Wedding Videography: Is It Worth It? Everything You Need to Know
When you begin planning your wedding day and get caught up in the exciting whirl of venue visits and save the dates, it’s easy to forget about one of the most important elements: capturing it. And we know from speaking to so many newlywed couples that wedding videography is most commonly the one thing they wish they’d booked.
While your wedding photographer is there to capture how everything looks, your wedding film will capture everything in motion and sound: the laughter, the wiping of tears, the crack in your dad’s voice during his speech. Nothing preserves the emotion and moments of your day as they unfold quite like a wedding film.
But where do you start with choosing the right wedding videographer, and what should you be looking for? Follow our comprehensive guide on how to choose a wedding videographer that’s right for your day below, and you’ll have a wedding film to cherish.
Is a Wedding Videographer Worth It?
Whether or not a wedding videographer is worth it can only be decided by you. As with all things wedding budget and planning, it’s important to work out what elements of your day are a priority for the two of you, and you two alone.
Not every couple will see the value in hiring a wedding videographer – and that’s absolutely fine. For others, being able to listen to the speeches again, to see the expressions on people’s faces during key moments and maybe even show the video to their future children makes hiring a wedding videographer a priority over other things, such as the flowers or favours.
Wedding Videography Styles
Documentary
This is where your wedding videographer acts as an observer – adding a fly-on-the-wall take to your wedding film. This style of video looks natural and effortless, with little to no direction. There’ll be no pulling together the bridesmaids on the dancefloor or asking the couple to do a twirl. The result is a narrative – from getting ready in the morning to your last dance. A wedding film like this will truly capture the day’s essence, including treasured moments – like your partner’s Cheshire-cat grin as they sneak their very first look at your outfit.
Cinematic
You’ll get a real sense of place and time with a cinematic wedding film. Your videographer will play with the available light and different effects to create a uniquely beautiful, curated film that weaves all the different parts of your day into a story. A cinematic edit will likely include carefully chosen music as well as audio of the speeches and toasts.
Storytelling
Much like a cross between documentary and cinematic, storytelling wedding videography weaves in not just the wedding day but the bits that happen pre- and post-ceremony and reception to capture the story of your relationship as a whole. It might even include pre-wedding interviews with family members, and ‘props’ such as handwritten cards and letters.
Vintage
For a look that’s straight out of a Valencia Instagram filter, you’ll need to find someone who’s experienced with vintage cameras and film for this style of wedding videography. It may even involve more old-school methods of capturing your day, such as Super-8 film, which has a lovely grainy and retro feel about it. Your videographer can combine this style with any of the storytelling or documentary film styles above because they complement each other brilliantly.
What to Look For in a Wedding Videographer
- Screen style: Before you pick your wedding videographer, ask yourself how you want the finished product to look. Do you prefer colour, black and white – or a mix? Would you like an opening montage of shots followed by the day’s story? Ask to see a full-length film of a wedding not just the highlights from multiple weddings. If the editing or effects somehow make you cringe – this is not the videographer for you!
- Transparency and flexibility: An obvious one but a biggie. Most videographers will list package options on their website with clear and upfront pricing information but also be open to bespoke offerings depending on your wedding style and needs. There shouldn’t be any hidden fees – and comprehensive coverage should come as standard.
- Personality: Try to take the time to get to know your videographer with a face to face meeting. They’ll be interacting with your guests all day, as well as you, so their personality and having some kind of emotional connection with them is important.
Questions to Ask a Wedding Videographer UK
Make sure you get the best out of your wedding video with these key queries:
1. How would you describe your style?
Cinematic, documentary, editorial… most will sit somewhere between documentary and cinematic, both of which are brilliant but it’s important to choose the style that’s right for you. It’s also important to be clear on what the final result will be – a 10-minute highlights video or a full feature film with all the speeches, etc?
2. How long will you stay on the day?
This depends on what you want in your wedding video – do you want to capture the parts where you’re getting ready, the dancing and your departure? If so, make this clear to your wedding filmmaker. Most will arrive around two hours before the ceremony and leave half an hour after the first dance – then likely charge by the hour for anything longer.
3. Will you visit our wedding venue beforehand?
Some videographers will check it out before the day (sometimes at an extra cost); others will arrive an hour or two early to see where the light is and scope out the best angles to film from. There may even be no need to visit if they’ve worked at your venue many times before. Either way, a good wedding videographer should be able to sum up quickly where the best filming opportunities are.
4. Have you worked with our photographer before?
If your wedding is local and you have mostly sourced local suppliers, there’s a good chance they may have! Your videographer and wedding photographer will work closely together on the day so it can be helpful to know how each other operates.
5. Can we choose the music for the film?
Most videographers are more than happy to accommodate your requests but be sure to have this discussion early on if you have strong opinions on the music choice. If they can’t use your exact song selection (usually for copyright reasons) they’re usually pretty good at suggesting alternatives of the same vibe.
6. Should we pay for meals and travel?
Much like your photographer, your videographer will likely appreciate a hot meal after being on their feet all day. That doesn’t mean they need a seat at the table, but do build in a meal break so they won’t be eating just as you’re cutting the cake! Also be prepared to cover travel costs and, if the wedding is far away, potentially a night’s accommodation.
7. Who will have the copyright?
Many wedding videographers will retain the rights to your wedding video and use it for their own portfolio promotion. If you want to have the wedding video to do what you want with, ensure you’re given the rights to it in your initial contract. Otherwise you’ll be tied into doing everything through them.
8. Who will take your place if you’re ill?
Most wedding videographers will happily admit they’d have to be on death’s door not to turn up and shoot a wedding – but many also have a close network of videographer friends who they would call upon if the worst happened. It’s also worth checking your wedding insurance policy and confirming if your videographer has full professional liability and indemnity insurance.
9. When will we get our wedding film?
Most wedding videographers will have your film ready within 8-12 weeks, but keep in mind that post-production work can take a while during busy periods. You’ll usually get a mini highlights video much sooner after the wedding as a taster of what’s to come!
10. How many physical copies will we get – and how much do extras cost?
If you want to distribute extra copies to family members, you might want to check the prices first!
How Much Does a Wedding Videographer Cost?
First and foremost, much like your wedding photography, you’re creating memories that last a lifetime, so it’s worth taking the time to find someone whose work you genuinely love, at a price that works for you.
Wedding videography prices can vary depending on the amount of coverage and the individual company – for someone who is highly experienced, expect to pay upwards of £1,000 to around £2,500. Most videographers are upfront about their costs, so you don’t need to waste time meeting those whose rates break the budget.
Wedding Videography FAQ
Your burning wedding videography questions answered.
Is it worth having a wedding videographer?
Whether or not it’s worth having a wedding videographer comes down to your own personal preferences and wedding budget. For many couples, investing in their wedding photography is enough of a memento, for others, rewatching moments like the speeches and the vows, or the prospect of sharing their video with their future children, is more important than spending out on other elements of the day, such as the flowers, cake or outfits.
What style of wedding video should I choose?
Wedding films have come a long way since the days of poor sound quality and uneven lighting. Today’s digital technology and talented filmmakers have made it possible to get a high-quality video that elegantly tells the story of your day, allowing you to relive it for years to come.
Be sure to research lots of different wedding videographers within your budget and pay attention to things like the type of the music you prefer, whether you want black and white over colour or the style of editing – do you like moody and artistic? Or wedding video ideas that are more playful and storytelling?
How do I find a wedding videographer?
Finding a wedding videographer can feel a bit daunting. Chances are, you’ve never commissioned a professional filmmaker before, and if you type ‘UK wedding videographer’ into Google, you’ll garner thousands and thousands of results! Here are some pointers to kick-start your search:
- Ask for recommendations: Word of mouth recommendations count for a lot – perhaps you know someone who recently got married, or you have friends who were guests at a wedding where a videographer was present. If you don’t have friends or family who have recently got married, ask your venue for their recommendations.
- Browse social media platforms: A wedding videographer’s Instagram is a great way to get a glimpse of their work and film style.
- Browse professional bodies: Directories such as the Institute of Videography can be helpful.
- Look local – but don’t get too hung up on it: If you like a particular videographer’s style, most are happy to travel as long as costs are covered.
How much should I budget for wedding videography?
Wedding videography can cost anywhere between £500 and £2,500 – but expect to pay upwards of £1,000 for experienced professionals.
Find your wedding videographer with Bridebook
Ready to find the wedding videographer for you? Browse videographers across the UK – and filter by location, budget, style and more – over on Bridebook today.
You Might Also Like:
- Wedding Photography Prices UK
- The Ultimate Wedding Budget Breakdown
- How Much Does a Wedding Cost in the UK?
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