Photos of your wedding are the obvious choice for framing, giving to friends and family, and passing down to your children. Video is the best way to relive your wedding day's emotions and ambiance. A decent wedding film will let you travel back in time and stand on that magnificent white aisle runner you spent so much time choosing, as well as re-watch those emotive, crucial speeches.
In fact, choosing the best wedding videographer for you is as crucial as choosing any other vendor—if not more, as the videographer will document all other vendors' work—and should be treated with similar attention. Your videographer will capture the day's spirit in a wedding movie, which is becoming increasingly crucial as couples share their perfect wedding day on social media and, more lately, live-stream the event for family and friends who can't attend (due to a pandemic or any other reason).
Know Yourself (and Your Wedding Videography Aesthetic)
First, your videographer should match your style. Choosing someone you trust for your perfect wedding day to offer a smooth day-of experience and record your memories for years is a major decision. Asking a cinematographer how they film a wedding might reveal a lot. Make sure your cinematographer's narration and visual style match your wedding. Like any other vendor, when you discover an artist you can trust to capture and communicate your narrative, you can rest and enjoy the process!"
Find a Wedding Videographer
If you have a photographer, start with them. Many photography studios offer video services, which makes hiring easy and ensures that the photographer and videographer work well together on the day of and in deliverables. Your photographer may recommend or prefer a videography partner even if they don't have one.
If you haven't chosen a photographer or don't like their selection, your wedding planner or venue may have some contacts.
Are local wedding videographers necessary? While working with someone local has its benefits, most wedding videographers travel to cover events. If you're not finding anyone you like in your neighborhood, broaden your search to locate more talent.
Consider your wedding videography needs once you have a few names. Do you want your entire event captured—from the rehearsal dinner to chatting with your bridesmaids and getting dressed to the after-party late-night shenanigans? —or just the ceremony? Consider what kind of wedding highlight video you want afterward: amusing or serious? Do you prefer raw footage or a more polished product? Do you want a 100-foot wedding drone to capture the magic? Drone wedding videography exists! Before you go crazy, remember that drones work best for outside events and that your videographer may need a drone pilot's license depending on where you're being married.
As you decide what you want and by whom, consider the videographer(s): Do you want multiple cameras swooping and whirling about the dance floor, or is one enough? Several wedding videographers mean more people to feed (literally, since you need to count your vendors into the caterer's headcount!) and more people around you.
Budget the Wedding
As you answer these questions, consider the cost. Many wedding videographers provide tiered packages with different aspects at varying pricing, but some offer a la carte alternatives, which is a terrific way to buffet-style pick-and-choose but can get expensive if you want everything. If your dream videographer is far away, flying them and at least one helper in for your big weekend will boost the cost.
You know by now that your wedding is a fiscal balancing act. In 2022, the average wedding cost is more than $22,000 (up from just under $21,000 in 2021), yet the average wedding videographer cost is $1,800—but can be as much as $10,000. Hence, your videographer may consume 8–10% of your budget. That's a large investment—worthwhile, but big. So select wisely.
Questions for Wedding Videographers
Given the cost, a videographer is worth hiring properly. Interviewing wedding vendors is about finding the right fit. Ask about their preferred wedding sites and how they function on the day. See how they work with brides: Ask your wedding videographer, ‘Are you open to collaborating?
It is very important to establish your vision and to select the best fit to fulfill this on your perfect wedding day.
