What is the point of a videographer?

kaynix21

Do I need, should I have one? What are most of you doing?It just seems like something extra, you know?

Leah&Christian09

The point is to videotape your wedding.  Do you want a wedding video?  We didn't.  It wasn't in our budget, and just wasn't that important to us.

kaynix21

And you don't regret it?

aerinpegadrak

A good friend of ours is a professional videographer, and she's cutting us a good deal.  She's actually taping all the pre-wedding stuff, not just the wedding itself.Same friend was telling me that at her own wedding, another friend of ours filmed her mother's toast, and she was so glad, because that's the last footage she has of her mother, who died of cancer a few months later.  So that's something to think about.I've heard people say that they regret not having one because they have no record of the special music that they used, or because they really wish they had footage of the ceremony or toasts.  But if you're not really a home movie person, you'd probably be fine without one.

VTChristi07

We're not doing a video. We don't care much for it and we don't want to spend lot of money on something that's "new" nowadays. I've seen them and I wasn't impressed, if we got one, we would probably watch it one time and then never watch it again. Not worth our money.

tidetravel

A videographer wasn't in our budget either; we decided to put the money to a really great photojournalist photographer instead.  He was able to capture all of the important moments beautifully, and when I look back on the pictures, they spark memories of the day, which was more important to us than actually having live footage captured.But, it's all dependant on what is important to you.

vedika

If it's in your budget, consider one. We are having one because I'd rather have one then regret not having one, if that makes sense. I am really excited to watch our special day over and over

Mrs.B6302007

We felt it was worth the extra bit of money.  Ours was reasonably priced.

NotNumbers

We're having one but only because FI's family are all overseas, plus a friend is doing it as a favour.  Otherwise we wouldn't have bothered, the photos would have been enough for us.

lilcassers

omg the videographer is the most important choice of my wedding. This is amazing because they put music to it and it makes it so much more sentimental. You can choose all of your own music. Also, it will be great to look back on years to come.. and to show your kids how mommy and daddy got together. Also, its great seeing the personal messages people say to you, and to see all of your friends being silly... oh and the toasts and cake cutting. All of these things I promise will be blurry in 10 yrs if you don't get one!! My friend and I watched hers last week and I was fricken crying, and it's not even my wedding lol.

trix1223

lilcassers:  have you actually been married for 10 years to make the claim that someone's wedding will all be "blurry" in 10 years without a videographer?Goodness:  however did people remember their weddings before videography?FWIW:  I've been married for 31 years, and I promise you, my wedding is not at all blurry in my mind.  I can even tell you exactly what my BIL said in his toast.  I have pictures of the day as well.Please.....a videographer may be important to you, but I promise brides that don't have one that your wedding day won't fade away in your memory without a DVD of it.

drod58

I don't have the money to spend on a videographer.  I got a new camcorder last X-mas and I'm using that to record the ceremony and reception.  I will ask one of my BIL to take the video.  I bought a tripod to make it easier.

Spim7

We're not going to have one. I know I'm not going to sit around watching it. I really just want good pictures.

azbride11

Initially I thought that I would not get one.  Technology changes so quickly (I never even thought about having it shot in HD -are you kidding me?), and I will have a great photographer.  I could not imagine what my videographer can capture that she would not.  What tipped the scales for me was talking to a couple of women I know who wished they had hired one.  They made the same points that are on this board.  My FI is nervous to be in front of our guests, much less on camera, but I also know that we are both a little sentimental and would like to look back on the ceremony, toasts, and have something for our family and future kids to see.  Bottom line, I think it depends on whether that is important enough to justify the cost to you (we pay for the video 3-4 months after the wedding, and could contribute some of the monetary gifts to it if we wanted).

I <3 Seabass

We're not having one. I think a good photojournalistic photographer can capture the full experience of the day and we just didn't really see any real added value of the videographer. Plus I feel like it's one of those things you may watch somewhat frequently in the beginning because it's new and you still have that after wedding glow but over the years how often are you really going to watch it? And unless you remember to keep converting to the new formats (VHS to DVD to blue ray to who knows what next) you may not even have the proper equipment to watch your video 20+ years from now.However, I've never heard any one say they regret hiring a videographer even if it was just the raw footage. So if you have the money and it's something you want go for it.

rgeddy

We're not having a videographer.  In my mind it makes people nervous knowing they're on camera.  Atleast it does for me!  I'd never be able to act normal knowing there is a video camera somewhere recording everything.  We want our guests (& us!) to be able to relax.  Also our photographer is amazing and he will secretly take some video of the more audio parts (toasts etc.) from his super camera w/video!  I don't know what he's using, but my fiance and him are into photography and they have the up do date technology.

maryw1976

I came across your post and I thought i would add my 2 cents.. If you can fit it into your budget then have one.. It is so worth it if you can.. My videographer is Chris from Creative Digital Imagery he doesnt overcharge and the dvd's are awesome. Cant hurt to check it out. I know his website is www.czcreativememories.com Good luck

faith194

We didn't have one, nor did we think it was a must. We chose to focus our energy on a great photographer who caught so many awesome moments. We know song were played(my cousins actually were our musicians) and such. We just didn't think we'd watch it enough to spend that much money.  We've only been married 3 months,  but I am almost positive we won't regret it.Like an PP said, though, I think most brides don't regret having one, if it was in their budget!

kaynix21

Thanks for all your input....I'm still not convinced either way yet, and FI is sort of on the fence too.I think that when he's overseas, it might be comforting to me to have it to watch, but maybe it won't make me feel any better.Since I have over seven months, I think I'll book my DJ, photographer and such, and see if I feel I have any extra to spend, and if I can find someone for that price...Maybe I'll just ask for a camcorder for Christmas, and have someone tape the ceremony and such.I was in my cousins wedding when I was little, and they did that (I was the annoying kid who was the center of attention) and they were dumb enough to give me the camera....I saw the proof at Easter last year, it wasn't pretty. But they kept it for all these years!

diana333

Well i think it is important to have your special day on video(cd). I hired a photographer for the first 2 hours for $200.00 and a Videographer for the whole 6 hours. I got him for $500.00 and he is going to edit it to music of my choice and do a montage as well. So for $700.00 total i will have this memory for a lifetime. If you have kids one day they may want to see it. Not to mention the people that may not be able to attend. I made this fit our budget and it's really not alot. Just shop around and you will get someone good at a great price. Plus he's doing and extra hour of me and my Girls getting ready in our hotel!! I will have cameras on every table for the guests to snap photos while we are having fun, then have them drop them in a box on their way out. Really think about this ladies , i really think it's worth the little extra.