Hi there,

I was wondering what other videographers standard wedding packages are (amount of hours, equipment included, and type of end video).

I currently use the Sony Z5, Z1, and Fx7 Cameras and have a 5 hour, 7 hour, 10 hour, and 15 hour packages. End video is cinematic at begining and reception is more documentary.

Check out my stuff at Wedding & Corporate Video, Sacramento, Roseville, Folsom, Rocklin (http://www.silasbarker.com) and tell me about your wedding packages and whats the most popular for your area and your price ranges.

Thanks in advance!
Become a Face Book fan of my business if you like by going to the contact page of the website.

I do 2, 3, 7, and 15 hour packages.

The two hour is unedited and with 1 camera, so it's very very basic.

Editing starts with the 3 hour package.

All packages allow some degree of customization (Extra camera and events covered etc)

Kyle

Hi Silas,

Hi there,
I was wondering what other videographers standard wedding packages are (amount of hours, equipment included, and type of end video).


I've split up the services into three categories - shooting, the options selected for the day and editing. The only thing a couple has to decide when they book is that they want me there. That is the coverage fee and is paid with the signing of the contract. It covers the activities at two locations. Same-day edit, photo montage, projection and additional locations are paid for by or on the wedding day and are invoiced out rather than being included on the contract. The editing is a decision the couple makes after the wedding. The options are unedited, highlights, documentary or cinematic. That is also invoiced out, paid for when editing commences.

I shoot with Canon XH-A1's.

I ve noticed that I can make a way better video with the 7 or 10 hour packages then a 5 hour or less package. Theres more time to shoot the location, get detail shots, etc.

With a under 5 hour package, what are your rates, and whats included?
I know for really small weddings, and especially weddings that skip some of the typical things (like the 1st dance etc) that 5 hours is fine. Only problem you have is making sure you got enough shots to make everything look cinematic sometimes.

Love to hear back,
Check out my packages and samples at
Wedding & Corporate Video, Sacramento, Roseville, Folsom, Rocklin (http://www.silasbarker.com)

We do more of a documentary style approach.

2 hours means if the ceremony starts at 6, we will leave at 8. So, whenever the reception starts, we usually urge the bride and groom to do the 5 major events (entrance, first dance, cake cutting, bq toss, and fake exit as quickly as possible). Because, generally speaking, clients who hire us for this are having a small reception with no alcohol or live band, and 75% of the guests will be leaving withing 60 minutes anyway, and it makes more interesting footage if there are more guests for the bq and exit.

Same thing with 3 hours. If the ceremony starts at 6 we leave at 9, and the above applies, but it's not quite so "hurried". The difference is 2 cameras are used at the ceremony and there is editing.

We usually arrive a little bit early and get footage of the door decorations, isle decorations, stained glass, flowers on stage, candles etc.

I do one package only. 2 hours before the ceremony until an hour after the first dance. If the bride doesn't want me filming her getting ready, I will stay an hour longer at the end. I NEVER lower my prices. A rival gives all these "silver", "Gold" and "Platinum" and ends up earning far less. Don't give them a choice and they will have to pick the only package you offer.

It hasn't affected me. Bookings for 2010 are through the roof. 26 so far and the exhibition season is only just starting. I should hit 40+ this year. I have also upped my pricing and now have to charge VAT at 17.5%, yet its never been so good.

Personally I think the more you charge, the more you attract the bride that doesn't care about price but wants you regardless of your price. I am over £300 more than 2009, but have far more bookings already than this time last year.

Hi Steve,

"Personally I think the more you charge, the more you attract the bride that doesn't care about price but wants you regardless of your price. I am over £300 more than 2009, but have far more bookings already than this time last year."

I have to disagree to an extent. The price point may not be an issue if you're referred by an event designer. I see that often - unimpressive work at some really high-profile events. But for a bride shopping for herself the most important thing is the work. Saying that you're getting more work because your pricing is higher makes no sense at all. Obviously either your work has improved or you're casting a much larger net to get those bookings at a higher rate while at the same time turning more away that can't afford your new pricing.

So what do you all think of my 5, 7, 10, 15 hour packages?
Should there be a even smaller one?
The 5 hour package starts at $795.
There is a competitor in my area who has a similar price and is on page 1 of google, so I feel like I can't raise my prices.

Any thoughts?

Check out my demos and package info at my website and let me know what you all think,

Wedding & Corporate Video, Sacramento, Roseville, Folsom, Rocklin (http://www.silasbarker.com)

Thanks!!

I have a "Ceremony Only" package for $599.00. It covers just the ceremony, no prep, no photo shoot, no reception, 1 SD DVD. I do this for people that really want something but can't afford more. The editing time is minimal, just enough to cut out the dead spots, add a title, end credits and burn.

We only offer Unlimited time at two locations. Here's the selling point and the benefit to US.
#1) We get more footage so it's easier to find good shots.
#2) We can't go do another wedding on the same day so why nickel and dime over hours?
#3) Selling point: "You shouldn't worry about what "WE" are doing on your special day. The last thing you need to worry about is "How much longer before the video guy leaves? Should we go ahead and cut the cake so we don't miss it on the video?"
#4) We don't have to worry about the B/G pushing us to do this and do that so they can keep us under their budget.


In the past I had hourly rates, but I am MUCH happier with the Unlimited time format.

Mike, I'm with you on that. We're just starting, but we basically eliminated all these "options and choices." Give the client a focused package choice, and give them quality. If we're scheduled for a wedding, might as well be there and get good footage, why leave early?

(At one of our weddings last year, the photographers left early, and we stayed till the end. They opened up the pool and all the guests, bride and groom jumped in. We wouldn't have gotten that if we were on 'hourly.')

We're still trying to figure out what the best packages are, but currently we have 3. And they all include the basic edit which is an approx. 2:45 hour video of their day. However it's a quality edit with the dead parts cut out, music, etc.

So far, our clients have been quite happy, and because of the simplicity of our offerings, it makes the bride/groom's choice easier.

And if they don't like it, it's all good :)

Well, We've been doing this for about 8 years now, so I think it works well. :)
I had a similar situation happen on a wedding. The Photographer left after her "hours" without getting the entire reception. The couple and their family were VERY upset, but it made us look GREAT! We stayed until the end and they booked us for their other daughters wedding a few months later!

That sounds like a great idea, so does that mean that you do not do any less then full packages? (such as budget brides who try to knock off 25% off your price and skip everything after the 1st dance or something like that?)

What are your price ranges for unlimited hours, Mike?
Also, how many cameras and whats included? Highlights? Lighting? Glidecam? Wireless Audio for ceremony? What do you do for reception toasts audio?

Thanks in advance!
Wedding & Corporate Video, Sacramento, Roseville, Folsom, Rocklin (http://www.silasbarker.com)

I only do 1 wedding package which includes bride preparation through end of reception. The reason is I only own 1 camera, so I have to rent extra cams and cannot afford to rent and make any money on just a ceremony package.

JDinges Videography (http://www.jdinges.com)

Feel free to comment in any way on my website, I just finished updating it and did all the site design myself.

That sounds like a great idea, so does that mean that you do not do any less then full packages? (such as budget brides who try to knock off 25% off your price and skip everything after the 1st dance or something like that?)

What are your price ranges for unlimited hours, Mike?
Also, how many cameras and whats included? Highlights? Lighting? Glidecam? Wireless Audio for ceremony? What do you do for reception toasts audio?

Thanks in advance!
Wedding & Corporate Video, Sacramento, Roseville, Folsom, Rocklin (http://www.silasbarker.com)

A few years ago a good friend (or so I thought, but that's another story... sheesh!) was doing low budget $750 single camera weddings and wanted me to go in business with him. At the time I was charging $1600 for unlimited time two camera weddings as a base price package. He was pretty busy so I let him join me and use my company name. Well, after a few low budget weddings not paying or delaying payment, I dumped the idea and went back to my standard two cam package. Needless to say it didn't work out.
We offer two HD cameras with operators for unlimited time at two locations.
2 SD DVDs with advanced motion menus
1 Blu-Ray with advanced motion menus.
Wireless (actually digital recorders) on groom and podium for speakers.
Full coverage of reception.
Ending credits
Photo montage with up to 60 photos.
all for $1300 (in todays economy... special price that will slowly go back up this year).
We stay pretty busy actually.
The next package up offers the same as above with:
Love story video
Gown/Tux fitting
We page with video
More DVDs and Blu-Rays
You get the idea. We don't charge for time, we charge for extras.
This way the couple knows what they are getting, and they aren't watching the clock.

For us, it's always 2 camera, 2 operators (my wife and I). One is on tripod, the other is a mix of glidecam, handheld and tripod. Audio for ceremony is wireless mic and onboard. If there is a DJ for the ceremony, I tap into his deck with my H2. If not, the H2 is situated where I can get the best audio.

For the reception, the H2 is jacked into the DJ's deck. I haven't had an issue yet, but if I did, I would just prop it next to a speaker for the entire night.

The way I look at it is most of the above doesn't cost much to do if you already have the equipment, and to have multiple audio backups or camera angles is a life saver in the edit process, so why not.

E

Hi Steve,

"Personally I think the more you charge, the more you attract the bride that doesn't care about price but wants you regardless of your price. I am over £300 more than 2009, but have far more bookings already than this time last year."

I have to disagree to an extent. The price point may not be an issue if you're referred by an event designer. I see that often - unimpressive work at some really high-profile events. But for a bride shopping for herself the most important thing is the work. Saying that you're getting more work because your pricing is higher makes no sense at all. Obviously either your work has improved or you're casting a much larger net to get those bookings at a higher rate while at the same time turning more away that can't afford your new pricing.

No Joel you are right in what you say, I just could have worded it better.

Basically I was underselling myself, and it's something that a lot of wedding videographers do. So I put my prices up and guess what? More bookings than ever. I think my work is of a very good standard and I get a lot of recommendations.

I am not casting my net further, but I am selling myself very well, and together with some very nice footage, showcased by a big HD TV on a nice exhibition stand brings in the brides.

There's an awful lot to marketing and I am certainly getting better at it. Stil a long way to go though to get 60-80 weddings a year, which is the target.

Alot of great information here!

I ve decided to up my prices a little bit and see what happens. I really think that my packages and set up and really great and you can see my work online and it shows it.
One thing I do have to deal with, is the fact I am in my early twenties. I know that potential clients sometimes think your not worth as much if you have not been around for 50 years or whatever. I ve blown a lot peoples minds with what I can do. I get raves almost every video!

This year has been slow till about this week when about 5 different potential weddings have come up....

Just curious, where do you all advertise?
I currently advertise on online websites like Wedding Wire, etc.
I also advertise on Craigslist - I actually have gotten a number of great jobs from there.
The best thing seems to be referrals....and thats why I started my Silas's Videography Facebook Fan Page!
Silas's Videography | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sacramento-CA/Silass-Videography/191823293346?ref=mf)

Thanks again for all the great information - I am becoming the best in my area! Wooo hoooo!

We only offer Unlimited time at two locations. Here's the selling point and the benefit to US.
#1) We get more footage so it's easier to find good shots.
#2) We can't go do another wedding on the same day so why nickel and dime over hours?
#3) Selling point: "You shouldn't worry about what "WE" are doing on your special day. The last thing you need to worry about is "How much longer before the video guy leaves? Should we go ahead and cut the cake so we don't miss it on the video?"
#4) We don't have to worry about the B/G pushing us to do this and do that so they can keep us under their budget.


In the past I had hourly rates, but I am MUCH happier with the Unlimited time format.

I agree with you here Mike, my day is shot anyways so rather than limit the time on site, I will limit the footage I shoot. Because really we spend more time in post anyways. So even if I stay 2 hours later for the garter/bouquet toss - I might only shoot a few minutes extra footage in the meantime. This also seems to relax the couple in that they don't have to watch the clock (for me anyways, they usually watch it for the photog though).

I agree with you here Mike, my day is shot anyways so rather than limit the time on site, I will limit the footage I shoot. Because really we spend more time in post anyways. So even if I stay 2 hours later for the garter/bouquet toss - I might only shoot a few minutes extra footage in the meantime. This also seems to relax the couple in that they don't have to watch the clock (for me anyways, they usually watch it for the photog though).

And what does unlimited mean?
Does that mean a 6 hour wedding pays the same as a 10 or 12 hour wedding?
How does this work and what is the average unlimited hourly time in shooting?
And your in the $1300 - $1800 range or what?

Thanks in advance!
Wedding & Corporate Video, Sacramento, Roseville, Folsom, Rocklin (http://www.silasbarker.com)

Unlimited means... Unlimited. If the wedding starts at 11:00 AM we get there at 10:00AM and leave when it's over.. If it's over at 7PM.. great... 11:45PM.. Okay... 2AM.. Yep.. we're there.

Yes... $1500 to $6000+

So same price on unlimited no matter if its a 4 hour or 15 hour.....sounds good if it works I guess!

Do you have a website with package info? I would like to take a look at it.
Thanks!

Silas,

Here's my Wedding site... I just got it up and running this week. I have a separate site for Weddings than I do for corporate work. As it was getting a little muddy.

Love Stories On Film (http://www.lovestoriesonfilm.com)