Check your videographer’s contract before you pay the deposit.

What to find in the contract

6 things to look for, what each one means, and what to ask the videographer before you sign.

1. 1

   How long will they film, and what will you get?

   The contract should give the hours of filming, from when to when, and list each film you'll receive: a short highlights film, a longer edit, the full ceremony and speeches. Check the rough length of each, since "a film of the day" can mean three minutes or an hour.

   Check whether a second camera operator or drone footage is included, or charged extra.

   What to ask before you sign

   • How many hours, from when to when?
   • Which films do we get, and roughly how long is each?
   • Are the full ceremony and speeches included uncut?
2. 2

   When will the films arrive, and in what form?

   Editing takes time, so delivery is often several months after the wedding. Check the date or number of weeks in the contract, how the films are sent, and how long any download link stays live.

   Look for how many rounds of changes you can ask for on the edit, and whether further changes cost extra.

   What to ask before you sign

   • How many weeks after the wedding will we have the films?
   • Can we ask for changes to the edit, and how many rounds?
   • How long does the download link last?
3. 3

   Can you choose the music?

   Videographers usually use music they've licensed for this purpose, so you may not be able to have a chart song over your highlights film, especially if it'll be shared online. Check whether you can choose from their library, and what happens if you ask for a particular song.

   What to ask before you sign

   • Is the music licensed, and can we choose it?
   • Can we share the film online with that music?
4. 4

   Can you have the raw footage?

   Some videographers keep the unedited footage and only deliver the finished films; others will hand it over, sometimes for a fee. Check how long they keep it, in case you want another edit later.

   As with photos, the videographer usually keeps the copyright. Check whether they can use your film in their marketing, and ask if you'd rather they didn't.

   What to ask before you sign

   • Can we have the raw footage, and does it cost extra?
   • How long do you keep our footage?
   • Can you use our film in your marketing, and can we say no?
5. 5

   How will they record the vows and speeches?

   Clear sound needs microphones on the right people. Check how they'll record the vows and speeches, and whether your venue or celebrant allows filming and microphones during the ceremony. Some religious venues limit where cameras can stand.

   What to ask before you sign

   • How do you record the vows and speeches?
   • Have you checked our ceremony venue's filming rules?
6. 6

   What does it cost to cancel, and what if they can't come?

   Check what you'd owe at each stage if you cancel or move the date, and what happens if the videographer is ill: a replacement they've chosen, a refund, or both.

   What to ask before you sign

   • What would we owe if we cancelled at each stage?
   • If you can't come, who would film instead, or do we get a refund?

This page is general information, not legal advice. Every videographer’s contract is different, and none of the above replaces reading yours. If a contract matters to you, take proper legal advice on it.