How much should you ACTUALLY spend on wedding videography?
The cost of wedding videography can vary greatly depending on a number of factors, including the length and complexity of the video, the experience of the videographer, and the location of the wedding. Some couples are okay with minimal footage, while others want a full masterpiece.
When it comes to wedding videography, you truly pay for what you get. For many people, the investment in a quality wedding film is beyond worth it. A wedding film is a highly personal way to relive al of the moments of your special day for years to come. However, budget is a major factor for a lot of people. I’ve provided a breakdown of the various wedding videography markets below with the hope that it will give you some guidance as you start your search.
WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHY MARKET BREAKDOWN:
BUDGET: >$3K
MID-MARKET: $4K-$10K
LUXURY: $10K+
BUDGET VIDEOGRAPHERS:
These are videographers who are typically just starting out and are looking to build their portfolio, meaning they don’t have a whole lot of experience under their belt. Sometimes you can get really lucky here if you find someone talented, up-and-coming, and hardworking. On the other hand, things can go south really fast if you hire someone looking to make a quick buck. Oftentimes, big videography companies offering cheap packages fall into this stereotype. My advice? Stay away from companies. They often contract videographers who don’t really care about you or your big day, but will come to film your wedding so long as they’re getting paid. If you go the “up-and-coming videographer” route, you’ll need to be okay with your film potentially having mistakes. A beginner videographer simply won’t have the same experience as a seasoned pro. With that said, hiring a budget videographer can be a great option for those not looking to invest too much. As always, some footage is better than no footage!
MID-MARKET VIDEOGRAPHERS:
The mid-market is really just another term for the mainstream market. Videographers in the mid-market are professionals with a sufficient amount of experience, industry-standard gear, and a full portfolio of work with an established style. Most couples choose videographers within this tier, as you can usually get the best bang for your buck. Keep in mind that a lot of videographers in the mid-market use cookie-cutter formulas, meaning that they get the exact same shots at every wedding and edit their films the same way every time. If you’re okay with that, this could be a great option for you.
LUXURY VIDEOGRAPHERS:
If you’re looking for the best-of-the-best, a unique film, and an experience, you need to be looking into luxury wedding videographers. The term “luxury” is often associated with white flowers and pearls, but luxury videographers actually tailor to a variety of wedding styles. From destination weddings to intimate, backyard weddings, luxury videographers cover it all. When you hire a luxury wedding videographer, you’re mostly paying for the experience. You’ll likely be working 1-on-1 with your videographer to discuss your vision, building a direct relationship with them, and leaning on them for guidance and support. As your luxury videographer gets to know you, their creative wheels will start turning, allowing them to craft a film that captures your unique love, essence, and story. It’s so much more than a wedding film. It’s a cinematic masterpiece with you as the main characters.
IS IT WORTH IT?
You’re the only one who can answer that, but it’s probably the only time in your life that you’ll get the chance to do it. Plus, most people regret NOT hiring a wedding videographer. There are very few people who regret actually hiring a wedding videographer, and if they do, it’s usually because it was a bad match.
From personal experience, it’s better to have it than to be missing it. Your wedding happens once.