The Importance Of A Great Wedding Videographer
Your wedding video is something you will treasure for many years. You will likely watch it many times and share a shorter version with friends and family, so you want it to reflect your style as a couple – and give anyone watching it an accurate picture of your big day. To get such a video, you will need to hire a professional. Don’t even think about having a friend or family member attempt this. That is a whole different article that many have written about—understanding which videographer to hire for your wedding videography. You will need to find one that is good at what they do and has good reviews.
Also, ensure they suit your and your partner’s style and personality. Your final wedding video’s overall look and feel will depend on your budget and your chosen videographer. Below, we’ve listed several questions every couple should ask potential wedding videographers before signing on the dotted line to help ensure you hire the best wedding videographer for you and your partner. Now, let us jump into these questions.
Do you specialize in Wedding Videography?
Ask this question to ensure they’re capable of meeting the demands of a wedding day shoot. Weddings are fast-paced and not scripted, nor can they ask for a do-over. The videographer can’t say “cut” and reshoot an event at a wedding. Those who specialize in weddings know what to expect and are ready for sudden changes in the timeline, and deal with certain situations that don’t happen at other events. You want to know that your Wedding Videographer, no matter how technically perfect they may be, will be able to read the mood of your event and record your big day without missing out on crucial moments. Sadly this only comes with experience, so you probably don’t want your wedding to be a videographer’s first job.
How many videographers & cameras would there be at my wedding?
Two videographers are better than one. Simply because they can take different angles of your wedding. Plus, you’ll be able to have your fiance’s reaction to you walking down the aisle as well as your reaction to them. Having an extra fixed camera is a plus. It provides additional footage that could also be utilized during the editing process to give a different angle or perspective and give the videographer more leeway during the editing process, meaning you’ll get a better-finished product.
What’s your video style?
Another critical question is the videographer’s style. Do you want to have a music video-style film? Or merely a full-length linear video documenting your day? Depending on your preferences, you should choose a videographer that can shoot and edit the style you like.
Here are the differences between each of the most popular wedding videographer styles:
- The Cinematic style focuses on giving you a video that looks like a movie. By far, this style is the most popular as it emphasizes the day’s emotional aspect, has creative angles and uses slow motion and passionate music to tell your wedding/love story. This type of video is typically posted on social media for families and friends to view. Some cinematic-style wedding films can include audio from the day or be more of a music video style.
- Journalistic style is more of a behind-the-scenes look where it doesn’t have people look straight into the camera. Everything is filmed as if the videographer weren’t there. It’s a candid type of approach. This is the most popular type of practice and is primarily used in conjunction with the cinematic style.
- The Documentary Style focuses on merely capturing the day as it happens sequentially. There is minimal editing done to this type of video. Think documentary films. It’s not “artistic” as it focuses more on capturing everything at the moment. And it typically doesn’t have music in the background because it captures the audio recorded with the footage. In this editing style, you’ll get the laughter, comments, chit-chat, and anything else recorded as audio throughout the day. This video is not usually posted on social media because it tends to be longer (about 30-45 minutes) and is more raw and intimate.
WHICH PARTS OF THE DAY DO YOU FILM?
Make sure you choose a Wedding Videographer to capture the essential parts of your wedding day, such as getting ready shots, the first look, reading letters, ceremony, reception toasts, bouquet toss, and grand exit. Depending on the videographer’s packages or style, you may get all or only some of these shots.
WHAT KIND OF PACKAGES DO YOU OFFER?
Wedding video packages come in many shapes, sizes, and price points. Different packages can include many other variables, such as drone footage, a certain number of service hours, a particular film type or style, a single wedding videographer or multiple cameras, and many more. They may also have add-on services you might want, such as Teaser videos, love story videos, or filming of the reception dinner. Understanding what you get in each package is essential, and many videographers can create a custom package to fit your needs and budget.
WHEN CAN I EXPECT TO SEE MY WEDDING VIDEO?
It’s ubiquitous for wedding films to take longer than the time your photographer takes to deliver your photos. This is especially true for cinematic films that require much thought to tell the wedding/love story. Typically, a wedding film can take between 1 – 3 months, but some videographers can turn your project around a little faster.
HOW WELL DO YOU WORK WITH WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS?
Since both Wedding Videographers and Wedding Photographers often capture the same scene or event simultaneously, they often want the same angle or vantage point. This can become a point of contention between the two as they are both paid to provide high-quality content. You want to ensure the videographer you choose is willing to play nice with your photographer on the wedding day. This does not mean they are eager to take the back seat and give up important shots for your video. They need to be capable of finding a balance with the photographer.
WHAT TYPE OF GEAR DO YOU USE?
Gone are the days of massive camcorders and lighting pieces. Most videographers get the job done with a camera no more significant than your photographer’s. Ask about it either way so you know what to expect. Another good thing to know; is how the audio will be recorded for vows and toasts. Fantastic videographers know that audio is just as important as video and can make or break a film. Will they be recording straight from the cameras or using dedicated recorders placed on or near those speaking? How about the quality of the video? Do they use high-definition cameras? Do they use special stabilizer gear to ensure the video footage is not shaky?
WHO WILL DO THE ACTUAL FILMING?
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and you don’t want anything or anyone to bring you down. That’s why having a good rapport with all your wedding vendors is crucial. As your photographer, your videographer will be with you the entire day. It’s important to know if the person you are dealing with will be the one doing the filming at your wedding. If someone else will be doing the filming, ask to meet them before you seal the deal.
IS A CHARGE FOR FILMING AT ANOTHER LOCATION OR STAYING LATER IN THE EVENING IF SOMETHING IMPORTANT COMES?
Some videography packages only include filming at the prominent venue locations, so there may be extra charges to follow you to a different place to shoot the video. Like photographers, most videographers charge by the hour, but some packages include all-day coverage with no time limits. If you know you’re being charged for a certain number of hours or locations, it is crucial to understand how much additional time or areas may cost.
IS THE FINAL FILM DELIVERED ON A DVD, BLU-RAY, USB, OR ONLINE?
Not many people have a DVD or Blu-ray player, so there is very little demand for having a wedding video burned to a disc. Most videographers no longer offer this as a media option, but some may. With streaming media outlets such as Netflix and Amazon Prime being so popular, wedding films’ online delivery has become the norm. Some people still like physical media, though, and most videographers can deliver your video files on a USB drive. It’s vital to discuss delivery options with your videographer.
CAN YOU MAKE CHANGES TO THE FILM ONCE YOU’VE SEEN IT FOR THE FIRST TIME?
So the wedding and that relaxing honeymoon are over, and your wedding video has been delivered. You watch it and love everything about it, almost. It would be perfect if you could have that one part removed or the last scene changed. Knowing your options here and if they will incur extra charges is reasonable. Many videographers will allow minor changes at no cost but may have a fee for more extensive changes. It’s best to discuss this with a prospective Wedding Videographer in advance. Once you choose your wedding videographer, it’s a good idea to let them know what things are most important to you before your wedding day to avoid post-production edits altogether.
HOW LONG WILL THE FINAL PRODUCT BE?
Typical wedding highlight videos are usually less than 15 minutes long, whereas more extended versions that include complete footage of every activity can reach an hour or more. Most videographers work within these typical video lengths but avoid surprises; you should ask this question.
CAN YOU SELECT THE MUSIC FOR THE WEDDING VIDEO?
Sometimes, this question can appear to be one of the most important questions you should ask when hiring a Wedding Videographer. Some couples envision their wedding video playing their favorite song in the background. A professional Wedding Videographer knows this is not an option due to copyright laws. Doing so can lead to fines large enough to put most videographers out of business for good.
Alternatively, your wedding videographer will provide you with a video that contains royalty-free music, which doesn’t attract the same fees or rules as the commercial music from your favorite recording artist. The music used in your video will affect how it looks and feels. It can be soft, romantic, fast-paced, edgy, or somewhere in between. Ask what style of music your Wedding Videographer intends to use and if you can help select it. There are many good royalty-free music services, and your videographer may be willing to direct you to their sources and allow you to help determine the music.
HOW MUCH IS THE DEPOSIT, AND WHEN IS THE REMAINING BALANCE DUE?
This is pretty straightforward and valuable information to budget for your big day properly. It is also good to know if they allow payment plans for the balance or if it needs to be made in a single payment.
WHAT ARE YOUR CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICIES?
Nobody likes to think about canceling a service, but, like having a Will made, it’s prudent to be aware of and ready for all possibilities, even the unfortunate ones. Things can go wrong and sometimes do, so ask what will happen if you cancel your contract; whether or not you’ll get any money back, and, if so, how much.
We hope these questions help you out when selecting your Wedding Videographer. Feel free to contact us to see if we can film your wedding. We would happily answer these questions and discuss your vision for your wedding film!