Wedding Photos or Wedding Video, Do I really need both?

When I speak to married couples, I listen carefully as they share stories about their wedding day. I love my craft, and it’s important for me to understand what truly mattered to them. Here are a few paraphrased things I’ve heard over the years, and we’ll dive into what they mean shortly:

• My dad had a hard time getting through some parts of his speech, I can still remember his voice crackling up as he was talking about some of my childhood stories. Everyone was in tears.
• The sunset photos we took in the field behind Vasilias Nikoklis Inn look like they are out of a fairy tale, everyone comments on that photo when we show the album
• We watched our Wedding Video with the kids fo
• r the first time, it was amazing watching the looks on their faces.
• While we did our sunset shoot, Jason and Mathew (the grooms men) did a “1st Dance” Impression, we just watched it in the wedding video, it was hilarious.

Its kinda obvious now where I am going with this, photos and videos each preserve different kinds of memories., create treasured keepsakes passed down through generations, tell a story and help access memories that we sometimes forget. When we look at what both really offer, it will be easier for you to choose the right Wedding Photo and Video Package. Let’s explore why both matter.

When couples think about things they have to organise for their wedding, Photos are usually high up on the list, and for good reason. They have been a tradition for years and everyone you speak to, no matter their age, usually has a wedding album or online gallery. My grandma proudly presented her wedding photo in her living room display cabinet, I clearly remember it was a black and white photo and they both had a very serious look on their face. It was a heirloom that has been passed down to my aunt and means a lot to the whole family.

Today Photos have become more than just a serious black and white photo of the family, Photographers capture the whole day (and sometimes even a day before or after) to get pictures of everything that is happening on the day. From preparation, to the ceremony and reactions of guests during the speeches. And since cameras and skills these days are very high, added stylistic sunset photos make your album really stand out.

Photos have always held a special place and they always will. They’re easy to share, simple to display, and timeless in their appeal. A single image can capture a fleeting moment and turn it into something you can hold, hang, and revisit for years to come. It’s more than just a picture it’s a slice of your wedding day, preserved forever.

While photos freeze a moment, video brings it back to life. It captures the way you moved, the way you laughed, and the exact tone in your voice as you said your vows. It’s one thing to see a picture of your first dance but hearing the music, seeing your guests cheer, and watching the movement of the dress as you twirled? That’s something only video can do.

You remember the wedding stories from the beginning of the blog post,  where her dad’s voice cracked as he tried to keep it together. The video captured his expressions, tone of voice you can feel it watching the video. The soft “aww” that ripple through the guests, and then laughter as he made a joke to recover. You just don’t get that in a photo, but watching it on video brings it all rushing back, every time.

Wedding videos have come a long way too, they’re not just long raw footage anymore. Today’s videographers create cinematic highlights, documentary-style edits, and emotional reels you can watch over and over again. They don’t just record what happened they tell your story.

Having a wedding video means you’ll never forget how it all sounded, how it all moved, and how it all felt.

Photos and videos each bring something special to the table, and while either one is a beautiful way to remember your day, relying on just one means you might miss out on a few things.

If you only go with photography, you’ll have stunning images but you won’t relive the father seeing the bride for the first time, the “I do’s” and the crowd cheering. You’ll see the speech, but you won’t hear the heartfelt words or the roar of laughter after a funny toast. Sometimes, the energy and emotion of a moment really comes alive in motion.

On the other hand, if you choose only video, you’ll capture the movement and sound but you might miss those quiet, carefully composed portraits that become family favourites. You won’t have the stills to frame, to hang on the wall, or to print in a beautiful album you can flip through with your grandparents over coffee.

Each one tells the story in a different way. One freezes it. The other replays it. Together, they make your memories feel whole.

Weddings can get expensive fast, and it’s totally normal to look at your budget and ask, “Do we really need both photo and video?”

On average, photography and videography are among the larger investments in your wedding but they’re also two of the only things you’ll still have long after the day is over.

Photographers typically charge a bit less than videographers, though this can vary based on experience, location, and coverage time.

If you’re on the fence and trying to make room in your budget, consider what really matters. Will anyone remember the favours? Or the third kind of canapé? Probably not. But your photos and video? You’ll go back to them again and again. If there’s something to trim, it might be worth looking beyond the camera crew because when the day is done, those are the memories you’ll actually keep.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to what matters most to you. Some couples are drawn to the aesthetic the beautifully posed portraits, the golden-hour shots, the timeless feel of a wedding album. Others are all about the emotion the sound of vows, the laughter, the dance floor moments that only video can capture.

Don’t forget, you can ask your vendors. Many photographers and videographers are happy to work within a certain budget or suggest creative ways to make both options accessible. Whether that’s a shorter highlight film or fewer hours of photo coverage, there’s often a middle ground that still gives you the memories you’re hoping to hold onto.