The Case for Hiring a Videographer

Videography provides a memento of sight and sound and lets you relive your wedding for years.

When planning a wedding-especially on a budget-couples have their work cut out for them when it comes to decision-making. But long after the cake has been eaten and the decorations have been packed away, one element of the celebration you'll be glad you took the time to consider carefully is how it was all captured.

Most couples agree that hiring a professional photographer or videographer is a wise move-but is it necessary to have both? Daniel Lovelace, lead creative at Brett Loves Elle Photography, says it's all a matter of what's important to you.

"It is so personal, it depends on what a couple wants to remember," says Lovelace. Video captures a you-are-there dimension of sight and sound that still photography can't. But sometimes couples are forced to cut costs. Lovelace says videography shouldn't be one of the first red-lined items.

"There are other options besides a full video package that make it cheaper." He recommends considering a ceremony video only, or an interview video with friends and family at the reception. "Thinking about all the special things you can do [with video] in addition to photos makes it way cheaper," he adds.

Brett Loves Elle Photography has shaped its video services with cost in mind, offering a la carte options to help couples customize the way video tells the story of their day. Ceremony and engagement story videos can be purchased as add-ons to a highlight video or as individual components, giving couples the flexibility to determine a video plan that best meets their desires and budget.

If, like many, you've decided to use both photography and video, how do you decide who to hire? Finding the right professionals in either case is important, and it comes down to two things says Lovelace: if you like their work and if you like them. "We are like an honorary family member to your wedding day," he notes, so it's important to connect with the professionals you hire.

For Brett Loves Elle, meeting with couples over coffee is a great way to get to know them better. You'll want to work with vendors who understand your vision and can shift gears seamlessly on the big day. After all, whoever you hire will be with you the entire day-and ideally, throughout the planning process.

"We like to prepare and plan for the day as much as possible in advance," says Lovelace, adding that photographers and videographers can be great resources in helping couples schedule the day's events. Including accompanying couples on a walk-through of the venues and in interactions with other vendors, which can help get everyone on the same page to ensure a smooth, stress-free celebration.

Brett Loves Elle's "fusion" approach to how they cover weddings-using minimal equipment and the efficiency of a team that's used to working together-allows them to offer video and photography services that complement each other in a one-stop-shop way.

If you hire these vendors independently or have a family member or friend helping out, it's best to communicate to everyone who will be involved the day of the wedding, how many camera operators and assistants will be there and what equipment will be involved. Communicating your priorities for the day will help everyone know if they need to act as primary or secondary creative teams, says Lovelace.

Ultimately, your wedding day is one of the biggest days of your life, so you want to preserve as much of it as possible, says Lovelace. "Photography and video enable you to capture that."