When you add up all the elements of a wedding day, one of the most valuable investments that a couple should consider moving to the top of their list – videography.

Videography is the only other medium, other than photography, that allows couples to relive their wedding day as it actually happened.  “A picture is worth a thousands words.” This common saying does no justice for how well videos can preserve the sounds, movements, and visuals at a wedding.

Jodi + Kurt // Wedding Highlights from Josh Gooden on Vimeo.

“From seeing yourself walk down the aisle, to hearing your voices as you exchange vows and rings, hearing the toasts, the music, and the memories at the reception,” said Josh Gooden, cinematographer and editor of Josh Gooden Photography and Cinematography. Or when “your husband sees your dress for the first time,” said Natalie Fava, owner of Birdhouse Productions.

The dress, cake, flowers, and venue are all elements that can be enjoyed in a single day.  However, wedding videography is an investment that can be archived and viewable for generations to come. “My goal is to provide a film that they will watch over and over again, and even so complete strangers can feel that same energy and feelings we felt as we captured it,” said Gooden.

Choosing Your Wedding Videographer: When it comes time to select a videographer, couples should do research on distinguishing differences in videographer’s work such as style, quality, skills, experience, and pricing. “Never settle for a company because they are the most well-known, or even have the best reputation,” said Michael Eller, owner of Monachetti Weddings. “You should expect video to cost just as much as photography, but video is an exciting medium that is gaining a lot of ground, and will continue to do so.”

Depending on your personal style, there are many options of wedding videos to choose from such as a “Highlight Film,” which is a short 3-5 minute film that tells the story of your wedding day; the “Same Day Edit,” which is filmed, edited, and aired at the reception of your wedding; “The Love Story,” which is a supplement to a wedding day coverage that tells the story of how you both met and fell in love; or even the “Traditional Film,” which is a long 30-60 minute feature of your wedding.

Couples are expected to gain relationships with their videographer. “On the same note, your relationship with your videographer is not over after your wedding day, said Fava. “Relationships tend to last at least a year with a couple between the time they book with us and the time their wedding films are completed.”

The Cost: Pricing will vary for each professional, even geographic region.  On average, costs can range from $1,000 to $3,500 and up!

Ultimately, “talent, technology, and time are three key factors that will affect the pricing of your film,” said Gooden. “This is why it is virtually impossible to shop by price alone when selecting your videographer. Professional wedding videography is an artistic, not a mechanical medium.”

Couples should not undervalue this investment opportunity.  You should want your children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren to experience and share in these once in a lifetime memories.

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*Joshua Gooden of Josh Gooden Cinematography, Natalie Fava of Birdhouse Productions, and Michael Eller of Monachetti Weddings are Chesapeake Area Wedding Videographers listed in our Vendor Guide! For more information on becoming a member, please submit an Application.