The Short Answer To The Question: What Is The Average Cost Of A Wedding Videographer In The UK?
Expect to spend between £1,500 to £2,500 for an average videographer covering a typical wedding in the UK.
Spend £2,500 to £4,000 if you are looking for someone special to provide wedding films that stand out from the crowd.
For extravagant weddings, consider stretching your budget to anywhere between £4,000 and £12,000.
If you’re on a tight budget: Between £1,500 and £2,000 will give you lots of choices, but the quality is highly variable.
Let’s Dig A Little Deeper.
Outside of weddings, you can expect to hire a videographer for around £50 - £100 per hour and a video editor for around £50 per hour. Assuming you want a videographer for 10 hours of your wedding day and they take between 20 and 80 hours to edit your final wedding film, you get a range of £1,500 - £5,000.
While this is how much you should expect a videographer to cost, this isn’t necessarily how much you should pay. The average cost of a wedding in the UK is set to be £24,710 for 2023 [1] and it is recommended you allocate around 10% of your budget to wedding videography. Running the numbers, that should put your wedding videography budget at around £2,400 for the average wedding.
What Affects The Price Of A Wedding Videographer?
Location (Yours And Theirs)
The location of your videographer and the wedding venue can drastically change the price you pay. If your videographer needs to travel across the country, you will usually be expected to cover any out of pocket expenses. This might include a stay in a hotel for one or more night.
If you want the videographer to follow you halfway across Europe for a destination wedding, this is not going to be covered with their standard packages.
Number of Videographers.
Most wedding videographers in the UK operate solo, if you have a larger wedding that needs more coverage, adding an additional videographer to your package is a good option. For wedding videographers that that operate solo, you can expect to pay an extra £400 - £500 for the day for a second shooter.
Experience
It is not surprising you get what you pay for in the wedding videography industry. Saving on a wedding videographer might make sense if you have a smaller wedding, weren’t really planning on hiring a videographer or maybe you are wanting to help a friend get into the industry.
There are risks to hiring a less experienced videographer enticing you with a lower price; you might want to check they are insured, understand all aspects of the wedding day so they don’t miss any important moments and have the appropriate gear to capture your wedding day correctly.
Equipment
Some lower budget videographers travel light with a single consumer lever camera, others may rock up with a full on production van full of high end professional gear. Well equipped videographers will usually cost more, they have invested in their gear, understand how to use it effectively and use professional equipment suited for the job and hand. They will also have backup gear “just in case”.
Some gear you might expect a professional videographer to bring to your wedding include:
- Multiple Cameras (Including backups)
- Wide selection of lenses
- Tripods
- Camera stabilisation (Monopod, gimbal, glide cam etc.)
- Professional audio (On camera shotgun microphone, lavalier mic, audio recorders, DJ hook-up cables)
- Lighting for the speeches and reception.
- Drone
- A whole host of accessories to help support them doing their job.
Value
The value of a wedding videographer is a matter of personal opinion and circumstances. What might be expensive to you today, might be a bargain 10 years from now. Unfortunately you can’t go back in time and reshoot your wedding.
Wedding videos allow you to see and crucially hear the people at your wedding. Higher end wedding films can also capture the emotion of the day and transport you back to your special day years from now. When your wedding guests have gone home, the flowers are in the bin and the food is in the toilet, your wedding film is what remains long into the future.
Length Of The Wedding Day
How long is your wedding day? Most videographers charge for a set number of hours. If you want to go beyond what they offer as standard, expect it to be an extra cost. Others will charge for a full day, from the preparations in the morning to shortly after the first dance.
The longer your videographer is shooting the more footage they can collect, this will come at the expense and cost of additional editing time.
Post Production & Deliverables
The wedding day is like the tip of an iceberg for videographers. It is the bit you see, but only represents a fraction of the work involved to get you your wedding video.
Lower budget videographers will typically edit the footage in a no frills, chronological order and you may end up with a 90+ minute video. It is not likely to be anything fancy and can be a chore to watch through. Your family and friends will not appreciate you forcing them to watch a video this long. These types of videos typically take relatively little time to edit and is a favourite of videographers starting out or part time wedding videographers who provide their services as a side hustle on the weekends.
Higher end wedding videographers will tell the story of your day in an exciting and engaging highlight / feature film. The wedding film can run from 3-20 minutes in length and is limited by your budget, the preference of the videographer and the individual wedding day. This type of video will combine the best visual bits of your wedding, audio of your speeches, vows or letter readings and carefully selected music. A quality wedding film can easily take between 20 and 80 hours to edit.
The final deliverables can vary from videographer to videographer. If the videographer’s main deliverable is a highlight film, ask about whether their service includes recording the ceremony and speeches in full. These are often separate video files, but may be an extra cost.
Your final film will likely be hosted digitally for online viewing and downloading. If you require a physical copy either USB, DVD or Blu-ray, be sure to ask if this is a service they offer.
What Can I Expect For My Wedding Videography Budget?
Wedding Videography Budget: Under £1,500
Emerging Talent:
This budget often attracts newcomers to the industry. While they might lack extensive portfolios, they bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm. It's an opportunity to discover hidden gems who are eager to make their mark.
What To Watch Out For:
While cost-effective, there's a risk of compromised quality. Always request any available sample work. Even if they don't have complete wedding videos, other video projects can give you a sense of their style and capability.
Potential Benefits:
New videographers might be more flexible and open to collaboration, allowing for a more personalized experience. They might also be more willing to go the extra mile to ensure client satisfaction, as positive reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations are crucial at this stage in their career.
Wedding Videography Budget: £1,500 - £2,500
Middle Ground:
This is a popular price range, with many UK videographers offering packages within this bracket. It's a sweet spot where experience meets affordability.
Quality And Experience:
Videographers in this range typically have a few weddings under their belt. They've honed their skills, invested in better equipment, and have a clearer understanding of wedding dynamics.
Personal Touch:
At this price point, you can expect a blend of professionalism and personal touch. Videographers are likely to offer consultations, understand your vision, and tailor their services to match your wedding's theme and vibe.
Special Offers:
Some videographers, especially those at the higher end of this range, might offer complimentary add-ons, especially if they feel your wedding offers unique content for their portfolio.
Wedding Videography Budget: £2,500 - £4,000
Premium Services:
Videographers in this bracket are seasoned professionals. They bring a wealth of experience, ensuring consistent quality and a refined touch in their work.
Tailored Packages:
Instead of one-size-fits-all packages, videographers in this range often offer bespoke services. From pre-wedding shoots to next-day edits, they provide a plethora of add-ons to enhance your videography experience.
Artistic Flair:
With a higher budget comes the luxury of artistic experimentation. Expect cinematic shots, drone footage, and possibly even narrative storytelling, turning your wedding video into a film-like experience.
Consultative Approach:
These videographers often prioritise understanding the couple's story. Through consultations and discussions, they aim to capture the essence of your relationship, ensuring the final film is a true reflection of your journey together.
Wedding Videography Budget: Over £4,000
The Elite Tier:
This is the crème de la crème of wedding videography. Videographers in this category are often industry leaders, setting trends and pushing boundaries.
Bespoke Experience:
Every aspect of the videography process is tailored. From multiple pre-wedding consultations to post-wedding reviews, the service is holistic, ensuring every detail aligns with the couple's vision.
State-Of-The-Art Equipment:
Expect the use of the latest technology, from ultra-high-definition cameras to specialized audio equipment. Drones, gimbals, and even underwater cameras might be part of the repertoire, ensuring a diverse range of shots.
Limited Bookings:
Given the intensive effort and time they invest in each project, these videographers often take on a limited number of weddings each year. This ensures that each wedding film is meticulously crafted, with ample time dedicated to post-production.
Global Recognition:
Videographers in this category often have international acclaim. They might be sought after for destination weddings, and their work is likely featured in renowned wedding magazines and platforms.
Choosing the right wedding videographer in the UK is more than just a financial decision; it's an investment in memories, emotions, and stories that will be revisited for generations to come.
The value of a beautifully crafted wedding film transcends its monetary cost, becoming a timeless heirloom that captures the essence of love, commitment, and celebration.
As couples navigate the myriad of choices and price points, it's essential to remember that the heart of videography lies in storytelling. It's about finding a professional who can capture not only the grand moments but also the subtle nuances, the stolen glances, and the unspoken emotions.
While budgets and costs are crucial, the true measure of a wedding film's worth is in its ability to transport you back in time, evoke the same emotions, and tell the story of a day when two souls became one. As you embark on this journey of marital bliss, ensure that your chosen videographer is someone who resonates with your vision, understands your story, and is equipped to immortalize it in a manner that stands the test of time.
[1] https://www.compareweddinginsurance.org.uk/blog/average-cost-uk-wedding.php
