Not Having a Videographer

There are actually companies that allow you to rent professional quality video cameras, and come with video instructions on how to set them up and get the best footage. You then returned everything after the wedding, and they edit a video for you.
Another option would be to look on thumbtack. Obviously you aren’t going to get the same quality video as an extremely experienced videographer who charges $5000, but you will at least get a decent video of your celebration, and not have to designate the job to guests.

If this is one of your top 3 vendor and wedding priorities, I don't think it's fair that your partner overruled it. Work together on trimming something down you care less about. Do you really care about all 250 people? Find comparable videographers that don't use drones or other add-ons.

You can always do the research and have a few options to reach out to last minute. You never know! You’re doing the smart thing by budgeting for 100% of your invite list, but with 250 people, chances are the number of declines will eventually free up some funds to put toward videography. It’ll be super last minute since you’ll have to wait for your RSVPs, but just do the research now and make an extensive list so can start busting out calls when/if you get room in your budget.

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Thank you Cece! Do you know of a specific company that does that or just know that service exists? Might be an option instead of iPhones - I am just worried sound quality from them might not be the best since it is outdoors. Hopefully a professional quality video camera will pick it up better - we are planning on mics too.

Ugh - short answer, no, but we already sent out save the dates to our guests besides like 5 couples. I should have been better earlier on in the planning process and stuck to a 200 headcount but I kept saying "it's fine, it's fine." Plus when we put the 250 in our budget, it worked. Issue is overall some of the other areas did not have a realistic budget, esp flowers/decor. I also should have not booked a videographer 2K over my budget that I made - at the time I thought it would be fine and we could cover it, but with the other areas going over budget plus the house we just bought...it is just too much. All advice I wish I knew a year ago, or realistically listened to from my mom and fiancé haha! I am more now just kicking myself for these mistakes.

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That is a great idea honestly - but of course reached out to the soon to be hubby and he mentioned all the other areas we are over budget/need to save any money we can. Just two really big high dollar events - a house and wedding - happening in the same year. And I for sure should have been a better saver from my engagement to now - but at the time thought the help from our parents plus the little my fiancé and I were contributing would be more than enough. Turns out everything is way more expensive than we thought and all these little fees add up. I am just complaining at this point and wondering if anyone else has been in this situation - but really do appreciate the advice and can't thank you enough!

Do people not use video cameras anymore and video cameras that are automatically installed on their modern smartphones? Many of the modern phone cameras are making Hollywood films now due to the improved quality so that is not a strike against them. A video camera separate from a phone has become more compact than the versions from most people’s childhoods that captured yearly family events, including family weddings. Both of those are options that people already own and thus cost nothing to use. So video expenses are negligible compared to a vendor. Put the camera on a tripod and let it run.

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Skills for professional video editing and the artsy clip montage are where costs lay. Anyone can make a home movie on a tripod.

OP, overall it is best to let your guests stay guests and send you short highlights if they desire. Hire a professional who makes it their job to give you what you really want.

Just read your replies. With 4 months left, perhaps you can change out some extras to make room in your budget for Video. Then, use that emergency list Kimberly recommended when you do find extra money from declines. Now's your chance to be resourceful and strict with cost-cutting. If you don't learn budgeting both funds and expectations now, this will be a problem later as a homeowner. Do make sure you factor in vendor tips.

Nix the following if not already booked: getaway car, transport, extra rentals, new shoes, new accessories, welcome bags, favors, ceremony programs, expensive signage, catering add-on's, wedding MC's.

Modify rehearsal dinners to something more casual, trim guest list to immediate family and WP. Modify bachelorette parties and showers (IMO, brides/ grooms should pay for some costs). If no WP, skip formal dinner and have a drop-in cocktail welcome party for out of town guests.

Move honeymoon to later in the calendar year.

Keep: beauty trials, WP and parent gifts, Floral/ decor as set by contract. If declines lead to fewer tables and fewer centerpieces, ask for contract revision, but they may just make bigger floral pieces. Keep beauty contracts as changes will not result in reduced costs.

Good luck.

Every single thing LM has suggested above. Try to get rid of florals or lessen the price somehow. Check your contract/ speak to your florist.

View Quoted Comment Agreed with Michelle but also you LM! If we had the extra funds or I was smarter earlier in the planning process would 1000% have kept my videographer. But our financial situation right now, the iPhone will have to be our go to - which as you mentioned is good quality! We have some friends and family that can edit our guests videos and then the ones we are asking (and for sure providing them a gift for the help like anyone in the wedding party!!) to do the ceremony, speeches, and dance!

View Quoted Comment Thank you so much for these recommendations! Luckily after we made that major cut, my fiancé is okay where everything else stands. But I should have taken into account all those before posting here two months after cancelling and now with only 3.5 months left. I feel like even if I found someone at this point, wouldn’t be what I wanted or worth the money and future hubby has already told me to move on haha aka no wiggle room for a couple thousand to book a new one. So, just going to stick to the iPhone videos!


Main regret was not taking budgeting seriously! I could have found someone in my original 3K budget back in 2021 that would have been more than great, but went over it to get the best of the best. I just feel like now the ones worth over 1K would be booked and again we don’t have that money to shell even that out because most of those items you suggested to cut are already booked/bought themselves. All in all super bummed it didn’t work the way I wanted, learned a lot on what I should or shouldn’t have done; but I guess I gotta move on and be thankful that I have amazing friends and family willing and eager to capture the big moments. And then the rest of the small videos I think will be from guests just having fun and sharing them, which will honestly be the best to look back at!

View Quoted Comment I definitely should have done that before cancelling my videographer. Maybe did candles as the main centerpieces on some tables versus floral pieces. Still my fiancé wanted a couple thousand cut and a few tables here and there were not adding up to enough in his eyes. I did all the decor cuts I could think of but still keeping it pretty/the look I wanted; and he was happy with that, but still wanted a big vendor to go! I would have had to make a major cut to decor in a venue that is a bit dated, so prob would have been cringing at the video if I had to cut that to get a videographer! But as I said to LM, thank you so much for the advice - lots of regrets but gotta move on!

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Great attitude. It can be hard fighting the maximalist urge. But, like your FI supports, you just got to make the decision to move on. Keep being a team, you two got this.

View Quoted Comment Thank you so much for your support and advice! 🥹💗

I know you are understandably disappointed about having to cancel the videographer and have deep regrets about letting the budget get out of control, but, honestly, besides marrying the love of your life, that could be one of the best take-aways from your wedding. Just think how much more motivated you'll be about budgeting and making good financial choices in the future. The number one cause of marital problems and divorce is money issues. If your new understanding helps you and your future husband work together as a team to make wise financial decisions and stick to your agreed upon budgets, that will have a much more important long-term effect than a beautiful wedding video. Good luck!

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A great look on things - thank you so much!