In talking to brides on a regular basis, I know that one of the things couples struggle over is whether or not to have a videographer at their wedding. Most couples settle for just having a photographer and ask friends to video important moments on their cell phones or personal cameras. But if you’re considering having a professional videographer, there are a lot of things to consider in hiring one.
So how do you make a decision you won’t regret? Here are some pros and cons of hiring a wedding videographer to consider when deciding whether or not to have one for your special day.
PRO – You will have a professional video of your day
Wedding photos are a great memento to have to commemorate the celebration, but a wedding video can put those memories in live-action for you to cherish for the rest of your lives. Bride Ashley, who got married in 2021, was conflicted on whether or not she wanted one, but it ended up being one of the best takeaways.
“It was just wonderful to see what people were up to when I wasn’t looking, to be able to have the speeches and the ceremony, and just random clips of my family dancing. It’s great to hear, and it’s one of the best things I have from the wedding, especially since I don’t get to see everyone that often.”
PRO – Audio and action shots from your wedding
Having a way to hear the speeches and people’s responses to them is something a lot of brides cherish. Getting a professional to be able to shoot every important moment where you can hear loved ones talking or laughing is something really special.
PRO – Getting to see behind the scenes of your own wedding
It’s fun to be able to see what your bridal party and guests were up to while you weren’t there – at cocktail hour, while you were getting ready, or what they were laughing about while you were cutting the cake.
CON – It can be costly to hire a videographer
Getting a professional wedding video can really add to your costs. It is usually not included in photography packages, so you will either have to find another vendor or pay for the extra service. The average cost for a videographer is between $1,000 to $2,500 according to Wedding Wire.
CON – More wedding vendors to hire and manage
Having too many vendors to manage can make wedding planning hectic. It can also get complicated; coordinating between the photographer and videographer can get messy. They will mostly want to get shots of the same moments, and unless they have worked together before, it can get really messy.
CON – How often will you actually watch the wedding video?
Wedding videos are great for a couple who enjoys looking back on memories like their wedding often – but if you and your S.O. aren’t sappy or sentimental, paying for a wedding videographer might be a miss for you. It should be something you really want if you’re going to spend the money on it.
What to look for in a wedding videographer
If you’ve decided that you do want to get a videographer for your wedding, the next step is making sure you’ve found the perfect person or team for your unique vision. You want to hire someone that you can trust to shoot a great video without getting in the way of you and your guests having fun.
Here are some tips for finding the perfect wedding videographer.
Go through their video portfolio
The point of having a wedding videographer is to capture a beautiful video of the most important day of your life. A wedding videographer’s portfolio should reflect what you want in your video – style, shots, lighting… all of it should be something you want for yourself.
Hire a wedding videographer you like
You’ll be working closely with your videographer leading up to and during the wedding. They will be literally in your face while you’re getting ready. They will be there with you while you’re taking intimate wedding pictures with your new spouse and may be involved in other moments that will be weird for you. You want to make sure the videographer you choose is someone you actually like – even if they have the best videos ever in their portfolio, it won’t be worth it if you don’t like the experience of working with them.
Make sure your videographer can work in your wedding venue
If you find a videographer you love, that’s great! But if they can’t work well in the venue, the point of having them there is moot. Have a thorough conversation about the venue and whether or not the videographer is comfortable shooting there. They might have a preference for indoor or outdoor venues, or they could have other circumstances that don’t allow them to work in your venue.
Don’t settle on the first videographer you like right away
Just like other vendors, you want to know what’s out there for you. Don’t sign a contract with the first wedding videographer you meet. Try speaking with at least 2 to 3 videographers before you choose one to make sure you’re hiring someone who you like and who will do a great job with your video! This also allows you to price compare different video packages.
Get all the details about the wedding video packages
Professional videographers will usually have different tiers and packages for their services. When you’re looking through videographers make sure you understand everything that is included in your package. It’s also worth it to ask if you can get any add-ons, just keep in mind that it might cost extra. Some videographers can be really flexible and take things out of your package to work with your budget.
Should you hire a wedding videographer?
Having a wedding videographer is a fun aspect to have in your wedding no matter what! And even if you choose to forego the idea, your wedding will still be epic. The only thing that should matter when making your decision is whether or not you want a videographer and a video. But ultimately there are a lot of pros and cons to consider including your budget.
You can check out my free budget guide if you sign up for my newsletter. It automatically calculates what you should spend where based on your budget and guest count and helps you stay on track. It’s like the fairy godmother of numbers.
