Wedding Photography and Videography Forum

Videographer... Yes or no?

We are trying to be cost effective in our wedding since my Fiance and I are paying for 90% of it on our own.  How important is the videographer? Is this something we would regret not having or do you think having photographers is enough to capture the memories?

Re: Videographer... Yes or no?

  • fallbride1109fallbride1109 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I didn't have one and I regret it.  Knowing I can never see my ceremony again is hard to live with.  But lots of girls don't have one and don't regret it.
  • vexievexie member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We went back and forth on whether we needed to spend the money on a video or if this was just another extra expense the industry tries to make us believe we *need*.  Three weeks before the wedding we decided to go for it.....  We got married in June and just recieved our video this past friday.  I'm so incredibly thankful that we got it!!  I've looked at our wedding pictures every day since the wedding (yes.. it's true haha), but watching the video was totally different!  Hearing our vows, watching our emotions, seeing all the details we missed (or forgot about!), having video snippets of all the decorations, the people, watching our first dance.... it was by far the BEST money we spent of the entire day!   We've watched the video 4 times already (hehe).

    The guy we used does this as a hobby so was way less expensive than the pro's. We only had him there for the ceremony, cocktail hour, first dance and cake cutting but that was totally enough!  We have a 45 minute video of the ceremony, including a few montages of video/still photos from the day put to music, and then our entire wedding dance as a separate video. If you can't afford a pro, maybe check and see if a student would do one for you cheaply?

    84image 73image 11image Wedding date: June 11, 2011 :)
  • edited December 2011
    Thats what I am afraid of, I hate to spend the money and have it just sit on a shelf and never be watched after the first month or two, but I also dont want to look back someday and wish I would have gotten it.
  • chickenbut143chickenbut143 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I was anti-video for a long time (since we got engaged in May) and have recently changed my mind (we're also paying for 100% of the wedding ourselves).  I honestly heard how much people regret not getting a video and don't want to be those people.  We found a videographer in our area for $500 to do just the ceremony (we can live w/o the rest) and we think it'll be perfect. 

    Good luck deciding!
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  • soozy87soozy87 member
    Third Anniversary 10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We did not think that videography was super important. My in-laws got us a video camera the Christams before the wedding and we just had one of the bridesmaid's husbands do it for us. Gave him something to do and it turned out good enough for us.
    ~May 21,2011~
  • cmp1986cmp1986 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We are not having a videographer. Mainly because it's not in the budget and because I'm sure I'd watch it a handful of times but then never look at it again.
  • edited December 2011
    I am up in the air too. seem like most videograhers in our area that I have found are about $3,000 - $5,000! I am struggling with what to do. Does anyone have a good videographer for less in NY area?
  • indyindy member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011

    Pictures are great and something that helps you remember how great and happy you both looked but to relive the wedding to hear the sights and sounds of your wedding day can only be done with video. I was a non-traditional bride getting married 2 days before my 51st birthday. If I hadn't gotten video, I would have missed seeing my groom and his best man making a rather interesting entrance, would have missed hearing our vows, listening to the heartfelt toasts my sister and his son gave to us and would have missed seeing and hearing our first dance which we had choregraphed. I know many people that break out their videos quite often for the first few years and of course watch it on their anniversary. If you decided to go with a videographer, make sure you meet with them and watch bits and pieces of an edited dvd and not just be impressed by clips on their website. I wish I had done this but ended up hiring someone who had been in business a few years and had decent clips on their site. It did capture the day and we enjoyed parts of it but I was a little disappointed in some of the camera work. Though this doesn't apply to us, wedding dvd's have the potential to become a family heirloom. I heard from one friend that her wedding dvd is her kids favorite "movie".

  • edited December 2011
    Oh my gosh--I just posted on this, too.  We got married and had a videographer.  SO GLAD we did!!!  We are able to re-live our wedding day through highlights.  Amazing.  Ours is put to music and we are also getting the raw footage (although I would much prefer the highlights). 

    So great to see my girls helping me get ready, at the salon getting ready, seeing everyone walk down the isle (grandparents, parents walking me down, etc).  We will treasure our video forever.

    Our videographer was out of Omaha (we live in Iowa), but she does travel and traveled for ours at a very reasonable rate.  www.visualitiesvideography.com .  You can also find them on Facebook, vimeo (samples) and blogspot (blog following updates of the weddings). I would highly recommend using a videographer!!!
  • edited December 2011
    I was not sure about video but my sister keeps telling me I'll regret it (along with all her other 'helpful' advice).  We just can't afford a good pro.  I saw a company on Style Me PRetty called Storymix that looks promising and I think we'll use.  For $300 you get a professionally edited video (at least that's what their sample look like) from Flip cams they send.

    What I like is we get to pick the scenes that get used.  They have some sort of online system - haven't checked that out yet.  I know there are some other companies out there but so far I like Storymix the best.  For that price it doesn't seem like a risk and no bright lights in my face Yell 
  • edited December 2011

    Hire a Videographer. Why miss capturing the “motion” and “emotions” of the day?  For what it’s worth, as a videographer I view weddings as a family re-union.  In this day and age, video is essential.  While you have a videographer on site, take the time out to record some family lineage, or other information to be passed on.  Hey, you’ve got a pro recording your day, use the day as an investment; and not just for the wedding. Ask the videographer to substitute shout-outs and interviews for a family PSA (Public service announcement) opportunity you can post on line. Be creative.  Get some bang for your buck and the day… be creative, it’s your time and dime(s). 

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