Wedding Videographer on a Budget
Wedding planning and budgeting can be a huge task, especially at the beginning. I can relate! We were married back in 2009, in the age of magazines and wedding fairs being the only source of inspiration, and our trusty spreadsheet to help us through.
But what do you prioritise when everything that comes with wedding planning feels like a priority? Well, the things that don’t feel as important slowly fall down the list as other things take more of the budget than planned. Then before you know it, you can’t afford the things you hoped you’d be able to add on last minute…like a wedding videographer!
Think You Can’t Afford a Wedding Videographer? Read This First!
Wedding videography can be seen as a ‘nice to have’ item on the list and it isn’t the end of the world if it doesn’t make the cut.
But what if I told you that not having a wedding videographer was THE biggest regrets of newlywed couples (and has been for over a decade)?
And it’s hearing that from friends and family that makes couples like you think again, but then worry they can’t get what they want within the remaining budget they have.
But you don’t need to cut corners or get someone cheap who you’re not actually keen on just to keep the fear of missing out at bay. What if there was a way to get an experienced wedding videographer you’ve fallen in love with and could put your trust in to capture your day…?
I always said I wouldn’t have a wedding video.
This was based on my idea it would be a constant rolling image of the day picking up my most unflattering angle and us having to say awkward things to the camera, being asked to recreate scenes over and over again.
My viewpoint changed once I watched Anna and Lee’s film from their wedding and there was no doubt in my mind that we just had to have Charlene film our big day whatever the cost.
A videographer was definitely a luxury for us as a couple although I felt really strongly about having one. For me venue was number 1, followed by photographer and videographer. For Gary it was a lot lower on the budget list.
He Thought We Couldn’t Afford It and Videography Was A Luxury…
Siobhan (quoted above) isn’t the only one to having to fight against the idea of videography being a luxury or ‘nice to have’ item. It’s hard to justify a big wedding expense in the overall budget if one of you can’t see the value in having it!
I had the same challenges back when we were wedding planning, my Husband hated the idea of being filmed and couldn’t see the point of having something we’d never watch.
What changed their minds…? Gentle persuasion mainly, but mostly hearing from friends and family who got to experience what it was likely reliving their wedding day through their video. As well as the ones who went on to wish they’d had a wedding videographer and didn’t want them to regret it too!
We Didn’t Think We Could Afford A Wedding Videographer…
I’m relieved we spent money on a good videographer and photographer, it’s only after you realise that once the day is done these and memories are all that’s left.
We’ve both said that the money that went on these two was the money best spent
Over the years I’ve helped many couples ensure they didn’t have to cut corners to capture their wedding day on video! From reluctant partners to dwindling wedding budgets, there are many reasons why couples can’t work out if adding a videographer to the list is worth it.
So whether you’re a couple who are debating if it’s worth the investment if you’ll only watch it once, or the couple who hadn’t prioritised it and now wish you had but the budget is too tight, I have some ideas to share with you to ensure you don’t miss out!
Couple 1: The Flexible Wedding Budget…
Budget is always a concern with weddings but being able to upgrade as we went along was a huge help because then we could save a bit more and purchase
You’ve found an amazing videographer you love but they’re way out of your budget or you can’t see a way to make it work to get everything you’d love. What about asking them for any flexibility? I don’t necessarily mean on price but more in the approach!
Did you know that it’s possible to film your full wedding day, enjoy a Highlights of the day only weeks afterwards and THEN consider adding more video ‘extras’ on to enjoy?
For many couples before the wedding they may feel it’s important to have the ceremony and speeches filmed in full so adding them to the package now takes it way over budget.
But what if I told you that after the wedding the majority of my couples actually prefer adding on things like the ‘Outtakes’ or longer edits that then traditional ones. It’s only after the day they an see the value in those candid, unplanned moments that were captured over the staged one!
Being able to be flexible with your choices not only helps fit a videographer you love into the budget but it can also bring some flexibility to your video choices after the wedding too! After all, it’s much easier to know what you want to watch back once you’ve lived it!
If you are looking for a video, do not look any further. There are different price options depending on budget and it is reassuring to know that you can add to the bundle after the day as it all seems daunting at first.
Couple 2: Cutting Back On Other Things To Make It Work…
You might think you don’t need a videographer or it is too expensive when you are planning your wedding which can be so expensive. But having Charlene as our videographer is without doubt one of the best decisions we made about our whole wedding and so so worth the cost.
It is a cliche, but the day goes SO fast and there is so much you forget until you get chance to watch it back on video later. The videos are a masterpiece and bring us so much joy. I would now say a videographer is actually a non negotiable! (Scrimp a bit on the other materialistic stuff!!)
When we got married I decided to scrimp on the cake and decorated a plain one myself. For others it’s been having a friend with a nice car be their chauffeur or opt for a DJ over a band. Another couple even delayed their honeymoon so they could enjoy their wedding without cutting too many corners and tell me they’re forever grateful they thought to do that!
Once upon a time I even had someone debating if they should book me as their wedding videographer or have a sparkly dancefloor. They opted for the floor and I’ve forever wondered if the couple and their guests are still gushing about that dancefloor…
Couple 3: Adding It To The Gift List
Linking it back to the ‘flexible’ point above, a few of my couples book the base package and add their favourite video extras to their wedding gift list!
Many couples now don’t need a matching dinner set or silverware as they’ve already lived together or just don’t need all the matching ‘just married’ stuff so a modern gift list comes in handy!
These gift lists are usually reserved for the honeymoon extras but what about asking for help towards getting your wedding speeches to relive or maybe those ‘Outtakes’ I mentioned earlier too?
This can be a great way to ensure you get a videographer that fits your budget with a highlights film and look forward to adding some bits on after the big day!
Making It Work: Practical Ideas for Budget-Conscious Couples!
So you’ve worked through the worries that aren’t linked to the cost of having a wedding videographer and now you’re left with figuring out how to fit one in without cutting corners.
It’s a wasted investment if you find someone cheap and based on price if you don’t actually love them OR their work. Don’t be afraid to start a conversation with your favourite videographer to see if they can offer any flexibility like I share above.
It can be really easy to put this off because the cost seems to much at the beginning but as we’ve already explored, many couples go on to regret not being able to relive their day on video. It just isn’t the same seeing a moment come to life, we can’t get that with a photo alone…wedding photography and videography are needed together to help you relive all the best bits!
You could also consider looking into payment plans/splitting payments, or even shorter coverage hours to reduce the cost without missing the key moments that mean the most to you.
Recap: Don’t Let Common Budget Worries Lead To Regret
- A wedding videographer doesn’t have to be seen as a luxury or something ‘nice to have’ that can be bumped off the wedding list!
- We Didn’t Think We Could Afford A Wedding Videographer…there are many ways to make it fit within any budget, without cutting corners or booking someone cheaper who you don’t actually love!
- A flexible wedding budget or flexible videographer! I shared ways that some videographers can help you spread the cost!
- Cutting back or reducing other things to squeeze a video into the budget
- Consider creating a gift list for those wedding videographer extras
- Is it the cost or is it something else holding you back from booking a videographer? Be honest with yourself and explore what other things could be stopping you from prioritising a video!
Still On The Fence About Wedding Videography? Let’s Chat!
Since 2010 I’ve worked with so many couples who thought having a wedding video might be out of reach until we found a way to make it work for their budget and their priorities. If this sounds like you, I’d love to hear your story and help you see what’s possible.
No pressure, just a friendly and honest conversation about what matters most to you and what options you may have.
Contact me via my form HERE or get in touch via charlene@lovegetssweeter.co.uk