How To Choose A Videographer For Your Wedding

Ah, hiring a wedding videographer.  The biggest wedding splurge of them all.  

I seriously think that everyone planning a wedding asks themselves at some point if they want to hire a videographer. And how could you not? There is something really cool about having an actual video of your wedding. Plus wouldn’t it be nice to have the option to look at it later on in life?

Videos of your wedding can be so beautiful and fun. You know the ones I’m talking about. The ones where a romantic song plays while you see images of the bride getting ready, looking longingly out of a window.  The groom may be doing up his cufflinks or the video will showcase walks down the aisle, happy guests, speeches, dancing, etc. These types of videos can be a great keepsake for your wedding, but they can also cost a pretty penny.

The thing is, splurging for this type of keepsake isn’t right for everyone.  Most people do not find paying for videography an essential wedding expense compared to items like photography, attire, or food. It really takes an analysis of your budget and priorities to decide if you even want to hire a videographer. 

Professional videography is definitely considered a luxury item. If you think you’ll go back and look at the video, cherish it, and show it to your kids one day, it might be worth the cost. Once you decide to look for a videographer, you may be asking yourself what it is that you want to find?  What kind of styles are out there?  Will there be an impact to your wedding day experience?  What do you need to know before you hire someone to film your wedding?

If you have these questions, I’ve got answers.  Look no further than the pointers below on videography: 

HOW CHOOSE A VIDEOGRAPHER FOR YOUR WEDDING

There are lots of ways to find a great videographer that will fit with your preferences. 

Photographer Recommendation

The best way, in my opinion, is to start with your photographer. Most photographers will have a videographer who they work with, or who they recommend, and there may even be a referral discount. So start there.  Wedding photographers have strong opinions about working with others, and yours will not steer you in a bad direction. 

Referrals From Others

Other than your photographer, ask around for a referral, especially from people who were recently married and have a finished product they can share with you. You’ll be able to tell right away if this is something that you want to invest more time and money into.  You may even get lucky and find a novice starting out, who can give you a great price.

Online Sources

If you aren’t getting good referrals from trusted sources, turn to online reviews of local videographers.  Wedding Wire, The Knot, and Yelp should all be able to point you towards someone great.  Once you find the ones you want to look into, see how their website looks and if it has any examples for you.  If you like what you see, give them a call to check out their availability and prices, and meet with them to see what their style is like before you hire them. 

DIFFERENT VIDEOGRAPHY STYLES

Just like in the movies, there are definitely different styles and techniques in wedding videography.

From the type of cameras used, to the type of film, and how weddings are edited after the fact, there really are a lot of variables. For ease of conversation, I’ll tell you about the two main “styles” that could come from your wedding videographer:

Documentary

When a videographer tells you they are more “documentary-style”, this means that they are likely to be in the background of your wedding, trying to get raw footage so they can create a story of the day for you.

These videos will end up very candid, natural, and with little intervention from the videographer. You could say they are not as fancy as the other main style, but they are no less poignant. A documentary style videographer will usually try to be a fly on the wall, observing what’s going on. They aren’t trying to create moments, just capture them.

Here’s how to tell if documentary is right for you:

• You don’t want to interact with your videographer very much on your wedding day
• You’re okay with some shots being less than perfect
• You appreciate the “realness” being captured
• You want to see the raw footage from the day that isn’t produced or enhanced

Cinematic

When I think of a cinematic-style wedding video, I image more of a blockbuster film trailer.

While not all cinematic videos are all that dramatic, they are way more produced than documentary style ones. To get the right moments captured, a cinematic videographer may request that they be done more than once, just to get the right footage. With this style, there is way more posing, more acting, and the shots are way more epic.

This style is more intrusive than the documentary way, but the final product may be what you’re going for. Yes, it does take more time than documentary style, because your videographer will be on a mission to get the right shots and will interact with you more, but the end product should be incredible.

Cinematic is right for you if:

• You’re open to a videographer “directing” you on your wedding day for great footage
• There is extra time built into your wedding day to allow for more interaction with the videographer
• You want a finished product that is produced and perhaps more “share-able” on social media
• You want your wedding video to portray a perfect day

DIFFERENT VIDEOGRAPHER PACKAGES

Once you decide on your preferred style, it’s important to pick the right video package.

Standard Packages

Most videographers will offer you highlights of the day that may include 12-15 minutes of speeches, audio clips, and all the special moments. Some will do shorter versions with just music overlaid, and some will do a more movie-style or even with quick edits and multiple frames. This varies a lot per vendor, so be sure to look at their examples and decide what you’d like.

Raw Footage

Raw footage is considered different from edited videos. Essentially it’s just the unedited leftover footage from the day. Some videographers will provide raw footage of wedding highlights, like toasts and other audio moments that are meaningful to the couple. Some videographers will give all your raw footage as part of their package, but some charge more for that.  Each vendor will have a different offering when it comes to raw footage. With the final package, there could be a huge variety in what you get for what you pay among videographers.

Social Sharing

If it’s important for you to share any videos with others via email or on social media, talk to your videographer about how that works. For example, you probably won’t share a 15 minute video on Facebook, but you may share a two minute one.  Be sure to ask up front about what they can put together for you and make sure that works with what you want to have as an end product.

QUESTIONS FOR A POTENTIAL VIDEOGRAPHER

So you’ve settled with your partner that you want to look into hiring a videographer, and you have an idea on the end product. Once you’ve done your research on possible vendors, in order to gauge their level of involvement, be sure to ask them the following questions:

• How interactive will you be with us?
• Will we know that you’re there?
• Do you consider yourself high touch or low touch?

All of these questions really should help you get a feel for your videographer’s involvement on your wedding day and the style that they will provide for you. It’s super important that they mesh with your own vision. Perhaps you want to be directed and posed, and perhaps you really do want to “sit back” and let the day flow.

Also be sure to clarify these questions:

• What are your costs?
• How long will you be there?
• Are you the only shooter?
• What does your final package include?
• Do you provide raw footage?
• Will you create something that is easily shareable online?

It’s very important to make sure that their package aligns with your needs and you understand what is included, what is extra, and what is possible. It’s entirely possible that you’ll have special requests that your videographer may not usually include, but will for an additional price. Find out how these requests work and what your options are. 

HOW A COUPLE CAN PREPARE FOR A BETTER VIDEO

This does depend on the videographer and style you chose, but there are some guidelines so you can get the best video out of your day.

1. Try to ignore the camera as much as possible.

Even if the videographer directs you to do something, if you ignore the camera you will look more natural and be more relaxed. Attempt to stay in the moment, and this will really help.

2. Understand that your videographer will have to deal with a lot of logistics to get the best shot.

Many, many things can get in a videographer’s way.  Examples are guests milling about.  Or, their own location in a room or outside setting.  Plus, all the hustle and bustle going on around them. They have to deal with lighting (or lack there of if the sun has set), audio issues, and being their own crew for this production.

3. Try to connect the videographer with your other vendors.

This will ensure they have what they need to help them give you a perfect final product. This may include special hookups with a DJ’s microphones or coordination with the photographer. If they have never been to your venue, they may need more information about the layout so they can properly plan where they should during the ceremony to be out of the way and yet completely there to get the shots.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Hiring a videographer isn’t really all that different from hiring most vendors.  Trust referrals, look at examples of work, critically look at prices and packages, and trust that you are investing in your future desires to look back at a video of your wedding day. 

If you have a vision of a produced, beautiful, magical video that you will watch and cherish for the rest of your life – go for it if you have the budget. If you don’t care about videos and know you’ll never watch it – skip a videographer altogether.  This one part of your wedding that is totally about you and your fiancé, and you can do whatever works for you.

For More From Hummingbird Wedding Advice: 

Discounted Wedding Photography (What You Need To Know)

How To Create A Detailed Wedding Budget

Virtual Weddings (How To Have An Amazing One)

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