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Legend July 2022

Videography Question! Average Wedding Video Length?

Lisa, on January 7, 2021 at 10:57 AM Posted in Planning 2 44

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So initially, my fiance and I decided against booking a videographer. However, since we postponed to 2022, we decided that we now want to actually book a videographer! So I've spent the last couple months looking through options and trying to get an idea of what all would be included.

As I'm researching different videographers, I notice that so many of them only return a 10-15 minute video (or less), even though they would be capturing 8-10 hours of footage. Is this typical? It seems odd that videography costs are super high, but that I would only get a super short video (that wouldn't even cover the length of the ceremony). Is this just how it is, or should I keep looking for a videographer that includes a longer video? How long is the video in your videography package?

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Latest activity by Lisa, on May 7, 2021 at 10:42 AM

Master January 2022
SLY · on January 7, 2021 at 11:03 AM
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Yes this is very typical!
Our videographer had several packages ranging from a 3-4 min video, to a 7-8 min video. We chose the smaller 3-4 min package because it fit our needs and budget the best!
If you want the entire ceremony or other entire parts videotaped and not just highlighted, then I'd speak with whatever videographers you're interested in! They may be open to that option, but be prepared for them to raise the price of their packages if they include full recordings in your package.
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Legend July 2022
Lisa · on January 7, 2021 at 11:23 AM
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Thank you for your reply, Shelly!

Good to know that this is common! When my sister had her wedding a few years ago, her video ended up being at least an hour, so I guess I was under the impression that my video would be around that length as well, and was surprised to see otherwise. I'll check to see if getting the full ceremony and speeches (if we decide to do them) would be an option as an add-on through the videographers that we talk with. Thank you for your help!
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Super September 2020
Alli · on January 7, 2021 at 11:27 AM
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Correct, typical. Our wedding highlight video was 6 minutes long. I have no regrets on spending that $.
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Master October 2019
Meghan · on January 7, 2021 at 11:29 AM
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It depends on your package. Ours included videos for our entire ceremony, special moments (first look, letter readings, spotlight dances, toasts, etc.), cake cutting, entrance to reception, and grand exit. It also included an 8 minute highlight film taken from all of the footage. We also had drone footage.
If the videographer you’re looking at only includes a highlight film, I would look elsewhere.
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Champion July 2019
Veronica · on January 7, 2021 at 11:29 AM
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So our package included a short video clip that we could share and a full like video that was about an hour and a half. The length of the video really depends on what packages the videographer has to offer. Some only offer short limit videos that are like 5-10 minutes others have packages that include longer videos like ours.
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Master January 2022
SLY · on January 7, 2021 at 11:31 AM
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You're welcome Lisa!
Yes, most videographers do a 'highlight video' which is why the video time is so short! I forgot to mention that it's worth asking if they send you the full video coverage of the whole day as well as the highlight video!
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Legend July 2022
Lisa · on January 7, 2021 at 11:35 AM
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That is reassuring that you don't regret spending the money for the video! I don't think I'd regret it either, I'm think I'm more just surprised that the video length wasn't what I expected. Thank you for your reply!
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Legend July 2022
Lisa · on January 7, 2021 at 11:38 AM
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Some of the ones I looked at appear to include the ceremony as an add-on (extra cost though), and I'd certainly want more than just 5-10 seconds of events such as our first look in the highlight video if that's the only video we get. I will keep looking to find one that includes more than just the highlight film in the package. Thank you for your reply!
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VIP May 2022
Jasmine S. · on January 7, 2021 at 11:44 AM
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Ours is doing a 4-minute highlight video, the full ceremony, and giving us all the raw footage from the day. If you want more than just the short "music video" then you should ask about these options.
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Champion December 2022
Michelle · on January 7, 2021 at 11:48 AM
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Take a look at Instagram for your area. Every videographer is different but some will provide a 1-5 minute video for social media and a 20-30+ full minute video of the whole day. If you want something different or longer, feel free to ask about a custom project. But filming 6-10 hours should provide a much longer video than 30 minutes.

Alot of people purchase a GoPro ro capture it themselves and use the camera for future events.
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Legend June 2019
Melle · on January 7, 2021 at 12:02 PM
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I only got like a 3 minute video haha but that’s ok with me. Cause it did capture the wedding overall. I think it’s because it’s easier to watch and share vs if they did an actual movie length
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Master November 2022
Chrysta · on January 7, 2021 at 12:05 PM
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Wow, I am surprised to hear so many videographers only offer a short highlight video. Our videographer is going to do a 2-5 min highlight video (depending on the length of song we choose), a 60 min edited video of all the main stuff (Getting ready, the whole ceremony, reception highlights, etc.), and he will also provide all of the raw footage (6 hrs) from the day at no extra charge, if we want it. Personally, there is no way I would spend thousands of dollars on just a 2-5 min highlight video. I would discuss with them the option of having a full length edited video, or even just obtaining all the raw footage.
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Devoted October 2021
Tori · on January 7, 2021 at 12:09 PM
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Wedding videographer here!
That is very typical of the type of wedding film videographers offer. The reason being is that once you get past that 15 minute mark, it turns from more a creative edit and more of a documentary of your day. Also -- a lot of couples these days are looking for the shorter film since longer ones aren't watched as often. So, it's really dependent on what you want!
Many videographers offer other things besides the shorter film, such as full ceremony, reception, and more -- so make sure you look around to see what videographers around you offer.
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Champion December 2022
Michelle · on January 7, 2021 at 12:12 PM
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Most of the videographer sites I looked at, this is highly dependent on your area, offer a short social media video of 1-5 mins *and* a full length 30-60 minute video minimum while filming 6-10 hours. Everything else is extra. But if they are filming for that long, they should provide something additional to account for it.
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Legend July 2022
Lisa · on January 7, 2021 at 12:14 PM
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Good to know! I think I'm going to continue to look around for a videographer that offers both a short clip for social media or sharing with friends/family, and a longer film for my fiance and I that really documents the day. I was looking for a film that is around an hour or more, just because for me, the whole point of booking the videographer was to capture the moments of the day, and I'm not convinced that it can all be done in a short 7-minute video. I'll keep looking for a videographer. Thank you for your reply!
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Legend July 2022
Lisa · on January 7, 2021 at 12:15 PM
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That is awesome that you're getting all the raw footage! I'll have to ask about that in case I can't find a videographer who does a longer video. Thank you for your reply!
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Legend July 2022
Lisa · on January 7, 2021 at 12:17 PM
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I'm totally fine with a short video for social media, but I'd also really like a longer video too! I agree that filming for 6-10 hours should produce a video that's way longer than 10 minutes. I like the GoPro idea, but since I'm not skilled at video editing, I think I'd rather hire a professional for this event. Thank you for your reply!
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Legend July 2022
Lisa · on January 7, 2021 at 12:19 PM
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Good call on asking for the full coverage! I will make sure to ask about that. The highlight video would be awesome, but I'm really hoping to get a longer video with all the moments captured. I will keep all this in mind when I talk with potential videographers. Thank you for your help!!
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Legend July 2022
Lisa · on January 7, 2021 at 12:21 PM
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That's great that your video captured your wedding overall! I agree that when sharing the video, a 3-minute video is easier to share than a 1-hour video. I'd love to get a short highlight film included, but I think I'm really looking for a longer length video as well, so I'll have to keep looking at options. Thank you for your reply!
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Devoted August 2020
Elle · on January 7, 2021 at 12:23 PM
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Yes, it seems to be typical. Our package was an 8 minute highlight video and a 1 minute teaser video. This package was actually customized for us - They normally did 10-12 minute highlight, but I thought that was too long! I also asked for raw footage of the ceremony (60 minutes, Catholic wedding), and that was for an extra charge.
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Videography Question! Average Wedding Video Length?

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