How many weddings should you shoot?

How many weddings should you shoot? What is the sweet spot for bookings? Is it possible to still make enough money to thrive and not shoot 2 weddings every single weekend?
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[@MBWeddingFilms]

In 2013 when I started filming weddings I did 13. It wasn't much however I was learning and actually doing them alongside my Dad who was a photographer. So they were actually getting the video for free. I wasn't comfortable charging yet. 2014: 23 weddings. I believe this is the year we started charging a small fee alongside the photography package they had originally booked us for. Really trying to learn as much as possible still at this point. 2015: 30 weddings. 2016: 41 Weddings. This was a pivotal year for me. I was so busy between university and weddings I had to make a choice. I never LOVED school, so I chose to peruse my passion of filming weddings. It was an amazing year. Couples loved their videos and my name was getting thrown around all over town. 2017: 48 weddings. Now this is where I started to really feel I was overworking myself. Yes I am charging more now, however I was still saying yes to every inquiry I was available. While also doing a lot more with each film. Trying my hardest to tell a story using all the audio I captured throughout the day. I was so busy and felt I was doing amazing since I started booking up 2018 pretty early and felt really good about myself. However, I didn't want to get burnt out so I was conflicted. 2018: 46 Weddings.This year I became obsessed with story. I wanted people to watch my films and really understand the couple, their relationship and how they met, etc. Which has definitely added to the time it takes to complete each wedding, Backlog is longer than ever this year and I'm currently working on a wedding from September 1st... I know it's long however I make each and every couple aware of the wait time and always keep them up to date. So for 2019 I have 28 videos booked. I'm pretty happy with that and don't plan to book much more and after watching this video plan to up my prices again. I want to get my wait time down for my couples while still providing them with an amazing video that tells the story of their day. I do not regret the amount of weddings I've filmed in past years because I truly felt it has taught me so much about this industry. I love filming weddings and look forward to many more years of telling the story of all my amazing couples!

[@Forestryfilms]

So awesome that you were able to find a great balance!

[@GraceEJones-wr3ql]

I loved hearing your perspective on bookings and how you go about it now! Thanks so much for sharing such awesome information!!

[@Forestryfilms]

GRACE!! So awesome to hear from you! Hope you and Brandon are doing well :D So glad the video was insightful!

[@BlnkFilms]

Thank you for addressing this topic so candidly! Everything you're sharing is speaking right from my soul. I set a limit for 20 bookings this year and am learning it's ok to say no and take certain times in the year off. Big fan of you guys and I'm thankful for the education and insight you provide!

[@Forestryfilms]

Yes!! So proud of you girl! It seriously is lifechanging when you are able to set a cap. It helps you give that much more to each and every couple. So glad all these education videos have been helping :)

[@banjobarry08]

Keeping at least one weekend free in each of the summer months has helped prevent burnout. In colder climates, prime wedding season is June to September, but it doesn’t mean you have to film a wedding every weekend if you’re charging what you’re worth.

[@vivasonoma]

I just faced the same barrier in 2018. Shot more events then I can really handle in editing and just lost some motivation. Definitely following your process and ensure I am really serving our clients and not get burned out.

[@Forestryfilms]

Absolutely man! I completely know where you are at. Just remember it's your business and you can decide how burned out you want to be.

[@vitalina2984]

Same I can’t do so much you start hating what you do because you’re a slave to it

[@Forestryfilms]

Yep! You really have to figure out what your limit is and how you can serve your clients best!

[@jjr334]

Thank you so much for this kind of videos. Blessing for you and your family 👏🏻

[@Forestryfilms]

You're so welcome Josue!

[@SamMegan]

Raising prices was so scary! We have recently raised out price £200 and it didn't affect the amount we were booking at all :) Still a long way to go but it's a good start. Thanks for the great video man!

[@Forestryfilms]

Yes!!! So glad you did it!

[@nino-simp]

I totally agree! As an unmarried man but in a relationship and working part time as a video producer at a mega church I had to tone down the amount of wedding films I did in order to allow care and creativity to go into each one. Great video! I just was wondering how do you deliver your films to your clients? I currently do USBs in a wooden box but sometimes the USB will have issues when the clients play it back. Hence why I give them a Vimeo link but what’s your current method of delivery out of curiosity?

[@Forestryfilms]

Thanks so much Samuel! Currently we make a custom wedding website for our clients via wordpress. Hopefully I can make a video on this process soon!

[@Dorntofilm]

Love your guys work I have 2 questions: are you guys still mainly using c100's as your main cameras and what lenses do you usually use at a weddings ?

[@banjobarry08]

Steven Dorn following.

[@wildefilms2617]

Good advice. Super helpful and encouraging.

[@RolandoCocom]

This is great advice.

[@Forestryfilms]

Thanks!

[@kakalenci]

Valuable advice.Thanks.

[@Forestryfilms]

How about you guys? How many weddings do you aim to shoot a year?

[@freddaus5253]

what camera you used to shoot this?.. :)

[@Forestryfilms]

@@freddaus5253 Great question! We used the GH5!

[@freddaus5253]

@@Forestryfilms thanks.. just wonder because usually your wedding video 1080p..but this 4k.. :)

[@oliviaadamwhite6564]

20 would be great

[@banjobarry08]

12-15 would be perfect, especially if they are all medium level or higher packages. Filming once per month helps keeps the creative eye sharp and motivation present.

[@BrittEverAfter]

I'm having a difficult time to get clients in the first place.

[@Forestryfilms]

I'm so sorry to hear that Britt! Best way to get more clients at first is to work for free and really put your heart and soul into each project. This should really help get you to the next level :)

[@BrittEverAfter]

@@Forestryfilms I have done a few things for free but also have bills to pay. The other part of my business is doing pretty good though.

[@MetaPoglyad]

great tips

[@Forestryfilms]

So glad they were helpful!