What you need to know before hiring a videographer
You've planned your wedding down to the last detail, from the menu to the music. But what about your video? Wedding videography is one of those details that most couples don't think about until after their nuptials are over—and then they wish they'd thought about it more. If you're looking for the perfect way to remember every moment of your special day, read on to learn everything you need to know about hiring a videographer:
What should you look for in a wedding video?
You want to be sure that the videographer you choose is experienced.
You also want to ensure that your videographer has an eye for detail.
A great wedding video tells a story, so you'll want to find someone who can do this for you.
Your videographer must make you look good on film. Still, it's equally important that they're easy to work with so everything runs smoothly with managing expectations and getting along when things get hectic at the wedding venue or reception hall.
How do I find a good videographer?
As you begin the search for a videographer, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Check out the website. A good video production company will have a well-organized website that makes it easy to see who they are and what they offer; you should get an idea of their style without too much trouble.
Look at reviews. You can look online, ask around or even call them up—but make sure to find out as much information as possible about different companies before choosing one! The best way is by asking around because people know their peers better than anyone else and tend not to leave anything out when giving feedback about them (except maybe if they're still friends). They may not always be honest, so try asking other vendors, too, since they wouldn't want their clientele upset by bad news either!
Check with your venue/caterer/photographer etc. We know this sounds like overkill but trust us: check with all involved parties before booking because chances are good that someone else has worked with these professionals before (and might even know one another). This way, no one is surprised by any last-minute changes made due to lack of communication between clients either, which means less stress overall during planning stages--which translates into happier guests after everything comes together just right on the wedding day!
How do you know a videographer is good?
It's important to know that not all videographers are created equal. That said, there are some things you can do to ensure you choose the right one for your wedding.
Look at their portfolio: A good way to vet a videographer is by looking at their work—specifically, their portfolio. If they don't have one on their website or social media accounts, ask them if they have any videos of past weddings that you can watch. This will give you an idea of what type of style and feel they bring to a wedding video (and it might make it easier for you to visualize yourself walking down the aisle).
Ask for references: Another great way to get more information about a potential videographer is by asking around and doing some digging online. Try searching Google for reviews from past clients; if anyone has shared anything online about working with this particular vendor before (good or bad), they should show up in your search results—and we promise this isn't just us being nosy! On the other hand, if there's nothing out there about them yet... well, then maybe now would be a good time to start thinking about finding someone else instead!
Has anyone seen their work? Whether through personal experience or word-of-mouth recommendations from friends/family members who've used them themselves before (or even better: both!), finding out whether someone has worked with this particular vendor before could help give us an idea as far as what kind of service quality should be expected when hiring someone new ourselves later down the line too!"
Ask to see an entire wedding video.
You'll want to see an entire wedding video before you hire a videographer. You can find out if the videographer is comfortable sharing a full version of your wedding day by asking them directly or simply looking at their website and social media accounts for examples of their work. Pay attention to how long the videos are—many brides make the mistake of assuming that ten minutes is enough time for a summary of their big day, but fifteen minutes is usually better.
You should also look at which types of footage are included in each video; some companies offer multiple shots with different angles and perspectives, while others might focus on just one angle throughout the whole thing. Some brides prefer this view because it allows them to watch everything from one place rather than getting lost trying to figure out what happened when they were talking with guests during cocktail hour (and missing other important moments like first dances). Other couples like having multiple angles so they can relive certain moments over again later on; these include highlights like speeches and family dances that were missed during initial viewing because they took place at different times throughout venue spaces rather than being grouped under one roof as most people think about weddings being organized around time slots (even though many actually happen inside!).
Wedding videography is worth the budget.
Wedding videos are an essential addition to any wedding. Here are a few of the many reasons why:
Your wedding day is one of the most exciting and memorable days of your life; you want to be able to relive it repeatedly. A video allows you to do just that!
When friends and family who couldn't attend your wedding see the video, they'll feel like they were there too!
You can use your wedding video for various purposes, including your website, social media posts, advertising, etc.
Consider your budget
Your budget should be determined by the type of wedding you are having. For example, if your wedding is small and intimate, then you might not need to hire a videographer at all. However, if you have a large guest list and are planning an elegant affair with lots of formalities and traditions—like a Catholic ceremony or an Asian-themed banquet—then hiring a professional videographer may be a good idea.
On top of this, consider what video style you'd like to create. Are there any specific elements that are most important to highlight on camera? If so, make sure to communicate these preferences with your photographer so they can use them in their storytelling process! For example: "We want our guests to feel the love and warmth we felt throughout the day!" Or "We want guests who don't speak English as their first language (like me) to watch it without feeling lost!"
This brings us back around full circle: how much should someone spend on their wedding video? Well…it depends! It depends on whether or not they want others outside their immediate family circle (read: friends from other countries who won't understand English well) to watch it later down the line - because this could potentially lead people away from laughing out loud at jokes they find funny, but others might not understand how funny those same jokes were originally intended.
How much are wedding videos?
How much do wedding videos cost?
The short answer: it depends. The longer answer is that the price range for wedding videography services can be as low as $1,000 and as high as $10,000. This wide range of prices has a lot to do with the location of your wedding and how experienced your videographer is. In general, better-quality products (including higher-quality video) cost more money; however, this does not mean that if you hire an expensive videographer, he will necessarily provide better footage than someone who charges less. It also doesn't mean that if you spend less money on your videographer's services, he won't take care of you or provide excellent footage—it just means there's no guarantee either way!
As far as what kind of footage you should expect at different price points goes:
For $1000 or less: You'll receive six to ten minutes worth of edited video with a few extras, such as music or photos, in the final product.
For between $1K-$3K: You can expect around 20 minutes' worth of edited footage with some extras such as titles and background music (the latter is usually provided by the photographer). You may also get access to raw footage so that if there are any problems when editing it down later in post-production, you still have access to reason back up material, which could save both time/money overall for everyone involved."
Consider your videography style.
How much do you want to be in the video? If you're not comfortable with the idea of being filmed, or if you don't have time to get ready for filming (think: before or after the ceremony), then it may be worth having a videographer come in and film your wedding from an outsider's point of view.
How much candid footage is enough? While there are certainly no rules about this, some couples prefer more footage of their families and friends than of themselves as individuals.
How long should it be? This question only applies when hiring a professional videographer—but it's important nonetheless! The length of a wedding video can vary depending on how many parts were shot and how much editing needs to be done afterwards.
Your wedding theme and aesthetic
If you're looking for a videographer, the first thing to do is decide what style you want. Do you want a bright, colorful video that looks like an ad from the 90s? Or would you rather have a more modern and minimalist look? Will your wedding be formal or casual? And what about lighting—will there be plenty of natural light in your venue, or does it need to be lit up like Broadway for a performance by the cast of Rent?
All this can affect how much money the videographer charges per hour. If it's too dark for them to work with their equipment properly, they'll need more time than usual just to set up lights and equipment so that they can film anything at all (and therefore charge more).
Do you want a short trailer, ceremony-only edit, or full-length film?
You first need to decide what you want your wedding video to be. Some couples choose a short trailer or a ceremony-only edit they share with friends and family. Other couples choose to have their entire day filmed, resulting in a full-length documentary film. Knowing what type of wedding video you want before hiring a videographer can help ensure that you get all the footage necessary for your desired product.
Ready to hire your wedding Videographer?
We hope you've found this helpful as you consider wedding videography. Wedding videos preserve the memories of your big day and provide endless joy for years to come! The bottom line is that if you want a high-quality video, it's worth hiring someone with expertise in the field. But don't worry too much about cost or time frame—as long as they have all the other qualifications, and most videographers will be able to accommodate your needs!