If you have started searching for a wedding videographer, you have probably noticed that we are all different and that there is a wide range of prices and offers out there.
It can be difficult to cut through all of that information for people who aren’t experienced in video and it is a challenge to know if your videographer will capture what you are looking for. Sometimes it is hard to tell by looking at a videographer’s page, website or instagram what they offer.
This post is to help you figure that out.
How to choose and book a wedding videographer
Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are searching for a videographer. First off, let’s start with the elephant in the room: cost.
1. Cost
Video packages vary widely depending on what you are looking for, where you are located, what the experience of the videographer is, as well as the end deliverable, or product that the videographer sends you. If you are looking for a simple package, you may not need everything that a full service offers, and similarly, if you are looking for a specific look, you may not want to book that entry-level video service below $1000.
What you can expect: In California and Arizona, wedding video typically will range between $1000-$5000 (and up if you want more). You will often get what you pay for and a wedding videographer that seems too cheap often is. We price ourselves lower than what we offer, but that is as a personal choice.
Solo videographers are often cheaper because the overhead is lower, but you may want multiple shooters if you have a complicated day or if you have a larger wedding. Multiple shooters cost more because the videographer will pay them about $500 a day to ensure they produce a similar quality filming as the main shooter.
Highlight only packages are popular now and those include somewhere between 3 - 10 minutes of footage cut to show the story. These can include audio, or it can be something similar to a music video. Expect those packages to be between $1000-2000.
2. Types of Deliverables
As mentioned above, there are different levels of films that you will be hiring and it is important to know that you are getting what you want when you hire a company or you will be disappointed in the long run. If someone is shooting only to get the highlight film, you may be disappointed that you don’t actually have a video of the ceremony or other important moments.
I break it down like this:
Basic: Social Media snippet (1 minute long clip from the day)
Highlight Film: 3-10 minute long video that “highlights” the day, and shows some important moments
Ceremony Film: Full Ceremony with audio. This can be multiple cameras or one (be sure to ask)
Important Moments: First dances, speeches, cake cutting, etc. These are the moments that matter to you, but may not make it in a highlight film
Raw footage: this is a full, unedited hard drive of the footage from the day. Typically this will be upwards of 400 gigabytes of footage, so it is not possible to send via email.
Full edited feature film (this is rarer, but will be upwards of 30 minutes and will be an edited feature of the day. Expect this to be upwards of $5000)
There can be things outside of those six, but you will typically find that most videographers will do 1&2, but may not do 3-6. Our service covers 1-4, but can also include 5 if you send us a hard drive.
3. Style of shooting
This seems like it should go without saying, but every videographer shoots different, composes shots different and has a different aesthetic. You should head into a meeting with a videographer with an understanding of what they think looks nice, and make sure that matches your vision.
For instance, I really like lens flares and a filmic feeling. (Think about films similar to LIke Crazy, or 500 Days of Summer) I want the footage to be warm and enjoyable, so I don’t go too dark, and I don’t like overexposing film, so I’m not bright and airy either. I want it to feel like you are there when you are watching and it should feel like a beautiful version of the real day. I want it to feel like how your brain remembers it 5 years from now. The colors will be slightly desaturated on the green side, so it feels warmer and a bit more on the natural color palette. I shoot almost exclusively handheld, and prefer to be somewhat invisible during the day to capture the authentical laughs, smiles, and tears.
Other videographers may enjoy a “fairytale” style of shooting, which is more about a flawless, smooth day that focuses on the bride as a princess. These colors will typically be more saturated, sharper, and will be shot almost exclusively on a gimbal.
Make sure you pick someone that matches your aesthetic.
4. Day of Experience
Something that isn’t talked about is the fact you will be hanging out with this person for 8+ hours on one of the most important days of your life. If the person gives off a weird vibe or isn’t fun to be around they may not be the right fit. My motto is that I want to be a friend and not a videographer during your ceremony and reception. I want you to be calm and comfortable around me.
Be aware that some videographers will prioritize their film over the guest experience as well, so make sure to ask how they will be setting up their video (will they be walking down the aisle? Will they be invisible, or will they be actively walking through the ceremony?)
Your preferences matter here, because that may impact how everyone else experiences the day. You may not care, but it is worth thinking about.
So you’ve picked a videographer… how do you actually book them?
Submit an interest form to make sure they have your date
Actually talk with them, either on video, in person, or over the phone
Sign a contract that sets the expectations. If they don’t have a contract, that isn’t a good sign
Pay a downpayment to reserve your date (For us this $250 goes towards the final billing)
Call them leading up to the date to confirm that your vision is still the same as theirs