Should I hire a wedding videographer for my small wedding?

You’ve hired your dream photographer. Your wedding is small. Do you really need a videographer too? For a lot of couples, the answer feels obvious—until they start thinking about what they’ll actually want to remember.

Is it worth it to film a small wedding?

At first, it’s easy to assume photos will be enough.

Small weddings tend to have a different energy. With fewer people, the atmosphere can feel more intimate, more low-key. Maybe it’s a second wedding, and the crowd is a little older—less wild dance floor, more meaningful conversations. Or maybe it’s an elopement, just the two of you, where every moment is deeply personal.

At first, it seems like an easy decision. Photography is already covering the event. You don’t need both, right?

And honestly, that makes sense. You’ve probably seen incredible wedding photos—stunning portraits, beautifully framed ceremony shots, emotional candids. If great photos can capture everything, why spend thousands on video too?

But then, you start to really think about it.

You remember a wedding you attended where the vows made you tear up—but would a photo of that moment bring back the sound of their voices? You think about your partner’s reaction when they first see you, or your best friend’s toast that has everyone laughing—would a photo be enough to bring those memories to life?

Here’s the thing: a smaller wedding doesn’t make the memories any less significant. If anything, it makes them more important.

Even intimate weddings fly by in a rush of adrenaline, emotion, and celebration. And when it’s over, you won’t just want to see how it looked—you’ll want to hear it and feel it.

Most couples who skip videography don’t regret saving the money. They regret not being able to relive the moments they thought they’d always remember.

So, how do you know if you’ll regret it? That’s what we’re going to help you figure out.

Photography vs. Video: What’s the Difference?

It’s easy to assume that if you have a great photographer, you don’t need a videographer. After all, photos capture the moments—you’ll have beautiful images of your first kiss, your first dance, the people you love most gathered around you.

But a photo can’t do everything.

• A photo of your dad tearing up during his speech is beautiful. But it won’t let you hear his voice crack when he says he’s proud of you.
• A still image of your partner’s reaction as you walk down the aisle is powerful. But it won’t capture the sharp inhale, the whispered “Wow,” the way their voice shakes when they say their vows.
• A shot of the dance floor shows movement. But it won’t bring back the music, the laughter, or the way your friends screamed the lyrics to your favorite song at the top of their lungs.

That’s the difference.

A wedding film doesn’t replace your photos—it adds everything they can’t capture. It brings your memories to life in a way that no other medium can.

Small Wedding or Large—It’s Still One of the Biggest Moments of Your Life

You’re getting married to the love of your life (presumably—if not, maybe reconsider the video and the wedding). It’s a big deal. A major life event. Even if you’ve been together for years, this is different. It’s official. It’s significant. And even the most wedding-skeptical among us feel it.

And you’re not doing it alone.

You’ve invited the people who mean the most to you—your real, inner circle. In an era where people have thousands of online “friends,” you’ve chosen these people to be there. That alone makes this moment special.

So, ask yourself:

• Would you want to hear your vows again, exactly as they were spoken?
• Would you want to see your partner’s face, their real reaction, in motion?
• Would you want to hear your best friend’s toast, not just see a photo of them holding a mic?

Photography freezes a moment. Film brings it back to life.

And beyond the big emotions, there are the small details that matter to you. Maybe you’re like one of our Chatham Bars Inn brides, Amanda, who had always dreamed of a caviar bar at her wedding. For her, it wasn’t just food—it was a lifelong vision brought to life. Or maybe for you, it’s the champagne tower, the oversized wedding cake, or the charitable donation instead of favors.

These might not make the highlight reel of someone else’s wedding—but for you, they’re everything.

A wedding film doesn’t just document a day. It preserves a feeling, a time, a place in your life.

Small doesn’t mean insignificant.

And when you see it that way—yes, it’s worth it.

Your Wedding Will Be a Blur—No Matter the Size

People assume a small wedding will feel slower, calmer, easier to take in. And in some ways, that’s true. But here’s the part no one tells you:

Your wedding day will still fly by.

Even with a smaller guest list, you’ll still be the center of attention. Everyone will want a moment with you. The emotions will be overwhelming in the best way, and the whole day will go by in a rush of adrenaline.

And at the end of the night, as the last champagne glass is clinking, something happens.

You start to realize…

• You don’t actually remember walking down the aisle—just the feeling of it.
• You can’t quite recall what you or your partner said during your vows.
• You hugged so many people, but who?
• If this is your first wedding, how many times did your parents tell you how proud they were?
• If it’s a second wedding, how did your kids look at you during the ceremony? What did they say?

This is the moment when regret creeps in.

Not because of the money. Not because of the planning stress. But because there’s no rewind button.

The first anniversary. The birth of your first child—or your grandchild. The moment you lose someone you love. Those are the times you’d give anything to go back and hear them again, see them again, just as they were on that day.

And that’s exactly what a wedding film gives you.

Your Wedding Film Becomes a Shared Experience

Not everyone you love will be at your wedding. Maybe it’s because of travel, health, or simply keeping the guest list small. But here’s the thing—a great wedding film doesn’t just preserve memories. It lets people experience your wedding as if they were there.

They won’t just see a posed photo of your first kiss—they’ll hear the emotion in your vows.
They won’t just see a snapshot of the reception—they’ll feel the energy of the room, the laughter, the music, the cheers.
And let’s not forget the toasts—the words from your closest people that hit differently when you hear them years later.

A wedding film is more than a keepsake—it’s a way to bring people into the moment, whether they were there that day or not.

If sharing your wedding with loved ones matters to you, a thoughtfully crafted film is the best way to do it. It’s not just a recording—it’s the next best thing to being there.

Wedding Videos Create Traditions That Last for Generations

Your wedding film isn’t just something you’ll watch once and forget about. It becomes part of your family’s story.

We’ve had couples who started a tradition of watching wedding films on holidays—Thanksgiving, anniversaries, even casual Sunday dinners. Anyone with a wedding video joins in, reliving the moments that built their family.

Because that’s the thing about traditions: they bring people together. They connect generations. They turn old memories into new ones.

And what makes it even more special? It’s not a passive experience. It’s not like scrolling through old photos alone. It’s shared. You’re sitting together, laughing at the same moments, tearing up at the same toasts, reminiscing about the people in the room.

And if your family is spread out? The tradition still holds up. Since our films are delivered in a way that makes them easy to stream, you can watch together in real time—whether that’s a FaceTime call with your parents or a full family watch party across different states.

• Your kids and grandkids will see the way you looked at each other on your wedding day.
• You’ll hear the voices of loved ones who may not be here anymore.
• You’ll remember the little moments—the inside jokes, the stolen glances, the joy in the room.

It becomes something everyone looks forward to. A moment of togetherness in a world that moves too fast. A way to pause and relive the best day of your life—not just once, but over and over again, with the people who matter most.

A wedding film? That’s a tradition worth starting.

Will a Wedding Videographer Be Overwhelming?

One of the biggest concerns couples have—especially for small weddings—is whether having a videographer will feel intrusive.

And it’s a fair question. When your guest list is intimate, it’s easier to notice everything happening around you. But here’s the truth: the right team knows how to blend in.

A good videographer is never in the way. They’re not barking directions or making you feel like you’re on a movie set. Instead, they’re reading the room, moving with intention, and capturing the moments as they naturally unfold.

Because the reality is, if someone is intrusive at a 20-person wedding, they’d be intrusive at a 700-person wedding, too. It’s not about the guest count—it’s about how they work.

The right videographer will:

• Make you feel at ease. You won’t even notice the cameras most of the time.
• Know when to step in (like offering gentle direction when needed) and when to step back.
• Prioritize your experience. If you need privacy, space, or a moment to breathe, they respect that.
• Work seamlessly with your photographer instead of competing for your attention.

This is what we do best. Our approach is about keeping things natural, so you can stay fully present in the moment—without feeling like you’re “on camera.”

What Memories of Your Wedding Day Are Important to You?

Try to think ahead to how you’ll want to remember your wedding after it’s over.

Will it be important to you to:

• Have crystal clear memories of the day?
• Hear your vows whenever you want?
• See your closest friends and family dancing and celebrating?
• Hear their laughter and voices—exactly as they were in that moment?
• Remember the way you looked at each other as you came down the aisle?
• Relive the toasts given by the people who mean the most to you?
• Share this experience with your future kids, grandkids, or loved ones?

If the answer is yes, then absolutely—you need a wedding video.

Yes, It’s Important to Film Your Small Wedding.

Even if it doesn’t feel like a big deal now, it might be one of the most meaningful things you have later.

Because in the end, your wedding video isn’t just for you. It’s for your family. Your friends. And one day, if you choose to have them, your kids.

You’d be surprised how many people will watch your wedding film as much as you do.

Want to Talk About Filming Your Small Wedding?

If you’re having an intimate wedding on mainland Cape Cod, we offer a petite package designed specifically for smaller celebrations.

For full-day coverage or weddings anywhere in New England, we’d be happy to put together a custom quote.

Get in touch here.

Still unsure if videography is right for you? Check out our in-depth guide on navigating this decision?