No doubt about it, getting engaged is kind of the best. Whether you were proposed to or you were the proposer, there’s nothing like the feeling of knowing you finally get to marry your best friend . . .
. . . except maybe sorta kinda when reality sets in and you realize how much a wedding costs these days!
Not to freak anyone out, but the national average cost of a wedding is $35,329, according to The Knot 2016 Real Weddings Study. That’s an increase of $2,688 from the previous year.
The thing is, there are a lot of unnecessary purchases when it comes to planning a wedding. There, I said it!
To preface this next part, that’s actually saying a lot coming from a bride who adored all things wedding when planning her own big day.
We’re talking ugly crying in the salon to every gown she tried on, drooling over all the gold-foil calligraphy invitations on Etsy, and getting lost in the gorgeous woodsy arenas filled with lush perennial florals on Pinterest. (Just trust me on that one.)
And all of those things are great and make a wedding unique. Those details are what brings your personality to a wedding and makes it all your own.
But! When you look back on your big day, how will you remember all of those details if it isn’t properly documented?
A photographer is one thing—but getting to hear your vows, watch all of your the speeches in full, and laugh at your father-in-law getting down on the dance floor for years to come is priceless. That’s right, we’re talking about the importance of hiring a videographer—and a talented one at that.
According to a recent wedding planning survey by Zola, 35 percent of newlyweds say they wish they could go back to their big day and hire a videographer to film their wedding. Not only that, but 25 percent of people who did hire a videographer say they actually wish they spent more money on it.
Let’s think about that for a second: a wedding costs over $30k, but couples still wish they shelled out a few more bucks to have their wedding on film.
This isn’t the first time a stat like this has come out. In 2006, only about half of brides-to-be considered videography to be in the top 10 vendors they wanted to include in their wedding, according to a study by Wedding and Event Videographers Association International (WEVA). After those brides got married, that number rose to 75 percent.
What’s even more eye opening? The same survey found that a whopping 98 percent of recently married couples said they’d recommend videography to other couples.
Before you say you can’t ever see yourself sitting down and watching a video like that, hear this: at least you’d have the option to, if you hired a decent videographer.
That means the option to look back on the family members, who won’t be around forever.
The option for your future children to witness one of the biggest days of your life.
The option to look back on all the moments you missed— your spouse getting ready with their wedding party, your mom freaking out in the bridal suite, or your bridesmaids sneaking a smile as you lace up your gown.
If videography prices scare the heck out of you (understandably so), here’s a little something to keep in your back pocket: The national average spend on a videographer in 2016 was $1,995, according to The Knot. But the national average spend the same year on a florist and décor was $2,534.
The latter dies in a matter of days, whereas a film of your big day is forever—so don’t be scared to alter your budget accordingly.
Take it from all the former brides: Budget for the videographer. You won’t regret it.