If you’ve been searching for a photographer and videographer to capture your wedding, you’ve probably come across companies that offer both photo & video as a bundled package. At first glance, it seems like a no-brainer: one team, one contract, one payment, one less thing to shop for. And let’s be honest—when you’re staring down the barrel of a massive wedding to-do list, “easier” can be very appealing.
But here’s what I’ve seen time and time again as a wedding photographer: couples are rarely best served by companies that try to do both. And if your goal is to walk away with exceptional photos and an incredible film, it’s worth pausing to consider why separate specialists might actually be the better choice.
I wanted to speak on a few of the common reasons couples choose all-in-one teams—and why those reasons don’t always hold up.
“But it’s such a good deal!”
A combined photo/video package often looks more affordable on paper, and in some cases, it truly is. While it’s totally valid to be price-conscious, the question becomes: at what cost to the quality of the final product?
Photography and videography are different art forms. They require different equipment, different creative instincts, and different approaches to storytelling. Most of the time, companies that offer both do not place equal weight—or budget, or talent—on each service. One side almost always comes out stronger than the other, and the other? Feels like an afterthought.
Your wedding memories are not just a checkbox. The photos and video are the ways you’ll relive one of the most meaningful days of your life. Choosing separate, passionate specialists gives you the best chance at walking away with work that actually moves you.
Isn’t it better to hire a team that works together all the time?
I’ve heard the horror stories, too—photographers who treat the day like their personal editorial shoot and ignore the videographer, or videographers who over-direct and take the spontaneity out of the moment. But here’s the thing: those stories make the rounds because they’re the exception, not the rule.
Most professionals who specialize in weddings are really good collaborators, and even more so as you work more luxury-focused vendors. I’ve worked with dozens of videographers I had never met before the wedding day, and almost every time, we’ve slipped into an easy rhythm. We’re there for the same reason—to tell your story, beautifully and honestly—and that shared goal tends to bring out the best in us.
In fact, working with new videographers keeps things fresh. I’ve learned new techniques. We feed off each other’s energy. We don’t get stuck in a static dynamic that’s been done a hundred times before. If you’re hiring people who are confident in their own roles and respectful of their creative counterparts, it’s not a risk – it’s an advantage.
“Isn’t it just easier to book one team?”
In the short term? Maybe. Fewer emails, one less contract, less coordination. But long-term – when you’re flipping through your wedding album or watching your video on your anniversary – it won’t matter that booking was slightly more streamlined. What will matter is whether the work moves you. Whether you see yourselves in it. Whether it feels like you.
Booking separate vendors doesn’t have to be a headache. Any photographer or videographer worth their salt is used to working with other creative partners. A simple intro email before the wedding is all it takes to make sure we’re on the same page and have your back from start to finish.
TL/DR
You don’t need to choose convenience over craftsmanship. The “easy” option isn’t always the one that gives you the best memories. Your photos and video are what you’ll have when the flowers are gone and the cake is eaten – and it’s 100% worth choosing people who are fully invested in doing one thing with excellence.
Already found a videographer you love? Amazing. Still looking? I have some favorites I’d be happy to share. My goal is never to upsell you on something you don’t need – it’s to help you build a vendor team that truly honors your vision.
