What to Look for in a Wedding Videographer (From Someone Who Spent over a Decade Doing It Right)
I spent over ten years filming weddings. I was booked solid — sometimes two years in advance. Back then, people hired me because I made it easy. I connected with them. I made them feel comfortable. And I delivered work that personal, was creative, original, and fun to make, without losing the emotional elements one expects from a wedding video.
Even though I don’t shoot weddings anymore, I still get asked: What should we look for in a wedding videographer?
Here’s my honest answer, based on real experience.
Watch more than the trailer
Highlight reels are made to impress. What you really want to see is how they handle the full day. Ask to see a full ceremony, a speech, or how they cut a longer edit. That tells you more than a flashy 90-second clip ever will.
You need to actually like them
You’ll spend more time with your videographer than almost anyone else on your wedding day. If the vibe is off, it shows. It’s in your eyes, your posture, your smile. A camera can’t hide that. But when there’s trust, you relax. That’s when real moments come through.
Pay attention to sound
People focus on the visuals, but audio is what pulls you in. Bad sound will ruin good footage. Ask how they handle vows, speeches, and ambient sound. The best videographers care as much about the mic as they do the lens.
Know what’s being delivered
Don’t assume anything. Ask how many videos you get, what the formats are, and when you’ll receive them. Some editors delay, others rush. Get it clear. Get it in writing.
Know what kind of film you actually want
Do you want something cinematic, something documentary-style, or just raw footage? There’s no wrong answer, but you need to know what you’re buying.
They need to work well with others
This matters more than people think. Weddings are a team effort. Your videographer needs to get along with your photographer, planner, DJ, and venue staff. This business has a lot of ego — and ego kills collaboration. A pro shows up ready to serve, not to compete for control.
Ask how many people they bring — and how they act
This might be one of the most overlooked questions. Is it a one-person operation, or are they bringing a full crew of shooters, grips, and lights? Are they discreet or are they setting up shop in the middle of the ceremony aisle? How do they dress? How do they speak to your guests or interact with your officiant? That stuff matters.
I was a one-man crew. That meant I had to walk a fine line between being invisible and knowing exactly when to step forward. About 90% of the day I stayed out of the way — present, but discreet. But that other 10%? That’s where I stepped in and created something special. That’s where I earned my keep. You want someone who understands when to hang back and when to take charge — and how to do both without making your day feel like a film set.
I was respected — by clients, peers, and vendors
Over the years, I earned real trust in the industry — not just from the couples I worked with, but from the photographers, planners, DJs, and venue staff I shared the day with. That kind of respect doesn’t come from ego or flashy gear. It comes from showing up prepared, staying out of the way when needed, stepping in when it mattered, and treating everyone — including your guests — with respect.
You want someone who knows how to move through the day quietly, confidently, and professionally. Someone who adds to the day, not distracts from it.
Weddings taught me that video isn’t just about gear or editing. It’s about people. That’s still how I work today — whether I’m filming a brand, a family, or a testimony. I want connection first. Because once trust is there, everything else falls into place.
If you’re getting married, find someone you actually connect with. Someone who listens. Someone who respects the day and the people around them. That’s the person who’s going to make something worth keeping.
