Wedding videography is having a moment! With the rise of wedding video content on platforms like TikTok + Instagram, it’s no surprise that more and more couples are hiring videographers for their wedding days! In fact, one of the biggest wedding regrets couples have is when they don’t hire a videographer! A highlight of a wedding including all of the toasts and vows is something that could be passed on for generations to come too. We compiled some of the top questions couples have when they hire a videographer!
How much does a wedding videographer cost?
Wedding videographers charge a wide range of prices based on a number of factors, including what you want and need them to do. They can be as low as $1,000 for an abbreviated video that covers your ceremony and some speeches or as high as $25,000 if you're looking for a cinematic full-length film with lots of production detail. According to The Knot 2021 Real Wedding Survey, on average, couples spend about $1,900 on wedding videography.
What goes into a wedding videographer's pricing?
While the average cost of wedding videography is around $1,900, many elements factor into their final prices. Here's a quick rundown:
- Travel and lodging costs. If your wedding takes place far from home or at an inaccessible venue such as a mountaintop chateau, you'll pay more for travel expenses. Some videographers also tack on a "travel fee" to their prices.
- Time spent shooting. Videographers typically charge based on packages that outline deliverables, but your contract should spell out how many hours are included in that price. If you need longer, be prepared to pay more per hour.
- Second shooters and staff. If your videographer needs a second shooter or anyone else to help with lighting, etc., be prepared to pay an additional fee.
- Extras and specialties. Want drone footage? An edit for your highlight video only? A music licensing fee to play popular songs that played during the reception? All of these factors can bump up your price.
- Production quality and style. The more post-production work required, the higher the price tag. This could be anything from time spent creating custom graphics or animations to intensive color corrections.
What's covered in a videography package?
Wedding videography packages vary, but here are the main things included in most packages:
- Shooting. At a basic level, you're paying for your videographer to show up and record your wedding ceremony and reception for an agreed number of hours. Travel and equipment costs may factor in, depending on where you're getting married and whether you want anything special like drone footage.
- Post-production. This is the most time-consuming part of videography and can take anywhere from a few hours to several months to complete. It includes things like editing, color correction, adding graphics, animations, and effects. Sometimes your videographer will be doing the editing, and other times a different editor will be doing it. Additional edits after the first round may be included in a package, or they may cost more.
- The final product. The final product is usually delivered on a personal thumb drive, DVD, USB, or Blu-Ray. A highlight reel of your video might also be provided to be shared on Vimeo or YouTube.
- Equipment. The videographer should provide everything they need to record your wedding, including cameras (or drones), microphones, and lighting.
How can I save money on a wedding videographer?
When hiring a videographer, it's best to go with someone experienced. While they will charge more, there are some ways you can cut costs:
- Reduce time spent shooting. In many cases, you won't actually need a 12-hour shoot. For example, you may not need hours and hours of dance floor footage or too much of the getting-ready process.
- Skip the extras. Drones and Super 8 film will up your expenses fast. Keep special effects to a minimum to save money.
When should I hire my wedding videographer?
As with most other major vendors, it's important to hire a wedding videographer about 9-12 months before the wedding. This way, they'll have more time to organize a second shooter who will help with the production of your video. Hiring ahead of time also helps you stick to your budget and avoid any extra costs from your videographer trying to squeeze you into their busy schedule.
Should I tip my videographer?
It's good practice and a nice way to say thank you. Tip your videographer in cash at the end of the night or give a separate tip through the site where you hired them; $100-200 is a good amount. And it always helps to leave a glowing review!
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