Planning a wedding comes with *a million* decisions — and unless you’ve done it before (which… most people haven’t), it’s hard to know what’s actually worth the investment. As someone who’s filmed and photographed over 150 weddings, I’ve heard all the “should’ve, would’ve, could’ves.”
So here’s a little list of what I’ve heard **couples say they wish they’d booked** — and how you can avoid those same regrets. 👇
1. Not Booking a Videographer
Yep. This one tops the list every single time.
“I wish I could hear our vows again.”
“I wish I could see my partner’s reaction walking down the aisle.”
“I wish I could hear my grandma’s laugh one more time.”
Photos are stunning (obviously), but video brings the day *back to life*. The voices. The movement. The music. The emotion. When it’s all over and the whirlwind dies down, having a film that tells the story of your day is something couples *never* regret — and always wish they’d prioritized.
2. Not Having Enough Coverage Time
Here’s a secret: 6 hours? Flies by. Getting ready, first look, ceremony, portraits, toasts, dancing — and suddenly your photographer is hugging you goodbye before the party’s even really started.
Many couples regret not having their entire day captured, especially those sweet, unscripted moments in the morning and the wild dance floor magic at night. More time = more memories captured = more story to tell.
3. Not Booking Photo + Video Together
Having a photographer and videographer who’ve *never worked together* is a gamble. Are they on the same page? Do they fight over the best angles? Are they both trying to lead?
When you book me (and my team), we work as a unified team. We don’t step on each other’s toes. We plan angles together. We edit to the same aesthetic. We bring your day together in a way that’s seamless — so you can actually *relax and enjoy it*. Plus, it is one less vendor to coordinate.
4. Not Doing an Adventure Session
After the cake’s eaten and the flowers fade, your photos and videos are what remain. And guess what? You don’t *have* to cram all your portraits into a 30-minute block on the wedding day.
Couples often wish they’d booked a separate session — whether it’s a first-look hike, a day-after adventure in Glacier, or a romantic golden hour shoot somewhere special. You’re already in a gorgeous place. Let’s take advantage of it. Plus!! You get to see your people on your wedding day more and do less pictures = PARTY!!!
5. Choosing a Content Creator Over a Videographer
Okay, I’m going to be real for a second. I didn’t have a videographer at my own wedding. I was a teacher making $25k a year (*eye roll*) and just didn’t have the budget. So I had a friend record little snippets of the day on an iPhone 5s — much like today’s content creators do. This was back in 2018.
And yes, iPhone quality has come a long way. But not *that* far. It’s still limited, not user-friendly, and it’s all vertical video. What will those clips look like in 20–50 years? We don’t know.
Sure, you get quick, short-form video back — but what stands the test of time is **high-quality video and audio** captured with mirrorless 4K cameras and top-of-the-line audio recorders. Wind? Screaming kids? Background chaos? All edited out.
Am I glad I have that iPhone footage? Yes. Is it good quality? Absolutely not. It’s outdated now — and yeah, “Erin, my mom was married in 1983 and her video is outdated too.” Sure. And so will mine be someday. But I’ll tell you this — if I could go back and choose between iPhone clips and a real storytelling videographer capturing our day? I’d choose the latter every time.
When the day comes to renew our vows, you better believe we’re hiring a pro to document it right. My kids love watching our wedding video, but it’s nothing compared to the films I create for my couples now. Peep below for my wedding film and other examples of iPhone work vs cameras. 🙂
So here’s the thing:
Weddings are emotional, chaotic, unforgettable blurs of love. It’s worth investing in the people who will help you *relive it forever* — not just through posed portraits, but through the real laughs, the heartfelt vows, and those blink-and-you-miss-it moments.
If you’re on the fence about video or photo coverage — let’s chat. No pressure, just honest advice and big love under the big sky. ❤️
With Love, Erin
