Creating that once in a lifetime moment is the reason for all of the planning. Capturing the moments with wedding photography and videography will create the memory of it. Finding quality, experience and style on your budget can be a challenge. These tips should help you have it all.
Budgeting for Wedding Photography and Videography
Since the wedding budget can control most decisions, we are beginning with the budget. The average couple spends about $2,500 on their wedding photography, and about the same amount for videography. This number is not necessarily the average cost of these services, but more reflective of the trend that couples are trying to save and buy smaller packages. While the average couple is trying to save and buy small, trends tell us that if the budget allows, couples are willing to spend $7,000 or more to have the quality and style they really want.
How Much Should You Spend?
Photography packages alone cost about $2,000 to $3,000 on average. Wedding videography packages can cost about the same. Depending on skill level and experience, these services can range from $3,000 to $8,000. Booking photography and videography with one professional can create a bundle package with savings; however, not every photographer does videography, and not every videographer does photography. It is very common to purchase these services from different wedding vendors.
So how much should you spend? This question is more about your budget and finding the right artist that can deliver the style you want. You can easily answer the question about what you are able to afford to spend on wedding photography and videography, but there are some things to consider before deciding if you are willing to spend it. After all, we only pay what we believe something is worth.
Make Sure They are Worth It
Valuating the work of a photographer or videographer will begin with a review of their experience, talent and style. Make sure you find that level of excellence and quality in their images, video, personality and services. Determine whether they have the talent and the style to deliver your vision, and ask yourself if you are willing to pay for the experience.
Find Your Style
The shoot and the edit are not the same. You might love the vintage look of a photograph that appears slightly washed out with a focus on blues, greens, reds and yellows, but that dramatic effect is all in the post editing style. How images are captured is the result of the style of the shoot. Classic wedding photography consists of traditional posed images. Documentary style utilizes the timeline to follow the wedding day and cover it like a news story as it unfolds. Editorial wedding photography is a rare style that captures moments in images that are worthy of a magazine cover. They are creative images that can tell a story with a focus on creating a specific mood or tone. Dramatic style is visually captivating and set apart by bold shadows, dramatic backgrounds and strong lines. It requires the mastery of off-camera flash and the ability to work with light and shutter speed. Fine art is defined by the clarity and intention of every shot that tells your wedding story. The result is an image with a sophisticated, refined and elegant feeling. You should get to know the style of your photographer before booking their services.
Planning with a Wedding Photographer and Videographer
It is important to have consultations and communication with your wedding photographer and videographer during the planning process, especially just prior to your big day. You must establish what time the photographer should arrive. Most couples want to commemorate the process of getting ready for their wedding. Knowing when your photographer should arrive is just as important as knowing how long they should spend covering your wedding day. Talk about the timeline and your highlight moments. The cocktail hour is usually a time for capturing formal wedding photography. Some packages are limited to a certain number of photographs. Make sure to discuss what points of the day will be captured on film and what parts of the day the photographer should ignore.
Crystal Ballroom at Veranda
Create a fairy tale at Crystal Ballroom at Veranda, and capture every magical moment with the talented wedding photographers and videographers at Crystal Ballroom. Meet with in-house designers and planners to design your entire wedding venue from your ceremony space to the reception ballroom. Create unforgettable moments at this picturesque wedding venue that includes all of the furnishings, designs, services and vendor connections to make your dream wedding come true.
