How much does a wedding videographer cost - updated 2026

Jan 22

How much does a wedding videographer cost? The answer is: it depends…
There are however some core influences that typically affect cost:

Core Influences

Style: A short highlight is going to cost less than an in-depth documentary.
Quality: Someone that creates high quality work is going to cost more.
Deliverables: Offering a short 3 minute video in a highlight style is going to cost less than a well built documentary story driven edit. As well as having speeches, vows, the ceremony etc.
Coverage: Someone showing up to just film for 2 hours will cost less than someone that will be there from start to end.
Equipment: Sometimes in tandem with quality or style, but in general to capture quality video and audio you need quality equipment.
Experience: Having a team with a wealth of experience creating stories and knowing how to use the equipment will often cost more.

Before figuring out the cost, first consider the value you want to get from your film. If you want just a video of the ceremony alone, the cost will likely be less, but you will have just that, missing several key moments of what makes your day a true celebration.

The true focus should be on the style of the film or video you want to have as your keepsake; and keepsake should be the framing you take on your wedding video or film. Think of what not only you would want to have now, but what you would want for your 10, 20, 50th wedding anniversary. What future generations, be it kids, nieces, or friend’s kids, would want to watch. Creating something that captures who you and even your guests are, here and now.

Investing in a memory

Likely when searching for a wedding videographer you're also looking for a wedding photographer. If you are not getting a photographer, consider this in your search for a wedding videographer. If you are getting a photographer, consider what style they are shooting. What photos they will capture. Also consider that your film first and foremost is for you and your partner. Consider you will live your wedding day through your eyes, and your partners through theirs. Likely you won't get to see what the other sees. When looking at coverage, take this into consideration. Moments like getting ready, or exchanging gifts, or simple solitude while reviewing vows are often just seen by you. When watching your wedding film 20 years from now, you will likely have forgotten some of the details of your celebration. Being transported back to that time and place is irreplaceable.

Breaking down the cost

A big question is often, “Why does a wedding photographer or videographer cost so much?!”. This can apply to a videographer charging $500 or $15,000+. Cost is a mix of: style, quality, deliverables, coverage, equipment, and experience. They seldom are isolated features. Working in this mix is what makes for a memorable wedding film.

Style

is probably the first element that comes to mind when selecting a videographer. At Towering Pines Productions, we focus on telling a true Narrative Documentary style. One that focuses on what matters most to you, leaving a message, and telling your story with cinematic quality footage. Others focus on an avant garde approach compared to a fashion film or a perfume ad. Others still have lots of flowing footage that while it also looks great, doesn't tell a story. Others will focus on having lots of drone shots. Others will simply edit the footage to music and call it a day. Some will put the full ceremony in the midst of the video edit and say their job is done. This goes hand in hand with quality.

Quality

Can be subjective. There is quality of the footage, quality of the edit (the final film), and quality of the story. First, consider of the quality of the end film. Does it feel engaging? Does it having meaning? Is the footage matching with what is being said or match the music? Is the coloring nice or very flat and dull, or overly saturated that everyone is looking like oompa loompas?

Next consider quality of the story. The final film might look great and all the pieces are there, but do you feel like at the end of it you have learned anything or come away with anything other than two people got married. Essentially, do you feel like you got to know them?

And finally, consider the footage. While super 8 vintage style is the trend of today do you feel like it added anything? Did the footage look clean or did it have an iphone quality? Does the quality match with the mood and style of the film?

And a word of warning, many videographers style themselves as cinematographers. As an easy reference, look at your favorite movie, then compare it to the wedding “cinematographers”.

Deliverables

Think of what you are getting at the end. Does your videographer give you a two minute video or a thought out 15minute film. While length of the final film shouldn't be the only consideration, a 15 minute film can feel more engaging and thoughtful than a 4 hour string of clips, consider how you will look at this 20/30/50 years from now. Part of deliverables can be the vows, the ceremony, speeches, etc. Were there any interviews conducted with family or friends? Can you get access to footage for a fee?

Coverage

Generally split into 3 main types:
By the hour, usually for capturing just the ceremony or vows.
8-10 hours, the “day” if you will, but often misses moments like getting ready or send off.

Custom coverage, either from start to finish of the day or multiple days.

In coverage, also consider how many videographers there will be. 1 can capture key moments, 2 capture nearly everything. When thinking about the final film, take into account that there are aspects and moments from your day that neither of you will get to see.

Equipment

This is not to say that a videographer with a $6,000 camera will be better than one shooting on iPhone, but there is usually a correlation. But that is also to say that a videographer showing up with seemingly every piece of equipment imaginable isnt going to give you better shots than a one with a handheld camera. The joke on film sets is: “The equipment list at the start of the day is very different than the end”. There is a certain “goldilocks” zone that you videographer will ideally be in. While that determination is generally left up to them, it is fair to ask what kind of “presence” they will have. While trying to have sentimental moments with your partner, nothing quite like a camera lens 2 feet from your face.

Experience

The easy rule to follow is: the more experience, the higher the cost. Also consider varied experience. When looking at a portfolio for a finished film, does it feel unique. Styles from creator to creator, the “voice”, but if every video or film feels like a copy and paste template, ask yourself if you’re getting your wedding film, or a template from someone else.

Things to consider

“Vibe” of the videographer

When finding your videographer, consider the general way they approaching working. Your wedding celebration should be what you want it to be. A videographer (or any vendor for that matter) that is very loud and outgoing, while you have a more relaxed attitude will be incredibly jarring. Just as a videographer that is incredibly timid will feel off when you're very jubilant.

The “Back-up plan” plan

You spent money on hiring a videographer, it is fair to ask how they are preserving the footage that they captured. Much like a bank is entrusted to protect your money, so too should your videographer (or photographer) preserve the footage they have captured. Every videographer has their own methods of how they plan to back up their footage.

Coming from over 15 years in the documentary and commercial realm, we have a very specific way of backing up our footage that ensures that even in the worst event of our entire workspace going up in flames, we could still get the footage back. And even the less extreme of simply formatting the wrong card at the wrong time, we have specific rules and systems that prevent us from doing so. This way the footage is protected from the moment it is captured until final delivery of the film and beyond. We for instance bring enough memory cards to film for days without ever having to touch the same card twice. Those get backed up and doubled backed up to drives, and those drives are backed up to a remote cloud. A quick google search will yield multiple stories of videographers and photographers loosing footage. Its paramount to ensure yours is well prepared to protect yours.

Back-up plans

Like most of life, weather and last minute unforeseen interruptions happen. Being equipped and knowledgeable about how to adjust and adapt is crucial to not have a bunch of footage that looks terrible and nothing can be heard. Or being unprepared that, for instance, it begins to rain and non of the videographers equipment is water-resistant. Having done several dozen live events, we can tell you a wedding day is no different. Having plans and equipment in place to protect gear and adapt shooting styles so you are not missing shots is like having car insurance after a wreck.