After months—or even years—of planning, countless down payments, exhausting workout plans, and strategic guest coordination, your wedding ceremony and reception will be over in just one day. It’s crazy to think that so much time, energy, money, and emotion are meant to last a mere 24 hours.
Of course, the happiness you begin on your wedding day is only the beginning of an exciting and emotional journey. However, couples should be able to cherish the efforts of their wedding day forever. That’s why hiring a videographer is vital.
Your wedding videographer will capture your ceremony and reception on video so that you can remember the day forever. Although some couples teeter between investing in a photographer or videographer, we’re here to set the record straight.
Here’s our guide to wedding videography: what’s included and do you need it? In this article, we’ll cover the following topics:
- What Is the Purpose of a Videographer?
- Videographers vs. Photographers
- What Qualities Should You Look for in a Videographer?
- Videography Packages 101
- Why You Need a Videographer
Let’s get started!
What Is the Purpose of a Wedding Videographer?
We’ll start by reviewing the question couples ask most often: what is the purpose of a wedding videographer? In short, your videographer will be responsible for filming your ceremony and reception, then editing footage from your wedding day into a seamless romantic video. Videographers may also film different aspects of prep such as the bridal party and groomsmen or shoot an exclusive first-look moment between the happy couple.
Most importantly, couples hire videographers so that they can remember one of the best days of their lives. Many brides and grooms state that their wedding ceremony was a blur. Between the excitement, nerves, and anticipation, it’s natural that many couples feel that their ceremony was too fast to remember. That’s why wedding videographers capture every moment of love between you and your partner.
Videographers vs. Photographers
Many couples commonly find themselves stuck between choosing a photographer or a videographer. Both of these vendors can be costly, which influences many couples hire one vendor to do both jobs. Don’t do this. Forcing one vendor to do two jobs will result in low-quality photos and videos. Wedding photography and videography are two challenging jobs.
Both your photographer and your videographers will be active all day to capture your ceremony in the best light possible. Unfortunately, when one person attempts to complete both of these jobs, they’re more likely to miss important shots and clips from your special day.
Staying on budget is important, but don’t skimp on your wedding videographer in an attempt to cut corners. Instead, hire both a videographer and photographer so you can have high-quality and professional photos and videos of your wedding.
What Qualities Should You Look for in a Videographer?
How do you choose the right videographer for your wedding? There are plenty of traits that make someone a great videographer, but here are three qualities that are the most important characteristics:
- Communicative
- Collaborative
- Professionalism
Communicative
Having a videographer who will proactively communicate with you and your partner is vital. They should be transparent about their vision for your wedding and any issues they run into. As you interview different videographers, ensure the one you hire is confident about their skillset and what is expected of them at your wedding.
Collaborative
Your videographer should mesh well with you and all your other wedding day vendors. Perhaps the most critical vendor collaborations at a wedding are photographers and videographers. If you photographer and videographer do not work well together, your attempt at collaboration will quickly become a disaster.
Professionalism
Your videographer must be highly professional. Stay cautious if you hire a videographer who is also a family member or friend. These relationships can sometimes affect professionalism. Before hiring a videographer, make sure you feel confident in their abilities as a professional.
If you want to know more about finding the best wedding videographer, check out which characteristics The Knot recommends.
Videography Packages 101: What’s Included
Not all videographers work the same. In fact, most vendors offer their own custom packages that have varying degrees of video service upgrades. According to Joy Wedding Planning, a basic videography package will include the following features:
- A Highlight Package of Collected B-Roll
- The 30-Minute Video of Your Wedding Ceremony
- Two Cinematographers
The cinematographers included in your package matter. They will be responsible for capturing your wedding video at different, flattering angles.
More exclusive videography packages may include drone footage, extra filming, or filming outside of the wedding day. These bonus packages will be for couples who prefer their rehearsal dinner, reception, and prep process to get filmed.
Why Do You Need a Videographer?
Don’t make the fatal mistake of using your phone as a replacement for a videographer. Even if you have a deluxe camera, putting your equipment on a tripod and hitting the record button won’ be enough to record your wedding. Between cinematography, lighting, and sound, you’ll need an experienced film technician to capture your wedding.
That’s why it’s vital to hire a videographer. They will make a world of difference during your wedding day and capture one of your life’s greatest moments on film.
The Takeaway
We hope our guide on wedding videography: what’s it included and do I need it has been a beneficial resource for you and your partner.
Your wedding day should be one of the happiest days of your life to celebrate, relax, and enjoy the next chapter of your life. When your wedding is over, you should be able to remember and rewatch your happiness with the best quality camera footage and audio.
Don’t risk forgetting some of the best moments from your wedding day. Instead, hire an experienced videographer so you can look back at this special day fondly.
If you want more bridal advice, tips, and tricks, consult Everyday Bride. We publish expertise from wedding vendors across the country to give newly engaged couples the best information on wedding planning. Browse our Everyday Bride site for more details.
