How much should I pay for a wedding video?
There are many variables involved in the pricing of any video production. Factors include: hours, crew/expertise, equipment, stock, preproduction/planning, post production/editing and format delivery/DVD authoring.
Any surviving business also needs to factor in profit and marketing expenses in their prices as well. You wouldn't want them to go out of business before receiving your wedding video, would you?
Before researching video production companies, why not ask yourself what you want in a wedding video? Do you want it to look as special as the photography? Or is it just a record of the day? Both?
If you really want to take ownership of a fantastic video production, you also need to be inspired. Inspiration is free, and you can get heaps researching videos online. If you get really amped about making a feature movie revolving around the happiest day of your life, the price will stay the same but the video will be so much more personal and precious to you.
Building your production to budget
Look at a producer's work and, if you like it, ask what was involved in achieving that level of production. Your producer should be fine with compiling a great approach to your video coverage, based on your preferences, if you say what your budget limit is. They might allocate part of the budget to cover additional crew, if you want multiple cameras during the ceremony and speeches, or particular shots requiring specialised gear (camera jib, dolly, spotlight). You could reduce your costs by reducing the team after the bridal waltz, if you don't feel you need multiple angles of the party games. You may not need to pay for post production/editing straight away. Post production is done only after the shoot, and you could consider leaving that for later. There's no reason why you couldn't choose to purchase the raw files for editing later (you might try to edit it yourself), as long as you have the great footage.
If you find you are getting a video because someone else got a video; and that's what is expected these days; and Mum wants it to show the relatives overseas; but you don't really like video cameras, I recommend you find the cheapest fly-on-the-wall video person you can and lock them in with a minimal deposit (so you don't lose so much if they go under). If you personally don't want a video, you won't like it no matter what it costs.
I suppose the real answer is: spend what a video of the people and events at your wedding is worth to you.
Any surviving business also needs to factor in profit and marketing expenses in their prices as well. You wouldn't want them to go out of business before receiving your wedding video, would you?
Before researching video production companies, why not ask yourself what you want in a wedding video? Do you want it to look as special as the photography? Or is it just a record of the day? Both?
If you really want to take ownership of a fantastic video production, you also need to be inspired. Inspiration is free, and you can get heaps researching videos online. If you get really amped about making a feature movie revolving around the happiest day of your life, the price will stay the same but the video will be so much more personal and precious to you.
Building your production to budget
Look at a producer's work and, if you like it, ask what was involved in achieving that level of production. Your producer should be fine with compiling a great approach to your video coverage, based on your preferences, if you say what your budget limit is. They might allocate part of the budget to cover additional crew, if you want multiple cameras during the ceremony and speeches, or particular shots requiring specialised gear (camera jib, dolly, spotlight). You could reduce your costs by reducing the team after the bridal waltz, if you don't feel you need multiple angles of the party games. You may not need to pay for post production/editing straight away. Post production is done only after the shoot, and you could consider leaving that for later. There's no reason why you couldn't choose to purchase the raw files for editing later (you might try to edit it yourself), as long as you have the great footage.
If you find you are getting a video because someone else got a video; and that's what is expected these days; and Mum wants it to show the relatives overseas; but you don't really like video cameras, I recommend you find the cheapest fly-on-the-wall video person you can and lock them in with a minimal deposit (so you don't lose so much if they go under). If you personally don't want a video, you won't like it no matter what it costs.
I suppose the real answer is: spend what a video of the people and events at your wedding is worth to you.
This article has been read 192 times.