Hiring a wedding videographer for your special day is more than just picking someone to come film a video. It involves working with a professional to select the right wedding videography package that meets your needs. But what exactly do videographers offer in a wedding package?

Package details vary from videographer to videographer, but some of the most common elements include how many hours your videographer will be at your wedding, what video deliverable format you will receive and what style of video you want.

The details of your wedding videography package spell out what you will receive when you sign a contract. Learn more about what you should be looking for in a wedding videography package, then browse our videographers to discover what packages they offer.

What is a videography package?

When you plan to have a wedding videographer, you aren’t just hiring a person for your day, you are purchasing a package. This package not only includes the videographer's presence on your wedding day, but it also spells out the details of everything you will receive. The cost of the wedding videographer package is determined by what is included. Many videographers offer a few packages to choose from with slight variations to better meet couples’ needs depending on their wedding size, budget and type of video.

Much like a wedding photographer or DJ package, a videographer package lists what deliverables you can expect to see in the formal contract upon booking. This includes everything from the communication method and frequency you can expect leading up to the big day to how many hours the videographer will be at your wedding to the length and format of the final video you will receive and when.

Learn how to find a wedding videographer and request package information from videographers.

Advantages of a videography package

Booking a wedding videography package comes with a lot of benefits. Videographers are experienced, meaning they have a good understanding of what couples are looking for in their wedding videos and have used that information to create their packages. They know how long it takes them to set up, to film detail shots and what the realistic timeline is for editing your video and delivering it to you.

Ordering a package sets a clear expectation about the outcome. Booking a package means you’ll know exactly what to expect throughout the planning process and what you will receive after the wedding. Because these packages are routine for videographers, it makes their pre- and post-production process streamlined, resulting in a fast turnover and flawless execution for you and your partner. A win-win for everyone. Better yet, a package comes with a set price tag so you know upfront what you are paying for and what may need to be added in for an additional cost.

Disadvantages of a videography package

Not all packages are created equal. If you find that a videographer’s wedding package includes something you don’t want or don’t think you need, share that with the videographer. Oftentimes you’ll find that both photographer and videographer wedding packages have aspects to them that may not make sense to couples at first but do once the professional has explained their reasoning and how it makes their process easier for everyone involved.

Having set videography packages can lead to less customization and creativity, but before you decide that this videographer and their packages are not for you, be sure to communicate how you’re feeling. Sharing your wants and needs with videographers as you interview them can help you get answers to what accommodations they can make and what add-ons they have to their packages that may help get you what you need.

What do videographers offer in a wedding package?

Most videographer wedding packages include the same basic aspects, however, it’s always important to double-check what’s part of each package. What videographers offer in a wedding package typically includes coverage of the reception and the ceremony. This will be filmed by both the photographer and an included second shooter. The inclusion of a second shooter is built into the videographer's package because having backup is critical. Not only does it help the videographer get different angles of your ceremony or first dance, but this person also serves as a second set of eyes so no one misses an unexpected moment on camera. This comes in especially helpful when your videographer is filming your first kiss as newlyweds and your second shooter notices the can’t-miss shot of your mom sobbing happy tears.

Beyond the day-of filming, your wedding package will also spell out what is included in your video. Are you purchasing a highlight reel or teaser video that has a few minutes of the best moments from your day or are you purchasing a full-length video that includes your ceremony, highlights from your reception, etc.? Your package will also tell you how your video will be delivered, whether it be digital file, DVD or Blu-Ray.

Not everything you may want is always included in package pricing. For example, some couples like to include guest interviews in their video where guests share their advice for the newlyweds or give them a quick toast on camera. Or you may want a DVD of the raw footage of your full ceremony. This is not included in most packages and may not be something your videographer offers. Just because you see one videographer package (or ten) offer something does not mean that it’s a universal package deal. As always, communicate openly with videographers you interview and ask questions.

What extras can be added to the videography package?

Wedding videographers often have a list of additional services they offer that can be added to their base packages. If you don’t see something you want in their package, ask to see an a la carte menu or ask what their most popular additions are. They may offer add-ons you hadn’t even thought of but are something you would like.

Teaser or trailer

If you’ve gone with a package that includes a long-form video or feature film, you may want to add on a short, one to five-minute highlight reel. This teaser is great for sending to friends who attended your wedding or posting to social media and serves as a trailer for what’s to come in your full wedding video. Not everyone in your life will want to sit down for a full 45-minute wedding video, but they will want to relive the day with you in a short film.

Drone footage

An increasing number of videographers are adding drones to their list of video equipment. Incorporating drone footage into your wedding videography package allows you to capture the beautiful details around the grounds of your wedding venue, film an aerial view of your outdoor wedding ceremony or get a unique view over your outdoor wedding portraits.

Same day edit

Want something to show to your friends who couldn’t make it to your celebration? Share the key moments from your wedding day with your followers on social media with the addition of a same-day edit to your package. You’ll end your wedding night with a highlight reel that you can share with everyone and watch over and over as you bask in just married bliss.

*To find a package that best fits you, browse our videographers. *