How to Get The Best Wedding Video Ever

Wedding videography is an essential part of your big day. Unlike still photography, a wedding film can capture motion and sound, from you and your new spouse reciting your vows to Grandma boogying on the dance floor to your dad's toast, creating memories you can relive throughout your life and share with future generations. So it's super important to find the best wedding videographer to film your special day, someone who has both a style and personality you like. We recommend starting to search for your wedding videographer at least 11 months before your event—nowadays, photo and video pros are booking up more quickly than ever. Here's our guide to finding the right wedding videographer and getting the perfect wedding video.

1. Hire the Person Whose Style Most Closely Matches Yours

Just like wedding photographers, videographers take different approaches to their craft. Documentary-style videos present the events chronologically, without many special effects, while a cinematic film is generally more dramatic, using interesting angles for a Hollywood-movie feel (these are just two options of many). "You don't want to select a cinematographer with one style and send them clips from another videographer with a totally different style. Just hire the one you like!" says Taryn Pollock, owner of Serendipity Cinematography, a wedding videography company based in Arizona and California.
The Knot Tip: You can find thousands of amazing wedding pros on The Knot Marketplace, complete with customer reviews.

2. Take Finding a Videographer As Seriously As You Do Your Photographer

Unfortunately, hiring a videographer seems to get pushed back somewhere between welcome bags and favors—and it's just too important for that C-list slot on your long list of to-dos. "By that time, there will only be a handful of studios left to choose from, and most likely, you won't be able to hire your first choice," says Julie Hill, owner and creative director at Elysium Productions, an international videography firm.
The Knot Tip: Planning ahead always pays off, so flag money in your wedding budget for your videographer from the beginning. According to The Knot Real Wedding Study, the average cost of videography services is $1,900, but a wedding videographer cost can vary widely depending on your wedding location, the number of hours of coverage you're looking for, among other factors. If you make videography a priority, you'll see it in the end result—a film of your wedding day that comes out exactly as you imagined it would.

3. Subscribe to Video Websites

There are plenty of places to find wedding videographers, but Vimeo and Love Stories TV are the preferred spot for most A-list picks to post their recent work. Aside from the big videography communities, you can easily search by location and even wedding venue to find clips from your reception venue and get ideas.
The Knot Tip: All wedding videos are not created equal. When you're watching sample videos, there are a few things to keep top of mind. A good film will be well lit, have easy-to-understand audio and appropriate music, and be edited so that transitions are smooth and special effects complement the story.

4. Embrace the Professional Referral Factor

People like your photographer, wedding planner and DJ have worked with videographers in the past and will be able to suggest filmmakers they've liked or that they've heard good things about through previous clients.
The Knot Tip: Many wedding photography studios also offer event videography, so it can make sense to book a package for both. You might also look for photo and video pros from different companies who have worked together in the past—ensuring these wedding vendors have an easy rapport is key to getting your desired final product.

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5. Seek Out Reviews

Even if you feel like you've found the perfect fit after leaving the studio, you should still do your due diligence and call references (as well as reading opinions online). Ask questions like: Did they capture the most important parts of your wedding? Was he a positive presence throughout the day? Overall, were you happy with the final film?
The Knot Tip: Keep in mind that if the reference was married a year or more ago, things that seemed like a big deal then could matter less now. It's a red flag if the couple starts out with a sentence like, "The video came out great, but…" The couple may not care now that the videographer showed up late, but you should be wary.

6. Meet Them in Person Before You Decide

You need to feel at ease with your videographer. (They'll be following you around on your wedding day, after all!) It's best to meet them in person, but Zoom also works well if you're hosting a destination wedding and can't travel for an in-person meeting. Once you've met with one or two potential pros, ask to see a full video or two (clips only tell part of the story and you want to know what your entire film might look like).
The Knot Tip: Finding the right person also means asking the right questions. Start with our list of must-ask questions to potential videographers.

7. Get the Most Out of Your Contract

Your contract should include the coverage time (as in, how long your videographer will be at your venue), how many shooters you'll have, an itemized list of the finished product (highlight reels, raw footage, trailers, digital media files), nitty-gritty logistical details (time and location), cancellation policies and, of course, the fee. If it's not outlined in the contract, don't assume you're going to get it. Any extras, like an engagement video session or a same-day edit to share on social media, need to be in there. If they're not and you want them, ask about it.
The Knot Tip: Double-check that your package includes the important things: a second shooter (so your video can be edited to include at least two perspectives, like your walk down the aisle and your future spouse's face), an edited video between 5 and 25 minutes and coverage of both the ceremony and reception.

8. Don't Micromanage

You're hiring someone for their experience and talent (not just their equipment). Trust your decision. On the day of, you shouldn't feel like you need to direct them or keep your eye on them. If you've truly done your research and fully vetted your videographer, you should have complete confidence in them.
The Knot Tip: If you love your video, share your experience with other couples by posting a review and offering to sign on as a reference.