Sad About Not Having a Videographer

We were originally set to have an amazing videographer. But as our wedding date got closer, and they wanted to get into details and creating a day-of schedule, it started to feel as though our entire day was going to be devoted to creating this video. It was literally hours of time devoted to them and it started feeling like this orchestrated event, instead of an organic experience. We wanted to just enjoy our day and let it unfold naturally and have a videographer capture it. But it turns out they don't create those epic cinematic videos by just hanging out in the background and capturing what's happening - a lot of work and staged moments go into those! So about 2 months out, we made the decision to forfeit our $2500 deposit and not have videography. But then during the next month I started thinking about how much I really wanted a video of our day that we could watch and enjoy later - not a big fancy production... just someone to discreetly capture the moment. So with less than a month left, I hired a videographer on thumbtack who agreed to do what we were wanting. They were super nice and we hardly even noticed they were there - they definitely did not impede on our day at all. The finished product was OK. It wasn't great... but it was much better than someone with an iphone sitting in the audience would have done. And they set up multiple cameras, so things were captured from different angles. They were also willing to give us all their raw video (which a lot of people won't do). And that was my favorite part!! I loved watching people arrive and mingle before the ceremony started. And they kept rolling for awhile after the ceremony ended, where they ended up capturing a hilarious moment between me and my brother, which I will probably watch and laugh at for the rest of time! LOL All this to say... you don't have to spend a fortune to get a quality, no frills video of your wedding! (some of them only charge $200-400!) I would highly suggest looking on Thumbtack for a videographer in your area. I am SO glad we did!

A couple I'm friends with got married last year. They wanted a videographer but could not get one. Several of us friends were hired to videotape different parts. A couple of us taped the ceremony. We had little tripods to help. They came out fine. At the end of the day, they had nice videos and saved money.

We ended up not hiring a videographer due to the cost. It’s been 4 years and I haven’t regretted it once. My cousin actually took a video of our ceremony, which was sweet of him. We’ve honestly never even watched that. We have tons of beautiful pictures from that day though from our professional photographer as well as from friends/family. I personally feel like the average person thinks they will watch the video more often then they actually do. Are there some people who watch it multiple times a year? Sure. I just don’t know if that’s the majority of folks.

Can you check with a local college, tech school or even - as suggested - Thumbtack? I was dead set against a videographer, and then changed my mind last minute. Our photographers had a name of someone who was just starting out. I was very specific - I JUST wanted the ceremony videoed - as CeCe said, I wanted a more natural video and no staging. I cannot BELIEVE how great the video came out ..... just the raw footage, no editing, and it was great. You can here my precious making comments to my son (his best man) ...... he totally forgot he was miked. You can clearly hear him say "isn't she beautiful? She's just glowing" when he saw me coming down the beach. It is my most cherished moment. So keep trying!!!!

We do not have a videographer, and we’re okay with it. The video you are only going to watch with your husband, maybe once with your parents and a couple of friends if it’s a very short one (because people get bored at watching for so long) but I feel like everyone watches the photo album and it’s easier to show also. I don’t find it worth it to spend so much for a short video unless you get a pretty good deal or a pro friend do it for you.

I’m having similar thoughts. My mom insists that it’s not worth it; she’s only watched her video maybe once. But I remember watching it with my Granny when I was little; in a weird way, I sort of felt like I was there, since I got to “see” it. It makes me think that even if I only watch it with my husband once (or possibly every year on our anniversary), my future children can watch it one day, too, and maybe even feel like they were there.