Are all wedding videographers built alike? What should I look for in a videographer? What questions should I ask when I'm considering booking one? Your friendly neighborhood videographer is here to help.

First: Prioritize

If you've read other articles in our budget series, we might be starting to sound like a stuck record, but it's pretty obvious that knowing what's most important to you during wedding planning is what makes the difference on the big day! Some things you should consider when you're deciding what to look for in a wedding videographer:

• What do you want to feel when you watch your video? (Do you want to cry?)
• What are you most excited to see in your wedding footage?
• What events are non-negotiables? Are you willing to miss wedding day prep? Open Dancing? The sendoff?
• Are you doing a first look? If not, do you want to see both sides of the aisle as the processional occurs?
• How much of the wedding do you want to see in your final videos? Are you most interested in a quick, share-friendly video, or a longer video?
• What is your ideal budget? Can you be flexible? Would a payment plan make a difference?
• What add-on services would you like to see? Are you looking for drone video, livestreaming, maybe an extended edit?
• Do you have any specific desires for music? How about editing style?

When you have an answer to all or most of these questions, you're ready to start shopping.

What to Look for in a Videographer

Red Flags 🚩

Our videographer red flags are as follows. Move on to the next videographer if the person you're talking to:

• 🚩 Doesn't have a contract for you to sign--this puts both parties at risk
• 🚩 Doesn't have a concrete timeline for delivering a finished video, and don't accept "oh, a year or so" for an answer
• 🚩 Can't answer questions about on-site videographers or gear; they should know how many team members will be on site, and what gear they'll have available to bring
• 🚩 Sends unlicensed drone pilots to a wedding 🙅♂️
• 🚩 Has no reviews or lots of bad reviews in which they clearly did not take good care of their clients. In the case of no reviews, ask if there is a past client you could talk to
• 🚩 Doesn't license music, or doesn't give couples a chance to approve the music in their videos

Beige Flags 🟤

If you weren't on TikTok for that week everyone was listing their boyfriend's "beige flags," basically this is something that we're wary of, but we would still say you're safe to move forward. Proceed with caution if the person you're talking to:

• 🟤 Contracts out videography or editing. We've met good videographers who contract out all of their work, but they have good relationships with their contractors. They should be able to answer questions about the team, and you should see consistency in their editing style and shooting style when you watch their work.
• 🟤 Only sends one on-site videographer. Again, we've met good videographers who only have one person on-site to capture video. Most single-shooter videographers bring multiple cameras, so they can still catch both sides of a first look or the view from both sides of the aisle. However, without someone running those cameras, there is a chance one could fail and you'd miss your expression or theirs as you walk down the aisle, or get a half-satisfying version of that first look moment. Make sure to ask this videographer what they do if something fails, and what their experience has been in the past with a camera or SD card failing.
• 🟤 Lets couples pick the music. This one is a touchy subject. Again, there are good wedding videos with premium songs and good videographers who give full control over music to couples. There are tons of issues with music licensing that could restrict your videos from being shared online! We know part of buying a wedding video is getting to share it, so we make sure all of our music is properly licensed to be shareable. To the second point, your videographer will have a professional editing team or editor on-staff. Their editor will know how to choose a song around your wedding video to match the feeling of your big day--rather than creating your wedding video around a song, and potentially losing out on some of the emotion of your day.
• 🟤 They only have one package option. This one is definitely a beige flag--there are good videographers who only have one package option. Great videographers have more options to choose from so you can customize your video experience, and potentially save money by not having the video team on-site for longer than necessary.
• 🟤 They have a couple of lower reviews, but their replies show that they either did the right thing to remedy the experience their client had, or that the review is irrelevant or posted in error.
• 🟤 They haven't been around very long, or don't have very many wedding video samples. This isn't a deal-breaker! But make sure you're able to see examples of their work before you lay the money down. Make sure the examples you see match what you'd like to see returned in your own wedding video.
• 🟤 They offer video in addition to other services. While we've seen some good videos come from videographers who also offer photo services, or even DJ services, you don't always end up ahead when you bundle those options. When you stick with a videographer who only does video, you know you're getting the highest-quality video possible because that videographer is focusing all their energy in one service.

Green Flags 💚

When you're shopping for a videographer, if you see the following signs, you're headed in the right direction:

• 💚 They have clear, up-front pricing. Bonus points if they include all fees up-front. And be sure to ask about this! Nobody likes a nasty surprise when that final invoice comes in.
• 💚 They have clear, up-front expectations for deliverables and turnaround time. You should know what you'd be getting and when you'd be getting it before you even sign a contract.
• 💚 They have lots of good reviews. Peruse Google, Wedding Wire, and the Knot to look through your videographers' reviews. Take time into account. Do they have lots of recent good reviews, or are their reviews a little stale? If they have poor reviews, how long ago were those reviews submitted? Finally, we like an AI-generated overview as much as the next videographer, but make sure you're taking the time to actually read what past clients have said! This isn't a cookbook or an appliance you're buying, it's an experience. You'll want to read about the experiences past clients have had in their own words.
• 💚 They have a long history and a healthy number of wedding video samples. In our opinion, bonus points if they've received awards or acclaim, and additional bonus points if their samples show some variety. Your wedding video won't be like everyone else's, so their samples should show that they make consistently good video, expertly tailored to the couples those videos feature.
• 💚 They license their music, encourage you to let their professional editors choose the music, AND include a step in their process for you to approve the music. While it's in your best interest to let a video professional choose your music, you certainly shouldn't be stuck with music you don't like in your video. Ideally, your videographer would give you a chance to approve your song or ask for more options.
• 💚 They're local. While we don't have anything against a video franchise with good ratings, we have seen the best content come from a local company (including our local competitors!). Local businesses understand your wedding region better, and will also have a more personal feel. They may have been to your venue before, or may have brushed shoulders with your photographer, DJ, or officiant in the past. They should be able to confidently work with any vendor they cross paths with, but a local company with excellent local experience is a bonus.
• 💚 They're available. Whomever you're talking to should respond to messages within a reasonable time, should answer all of your questions, and should never seem hesitant to hop on a call. If you're paying for their services, you're also paying for good customer service! Make sure you're satisfied with their turnaround time on your inquiries.
• 💚 Finally, they send a good, easy-to-read contract with clearly laid out expectations. This protects both their interests and yours, as you both have a contract to refer to that clearly lays out what they'll provide and when, and when your payments are due.

Questions to Ask Your Wedding Videographer

Finally, here is a list of questions we think you should ask the videographers you're most interested in! Their answers will help you determine if they're the right fit for you.

1. What do you deliver after the wedding? When?
2. How many videographers will be on-site? How many cameras will they bring?
3. Do you license the music in your videos?
4. Will I get a chance to approve the music in my video?
5. Can I ask for revisions before the final video is delivered?
6. Do you offer multiple packages to choose from? What do you have that fits my budget?
7. How flexible are your package options?
8. Where are you located? Do you use contract videographers trained by your team?
9. Who edits your videos? Do you use contract editors trained by your team?
10. How much say will I get in how my video looks and feels? Will my video match the vibe of our wedding day?

Feel free to send us that exact list. We'd be happy to let you know where we stand on these issues! And to answer any other questions you may have (promptly and completely). Best of luck to you as you shop for a wedding videographer! We hope to hear from you soon.