How wedding videography pricing works
Why two quotes for "a wedding video" can be thousands of dollars apart, and how to compare them fairly, whether you're setting your prices or hiring someone.
Coverage hours set the baseline
Most videographers price around how much of the day they're on site. An elopement or courthouse ceremony might be a couple of hours. A full day usually runs from getting ready through the first dances or the send-off. Each extra hour on site is also extra footage to review and edit, so hours affect the editing bill as well as the shooting time.
Deliverables drive the editing time
Editing usually takes longer than filming. A short highlight film, a full ceremony edit, a long documentary-style cut, raw footage, and a social teaser are separate pieces of work. When you compare two packages, list what each one actually hands over, not just how many hours it covers.
A second shooter changes the film
A second videographer means more angles: both sides of the aisle, the guests' reactions, two places at once. It also doubles the footage to edit. Some packages include one; some charge it as an add-on.
Other things that move the price
- Drone or aerial footage needs a licensed pilot, extra gear and venue permission.
- Same-day edits, shown at the reception, mean editing during the event itself.
- Travel is often priced separately, especially for destination weddings.
- Licensed music costs money; it's needed for the film to be shared publicly without takedowns.
- Turnaround time: rush delivery usually costs extra.
- Experience and market: established videographers in big metro areas tend to charge more.
Comparing quotes fairly
Line each quote up against the same checklist: hours on site, number of shooters, every finished film and its length, raw footage, travel, music licensing, and delivery time. Compare against reported rates for the same coverage rather than one overall average.
If you're a videographer setting your prices
Price the package, not the hour: work out your editing time per deliverable and add it to your shooting time and costs. Then check where you sit against what others in your coverage tier charge, and add your own rate so the figures stay current.
Know what a wedding videographer charged?
Whether you shot the wedding or paid for the film, your number makes these figures more accurate. It takes two minutes, it's anonymous, and we review every rate before it counts.