Still on the fence about hiring a wedding videographer? It’s normal to have some doubts – after all, video is an additional expense and not something our parents’ generation always did. However, many of the reasons couples hesitate about videography are based on outdated ideas or misconceptions. We’re here to bust those myths! Below, we debunk five common wedding video myths and show why having a professional videographer is more than worth it.
Myth 1: “Our Photographer Will Capture Everything – We Don’t Need Video.”
Debunked: Photography and videography are two very different art forms. While your photographer will freeze moments in beautiful images, a videographer will capture motion and sound – the laughter in your vows, the tremor in your voice during the first look, the music during your first dance. A photo can show you crying tears of joy; a video lets you hearyour shaky voice say “I do.” Neither is “better” than the other – they complement each other.
Think of it this way: would you rather have a great movie or a great photo album? Most couples today choose to have both. In fact, having a photographer is essentially a given, and video is now considered a must-have by many (whereas years ago it was a luxury). As one wedding expert put it, photography alone “only tells part of the story” and lacks the ability to capture intimate moments in motion
. Important parts of your wedding – the vows, the speeches, the music – can only be truly relived through video. So don’t view it as either/or. Your photographer will capture stunning stills, and your videographer will capture the life in those moments.Myth 2: “We’ll Never Watch the Video, So It’s Not Worth It.”
Debunked: This is a common worry – that your wedding video will just collect dust on a shelf. But in reality, most couples do watch their videos, and not just once. Right after the wedding, you’ll be eager to see your highlight film to catch all the bits you missed in the whirlwind. Then there are anniversaries, showing your children years down the line, or even just a random cozy night in when you feel nostalgic. According to a survey, 35% of couples who skipped a videographer said it was their biggest regret
. Another study found 60% of those who didn’t hire video regretted it laterwiththisringvideo.com
. That’s very telling – people often realize after the fact how much they would treasure being able to watch their wedding day.We live in a video-centric world now (think how often we replay smartphone videos of meaningful moments). A professionally crafted wedding film is so much more engaging than a cell phone clip – it’s edited with music, high-quality audio from your vows and speeches, and all the best scenes of the day. Many couples tell us they’ve watched their highlight film dozens of times in the first year alone, and parents or relatives who couldn’t attend will watch it too. Unlike photos, which you might scroll through occasionally, a video immerses you back in the day. Trust us, you will want to hit play – maybe not every week, but at times when it matters. And every time you do, you’ll be thankful you have it.
Myth 3: “Wedding Videos Are Too Expensive – Not Worth the Money.”
Debunked: It’s true that adding videography means allocating more budget. But consider what you’re getting: an irreplaceable keepsake of every moving moment of your day. People routinely spend thousands on things like flowers, catering, or decor which last for one day. Your wedding video, however, lasts a lifetime. When you look at it that way, videography is one of the best value investments of your wedding.
There are also options to fit different budgets. Perhaps you opt for a shorter package or highlight-only video if money is tight, rather than a full documentary edit. Some videographers offer bundle deals if you hire them along with photography as a team, which can save cost (and the result is streamlined). And remember, the cost reflects a lot of work behind the scenes: multiple high-end cameras, microphones, many hours of editing, and the skill of storytelling. A good videographer charges what they do to deliver a film you’ll love.
If your budget is truly constrained, consider trimming something less permanent (like fewer dessert options or simpler centerpieces) to make room for video. We’ve never heard a couple say “we spent too much on our video,” but we haveheard plenty say they wish they’d budgeted for one. In the grand scheme, the photos and video are what remain long after the cake is eaten and the dance floor empties. That return on investment is huge when you think about lifetime enjoyment.
Myth 4: “My Uncle/Friend Has a Camcorder – We Can Just DIY the Video.”
Debunked: While it might be tempting to rely on a tech-savvy friend or relative to record some moments, there’s a world of difference between an amateur video and a professional wedding film. A few issues with the DIY approach:
- Your friend or uncle is also a guest – they should enjoy the wedding, not work through it. We’ve seen well-meaning amateurs end up missing key moments because they were also socializing or got tired.
- Quality concerns: Professionals use multiple cameras, clear audio recorders (so your vows and speeches are crisp), and have backup systems. Uncle Bob’s single camcorder can’t capture multiple angles, and built-in mics will likely pick up more room noise than your voices.
- Framing and focus: We know where to be for the first kiss, how to frame your first dance with your parents’ reactions in the shot, and so on. An amateur might stay in one safe spot and end up with static or poorly composed footage (we’ve heard horror stories of heads blocking the bride during the entire ceremony on a DIY video).
- Editing: Filming is half the battle – the magic comes in editing the hours of footage into a coherent, beautiful story. Professionals will color correct, stabilize shaky shots, cut on the perfect moments, and sync everything to music and audio. Unless your friend is a professional video editor in disguise, this is a tall order.
We say, let your friends and family be fully present as guests. Hire a pro to be fully present as your videographer. You won’t get a do-over for capturing the ceremony or the first dance. And frankly, asking a friend to videotape is a lot of pressure on them. Save everyone the potential disappointment and strained friendship – invest in a professional for this important task.
Myth 5: “Videographers Will Be Intrusive and Put a Camera in My Face All Day.”
Debunked: A common concern is that having a videographer (or an extra crew) means big cameras with blinding lights, or someone constantly telling you to redo things for the shot. This might have been true in the 80s or 90s, but today’s wedding videographers are extremely unobtrusive. Our cameras are often similar in size to photographers’ cameras, and we typically don’t use bright onboard lights (especially not during intimate moments like vows – we favor natural light or existing venue lighting).
Professional videographers work seamlessly alongside photographers. We’re used to coordinating to avoid getting in each other’s shots and to cover all angles efficiently. A good videographer will not be pestering you or staging fake moments. Aside from maybe a bit of direction during portrait sessions (just like the photographer), we mostly capture events as they happen. You might even forget we’re there during parts of the day – many couples tell us “Wow, we hardly noticed the video crew!” when they see the wonderful candid moments we caught.
If you’re worried about feeling camera-conscious, let us know. We can use longer lenses to give you space and still get great footage. We also typically dress professionally and blend in with guests. During key moments like the ceremony or first dance, we’ll be discreet – you won’t have a lens right up in your grill. Our goal is to capture emotion, not interfere with it.
Bottom Line: Don’t let these myths keep you from hiring a videographer. The reality is:
- A photographer and videographer each capture unique aspects of your wedding – together they provide the full picture.
- You will cherish your wedding video (and so will your family), far into the future.
- The investment is worthwhile for something so significant and long-lasting.
- Professional quality makes an enormous difference; those heartfelt moments deserve to be recorded properly.
- And the process will be smooth and unobtrusive with the right vendor – you’ll barely notice we’re filming as you immerse yourself in the day.
After the dust settles on your wedding, you won’t regret having too many ways to relive it. But you might regret having too few. Don’t let myths or misconceptions be the reason you miss out on preserving those memories. If you have more questions or hesitations, talk to a videographer (we’re happy to chat anytime). You’ll likely find that reality paints a much better picture – and video – than the myths.
