How to Choose a Wedding Videographer?

There are many things to look for in a wedding videographer but the critical factor is experience. Wedding videos are a specialist product and you need someone who understands the genre inside and out.

Here is an important point: It is quite common for people starting out in the video production business to begin by making wedding videos because they mistakenly see weddings as an easy way to get started. To make matters worse, once videographers become competent they often realise they can make more money doing other work. The result is that in some areas wedding videography is disproportionately serviced by inexperienced people.

However this just means you need to be careful — there are still plenty of excellent videographers who do weddings for genuine reasons. The key is to find out about their experience.

Ask For Demos

You must ask to see a demonstration tape of the videographer’s previous work. There is no reason for them not to supply a demo — if they say they can’t for privacy or other reasons, cross them off your list.

Ideally you should see a range of work from them, but also make sure you watch an entire video from start to finish. You want to know that they can cover the whole event well, not just get a few nice shots here and there. Note that it is normal to have a few minor errors during a long video.

You might also like to ask for references from previous customers.

Communication Skills

The videographer should be able to get on with people and communicate well. Effective communication is important to make the day run smoothly, as well as making sure that everyone knows what to do and what to expect in relation to the video.

Videographers need to work with both guests and other professionals. If there is a dispute between them and the celebrant or photographer, the quality of the video could be affected.

Style

Different videographers have different styles and you should choose one which you are comfortable with. Common styles include:

• Fly-on-the-wall, reality-TV style
• Documentary, including interviews, voice-overs, etc
• Arty, cinematic styles

Price

Making good wedding videos is an expensive business and professionals need to charge a lot of money to turn a fair profit. You should regard cheap quotes with suspicion.

Hire friendly photographers and videographers.

There is a lot to capture on your wedding day in a short amount of time. Both your photographer and videographer will film the same key scenes: getting ready, first look, ceremony, speeches, reception, etc. Coordination is important, so try to hire a photographer and videographer who have worked together before. This way, they will likely have systems in place to make sure each captures those special moments. Ask your wedding planner for recommendations or have your photographer to suggest a videographer (or the other way around) for a seamless day-of experience.

Find a filmmaker who is comfortable with your venue type. 

Found a filmmaker you love but notice that all of their films take place outdoors and you’re getting married in a ballroom? Raise the question to the filmmaker before you hire them and make sure they’re comfortable shooting in your wedding setting. Request sample films to watch and show them an example of a film you

Cameras & Equipment

You might like to ask what type of video camera and other equipment will be used. If you are familiar with video equipment this information might be useful but it’s probably not necessary. An average camera in the hands of an expert is better than the most expensive camera operated by an average videographer.

It is definitely worth asking how many cameras will be used. A single camera is not really capable of capturing everything properly and safely. Two cameras will allow for much better shots and significantly reduce the chance of missing something important. A third camera, usually left on a static wide shot, provides even more safety and creative options.

Editing & Final Versions

Editing is very important. Good quality editing will make a huge difference. Ask these questions:

• How long will the final product be?
• Can you have more than one version, e.g. a full version and 15-minute highlights package?
• What titles, captions, etc will be included?
• Will the DVD have a title menu?
• Will music be added? If so, what is the copyright situation?

Note: If you are concerned about budget, one option is to ask for the wedding to be covered but not edited. Instead, you get the “raw” footage which isn’t very practical to watch, but you can save it and get the editing done later when you can afford it. The most important thing is to capture the day — editing can wait if necessary. Unfortunately many videographers don’t like showing their raw footage but it can’t hurt to ask.

Understand what’s included in your package. 

As wedding films have increased in popularity, so have the package options and the terminology. Understanding everything that comes in your package will help ensure you aren’t disappointed later. When your filmmaker sends you examples of what comes in your package (Instagram teaser, trailer, full edit, etc.) make sure to watch each example and be sure it’s the type and amount of coverage you want!

Video Format

Ask what format the video will be shot and supplied in. We recommend that you ask for wide-screen high-definition if at all possible. In the future, when everyone is used to watching high definition all the time, videos produced in standard definition will appear poor quality in comparison.

As well as the DVD or video tapes supplied for normal viewing, you should ask for a master-quality version in the original format (i.e. the edit master before it is compressed or encoded). You can use this version at a later date for further editing or transferring to new video formats. Note that this is not a normal request and the videographer might be surprised when you ask for it. Make sure you ask before the wedding day.

All formats die eventually and you will probably need to transfer your video to another format at least once during your life. Although you can convert video files from the DVD format, it is preferable to have a better quality file to work with.

Things you should know before booking a wedding videographer

Know What Coverage You Want

Think about the key moments you’ll want covered, as this will impact how many hours of coverage you’ll need to book. Do you want clips from while you’re getting ready, your ceremony, and that sparkler exit you’ve planned? Depending on your answers, you’ll need a videographer to arrive in the late morning or early afternoon, and stay through the end of the night. On the other hand, if you just want the ceremony and toasts, you can choose a shorter package that will cover just those highlights.

Think About Your Vendor Team

Ideally you will want to book a videographer who your planner and or photographer also love. This makes everything go much more smoothly on your wedding day as they are all accustomed to working together already.

Clearly Lay Out Expectations

An important decision early on would be whether the clients want the filmmaker to have a documentary approach or a cinematic one. Both have virtues, pitfalls, and to a certain degree they intersect, but the filmmaker has to approach the coverage differently, depending on the expectation.

Pay Attention To The Package Details

Be aware of their pricing and your budget. Ask if they have package deals and what those include. And most importantly, how long will they be there on the day of your wedding and what does overtime cost if you end up wanting them to stay longer.