When to Book Your Wedding Videographer
There are a few things couples lock in quickly when planning a wedding. The venue. Often catering. Then the wedding photographer. After that, everything else begins to fall into place.
Wedding videography tends to sit in a different category.
Some couples book it right away. Many wait. And that is where the real question lives. Not just when should you book your wedding videographer, but when do you know you want one.
Sydney walking down the aisle in the gardens at the Delta Bessborough.
Why Videography Is Often Booked Later
Most of our couples confirm their venue and photographer first. Those feel foundational. The space defines the atmosphere. The photographer defines how the day will look in memory.
Videography is different. It feels less urgent during early planning because it is not something you see on the day in the same way. You do not taste it. You do not walk through it. You experience it later.
Many couples book their videography within 12 months of their wedding, often the same year. Some hold off to make sure the budget works once florals, hair, makeup, and entertainment are confirmed. Others simply need more time to decide whether video matters to them personally.
That delay is common. It is also where availability becomes more uncertain.
Availability Is More Limited Than You Think
There are far more wedding photographers than wedding videographers. It is not unusual to see ten photographers for every one videographer. Video requires more equipment, more coordination, and often a team.
At MJ&Co., we are a team of four. We can capture up to two events on any given date. If we are photographing two weddings, that date is full. If we are photographing one wedding and capturing a full feature film for another couple, that is also full. There is no third slot.
We also intentionally limit our calendar to up to two weekends per month. That structure allows us to serve couples well, but it also means availability is finite.
If you wait until the year of your wedding to decide, you are not wrong. Many couples do. You are simply increasing the chance that your preferred team is already committed.
Not All Wedding Videography Is the Same
Another reason couples hesitate is comparison fatigue. Photography is relatively easy to evaluate. You can look at galleries and see a consistent type of deliverable.
Videography is not that straightforward.
One company may deliver a five minute highlight film with music. Another may include the full ceremony. Another may not record speeches at all. Many videographers work solo, which means they cannot capture events from multiple angles at once.
Our approach has two distinct options.
The Keepsake Film is a highlight of the day. It captures the feeling and atmosphere. It does not include full ceremony or speeches. It is simple and beautiful, and many couples add it to their photography coverage because they want motion without full archival depth.
Our Feature coverage is more comprehensive. It includes full ceremony coverage in multicam, full tea ceremony if applicable, full first look in multicam, and full reception coverage. We professionally record audio and deliver a curated feature film that highlights the best parts of the day. It is designed not just as a highlight, but as a complete record of what was said and done.
That level of coverage requires a coordinated team. It is less common in the industry. If that is what you want, it is important to secure it once you know.
What Video Captures That Photos Cannot
Photography brings you back to what it felt like to be there. A strong image can instantly return you to a moment. We wrote a post comparing photography vs videography.
Video lets you replay it.
You hear the vows. You hear the pause in a father’s voice during a speech. You hear the laughter when the groomsmen deliver a roast. You watch a groom wipe away a tear during a first look. You see and hear the tributes to the people in the room who shaped your story.
These are not just visuals. They are voices and expressions that change over time.
We have seen couples add videography close to their wedding day because they realized they did not want to lose those moments. Sometimes a family member cannot attend due to health, and they want them to experience the ceremony afterward. Sometimes the decision is simply emotional clarity.
Not everyone wants that. Some people do not enjoy hearing their voice. Some do not feel drawn to the sentimental weight of film. For those couples, photography alone may be perfect. For others, once they understand what video preserves, the decision becomes easy.
So When Should You Book Your Wedding Videographer?
The practical answer is simple. As soon as you know you want it.
If you are drawn to the idea of hearing your vows again years from now, or watching your parents’ speeches long after the day has passed, do not wait until the final months to decide. Especially if you want a specific level of coverage.
If you are unsure, take the time to understand what the final deliverable would look like. Decide whether you want a highlight of the day or a full archival record. Once you are clear on that, timing becomes obvious.
Weddings happen once. Memory lasts much longer. Videography does not make the day more special. It simply gives you a way to step back into it.
Book it when you realize you would regret not having it.