Shropshire based wedding photographer & videographer

Wedding Videography vs Photography: Why You Need Both

Dana Lewis Photography

Wedding Photography vs Videography

When planning your big day, one of the biggest questions couples face is wedding photography vs videography. Should you invest in one, the other, or both?

As a wedding photographer and videographer in Telford, Shropshire, I’ve seen first hand how each medium tells your story in a unique way.

Photos freeze timeless moments you can frame forever, while video brings movement, sound, and emotion back to life. Instead of choosing between them, let’s explore why combining both gives you the fullest memory of your wedding day.

Why Wedding Photography Still Matters

Wedding photography has always been the traditional choice, and for good reason. Your wedding album becomes a keepsake you can hold, display, and revisit throughout your life. A single image has the power to spark emotions and transport you back to that exact moment.

In addition, photographs are incredibly versatile. You can print them for wall art, create albums for family, or share them online. Unlike video, they don’t require technology to view your photos will remain timeless, even decades from now.

How Wedding Videography Complements Photography

So, what about video? Wedding videography allows you to relive your vows, speeches, and first dance in a way that photos alone can’t capture. As Brides explains in their guide on choosing photography and videography, the two mediums don’t replace each other—they complement one another.

For example, a photo of your first kiss is beautiful. But a video of that kiss, with the cheers of your guests and the music playing in the background, brings back the atmosphere in full detail. Video adds emotion, energy, and sound to your wedding memories.

Wedding Photography vs Videography: The Key Differences

When you compare wedding photography vs videography, the differences are clear:

Photography: timeless, printable, easy to share.

Videography: dynamic, emotional, immersive.

Together: the complete story of your day.

According to Hitched, more couples are now booking both to ensure no memory gets lost. By combining the two, you get the best of both worlds, stunning portraits for your walls and an emotional film to rewatch for years to come.

Real Weddings in Shropshire

I’ve seen the value of both photo and video time and time again. For instance, at The Wroxeter in Shropshire, couples often choose packages that include both services.

They love being able to display their wedding portraits in their home while also gathering family around the TV to relive the speeches, vows, and dance floor moments.

What’s more, video captures details you might not even notice on the day like the laughter between your guests or the nervous excitement just before you walk down the aisle

Do You Really Need Both?

So, when you’re weighing up wedding photography vs videography, remember this: one captures still moments, the other captures living memories. Together, they tell the complete story of your wedding.

If you’re planning your wedding in Telford, Shropshire or anywhere in the UK, I’d love to help capture every detail of your day. Get in touch to learn more about my combined wedding photography and videography packages.

Budget Considerations

Many couples worry about the cost of both services. Consider this: your wedding photos and video are the only things that remain after your wedding day. The flowers wilt, the cake gets eaten, but your photos and video last forever.

Choosing the Right Team

When selecting your photography and videography team, look for professionals who:

Work well together and coordinate seamlessly

Understand your vision and style preferences

Have experience at your venue

Provide quick turnaround for sneak peeks

Common Questions

Is wedding videography really worth the extra cost?

Absolutely! Your wedding video captures elements that photos simply cannot. Your partner’s voice saying “I do,” the laughter during speeches, your first dance song, and the natural conversations between guests. While photos freeze perfect moments in time, video brings your entire day back to life with sound and movement. Consider this: your wedding is the only day you’ll never experience again, and video ensures you can relive every precious second, not just glimpse individual moments.

Will having both a photographer and videographer make my wedding feel too crowded or intrusive?

Not when you choose professionals who work well together! When i work with anyone, we coordinate seamlessly between photography and videography services. Experienced teams know how to position themselves to avoid getting in each other’s shots while capturing different angles of the same moments. The key is hiring vendors who communicate and plan together, ensuring your day flows naturally without feeling like a production set.

How do you coordinate photography and videography without missing important moments?

Professional coordination is everything! We discuss the timeline beforehand, identify key moments that need both photo and video coverage, and position ourselves strategically. For example, during your first kiss as a married couple, I might capture the perfect still image whilst i have multiple cameras locked off on tripods recording everything. This allows me to shoot photography whilst capturing video also.

Can't I just have guests film my ceremony on their phones instead of hiring a videographer?

Guest footage and professional videography serve completely different purposes. While guest videos capture fun, candid moments, they can’t replace professional quality. Guests miss key moments, have shaky footage, poor audio, and often obstruct professional shots. Professional videographers use proper equipment, understand lighting and audio, and know how to capture your ceremony without interfering. Plus, your guests should be present in the moment, not watching through their phone screens!

What's the difference between a wedding film and just recording the ceremony?

A wedding film is a crafted story that captures the emotion, atmosphere, and narrative of your entire day. It includes carefully selected moments, professional editing, music that matches your style, and storytelling techniques that create an emotional journey. Simply recording the ceremony gives you raw footage, but a wedding film gives you a cinematic experience that you’ll want to watch again and again. It’s the difference between a home movie and a professional production.

How quickly will I receive my photos vs. my wedding video?

You’ll receive sneak peek photos within a few days. I select highlights from each part of your day, edit them, and send you a download link so you can share the excitement immediately. Your complete photo gallery is delivered within 8 weeks, fully edited. Wedding videos typically take 8-12 weeks due to the extensive editing process involved in creating your cinematic film. The wait is worth it, your video becomes a treasured keepsake you’ll watch for anniversaries and special occasions.

Can you capture both photo and video of the same moments, or do I have to choose?

You definitely don’t have to choose! The beauty of having both services is capturing the same moments from different perspectives. Your first dance, for example, will be photographed as beautiful still images showing your expressions and the romantic atmosphere, while simultaneously being filmed to capture the movement, music, and full emotional experience. Each medium tells your story differently, and together they create a complete record of your day.

How can we narrow down our options?

Look for someone who truly excels at both mediums, not just offers video as an afterthought. Review their portfolio for both photos and films, do they maintain the same quality and style across both? Ask about their equipment, editing process, and how they coordinate between the two services.

I’ve been perfecting both crafts since 2012, ensuring your photos and video complement each other perfectly while maintaining our signature fun, authentic style that lets your personalities shine through.

So, when you’re weighing up wedding photography vs videography, the truth is that it isn’t an either/or decision. Photos capture the timeless still moments you’ll frame and treasure forever, while video lets you relive the laughter, vows, and music of your wedding day as if you were there again. Together, they create the complete story of your celebration.

If you’re planning a wedding in Telford, Shropshire or anywhere in the UK and want a seamless photography and videography team to capture your day, I’d love to chat. Get in touch here to learn more about my photo and video packages and how we can preserve your memories for generations to come.