Hiring the right videographer can be a tricky business with all of the talented professionals in Portland, Oregon. But your wedding video deserves the best, whether it's a small ceremony at the Hoyt Arboretum or a big bash at the North Star Ballroom. Learn how to find the right videographers for you.

Are you looking for wedding videographers specifically? There are a number of factors to consider. First, look for videographers who specialize in weddings. This may go without saying, but someone whose prize-winning video highlights the history of the Portland Saturday Market might not have the same expertise when it comes to catching romantic moments. Make sure you see a videographer's past work in its entirety, not just a quick "best of" reel.

One easy way to find reliable professionals is to ask the other vendors you've already hired. An experienced business will have already worked with similar events around Portland and will be able to give you names of reliable videographers they've worked with previously. Also ask friends and family who have hosted events in Portland before. Personal recommendations are a great way to ensure good service.

What style wedding video are you envisioning? Portland videographers come in many flavors. While most professionals have a range of styles they can produce, it helps to see eye-to-eye with your vendors about what the ideal final video should look like. Bring a shot list to your pre-wedding meetings and go over any specific moments or guests you want (or do not want) to capture. If you're planning a surprise "impromptu" swing dance with your new spouse, for example, you want to make sure your videographer is in the know.

Do you have amateur filmmaker friends or family who want to record your special day? You should still hire a Portland professional, but if you want to avoid stepping on toes, you can always encourage everyone to bring cameras; the more, the merrier! It won't stop your professional videographer from capturing a great wedding video, and the extra cameras might catch some great bonus footage.

Look for Portland videographers in our vendor listings and find the right person for you!