The five BEST questions to make sure you’re booking the right wedding videographer!

Wedding videographers come in all shapes and sizes these days, and it’s important to make sure you’re making the right choice! We’ve come so far from mom and dad’s home movie, but finding the right wedding videographer for your can seem a bit daunting.

I recently talked about why you need a wedding videographer, and definitely recommend checking that out if you’re on the fence. I also didn’t find anything that was actually helpful for couples, other than articles that weren’t useful and clearly not written by a wedding videographer.

As an experienced wedding filmmaker, I’ve broken down the top five questions to help you find the perfect wedding videographer.

1. Ask the wedding videographer to describe their videography style.

This might seem obvious, but can be a little more involved than you might think. There are wide range of videography styles, and much like photographers, each person’s style comes from an artistic place. Whether that’s documentary, timeless, nonlinear, or something else, the videographer will probably use their own unique descriptors to describe their work.

If you’re looking for something straightforward and simple, you probably don’t want a videographer who specializes in nonlinear edits. If you’re wanting something more artsy and abstract, a timeless style probably won’t be the best match for you. I encourage you to approach this process like you would a photographer, and find someone whose style you connect with. Additionally, make sure they have a body of work to support their claims, and do your own research on their social media profiles and websites.

2. Have them explain their setup for the ceremony.

Another obvious, but sometimes overlooked, aspect about filming your wedding day. I’ve heard horror stories about videographers blocking parents and pushing photographers out of the way– it baffles me. As someone who prides myself in my “fly on the wall” ceremony presence, emotional intelligence is huge. While I want to get great shots, the ceremony is *the* reason for the wedding. Make sure they have the proper professional equipment to capture your ceremony beautifully, without disrupting the big moment for you.

3. Clarify what their deliverables are.

Deliverables is just a fancy word for the product you receive at the end of the process. When videographers say things like “documentary edit” or “film” there’s sometimes the assumption that person inquiring will just get it. However, what my couples actually love is when I elaborate about what these terms actually mean. This also helps manage expectations on both ends, and sets up the relationship for success.

Make sure your videographer is clear about their product, and don’t feel embarrassed to ask for clarification!

4. Ask how they work with the photographer and other vendors.

This is a big one. While it’s important to hire a professional that is great with your whole vendor team, they’ll spend most of the day with the photographer. Having a fire photo and video team will make your day feel that much more effortless, and will reflect in your film and photos. Have they worked with your photographer before? If you haven’t booked your photographer, do they have any to recommend? Are they able to double-dip and shoot alongside the photographer? Or, will they need additional time between poses and moments to capture their own bits?

It’s usually something different for everyone, and for me I’d say it’s a mix. I love playing off of my photographer partner, and haven’t met one I didn’t love. But when the photographer is more traditional and posed, I tend to need a little more time to get some movement out of that moment so it translates to video. Don’t be afraid to suss out an ego, because on your wedding day, you want a wedding videographer who’s there for you!

5. Ask them how available they are during the wedding planning process.

Finding a videographer is about so much more than filming your day and editing a video. A real professional is there to serve you and give you a great experience, beginning to end. While you may pay more of a premium for an experienced pro, you’ll be better off for it, and so will your memories.

Making sure your videographer will respond in a timely manner, and be available for questions during the planning process is key. My couples are the center of my business, and I’m always there to help them out. Even if it’s not a video-related question, I’m your confidant and sounding board and will do everything I can to make sure your big day is unforgettable.

Serving couples is at the center of this industry. Finding a wedding videographer to support you during your journey will result in a better film and a lifelong friend.