In an age when catching every minute on camera is rife, the debate on whether or not to get a videographer is rightfully at the forefront of the minds of brides deep in wedding planning mode. But the whole budget thing can make this decision a little tricky at times, right? If you’re sitting there wondering if the ‘indulgence’ of a videographer is really worth the extra dollars when you’re already splurging on the photographer, you aren’t alone. But alas, we are here to report that collectively the consensus is a resounding yes, and not just from us! Every. single. bride (of the 10, now wives, we interviewed below) sing the praises of the lens lady or man who so beautifully captured their good times on video.
Most of these gals also recommend booking them at the same time, if not before your photographer, as no matter how much they love their stills, the video is what they admit to regularly reflecting on. Video naturally captures more than a photograph can create – including speeches – a recurring theme throughout their responses, not to mention the music – making their videos even more nostalgic to watch. Multiple wise brides even mention the added bonus of being able to share the video with their babies as they grow up, something that might not be in your mind now, but could contribute to the bigger picture of your happily ever after.
So without further adieu, scroll down for the nitty gritty on why a videographer will be worth every cent spent and once you’re convinced (yes, we’re that confident), head on over to our Directory to find the best of the best and book them in, stat. Oh and if you’re getting married in Melbourne, you’ll find our top ten recs here, and if you’re a Sydney bride, check out local videographers well worth their salt here. But first, scroll down for our ten real life reviews…
1. Erin & Rick
“A video is absolutely worth the money! It shows things that were said or done that pictures can’t portray. It captures the little moments each of us couldn’t be there to witness, like the real emotion I was able to see on the morning of the wedding at the groom’s get ready. A lot of the time, photos just show you smiling and all the happy snaps, but the video really allows you to step back into your shoes on the day and experience the candid parts again.”
2. Sarah & Kieran
“A videographer was the one thing I’d happily go back and pay for in a heartbeat. I rewatch our highlight video all the time and it makes me feel like I’m right back there so much more than even our photos do. I wasn’t sure whether a videographer would be worth the money and looking back now it is the number one thing I would recommend brides make sure they do! Our photos are fantastic, but watching our video is what really transports me back to our special day and makes me feel all the same feelings I did in those moments. It’s worth every penny without a doubt… and some! Also, a great tip is to let your photographer take the lead and have the videographer in the background of their direction. It helps catch all the right moments of the day and also makes things run seamlessly. Our anniversary ritual is to watch our video and I get teary EVERY time.”
3. Bec & Ben
“Our big day came and went in a blur of appointments, check ins, travel, hair, makeup and family catch ups. When we woke the next day, I had a million pictures flashing through my mind of what happened at our wedding but putting them together felt like an impossible jigsaw puzzle. When we watched our highlights reel, a flood of emotion and memories came back. To then receive an unedited, full-length film of the day was priceless. So many conversations and memories caught that would have otherwise been lost forever. Having a videographer is definitely a non-negotiable!”
4. Karly & Jono
“My husband and I love to watch our video on our anniversary. It captured moments that the photographer couldn’t get, especially the speeches. It’s so nice to watch back and remember all of the good times and good people you shared them with. Every time we watch it, we notice something or someone we haven’t before and get a good laugh out of the dancefloor coverage and cake cutting antics. Spend the money. Get the video.”
5. Kimmie & Mitch
“I am 100% an advocate for getting a videographer for your wedding day. If you want to treasure every single detail, hiring a videographer is a must. It’s an investment that will capture the magic and memories – from the silly to the heartfelt and everything in between. The video brings back a flood of emotions and takes you straight back to that big day. For my partner and I, watching our wedding video on each anniversary is something we truly treasure, and even better is being able to now share it with our little ones. Seeing the excitement on their faces – it’s pure magic. Videographers and weddings are a match. It’s as simple as that.”
6. Hannah & Andrew
“When I give people advice on what vendors you need for your wedding my top three is a videographer! I have lost count of how many times I have rewatched our wedding video and had numerous comments from people on what an amazing snapshot it was of our day. Our photographer recommended our videographer as they had worked together before, which is super beneficial as both vendors are interacting all day. This ensures they don’t get in each other’s way and [potentially] ruin footage. Our guys brought a relaxed vibe to our day – they were perfect for us and for the venue. Again, if they have worked at the venue before, it’s a big bonus! We loved the fact that they featured our wedding music throughout the video, too, as it takes you back to the exact moments from the day. They also suggested a video wall! Twice during the reception, people could go up and leave us video messages. It was epic to have a whole reel of our loved ones talking to us throughout the night – and let’s just say they got more hilarious as the night (and drinks!) flowed on!”
7. Maya & Joe
“The day goes by so quickly, but a videographer gives you the opportunity to relive and remember all the finer details that the photographer may have missed. It’s so incredible to have a video montage of the whole day – especially the dancefloor! The most special moment for me was walking down the aisle and the video captures my partner’s reaction perfectly. My tip to other brides when choosing the right videographer is to make sure their style of video they produce reflects your unique style and your wedding vibe.”
8. Laura & Todd
“Todd and I chose to have a videographer put together a small video as our budget was well stretched, but really, it should have been one of the first things we organised! We look at our video more than our photos, especially on our anniversary. It really takes you back and captures all those loving feels! My only regret is that we didn’t pay full price to get more film, although we are very grateful for the special snippet we do have. It’s also been beautiful to show our kids who love watching it. It’s still one of the most magical days of our lives and to be able to relive it a little through a video is a treasure to us.”
9. Katie Kunac
“A videographer was something we tossed up over and over again. We made the decision to book at the very last minute and we are so glad we did. Photos are great to look back on but the video was something else. Your wedding day flies and honestly you wake up feeling like ‘wow, what just happened?’ Add in a little champagne and the day can be a little hazy. When we both watched the video we were instantly brought back to all of the magic of the day that a photo just didn’t quite give us. It’s so special to relive speeches and hear our vows being read to each other without all the flutters on the day. I tell every bride-to-be, don’t hesitate, just book it, you won’t regret it!”
10. Sarah & Kyle
“Photos are amazing but to actually see people move and feel their emotion was something I would never regret having, even if I only watched it once a year. We picked our videographer because of his vibe. We didn’t want anything forced or staged and he captured us and our guests for who we all were on that day. He basically was invisible to us and just did his thing in the background and then created the most amazing three minutes I’ve ever seen that pulled together exactly how I felt that day and I can’t help but smile every time I watch it.”
// By Laura Wilson
