A good wedding videography package spells out four things clearly: the hours of coverage, the number of cinematographers, the films you receive with their lengths, and when you will get them. Everything else, such as drone footage, raw footage or rehearsal dinner coverage, is an add-on you can decide on based on your day.
If you are comparing wedding videography packages in Dallas, the names matter less than the contents. This guide explains what a wedding video package should include, how to choose your coverage, and which extras are worth it, so you can compare any two packages side by side.
What Is Included in Wedding Videography Packages?
Most wedding video packages are built from the same parts, even when the names differ. These are the wedding video deliverables to look for:
- Hours of coverage. How long the team is with you on the wedding day.
- Number of cinematographers. One or two, which changes how much of the day can be captured at the same time.
- Teaser. A short preview film, often around one minute, that is easy to share.
- Highlight film. The main short film of the day, usually a few minutes long.
- Full ceremony film. The ceremony from start to finish, with the vows and readings in full.
- Reception film. Toasts, first dances and other reception moments in a longer format.
- Social media reel. A very short edit, around 30 seconds, made for sharing.
- Online gallery. A private place to watch and download your films.
Two more details belong in every package description: how long final delivery takes, and how the music in your films is licensed. At Mint Lotus Films, the final gallery is delivered within twelve weeks.
How Many Hours of Wedding Videography Do I Need?
Work backwards from the moments you want in the film. As a guide:
- 4–5 hours: elopements and micro-weddings. Ceremony, portraits and a short reception window.
- 6–8 hours: single-venue weddings. Final getting-ready moments through first dances and toasts.
- 8–10 hours: full-day weddings and multiple locations. Preparation through the reception send-off.
- 10+ hours or a second day: destination and multi-day celebrations. A welcome party or rehearsal dinner plus the full wedding day.
Add time if you are moving between locations, because travel between the getting-ready space, the ceremony and the reception counts toward your hours.
Full day vs. half day wedding videography
Full day wedding videography usually means eight to ten hours, from preparation through the send-off. Half day wedding videography usually means four to six hours and focuses on the ceremony and part of the reception. A half day suits a micro-wedding or a tight timeline, but you will likely miss the getting-ready moments and the late reception. Our collections start at seven hours of wedding-day coverage, and custom collections can be built around the coverage you want.
How Long Should a Wedding Highlight Film Be?
Most highlight films run between three and ten minutes. Shorter films are easy to share and rewatch, while longer ones let moments breathe and suit full-day coverage with more story to tell. A useful rule is that the film should grow with the coverage, so it never feels rushed or stretched.
In our collections, the highlight film runs 4–5 minutes, 6–7 minutes or 8–10 minutes depending on the collection, alongside a one-minute teaser and a 30-second social media reel.
Does Wedding Videography Include the Full Ceremony?
In most full-day packages, yes, but check the wording. A full ceremony film should cover the ceremony from beginning to end, with clear audio of the vows and readings. Ask whether it is edited from more than one angle, since a second cinematographer makes that possible. All three of our collections include a full ceremony film.
Do Wedding Videographers Include Raw Footage?
Policies vary: some studios include raw footage, some offer it as an add-on, and some do not provide it at all. Raw footage is unedited, with no color work, music or cuts, and it is usually a large amount of material. If you want it, ask what it contains, whether it includes audio, and how it is delivered. At Mint Lotus Films, raw footage is available as an additional offering. For most couples, the finished films are what they will actually watch.
Should I Hire a Second Wedding Videographer?
A second wedding videographer is worth considering when:
- the ceremony or reception space is large
- both partners are getting ready at the same time in different places
- you want a second angle on the vows and the reactions of your guests
- the day moves between several locations
For an elopement or a small ceremony at one location, one cinematographer is often enough.
Do Wedding Videographers Provide Drone Footage?
Many do, but not all, and not at every venue. Drone footage adds aerial shots of the venue and its grounds, and it works best at estates and outdoor spaces. In the US, commercial drone pilots need FAA Part 107 certification, and many venues set their own drone rules, so weather and permissions can limit what is possible. Ask whether drone coverage is included, whether the pilot is certified and whether your venue allows it.
Wedding Videography Add-Ons Worth Considering
Wedding videography add-ons let you adjust a package to your day instead of buying a bigger one:
- Additional hours. Worth it when your timeline is packed or the send-off runs late.
- Rehearsal dinner coverage. Captures the toasts and speeches from the night before.
- Second videographer. Adds a second angle and covers two places at once.
- Raw footage. For couples who want the unedited material as well as the finished films.
You can upgrade your collection or add offerings any time before the wedding, and additional edits can be added after the wedding.
Cinematic Wedding Video Packages in Dallas: Our Three Collections
A cinematic wedding video package is built around storytelling: real moments, quiet observation and an edit shaped like a short film. Here is how our three collections are built, as an example of how Dallas wedding video packages scale with coverage.
Collection I
- 7 hours of wedding day coverage
- 1 cinematographer
- 1-minute teaser film
- 4–5 minute highlight film
- Full ceremony film
- Online gallery of films
Collection II
- 8 hours of wedding day coverage
- 2 cinematographers
- Drone coverage
- 30-second social media reel
- 1-minute teaser film
- 6–7 minute highlight film
- Full ceremony film
- Reception documentary film, including full toasts, first dances and more, in an extended format
- Online gallery of films
Collection III
- 2 hours of rehearsal dinner or welcome party coverage
- 10 hours of wedding day coverage
- 2 cinematographers
- Drone coverage
- 30-second social media reel
- 1-minute teaser film
- 8–10 minute highlight film
- Full ceremony film
- Reception documentary film, including full toasts, first dances and more, in an extended format
- Online gallery of films
Custom collections are available based on your desired coverage and deliverables. You can watch films from venues across Dallas–Fort Worth in our portfolio.
How to Choose the Right Wedding Video Package
- Start with your timeline. Decide which parts of the day matter most, then choose the hours that cover them.
- Pick the films you will actually watch. A highlight film and a full ceremony film cover most couples, and a reception film adds the toasts and dances in full.
- Decide on a second videographer. Add one if your venue is large or your day moves between locations.
- Choose add-ons deliberately. Drone footage, raw footage and rehearsal dinner coverage are useful only if you will use them.
- Compare style and delivery, not only the list. Watch full films from real weddings, and check how long delivery takes.
Questions to Ask Before You Book a Wedding Videography Package
- How many hours are included, and what happens if the day runs long?
- How many cinematographers will be there?
- Which films will I receive, and how long is each one?
- Is the full ceremony included, and with how many angles?
- Is drone coverage included, and is the pilot FAA Part 107 certified?
- Is raw footage included, an add-on or not available?
- How is the music licensed?
- When will I receive my films, and can I upgrade or add offerings later?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in wedding videography packages?
Most packages list hours of coverage, the number of cinematographers and the films you receive, such as a teaser, a highlight film, a full ceremony film and a reception film. Many also include a social media reel and an online gallery. Drone footage, raw footage and rehearsal dinner coverage are often add-ons.
Do wedding videographers include raw footage?
It depends on the studio. Some include it, some offer it as an add-on and some do not provide it. Raw footage is unedited, so ask what it contains, how it is delivered and whether it includes audio. At Mint Lotus Films, raw footage is available as an additional offering.
Does wedding videography include the full ceremony?
In most full-day packages, yes, but check the wording. A full ceremony film should cover the ceremony from start to finish with clear audio of the vows. All three Mint Lotus Films collections include a full ceremony film.
Should I hire a second wedding videographer?
A second videographer is worth considering for large venues, multiple locations, or when both partners get ready at the same time. It adds a second angle on the ceremony and captures reactions. For a small ceremony at one location, one cinematographer is often enough.
Do wedding videographers provide drone footage?
Many do, but not all, and venue rules and weather can limit it. In the US, commercial drone pilots need FAA Part 107 certification, so ask about it. Drone coverage is included in Mint Lotus Films Collections II and III.
How long should a wedding highlight film be?
Most highlight films run between three and ten minutes. Shorter edits are easy to share, while longer ones let moments breathe and suit full-day coverage. Mint Lotus Films highlight films run from four to ten minutes depending on the collection.
How many hours of wedding videography do I need?
Most couples choose six to ten hours. Six to eight hours suits a single-venue wedding, eight to ten hours covers preparation through the send-off, and rehearsal dinners or welcome parties need extra coverage.
Next Step
Planning a wedding in Dallas–Fort Worth? Contact us to learn more about our collections and check availability for your date. Once a collection has been chosen, we send a contract and retainer details, and the date is officially reserved when both are completed. You can also get to know us, and planners can find details on our wedding planners page.
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