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The term "Wedding Content Creator" has emerged in the New Zealand wedding industry over the last couple of years, and in 2024 - it's officially a new vendor category.

In this timely piece, we cover what a Wedding Content Creator is, the benefits of booking one, how other vendors feel about them - and how their emergence affects the broader wedding market here in Auckland!

What is a Content Creator?

In short, a Content Creator is a vendor whose role is to capture low-fi footage of your wedding day, generally on an iPhone.

They don't replace traditional photographers and videographers, but rather - provide a completely different type of wedding content.

While professional photographers and videographers are non-negotiables for capturing the story of your day through beautiful photography and cinematic wedding films - Content Creators serve a different purpose.

They capture short-form content, which you can easily share as Instagram Reels or TikTok videos shortly after the wedding.

It's undeniable that social media has made its mark on the world, and naturally - its influence has reached the wedding industry.

TikTok and Instagram Reels are an aesthetically pleasing and accessible way for couples to share snippets of their big day - so why not hire someone to take care of the content for you?

In light of the ever-evolving world of social media, this new wedding service makes total sense.


How much does a Content Creator cost?

As with all vendors, pricing depends on experience, coverage length, and promised deliverables.

Some Content Creators will work on an hourly rate basis, while others will offer specific packages.

Packages may start at 4 hours, with the next option being 6 hours and the most extensive package including 8 hours onsite.

Think about what you'd like captured - getting ready in the morning, the ceremony, cocktail hour, photoshoot, reception - or all of the above!

Depending on how much of an investment you'd like to make into content creation - you can expect to pay anywhere from $750 to $2,400.


What are the benefits of having a Content Creator?

A 24-hour turnaround time

One of the key selling points of wedding content creation is a fast delivery time - with most Content Creators providing the footage within 24 hours of your wedding. The morning after your wedding can feel like a fever dream. Having a folder of footage to flick through on your honeymoon will be the perfect cure for the post-wedding blues - allowing you to reminisce, post and share with your followers!

Have a phone-free wedding

With a Content Creator on the job, there's no need for your bridal party or guests to be on their phones, and you can easily encourage a device-free wedding. The knowledge that someone is there specifically to capture bts/candid iPhone footage will remove any pressure and allow everyone to be fully present and soak up the day.

No awkward cropping

Wedding films are generally shot in landscape, whereas Content Creators will shoot in portrait - specifically for Instagram Reels and TikTok. This takes the thinking out of it on your end, and also ensures you're not upsetting your videographer by cropping their work incorrectly!

It's all in the details

Because your photographer and videographer will be primarily focused on capturing the formalities, key moments, beautiful portraits and ultimately the story of your day - your Content Creator has the opportunity to capture the smaller details. For example - the way your dress moves, the golden hour light on your skin, the hand-holding, forehead kisses and everything in between.

What to look for in a Content Creator?

Though wedding content creation is on an upward trajectory in New Zealand, it's still a relatively new service. With that in mind, it can be tricky to know what to look for and what questions to ask.

Here are a few factors to consider when booking a Content Creator:

You understand and dig their style

It goes without saying that when booking a Content Creator, the most significant factor is to ensure you align with their style. You can only know this by viewing a substantial amount of their work. If they're new to the wedding industry and don't have a huge portfolio of weddings under their belt, you could ask to see content they've captured in other industries or even for their own profiles.

Previous experience and how they work alongside photographers/videographers

As with any vendor, you'll feel more confident knowing this isn't their first rodeo and, more importantly - that they know how to work alongside your photographer and videographer! We don't want anyone stepping on anyone else's toes!

Deliverables and timeframes

Ensure you have selected the package that suits you. If you're hoping to post to social media the day after the wedding, you might want to opt for a package that includes edited reels. A folder filled with video clips is awesome, but if you're on the wedding comedown and want to post something - it may be overwhelming! Opting for edited content will allow you to share the exciting news quickly, and without any hassle.


What iPhone are they shooting on?

Though low-fi content is the idea, there are still varying degrees of quality. You may want to ask your Content Creator what iPhone version they will use on your wedding day so that your expectation is set.

Who owns the content?

After all is said and done, who actually owns the content? Many Content Creators may use footage from your wedding on their portfolio (as would any other wedding vendor), so if certain content is especially sensitive to you - instigate these conversations beforehand to make sure you have autonomy over what is shared and where.

How do photographers feel about Content Creators?

Many photographers and videographers in New Zealand have embraced the emergence of Content Creators, with some even offering the service as an add-on to their own packages!

We asked a couple of our favourite Auckland wedding photographers to share their thoughts on the topic.

The lovely Rebecca shares her thoughts:

"When content creators started popping up, it made total sense to me. Rather than seeing it as a threat, I saw it as an opportunity to serve my couples with a new add-on. Your wedding is one of the most memorable days of your life; why wouldn't you want unfiltered, candid photos and videos? It's a completely different style from the professional photos and video, so in no way is it in competition. 

When couples book my content creation add-on, they get hundreds of iPhone photos and videos airdropped to them on the night of their wedding. Whether they want it for their own memories of social media, I think it's a great service for any wedding day!"

Hear more of Rebecca's thoughts on Wedding Content Creation, here.


We also got to hear from Ioana of Sélea Photography:

"As a wedding photographer, I've never felt that Content Creators would somehow replace us. They fulfil a very different role than that of a photographer or videographer. I am a firm believer in an abundance mindset - that there is space for all of us, and if people see the value in this service, so do I!

It is however by far a much easier job to perform and deliver than that of a photographer or videographer, as it doesn't include nearly as much prepping, guiding or editing. (They are capturing behind the scenes after all!) Therefore their price should reflect that."

At the end of the day, the more footage of your wedding, the better - right?

Here at Auckland Weddings, we're excited to launch our Wedding Content Creator category - allowing you to browse the best in the business of content creation!

Images by Sélea Photography