Photo-Only vs Photo + Video Wedding Package | Which Is Right for You?
It’s one of the first big decisions you’ll make after choosing a venue: do you want photography only, or do you want both photo and video? There’s no wrong answer, but there is a right answer for you — and it depends on what you actually care about when the wedding is over.
We’ve shot more than 800 weddings at SIGS Photography, offering both photography and videography packages. Here’s what we’ve learned about how couples make this decision and what matters most once the day is done.
What Photography Gives You
Your wedding photos are the things you’ll see every single day. They go on your walls. They sit on your parents’ mantel. They become the image on your phone’s lock screen. They’re the version of your wedding that lives in your daily life.
A skilled photographer captures not just the big moments — the first kiss, the first dance — but the quiet ones. Your grandmother wiping a tear during the ceremony. Your partner’s face when they see you for the first time. The way your hands looked when you held each other’s during the vows.
Great wedding photography freezes emotion in a single frame, and those frames become the story your children and grandchildren will hold in their hands one day.
What Video Gives You
Video captures what photos cannot: motion, sound, and time. The way your voice cracked during your vows. The laughter that followed your best man’s speech. The song that played during your first dance. These are things a photograph can hint at but can never fully deliver.
A well-produced wedding film lets you relive the day in a way that photos alone can’t. You hear the words. You see the movement. You feel the rhythm of the day unfolding in real time.
The Honest Trade-Offs
Here’s where most articles won’t be straight with you: adding video to your wedding adds complexity and cost.
A quality videography team requires separate professionals with separate equipment. The editing process for a polished wedding film takes 35 to 40 hours of skilled post-production work. That time and expertise is reflected in the price.
With a photo-only package, you’re investing in a more focused experience. Your photographer can work with less gear in the room, fewer people to coordinate with, and a streamlined delivery timeline. Many couples receive their fully edited photos within a week, while video production can take several months.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Think about how you actually consume memories. Do you watch videos regularly, or are you more likely to flip through a photo album? When you think about your parents’ wedding, do you wish you had their video or their photos?
Consider your budget honestly. If hiring a top-tier videographer means cutting corners on your photographer, that may not be the right trade. Your photos are the permanent, always-visible record of your day.
Think about your ceremony. If you’re writing personal vows, if your family is giving emotional speeches, if music is a huge part of your celebration — video captures those moments in a way that adds real value.
Our Recommendation
If your budget allows for both and you find a team that works well together, having photo and video gives you the most complete record of your wedding day. At SIGS Photography, our photo and video teams have worked side by side for years, so there’s no stepping on each other’s toes.
But if you need to choose one, invest in photography first. Your photos are the foundation. They’re what you’ll see, share, and display for the rest of your life. Everything else is a beautiful bonus.
Whatever you decide, make sure the team you hire has experience, a portfolio you connect with, and the kind of energy you want around you on your wedding day. That matters more than any package name.
Ready to talk about what works best for your day? Reach out to SIGS Photography — we’ll help you figure it out without any pressure.
