One of the most important questions that couples ask themselves while preparing for their wedding is whether a wedding video is worth the money. This decision will have a huge impact on the overall budget and what vendors you need to hire. So let’s take a look at what needs to be considered when it comes to deciding on a videographer.
The average couple spends more than a year planning their wedding. This means that for many of the most popular wedding videographers, they are booked out more than a year in advance. It’s therefore important that you plan ahead, because if you wait too long, your preferred videographer may no longer be available.
As you’re going over all the expenses for your big day, it may seem like professional video is a luxury that can be skipped over for other items that are more essential. But what seems important today may not matter to you in the future. The best way to commemorate your wedding and to ensure that all of the best moments are never forgotten is via video. A photographer can capture individual moments, but the best way to capture the emotion of the event as a whole is with a professional video that you will cherish forever.
The good news is that Hollywood style video production is more attainable than ever before, and you won’t have to blow your whole budget on your video crew.
Make sure video fits into your budget
Before you start planning your wedding, the first thing you need to do is establish your budget. Then you can start allocating your budget to the most important items, like venue and dress. Be prepared to underestimate what the final cost will be when everything is said and done. In a recent survey, one hundred brides were asked how much they thought their wedding would be, versus what the actual cost ended up being. The average prediction was $12,000, whereas the actual average was $23,000, nearly double what they expected going in.
One you have a budget, you need to decide how much you are willing to allocate to a videographer, and then find a video team that will fit under that number.
Why photos aren’t enough anymore
Photos have been a part of weddings for as long as there have been cameras. But in the age of 4k videophones, people have become accustomed to having video, high quality video at that, for all types of events, including weddings.
Think of any special moment from your wedding, and while having beautiful photos to capture that moment for posterity is nice, many couples now think professional video is even more indispensible for those once in a lifetime moments. Of course, opting for photos only is absolutely valid, and the right choice for many couples, but for a lot of people these days, they are opting for photographers only to capture family portraits, and relying on videographers to record all of the meaningful moments, including the reciting of the vows, special musical performances, the first dances, toasts, the throwing of the bouquet, and more.
It’s really simple. Video has the ability to capture both sound and motion, as well as add music, whereas photos are just a static image. It’s no wonder that photos are no longer enough.
How Much Does a Wedding Videographer Cost?
There’s a great deal of variance in pricing out a wedding videographer. It’s possible to hire someone just starting out for only a few hundred dollars, but this is very much a ‘You get what you pay for’ scenario. On the other end of the spectrum, some professional video production houses might charge over 10,000 to cover multiple cameras, a drone, professional sound and lighting, and more. Typically, couples can expect to pay somewhere between 1500 and 2500, depending on the package and the date.
Pro Tip: many wedding videographers will charge less to shoot out of season weddings when there is less likely to be a lot of competition for their services. Keep that in mind when selecting your wedding date.
What if You Can’t Afford Both a Photographer and a Videographer?
When money is tight, difficult choices have to be made. Many couples find that they have to choose between hiring a videographer and photographer, rather than both. As mentioned above, it’s possible to get around this by only hiring a photographer for portraits, rather than have them on hand for the entire ceremony and reception.
When couples elect to go with only a videographer, they may ask their guests to bring their DSLR’s to capture photos. It’s likely that you know several photography enthusiasts in your circle of friends and family, and if you have multiple people with cameras there, it’s probable that you’ll get plenty of memorable photos.
Likewise, if you hire a photographer and go without a videographer, you might want to ask a close friend or family member to film the ceremony with a video camera. High quality cameras are extremely affordable these days. Just make sure you have decent sound and lighting, if possible. This might be something you can work out with your DJ or AV vendor.
Types of Wedding Videos
Another big factor in the cost of the videographer is the style of video you are expecting. If you just want the ceremony recorded in its entirety, this should be possible for relatively cheap. However, many couples elect to have a highlights video made, in a documentary or Hollywood trailer style, which can run up the cost quite a bit. Your videographer will likely have multiple packages to choose from, with different options for the type of finished film that you want.
Do I need two videographers?
If you want your video done right, you’ll likely need more than one cameraperson on hand. This doesn’t mean that you’ll have to hire more than one videographer, it just means that the video production team will include more than one person, so that they are able to capture the ceremony and reception from multiple angles and you know you won’t miss a single moment.
The most important reason to have a multiple person team is that for much of the day the bride and groom will be apart. Having two camera people on hand means that the finished video will highlight the day from both perspectives, which many couples find is the best reason to hire a professional videographer.
What additional options should I consider?
There are a number of other options that your videographer will likely offer. Raw footage means that you will get a flash drive or Drop Box with every second of film they shot. This is especially useful if you think you might want to go in and edit some videos yourself. This also protects you in case your editor does a poor job, and gives you the option of hiring someone else down the line to do a better final version of your film. Another popular add on is drone footage, which is especially recommended for outdoor weddings.
What’s most important to you?
There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to whether or not to hire a wedding videographer. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what’s most important to you, and what you can afford.
If you have questions about what a videographer can provide, please reach out and schedule a free consultation. I’ll be happy to go over all the options with you and answer your questions.
