Wedding Day Rewind: Is Hiring a Videographer Worth It?

To Film or Not to Film? The Wedding Videographer Dilemma

Picture this: you’re exchanging vows, the music swells, your guests are misty-eyed, and it’s pure magic. These moments are priceless, but should you capture them on video? While photography has long been considered a must-have for weddings, videography tends to spark a little more debate.

Photos freeze time beautifully, but videos? They let you press play on the best day of your life. If you’re wondering whether hiring a videographer is worth it, don’t worry—you’re not alone! I’m here to help you weigh the pros and cons.

The Benefits of Hiring a Videographer

1. Capturing the Moments You Miss (or Forget!)
   Let’s be real—wedding days are a delightful whirlwind. Between “I do” and “Did I even eat?”, you’re so caught up in the moment that you’re bound to miss a thing or two. That’s where your videographer swoops in like a memory-saving superhero. From Uncle Bob’s questionable dance moves to your partner’s teary smile as you walk down the aisle, it’s all there, ready to be relived.
2. Preserving Voices, Sounds, and Atmosphere
   Photos are great for those Pinterest-worthy shots, but they can’t capture the crack in your voice as you say your vows or the laughter from the Best Man’s hilariously embarrassing toast. A video lets you hear, see, and feel the emotions of the day all over again—ugly crying included.
3. Sharing the Love with Absent Guests
   As much as you’d love to have everyone there, sometimes life has other plans. A wedding video lets you share your big day with those who couldn’t make it, or let’s face it, allows you to relive those moments later in life for those individuals that could make it to your wedding, that have since passed away.

The Drawbacks to Consider

1. Is It Worth the Cost?
   Adding a videographer to your vendor lineup can feel like a splurge—especially when you’re already trying to balance your budget. It’s a fair question to ask yourself: Will you regret not having it later? Only you can decide if this is an investment worth making.
2. When Will We Even Watch It?
   This question pops up a lot. Truthfully, wedding videos aren’t something you’ll binge like your favorite Netflix show, but they’re perfect for anniversaries, cozy nights in, or those “let’s show the kids how cool we were” moments down the road. It’s not about how often you’ll watch—it’s about having it when you want to.

So, What’s the Verdict?…

Ultimately, the decision to hire a videographer is as personal as your first dance song. The good news? Most couples are happy with whatever choice they make. Those who skip the videographer don’t typically regret it, while those who hire one can’t imagine not having those memories captured.

My advice? Do what feels right for you, your partner, and your wedding vision. Whether you choose to capture your day in photos, videos, or just your memory, your love story will live on—perfectly imperfect, just the way it should be.

For a little nostalgia, my wedding video is attached & my husband and I personally have an ongoing tradition to watch it every year with a bottle of wine, and open a letter labeled for that specific anniversary year that guests from our wedding wrote to us. For me, the video was worth every penny.