Choosing a wedding videographer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make while planning your wedding. Long after the flowers have faded and the cake is gone, your wedding film will be what brings you back to the way your day felt. As the owner of Portland Event Films, I’ve spent over 15 years filming weddings throughout Oregon and Washington, and I’ve seen firsthand how the right—or wrong—videography choice can shape a couple’s memories forever.
Most couples don’t know what questions to ask when hiring a videography company. They compare highlight reels, glance at pricing, and assume all wedding videos are basically the same. They are not. The differences between companies come down to experience, storytelling, audio quality, professionalism, contracts, coverage, and how well your videographer understands wedding timelines.
This guide breaks down 15 essential questions every bride and groom should ask before hiring a wedding videographer. These are the exact questions I encourage couples to ask us—and any company they’re considering—so there are no surprises and no regrets.
1. How Many Weddings Have You Filmed, and How Long Have You Been Doing This?
Experience matters more in wedding videography than almost any other type of filming. Weddings are live events. There are no do-overs, no retakes, and no second chances. A videographer who has filmed hundreds of weddings knows how to anticipate moments before they happen.
An experienced wedding videographer understands timeline flow, lighting changes, emotional cues, and how to capture moments discreetly without being intrusive. Ask how many weddings they film per year, how long they’ve been in business, and whether weddings are their primary focus or a side offering.
At Portland Event Films, weddings aren’t an afterthought—they’re what we specialize in. That level of focus makes a difference when things don’t go exactly as planned, which happens at almost every wedding.
2. Do You Specialize in Weddings, or Are They Just One of Many Services?
Some videographers shoot weddings occasionally while focusing on real estate, corporate videos, or social media content. Weddings require a completely different skill set.
A wedding videographer must manage audio, movement, lighting, emotion, pacing, and storytelling—all at once. Someone who only films a handful of weddings per year may not be prepared for the pace and pressure of a full wedding day.
Ask whether weddings are their primary service, and how many weddings they film annually. A company that specializes in weddings will already have systems in place to ensure consistency and reliability.
3. What Is Your Filming Style and Storytelling Approach?
Every videographer has a different approach to storytelling. Some focus heavily on cinematic visuals with music, while others lean toward documentary-style coverage with longer moments and real audio.
Ask how they tell the story of your day. Will your vows and speeches be central to the film? Do they prioritize emotion over flashy shots? Will your film feel timeless in ten or twenty years?
At Portland Event Films, we believe your wedding film should feel personal, emotional, and authentic—never generic. Understanding a company’s storytelling philosophy helps ensure their style aligns with your vision.
4. What Wedding Videography Packages Do You Offer?
Not all packages are created equal. Some companies offer low entry prices that only include a short highlight video, while others include full ceremony edits, speeches, and documentary cuts.
Ask what each package includes, how many hours of coverage are provided, and whether upgrades are available. Make sure you understand exactly what you are receiving—not just the length of the highlight film, but everything delivered after the wedding.
Clarify whether pricing is all-inclusive or if additional fees may apply later. Transparency here prevents disappointment after the wedding is over.
5. How Many Hours of Coverage Do You Recommend for Our Wedding?
Coverage time is one of the most misunderstood aspects of wedding videography. Couples often underestimate how much time is needed to tell the full story of the day.
Ask your videographer how many hours they recommend based on your timeline. A seasoned professional will review your schedule and advise honestly, not upsell blindly.
In my experience, most weddings need between eight and twelve hours of coverage to properly capture getting ready, ceremony, speeches, and dancing without rushing or missing moments.
6. Will You Be the One Filming Our Wedding?
This is one of the most important questions you can ask. Many companies advertise beautiful films but subcontract the actual filming to freelancers you’ve never met.
Ask whether the person you’re meeting with will be the person behind the camera on your wedding day. If not, ask how their shooters are trained, vetted, and managed.
At Portland Event Films, consistency matters. Couples deserve to know who is showing up to capture one of the most important days of their lives.
7. How Many Videographers Will Be at Our Wedding?
The number of videographers affects coverage, angles, and storytelling depth. A single videographer can capture beautiful footage, but multiple shooters allow for reactions, alternate angles, and fuller ceremony coverage.
Ask how many videographers are included in your package and whether a second shooter is recommended. More complex timelines, larger guest counts, or multiple locations often benefit from additional coverage.
8. How Do You Capture and Record Audio?
Audio is the backbone of every great wedding film. Vows, speeches, and personal moments lose their impact if the audio is poor or missing altogether.
Ask what microphones they use, how many audio sources they record, and whether they capture audio independently of the DJ system. A professional wedding videographer should always have backup audio sources.
If a company cannot clearly explain their audio setup, that’s a red flag.
9. How Do You Work With Our Photographer and Other Vendors?
Your videographer should work seamlessly with your photographer, planner, DJ, and venue staff. Collaboration ensures smoother timelines and better results for everyone.
Ask how they coordinate with photographers during key moments like the ceremony, first look, and reception events. A professional wedding videographer understands when to step forward and when to stay out of the way.
Great wedding films come from teamwork, not competition.
10. What Happens If Something Goes Wrong?
Equipment can fail. Traffic happens. Illness is unavoidable. Ask what contingency plans are in place.
A reputable company will have backup cameras, backup audio, backup shooters, and backup editing systems. Weddings are too important to leave to chance.
This question separates hobbyists from professionals very quickly.
11. What Is Your Editing Process Like?
Filming the wedding is only half the job. Editing is where your story comes together.
Ask how long editing takes, who edits the films, and whether editing is done in-house or outsourced. In-house editing ensures consistency and quality control.
At Portland Event Films, editing is treated as storytelling—not assembly. Every cut, song choice, and audio layer matters.
12. How Long Until We Receive Our Wedding Film?
Delivery timelines vary widely. Some companies deliver in weeks, others take several months.
Ask for a clear delivery window and whether sneak peeks or teasers are included. Also ask how films are delivered and how long they remain available for download.
Understanding timelines upfront avoids unnecessary stress after the wedding.
13. Can We See Full Wedding Films, Not Just Highlights?
Highlight reels are designed to impress, but they don’t tell the full story of a company’s consistency.
Ask to watch full wedding films from start to finish. Pay attention to pacing, audio clarity, emotional flow, and how moments are handled without music masking imperfections.
Full films reveal quality in a way highlights never can.
14. What Does Your Contract Include?
Never hire a wedding videographer without a contract. Ask about payment schedules, cancellation policies, overtime rates, and what happens if timelines change.
A professional contract protects both you and the videography company. It sets expectations and ensures accountability.
If a company cannot provide a clear, professional agreement, that’s a warning sign.
15. Why Should We Choose You Over Other Videographers?
This final question gives insight into how a company views their work. Listen for confidence without arrogance, passion without pressure.
The best wedding videographers care deeply about storytelling, reliability, and client experience. They aren’t just selling a service—they’re protecting memories.
At Portland Event Films, our answer is simple: we treat every wedding as if it were our own, because these moments only happen once.
Final Thoughts from Alex Ramey
Hiring a wedding videographer isn’t about finding the cheapest option or the trendiest Instagram reel. It’s about trust, experience, and storytelling. Asking the right questions ensures you’re not just hiring someone with a camera—you’re hiring someone who understands the weight of the responsibility.
Your wedding film should make you laugh, cry, and remember how it felt to stand together at the start of your marriage. These 15 questions will help guide you toward a videography company that honors that responsibility.
If you’re planning a wedding in Oregon or Washington and want to learn more about our approach, I’d love to connect.
– Alex Ramey
Founder, Portland Event Films
