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Dos and Don’ts of Wedding Video Packages

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Wedding Tips

April 06, 2023

Wedding videos are a wonderful way to capture the memories of your big day. However, with so many wedding videography packages available, it can be difficult to know what to look for. In this article, we’ll answer some commonly asked questions about wedding video packages and provide some dos and don’ts to consider when selecting a package.

How Much Should I Spend on Wedding Video?

When it comes to wedding video packages, prices can vary greatly depending on the videographer, location, and package options. A basic package may start at a $1,000 for a quality videography willing to shoot a half day (not all videographers will offer this), while a more comprehensive package can cost several thousand dollars. As a general rule, it’s recommended that you allocate 10-20% of your total wedding budget to your videography package. This may seem steep, but videography is arguably more important than photography, despite photography being the more popular choice. Videography captures the sounds, movements, and emotions of your special day in a way that photography simply cannot. While photography is a beautiful way to capture still moments, videography brings those moments to life and allows you to relive the day in a way that photography won’t be able to. After all, what’s the point of the other 80-90% of your budget if you barely remember what you spent it on!?

What Should be Included in a Wedding Video Contract?

When choosing a wedding videographer, it’s important to have a clear and detailed contract that outlines what is included in your package. Here are some things that should be included in your wedding video contract:

  • The date, time, and location of your wedding
  • The specific services that the videographer will provide (e.g. number of hours of coverage, number of cameras, editing services)
  • The total cost of the package and payment schedule
  • Details about any additional fees (e.g. travel, overtime)

Do You Need Permission to Use the Song in Your Wedding Video?

Yes, you do need permission to use copyrighted songs in your wedding video. This means that you will need to obtain a synchronization license from the music publisher or the songwriter. Alternatively, you can use royalty-free music or work with a videographer who has a library of licensed music. At Shutter & Sound, we have a musicbed.com subscription, which you can pick any song you like from! Or, if you’d like to pay slightly extra for a premium song (between $25 and $80), there are many top 40 and other popular songs on sites like tracksmusic.com and fyrfly.com for you to choose from.

What Order Should a Wedding Video Go In?

While the order of a wedding video can vary depending on the videographer and the couple’s preferences, here’s a general order that is commonly followed:

  1. Introduction (featuring the couple’s names, the date, and location of the wedding)
  2. Pre-ceremony footage (getting ready, first look, etc.)
  3. Ceremony
  4. Reception (including speeches, dancing, and other events)

If you receive dialogue in your video, your videographer/editor can utilize snippets from your reception speeches throughout the whole video to craft a narrative.

Raw Footage vs. Final Video

Some videographers offer raw footage as an add-on to their wedding video packages. Raw footage refers to the unedited, unprocessed footage captured on the wedding day. This can be a great option if you want to have more control over the final product or if you want to see additional moments that didn’t make it into the final video. However, keep in mind that raw footage requires additional editing and can be time-consuming.

When it comes to the final video, it’s important to discuss your preferences with your videographer. Make sure that they understand the style and tone that you are looking for in the final product. Additionally, consider the length of the video and whether you want additional features such as a highlight reel or Instagram edit.

Is a Wedding Video Worth It?

Ultimately, the decision of whether to invest in a wedding video package is a personal one. However, keep in mind that your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and a video is a wonderful way to relive the memories and share them with family and friends. When selecting a wedding video package, make sure to consider your budget, the services included, and your preferences for the final product.

By following these dos and don’ts of wedding video packages, you’ll be able to select a package that meets your needs and captures the memories of