Didn't know videographers were so expensive.....

I would definately ask a family member. $1,000 is crazy! Keep shopping around though...I got a good deal because my photographer's wife does videography. She will video tape everything and then we can view it after the wedding and decide then if we want to buy it. Ours is only $400. I have a feeling that we will end up getting it. If we did not have her though we would have had a family member do it. Good luck!

Yeah I know several family members have video cameras. I just need to ask them. I can even edit them myself. I created a senior video for my class in high school and took video from some teachers giving the class well wishes. I had to do like 4 videos of 2 teachers because they kept getting interrupted or they would stumble and want to start over. So when I was making the video I cut and merged the videos together. You could barely see the transition from one to the next. So I can do that myself for our wedding.

See that's rough, I would be pretty upset if I couldn't have my photographer in my ceremony. I don't even want a videographer simply because I'm so excited about my photographer lol. I'll just have family tape it for me, good enough for me! Plus it's cheaper lol. I'm with @lmbrady, go with the fam and save some dough!

@teexoxo, yeah it was weird at first, but I don't mind. We can take all the pictures we want before and after. I was also planning on doing the "first look" pictures as well.

$1000 is not out of line for Chicagoland, and actually very cheap. Probably the average is a little different where you are. But remember, the cost likely includes editing time (which can take many hours), 2 - 4 locations, set-up time, wear and tear on equipment, wireless mics, etc. Also, as home equipment gets better, videographers are having a harder time making any money. So even though their "nut" stays the same, the number of jobs they are getting to cover that nut is shrinking.

If your church doesn't like still photos, make sure you find out the restrictions on video as well (regardless whether you get a pro or not). Some will say one static camera on tripod, no light, somewhere near the alter, or not. Maybe no moving around, no lights, no ...

Are you all having your whole wedding on video? I know some brides are just using a videographer for the first half of the wedding because they don't feel they need the whole entire event covered. This would save money I imagine. I am thinking of doing this.

I was quoted 1600 for the most BASIC package when I met with the videographer. But my FH and I decided not to go with video at all since to me the most important thing to capture are the vows and his grandpa can video tape that for us. It depends on how important video is to you.

I'm running into that too. I would love to have one but the rates are ridiculous even in NH

I'm having the same issue. The super-duper-awesomely-discounted rates here are $795. I'm only paying $500 for six hours of regular photography. And I'm going to get a lot more daily use out of my still photos. But I would have really liked to have fancy video.

Luckily, most new digital cameras have video options, so we can do that. Some even have HD video now, for like $300 or less. And at least I would have a camera at the end of the day!

Detroit area here - I haven't seen one for less that $1500. It's crazy! Don't know if it will fit in the budget, AT ALL! They're so cool though - and we want one - but wow... it's going to take some creative budgeting.

Ours is kind of pricey too, but I will say this I was 100% against it. Then I was talking to some of my friends who were married before me and one who hates video and photos said her dad made her do it and it was the best thing she ever did. She didn't even know he was there and they captured so much of the day she missed. She watched it so much her DH had to hide it from her.

@Future Mrs. Jacques if you are still looking I can give you the name of the guy who is doing our wedding and who did my friends and her brothers, and SIL wedding. He is out of Hudson; just send me a PM and I will be happy to share.

Thats exactly why we are NOT having a videographer! It's outrageous that they cost just as much, if not more than a photographer! We decided we would rather put a little more $$ towards a better photographer (our 1st choice) then hire a videographer. Plenty of friends and family if there is something like the ceremony that we want videoed.

You mentioned that they don't like for it to be done but would they be willing to if you let them know how hard it's been to find someone within your budget? Maybe if they meet the photographer and dicussed their concern there could be a middle ground. We're not having a videographer because everyone I know only watched their video once or twice. Our photographer is also making a DVD for us with music to tell a story of the day

We are not having a videographer. I had heard about churches not allowing photos during the ceremony, but our church asked that we give the photographer some guidance about where it is ok and not ok to stand during the ceremony, and that they not set up any equipment on the altar. Good thing. Maybe the church were you are getting married will allow some photography within limits??? Also, (maybe this wold be wrong to do but), I doubt they will stop the ceremony to ask the photographer not to take pictures...

While I am completely biased, my clients seem to cherish their video. We have a package for $699. Most choose our $899 package, but feel free to ask me questions. We're in Longwood.

I've seen videography companies charging $****. You get what you pay for, for the most part and video is 3 times the amount of work as photography. You're dealing with audio, placement of video to music, more equipment, lighting challenges, stabilization, quality, and more. It's not that hard to take a photo after being a videographer.

When you divide the hours up you're paying about $30-40 per hour with the editing when it's all done.

I was I was a photographer, but it's too easy compared to video.

A really good wedding film should be like a movie: You get to know the characters, capture their subtle and not-so-subtle comments and expressions, and hear vows, toasts and tributes used creatively in the edit.

If you just want the vows, have a friend place an iphone near the ceremony - and ask your photographer to do a photo montage with the vows added to the music track.

BTW, since most good videographers are now using dslr/hd cameras, should your photographer miss taking a particular shot (we just heard from one of our brides whose

photographer neglected to capture her grandpa who died a few weeks after the wedding!) your videographer can give you a still from the video capture. We even had the grandparents offer blessings to the couple!