If you're trying to figure out what should be included in a wedding videography package, you're already ahead of most couples I meet. After 17 years filming weddings all over Los Angeles " from ballrooms in Beverly Hills to vineyard estates in Malibu to rooftop receptions downtown " I can tell you the difference between a good package and a forgettable one usually comes down to what's actually written on the contract, not the pretty demo reel on the website. Let me walk you through everything a real wedding videography package should cover, what it costs here in LA, and where couples get burned.

The Core Coverage: Hours On the Day

The first line item in any package is coverage time, and it's the one that shapes everything else. Most Los Angeles wedding videography packages are built around blocks of hours:

  • 6 hours: Enough for a compact wedding " think ceremony, a few portraits, and the first couple hours of the reception. Common for elopements or intimate weddings under 50 guests.
  • 8 hours: The sweet spot for most weddings. Covers getting-ready shots, ceremony, cocktail hour, and the big reception moments (first dance, toasts, cake).
  • 10 to 12 hours: Full-day coverage from hair-and-makeup through the last dance and sparkler exit. If you're having a religious ceremony plus a separate reception, or a getting-ready location across town from your venue, you'll want this.

Here's the LA-specific catch: traffic. If your bridal suite is in Pasadena and your ceremony is in Santa Monica, your videographer is losing an hour of shooting time just driving the 10. Build coverage around real geography, not the map's straight line. I always tell couples to add an hour buffer if their day spans more than one part of the city.

The Films You Actually Receive

This is where packages differ the most, and where the fine print matters. A complete wedding videography package should spell out exactly which edited films you get. The usual lineup:

  • Highlight film (3 to 6 minutes): The cinematic, music-driven trailer of your day. This is the one you'll share and rewatch. Every package should include one.
  • Feature film (8 to 20 minutes): A longer storytelling edit with real audio " your vows, the best lines from toasts, the officiant. This is the emotional heart of the collection.
  • Full ceremony edit (20 to 45 minutes): Multi-camera, start to finish. If you want to hear every word of your vows years from now, this matters.
  • Full reception or documentary edit: Complete toasts, first dance, parent dances, and speeches, lightly edited.

Budget packages often include only a 3-minute highlight and nothing else, which means the priest's blessing, your grandfather's toast, and your full vows simply don't exist on video. Ask specifically what happens to the footage that doesn't make the highlight reel. A good studio delivers the full ceremony and full speeches, not just the greatest-hits cut.

Audio: The Part Nobody Talks About

Video without great audio is half a memory. A serious wedding videography package includes professional audio capture " lavalier mics on the groom and officiant, a recorder plugged into the DJ's soundboard for toasts, and sometimes a mic near your vows. When couples send me competitors' sample films where you can't hear the vows over the wind, it's almost always because the videographer relied on the camera's built-in mic. Confirm in writing that dedicated audio recording is included. On a windy Malibu bluff or a loud DTLA rooftop, this is non-negotiable.

Drone, Second Shooter, and Add-Ons

These extras separate a basic package from a premium one:

  • Aerial/drone footage: Beautiful for outdoor venues like Malibu wineries, Palos Verdes cliffs, or estate weddings in the hills. Note that many LA venues and the areas near LAX, Burbank, and Van Nuys airports have flight restrictions, so a licensed FAA Part 107 pilot is a must. Expect drone to add $300 to $700 if it isn't already included.
  • Second videographer: A second shooter captures reaction shots " you walking down the aisle while another camera holds on your partner's face. For weddings over 100 guests, I strongly recommend it. Adds roughly $500 to $1,200.
  • Same-day edit: A short film cut during the wedding and played at the reception. A showstopper, and priced accordingly (often $800 to $2,000).
  • Raw footage: Some couples want every unedited clip. Ask if it's included or an add-on " and on what kind of drive.

What a Los Angeles Wedding Videography Package Costs

Let's talk real numbers, because vague answers help no one. In the Los Angeles market:

  • $2,000 to $3,500: Entry-level. Usually one videographer, 6 to 8 hours, a highlight film only. Fine for very small weddings, but read the deliverables closely.
  • $3,500 to $6,500: The mid-range where most LA couples land. Expect 8 to 10 hours, a highlight plus a feature film, full ceremony, and often drone.
  • $6,500 to $12,000+: Premium and luxury. Two shooters, full-day coverage, multiple films, same-day edits, and cinematic-grade cameras and lenses. This is the tier for large weddings at venues like Vibiana, the Bel-Air Bay Club, or Hummingbird Nest Ranch.

If a quote comes in dramatically below these ranges, something is being cut " hours, films, audio, or experience. There's no free lunch in wedding film.

Turnaround Times: When Will You Actually See It?

This is the question couples forget to ask until they're waiting. Realistic LA turnaround times:

  • Highlight film: 4 to 10 weeks is standard. Some studios offer a 1-week sneak-peek teaser.
  • Feature film and full edits: 8 to 16 weeks, sometimes longer during peak season (May through October, when we're all shooting nonstop).

Get the turnaround guarantee in writing. I've had couples come to me heartbroken after waiting eight months on a previous vendor for another wedding. A clear delivery window in the contract protects you.

Why Booking Photo and Video Together Actually Matters

Here's advice I'd give even if it didn't help my own studio: seriously consider hiring one team for both photography and videography. When you book two separate vendors, they've never met before your wedding day, and they end up competing for the same angles " the photographer stepping into the video shot during your first kiss, the videographer's light blowing out a photo. It happens constantly.

At ConneryFilm we run photography and cinematic video under one roof " one team, one coordinated plan, one point of contact. My photo and film crews choreograph the day together so nobody's elbowing anybody out of the way during your vows. It also simplifies your life: one contract, one deposit, one timeline conversation, and matching creative style across your photos and your film. When you're comparing packages, ask whether combined photo-and-video pricing saves you money " bundled packages in LA often run 10 to 20 percent less than booking the two separately.

The Fine Print: Questions to Ask Before You Sign

  • How many edited films do I receive, and how long is each?
  • Is the full ceremony and are full toasts included, or just the highlight?
  • Is professional audio recording (lavs plus soundboard feed) part of the package?
  • What's the guaranteed delivery timeline for each film?
  • How is the film delivered " online download, USB, or a physical drive?
  • Do you carry backup cameras, extra batteries, and dual memory-card recording?
  • What are the overtime rates if the reception runs long?
  • Do you have liability insurance? Many LA venues require proof of it.

That last point catches people off guard. Venues like the Millwick, the Ebell of Los Angeles, and most hotels require your vendors to carry a certificate of insurance. A professional studio provides it without blinking.

Music and Licensing

Your wedding film needs licensed music, and it's a bigger deal than couples realize. Reputable videographers pay for commercial licenses through services like Musicbed or Artlist so your film won't get muted or pulled off Instagram and YouTube for copyright claims. Ask whether music licensing is included. If a videographer is quietly using a popular chart song without a license, your film is a takedown notice waiting to happen.

FAQ

How much should a wedding videography package cost in Los Angeles?

Most LA couples spend between $3,500 and $6,500 for solid mid-range coverage " around 8 to 10 hours, a highlight film, a feature film, and often drone. Luxury packages with two shooters and same-day edits run $6,500 to $12,000 and up. Anything under $2,000 usually means minimal hours and a highlight-only deliverable.

How long is a typical wedding highlight film?

Highlight films run 3 to 6 minutes. It's the cinematic, music-driven cut you'll share most. Just make sure your package also includes a longer feature film and the full ceremony, so the moments that don't fit the highlight aren't lost forever.

Should we hire the same company for photography and videography?

In most cases, yes. One team that shoots both photo and film " the way we do at ConneryFilm " coordinates angles so nobody blocks a shot, keeps a consistent creative style, and simplifies your planning to a single contract. Bundled photo-and-video packages also tend to cost 10 to 20 percent less than booking two vendors separately.

How long does it take to get your wedding video?

Expect 4 to 10 weeks for a highlight film and 8 to 16 weeks for feature and full-length edits, with longer waits during peak season from May through October. Always confirm the delivery timeline in your contract so you're not left guessing.

Do we need a second videographer?

For weddings over about 100 guests, or any wedding where you want reaction shots " your partner's face as you walk down the aisle, guests laughing during toasts " a second shooter is worth it. It typically adds $500 to $1,200 and dramatically improves the storytelling.

Is drone footage worth adding?

If you're marrying at a scenic outdoor venue in Malibu, Palos Verdes, or the hills, drone footage adds gorgeous scale for $300 to $700. Just make sure your videographer is FAA Part 107 licensed, since much of LA has airspace restrictions near LAX, Burbank, and Van Nuys.

Planning your Los Angeles wedding and want photo and film handled by one team that actually talks to each other on the day? I'd love to hear about your celebration and help you build a package that fits. Call or text 818.749.7039 or reach out anytime at ConneryFilm.com " let's make sure every vow, toast, and first dance is captured beautifully.

Meet the Author: Connery Davoodian Hello, I'm Connery Davoodian, the visionary behind ConneryFilm, and I'm thrilled to share insights from my 17-year journey through the world of wedding photography and videography. My passion extends beyond simply capturing images; it's about artfully weaving your unique love story into a timeless, cinematic masterpiece. My artistic path began long before I ever picked up a camera, deeply rooted in music as a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. This diverse background in directing, producing, and editing has cultivated a unique perspective, allowing me to approach each wedding not just as an event, but as a dynamic narrative waiting to be beautifully told. This blend of technical mastery and creative storytelling is the heartbeat of ConneryFilm, ensuring that every frame, every shot, and every film is infused with depth, emotion, and unparalleled artistic integrity. At ConneryFilm, we believe your wedding memories deserve nothing less than bespoke luxury. My philosophy centers on capturing the authentic, unscripted moments – the genuine smiles, the tender glances, the joyful laughter – that truly define your day. While we obsess over exquisite details and sophisticated aesthetics, our true joy comes from making you feel completely at ease, like a "friendor" who genuinely celebrates alongside you. This calm, organized presence allows your true personalities to shine, resulting in images and films that are as real and vibrant as your love itself. Based in the heart of Los Angeles, California, my team and I are privileged to serve couples across the globe, bringing our signature high-end wedding photography and videography to destination weddings worldwide. Through these blog posts, I aim to share invaluable insights, luxurious inspiration, and practical, fun advice to guide you through your wedding planning journey, helping you make informed decisions about preserving your most cherished moments. Thank you for trusting ConneryFilm to be a part of your extraordinary adventure. I'm excited to share my knowledge and passion with you, helping you create memories that will last forever.