How much does wedding video actually cost. And why is it so expensive? Why is it technically cheaper than video ?
According to the knot.com, the average wedding video costs between 2-4000$.
If costs is a concern, you can probably find someone decent at the 2000 range, maybe even lower. PROS: CHEAPER CONS: Obviously more inexperienced, I’ve filmed, or been a part of (photo or 2nd shooter), in over 100 weddings. The 2000 range are people just starting out, maybe have done about 5-10 weddings overall.
THINGS THAT CAN GO WRONG (THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR)
- VIDEOGRAPHER OVER EXPOSES HIS SHOTS
- FORGETS MEMORY CARDS/LOSES MEMORY
- FORGETS CERTAIN EQUIPMENT
- MESSES UP AUDIO RECORDING BY NOT HAVING PROPER CABLES TO HOOK INTO DJ
- DOESN’T USE A GIMBAL, OR TRIPOD
- ONLY HAS ONE CAMERA
- DIFFERENT CAMERAS, DON’T’ MATCH
- DOESN’T PROPERLY WHITE BALANCED, MISMATCH COLORS
- LOSES FOOTAGE AFTER WEDDING SHOOT OR CORRUPTS FILES
- DOESN’T BACK UP FOOTAGE
- EDITS WITH TRENDY TRANSITIONS
- EDITS WITH UNLICENSED MUSIC THAT CAN GET YOU FINED LATER
THE higher range videographers charge more because of experience…
How does experience come in to play ? Why Do I need an experienced videographer ?
A wedding day goes by so fast. Things happen so quickly, you have to be ready to catch it. Sure, you can always have someone redo something, that’s the beauty of filmmaking, but you risk annoying the client/couple, or sometimes you just dojn’t have the opportunity to do it again.
Examples of times experience was useful…
One time a DJ had a specific set up, and didn’t take my normal RCA to XLR audio cables…He only had a single XLR output…Luckily, I always bring a variety of connections. Probably about 4-5 different audio cables…There’s nothing worse than messing up the audio and not getting it directly from the audio/microphone feed.
Another experienced move is to also provide a backup lavalier to the groom and officiant, JUST IN CASE something happens to the audio. I’ve also had a wedding where I only trusted the main audio source, and didn’t use backups. Of course, the one time I did, the DJ’s wireless microphones were getting somesort of interference, and the audio was ruined….Too much static, couldn’t understand what was being said, even the guests were uncomfortable….Never again would I not put on a backup lavalier of my own….
Having the right equipment goes a long way….
So how much does an experienced, professional cost? For a great, experienced videographer, nowadays, you can find one at around 3-4000 range, maybe even more…
Why would someone cost more? Through Brandinng, and possibly equipment….and also team and hours covered.
My experience shot first wedding in 2012 (cousins wedding)
2015 First Destination wedding in Cabo (paid with a drone, first drone footage)
2016 shot for A TOUCH OF SOUL PRODUCTIONS
2017 Started made to love cinema
After pandemic, started contract shooting for LEAH MARIE (TEMECULA) Have shot over 30 weddings with them
Also shot higher end, Indian wedding company. Multi-day weddings, travel. New York, Chicago, San Jose, Cleveland, Connecticut..=
100 + Weddings overall
SO YOU PAY FOR THE HOURS YOU SHOOT IN A DAY, WHY IS IT SO MUCH ?
Well not only do you have to shoot all the footage in one day, with only one opportunity at everything, you also have to edit. The shooting is the easy part…it’s the editing that is extremely hard to measure and quantify. There are some weddings where I’ve only taken about 15-20 hours to finish, others over 40.
Every wedding is different. Some weddings, the couples read their own vows, others the simply do the basic vows where they “repeat after me” type vows. Those are as dynamic.
Then in some weddings, you have a fantastic officiant who says all the right things in a profound and heartfelt tone and manner. These always play well. Then you also have the speeches. Sometimes a father gives a fantastic speech. Other times it’s the sisters, bf MOH, brother, best friend, mother…
With everyone saying something different, although sometimes you can tell patterns and notice when someone has plagerized something from the internet, yet with all the possibilities, there is a myriad of ways an editor can tell the story of your day.
You can start by setting the tone with something the officiant said, or maybe go directly for the tears and start with the vows, or one of my personal favorites, the father of the bride speech (if possible) and if it’s something touching, and not just a thank you to the family..
Editing can also be like writing. You’ve heard if Writers Block? Well, quite often, I get a creative block, where I just can’t see the final product, or can’t quite get into a flow where I feel my most creative, or I just can’t see the pattern yet…
The more I edit and stay busy, it can with be easier, or sometimes overwhelming, and maybe I need to take my mind off it for a few days, or even a couple of weeks…
Patience is key for a great video. The best take there time and truly care about the final product they give you.