10 Questions to Ask Your Elopement Videographer Before Booking
Eloping is about intentionality on your wedding day and focusing on what matters most, and that can apply to asking the right questions of the vendors you’re considering to be a part of your day! Elopement videography is a different world from traditional wedding videography: smaller crews, remote locations, unpredictable weather, and a more intimate, documentary feel. Of course, elopement videographers are game for all of these things and are well equipped to provide all the best services for your day. Here are 10 questions you can ask elopement videographers you’re interested in working with before you book with them! We do recommend checking these out as a couple and seeing what your ideal answers are and booking your videographer from there :-)
1. Do you specialize in elopements, or mainly traditional weddings?
As we mentioned, elopements require a different skill set than a 200-guest ballroom wedding. An elopement videographer knows how to work solo, move quickly and quietly, capture intimate unscripted moments, and adapt to remote or off-grid locations. Ask to see elopement-specific work, not just traditional wedding highlight reels, since the pacing and style are often super different!
See how we operate in unique terrain such as ~the slopes~
2. Can you travel to remote or hard-to-reach locations?
Many elopements, especially in Colorado where we are, happen on mountaintops, in national parks, on cliffsides, or in other locations with limited or no vehicle access. Ask whether your videographer is comfortable hiking with gear, filming in variable terrain, and working around permit restrictions or altitude. If your location requires a permit or has drone restrictions, confirm your videographer knows how to navigate that. Of course, if they are an elopement videographer, they should be solid on this one and can probably even recommend epic spots for your elopement!
3. What's included in your elopement package specifically?
Elopement packages often differ from full wedding packages specially through shorter coverage windows, lighter equipment, and more simple deliverables. Ask exactly what's included: hours of coverage, drone footage, audio recording of vows, and turnaround time for your final film. Because elopements are typically more compact days, make sure the package reflects that instead of paying for hours you won't use!
4. How do you work solo in intimate settings without disrupting the moment?
With just the two of you (and maybe a small handful of guests), a videographer's presence is much more noticeable than at a large wedding. Ask how they move discreetly, use quiet or handheld equipment, and stay unobtrusive so the day still feels authentic rather than staged for the camera. We also recommend feeling out the vibe of the videographer to make sure there’s no clash of personalities on your elopement day.
5. Can we see a full-length elopement film, not just a highlight reel?
A highlight reel is a polished collection of moments from different elopements and set to music. It’s a great sales tool, but doesn’t necessarily showcase an actual elopement day playing out. A full-length elopement film shows you how the videographer will capture your day. The big laughs, the unscripted moments as well as your vows, a shared look, the hike to the ceremony spot, etc. This is the best way to judge whether their storytelling style matches the feel you want. A lot of times, elopement videographers will have full length elopement films on their website or on a YouTube Channel for you to peruse. You can see an example of this by looking at our YouTube page!
6. Do you have experience filming vows that are said outdoors?
Outdoor audio can definitely be tricky! You’re at the mercy of the elements out there… wind, distance, and open air all can make it harder to capture clear vows if proper equipment isn’t utilized. Ask what equipment they use to record audio outdoors (lapel mics, wind protection, etc.) so your vows aren't lost to background noise in the final film!
7. What if there is bad weather on the elopement day?
Elopements can be weather-dependent, especially with outdoor or high-elevation locations. Ask how your videographer handles a last-minute weather shift, whether they've filmed in similar climates before, and what their contingency plan looks like if the location becomes inaccessible on the day.
8. How long until we receive our final video?
Turnaround times vary, but many elopement videographers offer faster delivery than traditional wedding packages since the footage volume is smaller. Get a specific delivery window in writing, especially if you're eloping ahead of a larger celebration and want the video ready to share at the party!
9. Do you offer combined photo and video coverage, or work with a photographer?
Many couples who elope will hire a single photo-and-video team to keep the day simple and low-key, while others may hire two separate vendors. Ask whether your videographer offers photos as well or has experience working alongside photographers in tight, intimate settings without getting in each other's way! Something to keep in mind on a separate photo and video vendor situation is that the editing styles from two vendors may not look the exact same whereas a photo and video team will have consistency editing styles and formats for both.
10. What is your pricing structure, and are there travel fees?
Elopement locations can be a trek (no pun intended!) from the videographer’s home base, especially if they’re a destination videographer, so travel fees have the potential of adding up quickly. It’s something to just touch base about quickly with your potential videographer if they don’t mention it in their collections or pricing guide. If you’re able and if it’s relevant, try to get a full breakdown of costs upfront, including mileage, lodging for destination elopements, and any permit-related costs, so there are no surprises after you book!
Final Thoughts
Elopements are personal, intimate, and often happen in some of the most beautiful (and sometimes remote!) settings you can find! Your videographer should be well equipped to match that energy without intruding on it. At Castlehouse Videography, we welcome every one of these questions (even preemptively cover them, most of the time!) and encourage couples to ask them of any elopement videographer they're considering, us included!
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book an elopement videographer? Most couples book their elopement videographer 3–6 months in advance, though popular destination locations and peak seasons (like fall in mountain regions) may require booking earlier!
Is elopement videography cheaper than traditional wedding videography? Often, yes. Elopement packages typically cover fewer hours and simpler logistics than a full wedding, though remote or destination locations can add travel costs that offset some of the savings.
Do I need a permit for videography at national parks or public land elopements? Many national parks and public lands require a commercial filming permit for professional videographers, even for small elopements. Ask your videographer whether they handle permitting or whether it's the couple's responsibility.
Can a videographer also take photos at my elopement? Some videographers offer hybrid photo-and-video coverage, which works well for elopements that want simple, low-key coverage with one person instead of two.
What if bad weather ruins our elopement location? A good elopement videographer will have backup location ideas or flexible scheduling built into their process, so ask about their contingency plan before booking.
