With all the time, effort, and expense involved in planning your destination wedding, you want to remember every detail for years to come. That’s why Wedaways recommends hiring both a photographer and a professional videographer to create the perfect destination wedding video. While photos are wonderful, videos capture the emotions, activities, and events as they unfold. We understand you have many details on your destination wedding checklist, so here are some destination wedding video tips on choosing the right wedding videographer.

Find a Great Storyteller for Your Wedding Video

Couple Getting Married On Roof

You don’t want a videographer who just shoots video and hands you raw footage. Instead, hire a professional who transforms hours of filming into a short movie that tells your personal story. Make sure they are passionate about their work and interested in communicating your unique love story.

Film Experience and the Right Equipment Are Key

Wedding Videography Equipment

Anyone can buy a GoPro and call themselves a “videographer.” Stop! You need someone with film school training and years of cinematic expertise. They should know lighting, sound, movement, angles, and have the right tools to capture every moment perfectly. There’s no time for a do-over on your wedding video, so they must get it right the first time. Ask about their equipment and how they plan to capture sound and light in various scenarios.

Decide What to Capture in Your Wedding Video

happy bride at wedding

Sit down with your videographer to define what’s important to capture. Ensure they’re willing to spend time learning about your personal journey so they can be alert to special moments on the wedding day. Clearly state your “must-have” list, including key elements of the venue, family, and celebration, in writing to avoid misunderstandings when receiving the final cut.

It’s All in the Editing

couple on their wedding day

Ask for samples of the company’s wedding videos to see how they edit the final product. Do they edit the footage in a compelling and artistic way, or is it pieced together haphazardly? This is your wedding day, so the editing should reflect its importance.

Ask About Pricing, Inclusions, and Extras Up Front

Do some online research to understand average rates before meeting with a wedding videographer. Ask how many hours are included in the price, with ten hours usually being the average before overtime charges. Overtime can be $500 per hour, so costs can add up quickly.

Important Pricing and Package Inquiries
  • Does the package include a documentary edit? This could be a lightly edited, color-corrected version of the entire ceremony, speeches, and reception details.
  • How many cinematographers are included in the price?
  • Do they provide professional sound equipment, like wireless microphones, which are better than camera mics?
  • Is lighting included in the package price?
  • What will the travel costs be to your destination wedding location? Ask for an inclusive price that covers all travel expenses to know the total cost upfront.

Final Product: Your Wedding Video

Ask how your wedding video will be delivered. Most videographers offer USB sticks, CDs, external hard drives, or online file drops. Make sure you’re clear on the delivery method to avoid surprises.

We hope this information helps you select the right videographer. Remember, it’s essential to ask the professional specific questions. They should also ask you the right questions, as they should know more about this topic and work to instill confidence that you can trust them with your wedding video.