A wedding videographer costs $1,000 to $5,000 per wedding in 2026
A wedding videographer costs $1,000 to $5,000 per wedding in 2026. The Knot Real Weddings Study lists a national average of $2,300. Candid Studios lists a typical range of $1,500 to $5,000 or more. Price moves with the hours of coverage, a second shooter, and where you live. Simple highlight films cost less, and full day cinematic films can top $10,000.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| The Knot | The Knot lists a $2,300 national average, with quartiles of $1,000, $1,900, and $3,300. |
| Paperlust | Paperlust lists $1,000 to $2,000 for 3 to 5 hours, $3,500 to $6,000 for 8 to 10 hours, and overtime at $200 to $400 an hour. |
| Candid Studios | Candid Studios lists a $2,300 national average, a $1,500 to $5,000 or more typical range, and $500 to $1,500 for a second shooter. |
Wedding videographer price by package and add on
| Item | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| National average | $2,300 | The Knot |
| Middle of couples, by quartile | $1,000 to $3,300 | The Knot |
| Highlight only, 3 to 5 hours | $1,000 to $2,000 | Paperlust |
| Standard, 6 to 8 hours | $2,000 to $4,000 | Paperlust |
| Full day, 8 to 10 hours | $3,500 to $6,000 | Paperlust |
| Luxury crew, 8 to 12 hours or more | $5,000 to $10,000 or more | Candid Studios |
| Second shooter | $500 to $1,500 | Candid Studios |
| Extra hour of coverage | $200 to $500 | Candid Studios |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Hours of coverage | More hours cost more. Paperlust lists $1,000 to $2,000 for 3 to 5 hours and $3,500 to $6,000 for 8 to 10 hours. |
| Package level | Candid Studios lists $1,000 to $2,500 for a budget package, $2,500 to $5,000 for mid range, and $5,000 to $10,000 or more for a luxury crew. |
| Your region | Big metro areas cost more. The Knot lists $3,000 in the Mid Atlantic and $2,100 in the South and Southwest. |
| Second shooter and extras | A second camera adds cost. Candid Studios lists $500 to $1,500 for a second shooter and $300 to $700 for drone footage. |
| Edits and speed | Fast or extra edits cost more. Candid Studios lists a same day edit from about $1,000 and extra edits at about $750 each. |
What the price includes
A package usually covers the filming, editing, and a finished highlight film. Coverage hours and the number of videographers change the price. Paperlust lists overtime at $200 to $400 an hour and raw footage at $500 to $1,500. Travel for a faraway wedding, Candid Studios says, can add $500 to $1,000 or more. Ask what files you get. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Wedding videographers are solo filmmakers, small studios, and larger teams. Most sell a package by the hour of coverage, with the edit included. You usually pay a deposit to hold the date and the rest before the wedding. Extras like a second shooter, a drone, and a same day edit are billed on top. Candid Studios says destination weddings can add $500 to $1,000 or more in travel fees. Read the contract for overtime and file delivery.
When you need this
Hire a videographer if you want motion and sound from your day, such as vows, speeches, and the first dance. Book early, because good ones fill their calendar a year ahead. Look at full films from past weddings, not only the short trailers. Photos alone will not capture the voices and laughter.
How to judge your quote
- How many hours of coverage and how many videographers are in the price?
- What do I get: a highlight film, a full length film, or raw footage?
- Are drone footage, a second shooter, and overtime in the price?
- How long will the edit take, and are travel fees extra?
- Compare the total with the range above: $1,000 to $5,000 per wedding for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Book a shorter package. Paperlust lists $1,000 to $2,000 for 3 to 5 hours, below the $3,500 to $6,000 for a full day.
- Skip extras you will not watch. Drone footage and a second shooter add $300 to $1,500 each, Paperlust lists.
- Bundle photo and video. Paperlust says booking both from one team can save 15 to 25 percent over separate vendors.
- Pick a weekday or off season date if you can. Many videographers offer lower rates then, so ask for their calendar.
- Plan the timeline so coverage ends after the first dance. Paperlust lists overtime at $200 to $400 for each extra hour.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from The Knot, Paperlust and Candid Studios. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a wedding videographer cost?
The Knot lists a national average of $2,300. Candid Studios lists a typical range of $1,500 to $5,000 or more.
How much do couples usually spend?
The Knot lists $1,000 for the lower quartile, $1,900 for the median, and $3,300 for the upper quartile. Zola numbers listed by Paperlust run higher, at $3,200 to $4,800.
How much is a second videographer?
Candid Studios and Paperlust both list $500 to $1,500 for a second shooter.
How much is drone footage?
Candid Studios lists $300 to $700. Paperlust lists $300 to $1,500 or more.
Does cost change by region?
Yes. The Knot lists $3,000 in the Mid Atlantic, $2,700 in the Northeast, and $2,100 in the South and Southwest.