Photographer or videographer or both

We're doing both. The photos and videos are all we'll have to remember the day afterwards, so we felt it was worth the splurge. I think the photographers want to know so they can make sure not to step on the videographer's toes. We hired a videographer our photographer has worked with before and has a good working relationship with, so hopefully they'll mesh well together.

I think it's a really personal preference. For my fiance and I - we both feel somewhat awkward watching ourselves on video, and although I've looked back at photos we've taken many, many times, I usually skip over videos, so I know I likely wouldn't really watch it again, which is why we decided not to get video.

That said, I have a friend who watches her wedding video with her husband and children on their anniversary every year, and she loves that there are moments she didn't notice on the day that were captured - like her mum smiling and tearing up when she put her dress on. Or a hug from a family member who has since passed away. Having the look and feel of a hug preserved would be amazing as you get older, so I get both sides.

Since our original decision, we decided to stream our wedding as an option for guests who won't be able to attend due to covid. My sister did this and you can down the stream afterwards - I actually enjoyed watching hers. I think that will be enough videoing for us without forcing us to feel performative for the whole day, if that makes sense, and will likely capture moments in a bit more of a natural way - the camera is just set up and stationery throughout, rather than multiple angles, or a camera man following you around all day. We'll get to keep a video of us making our promises to each other, but then let loose without feeling too watched for the reception.

It’s really your preference. Think about how many people with cameras you would want with you for an entire day.

I had both at my wedding and have zero regrets. Our photos were stunning and will look lovely on our wall but a video lets me experience the things that I missed at the wedding that weren't captured in photos. I got to see my husband awkwardly swaying waiting for me to walk down the aisle, listen to our pre-ceremony musician, watch my grandpa escort my mother down the aisle, etc.

Totally personal preference, though if it's budget to do both, I would recommend it! This day only happens once, and you can never have too many memories from it. They both show completely different things: the photos capture moments in time and can be printed out in many different forms of artwork and hung up in your house, and will be beautiful memories to look back on time and again throughout your marriage. The video shows the movement of your dress as you walk down the aisle, lets you hear the sound of your spouse reading their vows, the sound of your grandma's laugh, your best friend's crazy dance moves, etc. Though also keep in mind: if you have both, you'll have more vendors you'll need to provide a meal for/give a tip to/coordinate/etc. If it's all in the budget and you want to do both, I say go for it!

I would totally want both!

I am only hiring photographers but it all depends on your personal choice.

We decided not to do video because we were totally fine with just having photo memories from our wedding day. We decided to spend the money for a videographer on an awesome honeymoon instead.

I'm doing both! Photographer+assistant, and videographer+assistant. I'm having a destination wedding, a lot of extended family won't be attending and I want them to be able to watch the video later on. Photos are mainly for us. Our kids are young, too, so when they're older I want them to be able to rewatch it.

That really depends on what you want. Are you trying to capture snapshots or emotions. You can not capture emotions with photography like you can with video. With video you get your finance's reaction when he sees you for the first look. You get moments, reactions, feelings. Photos show what happened and who was there. But video captures the complete moment from start to end. Not just a snippet of the moment. I originally was not going to have a videographer because I have my wedding album & photography is really important to me. But we ended up getting a package with photo & video because I think it would be nice to see the way my husband looked at me & how we interact with each other. Those romantic moments & capturing the feeling of the day. I have heard that one regret is not getting a videographer. So it's up to you, but if it's in the budget I think a videographer would be nice.

If you do decide to do photo & video, I would recommend getting both from the same company. That way they won't step on each other's toes. With our package we could choose what type of video we want. For us we only really care about the ceremony and our vows to each other so we opted for a ceremony video and a first dance video. But we are not doing a full day video, getting ready, reception, etc. Doing the full day can get expensive as well. But it's really up to you.

Definitely both. We’re still waiting for our photos and thank God we have our video. We have watched it multiple times and we’re so glad to have it. I highly recommend it!!😊😊

I think it’s personal and situational. I was always pro-photography but didn’t find much need for videography and didn’t hire one for our wedding. Then last month we canceled everything and decided to elope in Hawaii with just the 2 of us. So, only because of that change did I decide to hire a videographer. Since no one will see us firsthand, I know that our parents and closest friends will want to “experience” the wedding day with a 3-minute highlight video (in order to maintain the intimacy of the ceremony, we won’t livestream). Sadly, almost no couples look at their wedding pics and video after a year anyway.

We hired only a photographer for our minimony and hired both for our upcoming reception

I was considering nixing the video thinking “how frequently are we really going to watch this thing?” But my fiancé thinks we should have it and said, “in 10 years, are we going to miss the video more or the few thousand dollars?” And so we’re having a videographer. My memory also sucks, so it’ll be nice to have when the memories fade. His family all watch the video from his brother and SIL’s wedding on their anniversary every year, so I think it’ll get watched.

Hi Lilith !
Have fun! Do both! We had 2 photographers and a videographer. It’s worth the investment.

If I could do it all over again I would have both a photographer and a videographer. Video picks up what photos cannot.