A Picture is worth 1,000 words :: {video is priceless}
March 28, 2012
It’s funny how some things I thought were important to me in my planning are now not that important. For example: when I first started planning my wedding I was sure that I wanted live music…. now I don’t mind having a DJ. Vinnie and I have our growing playlist on a shared google doc and we’re totally okay with having someone just pull songs from that.
However, the more time has passed, the more photography has become my main focus, or concern, if you will. When it comes to budgeting, I’m willing to give a little on other things so we can have awesome photography and not have to compromise. But one thing has been added to this mix…. videography! Ever since I watched my friends Jess & Mike Haro’s wedding video by Love Spun I have been SOLD on the fact that I must have quality wedding video.
Here are a couple beautiful photos from their wedding
But watch their video and you’ll see why I am SO inspired to have something like this to call my own :)
Mike & Jess Haro {Viansa Winery} Sonoma from Lovespun ~ Handmade Films on Vimeo.
I also love the cinematography from Picotte Weddings. Here are a couple photos from a wedding they shot
And here is the video where it all comes to life!
Maria + Sheffer . Le Chateau, Saddlerock Ranch . Malibu, CA from Picotte Weddings on Vimeo.
From my research I have found that good wedding cinematography can range anywhere from $2,800 to $6,000+
For my budget I am planning on sticking to the lower amount, but I am having video regardless. What are your thoughts on having your wedding documented on video? I have heard from some of my bride friends who did not opt for video that they wish they would have done it. What are your planning for your big day? Do you have any recommendations for a great videographer in southern California…. or maybe someone who’s willing to travel? If so, please share by posting a comment :)
Get a video: for sure. Make sure you get someone who has the talent to make it cinematic. It doesn’t have to be an expensive person or someone well established… sometimes taking a risk with a new comer can work out well (we all have to start somewhere) but make sure you like the style and the approach and that it is more cinematic than video (in the approach)…
Good luck finding the perfect person to capture your wedding day…
PS: I do travel from NZ ;)
I didn’t have a videography at my wedding and it is one of the biggest mistakes I made. In turn, I took a dream and made it into a business of shooting wedding videos. It is beyond rewarding! I agree with Steph’s comment above about pricing. Everyone says you get what you pay for and I somewhat agree with that but I also think their is the perfect videographer for you at the perfect price. Good luck on your venture in selecting yoru vendor and I cannot wait to see their masterpiece! :)
Thanks so much for posting this! I skipped video at my own wedding as well, and it is definitely something I wish I had. At the time, I didn’t think it would be that important to me/didn’t think we would ever watch it, but now, it is the one thing I hear couples (and myself) saying again and again that they wish they’d done…
I too fell in love with video, and after many months of searching was able to find a photographer and videographer that, combined, came in under my already quite small budget. Win! So in all my searching, I have some suggestions for you. I think you’re lucky, being in So Cal, because there are so many talented people there who just happen to also shoot wedding videos. Two of my favorite videographers in So Cal that are less than $3K are Nick Radford and Lunch Pail Pictures. I think you can get a really great package photography and videography deal with Nick Radford – I just love his team’s style. My personal runner-up videographer choice was Lunch Pail Pictures, but I couldn’t afford to pay for their travel, ultimately, even though they are very reasonably priced. Good luck! Look forward to seeing your wedding video one day :)
So happy people are posting on this! I was told over and over I had to get video so I did and I’m so happy, but now I tell my friends and brides I work with this and they don’t believe me! I think they think I’m just saying to get it because I did myself, so any brides that didn’t do it that can comment will be great! I’d love to share this post with brides that are on the fence, or, well, think I’m just trying to get them to spend more money. :) Thanks Taya for posting my video, I love watching it and reliving the day in four short minutes…
Hi Taya. It’s Meagan from Santa Clara (met you at Mike & Jess’ wedding). After being horrified at the cost of videography I just booked a friend that recently started a wedding videography business after seeing how amazing his own wedding video turned out. Their business is 50% in LA and 50% in Dallas. They are reasonably priced since they are just starting out. They are traveling to Austin for our wedding and the travel costs are also really reasonable. If you are still looking around, you should consider Vinyl Weddings. My friend’s name is Rich and the only video on their website right now is his own… but he did such an amazing job with the editing!
Link: http://vinylweddings.com/
Contact: Rich Shermer, rich@vinylweddings.com
Thanks so much for sharing our work! I couldn’t agree more with the importance of hiring people to properly document your day. I too am a bride who didn’t find the money to hire a videographer and it’s always been my biggest wedding regret! There are definitely videographers of different calibers out there and it’s important to really research why the price points can be so different from one company to another. Make sure they are a good fit not only with your budget, but with your style too:) When all the planning is done and the wedding is over, the photos and a good film will be your only methods of reliving the day. Like you said, a good film is “priceless.”
Thanks again! Best wishes on your wedding!
I opted to go a really inexpensive route just hoping it would turn out good. And though it did, it definitely wasn’t anything beyond amazing because the footage I had to work with (granted I paid the guy a small sum of only $300 from Craigsilst) was less than impressive. Definitely 90% of it was unusable, just completely unusable. So as much as it sucks to pay the price, it is definitely worth it. After the wedding was over all I wanted to do was sit there and watch that video over and over again. I think i still watch it at least monthly if not weekly! In reality it is the one thing that you will get the most out of from your whole wedding day. Hope one of those so cal videographers work out! :)
WOW! I love you ladies SO much for contributing such great and useful information to my post! I’m so touched that so many of you were inspired to comment! I will definitely keep you all posted on which direction I decide to go…. we’ll see who the lucky cinematographer is that will shoot my wedding :)
[...] hire a videographer or not? I’m loving this bride’s perspective on Engaged & Inspired this [...]
Hi Taya – This is Rich from Vinyl Weddings (http://vinylweddings.com). Mutual friend Megan Hall who’s wedding we are doing in Austin, recommended me in a post above. If you like our style, I’d love the chance to talk to you to see if we might be a good fit? We are based both in Los Angeles and Dallas….Rich@vinylweddings.com ….. 214-704-6813.
Hi Taya – This is Rich from Vinyl Weddings ( http://vinylweddings.com). Mutual friend Meagan Hall recommended us above. If you like our style, I’d love to talk to you to see if we might be a good fit for you. Our business is in both Los Angeles and Dallas….
rich@vinylweddings.com
214-704-6813
Facebook/vinylweddings