How many hours should you hire a wedding videographer?
How many hours should you hire your videographer, (and photographer,) for. Determining the right number of hours to hire a wedding videographer is a huge factor to ensure all your once-in-a-lifetime moments are beautifully captured. At Will Wright Films, we offer base packages of 8 or 10 hours of on-location coverage, with the option to add more time in 1-hour increments if needed.
Why 8 to 10 Hours of Coverage Is Typical
An 8-hour coverage typically includes these key events:
Getting Ready: Capturing preparations, attire details, small details, and candid moments with your wedding party and family.
Ceremony: Documenting the entire ceremony, including processional, vows, and recessional. During your processional, you as the bride, won’t get to see your family and bridal party walk dow the aisle! But you will if you higher a videographer!
Reception Highlights: Filming significant moments, (I call them formalities,) including the first dance, toasts, cake cutting, speeches, bouquet toss, and formal exit.
For couples desiring a more comprehensive story for their video package, 10-hours of coverage allows for:
Extended Getting ready moments: More in-depth coverage of both partners getting ready, including interactions with family and friends.
First Look: If you choose to have a first look, additional time ensures this intimate moment is captured without rushing.
Complete Reception Coverage: From grand entrances to the final send-off, ensuring no moment is missed.
Aligning Coverage with Your Ceremony Time
The timing of your ceremony significantly influences the videography schedule:
Without a First Look: Starting coverage approximately 2 hours before the ceremony allows us to film getting ready moments and venue details. Post-ceremony, we can focus on formal portraits and family shots.
With a First Look: Beginning coverage about 3 hours prior to the ceremony accommodates capturing the first look and completing many formal portraits beforehand, streamlining the day's timeline.
Considering 'Getting Ready' and Reception Coverage
Think about how much of the getting-ready phase you want to include:
Getting Ready: These moments offer a glimpse into the anticipation and excitement before the ceremony, adding depth and candid moments to your wedding film.
Reception to the Send-Off: Staying until the formal exit ensures that the culmination of your celebration, including dances and farewells, is part of your wedding film.
Coordinating with Your Photographer
Aligning your videography and photography coverage enhances the documentation of your wedding day:
Matching Hours: Having the same coverage hours of both professionals facilitates seamless collaboration, ensuring all key moments are captured seamlessly from multiple perspectives.
Balancing Budget and Coverage Hours
While budget considerations are very important, remember that your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event:
Investing in Memories: Planning to secure sufficient coverage hours ensures that the entirety of your wedding day are preserved forever.
At Will Wright Films, we are dedicated to tailoring our services to meet your unique needs, ensuring that every meaningful moment is artfully captured.