What to Ask Your Destination Wedding Videographer | Pricing Guide
Planning a wedding abroad? Learn the questions you must ask a destination wedding videographer and how pricing and travel fees really work before booking
Why Destination Wedding Videography Requires Special Planning
A wedding abroad is more than a single day. It’s a travel experience shared with your closest people over several events, often spread across an entire weekend. Because so much happens beyond the ceremony and reception, destination videography requires a different approach than a local, one-day wedding
At MC Productions NJ, we capture destination weddings with a cinematic editorial approach, using intentional storytelling, two professional videographers, and full-weekend coverage designed to preserve the feeling of being there. From the Andes to the Caribbean, from coastal Europe to historic cities, our work is created to reflect the place, the culture, and your connection.
If you value timeless visuals, authentic storytelling, and professional travel-based filmmaking supported by a seamless experience, we would love to craft your wedding film.
Below are the most important questions couples should ask before booking a videographer for a wedding abroad, along with expert guidance based on industry best practices.
Do you offer full-weekend or multi-event coverage?
A destination wedding is rarely just one event. Your videographer should be equipped to capture multiple celebrations, scenic footage, and candid storytelling across two to three days. Ask if they cover welcome dinners, rehearsals, or post-wedding brunches.
Professional Standard: Full-weekend coverage should be available.
How does destination videography pricing work?
Some videographers inflate pricing for destination weddings. A transparent studio will keep package pricing the same as domestic weddings and only request travel accommodations.
Industry Best Practice: The client covers flight and hotel for the videographers.
Our Example: Same exact package pricing as domestic weddings. The client provides round-trip flight and hotel for two videographers for a minimum of three days.
What exactly is included in the package?
A complete destination video package should include multiple films and deliverables, not just one clip.
Standard Deliverables Should Include:
Highlight film
Feature-length movie
Sneak peek or trailer
Two videographers
Drone footage when permitted
Event coverage beyond the wedding day
Are drone fees, restrictions, and permits included?
Many countries and coastal areas require permissions or restrict drone usage due to weather, airspace, or local laws. Your videographer should handle this research and provide a backup plan.
Ask: How do you handle drone restrictions or inclement weather?
How many videographers will attend the wedding?
Destination weddings often require a minimum of two videographers to cover emotional moments happening at the same time, capture scenic footage, and manage drone operation safely.
Professional Standard: Two videographers plus drone capability.
How will you coordinate with our photographer, especially if they are not from the same region?
Your videographer should schedule a virtual meeting with your photographer and your planning team before travel. This ensures cohesive coverage, prevents workflow conflicts, and allows both teams to share creativity rather than compete for space.
Ask: Do you hold a pre-wedding meeting with our photographer and planner?
How long does the final video production take?
Destination videos require more editing time due to multiple events, drone footage, location audio, and storytelling.
Industry Range: 10 to 18 weeks depending on deliverables.
Will you scout the location before filming?
Scouting ensures that the team understands natural light, weather challenges, landscape opportunities, sound obstacles (ocean winds, mountain echoes, city noise), and ideal drone angles. This can be done the day before coverage or earlier in the weekend.
How to Plan and Book Your Destination Videographer
How to Coordinate Travel
Use your wedding hotel block for vendors as well
Verify travel details in the contract to prevent last-minute price surprises
Book flights with arrival at least one full day before coverage begins
What to Expect in Your Contract
A professional destination videography contract should clearly state:
Total package cost
All included deliverables
Travel coverage responsibilities
Number of shooters
Turnaround time
Drone contingency plan
Multi-event coverage details
When to Book
The ideal booking window for destination videography is 8 to 18 months before the event. Booking early avoids rising flight costs and increases the likelihood that your preferred creative team is available to travel.
What Clients Should Pay For
Standard videography package (same as domestic)
Round-trip flights for two videographers
Hotel accommodation for two videographers (minimum 3 days)
What You Should Not Have to Pay For
Daily travel fees
Extra baggage fees hidden in contracts
Food stipends
Local transportation fees unless pre-discussed
Unknown “location fees” without explanation
Why a 3-Day Stay is Standard
Videographers need enough time to:
Scout the venue and surrounding locations
Capture full-weekend coverage
Allow for weather backups for portraits or drone footage
Prevent rushed travel on wedding day
Do I need a local videographer from the wedding destination?
Not necessarily. Hiring someone familiar with your wedding style and communication approach is more important than hiring someone who lives there.
Will my videographer scout the location before filming starts?
Professionals scout upon arrival and research restrictions in advance.
What if drone footage is not allowed or weather prevents flying?
Cinematic ground alternatives should be planned, including gimbal motion, long-lens landscape shots, and aerial-style angles from terraces or cliffs.
Is it cheaper to hire videographers locally in another country?
Not always. Many destination regions have luxury pricing equal to or higher than U.S.-based creators. Working with someone who understands your expectations often brings better value.
Your wedding abroad deserves a film that honors the destination, the culture, the relationships, and the emotion behind the experience. At MC Productions NJ, we craft cinematic destination wedding films with a storytelling approach shaped by elegance, intention, and over 22 years of expertise. From the Andes to the Caribbean and across Europe, we capture weddings with depth, artistry, and a seamless travel experience for our couples.
If you’re dreaming of a wedding film that reflects who you are and the beauty of where you’re celebrating, we’d love to tell your story.
Contact us to begin your destination wedding journey.
Related Posts
The Ultimate Guide to Luxury Maternity Photography in New Jersey & NYC
Experience glamorous, editorial maternity photography in NJ & NYC. Studio + outdoor sessions, emotional portraits, and stunning fine-art options available.
How Photographers can Increase Revenue and Deliver a Premium Client Experience – 17 Hats
Want to grow your photography business and deliver a premium experience? Learn how 17hats CRM for photographers simplifies bookings, contracts, and client communication so you can save time, build trust, and increase revenue.
Join Mario Cornejo immersive class at Imaging USA 2026
Join master photographer Mario Cornejo at Imaging USA 2025 for an inspiring Spanish-language class that helps photography instructors and creatives grow their craft and purpose.