Wedding planning can be incredibly stressful and frustrating, not just because of all the things you need to do and buy but also because of the budget constraints you have to stick to. Yet, in the midst of it all, it is possible to forget to procure one of the most critical aspects of today’s weddings – videography.
If you’re wondering why you need to go through the pains of looking for and hiring a videographer for your wedding, this article’s got you covered. Plus, we have included some additional info on costs, timelines, and pretty much everything you need to know about wedding videographers.
Why Your Wedding Needs a Videographer
The following are some of the benefits of letting a professional videographer document your big day:
You Get to See Moments You May Have Missed
Amid all the running around, dancing, and posing for photos, you are likely to miss most of the things happening in the background.
Fortunately, a well-versed wedding videographer knows what to look for and will capture all the memorable moments. From the grand entrance to your parents’ reactions as you exchange the vows to the guests’ goofy and hilarious dance moves, all will be available on HD video for you to rewatch and laugh at for years to come.
A Wide Array of Footage
You can request a bunch of videos covering different aspects of the ceremony. For instance, you can get the complete footage of the event, a bunch of edited footage showing particular people, or even short-form videos you can post on your social pages. Essentially, you will have the edited videos to share with your family and friends and also the raw footage for you and your spouse to keep as a fond memory.
Get to Relive Your Vows
The exchange of vows is arguably the crowning moment of any wedding ceremony. While your friends can capture some “authentic” videos with their phones, a videographer will not only cover better angles but also capture all the emotions and tears the exchange elicits. Looking back at the videos will be almost like reliving the moment all over again in the future.
You Get to Immerse Yourself Fully Into the Event
Professional videographers know how to stay away from the action while still getting perfect shots. As such, you will get to have an uninterrupted event and be focused on the day’s activity without having a bunch of cameras shoved at your face by delirious friends.
You can even request your guests not to shoot the event on their phones, which means they also get to have an unplugged experience.
Costs of Hiring a Videographer
If you are convinced that your wedding stands to gain from having a videographer, the next step is to set aside a budget for one. And depending on the length and quality of the footage, you need to budget between $1,000 and $5,000 for the service.
Here’s a breakdown of what is included in the average wedding videography package:
Time
Videographers not only charge you for the time they spend shooting your wedding but also the time it takes to edit the footage, although many won’t tell you that openly. So, if you need full video coverage of all wedding activities, from the rehearsal dinner to the reception, be prepared to cough out a few extra bucks.
Extra Hands
Depending on the kind of videos you want, your videographer may need to come with an assistant or find a specialized photographer to capture still images. Of course, these extras will need to be paid, and the videographer will most likely push the costs to you. To lower prices, you can try getting one of your friends to work as the videographer’s assistant, which only requires a few minutes of training.
Equipment
Many videographers are increasingly adopting modern filming equipment like drones, advanced digital cameras, and purpose-built editing computers. However, if you want genuinely engaging and high-quality videos, prepare to pay a bit extra.
Expertise
The more experienced a videographer is, the higher the quality of videos they produce, and consequently, the higher they charge for their services. And really, if you want near-perfect videos, paying a bit more for a pro should not be a problem.
Travel
If you choose to work with an out-of-town videographer, be prepared to cover their travel and accommodation expenses directly or indirectly. In most cases, travel allowance depends on the means they use to get to the venue.
Ideal Booking Timeline
Ideally, you should reach out to your preferred wedding videographer as early as you can to ensure they add you to their schedule way before they get other commitments. We would recommend getting your booking on at least six months before the day, and not less than three months at the very least. This allows you to focus on other aspects of the wedding planning process and gives you enough time to seek replacements if the bookings go wrong.
