Restrictions on gatherings are being lifted all over and many industries are coming back. One industry that seems to be roaring back to life is the wedding industry and, of course, wedding videos. Before the pandemic, it was estimated that the US spent more than $50 Billion a year on everything from flowers to fashion for a couple’s special day. 2020 changed many wedding plans and certainly canceled large weddings. In some cases, people opted for a small, private ceremony with plans for a big event now that restrictions are lifted.
This may be a perfect time and a perfect way to jump-start your video production business, or at least sharpen your skills. We’re not talking about Uncle Joe with his camcorder, or a couple of people with iPhones. Today’s wedding videos are often multicam production with dollies, jibs and even drones. A recent trend is to have a more cinematic look with a sharply edited final product. The demand is definitely there, and producers can earn thousands on a single event. The country’s largest dress company, David’s Bridal has a new YouTube channel to give you some ideas.
If you’re already in the industry, your big question might be, “Can I (or should I) charge more now that the demand is high?” That is a consideration, but you can price yourself out of the wedding video market. It’s best to check out other websites or even talk to other people in your area. Find out what the going rate is for various services. What are the additional costs for multicam or fully edited productions? Who knows, you might find that a local video producer is turning people away and might be glad to give you a referral.
With that in mind, maybe you’re not ready to take on the entire project. Carrying the weight of someone’s “once in a lifetime” event might be a little daunting. I mean you can’t yell, “Cut! Let’s start everything from the beginning!” You might want to freelance your specific skill. Companies may be looking to hire another camera operator or editor to help with the increased load. We say that any time you’re behind the camera, you’re developing new skills.
One lesson 2020 taught us is that video is more important than ever. Specifically, live streaming video has become routine, and the wedding industry is no exception. It’s almost mandatory today to stream your ceremony so out-of-town guests or people who can’t make it can be part of the celebration. Fortunately, the tools to stream are less expensive and a producer can charge extra for the streaming service. In fact, streaming services can be a separate service entirely.
Is it time for you to say “I do” to working in the wedding video industry? There are certainly lots of reasons to give it some thought. If you are looking for more ideas, we have great resources at Videomaker.com.
Videographers should capitalize on this year’s wedding season
