It is common for couples to ask how long their wedding video should be, but the truth is that your wedding video can be as long or as short as you want. However, the average length of the wedding video is somewhere between three and five minutes for a highlights version or a short film, or up to 30 minutes or longer for a documentary or movie style. You can always choose both depending on what you want to use it for and what kind of wedding video packages are offered.
There are no strict or fast rules on how long your video should be, but remember, the longer a videographer films and the more material he or she has to edit, the more expensive the video will be. The price is usually what prevents couples from running their wedding video too long. Either way, it’s worth having your moments captured and documented forever so that you and your loved ones can watch them whenever you want.
If you’re wondering how many hours of wedding video can be cut down to just a few minutes, then the professionals are here to help. They’ll advise you on the style of the wedding video, the length, and the price to suit your needs. Before you meet with potential vendors in person, make a list with questions about their wedding videography experience, prices, and availability.
Consider what you want to be covered and other B-roll recordings you want to include when there is enough time. By prioritizing the elements of your wedding ceremony and reception that you absolutely must include, you make sure you capture the magic moments and everything else is a bonus. In terms of length, you opt for the type of wedding video that is included in the video and your video budget.
Types of Wedding Videos
Ultimately, your wedding video will be determined by style. There are several types of wedding videography. The most popular are:
- Documentation
- Cinematic
- Short Film
- Highlights
Documentary wedding videos can include short interviews with family members or other wedding guests, as well as other moments of you as a couple leading up to your celebration, such as the proposal or when you first met.
A cinematic style is known for aerial shots of the wedding location, slow motion features, and narratives or moments of dialogue that you would expect from a movie. Talk to your videographer about options to discuss what is most effective, and then choose the effects you like best.
The short film and highlights of the videos usually last less than 10 minutes, with many lasting three to five minutes. Each film is special in itself and captures the best moments of the wedding ceremony with filters, music, and other elements such as voice-over narration or text. Not all videographers include all of these effects during the editing phase. If there are any you are attracted to, tell the vendors you are meeting to confirm that they are able to handle this detail.
What to include in your wedding video
Every moment of your wedding day will be spectacular, making it difficult to limit yourself to something that can fit in a few moments, especially as most weddings last several hours from start to finish. Key moments to capture are:
- Prepare yourself from the perspective of each individual
- The first look between bride and groom
- Vow ceremony
- Reception events Cake cutting, first dance, and ostrich throwing
If you try to reduce the length of the wedding video, you will avoid lengthy coverage of the venue itself and/or the arrival or departure of the guest. It only takes a few seconds of this type of footage to tell the story of the day. More important highlights are the reactions of the guests, special glances between the newlyweds, and family traditions.
For anything that cannot be missed, communicate it with your videographer so that the moment is fully documented. Although the above moments are included in most wedding videos, it is worth bearing this in mind if you want something specific or more time for a particular part of the celebration.
Questions to wedding videographers regarding the length of the video
Before you decide, you need to know what questions to ask a wedding videographer. Each individual videographer or wedding video company will have slightly different pricing based on what is included in their service packages, their experience, and their popularity in the industry, among other differentiators. If you visit many vendor websites, it will indicate the starting price for wedding video packages, as each video is tailored to the respective couple.
This will let you know immediately whether a particular provider will fit within your overall wedding budget. If you are starting to plan consultations with a few different providers, here are a few questions you should consider regarding the typical length of the wedding video.
Price per hour or service package?
For hourly rates, a wedding videographer can give you a general idea of how long it will film and what is included in the price. Usually, this covers the ceremony and reception, in addition to the preparations or other special moments before or after the wedding. Any time beyond the originally agreed hourly rate will incur an additional price that you would like to know in advance.
Others prefer to sell by service package and build on it, depending on the couple’s specific wishes. Although this involves a general time frame, it focuses less on how many hours, and more on getting the material needed to compile the video.
Check the final proposal carefully to make sure that everything in terms of location scouting, setup, filming, and editing is exactly what you can expect before, during, and after the wedding.
Can I get both a highlight video and a longer version?
Sometimes both are included in a wedding video package. A highlight video is shorter and only runs for a few minutes. Often, it is shared via a digital link that you can upload to your social media channels or email to friends and family members. A longer version can take up to 30 minutes or longer and can also be available in digital form with a printed copy if desired.
Since each type of video needs to be edited separately from the raw material, the cost for both becomes more expensive than for itself. If you consider both options, compare what it would cost to have each one separately and whether there is a discount when ordering together. Also, each videographer has his or her own specific style and may only offer a certain length for wedding videos he or she produces.
How long does it take to get the wedding video?
The timing of delivery depends on how long your wedding video is, but when you work with a production company, it may have a team of editors who help put together multiple videos on a consistent schedule. Most providers, whether individual or organization, take several days to collect footage, add special effects such as music and filters, and edit it to the desired length. Your videographer should give you a timeline of when you can expect your video and contact you for updates.
The decision between a solo wedding video and a company
When deciding whether to hire a videographer or a video production company, there are advantages and disadvantages for both. Factors such as cost, experience, and timeliness play a role in your dealer research. You will simply want to select one that you feel you understand your vision of how you want to experience your big day in the film.
The price may be a little cheaper for someone who does things alone, but this is not always the case as he or she may be trying to compete with larger companies. A solo wedding video artist can also put together a bespoke offer and provide better communication to fully market himself or herself. It can feel more comfortable when you are planning your own unique video.
On the other hand, a video production company can tap into the process with experience, so you can feel safe handling a larger wedding or location that requires shooting from multiple angles and from more than one person. A larger team can also mean that the editing process is quicker, with a more hands-on deck.
These are commonplaces for everyone, and there are many wedding filmmakers who go beyond normal expectations. Prioritize what is most valuable to you to find the right person to film your wedding. Is it budget? Style of videography? If you know these kinds of details, you will narrow down your search and make selecting your ultimate choice an easier process.