If you’re trying to decide whether to hire a wedding videographer, you’ve probably already heard every opinion imaginable.
And none of that actually helps you. Because the truth is, there is no universal right answer.
Some couples can’t imagine their wedding without a film. Others don’t think about it at all. Some book a videographer last minute and are thrilled they did. Others rush into hiring someone just to check it off the list and end up disappointed.
If you’re stuck, we’ve got help for you—and it’s not the same thing you’ve read everywhere else. We want to help you make a genuine choice that’s yours and yours alone so you can feel confident and empowered.
Because the truth is—you are a great decision-maker. We all get in our own heads at times.
I want to tell you what happens at each stage of planning, the common hurdles, and how to move past them—so you can plan without stressing out… and move on. No one likes to be stuck.
That’s why this isn’t another article telling you “Yes! Get a video!” Instead, I want to lay out the actual decision points couples face when deciding on videography—so you know what to expect at every step.
It’s easy to assume you can set your budget first and find vendors to match—but location dictates costs more than couples expect. The venue, vendors, and even logistics are all influenced by the area’s cost of living and demand. Choosing a high-end destination means working within a high-end pricing structure, which isn’t always obvious at first.
Every couple has different vendor priorities. Some know from the start that videography is a must-have, while others see it as a nice-to-have. If videography is high on your list, you have time and options to find the right fit. If it’s lower, the number of available choices shrinks the longer you wait.
Figuring out what’s “reasonable” for wedding videography isn’t easy.
Unlike other major purchases, there’s no standardized pricing guide, and most couples have never hired a videographer—or any other wedding vendor before. So they do what makes sense—they gather pricing from different vendors and try to find the middle ground. The problem? That middle ground doesn’t account for the how and why behind the numbers. All the different business models, skill levels, the client experience provided, and the markets these vendors live in.
A Cape Cod lobster roll might feel expensive at $33. But that succulent, tender lobster was caught in Cape Cod Bay that same morning by Frank, a generational fisherman who prioritizes sustainability, throws back undersized lobsters, and knows exactly where his catch is coming from. When you buy from him, you’re not just getting better quality—you’re supporting a business that directly contributes to the local economy and culture.
Compare that to a Mystic, Connecticut McDonald’s, where they’ve sold lobster rolls for under $15 in the past. That lobster? Who knows where it came from, when it was caught, or if it’s even real lobster meat.
The price isn’t the problem—it’s whether the quality, sourcing, experience, and trust factor justify it. And it’s the same with videography.
A $5,000 mass-market company might seem like a decent deal next to an $8,000 boutique filmmaker, but what’s missing? What’s actually in the package—and what’s been sacrificed to make that price work?
When you hire a boutique filmmaker, you’re not just getting a better film—you’re working with someone who knows the area, understands the nuances of your venue, and has built relationships with other vendors to make your day run smoothly. You’re supporting a business that stakes its reputation on every wedding it films, rather than one that funnels bookings through a corporate pipeline.
How to Tell If a Videographer’s Pricing Matches What You Need
Instead of asking, “Is this too expensive?” try asking:
Understanding what’s included helps you compare value—not just cost. Would you rather have “everything” with compromises or the right things done exceptionally well?
Asking these questions shifts your focus from “What’s the average price?” to “What am I actually getting?”—which is the key to making a decision you won’t regret.
If you’re getting married in an expensive area, your videographer’s cost will reflect that—just like rent, groceries, and, yes, lobster rolls.
You need a waffle maker. You’ve got two options:
At first, the cheap one seems like the smarter choice. Waffles are waffles, right?
But then, you start thinking about it… you’ve had these types of waffle makers before.
Now you think about the other one—the one you nearly ruled out because it’s more than double the price.
Some people will still pick the cheap one. And that’s OK. Because, sometimes, you just need a stupid cheap waffle maker. But now, they’re making the choice knowing exactly what they’re signing up for—no pressure, no surprises, no regrets.
OK, so we know how to check for regret when shopping for waffle makers (you’re welcome I hope you have the best waffles now) but, eh, a video isn’t a $200 waffle maker. It can come with a little heavier regret than it being annoying to clean and using it less.
Right now, $8,000 could go toward something else—a honeymoon upgrade, home savings, paying off some other wedding costs or upgrading to get some sweet bathroom flowers (totally a thing).
Fifteen years from now? That same $8,000 might feel like nothing compared to how often your film has been watched.
Your friends. Your parents. Your kids. Your sister’s kids.
It becomes part of the family’s memories—not just yours.
Ask yourself:
Am I making this choice based on what matters most today or what will matter most over time?
Which trade-off will sit better with me in 10 years?
If you’re struggling to answer that, try flipping the question:
Imagine you already have the film. Would you give it up for $8,000?
If the answer is yes, then the money is more important right now.
If the answer is absolutely not, then you already know the value is there.
Or imagine you didn’t get a video, with everything that has changed in your life… Would you pay $8,000 to have it back?
This is a trick I use for almost every big purchase I struggle with. And on a personal note—trust me: as someone who never thought she’d care much about her own family memories due to complicated family issues… that all changed when my mother died. If you’d asked me in my 20s, I would have bet anything that would never happen.
Growth is real, and learning that the hard way was not fun. But that was my reality. Yours might be different. And that’s the whole point—only you know what will matter most to you, and only you will know if you’ll be okay with your answer—even 20 years later.
If the answer is no, you’re good.
If the answer is yes, that tells you something.
The Decision Hack
If you can’t decide between two things, act like you’ve already made the decision.
If you feel relief, you made the right choice.
There is no right answer—only the right answer for you. At the end of the day, all that matters is that you make a choice you can live with. You’ve got this.
If you’re having a small wedding or elopement, you might be wondering if video is worth it for an intimate gathering. We break that down in detail here: Should I Hire a Videographer for My Small Wedding?