Are you having videography?

After having to postpone our date twice, we went back-and-forth on this subject A LOT. Initially, we didn’t see the need for videography at all, and it wasn’t even considered. Then, after joining WeddingWire, I saw so many brides saying how glad they were that they had videography, so I ended up changing my mind and booking a videographer for just 4 hours. Then, as I was looking through wedding videos for inspiration, I realized I basically hated all the traditional video formats for weddings. I wanted to do something completely my own. So I pitched my ideas to the videographer, and he loved them! However, what we wanted to accomplish then required an additional three hours, and significant more money. So we signed a new contract for the additional time and threw down a bunch more money. About three weeks out from the wedding, right before I was going to make the final payment to them, they sent over the day of schedule and it was just A LOT. Like too much. I felt like videography was taking over and it was feeling more like a movie shoot than the laid-back, intimate wedding we were going for. And once I started imagining cameras being on us (and guests) for 7+ hours, suddenly everything felt very paparazzi-like, and uncomfortable. So with 21 days until our wedding, I canceled our videographer and forfeited the thousands of dollars we had already paid for it. Instead, I am opting for a compromise. We hired a couple that does videography as a side gig to record only the ceremony. I figured the ceremony is the most important part anyway, and the rest is just a party. This will allow us to watch our ceremony from a guest perspective, since we won’t have that ability experiencing it firsthand. Now we won’t have to have hair and make up done super early, or shoot video for 1-2 hrs before the ceremony. This will also allow everybody to relax and not have to worry about a videocamera being on them before and after the ceremony- we can just cut loose and party! Plus, I know my friends will be taking videos throughout the evening, so we will have those also. At first I was disappointed about not having this super cool, hyper-stylized video. But, once I thought about it, it felt really fake and contrived. We don’t want a video that was set up and coordinated, we just want pictures and video of the actual events at our wedding. We want to remember the day as it actually happened, not a bunch of fake scenes a videographer produced.

My husband and I had also decided against a videographer initially, and once I read on these forums about how many brides loved having a videographer, my husband and I looked into it. After watching example videos, we were sold! For both our photos and videos, we didn't want a bunch of staged footage - none of the "everyone stand in a line and jump at the same time!" or "give a funny face while the bride and groom kiss!" We wanted almost completely candid footage, and that's honestly what we got! We didn't have to account for extra time to do staged shots, and even with 2 photographers and 2 videographers, it didn't feel paparazzi-like. They all did a great job of blending in with our guests and capturing scenes (from multiple angles) as they occurred. We had a couple of semi-staged scenes, but nothing too crazy. We haven't gotten our video back yet (supposed to get it back by next month), but I'm so excited to see it! I have no regrets on booking a videographer.

Those professional videos are fantastic! But, they’re expensive and our budget just didn’t allow for one. We set up a digital camera on a tripod and recorded the ceremony, 1st dance, and speeches I think.
The ceremony was important to me to have, even if this quality. I’ve only watched it once, MAYBE twice in the almost 4 years we’ve been married.
On another note, your wedding is 3 weeks away! I’ve been waiting(and waiting!) for your BAM! I hope everything goes smoothly for your big day!

View Quoted Comment I’m so glad you ended up having a great experience with your videographer! I remember you saying you initially weren’t going to have one, but had reconsidered. And it’s so awesome they weren’t easily detected at your wedding! I wish we could have had that sort of experience. But with only 25 guests, it would be pretty impossible for them to go unnoticed lol

View Quoted Comment I hear ya! Wedding videography is sooooo expensive! Even just mid-grade videographers are quite pricey. And if you want the really cool trendy personalized ones, they can be $5k+ ! Are you glad you have a video of your wedding? Or if you were to do it again, would you just skip it all together?


And thank you so much for the well wishes💕 Our wedding is actually only a week away!! Somehow the wrong date got put on my profile, and it won’t let me correct it 🤦🏼‍♀️

View Quoted Comment I’m very glad we have it!
Oh yay! Be sure to share after (I’m sure you will)

I have ZERO regrets about spending the extra money on a videographer. The day goes SOOOO FAST that you miss a lot. And, as the bride, you're the last to walk down the aisle. I wanted to see everyone else walk down the aisle. Plus, the speeches, I sort of remember them, but the video has them all. I am so happy I spent that money.

We had a videographer and it was the best money we spent! We love our video. We were so wrapped up in the day and busy, it was fun to watch our video for the first time and see a lot of things we never got to see. We had everything videoed from getting ready, a letter reading we did, our first look, the ceremony, the reception with speeches, and the send off. We like to watch it on our anniversary and look forward to showing it to our daughter one day. To me, a videographer is a must and is an investment you will not regret!

We ended up doing it, and we're so glad we did. The 5 min highlight video was amazing and it was so funny to go through the raw footage and see our guests dancing and enjoying themselves. Plus we were able to go back and relisten to our vows, and the ceremony and speeches, at a time when we were able to fully absorb it (wedding day was so chaotic that I barely remembered most of these things)

View Quoted Comment Love that videography gives the opportunity to re-experience events that you may not get to fully experience in the moment!

View Quoted Comment I agree, videography is a really fun way to share the experience with children!

View Quoted Comment I love that you got all the raw footage! So many companies won’t relinquish the raw footage anymore.

I looked into hiring someone to give me raw footage only. The reason was I didn’t like the editing style of most wedding videos. I have experience editing videos and so I wanted to edit it myself and with the raw footage I would be able to do that.


I had to postpone due to Covid, so I ended up not hiring anyone at all. Instead I compiled everyone’s videos and made my own wedding video. It started with ceremony, dancing, speeches, cake cutting and more dancing.

I definitely would recommend having some sort of wedding video to have and cherish for years to come. That might be by means of professional or amateur videos… good luck!

We had 21 guests at our wedding and had 2 photographers and 2 videographers. I honestly didn’t even notice them during the ceremony and reception! The day went by SO FAST. A lot of the ceremony and reception is a blur to me. I barely remember my husband reciting his vows, so I’m excited to see that😊

I'm asking a co-worker who has done some freelance videography to just video the ceremony. When I thought about it, that was really the only important part I miss out on as a bride is the rest of the processional. I dont particularly care about video of getting ready, reception, etc. I think pictures are enough. but I also think having our vows on recording will be nice.

I think if you have a good photographer and video is an expense not in your budget, then it is ok to skip.

i personally wanted video more than photo just because i watch the video often vs scrolling through hundreds of photos.

We haven't, we bought a drone SwellPro it will film us, because we have a very big and spacious venue. I hope he won't make too much noise so as not to interfere with the ceremony. In general, one of our guests will be responsible for this, he is good with drones.

Glad you asked this question! I had a friend who had their photographer back out the night before the wedding and was thankful she had a videographer booked (she was able to replace the photographer day of). Another friend said she hated her photos and the video saved the memories of their big day. I would get a videographer. If you don't want to spend a lot of money, consider hiring a student from a local university in a film program!

View Quoted Comment

Your experience makes the edited video sound more ceremonial (or a memento) where the raw video is more the meat of the party. Of course, the vows would be special.

I'd considered getting it done professionally but once I saw the prices for some of the packages, no way. It may not be as good but it'll be free, my brother in law has a video camera so I was planning on asking him if he could film our ceremony and the speeches at the reception. I also have 2 cameras that have video modes, I was going to give the oldest 2 nieces (1 from my side and 1 from my partners) them to take additional photos as well as some videos at both ceremony as well as reception. That way everything is covered, it's free and I can edit it all myself to be exactly what I want.