Hiring a wedding videographer is a significant financial decision for couples preparing for marriage. Before picking the most affordable option or locking in with whoever has the coolest Instagram profile, ask these five questions to ensure you pick the best fit for your wedding day.
Have you ever filmed a Catholic Wedding before?
Reputation and experience matter, especially when it comes to something as important as your wedding day. In general, experienced wedding videographers know where to be and when to capture every single moment. Moreover, they know how to film without interfering with the flow of the day.
While this general experience is critical, it is equally as important to consider a vendor’s experience filming a Catholic wedding. A Catholic wedding videographer is someone who is familiar with the boundaries of a Catholic church. He or she is also prepared to respectfully capture the Nuptial Mass without distracting from the sacrament. For example, it would be inappropriate for a videographer to stand behind the altar or in the sanctuary at any point of the Mass. Catholic parishes often prefer Catholic videographers for this reason; They work reverently.
What is your editing style?
You can usually answer this question by visiting the videographer’s website and social media profiles. Watch the highlight reels, the teaser trailers, and the full wedding films published online. Pay attention to the colors, angles, storytelling, music, and overall flow of the videographer’s work. Does she have one prominent style? Or does she tailor the film for each couple’s vibe? Pick the wedding videographer who you feel will capture your authentic love story.
For Catholic couples, be sure to ask the wedding videographer how he or she plans to capture pivotal moments during the mass, such as consecration. Read about these 10 Catholic Wedding Photos Every Couple Should Ask For to learn more.
How are you capturing Audio?
The most prominent difference between photos and films is the audio. All the sounds from your wedding day are part of what makes it yours. Heartfelt moments like your mom’s voice breaking when she sees you in your dress, your exchanging of vows, the priest’s homily, or your dad becoming emotional during his toast, can all be revisited through video. Ask your videographer how they plan to capture high quality audio.
What are the wedding videographer costs?
Wedding videographers devote their time, skill, and equipment to delivering a beautiful wedding day film. Depending on the vendor, there may even be multiple videographers present on the wedding day. When you inquire with a wedding videographer, ask about the different videography packages he or she offers. Wedding videographers can cost anywhere from $500 to $10,000, depending on the vendor.
Ask the videographer what types of packages and customizations she offers. Some common add-ons that wedding videographers offer include:
- RAW footage
- “Teaser” trailer
- Same-day reception edit
- Drone footage
- Extra Hours of coverage
- Reception Highlight Film
These extras are exciting additions to take home. Drone footage adds a cinematic element to your wedding film, and RAW footage is a special way to rewatch memories of the day, unfiltered.
If a wedding keepsake film is a priority to you but your budget is tight, consider adding a “fund” to your wedding registry to support your wedding video. Similar to a honeymoon fund or house fund, this gives your family and friends the option to gift the Catholic wedding film to you. Keep in mind, if your videographer stores your footage, you can always get some of the add on options later. These extras make great anniversary gifts!
What is the turnaround time?
Wedding “teaser” trailers take 7-10 days to deliver, while a full feature film may take up to 4-6 months to arrive. The reason for this longer turnaround time is so that the videographer can save, review, and edit hours of footage from the wedding day into one, cohesive film.
While you prepare for the sacrament of marriage, a little bit of research into potential wedding videographers will help you hire the right vendor. Have more questions about wedding photography and videography? Submit the form below to ask me about capturing your wedding day!
