How Much Should You Spend On A Wedding Videographer
Like any other investment, the quality of your wedding film will be proportional to the resources you put into it. Simply put: you get what you pay for. For the purposes of this piece, videographers have been broken down into three broad camps: The Hobbyist,The Professional, and The Artist. Depending on your needs and budget, one of the videographers in these three groups may be the best fit for you. Costs vary from one location to another and with a persons level of expertise and market demand. Remember that the below-listed projected investments are meant to represent the Northeast as a whole and may vary depending on local market conditions. So, lets survey the landscape and assist you in the right direction as you look for your wedding videography needs.
Many modern-day newlyweds forego having their ceremony recorded on camera. For those who opt out of hiring a wedding videographer, the reasons might range from financial concerns to a simple lack of interest in having a video recorded of their big day. Ok, whatever your rationale is, I guess. After the wedding is over, many couples lament their decision not to hire a videographer.
The average wedding guest now wants to know how much it costs to hire a videographer. Well, it varies, depending on factors such as location, wedding style, number of hours, photographic style, videographer, team size, number of events, etc. Lets take a look at the going rate for videographer services.
View Prices By Region
The most important decision you will make in the wedding planning process is selecting your wedding photographer. Thats a pretty bold statement, but its the truth. Weve interviewed countless couples who wished they had budgeted more for wedding photography. All other purchases for your wedding day will fade, but your wedding photos are a timeless reminder of arguably the most important day of your life! If your wedding photography budget is lower than the presented data for your region, youll have to expand your search to obtain the perfect wedding photos.
The interactive map above shows Average Cost Of Wedding Photographer.
*Note: The data presented above includes the wedding photographers fee for shooting during the wedding day and digital photos delivered either through online gallery or DVD/drive. The typical hours of wedding day coverage range from 6 to 10 hours. Some photographers include different services and tangibles in their packages . This does not include videography.
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Wedding Videographer Cost Guide By Region
Want an idea of what you will pay to get a highlight reel made at a major city venue? Wedding videographer prices can vary from coast to coast, but the good news is that they follow similar trends. For the most part, local talent is more reliable when the videographer works for a company, and the overall costs depend on how common weddings are in the area.
At a scenic location where property values are known for being higher than the national average, you will pay a little more for your videographer and probably your venue, catering and other elements. Check out the details in our list of major cities.
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Is A Wedding Video Necessary
First things first, before you spend $1000s on a wedding video should you even hire a videographer?
Research shows that not having a videographer for your big day is the biggest regret for a lot of couples when it comes to looking back on their wedding.
After all, this is the one day you want to be able to remember for the rest of your lives. Whether youre getting a teaser reel, highlights footage, or the whole shebang, having a professional capture those moments is so important.
But dont just take it from us! 51% of real couples will hire a videographer for their big day, with 7% opting to go the DIY route and avoid paying for a professional wedding video.
The Percentage of Brides that Hire Wedding Videographers
How Far In Advance Should I Book My Videographer
If your wedding is in the peak season, you should aim to have your videographer commissioned eight to 12 months ahead of time to save the date. During the low season, you can reserve their services closer in. You also have more wiggle room if you choose a less seasoned professional as they are less likely to be booked up.
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Combining Your Videography And Photography Packages
If you want to cut costs, its often cheaper to find a videographer who can also offer photography, because theyre likely to be able to offer a discounted package price.
Leslie is a professional photographer as well as being a videographer. She said: We offer a £450 discount for our couples who book photography and videography together.
If you are looking for both, I highly recommend you choose a company that provides both for the best result possible. Having photographers and videographers working side by side on the wedding day that havent worked together before can get tricky.
Image: Moment Weddings
Wedding Videography Cost Factors
Many factors affect the final price of wedding videography. Here are the top factors to keep in mind.
- Location If you are flying in a videographer, you can expect to pay their travel fees, which could be thousands of dollars. Local videographers will typically charge a small travel fee.
- Shoot time Hours of video will affect your final investment. Typically videographers will film anywhere from 6 12 hours, depending on the length of the wedding and what you want to be captured.
- Number of videographers Most pricing models account for 1 videographer. Additional videographers will add to the cost significantly. Typically, costs are $500/half hour for an additional person.
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What About A Wedding Videographer
If you want a video of your wedding day, youll need to hire a separate wedding videographerand you may really want to. In that same Zola survey, over one-third of newlywed couples wished they hired a videographer. Capturing your wedding on video is a dynamic way to relive your special day. Many photographers offer this as an additional service, using a member of their team to capture video as they do photography.
The cost of wedding videography can vary even more widely than wedding photographyanywhere from $500 for a camera on a tripod of just the ceremony, to $8000+. On average, couples will spend about $2000 on their wedding video, but keep in mind that a number of factors can push that number up or down. As you consider videography, it is important to think about the relationship between the photographer and videographer, as they will be looking to capture the same events and will need to communicate well.
How To Find And Choose A Wedding Videographer
Before choosing a wedding videographer near you, be sure to:
- Determine which end products you want, including highlight films, documentary films, and add-ons.
- Ask for referrals from friends, family, your wedding planner, the venue, and other wedding vendors.
- Read their reviews on Fash and Google.
- Interview your favorite videographers and discuss your ideas and vision.
- Ask the videographer about their pre-wedding, wedding day, and post-wedding process.
- Get a detailed contract in writing that breaks down everything included in your package, the payment plan, and the refund and cancellation policy.
- Discuss the video usage rights to confirm how you and the videographer can use the footage. Videographers often retain the copyright, giving them the right to use the videos for marketing and social media.
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Should I Opt For A Drone
For grand venues or outdoor weddings, it can add a certain wow factor to the final video. However, bear in mind that of the footage shot, the result might only include a few seconds of overhead. It’s a luxury splurge at $200-$500 as an add-on in the New York area, and drones are typically only used for venue fly-by and the walk down the aisle.
It’s worthwhile to ask your videographer if they offer drone services and have shot at your venue before if they have general site footage that they can splice into your video at a lower cost. But don’t get your heart too set on either option drones may not be permitted at your sites since there are restrictions in cities and certain areas that may even include beaches. our videographer will need to clear permissions with the Federal Aviation Administration before giving you a solid answer on drone usage
Are Engagement Photos Included
Engagement photos are great for more than just announcing your upcoming nuptials . An engagement photo shoot is a great way to get to know your photographer and get comfortable in front of the camera ahead of your wedding.
Many wedding photographers include an engagement photo shoot as part of their wedding photography packagesbut not all. Before you commit to a photographer, ask if an engagement session is included. If its not includedand its something you want to doits important to factor the additional cost into the overall price before making a decision.
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Where Do I Look For A Wedding Videographer
Looking for a videographer is no longer a hassle, thanks to the evolution of the Internet. A videographer is now a click away. You can find a ton of options available from professionals, amateurs and beginners that fit your requirements. It can be challenging to come across a videographer that is ideal for your big day. You need to find a crew that is within your budget and also provide a good quality video. However, countless websites can link you to the best film crew in your area. These websites provide convenient options that save you time. You no longer have to search through lists of videographers online to find the best. Remember to ask about gears and lenses, camera to ensure quality.
Should I Have Packages Or La Carte Pricing
This is completely up to you. Some people think that offering a wedding videography package is easier for clients to understand, but others think that having an à la carte option is the better solution.
A good reason to offer packages is that you and the client both know, from the outset, what youre offering. Couples will know exactly what theyre getting for their money. Offering an à la carte services means having a base rate for a basic film option, and allows you to make money from add-ons, either chosen during the booking process or later on.
I personally use a hybrid approach. I have a brochure of three different packages which I send to clients that come through my standard enquiry contact form, and the brochure includes optional upgrades to these packages. Some of these upgrades need to be booked before the wedding day, and some of them are more up-sells to make after the wedding has taken place.
However, if a wedding planner comes to me with an enquiry, I base my commission fee on a bespoke quote depending on the clients requirements and taking into consideration factors like over how many days would I be filming, the location, the number of guests and, of course, the clients budget.
I also have different brochures for UK weddings, weddings in continental Europe, and weddings further afield. The currency aligns with where the client is getting married.
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How Many Videographers Do I Need For A Wedding
Having two videographers allows you to capture special memories of your wedding day from multiple angles, adding variety for a more cinematic look and providing more opportunities for creative shots. With two videographers, you’ll also get footage of key moments happening simultaneously in two different locations.
Why Is Wedding Videography Important
I think its best to pose that question to a couple who didnt have a videographer. The vast majority of these couples regret not having a wedding videographer according to TheKnot.
Dont be one of these couples who regret not having a wedding videographer. If you think wedding videography is still expensive, what about the cost of not having one?
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Wedding Videographer Hourly Rate
Most wedding videographers calculate their pay by the hour and will require a minimum amount of hours to be spent at the wedding. Of course, this can vary depending on the reputation of the company, the number of camera operators, and what you will want to capture. You can expect most hourly rates to fall between $75 to $150 dollars.
Style Of Wedding Videography
Broadly speaking, there are two main types of wedding videography style. Namely, traditional and cinematic. Some might say a third style is a combination between the two which weve termed as tradimatic wedding video. We wont go into too much detail here because we have previously written about the differences between a traditional videographer and a wedding cinematographer.
One thing that the industry agrees on is that there is no exact definition to define traditional and cinematic wedding film.
Traditional style of wedding video
The way we think about this is that traditional video tends to be a simple. Its like a straight-forward approach to documenting the wedding day. Youll usually watch the events unfold in a similar order as they actually happened on the day.
Cinematic style of wedding videography
Wedding cinematography uses more of a story-telling approach and takes the traditional style to the next level, and beyond. This is achieved by way of creative camera movements, an arty look and non-linear editing. When watching a cinematic wedding film, the editing will often immerse you in a well-crafted story where the element of surprise will typically be used so the viewer can watch without being able to predict what will happen next.
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Reasons For The Prices Of Sydney Wedding Photographer
The price of a photographer, of course, depends on dozens of factors including:
- Experience of the wedding photographer
- How many hours is the wedding photographer present?
- How many hours does the wedding photographer make available for post-production?
- Do you get the wedding reportage in a photo album / canvas or only digital?
- Popularity of the wedding photographer
- Has the wedding photographer won awards with his or her wedding reportage?
- Does the wedding photographer work black. Its a friendship service for an expense allowance or does the photographer pay VAT?
- Does the photographer incur a lot of travel expenses?
Average Cost Of A Wedding Videographer 2022
$1,678
In 2022, the average cost of a wedding videographer is between $1446-$1910. While an exclusive, highly in-demand videographer may charge upwards of $7K for their professional video services, most couples tend to spend around the $1,500 mark. The popularity of wedding videography is increased in 2012 with brides opting to include video services in addition to traditional photography services.
- Most videographers offer al la carte services that are not usually included in their standard rate.
- Prices are generally higher during wedding season. Naturally, the busier and more in demand a videographer is the more they will charge.
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Should You Hire A Wedding Videographer
Like any other professional vendor you hire for your wedding, its a good idea to weigh the pros and cons. Be sure to think about the costs and benefits of a wedding videographer before you sign the dotted line.
As youre planning your wedding, whether youre on your own or with a professional wedding planner, ask yourself if spending your wedding budget on a video is worth it or not.
How Should I Price Destination Wedding Videography
There are many misconceptions about destination wedding videographyone misconception is that you can charge more money for it. In recent years getting married abroad has become much more popular among all couples, not just among clients with big budgets. Some couples decide to get married abroad to save money on their wedding, which means theyre looking for a deal when theyre looking for suppliers.
Also, consider that so many photographers and videographers want to work on destination weddings and are so driven by a desire to add destination weddings to their portfolio that they offer their services at a discounted rate, and in some cases for free. This obviously doesnt help the wedding industry as a whole but, as Ive said before, I tend not to worry so much about what other videographers are doing. My focus is on me and my business, and you should similarly focus on your business.
When starting out in destination weddings, its important to build not just your portfolio but also your experience. Destination weddings are hardly as glamorous as you might think. It involves long days away, in unfamiliar surroundings, and often working in foreign languages with suppliers you dont know. A good way to start out is to work in collaboration on styled shoots I started out working with French Wedding Style which allowed me to get to know other wedding suppliers who wanted to work abroad and allowed me to network.
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Do You Need A Wedding Videographer
If you want to capture your wedding in the most beautiful way possible, a wedding videographer is a must-have for your wedding list. You may think having someone record your big day on their iPhone will suffice, but you might be taking a risk with that one. If high quality is your top concern when it comes to replaying your big day, then your best bet is to go with a professional wedding videographer. In fact, Wedding Forward includes videography as a must on its ultimate wedding checklist.
Remember: no wedding day is going to go as picture-perfect as you might have planned. From wedding dress issues to clashes about who gets to be on the guest list, you never know what the day of your wedding might throw at you . You just have to be ready to roll with the punches and know that, at the end of it all, you’ll be marrying the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.
