Videography Question! Average Wedding Video Length?

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You're welcome!! Good luck!!

View Quoted Comment I was surprised to hear this too! I am happy to hear that there are videographers that exist that will include a longer video in the package as well, so I'm wondering if it's just the area that I live in where it's typical to only do short highlight films. I also thought it was awfully expensive, for not a lot of product (for only the highlight film). Awesome that your videographer is providing both a short and long film! Sounds like you booked a great vendor. I will check with the ones I meet with to see if any of them offer full length videos. Thank you for your reply!

View Quoted Comment That makes sense! I appreciate your perspective as a videographer. I do think I'm looking for more of the documentary to capture the moments from the day, so I will check with videographers that I talk with about what options they provide. Thank you for your reply!

View Quoted Comment Absolutely. Ours is charging about $150 or 200 extra (I forget) for raw footage, but I think that's so worth it!

View Quoted Comment I agree that it seems to be dependent on area. My sister was able to find a videographer for her wedding a few years ago (and in a different state than me) where they provided a long film, but most of the videographers that I've looked at online in my area don't offer that. I might look into booking one from a different area and paying the travel costs, as it may end up being cheaper than purchasing a bunch of package add-ons for a videographer in my area.

View Quoted Comment Oh wow! Very cool that they were willing to customize the package for you! I have noticed that getting the raw footage is typically an extra charge. I was hoping that it would be included in the package if there isn't a long film included, so I'll have to look around. Thank you for your reply!

View Quoted Comment That's actually not too bad of a cost for the raw footage! It would definitely be worth it for that price!

View Quoted Comment I think getting both would be nice though! I often look at my wedding video because it’s short enough for me to watch often enough

View Quoted Comment I totally agree! Both would be awesome to have for that reason. The short video would also be easier to share with friends and family since I don't think many of them would watch the longer one lol. I'm hoping to find a videography package that has both.

Our videographer gave us a 5 minute or so highlight video, and then *all* of the raw footage, on a harddrive we gave her.

I don't know how typical that is, though, as an old coworker of mine was our videographer, and she is a filmmaker.

That said, for sharing purposes, you really don't want a movie-length video!

View Quoted Comment I definitely agree that sharing the video is much easier with a shorter film! I don't think I'd share the long one, that would be more for my fiance and I to watch on anniversaries, etc. I'm hoping to find a package that has both a long and short film (or even just short film and raw footage). Did you find it worth it to have the raw footage?

View Quoted Comment Yes, we can edit as we see fit watch what we like... we have it in clips

View Quoted Comment Awesome!! Good to know, definitely something I'll ask about when I start actually talking with videographers. Thank you for your reply!!

This is pretty typical but you can find videographers that do complete wedding videos. Mine does a complete video and 3-4 minute highlight. We got a really good deal on a photo/video package so it definitely is out there!

View Quoted Comment Awesome! Glad to hear you were able to get a great deal. How long is the complete video in comparison to the 3-4 minute highlight? Most of what I've found only offers the short highlight film, but I'm going to keep looking for one that offers a longer film too!

View Quoted Comment It will be the full ceremony and all raw footage from the reception.

View Quoted Comment Oh wow, that sounds like a great deal! Very cool that you were able to find that for your wedding. Thank you for your reply!

Like everyone else mentioned, I do think the short video packages are typical. I really think this has become a trend lately because of social media and everyone’s desire to share quick highlights with others. However, I think you should definitely keep looking for the right videographer for you. I totally understand why even a 3-5 min highlight video can be expensive because it is labor intensive—8+ hours of filming and then hours of editing. But like you, we really want a long video of our entire wedding. I could never justify spending $2,000+ for just a 5 minute video! Plus, I want the video to capture as much of the day as possible. Obviously we may only watch this once a year or maybe once every few years, but it’s still so important to us to be able to look back on it when we want to and feel like we are experiencing our wedding day all over again. I came across so many videographers that only offered a highlight video and a 1 min teaser or some that offered the 10-20 min video of the major moments. We finally found someone that will provide a fully edited feature film (~1 hour or more if ceremony is long) and a 3-5 minute highlight that we can share on social media, edited to a song of our choice! Our package doesn’t include raw footage. If it were free, I wouldn’t mind having it, but I personally wouldn’t pay more for hours of raw footage and it wouldn’t be a dealbreaker for me. So I would definitely keep looking for a videographer that provides a long feature film if that is what you want because they are out there! I am in NYC.


Our package includes: 8 hours of filming with 2 HD cameras, ~1 hour edited full feature film, drone footage (not requested by us, but included if we want), 3-5 min highlight video with song of our choice, a mailed DVD

View Quoted Comment That sounds like an awesome videography package for you!! I totally agree, I'm also not really willing to spend thousands for a video that wouldn't even cover the length of my fiance and I saying our vows in the ceremony. I'm certainly going to keep looking, I'm sure I'll be able to find some good options somewhere! Thank you for your reply!

Hi Lisa,

Yes, most only do highlight reels nowadays. However, you'll know you've found the right videographer when they are open to negotiating everything you want filmed for a decent price. It's all give and take.