Having a video record of your wedding day is oh-so-important. Being able to hear your vows, see your first dance, and relive your big day for years to come will be priceless. Unfortunately, it’s not priceless now, is it? With some video packages costing thousands of dollars, many brides and grooms opt out of the videographer to save money. Whether amateur or professional, here are some ways to capture those memories on a video for the future but stay in budget today.

1.       Look for videographers new to the wedding business. These videographers, who are trying to start their own businesses or move into the wedding field, are still trying to build up their client base, recommendations, and referrals, which means many are willing to offer significant discounts and low packages in exchange for you agreeing to acting as a reference if you are happy with the results. Someone who is looking to showcase their skills and give you a good price? Sweet!

2.       Price shop videographers. Some videographers offer basic packages at very reasonable rates. These no-frill packages may skip the second photographer, include four or five hours of footage rather than all day, or give you a more basic finished product with fewer special techniques, but you will still get professional equipment and a professional videographer while spending hundreds less than the all-inclusive packages.

3.       Ask your photographer if they work with a videographer to see if you can get a package rate, or at least a discount off the videographer’s services. Many photographers partner with videographers to offer exclusive discounts to you and to generate business for each other.

4.       Check into local colleges, technical schools, and vocational centers for videography programs. If offered, contact the department to see if they can recommend an outstanding student who would be willing to do wedding videography. Often these students will have access to professional equipment, and although amateur, can have some pretty mad videography skills. And of course the price doesn’t hurt either— they will charge a mere fraction of what professional videographers cost. (As with any amateur services, you may have varying results of the finished product, but if it is between this approach and not having a video, it’s totally worth it!)

5.       Are these options still over your budget? Skip the professional services, and go with the do-it-yourself approach. Set up a family video camera on a tri-pod at the ceremony (make sure it can pick up the sound!) and then appoint a friend or group of friends to capture all of the main events at the reception, as well as some candid moments as well. You will be giving up the polished, finished video and the professional eye and equipment of a videographer, but this is a way to capture those wedding moments that any Belle can afford!