Many couples nowadays view their wedding videos with great importance. It’s pretty much on the same level as their wedding itself. And why not? Videos are an excellent way to document and relive happy and memorable events.
If you’re getting or planning to get married, you might want a wedding video, too, to record all the best moments you’ll experience. While you might desire to have every valuable second caught on camera, this isn’t quite feasible. Sometimes, a short but sweet video is more than enough.
So, how long should your video be? Here’s a bride and groom’s guide on wedding videography:
1. Types of Videos
The type of wedding video you wish to have will determine what shots are included and how long the final cut will be. Four of the most popular video styles among engaged couples are:
- Short film
- Highlights
- Cinematic
- Documentary
Short films and highlight videos generally run for around 10 minutes or less. These videos focus on the gist of the wedding, cutting what would be eight hours of footage into three to five minutes at a minimum. Videographers will make up for the short run-time by adding extra elements like text and voice-over narration. Discuss everything you wish to see in the video, such as effects or music, during the planning stage so you won’t fall into petty arguments later on.
On the other hand, documentary and cinematic videos can run for 30 minutes to an hour or more. While the former two types only feature the essential parts of your wedding, these other two may include more shots. Expect a documentary-style video to feature guest and family member interviews or moments before the marriage like your proposal. You and your partner may also be interviewed by the videographer on how you two met. They’ll include this portion in the video as well.
As with anything related to wedding plans, coordinate with your wedding videographer weeks before the big day. Professionals such as those in the Seattle wedding videography industry will happily collate your ideas and turn your dreams into reality in video form.
2. What’s Included
Every second of the wedding is meaningful to both the bride and the groom. So, it can be tricky to gather the most priceless moments to add to the video. It’ll be more challenging if your wedding video is only a few minutes long.
Among the many moments that’ll happen at your wedding, here are the most vital ones to have in your videographer’s shot list:
- Bride and groom getting ready
- The bride’s processional
- Sharing of vows
- First kiss as a married couple
- The recessional
- Clips of reception activities
These shots can be extended or shortened depending on your preferred video length. Your videographer can add guest reactions and any wedding traditions your family might have for longer videos. Just keep communicating with them to avoid missing any crucial parts during the filming and editing process.
3. Pricing
Here’s where many discussions may arise from. Wedding videography doesn’t come cheap unless you’re doing it yourself, which is unlikely. Most videographers are hired as independent contractors. Even so, they may have video packages to offer and pricing for extra services, much like what established photo and video companies do.
If you’re unsure which of their offers to avail, go for their most basic one. You can usually customise a standard video package a little bit to your liking with an added fee most of the time. Average costs may start from $1,500 but can go up to $10,000.
The cost often covers the basics in a wedding video shot list, like those mentioned previously. Wedding video packages will include eight up to ten hours of footage. But expect additional fees if recording goes beyond that.
So, before and after the wedding, keep tabs on all your expenses and ensure your budget is enough. Staying organised when wedding planning is essential, after all.
4. Getting More Than One Option
So, you want to have more than one video. As long as your budget can handle it, why not give it a go? Take time to discuss with your videographer the other options they offer. Sometimes, their available packages already include a highlight reel and a lengthy version in one.
Remember that a combination package deal may be more expensive together than if you ordered two options individually. Always make sure you let your videographer know what you wish to have and be clear about the prices. Who knows? You might get a considerable discount.
5. Digital And Physical Outputs
Video recordings are no longer limited to staying on CDs and DVDs. A little flash drive can store footage of your beautiful wedding, and you could make copies of it, too. But if you want, you can request your videographer to keep the final cuts on a CD to serve as giveaways for guests.
You could share short reels of the final wedding video on social media with a soft copy file. Doing this allows those who were unfortunately unable to attend to feel like they were there celebrating with you. Meanwhile, a copy burned on a CD makes the perfect and creative wedding favour among the other items you’re planning to give away. Family and friends will love reliving your wedding, especially if there are a lot of exciting and memorable moments.
In Conclusion
No matter how long or short you want your wedding video to be; you’ll want only the best moments featured in it. The main point is to keep a video documenting one of the best days of your life. So, if you want a five-minute reel or a one-hour cinematic experience of you and your beloved tying the knot, no one’s stopping you.
