What questions should I ask my wedding videographer?

wedding

You've decided on a strategy for your wedding video and researched local companies that offer it. What should we do next? Making in-depth inquiries of prospective employees. Here is a list of 10 questions to ask your potential wedding videographer to help you narrow down your options and find the best fit.

Your wedding photographer might miss some of the candid moments that your videographer captures. It's crucial that you get along well with your videographer because they'll be there the whole day of your wedding.

A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, at least in our eyes. It's common knowledge that professional media documentation of the wedding is highly valued by all parties. The only physical remnants of our wedding day will be the video and images.

Spend the money on a professional videographer to record the entire event so you can watch it again and again. On the other hand, you might be astonished to learn how difficult it is to get a competent videographer you can rely on to create the sort of movie you need. Understanding what questions to ask a potential wedding videographer is crucial to making a smart choice.

Choosing the ideal Wedding Videographer might be challenging due to the abundance of available options. Check out the recommendations we made.

Table of Contents

Questions to Ask Your Videographer Before You Book

working videographer

Are you available on our wedding date?

The most in-demand videographers often have bookings months, if not years, in advance. Find out if they are available on your wedding date before you start asking them about their services.

What is your style of videography?

Possible you favour cinematic wedding films. Perhaps you prefer your love story to be told in a fast-paced news format, while your friends prefer a slower, more documentary style? Watching showreels and movies from past weddings shot by a possible wedding videographer is the only way to get a sense of the manner they shoot in.

Don't write them off so quickly if you like their style in general but are looking for something a little different. Inquire as to what additional techniques are available for shooting.

Why? For the simple reason that even if the company's showreel doesn't match your desired style, they may have access to multiple camera operators and editors that can.

What is your videography background?

Wedding videographers come from a wide variety of educational and professional backgrounds, so it's important to find out what kind of experience they have before you choose them.

Your chosen videographer's approach to the job, as well as the quality of the final product, will be influenced by their educational and professional experiences. It's important to find out what kind of education and work experience the individual you choose to document your wedding has.

How many weddings have you filmed?

You should always ask your videographer how many weddings they have documented before yours, regardless of their level of experience with recording and editing.

Wedding videography differs greatly from other types of production. Storytelling and reliving special moments are at the heart of wedding photography. No matter how skilled a videographer is technically, you want assurance that they can capture the spirit of your special day and not miss a single memorable moment.

You probably don't want your wedding to be a new videographer's first gig because of this.

Is the videographer you're meeting with the person who will be filming on your wedding day?

On your wedding day, you shouldn't have to worry about anything or anyone ruining your happiness. As a result, it's crucial to get along well with all of your wedding vendors, especially those who will be spending significant time with you on the big day.

Find out if you'll be working with the same person or team at the wedding vendor meeting that you have scheduled, such as the videographer or caterer.

Inquire about meeting the person who will be taking the photographs at your wedding if the one you're talking to isn't the one who will be doing the job. Taking commands from someone you have a personal conflict with is not how you want to spend your day.

How many camera people and cameras will be operating on the day?

Find out in advance how many guests will be attending and how many cameras will be there.

You should consider the wedding videographer's staff size and the quality of their equipment, in addition to your own wedding budget.

The quality of the final result can often be improved by simply increasing the number of cameras and individuals running the cameras. After all, you won't get any film of the bride walking down the aisle, the groom's emotion when he sees her, the speeches, or the guests' responses if you only pay for one operator and one camera.

Obviously, a single-camera operator would be fine if all you want is a simple but dependable video record of your big day for posterity or if your budget is not particularly large.

Are there any additional costs we may encounter?

Want to know if there are any hidden fees you could be responsible for.

You should plan for the possibility of your wedding running long. Is there a plan if the cameraman needs to go from place to place in the course of a single day? Can you tell me whether there are any additional fees for travelling? What would the price tag be for major revisions?

Talk to your wedding videographer in great detail about the total price and any additional fees.

What are your cancellation and refund policy?

It's sad to consider the possibility of having to terminate a service, but like making a Will, it's best to be prepared for all eventualities.

Things don't always go as planned, so it's important to know what happens if you need to cancel your contract and whether or not you'll be reimbursed.

How long will it take you to edit our video?

It's reasonable to ask how long it will take to edit the video, especially because wedding videos are notoriously tough to edit.

Depending on how busy your chosen wedding video provider is, the production time for a wedding film might range from a few weeks to several months.

Find out how long you may expect to wait and when to expect certain things; many wedding videographers will send you a short wedding "trailer" within a few days, and some more inventive ones will even manage to have a short, same-day edit in time for the wedding celebration.

Any time a videographer gives you as an expected completion date, that's usually the day it will be done.

What exactly will you film on the day?

What you agree on will depend on your available funds and the package you choose, but whatever you decide, you should have a crystal clear picture of what will be included in the produced product.

When photographing a wedding, does filming begin before the bride gets dressed, or does it begin as soon as the bride and groom walk down the aisle?

Will the videographer record the full ceremony, or simply highlights, and will they record your first dance and the toasts?

How about a grand exit and a first dance?

What exactly will be delivered and by when?

Ask what you can expect to receive and in what format(s), bearing in mind that both factors are heavily influenced by your budget.

Will there only be a single, extended cut of the video? Time frame, please. Do you plan on sending a shortened highlights video?

Although not all videographers do so, many will provide you with a short highlights "trailer" of your wedding within a reasonable amount of time so that you can show it to guests and post it on social media. Be sure you know what's included in your bundle, as some providers may offer it as a paid add-on.

Find out how the finished product will be shipped. If you get a wedding film, will it come on a USB with high-definition videos or a beautifully designed DVD (no one provides wedding videos on DVD anymore unless specifically requested to do so)?

What about the audio?

As you try to perfect your video, don't forget the importance of sound quality.

What kind of audio recording capabilities does the videographer have? Audio enhancement using wearable microphones? Is there a way for them to hook up to the celebrant's PA system and get a recording of the entire ceremony?

The quality of the audio captured by your camera should be checked even if the ceremony location does not allow the use of microphones (as is the case with some churches).

No amount of recording your best man's hilarious speech will help if you can't understand a word he's saying.

Listed below are some wedding videographers that we recommend.

How do you back-up your footage?

You only get one shot at your big day, and your wedding videographer only gets one chance to capture it. The footage from your wedding is something you will want to keep safe from the moment it is shot until the moment it is presented to you.

Your wedding videographer is aware of this, and should take precautions to keep your footage safe.

After an incident, some video editors promptly back up the raw film by making at least two copies, and some make three or four copies, just in case.

Some videographers, especially those who have lost client material in the past, may therefore take further precautions, such as putting a hard drive with a duplicate of your footage in a fireproof safe.

Asking about the safety of your wedding footage is a precaution worth doing.

For how long do you keep the footage?

If you're a videographer who films dozens or hundreds of weddings each year, you know that one day's worth of footage may easily consume between 60 and 150 gigabytes of storage space. This is too much for any business to store indefinitely.

Knowing this, it's important to enquire about the fate of the raw material once the wedding movie has been provided and approved by both you and the videographer.

After your video has been transmitted, the majority of services will store the original film for two months to a year, after which it will be wiped permanently.

Have you worked with <insert the name of your wedding photographer> before?

You are free to hire photographers and videographers from multiple companies for your wedding. Even so, they'll need to work together closely to avoid duplicating efforts or missing any of the action at the same crucial moments.

You can rest easy knowing that your wedding videographer and wedding photographer have worked together before and are familiar with each other's processes, which will result in a better end product for both of them and you, even though most experts can get along with other wedding professionals just fine.

It's important to find out more information in order to relax easier, so go ahead and ask.

Are changes available once we see the first edit?

Film editing is a challenging and time-consuming process, especially for something as intricate and meaningful as a wedding video. The last thing a wedding videographer wants to do is present you with a video that you dislike - or that needs substantial re-editing - after putting in a lot of love, art, and time (three or four full days of editing).

Inquire whether you can see a preliminary draught before too much time has been spent on the final product. You and your videographer will both be much more satisfied with the end result if you take this step.

However, most videographers will edit the film to follow the exact order of events, so you probably won't need to, and major changes to the final video are rarely necessary. Find out how long you have after it is delivered to make any adjustments, such as cutting out an objectionable wedding speech or someone you no longer want in the wedding film for whatever reason.

In most cases, you'll have 30 days to request minor revisions at no extra expense.

What music will you be using in my wedding video?

Ask your videographer what kind of music they plan to use in your video because it will have a major impact on the mood and tone of the final product. Can you describe the tone as gentle and romantic or brisk and cutting? Is that the mood you want to evoke?

The videographer's APRA/AMCOSS licence only covers the use of music within Australia and New Zealand, therefore if you plan to share any film (or portions of your wedding video) online, such as a highlights reel, the music in it will not be covered.

The actual rights owner of each piece of music must be contacted individually for permission to publish your frantic bouquet toss performed to Beyonce's Single Ladies.

This is not an easy task, and it may not be worth the time or money involved.

Your wedding videographer may also offer you a version with a different soundtrack, likely with royalty-free music that doesn't require payment or abide by the same regulations as the music most of us would prefer to have in our wedding videos. Production music, which is utilised to establish the tone of a film, and stock music are two other options.

Tips on Finding the Perfect Wedding Videographer

Although it should be one of their first priorities, many engaged couples don't hire a videographer until the very last minute. Also, before hiring and paying a wedding videographer, it's a good idea to do some research on them. Here are some tips for finding a professional wedding videographer:

Fully look through their portfolio.

A videographer's portfolio is a compilation of his or her best works. In most cases, videographers hired for a wedding only work at weddings. Read through his portfolio thoroughly to get a sense of his work and decide whether it fits your needs.

Ask your wedding photographer if they have any favourite wedding videographers.

Asking the wedding photographer for a referral to a reputable videographer is a terrific way to narrow down your search and save time. In addition to simplifying your work, this also ensures smooth cooperation between your photographer and videographer.

Pour religiously over reviews.

It is widely accepted that positive feedback from clients is unmistakable evidence of a photographer's competence. Don't ever neglect to check the testimonials, as this is the single most reliable indicator of a competent videographer's quality.

Meet them in person before you sign the contract

It is essential that you meet with potential wedding videographers in person before making a final decision. While reading the videographer's online bio and reviews will help set your mind at ease, nothing beats actually meeting with them in person.

Check out our earlier essay if you want to find out what should be in a wedding video.

Make sure your style jives with their style and your wedding photographer's style!

At the end of the day, it's best to collaborate with a cameraman whose style you enjoy. You can, of course, provide the videographer some suggestions for how to do a better job. However, it is not possible to completely change the style of the videographer.

Your wedding film will be something you watch again and again and pass down to future generations. Investing in the services of a professional videographer can allow you to relive the joy of your wedding day for years to come. Wedding movies shot by experts with at least a year of experience are the best you can get.

A wedding cannot function without a skilled videographer and photographer. Find the best videographer for your wedding by searching Instagram and posting photos of yourself in bridal or groomal garb.

Conclusion

There are so many potential wedding videographers to pick from that it could be difficult to find the best one. It is essential to know what to ask a prospective wedding videographer before hiring them. To help you zero in on the best solution, we've compiled a list of ten questions to ask yourself. Professional wedding videographers often have diverse academic and occupational experiences. Find out if the person you're considering hiring to take photos during your wedding has any relevant expertise or training.

In addition to your personal finances, you should think about the wedding videographer's team size and the quality of their equipment. More cameras are usually better for a wedding video. Assume that your wedding will take longer than expected. A wedding film might take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to produce, depending on the volume of work at your selected wedding video supplier. Inquire as to the nature and format of the deliverables (s).

Within a fair length of time, most videographers will have a trailer containing the highlights from your wedding ready for you to see. Even if microphones are not permitted at the ceremony location, you should still test the audio quality of your camera. Some video editors make at least two copies of the raw tape after an incident, while others go the extra mile and make three or four. Most providers save your original footage for two months to a year after your video has been transmitted, at which time it is deleted forever. The APRA/AMCOSS licence the videographer holds only allows for the usage of music in those two countries.

Without a licence, you are not allowed to distribute any film (including clips from your wedding video) online. It's unusual to need to make significant adjustments to the final video. An experienced videographer and photographer are essential to every wedding. You can enjoy the happiness of your wedding day for years to come if you hire a professional videographer. Posting images of yourself on Instagram while dressed as a bride or groom will help you choose the best videographer.

Content Summary

  • To assist you pick the finest wedding videographer, we've compiled a list of 10 questions to ask each candidate.
  • It is essential to know what to ask a prospective wedding videographer before hiring them.
  • Maybe you enjoy seeing filmed nuptials more than the average person.
  • Determine the level of training and professional expertise of the wedding videographer you're considering hiring.
  • Meeting with wedding vendors like a videographer or caterer gives you the opportunity to find out if you'll be working with the same person or team throughout the planning process.
  • Assume that your wedding will take longer than expected.
  • The way in which your footage is backed up.
  • Like you, your wedding videographer only has one chance to record this moment in time.
  • It's a wise idea to enquire about the security of your wedding footage.
  • Knowing this, it's smart to ask what happens to the footage once the wedding film has been delivered and approved.
  • I'd want to know what kind of music you plan to include in my wedding film.
  • The mood and tone of your video will be greatly affected by the music used in it, so be sure to enquire as to what will be used.
  • Here are some suggestions for locating an experienced videographer for your wedding:
  • Go through their portfolio from top to bottom.
  • A great method to save time and energy is to ask the wedding photographer for a recommendation for a professional filmmaker.
  • Confirm that you and your wedding photographer share a sense of style.
  • Collaborating with a cameraman whose aesthetic you appreciate is the greatest option.
  • A videographer's signature style, however, cannot be altered in its whole.
  • Hiring a professional videographer is an investment that will pay off in the form of countless opportunities to relive the magic of your wedding day.

FAQs About Wedding Videographer

However, the average wedding video length is somewhere between three to five minutes for a highlights version or short film, or up to 30 minutes or longer for a documentary or cinematic style. You can always opt for both, depending on what you'd like to use it for and what kind of wedding video packages are offered.

Media its a turn around time of 4-8 weeks and that is above average on other Wedding Videography companies. The average is 8-12 weeks. Hi Louisa, Every videographer is different and the time to get your wedding video can depend on how busy they are.

Most wedding videographers work with at least two cameras: one stationary, placed on a tripod to get a full recording of your ceremony, and one in hand so they can record different angles of specific shots and moments. If they have an assistant, there may be even more.

Video coverage means you'll get to relive some of your favorite wedding moments, whether it's the vows you exchanged, your dad's speech, or the first look. And the best part is you'll be able to share these moments with your friends and family again and again.

Keep in mind that typically around 30-40 hours will go into editing your wedding film! Wedding videography is a huge, detailed, and time-consuming process.

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