Most couples are sold on hiring a wedding photographer from the get go. However, they find themselves asking the question, “is a wedding videographer worth it?” Yes, yes and YESSSSSSSS!
Your big day of celebration merits an equally impressive film to cherish those memories. Let’s get into the details!
How much does a wedding videographer cost?
After investing in your favorite photographer, you may find yourself wondering if you really need a wedding videographer. My recommendation is absolutely! Sound cannot be captured in a photo nor can the emotions be replayed; you also get to see your wedding day from another vantage point! Your videographer will create a priceless memory of your day that you’ll cherish for years to come—one that includes visuals, sound, and motion. Just like photography, there are different styles of videography:
– Cinematic: this is the most popular style. It mimics the angles, transitions and filters of movies. This style uses a combination of short form or storytelling. Aerial shots of your venue, voice overs and slow motion are a hallmark of a cinematic video.
– Short Form: this style describes a short highlight that is usually 3 to 5 minutes long. It focuses on the three main segments: getting ready, ceremony and reception.
– Story telling: this style uses voice over audio to narrate the story of the couple and the wedding day. Text, music or a combination is used to achieve this. Storytelling is usually paired with the cinematic style as the two usually produces a similar result.
– Documentary: this style uses unstaged and unplanned real moments of the wedding. It may not feel polished as the other styles and is often combined with storytelling.
– Traditional: this style focuses on the ceremony and reception. Behind the scenes wedding details are not included; a camera on a tripod or handheld is mostly used for these shots.
Each of these styles require experience and level of expertise. The average cost of a wedding videographer is between $1,000 to $6,500.
What’s covered in a wedding videographer’s prices?
Similar to photography, your videographer’s rate is inclusive of time spent capturing your day and editing the content. The editing is the most time consuming of the process and is why the delivery time post event is around 3-6 weeks. Other costs like second shooters to capture unique angles, equipment, travel and accommodation help to determine their final cost to you.
Do wedding videographer packages include anything in addition to wedding videos?
No. Photographer’s may include a complimentary engagement shoot or trash the dress; videographers usually don’t. Standard packages include a full-length feature wedding video and a highlight reel, sometimes along with the raw footage from your wedding day.
Your wedding videographer can create other videos including save-the-date videos, reception introduction videos, and a photo slideshow or montage for your rehearsal dinner. Of course, these are at an additional cost, but they can make a great (and creative!) addition to your wedding.
When should I hire a wedding videographer?
We recommend hiring your wedding videographer at least 12-9 months before your wedding date, as these pros tend to book up quickly. We also recommend that you ask your photographer if they offer videography services as well as some do.
If they don’t, they usually have recommendations for videographers they’ve worked well with and you’d ideally like to keep that synergy on your wedding day. Take that recommendation and have the conversation with your planner who will do his/her due diligence. If you don’t have a planner, do your research thoroughly.
How can I save money on my wedding videographer?
In all honesty, there may not be much you can do to save money on this service. These suggestions can help you to not go overboard with your videography bill:
· Cut the time: The more time your wedding videographer is filming at your wedding, the more you’ll pay. To save money, you can have your videographer skip the pre-wedding getting ready process or leave after all of the formalities and at beginning of the party. A 4 hour videography package will certainly cost less than a 12 hour one. Some videographers can shoot your ceremony only if you prefer. You can adjust your wedding timeline to make sure your videographer doesn’t miss the important moments like special dances or toasts.
· Don’t ask for extras: Extras like drone footage will add to your wedding videographer’s prices. Keep your wedding video simple, with minimal effects to keep costs down—and don’t go overboard making revisions to the final product.
· Ask for raw footage: The editing process tends to be the most time-consuming—and therefore, the costliest. Your videographer may be willing to film your wedding and simply give you the raw footage rather than editing it into a final wedding film or highlights reel. You may choose to have this footage edited later on, or not.
What questions should I ask a wedding videographer before hiring?
It’s important to find a videographer whose work you love and who is within budget, as well as a professional. You’re going to be spending a lot of time with your videographer, so he or she should have a personality you love! Here are a few questions to ask before hiring your wedding videographer:
· How would you describe your videography style?
· Can I choose music for my wedding films?
· Have you worked with my photographer before?
· How many weddings have you filmed? How many weddings will you film this year?
· When will I receive my finished, edited wedding video?
· Have you shot at my venue before?
· Can you describe your editing process? Do I get any input into the final product?
· Can you share your wedding packages list and wedding video cost?
· Can I see a finished wedding video that you created for another couple?
· Do you typically bring a second shooter or assistant to weddings?
Have questions or thinking about getting married in Jamaica? Click this link and fill out the contact form https://jamaicaweddingconcierge.com/contact, we’d love to connect with you!
