For many people, weddings are a significant milestone that should be celebrated and cherished.
Hence, there is a substantial market for wedding vendors, such as wedding photographers and videographers, particularly in the era of social media.
Everyone wants to share their special moments with the world, earning attention, praise, and, sometimes, criticism.
Still, whether it serves as a keepsake or as content for social media, having wedding videos is undoubtedly a significant part of modern wedding culture.
However, hiring a wedding videographer can be expensive, especially in the current economic climate.
Hence, let’s discuss the average cost of a wedding videographer and whether hiring one is worth several hundred to thousands of dollars. Let’s dive in!
What is a Wedding Videographer?
Wedding videography is the art of creating a video from raw footage that documents a wedding.
The final product is a documentation called a wedding video, movie, or film, capturing edited clips of the best moments of the wedding.
A wedding videographer is a storyteller who films wedding moments, starting from the preparation down to the reception, and compiles them into a cohesive and moving story.
Most videographers have their own unique styles and areas of expertise.
Some of the styles commonly used in wedding videography include cinematic, concept, Instagram-style, drone shots, and memory lane videos.
Hence, if you have a specific style in mind, it is best to find videographers who specialize in that style to find the right wedding videographer for you.
How Much is a Wedding Videographer?
Before deciding whether hiring a wedding videographer is worth it, let’s talk about the cost of hiring one.
Several factors influence the wedding videography cost, including the experience level, location, package inclusions, and the style and quality of the service.
Let’s discuss the average cost of a wedding videographer in the US.
Average Wedding Videographer Cost
Here are the average wedding videographer pricing depending on several factors:
Level of Expertise
A beginner videographer with only a few months or years of experience will cost significantly less than those who have been in the industry for 10 years or more.
On average, a beginner videographer charges from $1,000 to $1,500 for basic wedding videography packages.
However, although they are relatively cheaper, the results may be simpler than those made by an experienced professional wedding videographer.
Mid-range videographers typically charge between $2,000 and $4,000, with refined skills and an extensive portfolio to support their rates.
Lastly, high-end videographers are established professionals who deliver cinematic wedding videos using advanced techniques and equipment, typically charging a starting rate of $5,000 and can reach more than $10,000.
Location
Every location has its own cost. Hence, wedding videography prices will depend on the cost in your area and the venue of your wedding if you decide to hire a local wedding videographer to save on travel expenses.
Wedding videographers in urban cities like Los Angeles and New York tend to cost much more than in other cities due to the higher living expenses and high demand.
Package Inclusions
The cost of the wedding videographer will also depend on the packages they offer and what you will avail.
Wedding videographers offer a range of packages to suit every need and budget.
Here are some of the add-ons included in videography packages:
- Additional coverage: It refers to filming hours beyond the basic packages.
- Drone footage: Aerial shots range from $2,000 to $3,000.
- Multiple videographers: It can add a few thousand dollars to your cost, but it can also mean more comprehensive coverage on your wedding day.
Quality and Style
The quality and videography style also affect their rates.
Some videographers offer highlight videos that showcase the most important moments, such as special dances and speeches, within 3-7 minutes in their higher-end packages.
Full-length films, on the other hand, are videos that are 20-30 minutes long, showcasing the ceremony, speeches, and key moments during the reception.
However, the inclusion of a full-length film could cost an additional several hundred to a thousand dollars due to the extensive editing required for the film.
Is a Wedding Videographer Worth It?
A wedding is an expensive affair, costing an average of $33,000, according to The Knot 2025 Real Weddings Study.
Hence, you may wonder: Is hiring a videographer worthwhile, especially in today’s economic climate?
The answer is, it depends on your needs and wedding budget.
Here are five reasons why you should consider getting a videographer for your wedding:
Less Stress on Your Wedding Day
Imagine if you don’t have a videographer and your wedding entourage and family members forget to take a video of your vows.
This could lead to frustration and disappointment after the wedding. You should not start your married life upset and disappointed!
Having a videographer on your big day can lift the burden of filming such special moments so you can relax and enjoy the first moments with your partner.
A Wedding Keepsake
A wedding is an expensive event, but it only lasts for one day.
The bride and groom, who are busy planning the wedding and ensuring everything is in order, may be overwhelmed by the stress and struggle to enjoy the wedding fully.
Having a video allows the couple to relive that memory a thousand times and share the magic of their wedding day with their future children.
It will serve as a lifelong souvenir that could very well turn into a family heirloom for generations to come.
A Physical Testimony of Love
Having a videographer also allows you to document your vows so you can rewatch them over and over again.
It gives the couple a chance to look back on the memory of the wedding as a testament to their love.
After all, a wedding video brings to life the emotions and essence of your lifelong commitment to each other.
A Chance to Witness the Behind-the-Scenes
The wedding day is the busiest, most stressful day for the bride and groom.
Hence, they may not be there to witness some key moments between their families, friends, and loved ones.
A video captures every moment, allowing the couple to get a behind-the-scenes look into the bridesmaids’ and groomsmen’s prep, their aunt’s drunken dances, or their own little mishaps, inciting laughter for years to come.
An Easily Shareable Snippet
Having a wedding videographer ensures that you will have a snippet to share on your social media for people who may not be there to attend.
It also serves as an announcement that you married the love of your life!
Facebook always brings up memories of your previous posts each year, giving you a chance to relive your day filled with joy and love.
Red Flags When Hiring a Wedding Videographer
There are numerous wedding videographers in the market, and finding the best one can be a challenge.
Before you sign a contract, you must consider these three red flags when hiring a wedding videographer:
Not Knowing Who the Videographer Is
If you hire a video production company or team for your wedding, it’s essential to know who will be in charge of your special day.
During your meeting with the company, ask them to arrange an online or offline meeting with the videographer to gauge their professionalism and work ethic.
Meeting the videographer in advance will also give you the peace of mind that you are not strangers to each other.
It can also be a time to determine if you can have a good working relationship with them.
If you wish to change your videographer for any reason, you have the option to do so, thereby alleviating the burden of an uncomfortable atmosphere during your special moments.
Meeting the videographer also allows you to see their work firsthand.
A skilled videographer with years of experience does not always guarantee they are a good wedding videographer.
Hence, meeting the videographer before the wedding can give you the chance to determine if they are a good fit for your wedding.
Not Disclosing the Size of the Crew
A wedding can be a hectic event, with numerous moments that need to be captured simultaneously.
An uncle may be dancing on the dance floor with his fiery moves while the newlywed couple is sharing an intimate moment.
Both are memorable moments that should be captured and preserved.
However, if you only have one videographer, this may be an issue.
Hence, you must ask your videographer, regardless of whether they are a freelancer or a video production company, if they will have a second shooter to assist with filming your wedding.
Having a second videographer will ensure that your wedding film captures every special moment, from your dance, kisses, tears, and laughter during your wedding, due to multiple cameras at the event.
You should also ask if there is an additional fee for extra videographers on the day so that you won’t be surprised by the cost.
No Expected Deliverables
Before your wedding day, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the expected deliverables.
Will it be a 10-minute video, a short 3-minute trailer video, or a bunch of 60-minute short-form videos for TikTok and Instagram?
This will serve as a guideline for the videographer and a point of reference to manage your expectations.
In fact, when discussing the videography packages, you should ask about the deliverables for each package to gain a complete understanding of what you are getting from it.
If the videographer does not provide you with specific deliverables and when you can expect to receive them, it may be a red flag for you to consider moving to the other side.
This situation may become a headache down the line, potentially taking away the fun of the first few days of marriage for you and your partner.
The Bottomline
Hiring a videographer for your wedding can be an expensive endeavor. However, it also has advantages, such as serving as a keepsake and a family heirloom for future generations.
Still, it is not a cheap expense, so you should consider your budget and preferences when deciding whether to hire one or not.
If you want to DIY your wedding videography and are looking for a reliable team to edit your footage, look no further!
At Vidpros, we are dedicated to alleviating the burden of the editing process so you can focus on your special day.
Book a free consultation call with us today to learn more about our services.
