Is a Wedding Videographer Worth It? Here's What to Consider.

"Do we really need a videographer?"

Lilly and Alejandro's wedding film is a perfect example of why you should consider wedding videography.

Over the last few years, wedding videography has gained a lot of traction. Videographers are becoming more common at weddings — and for good reason. Video doesn’t replace photography, it complements it. Both have their own strengths, and together they tell a complete story.

I’ve always had a big appreciation for a great wedding photo — an image that captures a moment in time forever. A single photo can tell so much of a story, but video adds something deeper: the movement, the emotion, the sounds. It creates an experience that many couples don’t realize the weight of until they sit down and watch it.

Still from a recent elopement I captured in Maui, Hawaii

In my first year as a wedding filmmaker, I worked with quite a few couples who brought me in very last-minute. After watching their films, the response was almost always the same:

“We weren’t planning on having video for our wedding, but now it’s hard to imagine our day without it.” Why is that the case?

Sound

Music, vows, a speech from a grandparent or best friend — these are moments a photo simply can’t capture. Being able to hear the words of a loved one who may not be with us anymore, or the emotion in your partner’s voice as they share their vows, is one of the biggest reasons couples choose video.

Video is how most of us experience stories today, and sound is half of that experience. The laughter, the cheers, the gentle tremble in someone’s voice — those are the details that make memories feel alive again.

Capturing Missed Moments

No matter how perfectly your day goes, there will always be moments you don’t get to see firsthand. Guests laughing together, your parents dancing, your friends reacting during speeches — all things that can’t be recreated.

Some loved ones might not be able to attend, and a wedding film gives them a way to truly be there later on. Couples who didn’t have a videographer often say those unseen moments are what they wish they could go back and watch the most.

A Family Heirloom

Imagine sitting on your couch ten years from now, showing your kids the day it all began — hearing the music, the laughter, the sound of your vows. That’s what a wedding film becomes: a way to step back into that moment, not just remember it.

It’s something that only grows in value over time — a keepsake that outlives trends and technology, and stays in your family for generations.

Lilly and Alejandro are one of my favorite couples I’ve had the chance to work with, and their wedding speeches were easily some of the most heartfelt I’ve heard. Capturing the words of Lilly’s parents — then weaving the best moments together to tell their story — is something I’ll never take for granted. At what other point in life do you get to hear your parents speak about you that way?

At the end of the day, whether or not you have a videographer comes down to what matters most for you. Some couples dream about having a film from the start, while others don’t realize its value until after their wedding. My biggest advice is to think about how you want to remember your day — not just how you want to see it. Photos will always have their place, but a wedding film lets you feel it all over again.

If you're planning a wedding in Milwaukee or anywhere in Southeastern Wisconsin, I'd love to help you capture your story through film. Feel free to contact me here, to chat about creating a story-driven film for your wedding day!

Jamison Borden Films - Milwaukee Wedding Videographer