Things to consider when hiring wedding videographers in the Philippines

Videography Style & Vision

• How would you describe your signature wedding videography style (cinematic, documentary, storytelling, SDE-focused, etc.)?
• Can we see full-length sample films, not just highlights or reels?
• What makes your work distinct from other wedding videographers in the Philippines?
• Do you prefer to direct scenes or keep everything candid?
• How do you capture Filipino wedding traditions (Catholic rites, veil/cord/arras, unity candle, money dance, etc.)?
• Can you accommodate specific cultural or faith-based rituals we’ll include?
• How do you balance storytelling about us as a couple with coverage of guests and details?

Coverage & Team

• How many videographers and assistants are included in our package?
• Will the lead videographer we met be present on our wedding day?
• How many hours of continuous coverage are included?
• What’s the earliest call time and latest wrap time?
• How do you split coverage between preps, ceremony, and reception?
• Can you cover both bride and groom preps if they’re in different locations?
• How do you coordinate with our photographer to avoid blocking each other’s shots?
• Can you work alongside a separate “content creator” team without overlap issues?

Same-Day Edit (SDE) & Event Day Deliverables

• Do you offer a Same-Day Edit (SDE)? What’s typically included?
• When is the SDE shown (after dinner, before program, at program peak)?
• How long is the SDE (minutes), and what format is it delivered in?
• Who provides the LED screen/projector and sound system for the SDE playback?
• Will you provide the SDE as a downloadable file after the event?
• If there’s no SDE, do you offer a Next-Day Edit or “teaser” within 24–72 hours?

Packages & Inclusions

• What packages are available for Metro Manila, Tagaytay, Cebu, Davao, Baguio, and destination weddings?
• What are the differences between highlight film, full film, docu edit, and raw footage packages?
• Are speeches, vows, and ceremony audio intercut into the highlight by default?
• Are love story interviews or letter readings included or add-ons?
• Are prenup (engagement) video sessions part of the bundle or separate?
• Do packages include aerial/drone footage where allowed?
• What’s excluded that couples commonly assume is included?

Pricing, Fees & Payment

• What’s the total price including taxes? Do you issue an Official Receipt (OR)?
• What are your accepted payment methods (GCash, bank transfer, credit card, cheque)?
• How much is the reservation/booking fee and when is the balance due?
• Are there overtime charges? How are they computed per hour and per crew member?
• Are there surcharges for early call times (e.g., pre-dawn), holidays, or peak months (Dec–Feb, May–June)?
• Do you charge out-of-town (OOT) fees, transportation, tolls, parking, ferry/boat, or airfare?
• For destination weddings, do we shoulder accommodations and meals? How many nights?

Timeline & Turnaround

• What are your typical delivery timelines for teaser, highlight, docu edit, and full film?
• What affects turnaround times (peak season, weather, venue restrictions)?
• Can you commit to a delivery date range in the contract?
• Do you offer expedited editing for an extra fee?

Audio, Music & Licensing

• How do you ensure clear audio for vows, homily, and speeches (lav mics, recorders, soundboard feed)?
• Do you coordinate with our church/venue tech and reception sound supplier?
• What’s your backup plan if the venue sound system fails?
• How do you choose music for our films?
• Do you use licensed tracks (e.g., Musicbed/Artlist) and include licensing in the package?
• Can we suggest songs? Are there restrictions on mainstream/commercial tracks due to copyright?
• Will our video be muted or taken down on social platforms if the music isn’t licensed?

Drone & Permits

• Do you offer drone coverage? Is the pilot licensed and experienced with weddings?
• Will you check and secure necessary permissions from the venue, LGU, or church?
• What’s your safety protocol for flying near people and structures?
• Do you have public liability insurance for drone operations?
• What’s the fallback plan if drone flying is restricted by weather or rules?

Gear, Lighting & Power

• What camera systems do you use (number of bodies, lenses, stabilizers)?
• Do you bring continuous lights for prep rooms, ceremony, and reception?
• Can your gear handle low-light churches and evening receptions without excessive grain?
• Do you bring enough batteries, memory cards, and extension cords for 220V setups?
• Do you require a dedicated power source or generator for outdoor venues?

Coordination with Other Suppliers

• How do you coordinate with our photographer for key moments (first look, aisle walk, kiss, grand entrance)?
• Will you align with our coordinator and host/MC on the program flow?
• Do you need a shot list or must-have moments from us?
• Can you attend the technical rehearsal or ocular if needed?
• Do you coordinate with LED, lights & sounds, and stylist/florist for cinematic details?

Prenup (Engagement) Video

• Do you offer engagement films or concept videos? What’s included?
• Can you help with concept, storyboard, and location recommendations in the Philippines?
• How many hours/locations/outfits are covered in a prenup shoot?
• Are permits and location fees included or should we budget separately?
• What’s the contingency plan for rain or typhoon days during prenup shoots?
• Can we do an interview-style film (how we met/proposal story) for the reception?

Editing Approach & Revisions

• What’s your editing philosophy (pace, color grading, narrative arc)?
• Will you include speeches and vows in the highlight or only in the long edit?
• How many revision rounds are included for each deliverable?
• What types of revisions are allowed (music change, clip swaps, color tweaks, pacing)?
• Are additional revision rounds billable and at what rate?
• Can we request a “clean” version for church or family viewing?

Deliverables & Formats

• What deliverables will we receive (teaser, highlight, docu edit, full ceremony/speeches)?
• What resolutions and formats are provided (Full HD 1080p, 4K UHD; MP4 H.264/H.265)?
• Do you provide vertical versions for Instagram Reels/TikTok (9:16) and square (1:1)?
• Will we get a USB drive, external hard drive option, and/or online download links?
• Are links password-protected? How long will they remain active?
• Can relatives overseas stream or download easily?

Raw Footage & Data

• Is raw footage included? If not, how much to add it?
• In what form do you hand over raws (hard drive we provide, USB, online transfer)?
• Will audio files (lavs/soundboard) be organized with the raws?
• Do you clean up raws (basic color/exposure) or transfer straight from the cards?
• How long do you store our project and raws on your end?
• What’s your data backup strategy (on-site/off-site redundancy)?

Logistics on the Day

• What is your standard crew size and names/roles?
• Do you require supplier meals? How many and at what time(s)?
• Do crew have any dietary restrictions or allergies?
• Do you need parking, gate passes, or security clearances at the venue?
• Who is your point person for coordination on the day?
• How do you move between locations (convoy, separate car, ride with us)?
• What’s your policy on guest/relative photo/video interference during key moments?

Venues, Churches & Restrictions

• Are you familiar with our church/venue and its rules on movement and lighting?
• Can you work with churches that restrict aisle access or flash/lights?
• For outdoor ceremonies, how do you manage wind noise and harsh sunlight?
• Any special setup needed for beach, mountain, or garden weddings in PH weather?
• Can you film in heritage churches or venues with strict permits?

Contingency & Risk Management

• What’s your plan for rain, heavy traffic, or sudden schedule changes?
• What if a team member gets sick or there’s a force majeure event?
• Do you have backup shooters on-call?
• How do you protect gear and data during typhoons or brownouts?
• What happens if government restrictions affect our date?

Contracts & Policies

• Can we review a sample contract before booking?
• What is your reschedule and cancellation policy (fees, credits, transferability)?
• Is the booking fee refundable or transferable if dates change?
• How do you handle supplier-subcontracting or outsourcing?
• Do you have a no-show or lateness clause for both parties?
• Are there penalties for program delays beyond the agreed hours?

Usage Rights, Privacy & Sharing

• Who owns the final videos and raw footage?
• Can you post our films on your website and social media?
• Can we request limited or delayed posting for privacy?
• Will you obtain consent from us for commercial use beyond portfolio?
• Can you blur guest faces or children if requested?
• Can we get a version without names/locations for privacy?

Creative Collaboration

• Can we share pegs or moodboards? How do you interpret them?
• Do you advise on timeline tweaks to get better lighting or storytelling beats?
• Can we schedule a pre-wedding creative meeting to lock concepts?
• Are you open to a first look or staged letter exchange for narrative impact?
• How do you capture sentimental details (heirlooms, invitations, rings)?

Program & Key Moments

• How do you cover processional, homily, vows, kiss, recessional, grand entrance, first dance, games, toasts, cake cutting, bouquet/garter?
• Do you mic the officiant and readers?
• Will you coordinate with the host/MC to cue special segments for the cameras?
• Do you capture guest reactions and parent moments intentionally?

Add-Ons & Special Services

• Do you offer livestream services? What’s included (multiple cams, graphics, chat moderation)?
• Can you do a “Save-the-Date” film or proposal film?
• Do you offer same-week “Aftermovie” for post-wedding sharing?
• Can you produce a long-form docu of the entire ceremony and full speeches?
• Do you offer same-language subtitles or English subtitles for mixed-language vows?
• Can you deliver an archival “master” file for long-term storage?

Destination & Travel Logistics

• What’s your experience with out-of-town weddings (Tagaytay, Bohol, Palawan, La Union, Ilocos, Siargao, Boracay)?
• How do you manage flights, baggage for gear, and ferry transfers?
• Who shoulders airport transfers, local transport, and crew accommodations?
• What’s the lead time you need to arrive before the wedding day?
• Can you recommend local coordinators or fixers if needed?

Health, Safety & Professionalism

• Do you have public liability insurance and equipment insurance?
• What safety protocols do you follow for crowd control and drone usage?
• What is your crew dress code for church and formal venues?
• How do you handle emergencies or medical issues during the event?

Communication & Service

• What’s the best way to reach you before the wedding (email, Viber, WhatsApp)?
• Who will update us on edits and delivery progress?
• How quickly do you respond to messages during peak season?
• Can we have a post-wedding debrief to discuss revisions and final files?

Post-Production & Archiving

• Do you perform color grading to match skin tones and venue lighting?
• How do you handle mixed lighting (church tungsten, LED walls, daylight)?
• Will you stabilize shaky shots and remove distracting noises where possible?
• How long do you archive projects? Can we request re-exports later?
• What are fees for retrieving archived projects after a year or more?

Social Media & Vertical Content

• Do you include short vertical edits for Reels/TikTok?
• Will you provide captions/subtitles and safe music for social posting?
• Do you deliver separate files optimized for different platforms?
• Can you schedule a timed release plan (teaser → highlight → full film)?

Budget Optimization

• If we’re cost-conscious, which deliverables give the best value?
• Can we swap SDE for additional hours or a longer highlight?
• Are weekday or off-season discounts available?
• Can we bundle with photo or get a partner rate with your preferred photographer?

Red Flags & Expectations

• What are common misunderstandings about wedding videography we should avoid?
• What do you wish couples would finalize early (timeline, permissions, music preferences)?
• What would be a deal-breaker for you (venue restrictions, unsafe conditions, payment delays)?
• How do you define success for our wedding film?

Final Checks Before Booking

• Are our date and key crew guaranteed in writing?
• Can you confirm inclusions, timelines, and fees in a detailed proposal?
• What do you need from us in the next seven days to lock this in (contract, payment, schedule)?
• When is our creative meeting and ocular/tech rehearsal, if any?

After Booking

• What documents should we prepare (permits, venue approvals, drone permissions)?
• What timeline template do you recommend for smooth coverage?
• What’s your checklist for must-have shots unique to Filipino weddings?
• When should we hand over our letters, rings, invites, and other details for filming?

Nice-to-Haves

• Can you film guest messages (video booth/interviews) during cocktail hour?
• Will you capture behind-the-scenes for our personal archives?
• Can you create a parents’ or lolo/lola tribute cut?
• Do you offer multilingual title cards or translations for relatives abroad?

Wrap-Up

• Is there anything we missed that you recommend based on our venues and season?
• What’s your best advice to get a timeless film we’ll love in 10+ years?