Did you have or will you have a videographer at your wedding?

The two things that are *important* to me for our wedding include a videographer (full day coverage) and a harpist (for the ceremony). I have decided to get a VERY basic photography package and splurge on an average-size package for videography.

A lot of my married women friends tell me they "wish they had a videographer" because they feel as if they missed the day being so busy. A video would give them a chance to go back and relive the day in the comfort of their own livingroom!

So, my question is, do you plan on having a videographer or have you had one...why and was it worth it?

The package were are contracting for is, in total, $1,175.00. It includes full day coverage (morning to night), 40-45 dating/courting pictures, a love story told by us and guest interviews/special messages at the reception.

That sounds like a great videography package!

My wedding was in October. The videographer showed up while I was getting my hair done and stayed until the end of the reception. My package was similiar to yours at the same price. My video will be done in the next week or so. I can't wait to watch it!!!

Your wedding day will go by in a blur. After seeing our photos alone, there were so many things I had forgotten happened...or didn't even know happened. :) I also want to hear our vows spoken, since I was really nervous during the ceremony. I also had a harpist and it was so beautiful...can't wait to hear that on the video too, since I only heard 2 songs played.

Congratulations!

I think it is a good idea. Do you have a family member or friend who can take the photos, and have them look good, that way you can eliminate the photographer completly?

I can second the notion that the day goes by in such a blur, you hardly remember it. A good photographer that takes a lot of candid shots can be just as good as a videographer... maybe better, because you can frame those pics whereas with a video you'll get lazy about watching it.

We video taped our ceremony, but had lots of candid shots taken during the dinner/reception. I'm perfectly happy with the way our wedding was documented, but then no one gave toasts at our wedding and if they had I would've liked to have had those on tape. Just make sure to get a good solid mix of the two formats. If you've already skimped on the photography package, make sure to put disposable cameras on the tables at the reception.

I strongly recommend using a videographer. The main reasons are 1) so you can see things you missed, such as your silly Aunt doing the macarena, or the look on your husband's face as you said your vows, 2) so you can go back and relive your special day over and over, and 3) so you can see old friends, deceased family members and children who are no longer children anymore! My wedding video always brings tears to my eyes. I see my Grandparents who have since passed away. I see my cousin who is now 7 years old as a baby. I see my husband and I celebrating one of the happiest days of our lives. I can honestly say that I've watched my wedding video MANY more times than I've looked at my photo album. Just make sure you make several copies & store them in different places, such as in a safe or safety deposit box in case of fire or theft. A wedding video will be cherished FOREVER.

No videographer for me. I feel like it is a waste of money. They put it on DVD... but in ten years, no one will use DVD. They're going the way of cassettes. So in ten years, you won't be able to watch it.

As a wedding planner I always suggest to my brides to splurge on a videographer so that they capture the unexpected moments of the day. You need to have your poses as well but to put it all in sequence makes it magical.

nope

I personally think a better photography package would be a better idea. (Just my opinion!) Not too many people are going to watch their wedding video more than once (at least in the case of my friends) but lots of people will flip through a photo album or see the pictures on the wall/tables. I won't have a videographer at my wedding at all, and instead will have an excellent photographer with loads of photos (photojournalism style).

GET IT, I REGRET NOT GETTING ONE FOR MY WEDDING.

Just a word of advice: make sure that the photographer and the videographer get together before the wedding and come up with a plan of attack, or at least build some rapport.

There is a long standing tradition of tension between photogs and videographers, because both are essentially trying to capture the same moments, and either one can easily get in the other's way if both aren't coordinating their efforts.

If at all possible, I ALWAYS meet with videographers before the "show" to build rapport and try to coordinate our efforts ahead of time. This way, we're both on the same page and the lines of communication are open. This results in both products, still and video, being better for the bride!

I have never heard of a wedding not having a videographer and a photographer. so yes its a good idea to capture some memories of your special day for the rest of your life.

For us, it was the opposite. The most important things were food and Photos. So, we are splurging on our Photographer and hiring on the church's videographer. I think something, whether it is in photo or video need to be splurged on so that you have a tangible record of all the memories of that day. Because I've heard from everyone that it goes by so fast...
The cost of the package though, sounds pretty standard.