Getting The Very Best Experience When Hiring A Wedding Videographer.
The wedding video experience is something couples tend not to consider when hiring a videographer for their wedding. But it’s the one thing that affects the entire film’s outcome.
I’m not referring to how many professional accomplishments and the abundance of knowledge a videographer has (granted, that’s important).
Rather, I’m talking about the attentiveness, mindfulness, and perceptiveness you’ll encounter while working with your team. While these are soft skills, these lovely intangibles mean everything when it comes to receiving exceptional service.
- The style of their films
- Their storytelling ability
- The wedding video experience you have with them
There are three major components to hiring a wedding videographer
Most people only consider two components: the film style and storytelling ability. But the third component, your wedding experience, is thought of the least often.
Your wedding videography experience
Profoundly important, but simply put, it’s the process and experience you’ll get from the wedding videography team you hire.
Your wedding video experience is everything from how the videographer handles their communication with you before your wedding (are they prompt, courteous, and professional) all the way to “here’s your wedding film—enjoy!” There’s a lot in that middle area to consider.
Some of what makes up an exceptional wedding videography team is:
- Easy to communicate with them
- Accept multiple types of payment options
- Have an online system for contracts, questionnaires, and invoices
- A keen perception of what you need as a client
- Be respectful of you and your guests
- Work in tandem with your other vendors for a successful day
The best way to get an idea of how a videographer handles the client experience before hiring them for your wedding is to get on a consultation call and give it your FULL attention. Do not skip the consultation call. This is one of the most valuable discovery tools at your disposal.
People can sound great on paper, they can be something else altogether in person.
That means, do not make this call while you’re driving, doing the dishes, are out for a walk, getting ready for a big night out, etc. A great videography team isn’t cheap; they’re an investment, so you must treat it with the gravitas it deserves.
Otherwise, you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage. (And why would you do that to yourself?)
Does the wedding film experience really matter when hiring a videographer?
[TL;DR] Absolutely, yes. [/TL;DR]
I’m going to talk about coffee for a second. Yup. Coffee. Hold tight; we’ll get back to wedding videos in a minute.
You can jump into a gas station to grab a cup of coffee, or you can get a cold brew from The Snowy Owl in Brewster. They’re both coffee—but those coffees aren’t REALLY the same, are they?
The good enough Experience
Even if you KNOW that, you might still think… “OMG, I’m so tired. I just need a coffee right now to wake me up. This will do fine right now.”
You decide to get a large gas station coffee with that top that always leaks onto your shirt (every. single. time.), and it’s handed to you by a clerk who’s looking at you weirdly but never says anything.
You get to your car and take a sip, nearly spitting it out; it tastes so burnt and bitter you can barely drink it. Five more sugars out to help it.
Your stomach starts to protest the acidity of the gas station coffee as you sit in traffic. All you can think about is that creepy dude who gave you a weird feeling.
It doesn’t ruin your day, but it’s off enough to imprint your day with a weird start. And this keeps you a little off balance for the entire day. (That creepy dude was probably part of a discussion once or twice, even.)
The amazing Experience
On the other hand, your Snowy Owl cold brew is delivered to you by your favorite barista who knows your order without you having to say anything.
The barista hands your coffee to you with a warm smile. When they tell you to have a great day, and they look forward to seeing you again tomorrow—you feel like they truly mean it. Honestly, you’re looking forward to seeing them tomorrow, too.
You get in your car and take a long sip of that gloriously smooth, naturally sweet drink, and smile as the caffeine starts to warm your brain. The lids they use are molded differently. You’re not sure how but they never drip. It’s a tiny detail, but clearly, the owner is thinking of small things that impact their customers’ experience. You appreciate the gesture.
You breathe a long sigh of contented relief. Today’s gonna be a good day. You go about your day with a smile and absolutely crush it.
How The Experience Impacts Your Day
The obvious difference between the coffee is product quality. That cold brew takes 12-18 hours to make, and the gas station coffee—no more than 5 minutes.
The experience the extra effort put into the product delivers a remarkably superior coffee.
But service also affects how you receive that product. You don’t necessarily think about it when you’re buying it—but it’s true.
The human connection you have as a service impacts the product.
If the service was reversed and your glorious cold brew was delivered to you by Mr. Creeper, while it’s still delicious, that weird experience is going to leave an eerie impression on your day. And you don’t enjoy it the same way.
And if the 5-minute coffee were served to you by a gracious and caring attendant, while it would still not be as tasty or smooth, it would have a positive impact on your day. The appreciation you feel elevates your experience.
How the Videography Experience affects your wedding film
Hire a videographer who provides you with an experience that’s worth investing in because this team will rarely leave your side that day. And I’m sure you know what it’s like to be affected by people that rub you the wrong way, especially when you can’t get away from them.
I bet you can think of an example or two right off the top of your head. It’s not pleasant. And it changes your otherwise sunny outlook no matter how hard you try. Someone close to you could probably tell right away from the look on your face something was wrong, right?
Now imagine that happens on your wedding day. And it’s all being recorded for you to remember forever. So it’s vitally important that they’re the right ones for you.
Get to know the people who will potentially be your videography team. What are their values? Are they in line with your own? Do your personalities click? Do they make you laugh and feel comfortable and taken care of—or do you get even a little bit of a weird vibe? Pay attention to that thing that feels a little off.
If you get a great connection right away—lock that down immediately.
Beware Of Shiny Object Syndrome
it'll make you drop the ball on your wedding videography experience.
We’re all susceptible to dropping the ball on our personal values when tempted by what seems like an irresistible deal (ALL THE THINGS AND TOYS!!). But, unlike with coffee, this is a choice you’ll be living with forever. You pretty much get one shot at hiring the right team.
You’re investing in a wedding film that will endure for decades. So make sure you’re investing in exactly what you want. This way, you’ll appreciate your wedding film the same way at 75 that you did when you were 25.
When you’re doing your thorough research, make sure you’re considering all three components.
- The style of a videographer’s films
- Their storytelling ability
- The wedding video experience you have with them (before, during, and after your wedding)
The first two you can tell by watching their films. But the third one comes from reading reviews and talking directly with the videography team.
Real-Life Example Of The Wedding Videography Experience
you don't think it makes a difference... until a pandemic cancels your wedding
In March, when COVID-19 was beginning to get serious here, Sean and I reached out to all our couples. Even though it was very early in the process, we knew our couples would feeling worried and disconnected at a time when they should be feeling giddy, full of love, and light as their wedding day was approaching.
We offered our reassurance—we told our couples how we were vigilantly protecting our health so we would be there for them on their wedding day. As their dates drew nearer, we set up easy-to-access calendars for them and their planners for when they were considering making a Plan B. We explained all rescheduling and cancellation policies in open and friendly terms. If they didn’t already have one, we connected them with planners who were donating their time when their venues closed and were unresponsive.
And we were just there for our couples in general to be someone they could lean on or vent to in this unprecedented time of stress and uncertainty.
While many vendors were afraid that reaching out would trigger mass cancellations—we were happy to be a port in the storm for our clients.
It was important for us to be there for our couples when they need us the most (even though we were just as scared as everyone else was). Being brave doesn’t mean the absence of fear, you just find the strength and face it head-on. Which we did and it made all the difference in the world to our couples.
You'll Know The Kind Of Wedding Experience That’s Right For You.
This is why it’s vitally important to speak with the videographers that you’re considering hiring. Even if they get an amazing recommendation from friends and family, have stellar reviews, and are on every vendor list from here to the moon.
You’re incredibly unique. And it’s important that these people can give you the kind of experience that’s right for you, specifically.
I know it’s tempting to keep everything online and at a distance in our digital world and fast-paced lives. More now than ever, we realize that the human aspect of direct human interaction is necessary for a great connection.
So don’t skip this important step. And don’t let anyone tell you it’s not as important as keeping within a budget. I realize that sounds crass coming from a videographer, which is not my intention. But there are better places to cut. (Hello, printed programs—why do you exist anymore… literally no one keeps you, you’re just the destruction of a beautiful tree. And what was the last wedding program, invite, or favor you remember cherishing?)
You don’t have to hire us. And that’s fine.
But hire the best wedding videographer who will give you the very best experience. Trust me. No one has ever said, “I regret investing in my memories… if only I splurged on nicer placards, my wedding would have been the best day ever.”
Hurray! You made it all the way down here to the bottom.
I feel like I owe you a coffee or a tea, or at least a friendly hug
To say that I’m impressed, doesn’t adequately express what I’m feeling right now. I write novel-length blog posts. You’ve spent so much time here with me; I feel like I owe you a coffee or a tea, or at least a friendly hug. You know, I suspect if you made it all the way down to this part,
- you’re looking for a wedding videographer, and
- you and I might have a connection going (I won’t lie, I kind of love that)
So, maybe you want to ignore your work a little bit longer and check out our site to see what we’re all about?
And if you’re getting a good feeling about our sincere and authentic vibe—we’d love to get you to know you. So, please do fill out the form on our Contact Page and introduce yourself!
Why not check out more of our totally unfiltered wedding videography advice?
