I am going to do my best to stay as unbiased as possible in this article while acknowledging that it was the second booked thing for my wedding - venue being the first. Videography for me was so incredibly important because I never wanted to forget that special moment with my soon to be Husband. I wanted to be able to go back and relive that day over and over again, whenever I felt the urge. #WalshWeddingVideography
On a personal note, as someone who has Grandparents with Alzheimer's and Dementia I have watched them not remember most of their lives, including their wedding days. We have sat and looked at photographs where they could not remember the person standing next to them, but once we started to expand on the details, the memory would sometimes come to them. In that moment I realized, if they had videos of their special days, they would have been able to watch themselves in the moment, and relive that feeling. Then the memories, the music, and the language spoken would come flooding back to them in pure delight.
Now just because that is my story doesn't mean that it is yours, and I completely understand and acknowledge that difference. So how does a couple decide if this is something they want to invest in? Here, we are going to give you 4 reasons a videographer is MUST HAVE and 4 reasons why you can choose to leave it behind.
Four reasons a Videographer is a HAVE TO vendor.
Let's be honest - if you and your spouse have argued about anything during the planning process it probably included whether or not to have a videographer. Listed below are 4 reasons you can use to support your case! I cannot tell you the amount of my couples I have spoken to after their big day that say they wish they would have listened, because it is one of their biggest regrets to not move forward on hiring a videographer.
1.) A videographer will capture everything that traditional photographs cannot. Videos display the ambiance of the day, the sound, and the timeline. Your entire wedding is captured from the morning cups of coffee getting ready with your bridal party, all the way to that sparkler exit where everyone is cheering you on!
2.) A videographer can assist your photographer in capturing all the moments or angles that they cannot. Whether that means shots from a different direction, capturing both individual's reactions, or the sentiment of a moment that the photo cannot gauge. You and your new spouse will be so wrapped up in the day, and bouncing from person to person that you may not see every exciting, funny, or touching moment that happens in the day. The videographer is there to capture them so you do not miss out.
3.) Shared equipment between two separate vendors can truly help make your imagery the most breathtaking version that it can be. Many times while planning I have seen vendors share lights, shades, lenses, or style mats to assist each other in capturing everything as efficiently as they can. This way you are making the most of your vendor team. Not to mention now, more often than not, there are companies that provide both services for a discounted rate (a few of which I work with personally). Then you get the best of both worlds!
4.) Unlike photos that can deteriorate or become fragile overtime, your wedding video is something you can share with your friends, and family for generations to come. That is ultimate generational wealth, am I right?
Four reasons a Videographer may not be for you.
All cards on the table - wedding budgets are hard as is, and adding another vendor into it may not seem doable for you and your fiancé. If that is the decision you make, no one will fault you for that.
1.) Maybe you, or your fiancé are shy people, or naturally introverted and the idea of someone following you around with a camera - FREAKS YOU OUT. Totally understand that, as a woman with 3 siblings who are all introverts - neither of them would have wanted a videographer I can tell you that as a fact.
2.) You already have a photographer that uses someone who does some level of video shooting, as a second shooter. Then you may not need to hire out a videographer, if you have a team that can accomplish what you need.
3.) As a person that appreciates antiques and the picturesque of the old world, I can understand not wanting a videographer if you and your fiancé spent the money to buy up into a film photographer #JennaGreenawalt . That budget looks a lot different than a digital photographer, and leaves little room for a secondary vendor in this area of planning.
4.) Budget - simple as that. If you have a limited budget, or you are footing the bill as the newlyweds, being realistic about your spending can mean leaving out a few of your favorite vendors. Videographers range anywhere from $2,000-$5,000 in this region, depending on their experience, which may not work for everyone. Scaling back on costs, or spending that money in other areas that make more sense for you as a couple can leave this vendor feeling like a dream rather than a reality.
Advice on it all...
What I can tell you is that it is always worth a conversation to a Videographer, or a planner. Speaking with the vendor directly allows you to open that line of communication to address any room for flexibility. Working on securing that vendor with a planner, allows your planner to utilize their connections to find you the perfect vendor to meet your needs and your budget. Vendors work together 9 times out of 10 to pull together resources for one another, and this sometimes means discounting a couple that they know is coming from a planner or other vendor that they trust. It's how we thrive in this business, that one for all mentality - because at the end of the day we just want you to have your perfect day.