📝 Quick FAQ
💬 What’s the average cost of a Chicago wedding videographer in 2025?
Between $3,500 and $10,000+, depending on experience, coverage, and deliverables.
💬 Is wedding videography worth it?
Absolutely — video preserves your vows, voices, and emotions in ways photography can’t.
💬 When should I book my wedding videographer?
12-18 months before your wedding date for peak Chicago seasons.
When you’re planning a Chicago wedding, one of the most common — and most important — questions is: how much should I budget for a wedding videographer?
At EverAfter Wedding Films, we talk to couples every week who are trying to balance dreams with reality. This guide will walk you through Chicago wedding videographer pricing, explain what affects the cost, and help you confidently invest in one of the most important parts of your wedding: preserving your story forever.
🎯 The Quick Answer: Chicago Wedding Videographer Cost
In 2025, couples in Chicago can expect to spend:
| Service Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Mid-Tier | $3,500 – $6,500 |
| Luxury & Cinematic (like EverAfter) | $6,500 – $10,000+ |
👉 The national average for wedding videography (according to The Knot 2024) is around $2,800 – $3,600 — but Chicago tends to run 20–40% higher due to demand, cost of living, and expectations for cinematic production.
🎥 Why Is Chicago Wedding Videography More Expensive?
Chicago isn’t just any wedding city. You have:
- Iconic venues (University Club, Armour House, The Drake, etc.)
- Dynamic lighting & weather conditions
- Complex logistics (city traffic, parking, vendor coordination)
- A highly competitive creative market
To capture your wedding properly in this environment, Chicago wedding videographers invest heavily in:
✅ Multiple cameras & angles
✅ High-end drones
✅ Cinema-grade lenses
✅ Licensed music & editing rights
✅ Insurance & permits
✅ Advanced audio gear for vows & speeches
✅ Extensive editing hours
🎞 What Affects Wedding Videography Pricing?
1️⃣ Hours of Coverage
More hours = more footage, more crew, more editing.
- 4-6 hours: Elopements or partial day (~$2,000 – $3,000)
- 8-10 hours: Full ceremony + reception (~$4,000 – $7,000)
- Full Day + Prep: Full storytelling coverage (~$7,000+)
👉 At EverAfter Wedding Films, most couples book full-day coverage. This allows us to tell the full story: from morning prep to your final dance.
2️⃣ Team Size
- Solo shooters are more affordable, but risk missing moments.
- Dual videographer teams ensure full multi-angle coverage.
3️⃣ Deliverables
What are you getting?
| Deliverable | Typical Cost Impact |
|---|---|
| Highlight Film (3-7 mins) | Included in most packages |
| Full Documentary Edit | +$500 – $1,500 |
| Raw Footage | +$200 – $800 |
| Same-Day Edit | +$1,000 – $2,500 |
| Teaser Reel (60 sec) | +$300 – $600 |
| Drone Footage | Often included with luxury packages |
👉 EverAfter Wedding Films focuses on cinematic storytelling highlight films, plus full ceremony & speech edits.
4️⃣ Travel & Destination
- Chicago city weddings does not include travel fees.
- Destination weddings (Dominican Republic, Miami, etc.) include travel & lodging, typically adding $1,000 – $3,000.
(👉 If you’re curious, check our recent blog comparing Dominican Republic vs Miami weddings.)
5️⃣ Experience Level
- New videographers may offer “portfolio pricing” under $2,500.
- Mid-level videographers often fall in the $3,500 – $5,000 range.
- Premium, highly experienced filmmakers — like EverAfter Wedding Films — typically begin at $6,500+ due to their artistry, equipment, and storytelling expertise. We start around $4,000.
📊 Is Wedding Videography Worth the Investment?
Let’s be honest — videography often gets pushed further down the budget list behind venue, catering, and photography.
BUT here’s what many couples tell us after the wedding:
“Our wedding film is the one thing we re-watch year after year.”
Unlike photos, your video preserves:
🎤 The voices
👰 The vows
💃 The first dances
😂 The laughter
💞 The emotions
Photos freeze moments. Video brings them back to life.
🔍 How Chicago Videography Pricing Compares to Other Vendors
| Vendor Type | Average Chicago Cost |
|---|---|
| Wedding Venue | $8,000 – $20,000 |
| Catering | $150 – $300 per guest |
| Photographer | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| Florist | $3,000 – $10,000 |
| Videographer (Cinematic) | $6,500 – $10,000 |
👉 In terms of value-per-dollar, wedding videography offers lasting emotional returns few other vendors can match.
💡 5 Pro Tips for Booking Your Chicago Wedding Videographer
1️⃣ Book Early — The best videographers book 12–18 months out.
2️⃣ Review Full Films — Don’t just look at highlight reels.
3️⃣ Understand Deliverables — Know exactly what you’ll receive.
4️⃣ Verify Backup Gear — Professionals always bring backups.
5️⃣ Connect Personally — Your comfort with the team matters on your wedding day!
🎯 Why Couples Choose EverAfter Wedding Films
✅ Chicago’s top wedding venues experienced
✅ Full-day coverage standard
✅ Cinematic storytelling editing
✅ Crystal-clear vow & speech audio
✅ Drone coverage included
✅ Fast delivery turnaround
✅ Fully insured, fully backed up
🎞 See our real films here ➔ Our Portfolio