The ceremony, the vows, the reception—these are all moments that you’ll want to remember forever. And while your photographer might be able to capture some of them on film, wouldn’t it be even better if someone could record everything in a way that’s just as beautiful as the moment itself? That someone is called a videographer. But with so many options out there, how do you know if one videographer is right for you? Here’s what to look for when hiring yours!

Storytelling

If you’re looking for a wedding videographer, the most important thing to look for is storytelling. The best wedding videos are those that tell a story. This is often done by editing together footage in such a way that it feels cohesive and flows together well, with an introduction of some sort (the beginning), middle (the bulk of the action), and end (the conclusion).

The best wedding videos also have soundtracks that enhance the mood of each scene while staying true to its purpose. For example, if your ceremony took place inside an old church building with stained glass windows, then classical music would be appropriate. If it was held outdoors at night under the stars on a mountaintop then maybe something more whimsical would work better!

Editing style

Editing style is important, and it should match your personality and the tone of your wedding. For example, if you’re going for something romantic and soft, then an editor who uses fast cuts would not be a good fit.

If you have no idea what editing style means or how to describe it in words, here are some examples:

• Romantic – slow motion shots mixed with long takes that give space for feelings to build up over time
• Goofy/funny – jump cuts of unexpected things happening at random times during speeches or dancing scenes
• Soft/relaxed – smooth transitions between scenes where there’s soft, intimate and slow, sweet moments

Fast vs. Slow

Slow editing is more romantic and soft, while fast editing can be used to show a lot of action in a short amount of time.

Slow Editing: This style generally provides more opportunity for viewers to soak in the moment, allowing them to appreciate the story as it unfolds before them. Slow editing often works well when there’s not too many activities going on or if you want your wedding video to have a more romantic feel (think slow motion shots).

Fast Editing: This style on the other hand gives viewers an exciting ride through all of their favorite moments–all without sacrificing any details along the way! Fast editing is perfect for those who want something that feels like an extension of their wedding weekend rather than just another recap video…or maybe even better than being there yourself?

What type of energy (romantic, goofy, soft, excited)

Although this may not be an extensive list, a wedding videographer’s style can be broken down into four main categories of energy:

• Romantic: This is the most traditional style, and it’s often used for a couple who wants their wedding video to feel like a movie.
• Goofy: This style has been popularized by YouTube videos created by couples themselves (think “The Newlywed Game” meets “Blank Space”). It’s not for everyone, but if you’re into humor and don’t mind seeing yourself on camera being silly, this may be perfect for you!
• Soft/mellow: Not every couple wants their video to be in your face or over-the-top–some prefer something more intimate and quiet. This type of energy will give viewers time to take in the moment without rushing through important parts of it,
• Excited/energetic: If there was ever a time when people wanted excitement out of everything they did, now would probably be it!

Know the difference between audio and music.

Before you sign a contract with a videographer, make sure you understand the difference between audio and music.

Audio is the sound of your wedding day–the speeches, vows and laughter. Music is what you hear when watching your video; it’s the soundtrack that sets the mood for each scene.

While music can be a great addition to your wedding videos, it’s important to remember that audio for many, is more important than music. A good audio setup will make sure that your guests can hear every word spoken during the ceremony and reception, which is essential to telling your story.

When I think about the audio in a wedding, I think of the emotion in my couple’s voices during their vows. It’s also important to consider what hearing family and friends memorialized in a wedding film might mean to you 10, 20 and 50 years down the road.

As someone who lost her sister shortly before her own wedding, the small amount of video (especially the ones with audio) that we have of her is priceless and touches a nerve even photos can’t.

A great wedding video will be beautifully edited.

Editing is the art of choosing the best shots, and putting them together in a way that tells a story. It’s what makes your wedding video unique and stand out from other videos on YouTube.

When you’re looking for a videographer, make sure they have experience with editing–you don’t want to hire someone who doesn’t know how to use Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere!

Don’t rush into choosing a videographer based on one edit.

You should look for a videographer who shows you at least three edits of their previous work. You need to be able to see how the final product will look and feel, so it’s important that they show you different types of videos they’ve made before.

A good wedding videographer will meet with you in person or on a call and spend time getting to know your story, not just shooting random footage without much thought behind it. Finally, ask about any special requests like including drone footage or rehearsal dinner coverage that might be important to you!

Your style of editing should match your personality and the tone of your wedding.

If you’re having a formal affair with lots of traditional elements, then a more traditional approach would be best. If you’re having an informal celebration with lots of fun activities planned (like games), then something more casual could work well for you.

Additionally, consider how well their editing style matches with your personality. You want someone who can bring out the best parts of yourself during filming so that they come across on camera as genuine, relatable people–not just another face in a sea of cameras at someone else’s wedding.

Make sure that whatever type of energy or emotion comes across through an editor’s work reflects what kind of day it was for YOU!

You’re hiring this person to tell the story of your wedding day in their unique way, so it’s important to find a style that fits with who you are as a couple

You’re hiring this person to tell the story of your wedding day in their unique way, so it’s important to find a style that fits with who you are as a couple. Are you more traditional or do you like things a little more modern? Are there certain aspects of your life together that are important to highlight? Do either of you have an affinity for arts and crafts? These questions can help determine what kind of videographer would work best for your big day.

Asking these questions will also allow potential filmmakers better understand what type of footage they should aim for–and which shots will be most meaningful on screen when edited together later on down the road!

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a lot of things to think about when choosing your wedding videographer. I hope this guide has helped you narrow down some options and make an informed decision about who will be responsible for capturing your big day. If you still have questions or need more information before making a final call on any potential candidates, don’t hesitate to reach out!