How much does a wedding videographer cost in 2026?
22 min
How much does a wedding videographer cost in 2026?
Author
The ItsaYes TeamAuthor
Alright, let's get right to it. You’re staring at your wedding budget, and a big question mark is hovering over one of the most important line items: "How much does a wedding videographer cost?"
The truth is, prices can feel like they're all over the map. But for most couples, the sweet spot for a quality wedding videographer lands somewhere between $2,300 and $4,000. As a general rule of thumb, you can expect videography to take up about 8% of your total wedding budget.
This isn't a hard-and-fast rule, of course. Think of it as a solid starting point, a financial anchor that helps turn vague ideas into a concrete, manageable plan.
The Average Cost of a Wedding Videographer in 2026
When you begin planning a wedding, understanding the actual cost of vendors is crucial for establishing a realistic budget and preventing the stress of uncertainty. Without a clear financial starting point, you're merely speculating.
To explore more about the anticipated average wedding cost in 2026, check out this article: Average Wedding Cost in 2026.
Wedding Videographer Cost Tiers at a Glance
To make this even simpler, it helps to think about videography costs in three main tiers. What you invest directly impacts the experience, coverage, and final film you receive. Understanding what your money buys at each level is the first step to aligning your budget with your vision.
Here's a quick breakdown of what you can generally expect at each price point.
4-6 hours of coverage, a single videographer, and a 3-5 minute highlight video.
Intimate weddings, elopements, or couples focused on capturing just the key moments.
Mid-Range
$2,300 – $4,500
8-10 hours of coverage, a lead videographer (sometimes with an assistant), and a 5-8 minute highlight film plus a full ceremony edit.
Couples wanting comprehensive coverage from getting ready to the reception send-off.
High-End
$5,000 – $10,000+
Full-day coverage, a team of two or more videographers, drone footage, and multiple deliverables like a cinematic feature film and a social media teaser.
Large weddings, destination events, or couples prioritizing a highly artistic and polished final product.
Seeing the numbers laid out like this gives you immediate clarity. It transforms the vague question of "what does it cost?" into a practical framework for making smart decisions.
Planning With a Clear Path Forward
With these tiers in mind, you can now confidently move forward. If you're using an AI-powered wedding planning system like ItsaYes, you can plug that 8% figure right into your budget and see how it stacks up against your other priorities. Instead of juggling spreadsheets, Pinterest boards, and scattered notes, ItsaYes brings your vision, tasks, budget, and timeline into one calm, intuitive workspace.
Of course, your videographer is just one piece of the puzzle. You'll need to do similar financial planning for your photographer, as their costs often fall into similar brackets. For more on that, check out our guide on how much a wedding photographer should cost. By understanding both, you can build a cohesive media budget without the stress.
What Determines the Price of a Wedding Videographer
Ever wonder why one videographer sends you a proposal for $2,000 and the next one quotes you $10,000? It can feel a little like the wild west, but there’s a real method to the madness. Decoding that price tag is the key to confidently answering, "how much does a wedding videographer cost?"
Think of it like commissioning a piece of art. The artist's reputation, the time they invest, and the materials they use all shape the final cost. Your wedding film works exactly the same way. The price isn't arbitrary, it’s a direct reflection of a few core factors that determine the quality, style, and polish of your final video.
Once you get a handle on these five key elements, you'll be able to find a videographer whose work and price point perfectly match your vision.
Experience and Reputation
This is the big one. Just like any creative professional, a videographer's experience level is the single biggest driver of their cost. A seasoned storyteller with a decade of weddings under their belt and a glowing reputation will naturally command a higher price than a rising star who is still building their portfolio.
But you're paying for more than just a name. An established pro brings a sense of calm and an instinct for anticipating moments you can’t get any other way. They've seen it all, from sudden rainstorms to timeline mishaps, and know how to handle it gracefully while still capturing incredible footage. That experience is what turns a good film into an emotionally resonant one.
Experience levels create some pretty clear pricing tiers. Newcomers building their portfolio often charge between $800–$1,500 for basic highlight films. Mid-level pros with more refined editing typically fall in the $2,500–$5,500 range. And the elite videographers, often with teams and advanced gear, can command $5,500–$12,000 or more.
Coverage Hours and Team Size
This one’s pretty straightforward: the more time your videographer is on-site, the higher the price. Are you planning an intimate elopement that only needs four hours of coverage, or are you going for a full-day celebration, from morning mimosas to the final send-off?
Closely related is the size of the team. A talented solo shooter can absolutely capture a beautiful story. But adding a second videographer is a game-changer. It means you can get:
Multiple angles during the ceremony (one camera on you, another on your partner's reaction).
Simultaneous coverage if you’re getting ready in different locations.
Broader capture of all those amazing guest reactions and candid moments during the reception.
A second shooter is an investment in more dynamic, comprehensive storytelling, and the package price will reflect that.
Final Deliverables and Editing Style
What you actually get after the wedding day is a huge piece of the pricing puzzle. The shooting is only half the battle; the real magic happens in post-production. Editing a wedding film is a meticulous art form that can easily take 40–80 hours of focused work.
The types and number of videos you receive will directly affect the cost. Common deliverables include:
Highlight Film: A 3-8 minute cinematic summary of the day, set to music.
Feature Film: A longer, more detailed 10-20 minute narrative film.
Documentary Edit: A full-length video that includes the entire ceremony, all the speeches, and the main dances.
Social Media Teaser: A 60-second clip perfect for Instagram, usually delivered shortly after the wedding.
A simple highlight reel takes far less time to craft than a package that includes a teaser, a feature, and a full documentary edit. Knowing what you want to watch in five years helps clarify the investment needed today.
Wedding Location and Travel
Believe it or not, your wedding’s location plays a big role in cost. A videographer based in a major city like New York or Los Angeles simply has higher costs of doing business, and their rates will reflect that compared to someone in a smaller town.
And if you’re asking your dream videographer to travel for your wedding, you can expect travel fees to be added to your package. These costs are pretty standard and usually cover transportation, lodging for one or two nights, and a daily food allowance. It’s a necessary part of bringing the perfect artist to your dream location. For a deeper dive into this, it can be helpful to look into understanding how service providers price their offerings to see how they calculate their costs.
Now that you know what drives the price of a wedding videographer up or down, let's get real about what your money actually buys. This is where the abstract numbers on a pricing sheet start to look like a tangible, moving memory you’ll have forever.
Think about it like buying a car. You could get a reliable sedan that gets you from point A to point B safely and comfortably. Or, you could opt for a luxury SUV with all the bells and whistles, leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, and an incredible sound system. Both are great cars, but they deliver a totally different experience and come with very different price tags.
Videography packages work the same way. Each tier is designed to fit a different type of wedding, a different set of priorities, and a different budget. Let’s break down what you can realistically expect at each level.
Budget-Friendly Packages: $800 – $1,800
This is the perfect starting point for couples with intimate weddings, elopements, or those who simply want the core moments captured beautifully without a massive budget allocation. It’s all about getting a professional film of the essentials.
For this price, you’re usually looking at a package that covers the most important parts of the day. You can typically expect:
4 to 6 hours of on-site filming.
A single, talented videographer.
A sweet 3-5 minute highlight video that’s perfect for sharing on social media.
This package is designed to give you a gorgeous, moving memento of your ceremony, first dance, and cake cutting, all wrapped up in a short, shareable film.
Mid-Range Packages: $2,000 – $5,000
This is the sweet spot and by far the most popular choice for most couples. It strikes that perfect balance between getting comprehensive coverage of your entire day and keeping the cost reasonable.
Here, you’re investing in a more complete story. The extra hours and often a second videographer mean you get more angles, more moments, and a much richer final film. A mid-range package usually includes:
8 to 10 hours of coverage, capturing everything from getting ready to the grand exit.
A lead videographer, often with an assistant or a second shooter for more dynamic coverage.
A polished 5-8 minute cinematic highlight film.
Full edits of the ceremony and main speeches, so you don't miss a word.
If you want the full story of your wedding day told from start to finish, this is likely the right tier for you.
Luxury Cinematic Experiences: $5,500+
For couples who see videography not just as a record but as a true art form, the luxury tier offers a production that’s on a whole different level. This is less about documenting the day and more about creating a personal, epic film.
Think of it as a mini-movie starring you. The higher price point is driven by more filming hours, a larger crew, and much more complex, artistic editing. Packages often start around $5,500 but can easily climb to $12,000 or more, especially in major cities. As some industry data shows, a wedding in San Francisco can average $6,091 for videography, while the same service in Salt Lake City might be closer to $3,005. You can find more details on how packages scale in this guide to videography spending.
A luxury package might include:
Full-day or even multi-day coverage, perfect for destination weddings or weekend celebrations.
A team of two or three videographers to capture every angle.
Stunning drone footage of your venue.
Multiple video edits, like a 1-minute social media teaser, a cinematic highlight film, and a longer, documentary-style feature film.
This visual breaks down how the investment scales across the different package tiers, from a simple, beautiful film to a full cinematic production.
As you can see, what you spend directly ties to the scale of the production, from one person capturing the key moments to a full crew creating an epic movie of your day.
Comparing Videography Package Features
To make it even clearer, let's break down what you get side-by-side. This table shows how common features stack up across the three main budget tiers, helping you pinpoint which package aligns best with what you truly value for your wedding day.
Feature
Budget Package ($800 - $1,800)
Mid-Range Package ($2,000 - $5,000)
Luxury Package ($5,500+)
Coverage Hours
4-6 Hours
8-10 Hours
10+ Hours / Multi-Day
Number of Shooters
1 Videographer
1-2 Videographers
2-3+ Videographers
Highlight Film
3-5 Minutes
5-8 Minutes
Cinematic Highlight (5-10 min) + Social Teaser (1 min)
Ceremony/Speeches
Raw footage (sometimes) or not included
Full edited video of ceremony and speeches
Fully edited, multi-camera ceremony and speeches
Drone Footage
Not typically included
Sometimes available as an add-on
Almost always included
Editing Style
Simple, clean editing
More storytelling and stylistic editing
Highly cinematic, color-graded, with advanced sound design
Revisions
Usually 1 round of minor edits
Often 1-2 rounds of edits
Multiple rounds of revisions to ensure perfection
Final Delivery
Digital download
Digital download + custom USB
Digital download, custom USB/box, and sometimes feature-length documentary edits
Ultimately, choosing the right package is about matching your investment to your vision. By seeing the features laid out like this, you can make a confident decision that ensures your wedding film is everything you dreamed of, whether it's a sweet and simple highlight or a full-blown cinematic masterpiece.
How to Fit Videography Into Your Wedding Budget
Figuring out how to pay for a wedding videographer doesn't have to be a nightmare. The secret is to stop treating it like a surprise, add-on expense and start weaving it into your total wedding plan from day one. When you have a solid strategy, what feels like a huge, stressful decision becomes just another calm, manageable step.
To get a real handle on what you can spend, you first need to zoom out and look at the big picture of how much a wedding costs in 2026. Once you know your total number, slicing off a piece for video becomes a whole lot clearer.
Define Your Vision First, Budget Second
Before you even glance at a single price tag, you need to know what you want. What kind of wedding film actually moves you? Are you dreaming of a sweeping, cinematic movie of your day, or would a raw, documentary-style film feel more like you?
This is exactly where an AI-powered planning system like ItsaYes changes the game. It’s designed for couples who want clarity from the very start. You begin by defining your style and ideas, and the platform helps you turn that inspiration into a clear plan, breaking the next 6 to 12 months into simple, manageable steps.
Instead of getting buried in spreadsheets and a million scattered notes, an integrated system lets you build your budget around your creative vision. This makes sure every dollar you spend is a direct investment in the wedding you actually want.
This flips the whole process on its head. You’re not just desperately trying to squeeze a videographer into a budget you already set; you’re building a budget that reflects what matters most to you from the very beginning.
Turning the 8% Rule Into an Action Plan
You've probably heard the guideline that videography often takes up about 8% of a total wedding budget. That’s a fantastic starting point, but how do you actually make that number work for you? A dedicated planning system helps you put that percentage into action.
Here’s how simple the process is inside a platform like ItsaYes:
Set Your Total Budget: First, lock in the overall amount you plan to spend on the entire wedding.
Allocate the 8%: The system can automatically calculate your target videography budget. For a $40,000 wedding, that’s $3,200.
Compare and Adjust: Now you can see how that number stacks up against other priorities, like your venue or photographer. You might decide to bump video up to 10% and trim 2% from something else. You're in complete control.
This method takes all the guesswork out of it. It turns a vague percentage into a real, tangible number you can actually work with, giving you clarity and confidence.
From Chaos to Calm and Organized Planning
Once your budget is locked in, the real work starts: finding and booking the perfect videographer. This is where a lot of couples get completely swamped, juggling inquiry emails, contracts, and follow-up reminders.
An AI-powered wedding planning system like ItsaYes pulls all those moving pieces into one intuitive workspace. Your personal AI assistant is available 24/7 to suggest priorities, organize tasks, and keep everything moving forward without overwhelm.
This transforms the chaos of hiring a vendor into a calm, step-by-step checklist. You can actually enjoy the creative part of the process, knowing that every single detail is organized and nothing is going to fall through the cracks. And if you're looking for more ways to keep costs in check across the board, check out our expert advice for planning a wedding on a budget.
Key Questions to Ask Your Wedding Videographer
Okay, you’ve figured out your videography budget and have a general idea of the style you love. Now comes the hard part: finding the actual human who will create this film for you.
This isn’t just about finding someone whose price fits your spreadsheet. It’s about finding a creative partner whose personality, artistic vision, and way of working feel right. That first call is basically a two-way interview, you’re vetting them, and they’re making sure they’re the right person to capture your day. Walking in with a sharp list of questions is how you move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling totally in control.
Questions About Their Work and Style
First things first, you need to get past the slick highlight reel and understand their actual storytelling chops. This is where you find out if their artistic brain works the same way yours does.
Can we see a full wedding film, not just a highlight reel? This one is completely non-negotiable. A highlight video is a greatest-hits collection. A full film shows you how they handle the quiet moments, how clear the ceremony audio is, and if they can actually tell a cohesive story from start to finish.
How would you describe your videography style? Get them to use their own words. Are they cinematic? Documentary? Classic? Knowing their vocabulary helps you see if their vision matches the one you've been pinning for months.
How do you choose the music for the film? Music is the absolute soul of a wedding video. Do they pick it? Do you get a say? And, crucially, how do they handle music licensing so your video doesn’t get taken down when you share it online?
If their answers to these questions get you excited, that’s a fantastic sign you’re on the right track.
Questions About Logistics and On-The-Day Details
Next up, let’s get practical. The way they answer these questions reveals their professionalism and how they’ll actually operate on the wedding day. This is all about preventing day-of surprises.
The difference between a good videographer and a truly great one often boils down to two things: their audio quality and their backup plan. Clear audio for vows and speeches is what turns a pretty video into an emotional heirloom you’ll watch for decades.
Drill down into these critical logistics:
What’s your plan for capturing clear audio? Get specific. How will they mic you for the vows? What about the officiant and the toasts at the reception? A real pro will have a multi-pronged strategy, usually involving lavalier mics on the key people, a recorder plugged into the DJ's soundboard, and on-camera mics.
What happens if you’re sick or have an emergency on our wedding day? Life happens. A seasoned professional will have a rock-solid backup plan, which should include a network of trusted videographers they can call on who shoot in a similar style.
How do you work alongside the photographer? You want a media team that works like a well-oiled machine, not two artists competing for the same shot. A videographer who emphasizes their collaborative spirit is exactly what you’re looking for.
Getting these details ironed out before signing a contract is what brings peace of mind. For a more complete checklist, check out our guide on questions to ask all your wedding vendors to make sure every single base is covered.
Questions About the Final Product and Timeline
Finally, you need to know what happens after the confetti has been swept up. Setting clear expectations for when and how you’ll get your film is key to avoiding any post-wedding anxiety.
What is the final turnaround time for all our videos? Editing a beautiful film takes time, but your contract should state a clear delivery window, like 12-16 weeks.
How are the videos delivered? Will you get a polished online gallery with a download link, a custom USB drive, or both?
What’s your policy on revisions? If there’s a small change you’d like to make, what does that process look like? Some packages will include a round of minor edits, while others charge for it. It's always better to know upfront.
Asking these specific questions transforms a huge decision into a structured, confident choice. By using a platform like ItsaYes to keep all your vendor communications organized, you can make sure you’re not just hiring a videographer—you’re investing in the perfect artist to tell your story.
A Few Final Questions About Videography Costs
You’ve got the pricing, you’ve seen the packages, but a few nagging questions are probably still floating around in your head. It’s completely normal. These are the last-mile details that can make the difference between signing a contract with total confidence and feeling a little unsure.
Let’s clear them up, one by one.
Can I Save Money by Bundling Photo and Video Services?
This is the number one question couples ask, and for good reason, who doesn’t love a good deal? The quick answer is yes, you can absolutely save money by booking a company that handles both. The typical discount for bundling services hovers around 10%.
But before you jump on the first package deal you see, you need to weigh the good against the bad.
The Upside: The biggest win here is having one cohesive team. Your photographer and videographer have an established rhythm and know how to work together without stepping on each other’s toes (literally and figuratively). It also cleans up your planning, one contract, one point of contact, one payment schedule. Simple.
The Catch: The main risk is that many studios are masters of one medium and just okay at the other. You might find a team with a mind-blowing photography portfolio whose video style feels a bit dated, or vice versa.
The Takeaway: If you find a company whose style you are genuinely obsessed with in both photo and video, bundling is a fantastic move. It saves you money and a planning headache. Just be sure to vet both portfolios with the same critical eye before you commit.
A planning tool like ItsaYes can be your best friend here. It’s built for newly engaged couples who want to enjoy the process, stay organized, and feel confident, from first inspiration to a fully structured plan. You can use it to create a task to compare bundled packages against hiring two separate vendors, weigh the real costs and benefits, and see which route truly aligns with your wedding vision and budget.
Is a Second Videographer Really Necessary?
The short answer: it depends entirely on your wedding. A second videographer isn't just a "nice-to-have"—it's a strategic choice that fundamentally changes how your wedding story is told. For some weddings, it's an absolute game-changer.
Think of it this way: a single shooter is like watching a play from one seat in the theater. You get a fantastic view, but you only ever see the action from that one perspective. A second shooter gives you the "front-row seat" and the "balcony view" simultaneously.
Here’s when that second shooter becomes a non-negotiable:
Big Weddings: If you have more than 150 guests, a single person simply can't be everywhere at once. A second shooter is the one capturing all those incredible guest reactions during your vows or the toasts that would otherwise be missed forever.
Multiple Locations: Are you and your partner getting ready in separate hotels? A second videographer is essential to capture both of your morning-of stories as they unfold at the same time.
Dynamic Ceremony Coverage: This is huge. During the ceremony, one videographer can hold a tight shot on your face while the other captures your partner’s emotional reaction as you walk down the aisle. That back-and-forth storytelling is what makes a film truly cinematic.
Now, if you’re having an intimate wedding with under 75 guests all in one spot, a talented solo videographer can likely capture everything beautifully. But for larger, more complex events, a second shooter is the insurance that your full story gets told.
Do I Need to Tip My Wedding Videographer?
Tipping etiquette always feels a little awkward, but for wedding vendors, it’s pretty straightforward. While a tip for your videographer is never required, it is a very common and deeply appreciated gesture, especially if you feel they went above and beyond for you.
Here’s a simple guide to follow:
For the Lead Videographer: A tip between $100 to $200 is a standard and generous way to say thank you for their artistry and hard work.
For a Second Videographer or Assistant: A tip of $50 to $75 is a thoughtful acknowledgment of their role in capturing the day.
But What If They Own the Company? There's an old, outdated rule that you don't need to tip business owners. In the creative world of weddings, that rule just doesn't apply. Most videographers are small business owners, and a tip is always a welcome sign that you loved their work.
Honestly, a heartfelt thank-you note and a glowing online review can be just as valuable as cash. Those things help them book their next amazing couple (like you!). With these final questions answered, you have everything you need to confidently answer "how much does a wedding videographer cost?" and make the perfect choice for your day.
Feeling clear on videography costs is a huge step, but it's just one part of your planning journey. With ItsaYes, you can bring your entire wedding vision, from the budget and timeline to all your vendor choices, into one calm, intuitive workspace. Stop juggling spreadsheets and start building a confident plan today at ItsaYes.
