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Right about now you’re debating how to best capture your big day. Your wedding will be one of the most monumental days of your life thus far, and documenting it is a complete must! One of the biggest regrets that couples have is not realizing that the day will fly by before you know it. While you’re in the moment, you’ll think to yourself, “I will remember this speech, prayer, moment, etc. forever.” However, that’s not always the case.
Now you come to the question that many brides struggle with, do you invest in a photographer or a videographer or both to help to perfectly document my day? Here are the questions you need to ask yourself before you make a final decision:
What is my Wedding Budget?
Hopefully, at this point, you’ve either sat down and mapped out a wedding budget, or you’re in the process of doing so. While figuring out the exact percentage of where your money is going, consider how important photography/videography is to you. This is such an intimate decision and you and your fiancé need to be on the same page on deciding how to document your special day.
Some brides luck out and find a talented photographer or videographer amongst their friends. However, for the rest of us, be aware that quality can come at a cost. If you are looking for quality pictures or videos, this may take a large portion of your budget. Instead of cutting here, there are a lot of different options to create a budget-friendly dream wedding.
Photo Credit: Facibeni Fotografia
What Does a Wedding Photographer Provide?
Your wedding photographer is the master of catching the perfect moment in the exact right lighting that will capture an expression that you can cherish for the rest of your life. Their main goal is to create an image of quality that you can hang on your wall or put in your wedding album to display to your family and friends for years to come.
A picture says a thousand words, so it’s important to research exactly what you’re looking for. Do you want your pictures to have a soft, romantic look about them or are you looking for something a little edgier and high definition? Once you’ve made your decision on style, ask your potential wedding photographers these questions and find out if this is the route for you!
Photo Credit: Greg Finck
What Does a Wedding Videographer Provide?
Unlike wedding photographers, wedding videographers are able to provide an ultimate cinematography event that you’ll be able to rewatch for decades to come. You can relive your pre-wedding letters, first looks, walking down the aisle, vows, toasts, first dance, and the reactions of all of your closest family and friends. You’ll be able to see parts of your wedding that you might’ve missed in the moment.
While you can hear the experiences, rather just seeing moments, keep in mind that a videographer is not focused on capturing the exact right lighting in an exact right moment. That being said, stills from a videographer may not compare to the quality you will receive from a photographer.
Photo Credit: M&J Photography
How Does a Videographer and Photographer Work Together?
They don’t need to be best friends, or from the same company, but it definitely helps if they have worked together before! The last thing you want is for your photographer or videographer to get in the way of each other and you end up with the ultimate photo bombers.
If you decided to choose both, start your search with a company that offers both services. Typically, they’ll offer a deep discount if you decide to book two-in-one. If you fall in love with a specific wedding photographer or videographer and they don’t offer the other service, ask them if they have any recommendations. The wedding industry is a small world, they will know who’s the best to work with and the pros and cons that you might not hear otherwise.
Photo Credit: Joel Serrato Films + Photographs
What is Right for me? Wedding Photographer, Videographer or Both?
Alright, we know, that was a lot to take in. It is a big decision and should take a lot of consideration before making a decision. Ultimately, there are a lot of things that come into play with this decision. You have to look at your budget, and prioritize what fits you and your fiancé best. Ask yourselves these questions: what’s more important, the perfect picture, or reliving the moments you’ll never hear again. If it’s both, then where does that fit in my budget? How much of my wedding am I willing to DIY to make it budget-friendly? Either way, you can’t go wrong. Your wedding will be stunning and you’ll get the perfect documentation!
Photo Credit: Kristina Lorraine Photography
