Wedding Videographer vs Content Creator: The Question Every Couple Is Asking.
Wedding videographer vs content creator: do you need both? This is the #1 question couples are asking right now when planning their wedding day coverage. Some videographers refuse to work alongside content creators. I’m not one of them.
I recently collaborated with a wedding content creator at a stunning Lenox, MA wedding, and the results surprised everyone – including me. Here’s my honest take on what happened when we worked together, and whether hiring both is right for your wedding.
First, a little context about this wedding: High school sweethearts from the start, this couple began assembling their vendor team literally two years (maybe more!) before the big day. So to finally be there, documenting it all, felt a little surreal.
About a year out, Lindsey Shaktman at Mavinhouse Events reached out asking if it would be okay if the couple hired a content creator. Without hesitation I thought, “absolutely!” I wanted to experience it myself.
In talking with other vendors, especially photographers and videographers, this is NOT what their reaction would be.
Below, Mariah at Always More Content Creation captures details and smiles during bride prep.
Why Some Wedding Videographers Are Hesitant About Content Creators (And Why I’m Not)
I’ve heard colleagues say content creators:
- Get in the way during key moments
- Disrupt the natural flow of the day
- Compete for the same shots and angles
- Dilute the value of professional videography
I understand these concerns, but I don’t share them.
A few filmmaker friends decided to offer content creation as part of their packages so they have more control over the media team for the day.
I don’t offer content creation and would have to hire someone to do it, so I’m all for working with an established content creation agency. Here’s why I was actually eager to work with Mariah at Always More Content Creation.
- I am not active on social media nor are many of my clients. My interest when it comes to making social media content about your wedding is … well, let’s say, not my priority. When a content creator is hired, it’s THEIR only priority 🙂
- I refuse to film your day constantly thinking about VERTICAL VIDEO when I am being hired to create a heirloom wedding video that should be watched on a TV in HORIZONTAL format.
Many filmmakers are filming for BOTH content creation and your wedding film on their normal cameras, not on an iPhone. This creates a problem. If they are shooting in 4K and framing for “social media” they are filming WIDER than normal. This means that they may be delivering you a HD wedding video instead of 4K because they need to “crop in” on their wide footage to create a wedding video that still has those close up shots you may expect during the ceremony or of people making toasts at your reception.
Let videographers film for the TV and hire a content creator for all things VERTICAL. - Details! I know you and your planner have put so much time, heart, and energy into creating the look and feel of your day. I always do my best to capture all of that, but people and stories are my priority.
I do feel bad if I can’t get into your tent or reception space to capture details before the space fills up with guests, but it’s a live event – that happens.
Content creators love details, and truth be told, I think many details look better in the vertical space than horizontal.
If sharing details are important to you, don’t go without a content creator. It’s an extra set of eyes on your day for all things pretty and trust me, your vendor team will LOVE YOU for it 🙂 If they don’t, I love you for it, because vendors love seeing video of all their hard work, and again, I can’t always get the desert bar installation, the full floral build out, etc.
If behind the scenes vendor details are important to vendors, especially planners, they should also consider hiring a content creator. I know I speak for many filmmakers out there – we want to create details reels for you to share, but the reality of a wedding day is that it’s not always possible for us to get those clips at the right time.
For example if the guests arrival into the tent coincides with couples portraits and we are just arriving back to the property from different ceremony location, it’s a lot to squeeze in just the details. If we know you want to see your friends and family enjoying cocktail hour, we prioritize that.
- BONUS: Your content creator may ask your bridal party to say little messages that you will see after your wedding. Most people are so accustom to iPhones, this isn’t a heavy ask. However, if I ask to film or interview your wedding party for the same content, they may be little more camera aware – although that’s one of my superpowers, and most of the time your wedding party doesn’t even know I’m “interviewing” them haha!
I could go on and on about Mariah at Always More Content Creation. First and foremost she was super professional and also understood how important the couples wedding photography was so she was never in the way. I, however, LOVED intentionally including her in some shots because I knew how important content creation was for this couple.
I would love for you to see how I delicately wove in her work and my work into the couples feature film below.
This wedding was all about preserving the experience from every angle – photo, video, and content creation. I wanted the film to reflect that richness, so I wove in a blend of media: photography by Henry + Mac, iPhone footage from Mariah at Always More Content Creation, and even images shared by the couple themselves. As a fun storytelling twist, I used an AI-generated voice-over to narrate the couple’s journey.
Want to see the difference between videography and content creation side-by-side? This wedding film showcases what happens when a videographer and content creator work together. You’ll see professional videography alongside Mariah’s iPhone content creation footage, all woven into one cohesive story.
Wedding Videographer vs Content Creator: Your questions answered.
Q: What’s the difference between a wedding videographer and content creator?
Wedding videographers are providing much more comprehensive coverage of the formalities from your day – think multiple angles at the ceremony to capture your vows – pair that with professional audio. Reception toasts and formalities with professional audio edited in.
Content creators may offer to capture your full ceremony and capture professional audio – but unless you hang your TV vertically on the wall, it’s not my personal favorite way to watch a wedding.
Picture yourself watching your wedding film in another 20 years. Would you like to relive your marriage ceremony location horizontally or vertically? If you chose vertically – definitely hire a content creator.
Q: Do I need both a videographer and content creator?
Yes. ONLY if social content is important to you. If social media is not important to you, I’m not sure why you would want a folder of hundreds of vertical video clips if you aren’t going to edit them yourself or have someone else edit them.
Some couples like the idea that content creators can get them clips before the wedding night is over. I would like to argue that if seeing major moments from your day is important, I can have your ceremony video (and other formalities) edited within 24 hrs for you to share with family unable to make the trip to your wedding. Just ask.
Q: How much does a wedding content creator cost?
According to her instagram, Always More Content Creation has packages starting at $3,000 and up. I’ve also worked with Nicolette at For Her and Company Content Creation – a sweetheart, she’s amazing, her website suggests packages under $3,000. Here is a sample of a wedding I did with Nicolette. Here is a sample I did with Always More.
Curious how much my services cost? Learn more about my wedding videography packages and pricing.
Q: Will my videographer work with a content creator?
I know I will absolutely work with your content creator. If you already have a videographer and they are telling you they won’t work with content creators have them reach out to me and I will convince them to 🙂
Q: When will I get my content from each?
Content creators typically have everything to you the next day if not sooner. A lot of wedding videographers have lengthy turn around times. I pride myself on faster delivery, especially of your formalities so you can allow those unable to make the trip to your wedding feel like they were part of your day.
Because I film and edit everything myself, and don’t outsource any part of your wedding, I have the ability to provide quick turn around times. I can provide your full ceremony video a few days after your wedding, unless you want it sooner, just ask. I have full wedding collections complete with BTS (behind the scenes) videos to you typically by your one month anniversary.
What surprised me was how much fun it was to weave in content creation video from the day. Whether bridal party soundbites, visuals of the details, or other BTS moments, like this one with Lindsay talking through the rain plan, it truly did make my life easier.
When You DON’T Need a Content Creator
Look, I’m being completely honest here, not every couple needs both a videographer and a content creator. Here are situations where you can skip the content creator and invest that budget elsewhere:
You’re Not Active on Social Media – If you rarely post on Instagram or TikTok, why pay $2,000+ for vertical video clips you’ll never use? That money could go toward upgrading your videography package, extending coverage hours to capture rehearsal dinner toasts, or enhancing other aspects of your wedding totally unrelated to video.
Also, if you want more than a few social length <2 minute edits of your day, hire a videographer. If you will never click through the hundreds of individual clips to relive moments of your wedding, hire a videographer.
Budget is Your Priority – Wedding budgets are real. If you’re choosing between a professional videographer and a content creator, I’ll be the first to tell you, invest in professional videography. You’ll watch your wedding film for decades. Social media content has a shorter shelf life.
You Value Timeless Over Trendy – Content creation is optimized for current social media trends. If you’re more interested in a timeless, heirloom film than viral Instagram Reels, put your budget toward videography.
That said, if you ARE active on social media, love sharing moments online, and want instant content to share – a content creator is absolutely worth considering.
From the couple:
“Meg, I don’t even know what to say, this is beyond anything we ever imagined. You truly have a gift, you captured everything so seamlessly and created such a beautiful masterpiece. We love it so much!!! Brendan and I are both sobbing on the couch right now 😂 Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!” – The Couple
A day later…
Meg I just have to say, every single friend or family member that has seen the video has said it was the best wedding video they have ever seen 🥹😭 Everyone is freaking out over it! We were not expecting this kind of a reaction!!!
I’ve easily watched it at least 15 times, and I cry every single time. We absolutely love how you used the photos and the content from Mariah!!! We wouldn’t change a single thing about it. It’s perfection!!!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts ❤️
“The collaborative efforts made by everyone involved helped create bright memories of this day – It was an absolute adventure that I feel so grateful we were all a part of.” Meghan of Henry + Mac
Ready to Create Your Collaborative Wedding Film?
Whether you’re hiring a content creator or not, I’m here to capture your wedding story authentically.
Interested in working with both videography and content creation? I’m happy to collaborate with your content creator to ensure your day is captured from multiple perspectives without anyone getting in each other’s way.
Planning a New England wedding? From the Berkshires to coastal Maine, the White Mountains to Nantucket, I document weddings throughout the region with an unobtrusive, documentary-style approach.
Want to incorporate content creator footage into your film? Like I did for this Lenox wedding, I can weave together professional videography, content creation clips, and photography to create a rich, multi-dimensional story.
Let’s talk about your vision. I promise to give you honest advice about what coverage makes sense for YOUR wedding, not just what’s trending.
Based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Serving all of New England and beyond.
The wedding discussed in this post was filmed on location in Lenox, MA, with rehearsal dinner at Miraval and wedding at Chesterwood.
Planning & Design: Lindsey at Mavinhouse Events
Photography: Meghan from Henry + Mac
Content Creation: Always More Content Creation
Florals: Carolyn Valenti Flowers
Lighting: @djrobalberti
Ceremony Musicians: @twarnerartists
Reception Band: @wilsonstevensbands Boss
Catering: @themarketplacekitchen
Cake: @patisserielenox
Beauty: @stylesbycallie @makeupbysarah.lord
Stationery: @dearelouise
