Is videography necessary?

I personally wouldn't spend the extra money but if you think you may regret not filming then go for it!

That's kind of what I am leaning towards. I think I might regret spending the money more than not having the video.

I'm torn between the same. Is it worth the extra $$ taken away from honeymoon, etc.? Im sure we can make a slideshow with music with great pictures (I know it's not exactly the same), but, not sure it's worth the $$. We have considered a photo booth that records messages from our guests so that may be a compromise.

I got a video for my first marriage in 2005. Guess how many times we watched it? I think maybe once?

Total waste of money. We are not getting one this time.

Not necessary. But I’m so glad I paid for my videographer. Every couple is different but I know my cousin has watched his video a decent amount of times and he recently celebrated their first year anniversary.

I think it’s a personal opinion... I love video and videography! Videos capture different moments than photos do.

It was important to me, so we got a videographer. We've already watched the video a couple of times.

I think this is a personal opinion. I LOVE wedding videos. More so than wedding pictures. I actually care more about videography than photographer in general. I"ve watched my friend's wedding videos multiple times as well as really any video that any of my friends post on facebook. See if you love it but definitely pick someone who's style meshes with yours. I recently watched a wedding video that although was shot high quality there were a few editing things I would have completely done without.

Absolutely a personal choice. Do you think you'll watch something like that to justify the price? FH and I both know we wouldn't watch it more than a few times so it wasn't something we wanted. I have a friend who did it and it turned out beautifully and she's very happy she went with videography. If it's just a maybe in your mind then put that money towards something you'll really enjoy.

Photography was my TOP priority, but videography was barely a blip on my radar, so I reallocated those funds to add to my photography fund.

I'd much rather have pictures than a video. We are not using a videographer. Do what you want. Don't consider what is normal or what others do. If you think you can use that money on something else you would rather splurge on, do that. If you want to keep looking back at that video years down the road, do that. Do what works for you.

I am getting a good deal on both, but the video is imp to me. As stated previously, personal preference. I know I can't hear my husband sing to me in a pic, or hear me stumbling thru my vows (may not want to hear that... lol) or hear the songs sang with a pic. Since my FH is s musician, we will have lots of music that I want to capture. Otherwise, pics would probably be great.

Thanks to everyone for you input. I thought this thread would make it easier, but it's actually giving me more to think about. Haha.

We put extra to our photography budget rather than video. I personally hate the way I appear on a video so this was barely a discussion. DH was interested until we began looking at ballpark pricing. That dashed his interest quickly. I am so glad we went with the extras for photography. Those I look at all the time, have hanging up. The video would gather dust on the shelf.

I just wanted our vows,and a few other things filmed. I also have read that videographers can catch things that you and the photographer can miss, so that really appealed to me. Because I didn't need all day coverage, I was able to get our videographer at a reduced price for a custom package. Maybe try to reach to different videographers about doing something similar if you find some wiggle room in the budget. For reference I'm getting 8 hours of coverage for $1300 when he charges $2000 for all day coverage. He also has a second shooter with him. That price can obviously vary dependent on videographer and location.

I do not want a videographer. As a guest, I find them pretty annoying when they come by asking everyone for messages and whatnot and I feel like they're always up in everyone's face trying to "capture" the moment rather than just letting people live in it. Any wedding videos of friends and families I've seen have been kind of saccharine and false - like a canned version of the wedding. Personally I feel like photos are more than enough.

I was talking to a friend who recently got married who went high end for the photagrapher and then hired a college kid on the cheap to take video - she said it was like $500 and even though she's only watched it once in the month since the wedding, it was pretty good and she's happy to have something. Thought that would be a decent compromise.

I agree with @Miaaa.. totally a personal opinion. Hubby and I got photography and videography coverage because it was completely worth it to him. I was a bit skeptical until we go our full length video back.. OMG!! It’s so good, we’ve watched and shared it many times. Even viewed it as a family on Christmas Day dinner. The wonderful part of a full length video is seeing what others were doing while I was running around like a madwoman. We also had a handful of commentary from wedding guests wishing us well.

today, we received our highlights video which is under 4 minutes and completely love it as well.

i can now say, thank God hubby spent the extra money on this memory in motion to cherish forever.

After looking around and realized the average price is $4k... we decided to skip it, but we are going to a Bridal show in 2 weeks, might change our mind if we found some promos or specials!

We didn’t even bother looking at them from the start. I have a very rare autoimmune disease and watching more than five-ten minutes of video makes me ill. So I definitely wouldn’t watch it. And my FW probably wouldn’t either. They’re expensive.

What I would do if you're on the fence is get the things you need for your wedding first (contracted) and if you have space in your budget and it's something you really want, then get it. Videography isn't necessary. You may only watch it maybe when you first get it, then again the same year with family, then 2 years later, 5, 10.... For me, I would love a videographer to capture the memory of the day and I want to share that with my future children. I would like to watch it with my FH also. It's up to you and what you would do with it.

Don't get it if you feel it'll be unnecessary for YOU.