Raw Footage vs. Edited Wedding Video — What’s the Difference?
Raw Footage vs. Edited Wedding Video — What’s the Difference?
You’re planning to hire a videographer — amazing! But now you’re hearing about raw footage and wondering:
What is it exactly?
Should you ask for it?
And how is it different from your highlight film or ceremony edit?
Let’s break it down.
Whether you're planning a big Orange County wedding or a backyard celebration, knowing the difference between raw and edited wedding video helps you make informed decisions — and avoid surprise charges or confusion later.
🎞️ What Is Raw Wedding Footage?
Raw footage is the unedited, straight-from-the-camera video files your videographer records during your wedding.
Here’s what to know:
📼 It includes everything — usable clips, behind-the-scenes shots, and even camera shake.
🎙️ Audio may be unpolished or come from backup sources (not synced).
📂 It’s often delivered in dozens of large video files, sometimes without labels.
Think of raw footage as the ingredients — and edited video as the finished meal.
✂️ What Is an Edited Wedding Video?
This is what most couples think of when they picture their wedding video. Edited footage includes:
🎬 A highlight film — typically 3–7 minutes long, beautifully scored to music.
💍 A ceremony video — entire ceremony in real time with clean cuts, synced audio, and multiple angles.
🥂 A reception video — full speeches toasts and dances in real time from multiple angles
All editing is done by professionals to create a cohesive, polished viewing experience.
🧠 Key Differences: Raw vs. Edited
Benefits of raw footage versus edited video of wedding
🤔 Do You Really Need Raw Footage?
That depends on what you want after the wedding. Ask yourself:
Do you want every single moment, even if it’s not “camera ready”?
Are you planning to re-edit the footage later?
Do you have tech skills to handle large video files?
For most couples, edited videos are all they need. But if you’re sentimental, a DIY editor, or just want backups of everything, raw footage can be worth it.
📦 Is Raw Footage Included in All Packages?
Not always! In fact:
Some videographers don’t offer raw footage at all
Others charge a $250–$1000 add-on fee
Some include it by default (usually at higher price points)
📍 At Shoreline Weddings, we offer raw footage as an optional add-on to keep our base packages more affordable. This way, you only pay for what you truly want.
💡 See our affordable wedding videography packages
🎯 When to Ask for Raw Footage
Consider requesting raw footage if:
You’re having a long ceremony and want it captured start to finish
Your friends or family might want to rewatch moments not included in the highlight
You want the ability to revisit every candid, not just the best-of moments
You want to keep every second of video, even if it’s messy
🛑 When You Might Skip Raw Footage
You probably don’t need it if:
You’re primarily interested in the highlight film
You’d rather not sift through 50+ files
You want a stress-free, ready-to-watch experience
You trust your videographer to craft something beautiful from start to finish
📂 How Is Raw Footage Delivered?
Most videographers will provide raw footage:
Via a downloadable drive link (like Google Drive or Dropbox)
Or on a USB drive for an additional fee
As large individual clips — not a single film
Tip: Ask about storage time. Some videographers only keep raw footage for 30–60 days.
💬 The Shoreline Weddings Approach
We’re transparent about what we offer and why. Every video package includes:
A cinematic highlight film
Full ceremony and reception edits
Clean audio and multi-angle coverage
If you’d like the raw footage — we’ll organize and deliver it, no problem. But we won’t charge you for something you didn’t ask for.
📲 Check our pricing page
📸 See our affordable Orange County wedding videography options
🔗 Related Reads
📝 Final Thoughts
Raw footage can be a valuable archive — but it’s not essential for every couple. Talk to your videographer, weigh your options, and focus on what will help you relive your wedding day joyfully — not stressfully.
Still have questions?
Check our FAQ or book a call — we’d love to walk you through it!
Check out these additional resources explaining more about RAW Footage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtoNdP60M6I
https://vimeo.com/211567905/f9f3dc7757
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqzlschRrpU (**disclaimer about this video** - The speaker mentions that RAW footage formats are not usable by the consumer. Typically this is true but we convert everything to something user friendly before we send it to you)