Planning a Destination Wedding in Spain or Italy? Here's What to Know About Hiring a Videographer
- Hayley Narvaez
- Sep 2
- 6 min read
Spain has been part of my life for a long time now, long before it became part of my work too. My husband is Spanish, and I lived in San Sebastián myself for three years, travelling extensively through different parts of the country during that time. So when couples hire me as their destination wedding videographer in Spain, it never feels like just a job title. It's personal.
If you're planning to marry in Spain or Italy and you're trying to figure out how hiring a wedding videographer for a wedding abroad actually works, from cost to travel to timing, here's what I'd tell you if we were sitting down over coffee about it.
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Why Spain and Italy Are So Popular for Destination Weddings
There's a reason so many couples end up choosing Spain or Italy for their wedding. The light is different, the buildings have centuries of character built into them, and there's a kind of ease to how people live and celebrate there that's hard to find anywhere else.
Italy
As a destination wedding videographer in Italy, Tuscany is somewhere I keep coming back to. The golden hour there does half the work for you. I filmed a wedding at Villa Merlo Nero, and even on a scorching 40 degree day, the light through the hills made every frame feel like it belonged in a film already. You can see more from that day here.
Spain
Spain has its own kind of magic, especially somewhere like San Sebastián. The Basque coast has a mix of old town charm and dramatic scenery that gives a film so much to work with, not just the ceremony itself but everything around it. I shot a wedding there for a local couple, and you can see how that came together here.
Both places also work logistically. They both have direct flights from the UK and much of Europe, a huge range of venues, and vendors who are used to working with couples from abroad.
How to Hire a Destination Wedding Videographer
If you've never done this before, it can feel like a bigger task than it needs to be. It's really not that different from hiring anyone locally, you just need to factor in a few extra questions around travel and timing.
Here's what to know before hiring a destination wedding videographer.
Destination Wedding Videographer Costs in Spain & Italy
This varies a lot depending on the videographer, the length of coverage, and where you're getting married.
My pricing typically starts from a base rate similar to my local Perth weddings, plus travel costs on top. I'd always recommend asking for a clear breakdown rather than one lump sum, so you know exactly what you're paying for.
What’s Included in a Package
This is one of the most useful things to ask, because it varies a lot between videographers. Most destination wedding videographer packages include full day coverage, a cinematic sneak peek, a handcrafted highlight film, and where possible, some Super 8 footage as well.
Some videographers offer multi-day coverage too, which is worth asking about if you're planning events that will last a few days.
How Far in Advance to Book a Destination Wedding Videographer
I'd say as early as you can once your date and venue are locked in. I only take on a limited number of European weddings each year, so my calendar for Spain, Italy, Greece and France fills up well ahead of the season. 12 months out isn't too early.
Travel Fees
Almost always, you'll need to cover this separately. Destination wedding videographer travel fees usually cover flights, accommodation, and sometimes local transport, and they're typically quoted separately from the videography package itself. I always lay this out clearly upfront.
Booking for Elopements
Absolutely, this is an option. As an elopement videographer throughout Europe, some of my favourite work has come from smaller celebrations.
What I Love About Destination Weddings
A destination wedding gives you the chance to tell a much bigger story than just the ceremony itself. The location, the people who've travelled to be there, the days leading up to it, the food, the streets, the atmosphere of the place … all of it becomes part of the film. For me, the destination becomes part of the story I'm telling.
That's also why destination weddings don’t need to be huge, multi-day events with 150 guests and a 5 day itinerary to be worth filming. I love shooting elopements and smaller celebrations just as much. A quiet ceremony in a beautiful place can give you an even more intimate story than a big one ever could.
I sometimes get asked why a couple would want me to travel with them to Europe rather than just finding a local videographer once they arrive. It comes down to this: you're not just booking someone to document the wedding day itself. You're booking someone who understands how to turn the whole destination experience into part of the film: the travel, the nerves, the people, the place, not just the two of you saying your vows.
What Makes a Destination Wedding Film Feel Different
My style is a blend of documentary and editorial, and I try to keep my presence on the day calm and unobtrusive. That approach matters even more when you're somewhere new, since half the magic of a destination wedding is the place itself, and I want that to come through in the film, not just the ceremony.
I often bring Super 8 into destination weddings specifically, since there's something about the grain and texture of it that suits older streets and golden light in a way digital alone doesn't. When people describe what they want from documentary style destination wedding films, it's usually something that captures real moments as they happen, with the setting woven into the story.
A Note From One Destination Wedding Couple
"We truly cannot put into words how grateful we are to have had Hayley as our wedding videographer. From the very beginning, she was an absolute dream to work with, supportive, kind, and incredibly professional in the lead up to the big day. We were so nervous as we were getting married abroad and just wanted it all to go smoothly. On the day itself, she was not only a total pro but also such a joy to be around. Our family were pulling up a chair for her to join in the celebrations, she felt like one of us.
Hayley went above and beyond at every opportunity and made us feel completely at ease throughout. The footage, the edits, the final film, everything turned out more beautifully than we could have ever imagined. The main film in particular was edited so cleverly and captured the day so perfectly. We honestly can't believe we almost didn't include videography in our wedding plans. This ended up being one of the most treasured parts of our entire experience. We could not recommend her more.
Thank you so much, Hayley. We'll cherish these memories forever, and we have no doubt this won't be the last time we see you."
FAQs: What to Know Before You Book
Q: Is Spain or Italy better for a destination wedding film?
A: Neither is better, they just offer something different. Italy has already done a lot of the branding work internationally, especially places like Lake Como, the Amalfi Coast and Tuscany. Mention "a Lake Como wedding" and most people can already picture the lake, the boats, the villas, the long tables. Spain can deliver that same level of luxury, it just hasn't been narrowly defined by it.
What I find more noticeable in Spain, at least from my own experience living there, is how much the regions differ from one another. A wedding in the Basque Country can feel completely different from one in Andalucía, Galicia, Catalonia or Mallorca. The language changes, the traditions change, and even the food changes. Italy has plenty of regional character too, but for me, it feels a little more pronounced across Spain.
Q: Do you only travel to Spain and Italy?
A: No, those are simply where most of my destination weddings have happened so far. I also travel to Greece and France, and I'm always open to discussing other locations if the timing and logistics work.
Q: What if the weather isn’t good on the day?
A: It happens more than people expect, even in places known for sunshine. I've filmed through rain and heat, and some of the most memorable footage comes from those unplanned moments.
Q: Should I book my photographer and videographer together?
A: You don't have to, but it can make the day easier logistically if both are used to working alongside each other. I'm always happy to coordinate directly with your photographer beforehand so the day runs smoothly for everyone involved.
Let's Talk About Your Wedding
If you're still working through the details of your own wedding abroad, I'd love to hear about it. Browse more of my destination films here, or get in touch to check availability for your dates.
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