do you really need a videographer? (yes, and here's why)
here's the truth: if i could only give couples one piece of advice about their wedding day, it would be this - book a videographer.
i know. i know. it feels like an extra expense. you're already stretching the budget. you've got amazing photography locked in. surely that's enough?
but here's what i've learned after shooting hundreds of weddings: photos capture moments. video captures feeling.
and there are some things - beautiful, important, irreplaceable things - that only video can give you.
what video captures that photos can't
let me paint you a picture.
your dad's voice when he gives his speech. the exact way it cracks when he talks about watching you grow up. the laughter in the room. the way your partner's hand squeezes yours under the table.
your vows - not just the words, but the way you said them. the pauses. the tears. the shaky breath before "i do."
your mum's reaction when she first sees you in your dress. not just her face, but the sound of her gasp. the "oh my god, you look beautiful" that you'll want to hear again and again.
the way your partner looked at you walking down the aisle. photos capture a moment of that look. video captures the whole thing - the anticipation, the emotion building, the moment they see you, the tears that follow.
your first dance - the song you chose, your voices singing along, the way you moved together, the moment you both started laughing because dancing in front of everyone is awkward and perfect.
the energy of your reception. the music. the cheers. the chaos of the dance floor. the sound of champagne glasses clinking and people celebrating you.
photos are stunning. i will die on that hill. but photos are still. and your wedding day was anything but still.
the thing couples always say
want to know what i hear most from couples after their wedding?
"i wish we'd booked video."
or, from the ones who did book video: "the video made me cry. we watch it all the time. it's the best money we spent."
i've never - not once - had a couple tell me they regretted booking a videographer. but i've had plenty tell me they regretted not booking one.
because here's the thing: you don't know what you're missing until it's gone. and by then, it's too late.
what you forget (that video remembers)
your wedding day is a blur. i promise you this. no matter how present you try to be, no matter how much you try to soak it in - it goes by in a flash.
you'll forget the details. the exact words of the vows you wrote. what your best friend said in their speech. the song that played during dinner. the joke the celebrant made that had everyone laughing.
you'll forget how your dress moved when you walked. the sound of your voice during the ceremony. the way your partner's hands felt when you held them at the altar.
photos help you remember what it looked like. video helps you remember what it felt like.
and 10, 20, 30 years from now? you're going to want both.
but isn't it awkward having cameras everywhere?
this is the number one concern i hear: "won't having a videographer make things feel too 'produced'? won't we feel like we're being watched the whole time?"
short answer: no. not if you hire the right person.
a good videographer works the same way i do - they're capturing, not directing. they're in the background. they're documenting what's already happening, not staging moments or making you perform.
on most wedding days, couples forget the videographer is even there. because they're focused on each other, on their people, on the actual experience. and that's exactly how it should be.
plus, when you're working with a photo and video team who collaborate well (like me and the videographers i work with), it's seamless. we're not tripping over each other. we're working together to tell your story.
what about the cost?
let's be real: videography is an investment. depending on the package, you're looking at $2,500 - $6,000+ for professional wedding video.
is that a lot? yes. but let's put it in perspective.
most of your wedding budget goes towards creating an incredible experience for one day - the venue, the food, the flowers, the styling. and those things are absolutely worth it. they set the scene. they make the day beautiful and memorable for everyone there.
but your video? that's the thing that lets you relive it. not just once, but forever. you'll watch it on your first anniversary. you'll show your kids. you'll pull it out when you need a reminder of how loved you are.
it's not just a wedding video. it's a time capsule. and honestly? that's priceless.
what you actually get with videography
here's what most videography packages include:
highlight film: a 3-8 minute edit of the best moments from your day, set to music, that tells the story of your wedding in a way that makes you feel everything all over again
full ceremony edit: your entire ceremony, start to finish, with professional audio so you can hear every word of your vows, readings, and "i do's"
speeches: full edits of all the speeches - your parents, your best friends, your partner - captured with clear audio so you don't miss a word
documentary edit (optional): a longer, more comprehensive film that includes getting ready, the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, and everything in between
super 8mm or film add-ons (if you want the extra magic): nostalgic, textured footage that makes your video feel like an heirloom
how video and photography work together
here's the best part: video and photography don't compete. they complement each other.
i shoot photos with an eye for the still, perfect moment. the videographer captures the movement, the sound, the flow.
together, you get the full story.
and if you book a combo package with someone like me who does both? even better. because i'm thinking about both mediums the whole day, making sure nothing gets missed.
what to look for in a videographer
if i've convinced you (and i hope i have), here's what to prioritize when booking:
style alignment: watch their films. do they make you feel something? does the editing style match your vibe? are they cinematic, documentary, a mix?
audio quality: this is huge. bad audio ruins a wedding film. make sure they use professional microphones and know how to capture clear vows and speeches
turnaround time: ask how long it takes to get your film. some videographers deliver in 8 weeks, others take 6 months. set expectations up front.
personality fit: you're spending your whole wedding day with this person. make sure you actually like them.
experience: weddings are unpredictable. hire someone who's done this before and knows how to handle rain, schedule changes, and chaos with ease.
if you're on the fence
i get it. budgets are tight. you're making hard decisions about what to prioritise.
but if there's any way - any way at all - to make room in your budget for video, do it.
borrow from another category. skip the favours. cut the guest list by 10 people. whatever it takes.
because i promise you: you will not regret having video. but you might regret not having it.
the bottom line
do you need a videographer? technically, no. your wedding will still happen. you'll still get married. you'll still have photos.
but will you regret not having one? probably. and that's the thing you can't get back.
so yes. book the videographer. capture the sound of your day. preserve the feeling. give yourself the gift of being able to relive it - not just see it, but hear it and feel it - whenever you want.
your future self will thank you.
