Decisions, decisions, decisions—Wedding planning asks couples to make quite a few of them. One burning question I hear couples often ask is if it is worth it to hire a wedding videographer. In five years of filming weddings for dozens of couples, the joy on a couple’s face after receiving their wedding video says it all.
Hire a Wedding Videographer to Capture Living Memories
Whether your guest count is 20 or 200, your wedding day will be filled with the people most important to you. A wedding video acts as a living photo album which captures these people in your life during one of the most significant days of your life.
Watching the video footage from my parents’ wedding day inspired me, in part, to pursue wedding videography. Their footage was simple—just a video camera set up on a tripod—but it was enough to show me a glimpse of how youthfully my grandparents and great-grandparents once could move on a dance floor. Your wedding videographer is there to capture your wedding, but in the process, they also encapsulate memories of your loved ones that can be passed down. Your wedding video becomes a legacy.
For instance, I will always have videos of my grandparents dancing, smiling, and celebrating thanks to my own wedding film. In the same way, my children will always have a professional quality film featuring their parents (me and my husband). Wedding videos are a beautiful way to share memories in a more interactive way than just photos can. Already, my son watches the RAW footage of our wedding day, pointing at the screen and yelling out “Mama! Dada! Gaga! Papa!” at the people he recognizes.
One of my brides once contacted me asking for extra footage of the groom’s grandfather. His grandfather had recently passed away, and since I kept everything, I was able to un-archive this couple’s wedding footage. I compiled clips of the grandfather shaking his grandson’s hand and even doing the anniversary dance with his wife at the reception. In total, I was able to share about five extra minutes of footage with the couple. That’s footage their family can keep forever.
Your Wedding Video Isn’t Just Video
A wedding video’s quality is only as good as its audio quality. As a wedding videographer, half of my job is capturing key audio during your wedding day. This includes touching moments such as reading letters, praying together, and—of course—sharing your vows. A wedding photo album shares snapshots from your special day, but it can’t capture the sounds and voices of loved ones.
One thing that has always been really important to me is hearing the voices of my loved ones. Capturing your dad giving a speech at your reception means that, long after he is gone, you still have his voice to listen to. You’ll still be able to hear your grandparents reacting to your dress or sharing words of wisdom.You’ll still hear your mom as she hugs you after pinning on your boutonniere.
Common Reasons Couples Think They Don’t Need to Hire a Wedding Videographer
Wedding videographers are too expensive
As a wedding vendor and bride, I completely understand how wedding costs can add up quickly. If Wedding videography is something you want but need to make room in the budget for, here are a few ways that couples can save some money when they hire a wedding videographer.
One cost-saving option for couples is to hire the same vendor for both photography and videography. Wedding videographers may offer discounts for couples who book both services. For instance, Four Loves Photo & Film offers $400 off the total package price for couples who choose photos and video.
Another tip is to ask your wedding planner for vendor recommendations. Your planner most likely has a list of preferred vendors who will offer a discount if you book through them.
Finally, inquire with potential wedding videographers about pricing packages. The total cost of a wedding videographer will depend on the number of photographers needed and the number of hours that they will be hired for. That means you may not need the photographers present for the entire duration of your reception. Review the pricing from the videographer and see if any of the hours are flexible.
I’ll only watch the wedding video one time
Watching your wedding video is an annual ritual, at the very least. It’s a living memory that you and your spouse can rewatch on anniversaries. It’s also something you can show to your children one day. You will watch your wedding video countless times over the years!
I’m awkward in front of a camera
A good wedding videographer will get to know the couple so that everyone can feel comfortable on the actual wedding day. At Four Loves Photo and Film particularly, our goal is to capture your authentic love story. We work really hard to set you up for success in front of the camera, ensuring you feel comfortable and confident. We also love allowing moments to unfold naturally. Your wedding is not a production or TV show, so we’ll let all the moments play out organically.
Hire the Right Wedding Videographer
If you aren’t sure about hiring a wedding videographer yet, consider interviewing videographers and photographers to learn more. Inquire about pricing, experience, editing styles, and more. Catholic? Use these 10 Questions to help you get started on the path to finding the perfect wedding videographer to capture your day.
On the fence? Let’s chat! Submit the form below to learn more about Four Loves Photo & Film wedding videography.
Joanna Schnitzer is a Catholic Wedding Photographer and Videographer and founder of Four Loves Photo and Film. She is a devout Catholic, wife, and mother with a passion for serving couples on the most important day of their lives. Before pursuing photography full-time, Joanna spent nearly a decade as a Youth Minister at parishes in central Florida.
