Learn from Experienced Brides! Key Points for Choosing Your Wedding Camera & Video Plans*

Wedding Cameras and Videos: So Many Plans and I'm Confused...!

Capturing a Happy Day with Wedding Cameras and Videos: There are quite a number of plans just for the wedding venue, and there are also various video plans available.

The plans for wedding cameras and videos often contain many technical terms that can be quite confusing.

For example, terms like "all data provided," "over 500 cuts," and "DSLR video" appear frequently. Many brides may feel that they don’t really understand what these terms mean.

This time, we will introduce the details of plans related to wedding photos and videos, along with their advantages and disadvantages.

At the end, we will also showcase plans chosen by real brides who've gone through the experience, so please take it as a reference♡

Wedding Camera and Video Plan 1: What Does "All Data Provided" Mean?

A term you will almost certainly see in wedding camera plans is "all data." It is often written as "all data provided" or "all data delivered."

This "all data" means that all the photos taken during the wedding will be provided as digital files. Since you receive all the photos, you can edit them later or even use them for New Year’s cards, making it a popular plan.

However, since you receive all the data, the price is higher, and some brides have commented that "it's too much data, and difficult to view everything!"

Nowadays, it seems that many brides tend to choose the all-data option.

➡ Click here for detailed information on all data plans＊

Wedding Camera and Video Plan 2: What Does "XX Cuts" Mean?

The term "XX cuts" is also frequently used in wedding camera plans.

"XX cuts" is often stated as "delivering over XX cuts" or "estimated XX cuts shot."

"XX cuts" refers to a single photo that has a different composition. Wedding photographers often take multiple similar photos to avoid closed eyes and choose the best one among them, which is typically referred to as a "cut."

Therefore, when it says "delivering 500 cuts," it does not mean "I will press the shutter 500 times," but rather "I will provide you with 500 good photos."

So, how many cuts are usually needed for a wedding?

In my wedding, I requested all data, and here’s the approximate breakdown of the cuts I received:

Makeup room (including first meet): 70 cuts

Brief photo shoot before the ceremony: 30 cuts

Family introduction: 30 cuts

Welcome space, reception: 30 cuts

Ceremony rehearsal: 30 cuts

Ceremony: 160 cuts

Welcome party (flower shower, group photos, etc.): 90 cuts

Reception: 530 cuts

After-party: 230 cuts

In total, I received about 1200 cuts, and I felt that this was more than enough for me!

So, for example, if you choose to have 300 cuts delivered, the number of pictures for all scenes would be about one-fourth of what I received with the all-data option. With 600 cuts, each scene’s cuts would be about half.

Think carefully about how many photos you want and consider your budget!

Wedding Camera and Video Plan 3: Is One Camera or Two Better?

Whether to hire one or two photographers/videographers for the wedding is a common dilemma.

You might wonder if there is really a significant difference between one and two cameras. For instance, having two cameras allows you to capture these scenes:

✓ Simultaneous shooting of the ceremony rehearsal and family introduction as guests arrive

✓ Various angles for the ceremony (groom's side, bride's side, groom and bride with guests, from the front and back)

✓ Entrance shots from the front and back

✓ Taking photos of other guests during the table rounds

✓ One person focusing on quality shots while the other captures ambiance shots

✓ Collecting congratulatory video messages from all guests

With two cameras, you can capture both the newlyweds and guests in different scenes, and take photos of the ceremony and performances from various angles.

The scenes that can be captured differ greatly between one camera and two, but, of course, the price also varies. Please take time to contemplate which option is best for you.

Wedding Camera and Video Plan 4: What is a DSLR Video?

One common video option plan is "DSLR video." As the name suggests, this means that the video is shot using a DSLR camera.

The high-quality DSLR video is characterized by its smooth motion and beautiful image quality, which is different from ordinary videos. Even when played on a large TV, it looks stunning!

I ordered a DSLR video, and when I compared it to my sister's regular video from her wedding about five years ago (of course, video quality may have improved in five years), the DSLR video was overwhelmingly clearer and looked amazing.

While it depends on your budget, the difference between ordinary videos and DSLR videos is clearly evident even to an amateur eye, so I highly recommend DSLR video.

Wedding Camera and Video Plan 5: What's the Difference Between DVD and Blu-ray?

Recently, some wedding venues also offer the option to choose Blu-ray for videos.

You might know the difference between DVD and Blu-ray; if you rent DVDs and Blu-rays from a rental shop, the difference will be evident.

When I signed up for the video, I received both DVD and Blu-ray as part of the bonus, and when I compared the two, the video quality was vastly different! However, the truth is that if I hadn’t compared them, I might not have noticed the difference...

Additionally, I gave both the DVD and Blu-ray to my parents and in-laws, but they returned them because neither could watch Blu-ray at home!

I was fortunate to have both DVD and Blu-ray, but if you're considering passing them on to your parents, it’s advisable to check whether they can watch Blu-ray at home.

Wedding Camera and Video Plan 6: How to Choose an Album?

Some wedding venues include wedding albums as part of their plans. Even if the number of cuts is the same, the price for albums can vary significantly.

Choose an album that you love! The thickness and texture of the pages can drastically change the impression, so I recommend seeing the physical albums in hand.

When ordering an album from the wedding venue, it is quite common to not be able to choose the photos inside! Be sure to check if you can select the photos if that’s something you want.

Recently, more and more couples are opting to receive just the data and order albums from external album companies instead of from the wedding venue.

Wedding Camera and Video Plan 7: What Do Experienced Brides Choose?

So, what types of photos and videos do experienced brides actually choose? Here are the plans that my friends and I considered:

～＊ My Selected Plan ＊～

Camera: All data delivered from the makeup room to the after-party: 150,000 yen

Album: Undecided (planning to order from an external album company)

Video: Two cameras, DSLR, delivered on DVD and Blu-ray from the makeup room to the after-party: 100,000 yen

Same-day edit: 70,000 yen

Total: 320,000 yen + album cost

＊～ Friend’s Selected Plan 1 ～＊

Camera: 400 cuts delivered

Album: 60 pages, 100 cuts

Video: Yes

Same-day edit: Yes

Total: 500,000 yen

She forgot the individual prices, but she focused on camera and video.

～＊ Friend’s Selected Plan 2 ＊～

Camera: 300 cuts delivered for 180,000 yen

Album: Yes (included in the camera cost)

Video: Ceremony and reception, Blu-ray, two cameras for 260,000 yen

Same-day edit: 100,000 yen (from ceremony to flower shower)

Total: 540,000 yen

They mentioned that if the same-day edit was included up to the re-entry, it would cost an additional 80,000 yen, so they opted to limit it to just the ceremony. The cost for same-day edits varies significantly depending on the scenes being filmed!

Wedding Cameras and Videos: Understand the Content Well to Create Cherished Memories ♩

We’ve introduced the plans for wedding cameras and videos. Many people might think that wedding plans are difficult to understand or confusing, but if you leave it unclear, you may end up with something unexpected!

Make sure to check the content carefully, so you can record your happy day without regrets.