Can we talk videography?

monkeysip · August 2012

Not etiquette related, but I wanted to get some outside opinions on those who chose to get a videographer.

Originally, we didn't budget much for videography because A. we weren't sure we'd get one, and B. we didn't know how expensive they are!

Now, I have an acquaintance from my undergrad who now has her own pretty successful, but small, videography company. She used to do work for the university, and now she does work for companies, weddings, etc.

I think her work is fabulous. Great cinematic style, with a quirkiness to it. I've seen a bunch of her 5 minute wedding trailers, and they're really fun. We decided we really wanted to try and book her, and looked at her packages. $1700 for 7 hours of coverage, with a 5 minute trailer and a 15-20 minute extended reel. Plus, for being an alumni, I get 10% off.

From looking around at other videographers in my area, even though it was out of my budget, it seemed like a really good deal. Quality videographers are expensive! So FI and I rebudgeted to include this, and we met with her to talk.

It turns out, the 15-20 minute reel is pretty much all she shoots. She doesn't shoot all day then edit down, but she shoots only what is important to us, like the vows, first dance, some speeches, etc. whatever we tell her to, with a little more shots of stuff through out the day.

I found this really strange. She explained that people usually don't really want to watch more than that, and I totally get that. I probably wouldn't want to sit down and watch more than a 20 minute wedding video. But it just bothers me that she's not shooting more (like a couple hours worth of footage), then editing down. I feel like she could miss interesting spontaneous stuff.

Am I thinking wrong? Would this sound okay to you guys? What is really important for videographer, and what are reasonable prices for it?

We haven't signed a contract or put down a deposit. So we're not committed to her. But I do feel like we've already made her feel that we are definitely choosing her, and she is an old acquaintance. I'm also wondering if for a $1500 budget, I'm not going to be able to find a better videographer, and I should just choose quality over quantity.

Any thoughts? TIA

Kate61487 · August 2012

I'd expect the full ceremony to be filmed, but at the reception I wouldn't expect much more than the *big* moments other than maybe well wishes from family if you were doing that kind of thing. I've seen some weddings set up a tripod on the dance floor, but I've always felt uncomfortable getting on the dance floor when I see one. I'd imagine filming an entire recepton would get really boring.

DramaGeek · August 2012

$1500 for 20 minutes of footage is ridiculous, IMO. I would definitely look for someone else.

ETA - Clarification - is it 15-20 minutes TOTAL or 15-20 minutes of the reception, plus all of the ceremony?

monkeysip · August 2012

It's TOTAL.

Since it's a catholic ceremony, it's going to be at least an hour, but I don't think she can film it all anyways (certain parts aren't supposed to be filmed). She knows this.

I definitely didn't expect her to keep filming the whole day and night. That would be boring, and it's unnecessary. But she's basically only filming 20 minutes total. That just seems weird.

Again, though, my dilemma is whether I'm going to get for $1500 someone who has more coverage but without sacrificing the her great cinematic style.

cpm1223 · August 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_can-we-talk-videography?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:eab8f705-cf57-49df-8c43-25f2d422c23aPost:81ec53f3-778d-4cdd-a104-755ac4aad014">Re: Can we talk videography?</a>:
[QUOTE]$<strong>1500 for 20 minutes of footage is ridiculous</strong>, IMO. I would definitely look for someone else. ETA - Clarification - is it 15-20 minutes TOTAL or 15-20 minutes of the reception, plus all of the ceremony?
Posted by DramaGeek[/QUOTE]

Agreed. Our videographer was around that price and he was there from the time we were getting ready until the last "big" thing that happened at the reception (bouquet toss, I think)

We got a 5 min. clip posted on FB about a week later, and we're getting the DVD soon (actually 2 copies of the DVD) and it will be about 3 hours long. He also offered to add in some intro stuff (pics of H and I dating) and also honeymoon pics to close.

I'd look keep looking for someone else.

missv19732000 · August 2012

Wow, that doesn't sound right to me. I'd look for someone else. There are plenty of videographers that have great cinematic style.

Good luck!

rlavach · August 2012

Yeah, that’s weird. Is that common in your area? Do the other videographers in her range do the same thing? To me, that’s ridiculously overpriced. That’s a lot of money to pay for a 20min film where she only shot 1-1.5h worth of footage.

monkeysip · August 2012

She's not even shooting for an hour or so. She's only shooting for 20 minutes. I asked her about any extra raw footage, and she said there won't be any.

I posted on my local board for more recs in my price range to see what is included in those videographer's packages.

Thanks for the input ladies (and keep it coming if you have any more)

Megbo2012 · August 2012

That seems really really strange to me.

monkeysip · August 2012

I've been browsing videography posts on my local board and I'm starting to think I'm not going to find a really high quality videographer for my price.

I think this is just going to be a decision of quality or quantity.

Natrasha · August 2012

That is not expensive for that cinematic style, but it's definitely expensive for only 20 minutes of footage!

I personally would rather have more footage and sacrifice style. I love my wedding video, but it is very basic. But I still can watch my whole ceremony, plus all the big moments from the reception- toasts, first dances, slideshows, my grandparents' "luck" dance, some general dancing, plus everyone jumping in the pool and the final song of the night.

I value all of that over fancy gorgeous editing. I guess it depends on your priorities. My total video (ceremony + reception) is nearly 90 minutes. It was about $800. I was lucky to find someone who didn't suck who also wasn't expensive. You may be able to find a similar compromise.

monkeysip · August 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_can-we-talk-videography?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:eab8f705-cf57-49df-8c43-25f2d422c23aPost:2a207aa8-b90a-4a84-99a1-17c4a30af814">Re: Can we talk videography?</a>:
[QUOTE]That is not expensive for that cinematic style, but it's definitely expensive for only 20 minutes of footage! I personally would rather have more footage and sacrifice style. I love my wedding video, but it is very basic. But I still can watch my whole ceremony, plus all the big moments from the reception- toasts, first dances, slideshows, my grandparents' "luck" dance, some general dancing, plus everyone jumping in the pool and the final song of the night. I value all of that over fancy gorgeous editing. I guess it depends on your priorities. My total video (ceremony + reception) is nearly 90 minutes. It was about $800. I was lucky to find someone who didn't suck who also wasn't expensive. You may be able to find a similar compromise.
Posted by Natrasha[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I definitely understand this point. I guess I'm going to talk to FI later and see what he thinks.

Natrasha · August 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_can-we-talk-videography?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:eab8f705-cf57-49df-8c43-25f2d422c23aPost:b229d3d1-e1a4-4e64-9df9-c464fe3034f5">Re: Can we talk videography?</a>:
[QUOTE]I've been browsing videography posts on my local board and I'm starting to think I'm not going to find a really high quality videographer for my price. I think this is just going to be a decision of quality or quantity. :/
Posted by monkeysip[/QUOTE]

What helped me is thinking about WHO would be watching this video. Yes, it will be cool to watch a really fancy video, and you might have plenty of friends and family who would want to see it. Once. No one else is really going to care to watch it more than once. You may want to watch it several times. To me, the WOW factor would eventually run out and I'd think about all the moments I can barely remember that aren't on film.

At least, that's what I told myself when choosing my videographer over a fancy one that I could only afford for just the ceremony or just a couple hours of the reception.

Megbo2012 · August 2012

The price doesn't seem crazy to me but the amount of video she records does. The price generally comes from hours and hours of editing, not the shooting. I mean she's still going to be there, why can't she be recording the whole time? We had 4 recording basically the entire day. Then they edit wayyy down.

monkeysip · August 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_can-we-talk-videography?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:eab8f705-cf57-49df-8c43-25f2d422c23aPost:5890f4fb-bc81-4e3b-a13a-3ac02326f3fb">Re:Can we talk videography?</a>:
[QUOTE]The price doesn't seem crazy to me but the amount of video she records does. The price generally comes from hours and hours of editing, not the shooting. I mean she's still going to be there, why can't she be recording the whole time? We had 4 recording basically the entire day. Then they edit wayyy down.
Posted by Megbo2012[/QUOTE]

I can only guess that she doesn't record very much so she doesn't have to edit much.

I'm going to keep looking.

She has a cheaper package that is basically the whole ceremony, but not reception. And she has a really expensive package that include the whole ceremony, and I'm guessing most of the reception. But she has 3 videographers for that package. And it's way out of my price range.

Megbo2012 · August 2012

In Response to Re:Can we talk videography?:[QUOTE]In Response to Re:Can we talk videography?:The price doesn't seem crazy to me but the amount of video she records does. The price generally comes from hours and hours of editing, not the shooting. I mean she's still going to be there, why can't she be recording the whole time? We had 4 recording basically the entire day. Then they edit wayyy down.Posted by Megbo2012I can only guess that she doesn't record very much so she doesn't have to edit much.nbsp; I'm going to keep looking.She has a cheaper package that is basically the whole ceremony, but not reception.nbsp; And she has a really expensive package that include the whole ceremony, and I'm guessing most of the reception.nbsp; But she has 3 videographers for that package.nbsp; And it's way out of my price range. Posted by monkeysip[/QUOTE]

Yeah if she won't negotiate or anything then I'd start looking elsewhere. Good luck!

FWIW our family and friends looooved our sneak peak and have already watched it multiple times. I loved that they record the whole thing, and that's super important to them because you never know what spontaneous moment may occur.

monkeysip · August 2012

Oh yeah, you're the one with the awesome wedding video!

I've never even seen a wedding film as amazing as yours before. You probably spent a lot more (but money well spent!)

That's what I'm afraid of. 20 minutes could cover vows, speeches, first dance... but what about those little moments that are great but not necessarily something you'd plan for?

Since she's already giving me the 10% alumni discount, I think she probably wouldn't go lower on the price or anything. Or give me more footage if I ask. I would feel weird asking because I don't want her to think that I'm trying to take advantage of the fact that she's an old acquaintance from college, you know?

I'll keep looking though. I still have time. Thanks for the advice!

Megbo2012 · August 2012

In Response to Re:Can we talk videography?:[QUOTE]Oh yeah, you're the one with the awesome wedding video!I've never even seen a wedding film as amazing as yours before.nbsp; You probably spent a lot more but money well spent!That's what I'm afraid of.nbsp; 20 minutes could cover vows, speeches, first dance... but what about those little moments that are great but not necessarily something you'd plan for?Since she's already giving me the 10 alumni discount, I think she probably wouldn't go lower on the price or anything.nbsp; Or give me more footage if I ask.nbsp; I would feel weird asking because I don't want her to think that I'm trying to take advantage of the fact that she's an old acquaintance from college, you know?nbsp; I'll keep looking though.nbsp; I still have time.nbsp; Thanks for the advice! Posted by monkeysip[/QUOTE]

I totally get it. Some people just want the ceremony captured and will likely watch it twice. Some want to watch a 3 hour video with everything. Make sure you get what you want since you already are paying and it's not super cheap. If its something you care about don't settle. :

Megbo2012 · August 2012

And thank you for the compliment!

spartybride3 · August 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_can-we-talk-videography?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:eab8f705-cf57-49df-8c43-25f2d422c23aPost:5c781fc5-5a6d-41e9-9e9a-6d89615d9f7d">Re:Can we talk videography?</a>:
[QUOTE]And thank you for the compliment!
Posted by Megbo2012[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>
</div><div>I second that...love the music in it!</div><div>
</div><div>Like everyone else already said, that is way too much money for what she is giving you. We paid $1695 for all day coverage and we get the DVD's as you've described, but we also get a full length one that captures getting ready, the whole ceremony (ours was catholic too), picture time, and most of the reception. Just start googling videographer's for your area or the knot should have some advertised ones on the houston board. While some may book quickly, I was often told by videographer's that it is one of the last things people decide to get. We got married in July and I think I signed the contract in March/April. Ours wasn't a last minute decision, but more so we had a short engagement & it was one of the last things I got around to doing. </div><div>
</div><div>Good luck...I know it can be frustrating to find things you like that are more than you want to pay! You should be able to find someone in your price range though.

</div>

aeliza06 · August 2012

I definitely think that is a bit ridiculous. As a PP said, she should be editing down during the final product but she should still be there to capture everything. It is a shame that this is pretty much a non-negotiable for her. She will be there, so to capture more shouldn't be such a pain.

For us, I was pretty disappointed with the lack of footage we got back. My grandfather (who practically raised me) has cancer and has opted to not do chemo. So this was the last big event he will likely be attending in our family. Total number of shots of him: 1.

If I were you, coming from experience, I would look around a bit more. If you are going to pay for someone to capture it on film, you really want them to capture it, not just shoot a bit then stand around for the rest of the time. Some of my favorite shots that I missed were from our reception. Also, DH's reaction when he opened his gifts and read his letter from me was a pretty big deal to look at on film.

Just my .02

kaitpetry · August 2012

In my area the deal you've mentioned would be considered reasonable, but high for twenty minutes of footage. I would say that if she could film a full hour, and provide you with the rough footage, that would be a good deal.

Make sure you have video of the bride and groom preparing for the ceremony, the procession, the vows, the kiss, the recession, some footage from your photo session (this makes excellent video and some overlook it) and some of the highlights from the reception. You really dont need much more then that.

Can we talk videography?

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