When a couple sits down with me and asks what is included in wedding videography, they're usually holding three quotes from three different studios that all look wildly different. One promises a "5-minute film." Another lists "raw footage" like it's a gift. A third just says "videography package" and leaves it there. No wonder people are confused. So let me do what I wish more filmmakers would do and actually spell it out, based on 17 years of shooting weddings all over Los Angeles.

Wedding videography is the coverage of your day on film plus the edited films you get afterward. But the details inside that sentence are where all the money, and all the disappointment, live.

The two things you're actually paying for

Every wedding video quote breaks into two buckets: coverage (how long we're there, how many shooters, what gear) and deliverables (what you actually receive weeks later). Most couples fixate on coverage hours and forget to ask about deliverables. That's backwards. You'll live with the deliverables for the rest of your life. Nobody remembers whether we filmed for eight hours or nine. Everybody remembers the film.

Coverage: what a videographer does on the day

Here's what's typically included in the day-of coverage for a Los Angeles wedding:

  • Hours of coverage. Most packages run 6, 8, or 10 hours. Eight is the sweet spot for the vast majority of my couples. Six is tight and usually means we miss either getting-ready or the open dancing. If you're deciding, the same logic applies as with photo coverage, and I'd read my honest guide on how many hours of coverage you actually need before you lock anything in.
  • Getting ready. Details, the dress, the letter exchange, the nervous energy in the room. In LA that first hour is often shot indoors in a dim hotel suite, so a good videographer is fighting bad tungsten light with their own panels.
  • Ceremony. Multiple angles, wide and tight, plus lapel mics on the officiant and one partner. This is non-negotiable and I'll come back to audio because it's the thing amateurs blow.
  • Portraits and couple's session. That golden-hour walk at the beach in Malibu or on a rooftop downtown is where the cinematic footage happens. At Terranea or El Matador the light goes gold around 45 minutes before sunset and I plan the whole timeline around it.
  • Reception. Entrances, toasts, first dance, parent dances, the party. Toasts need a mic on the microphone or the DJ's board, or they're useless.

How many people are on the team matters too. A single shooter can cover a small wedding, but for a 150-guest event with a first look and a big reception, I bring a second filmmaker so we're never missing a reaction while we film the main action.

Deliverables: the part that actually lasts

This is where you need to read the fine print. Here's what can be included:

  • Highlight film. The 3-to-6 minute cinematic edit set to music, with the best moments and a few lines of vows and toasts woven in. This is the one people watch and share. Almost every package includes it.
  • Feature or documentary film. A longer 15-to-30 minute edit that tells the fuller story. Not everyone offers it and not everyone needs it, but I love these.
  • Full ceremony edit. A clean, multi-camera cut of the entire ceremony start to finish with good audio. If Grandma wants to see the whole thing, this is it.
  • Full toasts / speeches edit. Same idea for the reception speeches.
  • Raw or lightly-edited footage. All the source clips. Some studios sell this as an add-on, some never release it.

If you want the deep version of that highlight-versus-longer-film decision, I wrote a whole piece on the difference between a highlight film and a full wedding video that'll save you a lot of guessing.

The stuff that separates a real film from a phone-quality video

Honestly, I think audio is the single most underrated thing in wedding video, and it's what I judge other filmmakers on first. Anyone can point a camera at a couple. Capturing your actual vows clearly, with lav mics and a backup feed, so you can hear your voice crack twelve years from now? That's the craft. I've watched couples cry harder at the sound of their own vows than at any slow-motion drone shot.

Speaking of drones. Aerial footage is included in some packages and an add-on in others, and it's genuinely stunning at coastal venues and hillside estates. But it's not magic and it's not always allowed. I broke down when it's worth it in my guide on whether you need a drone videographer for your LA wedding. Short version: get it for the beach and the vineyard, skip it for the ballroom.

Other things that quietly separate the good from the cheap: color grading (that filmic look isn't a filter, it's hours of work), music licensing (yes, it's supposed to be licensed), stabilized movement instead of shaky handheld, and low-light capability for those dark receptions in downtown lofts.

Photo and video under one roof, or two separate vendors?

I'll be blunt about this because it's how we're built. At ConneryFilm we shoot photography and film as one team under one roof, and I've watched enough weddings implode from vendor traffic jams to believe strongly in it. When your photographer and videographer are two strangers meeting for the first time at your ceremony, they fight over the aisle, they block each other during the first kiss, and your timeline turns into a negotiation. When it's one coordinated team, we've already planned who stands where. Nobody's ego is in your shot.

It also fixes the timeline chaos. One team, one shot list, one point of contact. If you're weighing that decision at all, the honest take in whether wedding videographers are even worth it gets into why couples who skip video almost always regret it more than couples who splurged on it.

What it costs in Los Angeles

Real numbers. In LA, standalone wedding videography runs roughly $2,500 to $4,500 for solid single-shooter coverage with a highlight film, and climbs to $5,000 to $9,000+ for two shooters, longer films, drone, and same-day edits. Combined photo-and-video packages usually start around $5,500 to $6,500 and go up from there. If you want the full breakdown of what your dollars buy, I laid it out in my realistic photo and video budget guide.

How long until you get it back

Set your expectations now: a highlight film typically comes back in 6 to 12 weeks, and full films can take 3 to 5 months in busy season. Anyone promising a full feature in two weeks is either cutting corners or overloaded. Some studios offer a same-day edit shown at the reception, which is a completely different beast and worth understanding before you ask for it.

Frequently asked questions

Is a highlight film included in every wedding videography package?

Almost always, yes. The highlight film is the anchor deliverable. What varies is the length and whether a longer documentary edit, full ceremony, and full toasts are also included or sold separately.

Do I get the raw footage?

Sometimes. Many LA studios, including plenty I respect, don't release raw footage by default because it's unedited, unstabilized, and honestly not flattering. Some offer it as an add-on for a few hundred dollars. Ask before you assume.

Is audio really that important?

It's the most important part after the story itself. Clean vow and toast audio, captured with dedicated mics, is what makes a wedding film emotional years later. If a videographer can't tell you exactly how they mic the ceremony, that's a red flag.

Can one company do both my photos and video?

Yes, and I'd argue it's the smoother way to do it. One team means no vendor conflicts on the day, a shared timeline, and a consistent look between your photos and film. That's the entire premise of how we work.

How many hours of videography do I actually need?

For most LA weddings, eight hours covers getting-ready through the first hour of dancing. Six is fine for an intimate ceremony and small reception. Go to ten if you have a long timeline, multiple locations, or cultural ceremonies with several events.

If you're planning a wedding anywhere around Los Angeles and you want a straight answer about what your film would actually include, I'd genuinely love to talk it through with you. Call or text 818.749.7039 or reach out through ConneryFilm.com, and let's map out how to capture your day, photos and film, with one team who's done this 500-plus times.

Meet the Author: Connery Davoodian Hello, I'm Connery Davoodian, the visionary behind ConneryFilm, and I'm thrilled to share insights from my 17-year journey through the world of wedding photography and videography. My passion extends beyond simply capturing images; it's about artfully weaving your unique love story into a timeless, cinematic masterpiece. My artistic path began long before I ever picked up a camera, deeply rooted in music as a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. This diverse background in directing, producing, and editing has cultivated a unique perspective, allowing me to approach each wedding not just as an event, but as a dynamic narrative waiting to be beautifully told. This blend of technical mastery and creative storytelling is the heartbeat of ConneryFilm, ensuring that every frame, every shot, and every film is infused with depth, emotion, and unparalleled artistic integrity. At ConneryFilm, we believe your wedding memories deserve nothing less than bespoke luxury. My philosophy centers on capturing the authentic, unscripted moments – the genuine smiles, the tender glances, the joyful laughter – that truly define your day. While we obsess over exquisite details and sophisticated aesthetics, our true joy comes from making you feel completely at ease, like a "friendor" who genuinely celebrates alongside you. This calm, organized presence allows your true personalities to shine, resulting in images and films that are as real and vibrant as your love itself. Based in the heart of Los Angeles, California, my team and I are privileged to serve couples across the globe, bringing our signature high-end wedding photography and videography to destination weddings worldwide. Through these blog posts, I aim to share invaluable insights, luxurious inspiration, and practical, fun advice to guide you through your wedding planning journey, helping you make informed decisions about preserving your most cherished moments. Thank you for trusting ConneryFilm to be a part of your extraordinary adventure. I'm excited to share my knowledge and passion with you, helping you create memories that will last forever.