Most couples have a set budget for their wedding day and deciding what to splurge or save on is a crucial part of the planning process. As you work your way down your to-do list, you might be tempted to cheap out when it comes to hiring a wedding videographer. After all, isn’t it just as easy (and more affordable) to hire a novice or ask a friend to do it? After all, you'll also have your wedding photos to look through. The simple answer is no.
"Photography is amazing because it is, quite literally, freezing a moment in time, to never be replicated again, while video allows you to feel the emotion when you hear your partner reciting their vows to you, the reaction at your First Look, your loved ones' expressions as you walk down the aisle—it brings you right back to that very moment and allows you to relive the day in a way a photo never could," explains the pros at Dock House Digital.
The truth is that being cheap with your wedding videography will cost you in the end, whether it’s the stress of having a non-pro work your event or ending up with a less-than-stellar final product. And you definitely don't want to have regrets on the most important day of your life. Still not convinced? Here are seven reasons you want to make sure you hire an experienced videographer for your I dos. And after we convince you, you can easily search for the right videographer—as well as other vendors—on our site.
They know how to work with others. The photographer and videographer will be working closely together on your wedding day so "experience is crucial when choosing both vendors," say the pros at Dock House Digital. "Not only will experienced photographers and videographers make the process seamless, but experience is a requirement when it comes to a successful working relationship between the two. If your photographer is experienced and your videographer is not, it could cause unforeseen issues on the day of the wedding which could affect the outcome of your wedding photos and also the guest experience."
They know how to blend in. Wedding videographers are masters at catching all of those special moments that make up your day without making guests feel uncomfortable. A skilled filmmaker will be able to blend in so that your family and friends will forget they’re even being filmed.
They can capture all the right sounds. A budget videographer might also have budget equipment, while a true professional will have the audio tools needed to ensure that all of the day’s meaningful words and moments—from your vows and the best man’s speech to the song for your first dance—is captured clearly for the final product. "The filmmaking process is highly involved work, both physically and creatively, and someone who lacks experience could potentially affect your wedding day and wedding memories negatively," explains Dock House Digital.
They’ll film the moments you missed. Your wedding day will go by in the blink of an eye (trust us!) and there will undoubtedly be moments throughout the event that you simply won’t see. The wedding videographer (and their assistant) will be able to catch those instances so you can enjoy them later on, while a budget videographer will most likely show up solo.
They make everything look perfect. Every couple hopes the weather will cooperate on their wedding day, but unfortunately, you just can’t control Mother Nature. Whether it’s cloudy, rainy or snowy, the right videographer will still make the footage of your vows look fabulous because they have the right equipment—and know-how to use it.
They can film in a variety of styles. A trained videographer will be able to shoot in your preferred style, whether that’s cinematic, short form, documentary or traditional.
They will hand you a masterpiece. A friend filming your wedding will most likely send you a hastily compiled (if at all) montage of moments from throughout the day. Or even worse: You’ll be left with all of the raw footage and have to put it together on your own (hint: you’ll probably never get to it). A wedding videographer knows how to edit all of those hours of footage to create an actual film experience, complete with music and effects, so you'll have zero regrets after your big day.
So there you have it—the seven reasons NOT to cheap out when hiring a wedding videographer. Now that you know why a videographer is so important, use our directory to hire one!