Art and Photography

How much pay for a wedding video ?

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  • Sep 5th, 2016 1:13 am
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Newbie
Jun 7, 2016
17 posts
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How much pay for a wedding video ?

Could you ask a question , how much do you pay for your wedding video normally ? I am planning my wedding . Thank you
31 replies
Deal Addict
Jun 29, 2008
1897 posts
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North York
How much do you value a wedding video? I've had potential clients ask me to do it for $500, which isn't even enough for me to hire a student to do it, let alone edit the footage. I typically charge $2000 for a 6-8 hour wedding. I know some wedding videography companies charge upwards of $5000 or more.
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Mar 22, 2007
29332 posts
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Hamilton
You get what you pay.

$500 video will get you $500 result
hated on but respected.
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Jun 15, 2012
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Southern Ontario
Look at recent videos in a portfolio and determine if you like that style. Pay attention to camera angles and multiple points of view as this requires several staff and cameras/lenses, perhaps drone work which will factor in the cost. Get quotes and ask questions like:

- are they a registered business, have public and personal liability insurance
- do they have backup personnel and equipment, important!
- staff are professionals, punctual, and dress in appropriate attire (duh lol)
- music is licensed to use
- if they specialize in weddings, this should be evident in the online portfolio
- editing and delivery timeline, a company I know will put up a teaser vid the same night
- are quotes all inclusive with no hidden costs or surprises

A slick final cut with quick changing frames, ceremony audio, and licensed music is at least $3000. For example, this may involve 6+ staff; 3 videographers on tripods, 1 mobile on a stabilizer and a drone specialist. The main editor may be a completely different person if there is a same day presentation. Not everyone recording video will need to be at every scene, the first 4 usually at the ceremony with remote mini mics attached to both of you.

You don't need to hire a company with multiple staff but it's the only way splice together different angles like a professional music video, it's faster than one person can move.
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Aug 10, 2015
2045 posts
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Elgin, ON
I'd budget $3000 - $5000 for full coverage of your day.
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Jun 26, 2011
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I'm not familiar with the wedding business though I'm aware that the videos would be in that price range. Can someone explain why?

Let's say it's a full day coverage - previous poster said $500 isn't even enough to hire a student. Why not? How much are students paid? Am I wrong to assume $200-$300 is a reasonable daily wage?

I understand there's a price for using licensed music etc, but I'm just trying to wrap my head around the price tag. Everyone here is saying $2000-$5000, but how much is each individual component, really?
Deal Addict
Jun 29, 2008
1897 posts
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Rates I normally use...

Videographer day rate: $800. You need at least 2 for a wedding. $1600
Editor for a 5 minute video: $500.
Gear and Rentals: $500

That's already $2600 for necessities. In addition to business costs and travel costs.
Deal Addict
Jun 29, 2008
1897 posts
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North York
kmarcie wrote: I'm not familiar with the wedding business though I'm aware that the videos would be in that price range. Can someone explain why?

Let's say it's a full day coverage - previous poster said $500 isn't even enough to hire a student. Why not? How much are students paid? Am I wrong to assume $200-$300 is a reasonable daily wage?

I understand there's a price for using licensed music etc, but I'm just trying to wrap my head around the price tag. Everyone here is saying $2000-$5000, but how much is each individual component, really?
I personally use videographers with at least a Canon C100. It's a $3500 camera and no student will know how to use it well. Even if they do, probably won't own one so I'll have to rent one for $180. Though I wouldn't even consider hiring a student anyway so that doesn't matter.

As said before, you get what you pay for.
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Jun 26, 2011
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thericyip wrote: Rates I normally use...

Videographer day rate: $800. You need at least 2 for a wedding. $1600
Editor for a 5 minute video: $500.
Gear and Rentals: $500

That's already $2600 for necessities. In addition to business costs and travel costs.
Thanks! This helps me visualize where the money is going to. What kind of gear and rentals do you need for a video?

I understand the gear you use is not regular equipment. Then again, neither are the tools required in a car repair shop or garage. I'm under the impression that that's the cost of your startup business and though of course you hope you get this money back from your job, it seems unreasonable to be calculating this into every job you take.

With that price tag, you can literally just drop the camera every 3 jobs you take and still make a profit.

Again, I'm not disagreeing with the work and talent it takes to make a good video/take good photos, but these rates have always seem grossly inflated to me.

edit: I hope no one is taking offense to what I say, I'm just trying to understand the industry better.
Member
Oct 2, 2006
265 posts
11 upvotes
Main videographer hours
secondary videographer hours
Body rental or maintenance costs
lens rental/ or maintenance costs
Slider/jib/ 3 axis stabilizers/steadycam rental or maintenance costs
wireless lav rental or maintenance costs
editing hours costs
music licencing fee
Travel costs per km
insurance
permit fees if any
(All equipment has mileage before it breaks downs and needs maintenance or replaced.
calculated by per use or rent.)
taxes if any


These are just some of the costs of how a real business runs. Like others have said, you get what you pay for in this industry =)


I like to see it as...
Sure you can find cloths at Walmart for that kind of look,
or do you prefer going to Holtrenfrew and prefer that style?

Happy hunting
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Dec 11, 2003
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Curious, how often do married people watch their video after their first year together?
spot finder
Deal Addict
Jun 29, 2008
1897 posts
557 upvotes
North York
mooshu000 wrote: Main videographer hours
secondary videographer hours
Body rental or maintenance costs
lens rental/ or maintenance costs
Slider/jib/ 3 axis stabilizers/steadycam rental or maintenance costs
wireless lav rental or maintenance costs
editing hours costs
music licencing fee
Travel costs per km
insurance
permit fees if any
(All equipment has mileage before it breaks downs and needs maintenance or replaced.
calculated by per use or rent.)
taxes if any


These are just some of the costs of how a real business runs. Like others have said, you get what you pay for in this industry =)


I like to see it as...
Sure you can find cloths at Walmart for that kind of look,
or do you prefer going to Holtrenfrew and prefer that style?

Happy hunting
You got it down right.
Big Brother wrote: Curious, how often do married people watch their video after their first year together?
I find most of my clients want the video also because of international friends and family who can't make it to the wedding.
Deal Addict
Jun 29, 2008
1897 posts
557 upvotes
North York
kmarcie wrote: Thanks! This helps me visualize where the money is going to. What kind of gear and rentals do you need for a video?

I understand the gear you use is not regular equipment. Then again, neither are the tools required in a car repair shop or garage. I'm under the impression that that's the cost of your startup business and though of course you hope you get this money back from your job, it seems unreasonable to be calculating this into every job you take.

With that price tag, you can literally just drop the camera every 3 jobs you take and still make a profit.

Again, I'm not disagreeing with the work and talent it takes to make a good video/take good photos, but these rates have always seem grossly inflated to me.

edit: I hope no one is taking offense to what I say, I'm just trying to understand the industry better.
More like we would put some money into better gear. Or save up enough so we can buy a piece of equipment instead of renting. It doesn't stop at just recovering the costs of the business and the equipment. There are necessary maintenance and replacement costs. We charge an amount so that we have enough money in the piggy bank to replace something if it gets damaged or needs repair. It's not all profit. I wish it was so I can have steak every night instead of this Lean Cuisine.
Deal Fanatic
Jul 13, 2009
5241 posts
3520 upvotes
thericyip wrote: More like we would put some money into better gear. Or save up enough so we can buy a piece of equipment instead of renting. It doesn't stop at just recovering the costs of the business and the equipment. There are necessary maintenance and replacement costs. We charge an amount so that we have enough money in the piggy bank to replace something if it gets damaged or needs repair. It's not all profit. I wish it was so I can have steak every night instead of this Lean Cuisine.
...and on top of that cost of living, buying a home, raising kids, and feeding them....and making sure you have enough gigs for the next year to keep afloat.
Member
Oct 2, 2006
265 posts
11 upvotes
bhrm wrote: ...and on top of that cost of living, buying a home, raising kids, and feeding them....and making sure you have enough gigs for the next year to keep afloat.
Now you have to wonder how these other "videographers" charge so little.........

Do they have the right equipment?
Do they have experience?

Only way I see when they charge so little is they need to take a loss for portfolio build up.

I'm all for that since everyone needs to start somewhere. There is a market for everyone.
Deal Fanatic
Jul 13, 2009
5241 posts
3520 upvotes
mooshu000 wrote: Now you have to wonder how these other "videographers" charge so little.........

Do they have the right equipment?
Do they have experience?

Only way I see when they charge so little is they need to take a loss for portfolio build up.

I'm all for that since everyone needs to start somewhere. There is a market for everyone.
Those who charge too little get burnt out and don't last on the market. It's just not sustainable in the long run.

Those who charge $2000 for a wedding video, let's say they manage to book 35-40 weddings and earn $70-80k gross. minus wages for second shooter and a car and equipment and living expenses....and taxes...and food...

and that's IF you can book 35-40 weddings. What if you have a bad year and only do 25...or 10.
Newbie
Jun 7, 2016
17 posts
2 upvotes
thericyip wrote: How much do you value a wedding video? I've had potential clients ask me to do it for $500, which isn't even enough for me to hire a student to do it, let alone edit the footage. I typically charge $2000 for a 6-8 hour wedding. I know some wedding videography companies charge upwards of $5000 or more.
So you do the wedding video shooting ? Could you give some link about the video ? Thank you
Member
Oct 2, 2006
265 posts
11 upvotes
bhrm wrote: Those who charge too little get burnt out and don't last on the market. It's just not sustainable in the long run.

Those who charge $2000 for a wedding video, let's say they manage to book 35-40 weddings and earn $70-80k gross. minus wages for second shooter and a car and equipment and living expenses....and taxes...and food...

and that's IF you can book 35-40 weddings. What if you have a bad year and only do 25...or 10.
That's where you need to know how to market yourselves. A good business person doesn't put all eggs in 1 basket.
I can't answer all your questions about this business because there are too many variables.
But if you see a company that still there 10 years from now, they must be doing something right?
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Jun 26, 2011
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bhrm wrote: ...and on top of that cost of living, buying a home, raising kids, and feeding them....and making sure you have enough gigs for the next year to keep afloat.
What? Isn't this a factor for everyone's jobs? There's a cost to running and maintaining a business for every industry. I've never heard of a florist calculating the potential cost of replacing a fridge into each bouquet. For example, if I ran a florist and I want to save up to replace a new walk-in fridge, I would save up and use my existing money, not charge $10 more for every bouquet so I can upgrade my equipments.

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