Wedding videography in the Midwest runs from about $1,200 for a short-form highlight film to $8,000 or more for a two-camera, full-day documentary edit with a feature-length film. Where a quote lands inside that range comes down to hours, number of cameras, how audio is captured and how much editing is promised. Here is how to read a videography quote, with VIDART’s own rates as the reference point.
Typical prices in 2026
| Package | Typical Midwest range | VIDART |
|---|---|---|
| Highlight film only, half day | $1,200–$2,500 | $1,500 (half day, up to 5 hours) |
| Full-day coverage, highlight film + ceremony + toasts | $2,500–$6,000 | $3,000 (full day, up to 10 hours) |
| Two videographers, feature-length film | $5,000–$10,000 | Quoted per wedding |
| Photo and video together, full day | $5,000–$12,000 | $6,000 |
Videography is priced the same as photography at VIDART — $1,500 half day, $3,000 full day — and booking both together is $3,000 or $6,000. Add-ons such as Blu-ray/DVD masters ($75 each or three for $150), a RAW footage drive ($450) and extra USB copies ($40) are on the pricing page.
What you are paying for
Cameras and angles
One videographer can cover a ceremony well with two or three fixed cameras plus a handheld, which is how a single operator delivers a multi-angle ceremony edit. A second videographer adds moving coverage during the ceremony, both getting-ready rooms at once and a roaming camera at the reception. It is worth it for large weddings and for couples who want a long-form film; for most weddings it is optional.
Audio
Audio is where cheap wedding video fails. You should expect a wireless lavalier on the officiant and one partner, a feed from the DJ or band’s board for toasts and music, and a backup recorder. Ask the question directly: “How do you record the vows and toasts?” If the answer is “the camera microphone,” keep looking.
The edit
A three-to-five minute highlight film takes a skilled editor two to four days: syncing multiple cameras and audio sources, selecting moments from six to ten hours of footage, color grading, mixing and licensing music. Full ceremony and toast edits are additional cuts. This is why videography turnaround is longer than photography; ours is 4–12 weeks depending on season, with raw footage available within 72 hours if you want to relive the day sooner.
Music licensing
Legitimate studios license music for your film. It is a real cost and it means your film can be shared online without being muted. If a quote is unusually low, ask about music.
What should be in every package
- Edited highlight film (typically 3–6 minutes) delivered in full HD or 4K.
- The full ceremony as a separate, multi-angle edit with clean audio.
- Toasts and speeches in full.
- Digital delivery you can download and keep, plus a USB drive; discs are optional.
- Backup: dual-card recording and same-night backups.
- A contract with hours, deliverables, turnaround and overtime stated. Ours is $300 per hour per crew member if the day runs long.
Photo and video from one team
The strongest argument for booking photography and videography together is not the discount; it is the day itself. Two vendors who have never met will stand in each other’s shots during the first kiss, negotiate over portrait time and run two different timelines. One crew on one timeline shares light, positions and planning. See photography and videography for how VIDART runs both, and our wedding photographer cost guide for the photo side of the budget.
Ways to spend less without regretting it
- Book a half day centered on the ceremony and the first hour of the reception rather than cutting video entirely.
- Choose a Friday, Sunday or off-season date; most studios are flexible on anything other than a June-through-October Saturday.
- Skip the second videographer and put the money toward a longer edit instead.
- Combine photo and video with one company.
- Ask for raw footage on a drive; it is far cheaper than a feature-length edit and you keep every minute.
Tell us your date and venue and we will confirm availability and a price within a day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of a wedding videographer?
In the Midwest in 2026, most couples pay between $2,000 and $5,000 for wedding videography with a highlight film and full ceremony coverage. VIDART charges $1,500 for a half day and $3,000 for a full day, with no travel fee across Wisconsin and six neighboring states.
Is a wedding videographer worth it?
Video is the only way to keep the vows, the toasts, voices and movement. Couples who skip it most often name it as their biggest wedding regret in surveys, while few regret the photos. If budget is tight, a half day of video covering the ceremony and toasts is the best compromise.
How long is a wedding highlight film?
Three to six minutes is standard; it is designed to be watched and shared. The full ceremony and toasts are delivered as separate, longer edits so nothing important is cut.
How long does wedding video take to deliver?
Four to twelve weeks is typical, depending on season and how many films are in the package. VIDART delivers edited films in 4–12 weeks and can provide raw footage within 72 hours on request.
Can I get the raw footage?
Yes. VIDART provides raw footage and RAW photo files on an archive drive for $450. Many studios do not offer raw footage at all, so ask before booking if it matters to you.
