ready moments, the intimate moments with family members—you’ll be surprised to see all of the beautiful moments that you may have missed! These are the moments that at the end of the day will make you laugh, cry, and be grateful were captured on video.
Videographers are professional film editors
Social media has made it so guests can easily capture wedding day moments in the form of short videos. That’s completely different from what wedding videographers do! Wedding videos - just like any kind of movie - are about more than what’s captured.
Anyone can point a camera at something and take a video. It takes skill to frame shots, capture the feelings in the air, and edit everything down into a cohesive narrative that tells the story of your special day.
Videographers specialize in creating quality footage and have experience with technical editing. This lets them create films with cinematic experience that you and your partner will want to watch over and over and for years to come. Think of your wedding day videographer as a film director who is capturing your big day the way you experienced it in your head!
How to find a great videographer
Social media is one of the best places to start your search for the best wedding videographers! Follow your favorite wedding accounts on Instagram or TikTok and dive down the rabbit hole. You can also do a Google, Vimeo, or YouTube search to find wedding films that may have been captured at your wedding venue or in the same style you're looking for.
Another great resource is to ask your wedding planner, photographer, and venue for their recommendations - some of the best connections are by word of mouth!
How much does videography cost?
The average wedding videography services cost between $1,200 to $1,650, but we sometimes see prices as high as $13,000. The price will ultimately depend on the scope of the project scope and package.
It's important to discuss your priorities with your videographer in those initial phone calls and interviews to really nail down your budget and the price point. Most videographers offer a-la-carte pricing and packaging based on your needs, wants, and priorities, and will work with you to design the cinematic experience that fits your vision.
A typical videographer proposal and package will include the below:
The total hours of coverage
On average, your wedding videographer should be on-site for your wedding day from start to finish. This is typically an 8-10 hour day depending on when the wedding party starts to get ready and when you want them to start capturing those moments. This pricing should also specify whether the videographer has an assistant or second shooter along with the fees that come along with them.
Film gear and services
A typical videographer owns all of their own equipment, but if they can’t bring it for some reason (e.g., travel restriction) the cost of renting equipment will be included in the proposal package. This is also where they'll specify if they'll have multiple shooters and multiple cameras on site.
Depending on the size of your event and venue, it may be beneficial to have multiple people on-site capturing footage. Your wedding videographer may also require microphones, additional sound equipment or AV support to ensure they're capturing the highest quality audio possible. Additionally, this portion of the proposal should include any insurance costs.
Editing and delivery timelines
Your videographer will provide a top-line breakdown of how long they expect the editing process to take. This timeline should be included in the package breakdown and will give you an idea about when you can expect the first round of edits. The proposal will also include the number of edit and feedback rounds you and your partner will have to land on a finished piece.
Video graphics and additional elements
If you want to have graphics included in your video, this is something your wedding videographer will add in the post-event edit. This is an important detail to discuss with your video team up front as it's not always included in standard wedding video packages.
Drones are very popular for outdoor weddings, destination weddings, or grand venues and add a certain ‘wow’ factor to your wedding video. This is most likely an additional charge that should be listed in your package details. Keep in mind, some venues may prohibit the use of drones due to city ordinances or Federal regulations so it's always important to check ahead of time. In addition, not all videographers are drone pilots. Make sure you ask!
Music licenses (if applicable)
Depending on where you plan on sharing this video (other than personal use), you may run into some music licensing limitations relating to the songs you chose to include in the video. Your videographer will be able to educate you on what can and can’t be included.
If you do want to license a song, they’ll likely be able to take care of it for you for a small fee. Fortunately for TikTok users the company has provided a library of properly licensed music for use on their app. So as long as you choose a song(s) that’s already available on their app, then you should be in the clear.
How far in advance should i find and book my videographer?
Like all of your other wedding vendors, you'll want to find your videographer and confirm with them 8-12 months ahead of your wedding date. Similar to your photographer, you'll want to have those initial calls, sign a contract, and lock in a deposit as soon as possible to guarantee their availability and commitment.
As a photographer captures those incredible moments so you can frame and hang them on your walls, videographers catch more of those details in action. Think of a wedding video as an intimate documentary filming the day you and your spouse decided to take your love story to the next level.
Not only will you be able to see the vibe and atmosphere as you would with photos, but you’ll also cherish all those funny moments on the dance floor and off of it, what was said, the songs the band performed, how everybody was enjoying themselves, and you’ll inevitably be transported back to that fateful night of your life.
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