How many videographers do you need for your wedding video?

Many wedding videographers offer a second camera operator within their wedding packages (or separately). But do you really need two videographers for your big day?

Your wedding is a result of many decisions and actions that all come together with the people you love the most.

There’s lots to consider. From flowers to suits, dresses to videography and more. This post is to explain the perspective of a wedding videographer to provide you with the service that you are paying for - to produce the best possible footage from your day and showcase it in the most emotional, apt way which reflects your wedding.

Videographers have various styles, and also very different approaches.

Every bride and groom wants a more ‘candid’ approach - so we all strive to provide this (you won’t find many videographers in Northern Ireland that take the bolshy approach.

There are some that don’t like to use a second videographer (known as a second shooter). Some don’t like to use extra lights and just work with each venue. Others don’t use additional audio equipment.

Personally my style of capturing your day is one which guarantees me the best possible natural footage for your edit.

As part of my packages, I offer full edits of ceremonies and speeches. With some ceremony venues offering little in the way of movement during the main wedding (such as the Rabbit Hotel’s newly constructed Boat House) - meaning that I can’t move down the outside of the aisle to capture shots of ring exchanges. To overcome this, not only do I need a static camera in place, but also a second shooter. With venues such as the Titanic Hotel I have much more freedom of movement (for more information on venues take a look at my top 5 wedding venues in Northern Ireland).

Having a second shooter on hand means that if the bride and groom move during their ceremony (it happens far more often than you think, especially during Catholic proceedings), then I can have dynamic angles covered. It gives me the best possible footage from your day.

Unlike with photography (I’ve compared wedding photographers with wedding videographers here) I can’t photoshop people out.

I’ve been blocked by people before, I’ve had people stand in my shot so that they can film the bride and groom on their iphone, and I’ve had grooms take their jacket off (with attached microphone) for their speeches.

It’s impossible to film the perfect wedding in the perfect way. There is always someone or something that finds its way into a shot that I’ve planned.

Another benefit by having a second shooter with me at my weddings, is that I can put them on a different focal length of lens. When events unfold, we don’t have the opportunity to stop what is happening and change lenses - it just doesn’t happen. So I can have my second shooter zooming in on the action whilst I fly my drone, or have them setup audio equipment whilst I’m capturing grandad having a laugh with you and your groom.

One of the best ways to utilise a second shooter is to send them to the groom’s house or place of preparation, whilst I go to wherever the bride is getting ready.

This covers the best start to each day possible.

Some wedding couples just want their day to be filled with a few choice people. They often think that a second videographer will be overkill - which is completely understandable.

Thankfully the people I work with are discreet and professional, adding to your day rather than taking anything away from it.

I always assess both the needs of my wedding couples and make sure that I’m providing them with the best service possible - they’ve put their faith in me that I can do my job to a high standard - so it’s only fair that I do what is right for me, professionally to carry that promise through.

If you really think that one person is enough to film your wedding, then please speak with your wedding videographer - I’m sure they would be more than happy to compromise and see your perspective.

Thanks for reading!

For more information about my style of videography just check out my films here. 

I cover weddings across Northern Ireland, Ireland and destination weddings across the globe. For more information just get in touch today. I look forward to hearing from you. 

Thanks,

Adam White 

Wedding Cinematographer