Most couples opt to hire a photographer to capture their wedding. In fact, our data shows that 9 out of 10 couples hire a photographer for their big day. However, far fewer couples hire a videographer, with just a third choosing to immortalize their wedding on video.
But, documenting your wedding by using the skills of a videographer is a unique and highly personal way of capturing the magic. Video is different from photography because it can be a lot more natural and encapsulates those special moments as they happen. Your photographs are wonderful, but nothing can replicate the beaming smiles and happy tears that happen in the moment.
In this post, we’re going to have a look at the average cost of a wedding videographer, what can influence the cost and what level of skill and experience you might expect for your budget.
The average amount couples spend on a wedding videographer in Canada is $1,500 to $2,500, which is very similar to the average cost of a photographer. These are average costs for hiring an experienced, professional videographer, rather than going for a more DIY approach.
In Canada, several factors can influence the cost of wedding videography, including the videographer’s experience, the technology they use, the venue, the location, the post-production work, and the specific videography package chosen. For most Canadian videographers, the average all-inclusive package tends to be between $2,200 and $5,000. A camera operator alone typically charges between $600 and $900 per day, and editing can cost an additional $500 per day. This is before factoring in the cost of equipment, as well as marketing, sales, preparation, and administrative time. That’s why wedding videography can seem expensive — a lot goes into creating those stunning wedding films!
Unlike a wedding photographer, a videographer is someone who won’t spend a portion of the day ‘directing’ you – instead, they’ll blend into the crowd and naturally capture your wedding. In some ways, you could compare it to a documentary as it tells the story of your wedding day, from the moment you start getting ready to the moment the two of you are whisked away together at the end of the night.
What’s included in the cost depends entirely on the package you choose, but can include:
While videography is often more affordable than photography, it’s worth considering the value of both mediums before choosing one over the other. Videography beautifully complements traditional photographs, capturing movement, sound, and emotion in a way that photos alone cannot. Instead of letting cost be the deciding factor, think about how the two can work together to tell the full story of your wedding day. There are also plenty of package deals available from vendors that offer both photography and videography, which can help you get the best of both worlds without breaking the bank.
While our ultimate wedding budget breakdown found that $1,500 is the average amount couples in Canada spend on a wedding videographer, there are plenty of factors that can affect the cost:
There may also be optional extras that can bump up the cost, such as:
Your budget will determine the level of experience, and therefore skill, your wedding videographer has. Check out the below table to get an idea of what your budget might get you.
Budget | $5,000+ | $2,500-$5,000 | $1,500-$2,500 | Under $1,500 |
Level of experience | You’ll get an industry-leading videographer who will produce a stunning wedding video. They may also have a second videographer working with them to ensure a variety of high-quality footage. | You’ll get an experienced videographer who has documented many weddings and will produce a fantastic video. | You’ll get a videographer who is finding their own unique style and has documented several dozen weddings. | You’ll get an up-and-coming videographer keen to grow their portfolio. |
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