Free Wedding Videography Contract Template

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What is a Wedding videography contract?


As a wedding videographer, you are a special part of the wedding couple’s day. Capturing video footage is just as important as the photographs that get taken of the couple and their wedding party.

Wedding videography has become increasingly popular over the years as video quality has improved and advanced. To date, the average cost of a wedding videographer in the U.S. is $1,799. That’s a lot of money for a single supplier so your clients are going to have high expectations from the beginning.

A wedding videography contract is an agreement between the videographer and the client who hires them to shoot and edit a video of the wedding. This contract will often detail the wedding couple’s requests on desirable shots they’d like included and other relevant requirements.

As a freelancer, this contract will also include the costs of your services and any relevant clauses.

Note: For access to wedding video contracts, as well as other services, you can find them all at Bonsai. Sign up to Bonsai today for both free and premium access to this online platform. It’s perfect for both self-employed freelancers and small businesses.

What to include in the Wedding videography contract


When creating a wedding videography contract, there are some key things that are important to include. This help ensures both you and the client you’re working with knows exactly what to expect.

Here are some must-haves to include in a wedding videography contract template.

Basic contact details and agreed package prices

When drafting up a wedding videographer contract template, you’ll start with the basic contact details. This is your contact details, such as your name, address and business details where applicable.

You’ll also want to get your client’s information so that this can also go on the document too. Make sure that both contact details are present and correct for both parties.

The agreed package price should also be highlighted in this section. As a wedding videographer, you might have a number of different packages, so it’s important to clarify which one the client is receiving. Make sure to double check this as you don’t want to go offering packages that are worth a lot more than the agreed price!

Be clear on what’s included in each of the packages on the wedding videography contract also. You might already have it detailed on your website or portfolio, however it’s worth reminding the clients and having it written into the contract.

The deliverables as a wedding videographer

Another essential element in your wedding videography contract template is your deliverables as a supplier. Your services as a videographer might be different from others within your field. That’s why it’s important to detail everything you’ll be providing to your clients.

Before you do this, it’s worth sitting down with the wedding couple, whether it’s in-person or remotely to understand what it is they’re after. There might be limitations to what you can do or there may be upgrades/upsells that you can provide as part of the service overall.

When writing your wedding videography contract, it’s good to relate your deliverables to the location of the wedding ceremony and wherever the reception is taking place. For example, you may want to understand the wedding couple’s requirements for each of these venues in terms of footage.

A loose timeline or plan of the day

It’s not something that has to be entirely accurate but it might be worthwhile putting in a timeline or plan of the day. As a wedding videographer, you have a role to play and it can be handy for the client to know what you’ll be doing throughout the duration of your time at the wedding.

This can be helpful for the wedding couple to plan accordingly and to have a good idea of what to expect from you when the big day arrives.

Wedding videographers like photographers require structure and so it’s good to put a loose timeline in your wedding videography agreement.

Payment expectations

In order to ensure you’re paid on time, it’s a good idea to lay out your payment expectations for the client. Typically there’s a deposit that needs paying and then usually the final balance is paid three to six months prior to the wedding day.

However, you may choose to operate slightly differently and so it’s worth beating to the tune of your own drum when including this in your wedding videographer contract template.

Make sure you incorporate this into your wedding videographer contract, especially as wedding couples will have a lot of expenditures that they’re committed to closer to the day itself. You want to ensure they pay on time and if not, you have a payment agreement in place to chase for late payments.

Standard clauses for both parties to agree to

There are some standard clauses that will come with any contract but can be specific to the role in question. After all, it’s important to protect the interests of both parties when creating a contract that both will need to sign.

For your wedding videography contract template, here are a couple of standard clauses that you could add in.

Shooting exemptions - This could be in any scenario where a wedding guest does not want to appear on camera. A clause that states you to be exempt from video recording certain guests can help protect your reputation and respects the privacy of those who don’t want to be filmed.

Creative control - When hiring a videographer or photographer, the creative control ideally remains with the professionals. It can also prevent any unwarranted opinions or involvement from the wedding couple themselves.

When writing up your wedding videography contract, consider how strict or loose you are with creative control. You don’t want to give away too much of it!

Use of images - A wedding videographer may want to retain all of the copyrights of their imagery. This is something that may not be negotiable between the videographer and client. However, there might be certain clauses you want to mention that prevent or allow the resale or distribution of the wedding photos.

This is a good clause to put in your wedding videography contract, especially as some wedding couples may try to sell the images to others.

Booking fees and cancellation costs - Not every wedding is plain sailing and sometimes a cancellation or two may happen. With that said, a clause in place regarding cancellations is crucial. This is due to securing a date for the client and having them cancel last minute could mean a loss of money on your part.

Booking fees are also often useful to outline too where required. When it comes to your wedding videography contract template, it’s good to incorporate all of the relevant clauses that keep you and your work safe!

How to write a Wedding videography contract


Having a wedding videographer contract template can make everything a lot easier. You don’t need to worry about creating a structure when a premade template already has that covered. With a wedding videography contract template, you won’t forget anything that is vital to include.

When writing a wedding videography contract, it’s important to be clear and concise. If you’ve never created a wedding videographer contract before, then here are some tips.

Speak to the clients beforehand

Always speak to your clients first before filling out a wedding videography contract template. Every wedding couple is different from the next and so you can’t just create a generic videography contract that works for everyone.

Understanding each client’s wants and requirements will help you fill out the contract easily and as a result, there’s less back and forth between clients. When there’s multiple drafts of one contract, it can get confusing and can lead to misunderstandings between parties.

As a wedding videographer, it’s good to meet your client first and foremost. You should be in contact with them closer to the time. Your wedding videography contract should be sent once you’ve had that initial meeting.

Use Bonsai for a wedding videography contract template

As far as wedding videography contract templates go, Bonsai is a great option for those needing pre-made contracts. When creating a contract, why waste your time having to draft one from scratch?

A videography contract is a lot easier when you have a platform like Bonsai to utilize, especially when it provides the core details needed for this type of document already.

Making use of a wedding videography contract sample can be easier than having to make it from scratch.

Customize the wedding videography contract to your needs

A wedding videographer contract template will need customizing. This wil hep ensure that everything you’ve included is also considering your own needs and wants as a supplier.

Whilst you’re providing all the deliverables for the client, it’s also good to protect yourself from having to do any further work. It can be very easy to get your arm twisted by the client or for the client to lie and expect more from you.

When offering videography services as a wedding videographer, you want to be be straight to the point with what you will offer and what comes as extra.

Double check the details

Always double check the detail when it comes to contracts. Weddings are challenging to organize and so you can’t always rely on your wedding couple to read everything word for word. It’s important that you’ve gone over everything with a fine tooth comb before you send it off to the wedding couple.

Ideally, you want to minimize the number of amendments you make, so it’s worthwhile double-checking it all. There are likely to be a number of drafts that you’ll be amending when it comes to your wedding videographer contract but it’ll benefit both you and the client in the long-run.

Send off to the client for signing

Once you’ve incorporated everything you can think of when it comes to your wedding videography contract template, you’ll want to send it off to the client for signing. Be sure to offer the opportunity to sign physically or electronic signature, which is more common nowadays.

It’s always worthwhile setting a deadline of when you want the wedding videographer contract back.

Creating a Wedding videography contract is simple with Bonsai


When it comes to creating a wedding videography contract template, it can be hard work to create a document for every single client. Bonsai is a useful platform for helping cut down the time you’d spend creating these videography contracts. How does Bonsai benefit wedding videographers as well as many other freelancers?

It cuts down the effort and time required

One of the biggest benefits that Bonsai does with a wedding videography contract template is that it saves you time and effort. It’s important that you’re spending more time conducting your videography services, rather than spending it on admin.

Bonsai is a great one for helping draft up wedding videography contract templates quickly. You’ve got instant access to a wedding video contract that you can adapt to what wedding videography services you provide.

As a wedding videographer, your time is precious so a Bonsai contract template can be useful to have.

Bonsai top tip: There are plenty of other services that you can try out as a freelance wedding videographer. Why not track your expenses with Bonsai Tax? It’s great for those looking to effectively manage their accounts when doing their taxes.

A great first impression of professionalism for your clients

When using a wedding videography contract sample from Bonsai, you are using some of the best contracts out there. It’s a great first impression for your clients, especially when pretty much all of your clients are going to be completely new to you and your services.

For a wedding videographer, reputation is important so when you’re providing a wedding videography agreement, you want it to look the part.

Avoids any miscommunication or misinterpretation of the agreement

When writing out a wedding video contract, it can get complicated if you’re writing it from scratch. You may mention something earlier on that overlaps something further down the contract.

A wedding video contract from Bonsai is one that will avoid you missing out any important details. It can also be a helpful guide so that you’re not confusing your client or saying anything that they could misinterpret.

Wedding videography contracts are essential as a wedding videographer. It not only protects you as the supplier but it also provides all of the relevant details that your client needs to know.

Sample Wedding Videography Contract Template


That's a wrap for your wedding videography contract necessities. If you're ready to get your hands on your wedding videography contract template you can sign-up to Bonsai here and get going in a few clicks.

The entire agreement template is available for you to twist and tweak as you see fit, while having a legally vetted bare-bones template you know you can rely on.

Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about this template.

Why do you need a wedding videography contract?

A wedding videography contract is a must for all wedding videographers. Aside from it stipulates what are to be expected, it also protects you and your work.

Do wedding videographers give you raw footage?

Raw footages are usually provided by some wedding videographers for you to choose or keep. The couple may also request for this to be added in the contract.

On a document, write down the names/contact information for both the bride and groom and your business info. Include a description of the service rendered — wedding videos, in this case. You could also try Bonsai's free templates. Simply customize our attorney curated contracts and get your new client agreement off the ground..

On a document, write down the names/contact information for both the bride and groom and your business info. Include a description of the service rendered — wedding videos, in this case. You could also try Bonsai's free templates. Simply customize our attorney curated contracts and get your new client agreement off the ground..

What makes a good wedding video contract?

Of course, choosing Bonsai is your first port of call but making sure all the contract details are accurate and in place is key. As a binding contract, you want to ensure that you and your wedding clients are happy with what has been agreed. If you have any disputes then it’s worth getting these out of the way before you proceed with the work on the day of the wedding. It’s important that both parties are happy with the wedding details mentioned in relation to the contract.

How much does a wedding videographer earn?

A wedding videographer can earn a fair amount over the course of a year. With weddings taking place pretty much 365 days out of they year, there’s always an opportunity to work. With this in mind, the average videographer can make around $117,000 per year from creating wedding videos. A wedding video is a popular element for most modern-day weddings, so you’ll never be short of work once you’ve made a reputation for yourself.

How do you secure more work as a wedding videographer?

It’s all about reputation and being productive on the days when you’re working. Not only that but there are plenty of conferences that you could showcase at in order to secure work. You may want to adjust your video package services to cater to those with big budgets and smaller ones. You don’t want to price anyone out of using your services if you can help it. Get some business cards printed out and try to incorporate your own business branding into the content that you film. That way, anyone who watches it will instantly know who you are. Business cards are good for handing out or displaying them on the wedding reception for guests to pick up.

Template preview

Free Wedding Videography Contract Template

Wedding Videography Contract

Videographer
First Name
Last Name
Acme LLC.
Client
First Name
Last Name
Corporation Corp.

This Contract is between Client (the "Client") and Acme LLC (the "Videographer").

The Contract is dated [DATE BOTH PARTIES SIGN].

1. WORK AND PAYMENT.

1.1 Project. The Client is hiring the Videographer to do the following: [SERVICE DESCRIPTION]

1.2 Schedule. The Videographer will begin work on [START DATE] and will continue until the work is completed. This Contract can be ended by either Client or Videographer at any time, pursuant to the terms of Section 4, Term and Termination.

1.3 Payment. The Client will pay the Videographer a flat fee of [PROJECT RATE] (USD). Of this, the Client will pay the Videographer [DEPOSIT AMOUNT] (USD) before work begins.

1.4 Expenses. The Client will reimburse the Videographer's expenses. Expenses do not need to be pre-approved by the Client.

1.5 Invoices. The Videographer will invoice the Client at the end of the project. The Client agrees to pay the amount owed within [X DAYS TO PAY] days of receiving the invoice. Payment after that date will incur a late fee of [LATE FEE PERCENTAGE] % per month on the outstanding amount.

2. OWNERSHIP AND LICENSES.

2.1 Client Owns All Work Product. As part of this job, the Videographer is creating “work product” for the Client. To avoid confusion, work product is the finished product, as well as drafts, notes, materials, mockups, hardware, designs, inventions, patents, code, and anything else that the Videographer works on—that is, conceives, creates, designs, develops, invents, works on, or reduces to practice—as part of this project, whether before the date of this Contract or after. The Videographer hereby gives the Client this work product once the Client pays for it in full. This means the Videographer is giving the Client all of its rights, titles, and interests in and to the work product (including intellectual property rights), and the Client will be the sole owner of it. The Client can use the work product however it wants or it can decide not to use the work product at all. The Client, for example, can modify, destroy, or sell it, as it sees fit.

2.2 Videographer's Use Of Work Product. Once the Videographer gives the work product to the Client, the Videographer does not have any rights to it, except those that the Client explicitly gives the Videographer here. The Client gives permission to use the work product as part of portfolios and websites, in galleries, and in other media, so long as it is to showcase the work and not for any other purpose. The Client does not give permission to sell or otherwise use the work product to make money or for any other commercial use. The Client is not allowed to take back this license, even after the Contract ends.

2.3 Videographer's Help Securing Ownership. In the future, the Client may need the Videographer's help to show that the Client owns the work product or to complete the transfer. The Videographer agrees to help with that. For example, the Videographer may have to sign a patent application. The Client will pay any required expenses for this. If the Client can’t find the Videographer, the Videographer agrees that the Client can act on the Videographer's behalf to accomplish the same thing. The following language gives the Client that right: if the Client can’t find the Videographer after spending reasonable effort trying to do so, the Videographer hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Client as the Videographer's agent and attorney-in-fact, which appointment is coupled with an interest, to act for the Videographer and on the Videographer's behalf to execute, verify, and file the required documents and to take any other legal action to accomplish the purposes of paragraph 2.1 (Client Owns All Work Product).

2.4 Videographer's IP That Is Not Work Product. During the course of this project, the Videographer might use intellectual property that the Videographer owns or has licensed from a third party, but that does not qualify as “work product.” This is called “background IP.” Possible examples of background IP are pre-existing code, type fonts, properly-licensed stock photos, and web application tools. The Videographer is not giving the Client this background IP. But, as part of the Contract, the Videographer is giving the Client a right to use and license (with the right to sublicense) the background IP to develop, market, sell, and support the Client’s products and services. The Client may use this background IP worldwide and free of charge, but it cannot transfer its rights to the background IP (except as allowed in Section 9.1 (Assignment)). The Client cannot sell or license the background IP separately from its products or services. The Videographer cannot take back this grant, and this grant does not end when the Contract is over.

2.5 Videographer's Right To Use Client IP. The Videographer may need to use the Client’s intellectual property to do its job. For example, if the Client is hiring the Videographer to build a website, the Videographer may have to use the Client’s logo. The Client agrees to let the Videographer use the Client’s intellectual property and other intellectual property that the Client controls to the extent reasonably necessary to do the Videographer's job. Beyond that, the Client is not giving the Videographer any intellectual property rights, unless specifically stated otherwise in this Contract.

3. REPRESENTATIONS.

3.1 Overview. This section contains important promises between the parties.

3.2 Authority To Sign. Each party promises to the other party that it has the authority to enter into this Contract and to perform all of its obligations under this Contract.

3.3 Videographer Has Right To Give Client Work Product. The Videographer promises that it owns the work product, that the Videographer is able to give the work product to the Client, and that no other party will claim that it owns the work product. If the Videographer uses employees or subcontractors, the Videographer also promises that these employees and subcontractors have signed contracts with the Videographer giving the Videographer any rights that the employees or subcontractors have related to the Videographer's background IP and work product.

3.4 Videographer Will Comply With Laws. The Videographer promises that the manner it does this job, its work product, and any background IP it uses comply with applicable U.S. and foreign laws and regulations.

3.5 Work Product Does Not Infringe. The Videographer promises that its work product does not and will not infringe on someone else’s intellectual property rights, that the Videographer has the right to let the Client use the background IP, and that this Contract does not and will not violate any contract that the Videographer has entered into or will enter into with someone else.

3.6 Client Will Review Work. The Client promises to review the work product, to be reasonably available to the Videographer if the Videographer has questions regarding this project, and to provide timely feedback and decisions.

3.7 Client-Supplied Material Does Not Infringe. If the Client provides the Videographer with material to incorporate into the work product, the Client promises that this material does not infringe on someone else’s intellectual property rights.

4. TERM AND TERMINATION. This Contract is ongoing until the work is completed. Either party may end this Contract for any reason by sending an email or letter to the other party, informing the recipient that the sender is ending the Contract and that the Contract will end in 7 days. The Contract officially ends once that time has passed. The party that is ending the Contract must provide notice by taking the steps explained in Section 9.4. The Videographer must immediately stop working as soon as it receives this notice, unless the notice says otherwise. The Client will pay the Videographer for the work done up until when the Contract ends and will reimburse the Videographer for any agreed-upon, non-cancellable expenses. The following sections don’t end even after the Contract ends: 2 (Ownership and Licenses); 3 (Representations); 6 (Confidential Information); 7 (Limitation of Liability); 8 (Indemnity); and 9 (General).

5. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR.

The Client is hiring the Videographer as an independent contractor. The following statements accurately reflect their relationship:

  • The Videographer will use its own equipment, tools, and material to do the work.
  • The Client will not control how the job is performed on a day-to-day basis. Rather, the Videographer is responsible for determining when, where, and how it will carry out the work.
  • The Client will not provide the Videographer with any training.
  • The Client and the Videographer do not have a partnership or employer-employee relationship.
  • The Videographer cannot enter into contracts, make promises, or act on behalf of the Client.
  • The Videographer is not entitled to the Client’s benefits (e.g., group insurance, retirement benefits, retirement plans, vacation days).
  • The Videographer is responsible for its own taxes.
  • The Client will not withhold social security and Medicare taxes or make payments for disability insurance, unemployment insurance, or workers compensation for the Videographer or any of the Videographer's employees or subcontractors.

6. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

6.1 Overview. This Contract imposes special restrictions on how the Client and the Videographer must handle confidential information. These obligations are explained in this section.

6.2 The Client’s Confidential Information. While working for the Client, the Videographer may come across, or be given, Client information that is confidential. This is information like customer lists, business strategies, research & development notes, statistics about a website, and other information that is private. The Videographer promises to treat this information as if it is the Videographer's own confidential information. The Videographer may use this information to do its job under this Contract, but not for anything else. For example, if the Client lets the Videographer use a customer list to send out a newsletter, the Videographer cannot use those email addresses for any other purpose. The one exception to this is if the Client gives the Videographer written permission to use the information for another purpose, the Videographer may use the information for that purpose, as well. When this Contract ends, the Videographer must give back or destroy all confidential information, and confirm that it has done so. The Videographer promises that it will not share confidential information with a third party, unless the Client gives the Videographer written permission first. The Videographer must continue to follow these obligations, even after the Contract ends. The Videographer's responsibilities only stop if the Videographer can show any of the following: (i) that the information was already public when the Videographer came across it; (ii) the information became public after the Videographer came across it, but not because of anything the Videographer did or didn’t do; (iii) the Videographer already knew the information when the Videographer came across it and the Videographer didn’t have any obligation to keep it secret; (iv) a third party provided the Videographer with the information without requiring that the Videographer keep it a secret; or (v) the Videographer created the information on its own, without using anything belonging to the Client.

6.3 Third-Party Confidential Information. It’s possible the Client and the Videographer each have access to confidential information that belongs to third parties. The Client and the Videographer each promise that it will not share with the other party confidential information that belongs to third parties, unless it is allowed to do so. If the Client or the Videographer is allowed to share confidential information with the other party and does so, the sharing party promises to tell the other party in writing of any special restrictions regarding that information.

7. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

Neither party is liable for breach-of-contract damages that the breaching party could not reasonably have foreseen when it entered this Contract.

8. INDEMNITY.

8.1 Overview. This section transfers certain risks between the parties if a third party sues or goes after the Client or the Videographer or both. For example, if the Client gets sued for something that the Videographer did, then the Videographer may promise to come to the Client’s defense or to reimburse the Client for any losses.

8.2 Client Indemnity. In this Contract, the Videographer agrees to indemnify the Client (and its affiliates and their directors, officers, employees, and agents) from and against all liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) related to a third-party claim or proceeding arising out of: (i) the work the Videographer has done under this Contract; (ii) a breach by the Videographer of its obligations under this Contract; or (iii) a breach by the Videographer of the promises it is making in Section 3 (Representations).

8.3 Videographer Indemnity. In this Contract, the Client agrees to indemnify the Videographer (and its affiliates and their directors, officers, employees, and agents) from and against liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) related to a third-party claim or proceeding arising out of a breach by the Client of its obligations under this Contract.

9. GENERAL.

9.1 Assignment. This Contract applies only to the Client and the Videographer. The Videographer cannot assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Contract to a third-party (other than by will or intestate), without first receiving the Client’s written permission. In contrast, the Client may assign its rights and delegate its obligations under this Contract without the Videographer's permission. This is necessary in case, for example, another Client buys out the Client or if the Client decides to sell the work product that results from this Contract.

9.2 Arbitration. As the exclusive means of initiating adversarial proceedings to resolve any dispute arising under this Contract, a party may demand that the dispute be resolved by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with its commercial arbitration rules.

9.3 Modification; Waiver. To change anything in this Contract, the Client and the Videographer must agree to that change in writing and sign a document showing their contract. Neither party can waive its rights under this Contract or release the other party from its obligations under this Contract, unless the waiving party acknowledges it is doing so in writing and signs a document that says so.

9.4 Notices.

(a) Over the course of this Contract, one party may need to send a notice to the other party. For the notice to be valid, it must be in writing and delivered in one of the following ways: personal delivery, email, or certified or registered mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested). The notice must be delivered to the party’s address listed at the end of this Contract or to another address that the party has provided in writing as an appropriate address to receive notice.

(b) The timing of when a notice is received can be very important. To avoid confusion, a valid notice is considered received as follows: (i) if delivered personally, it is considered received immediately; (ii) if delivered by email, it is considered received upon acknowledgement of receipt; (iii) if delivered by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), it is considered received upon receipt as indicated by the date on the signed receipt. If a party refuses to accept notice or if notice cannot be delivered because of a change in address for which no notice was given, then it is considered received when the notice is rejected or unable to be delivered. If the notice is received after 5:00pm on a business day at the location specified in the address for that party, or on a day that is not a business day, then the notice is considered received at 9:00am on the next business day.

9.5 Severability. This section deals with what happens if a portion of the Contract is found to be unenforceable. If that’s the case, the unenforceable portion will be changed to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, unless that change is not permitted by law, in which case the portion will be disregarded. If any portion of the Contract is changed or disregarded because it is unenforceable, the rest of the Contract is still enforceable.

9.6 Signatures. The Client and the Videographer must sign this document using Bonsai’s e-signing system. These electronic signatures count as originals for all purposes.

9.7 Governing Law. The laws of the state of California govern the rights and obligations of the Client and the Videographer under this Contract, without regard to conflict of law principles of that state.

9.8 Entire Contract. This Contract represents the parties’ final and complete understanding of this job and the subject matter discussed in this Contract. This Contract supersedes all other contracts (both written and oral) between the parties.

THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE TO THE FOREGOING AS EVIDENCED BY THEIR SIGNATURES BELOW.

Videographer
First Name
Last Name
Acme LLC.
Client
First Name
Last Name
Corporation Corp.