Useful Tips When Choosing Your Wedding Videographer

WHY HIRE A VIDEOGRAPHER?

Take Finding a Videographer As Seriously As You Do Your Photographer

You may think that having both wedding photos and a video are overkill, or may not want to prioritize videography in your budget, but trust us—you'll want to hire a wedding videographer.. I know this sounds bias coming from a Wedding Videographer =), but hear us out. When it comes to looking back on your wedding, having a film brings the day back to life just by pushing play. Having video to accompany your photos can give you a more full experience to look back on, but it can also be amazing to have this piece of art — starring you! or one, the day literally flies by and there are things you'll miss that your videographer will capture beautifully, like seeing your grandmother's emotional reaction as you say your vows.

Hiring a wedding videographer is an important process. You want to be able to re-experience your wedding in motion. There are so many moments that occur in between photos being taken, and that extra experience adds to the authenticity and depth of a memory. Also you have to think of the sounds that can't be captured in a photo, like your "I dos," the reception music and meaningful toasts. But don't just take our word for it— watch the videos =)

Equally as important is the selection of the videography style you want. Best thing to do is to watch a bunch of wedding videos to see which one connects with you.

PACKAGES

From Teasers to Full-Length Documentaries

Like with any other wedding vendor, videographers offer a variety of packages to help you receive exactly the services you’re looking for. Packages can be great because you can choose the services that both align with your expectations and your budget. The most common misconception about videography is that you will receive full length footage of everything that happened on your wedding day. While some videographers offer this as a package option, most likely your final product will be a stylized and edited masterpiece to remember the best parts of your day by.

Here are some of the most popular package options you’re likely to see when hiring a videographer:

Highlight Film (3-10 min) – With many videographers, the highlight film is the final product you will receive. More commonly, this film is non-linear and takes a more modern approach, where the videographer has truly created a piece of cinematic art out of the events and moments throughout your day.

Short Film (10-20 min) – If you decide on a package with a short film, you will receive an edited version of your wedding footage that takes a more linear form, often including a portion of your vows, reception toasts, etc. Depending on how long you book your videographer, the film may also include getting ready footage, first look footage, and grand exit.

Same day edit (4-10 min) – Some videographers offer an option to have footage from your wedding edited on the spot and shown during your reception. This can be a fun surprise for guests on the day-of!

Full-length documentary (30-90 min) – If you are interested in reliving the majority of your day, this option is for you! Your videographer can create a longer film that includes entire sections of your wedding, like your ceremony. Due to the length, this option is the most like a true movie of your wedding.

Add-ons – Most videographers offer additional options to receive additional footage from your day. A few popular add-ons include: dancing, full edit of ceremony/reception, father/daughter dance etc.

STYLES

Hire the Person Whose Style Most Closely Matches Yours

Just like photographers, videographers take different approaches to their craft. While each videographer puts their own artistic touch on their work, there are a few styles by which most videographers can be categorized. These are the most common styles to look for in your search:

Cinematic – Cinematic is the most popular style of videographer you will find in your search. These films are most like a real movie, edited and stylized as a piece of art.

Video Journalistic / Documentary – Like documentary photography, a video journalistic approach is meant to capture the day as it occurred. This means that your film will include footage of some of your day’s biggest moments, but will also highlight the other happenings of the day — getting ready, guests interacting before the ceremony, dancing at the reception, etc.

Storytelling – Unlike the other types of wedding films, a storytelling style relies on sound bites, both from the day and recorded at another time, to, as you might have guessed, tell the story of your day. The way that music may be used to create an emotional reaction in other film types, storytelling uses sound bites for dramatic effect.

Nostalgic – There is a trend in wedding videography as of late to use Super 8 film, or 8 millimeter film, to capture weddings with a vintage flair. Some videographers may use this film to document the entire day, or will blend it with modern recording technology for a unique effect.

It is also important to ask, who will be filming on the day of the wedding?Having more than one videographer present will ensure that no special moment will go undocumented. Your videographer may work with several colleagues that may serve as assistants or even be the primary videographer at your wedding. If you know you want to work with a specific person, be sure to confirm that he is the one that will be present.

Don't forget to meet your videographer in person if possible.

BUDGET, COVERAGE, DELIVERY

Budget – Of course one of the most important things to ask your videographer is how much his services will cost. Many times videographers offer package deals that include their time, the video, editing and extra copies. Review all of the package options carefully to make sure everything you want and need is included at a price that you are comfortable with. Also ask about overtime charges in case the ceremony or reception run long so that you aren’t surprised with extra costs when the bill comes.If videography is a priority on your wedding day, it’s a good idea to incorporate that into your wedding budget as early on as possible. The price of having both a photographer and videographer isn’t cheap. Depending on what your budget situation is, you may have to make cuts in other areas of your day to afford having it captured the way you want. For a good videographer, we recommend budgeting as much (if not more) for their services as you would for your photographer.

Coverage – How many hours of coverage you want is also an important budget consideration. How important is it to you that the videographer films you getting ready or your grand exit? Having less hours of coverage and focusing on the most important parts of your day can be a good way to keep your budget down and still book the videographer of your dreams.

Delivery – Your wedding video will be a lovely keepsake for you and your loved ones to enjoy for years to come. Each videographer will spend a different amount of time on your video depending on his editing process and schedule; some may deliver your finished movie in as little as 8 weeks, while others may take up to an entire year. Ask your videographer what a typical turnaround time is for him so that you have an idea of when you’ll be able to see your beautiful movie. Another thing to consider when choosing a videographer is how the film and footage will be delivered. Different videographers have their own system, but you may want to keep these delivery methods in mind when choosing which vendor is right for you. ( usb stick, cd-rom, external hardrive, online file drop) I most cases, the video production company can accommodate your needs.

In addition to receiving your film or footage to use, your videographer may make your video available for viewing online. Typically, videographers host their films on Vimeo. However, be sure to check in your contract how long online viewing will be available. Some videographers only offer one year of online video hosting, while some will host it indefinitely. This is a great question to ask in your interviews, as well as what options they have if the video will be eventually taken down.