Wedding Videography

Sample Wedding Video

Los Angeles

Orange County

Wedding Video Package

DVD

Contact

Advice Articles:

Timeline

Contracts

Lighting

Package Options

Recommend

Vendors

Photography

Wedding Videography Contract Advice and Tips

Contract Index:

Reach the Videographer
Details of the Day
Cancellation
Total Cost

You have found the perfect wedding videographer. Now you have to make sure that they deliver by signing on the dotted line. Here is a list of details that you should be aware of before you dive in headfirst...

Make sure you can reach the videographer

One thing that any bride and groom should make sure of is how to make communication as smooth as possible. Nothing can be more frustrating than leaving a message or email and getting a response five days later. Make sure that you have all of your chosen videographer's contact information, including:

Address: Is it a place of business or a residence? Avoid P.O. Boxes, since they are used for anonymity.
Telephone: Is it a machine most of the time or a personal cell. What hours are they available? Can you make sure that you can reach your videographer during your special day at any time?
Email: What is his response time? I personally give sold clients my personal email, of which I check around 5-10 times a day.

On the same note, you should be ready to provide the videographer with the same type of information. This makes sure that the videographer has his day go just as smoothly as yours. All of this information should be stated on the wedding videography contract.

Cover the details of the day

Preparation is the key to making sure your day goes smoothly. Cover the entire day with the videographer to make sure that he does not need to scramble to make any important shots. The wedding videography contract should cover (some items may still be tentative):

Ceremony Time and Contact Information
Reception Time and Contact Information
What hours does the videographer shoot? Do you want him there early in the morning to get preparation shots?
What equipment is used? Is there lighting equipment and what is the lighting situation?
This is a big one - Does your venue have any restrictions on videography and photography? Some churches do not allow video equipment on the premises. Some do not allow it on the altar (affects almost half of the possible shot locations).

Outside of your wedding videography contract you should cover:

Make sure that the videographer is in concert with the wedding planner, photographer, venue owner, and the DJ/band. The point of this is to ensure that he can work in concert with the other professionals to make everything run smoothly. I have always loved it when the DJ tells me that the cake cutting is in five more minutes, letting the bride and groom have their own fun.
Make sure that the videographer can reach the venues in a timely manner. Reserve parking spaces and make sure that he transitions smoothly from one shooting location to another.

Remember, the easier you make the day on your wedding videographer, the more it will be reflected in the quality of his work and in the look on your face when things flow beautifully.

What if he cancels, what if I cancel?

Pretty much every wedding videographer requires a deposit or retainer to reserve the day. This can range from $100 to $500 or from 10% to 50% of the total price. This should all be detailed in the contract and explained to you by the videographer. Questions that you may want to ask:

What happens to your deposit if you cancel X days/weeks/months before the set date? Is there any way to get your deposit back?
What happens if you need to postpone the wedding? Will you have to pay two separate deposits or will they let the first deposit go to the new reserved day?
What happens in the case that the videographer cannot perform his duties on the set date? What happens to the retainer?
What are the terms of the whole payment? Are the payments dependent upon the delivery of the video or on the day of the wedding?

I require a 10% retainer for the reservation of the set date. I do not cash the check until the payment is made in full in case of a date cancellation, in which I try my best to work in the favor of the client. I work with different payment options with each client, since each client has unique financial situations and feels comfortable with different setups.

Find out your total cost

Make sure that hiddens costs are not an issue. Many photographers and videographers charge overtime for services that extend due to a long wedding day. There are packages that often offer whole day services to avoid this situation. Also make sure that everything is covered in the initial price quote, such as the wedding video DVD's, website hosting, and other costs.

I only offer full day services based on the fact I am trying to gather as much quality footage for the video as possible. This is an approach that is more involved and personal, as opposed to clocking in and clocking out. I have gotten some great and memorable footage later in the evening (often when people have had a few drinks too).