10 Key Things to Look for in a Wedding Photo + Video Team

Hiring vendors for your upcoming wedding or elopement is alllll fun and games. . . until you realize JUST how many options you have in front of you—and that some way, somehow, you’re gonna have to narrow it down😅 It would take foreverrrr for us to help you find every type of vendor you’re looking for, so we’re sticking to just one category today: photography and videography! We’ll be breaking down all the benefits of hiring a wedding photography + videography team, how to find the perfect one for you, and more good shit.

We won’t waste any more time—let’s get right into it!

FAQ’s About Wedding Photographers & Videographers

First up: a few Q’s you might have about hiring wedding photographers + videographers. Because luckily, we’ve got all the answers (at least, we like to think we do) 😎

How far in advance should I book a wedding photographer/videographer?

How far out you book your photo and video totally depends on a few things:

The season/date of your wedding or elopement
When your ideal photogs/videogs are available
When you’re able to put down the necessary deposit

Tbh, we recommend reaching out to your dream photographer and videographer ASAP. Usually they’ll be booking out further in advance than other vendors (like, say, a caterer), so it’s extra important to get on their schedules while you can. This also ensures you have plenty of time to get to know each other, plan your big day, and get on a payment plan that works for you. The sooner you book ‘em, the sooner they’ll be able to support you and lift a whole lotta weight off your shoulders!

However, we do know that inquiring months in advance doesn’t work for everybody—which is why we put together an easy 10-step guide to planning a last-minute elopement. If you want to get married in the next 1-3 months, this is a must-read resource to have in your back pocket!

How much should I pay for a wedding photographer/videographer?

Apologies in advance for all the non-answers we’re going to be giving ya here—because unfortunately, there’s no exact number that works for every couple! Your wedding photo/video budget is going to be totally different from every other couple, and will likely be based on:

What your overall budget is
How much of your overall budget you’re willing to put toward photo/video
How high photo/video is on your list of priorities
How much you’ll be spending on the rest of your vendors

Most couples we work with spend an average of $6800 on photo + video for weddings/elopements in the US, and $7800 outside the US.

How do I find a wedding photographer/videographer?

There are two kinds of couples in the early stages of the wedding planning process:

One who has found wayyy too many options + is facing analysis paralysis, and one who can’t seem to find ANY options they’re clicking with.

We totally get it: while having so many options is amazing, it can also become super-duper overwhelming and make it nearly impossible to choose.

That’s why we suggest getting referrals from trusted people in your life, asking vendors you’ve already hired for recommendations, or, at the very least, getting on a video call with anybody you’re seriously considering. Any of these routes will make sure that you really connect with the photographer and videographer you hire, and aren’t just paying some random stranger from the internet thousands of dollars, even though they totally don’t fit your vibe.

Is hiring a wedding videographer worth it?

Well, we may not be the best people to ask. . . because we’re always gonna say a big fat YES.

So let’s bring in a quick statistic or two, shall we?

According to a study done by The Knot in 2023, only 39% of couples hired a videographer for their wedding or elopement—and a whopping 19% said that not booking a videographer was one of their biggest regrets. 😬

Videos have a way of documenting moments in a way that photos simply can’t; the laughter from your cousin as they share a joke at the dinner table, the sound of waves crashing against the shores during your private vow ceremony on the beach, the chirps of the birds as you get ready in a cozy cabin in the woods. . . when combined with photos, video allows you to relive those moments as close to the real day as you can get.

Don’t take it from us, though—here are a few snippets we pulled from past client testimonials that we think say it all:

“Every picture and video brings me back to that day and I’m so grateful to have those memories forever.”

“We continue to watch our elopement video daily!”

Should I hire a wedding photography and videography team?

Wanna know our favorite hack when it comes to hiring a photographer and videographer to capture your big day? Finding a photo + video TEAM, instead of hiring two totally separate individuals. Keep reading to find out why we will alwayssss recommend this to any couple we meet!

Why Hire a Wedding Photo + Video Team?

Two birds with one stone

Why go through the process of booking two separate vendors, with separate contracts, separate invoices, separate communication methods, and separate payment due dates when you could combine it all into one?

Working with an experienced team is going to take a whole lot of work off your plate, because you’ll be able to basically get two for one—not for the price of one, but you know what we mean!

One retainer. One booking process. One long-ass contract to read through. Trust us: you’ll thank yourselves later.

Save a little cash

This one obviously depends on the team you hire, but some will offer a lower rate if you book a package that includes both photo and video. Who wouldn’t want to save a chunk of dough if you have the option? 💰

One signature style + approach

Finally, and probably most importantly, you can trust that your photos and videos will be captured with one style, using one approach. No need to worry about your photographer and videographer working well together, or editing in a similar way, because they’ll have plenty of experience working as a team day-of, and ensuring that every part of your story is documented beautifully and consistently.

10 Things to Look for in a Wedding Photo + Video Team

Now that you know why we always recommend booking a photo + video team for your wedding or elopement, how the hell do you find the right one for you? Take a look at our top 10 tips below so you know exactly what to look for along the way.

Style of photos + video

Before anything else, figure out what kind of style you’re looking for.

→ Do you prefer documentary-style photos and videos, or storytelling that involves more posing?

→ Do you want music playing in the background of your video? What about the styles of editing you like/dislike?

→ Would you rather have a full-length feature video, a highlight video, or both?

Here at TKM, we’ll prompt you two to do stupid shit together to get those authentic laughs, and we’ll also pose you to get those formal “epic” shots. Whether you’d prefer a more natural or moody editing style, we can edit your photos however you’d like.

If you’re not quite sure yet, that’s totally okay—you’ll get a better idea as you start looking at different photographers’ + videographers’ work!

Our wedding videos, for example, are different than what you might think: they’re music video based, upbeat, and fully curated to fit you two and the vibe of your day.

And not to brag, but our editing style really stands out against what we’ve seen in the wedding and elopement industry. With more of a music video vibe, you can truly immerse yourself in the music and emotions of the day with rad beats, romance, and clean editing that brings you right back into the moment.

Approach

To us, being elopement photographers and videographers isn’t just about capturing epic photos of your special day… it’s about so much more than that. We want you to look back at your photos and videos years from now, smiling and nostalgic, able to relive one of the happiest days of your life, knowing you can do the same. And we LOVE working with couples who share those same goals.

When searching for your photo and video team, prioritize finding a team whose wedding/elopement approach matches your own. If you want a celebration full of intentionality, meaningful details, and adventurous love, then you better be sure to find a team who wants exactly the same thing AND knows how to document it for you.

When we grow old, photos and videos remind us of the “good ol’ times”. When we lose our loved ones, photos and videos are the only thing that lives on & allows us to surround ourselves with amazing memories. Capturing these moments in time before they’re gone is incredibly important—and our couples feel the exact same way.

Real-life experience

Make sure your photo and video team has real-life experience working together, on REAL wedding days—not just styled shoots. There’s a lot to take into account on wedding days, and if they’ve never gone through the flow of a full day, they might not know how to best handle, say, large family portraits, unruly guests, or allot the correct amount of time for sunset portraits. You can really only learn the ins & outs of a wedding day through practice and experience, so make sure the team you hire has plenty behind them—and that their prices reflect that experience, as well.

Customer testimonials

One of the quickest ways to get a read on a potential photo + video team is to read past customer reviews and testimonials! Who better to hear from than the source, right?

Scour their website, Google listing, Instagram, etc., and don’t be afraid to ask for reviews if you can’t find any. This will help you get a great feel for whether or not they may be a match for your day, and what past customers have loved/not loved about working with them.

Planning support

Finding the right photo and video duo means you won’t have to do all the planning on your own—you’ll be supported and guided every step of the way by people who know their shit. We help all of our couples figure out what’s most important and take action to build a day they’ll always want to remember, including (but def not limited to):

Day-of agendas and timelines
Travel and transportation
Backup plans (A, B, C, and onward)
What season/date to elope based on your vision
Planning activities and experiences
Vendor recommendations

With this comprehensive planning support, you’ll be able to be totally present on your day without worrying about making sure timelines stay on track, or that all of your vendors showed up on time. We’ll help with day-of logistics, like how to get you and your partner to your first look location without seeing each other, or reminding you to grab your rings before we leave for your ceremony!

And here’s the best part: you won’t even need your phones throughout the day because we’ll be in charge of the schedule, and telling you what’s coming up + when. You’re welcome to bring them for some killer selfies, of course, but you can trust that we’ve got everything covered—and simply embrace the moment you’re in, as it unfolds.

We also usually chaperone our couples around on their big day, so no need to stress over things like driving, traffic, or parking. Feel free to bring along your best Spotify playlist, or we’ll blast some of our faves while you and your partner relax in the back seat, just along for the ride!

P.S. We always show up at least a day early to scope out locations ahead of time and make sure everything looks like we expect it to, so we’ll be on top of any last-minute changes or changes in plans.

Add-ons/extras available

Next, consider add-ons that you might be interested in investing in, such as photos taken on film cameras, officiant services, and more. We love photographing on our vintage film cameras for that timeless, nostalgic feel that everyone loves—so we include it as part of our wedding and elopement packages on the house.

Oh, and to make things easy-peasy for you and your partner, we also offer complimentary officiant services in most states (including Hawaii!). Corey is a certified officiant and will help you with your ceremony and licensing! I guess that means you’d get three birds with one stone instead of two, right? 😉 We’ve also signed as witnesses and mailed in our couples’ documents when they’re off to their honeymoon—so you can count on us to do whatever it takes to make your day easier.

Values

This one goes for all of your vendors, and should definitely be a top priority: make sure to find a photographer and videographer who align with your values, and what’s most important to you. Here at TKM, for example, we’re all about creating a stress-free, beautiful elopement experience for everyone and believe that love is love—we will ALWAYS welcome and affirm folks from the LGBTQIA+ community and prioritize inclusivity, diversity, and equality.

Aside from personal values and beliefs, you’ll also want to find vendors who match your priorities—if you value experiences over things, it’s important that you find people who align with that approach. You can do whatever you want on your wedding day, and there’s no pressure to incorporate traditions unless you’d like to! Some of our couples still like to include things like a first look and a first dance into their day, while others prefer to get ready together and celebrate with an intimate dinner reservation instead of a dance floor. Whatever your dream is, it’s crucial to find a photographer and videographer who are ready to help you create a day that’s all about YOU.

Permit support + experience

So here’s the thing: most of the beautiful places in the world require a specific permit in order to get married or elope there—such as national parks, state forests, and other landmarks/publicly owned land. It can take a bit of work to apply for these permits and the process can be a little confusing, so it’s super important to have an expert by your side to guide you through it! We’ll help you navigate the crazy world of random Google permit info to secure the right paperwork and make sure your adventure is just as legal as it is epic.

Personalities

Because you’ll be working so closely with your wedding photographer and videographer, you want to make sure that they not only work together seamlessly as a team, but that your personalities and theirs match—or complement each other well. If you’re super type A when it comes to planning, you might want a photographer who is also super type A and will understand your brain, OR you might want someone who can bring you back down to earth and help you chill out a little bit. There’s no wrong answer here, it’s just important that you and your partner’s personalities mesh well with theirs! Bonus points if you share hobbies and interests that you can nerd out about, such as video games, true crime podcasts, and spending time outdoors with your pups 😉

Booking requirements

Last but definitely not least, make sure you know exactly how their booking process works, and what it’ll take to make things official. Do they require a flat retainer fee, or a percentage of your total package? What will that look like in your budget? When are the rest of your payments due? For example, we only require a $1000 retainer fee and the rest can be split up as flexibly as you’d like until your wedding day!

Destination Wedding Photo + Video Team

Feelin’ good about your search for the perfect photography + videography team for your big day now? We sure hope so, because luckily, you’ve found one right here 😉

We’re T and Corey, and after photographing over 250 weddings and elopements, 11 years in business, and 19 years together, we sure as hell know we’re a fantastic team to support you on your special day.

Whether you’re dreaming up an intentional elopement in the Redwoods, a microwedding on the coast of Oregon, or a huge celebration in the middle of Chicago, we’d be stoked to help you plan and capture your stress-free wedding adventure.

Check out our photo + video packages here, and then contact us if you’re feelin’ all the good vibes—because we sure are! 🤙

Wanna poke around a bit more first? Take a peek at some of our raddest elopement resources below: