Finding the right wedding videographer to capture your special day can seem overwhelming and complicated. Even in Cleveland, Ohio, there is an abundance of wedding videography companies so narrowing down the right one can be difficult.
There is a lot that goes into wedding videography so finding the right person is critical! Your wedding videographer is an essential part of your big day. A wedding video helps capture one of the most memorable events of your life, even the moments you don't get to see. Before committing to a videographer, check out these 5 tips for choosing your perfect videographer.
1) Define Your Expectations
One of the biggest things couples must do before committing to a wedding videographer is define their expectations. If you're not asking yourself, "What am I looking for out of my wedding video and videographer?" you're doing yourself a disservice. Don’t expect the same quality from a wedding videographer that is charging you $800 vs a $5,000 package. You also want to think about the output of the videos you want. Are you looking for just a highlight video or full-length videos of the events?
Most wedding videography companies offer different packages to choose from that include different videos such as teasers, 4-6 minute highlight videos, full feature videos, etc. Our couples love our wedding videography packages because no matter what, you will still get full-length videos of the ceremony, introductions, speeches, cake cutting, first dances, parent dances, etc.
One thing a lot of couples ask about is the difference between having 1 videographer vs 2. You have to understand one person can only do so much. We run a 3 camera set-up, have different audio sources, a plethora of gear to handle, etc. It’s quite a production to successfully capture a wedding (a lot more than couples anticipate). Having 2 people there allows us to capture more ground, divide the workload, provide better shots, and safeguard your memories. Depending on your vision, you will need to seek out a wedding videographer based on your specific wants and needs.
2) Choose Your Style
There are so many different creative approaches your videographer can take when shooting and editing your content, so it's vital to narrow down your ideal video style. The first step to choosing your style is examining the type of wedding you are having. Is this an upscale luxurious venue, a rustic barn, church service, downtown or countryside, etc?
Do you want a traditional-style wedding video that captures your day in a straightforward format? Or do you want your video to feel like a documentary that captures the raw, unfiltered moments? Maybe you prefer a cinematic movie style with slower cuts or drawn-out moments or you prefer a more upbeat vibe. If you are looking for inspiration, you can check out our YouTube channel here which has a wide variety of different wedding styles. Our recommendation is first to look at the scheme of your wedding, browse Instagram hashtags and Pinterest, then narrow down your choices once you get a feel for the style you like.
Regardless of the direction you choose, there will be a videographer ready to turn your dream into a reality.
3) Set Your Budget
This tip goes hand and hand with defining your expectations. Creating a budget will help determine what is feasible with your expectations. There are many factors that will affect videography pricing including the hours on location, number of videographers, final videos, and location of the wedding. According to TheKnot, the average cost of a wedding videographer is $1,900. You also need to determine if this budget is flexible or not. When comparing packages and different videographers, it could come down to only a couple hundred dollars between different providers.
I think it's worth spending the extra $200 to get a videographer that fits your style when narrowing options. It is important to remember that you only get married once (hopefully) and you’ll regret bad wedding videographers a lot more than just $200 down the road. After honing in on your creative vision, determining your budget helps you choose the perfect wedding videographer. As wedding videography continues to grow in popularity, there is undoubtedly a package that fits your budget and aesthetic goals.
4) Browse Videographers & Book Ahead
Okay now you have your expectations defined, your style picked out, and your budget set, it’s time to search for videographers. There are a ton of great resources for finding the right videographer. You can use marketplaces such as TheKnot and Thumbtack that allow you to browse different service providers. You can do searches on Google such as Videographers in Cleveland, or “Wedding Videographers near me”. This will give you a great list of options. Another great option is asking for a referral. Talk to your friends and family and see who they hired for their wedding. You can also ask other vendors such as the photographer. Photographers and videographers work hand in hand so that is a great place to find a top-notch wedding filmmaker.
When looking at different vendors, reading reviews is absolutely critical! It’s important to note the number of reviews they have, but also the quality of the reviews. See what the couples had to say about the company, what they liked or disliked. Make sure you book ahead of time too! We typically book most of our weddings 6-12 months out, so do not wait until the last minute to find a videographer.
5) Personality:
You have narrowed it down to a few videographers and you are ready to take the next step! The final decision should be determined based on who you think will mesh with your personality and vibe. Make sure you schedule a call, zoom, or meet for coffee with the videographer so you get to know them before booking.
Capturing someone’s wedding is a very intimate experience so getting to know the videographer and their personality will go a long way in the overall quality of the videos. When you talk to them, are they interested in getting to know you personally or are they just trying to sell you a package? See if they are asking questions about your style, details about the wedding, and just you as a person. You don’t want someone to show up who is awkward, not friendly, and unwelcoming.
I hope this article helps you in choosing your wedding videographer for your special day. We are Blitz Studios and we have been doing event filming in Cleveland for over 5 years and have learned a thing or two about weddings. Remember to define your expectations, choose a style you like, set a budget, and find someone outgoing and friendly. If you have any questions about filming weddings, please feel free to contact us and we would be happy to help!
