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If you’ve found yourself asking, “What is a content creator and do we need one for our wedding?” you’re not alone. This is one of the biggest new trends I’ve seen popping up all over in weddings lately. In the this wedding planning advice post, I’m going to explain what a wedding content creator actually does, how they’re different from a photographer and videographer, and how to decide if hiring one makes sense for your day.
After more than 20 years working in weddings at The Garter Girl, hand-making wedding heirloom garters and helping thousands of brides feel confident and calm, I’ve watched vendor trends come and go. And this one? It’s sticking around.
Let’s get into talking all things wedding content creators and I’ll share some advice on how to decide if hiring one is right for your wedding.
Don't get stressed - get The Garter Girl’s FREE bridal fashion timeline packed full of everything brides need to order and when so they don’t miss out from wedding dress to undergarments and every outfit in between!
When brides ask what a content creator is, what they’re really asking is: “Isn’t that what my photographer and videographer are for?”
Not exactly.
A wedding content creator is someone hired specifically to create short-form, social media-ready content from your wedding day. Think vertical videos, behind-the-scenes clips, quick highlight moments, trending audio, and fast turnaround edits designed for Instagram or TikTok.
They are not focused on building your heirloom photo album or creating a cinematic 10-minute or more wedding film. Their job is capturing the vibe of the day in a way that’s immediately shareable on social media.
It’s less about legacy, and more about in-the-moment storytelling that's perfect to pop onto social media.
If you’re trying to understand whether you need a content creator, you first need to understand how this role differs from your traditional wedding vendors.
A wedding photographer’s job is to capture high-resolution, beautifully composed photography or images that will live in your album and on your walls for a lifetime. They are focused on lighting, timing, posing, and preserving your wedding memories in a timeless way.
A wedding videographer captures the full story of the day, including your vows, speeches, ceremony, and all the emotional moments woven together into a longer-form video film. This is your cinematic keepsake.
A wedding content creator, on the other hand, is focused on short, social-first clips. Quick edits. Vertical framing. Trend-based transitions. Behind-the-scenes moments.
These are three different jobs. Three different mindsets. Three different skill sets.
And here’s where I’ll give you my honest advice: I wouldn’t recommend asking one person to do all three.
When someone is trying to do multiple roles at once, their attention gets divided. If your photographer is also trying to capture vertical social media footage, that’s focus pulled away from your wedding portrait photos. If your videographer is worried about a trending transition, that’s energy not going into clean ceremony audio for use in your longer form wedding video.
On your wedding day, you want intentional focus for all your wedding vendors, not distraction.
If you’re wondering whether your videographer can create social media content instead of hiring a separate wedding content creator, the answer is: sometimes, but only if you plan for it in advance.This is where it gets more nuanced.
Many wedding videographers now offer short highlight clips or vertical edits as part of their package. That can absolutely work beautifully, if you talk about it in advance.
You cannot assume they’ll automatically capture trending content or specific social-style moments unless you’ve discussed it.
If there’s a certain style of wedding video or content you love or something trending that you want recreated, you need to be clear about that ahead of time. Social content requires planning, just like everything else.
Sometimes a second photographer or videographer assistant can help fill this role. But again, have the conversation. Make sure their primary responsibilities aren’t compromised.
And most importantly? Make sure all vendors know who is doing what.
There is nothing worse than multiple people crowding the same moment because no one clarified roles beforehand.
So, do you actually need to hire a wedding content creator for your wedding?Let’s talk about that. After understanding what a wedding content creator does and how they differ from a wedding videographer, the next step is deciding whether you actually need one.
The short answer is: No. You do not need a content creator to have a beautiful, meaningful wedding.
But you might want to hire a content creator if:
You care deeply about sharing your day online.
You want quick turnaround footage within 24–48 hours.
You love social trends and want them recreated intentionally.
You want behind-the-scenes clips your professional video may not include.
If social media feels like part of how you tell your wedding love story, it may be worth considering.
If you’re more focused on timeless heirlooms and unplugging from your phone for the day, you may not miss it at all.
There is no right or wrong here. Only what aligns with you.
Don't get stressed - get The Garter Girl’s FREE bridal fashion timeline packed full of everything brides need to order and when so they don’t miss out from wedding dress to undergarments and every outfit in between!
One unexpected benefit of hiring a wedding content creator is that it gives you, your wedding party, and your guests permission to put your phones away.
When no one has been assigned to capture social media moments, everyone assumes someone else will do it. Bridesmaids hold their phones during hair and makeup. Your wedding guests lean into the aisle with cameras out. Family members record the first dance from their seats, or get up and are on the dance floor.
It can subtly shift the energy of the day.
When you hire a wedding content creator specifically to capture behind-the-scenes clips and social media-ready video, there is clarity. Everyone knows the moments are being documented intentionally.
That trust allows you to be present instead of performing for a phone.
It allows your wedding party to relax instead of recording.
It allows your guests to watch your ceremony with their eyes instead of through a screen.
Your wedding photographer and wedding videographer are already focused on preserving your memories in a timeless way. A wedding content creator ensures that the social, shareable moments are handled too.
And when all of that is covered?
You get to live your wedding day instead of documenting it.
If you’re trying to save money or simplify your wedding vendor list, you might be wondering whether you can just ask a bridesmaid, family member, like a cousin or sister or brouther, or a close friend, to act as your wedding content creator.
The short answer is yes, you can. You can "hire" or not whoever you want for your wedding.
But here’s what you need to think about.
If someone is invited to your wedding as a guest or a member of your wedding party, they deserve to experience the day fully. When you assign them the responsibility of capturing social media content, they are no longer fully present. They are watching moments through a screen instead of living them alongside you.
A bridesmaid who is focused on filming behind-the-scenes clips isn’t relaxing during hair and makeup. A sister who is trying to record trending wedding videos isn’t fully immersed in your ceremony.
They are working.
If having polished, intentional social media content is important to you, hiring a dedicated wedding content creator ensures that the job is handled professionally, without taking away from the experience of the people you love most.
If they’re invited to celebrate you, let them be guests.
That’s a gift to them, and to you.
If you’re thinking about hiring a wedding content creator, it’s important to treat this decision just like hiring any other wedding vendor.
Even though wedding content creation is newer and centered around social media, this person is still part of your professional wedding vendor team. They are showing up on one of the most important days of your life. That deserves the same level of professionalism as your wedding photographer or wedding videographer.
First, make sure they operate as a legitimate business. A professional wedding content creator should have clear communication, a contract, defined deliverables, and deadlines for when you’ll receive your content. They should also carry business insurance, just like any other wedding vendor working at your venue.
Next, review their portfolio carefully. Social media can make everything look polished in 15 seconds. But you want to see consistency, full wedding-day coverage examples, and real client work, not just styled or editorial sessions, or influencer collaborations. You can ask for referrals and reviews from actual paying clients, just like you would with any of your other vendors.
And let’s talk about pricing. You'll likely find that wedding content creator's pricing is all over the place and wildly inconsistent from location to location and from creator to creator. This is because it's a newer wedding service, so there aren't uniform standards quite yet. So, this really comes down to what you value and if it's a priority enough to be included in your wedding budget.
As for pricing, will say this: If a wedding content creator’s package or price seems too good to be true, it likely is. Extremely low pricing can sometimes mean inexperience, unclear expectations, or a lack of business structure. This is your wedding day, not a test run for them.
Here's a few good questions to ask a wedding content creator before hiring them:
What exactly is included?
How many hours of coverage?
How quickly will content be delivered?
What format will you receive it in?
What happens if there is an emergency?
Hiring a wedding content creator should feel clear, professional, and secure, not vague or casual.
Social media may move fast.
Your wedding vendor decisions should not.
Don't get stressed - get The Garter Girl’s FREE bridal fashion timeline packed full of everything brides need to order and when so they don’t miss out from wedding dress to undergarments and every outfit in between!
If you’re considering hiring a wedding content creator, you probably still have a few questions before making a decision, here are answers to some of the most common questions...
Is a content creator cheaper than a videographer?
Often, yes. But they serve completely different purposes. One creates short-form social clips. The other creates a cinematic film of your entire day.
Will a content creator get in the way of my photographer?
They shouldn’t, if everyone knows in advance that each other exists. Communication between vendors is key.
Can my bridesmaids just take phone videos instead?
Of course they can. But they won’t be focused solely on capturing usable footage. A professional content creator is intentional about framing, lighting, and timing.
Will I regret not hiring one?
Only you know how important social sharing is to you. You will not regret investing in quality photography and videography. Those are your forever pieces.
Can my bridesmaid or family member be my wedding content creator?
Yes, you can ask a bridesmaid or family member to capture social media content. But once they take on that role, they aren’t fully present as a guest. If someone is invited to celebrate with you, it’s often better to let them enjoy the day instead of giving them a job.
What makes a wedding content creator a legitimate professional?
A professional wedding content creator should operate like any other wedding vendor. That means a contract, clear deliverables, defined coverage hours, deadlines, and business insurance. Social media may feel casual, but your wedding vendor team should not be.
Is a low-priced wedding content creator a red flag?
If a wedding content creator’s pricing seems too good to be true, it probably is. Extremely low pricing can signal inexperience or unclear expectations. Always ask what’s included, how long coverage lasts, and when you’ll receive your content before booking.
If you’re trying to decide whether hiring a wedding content creator is truly worth the investment, it helps to look at what you value most about your wedding day.
If you’re asking, “What is a content creator and do I need one for my wedding?” the answer comes down to intention.
A wedding content creator is someone focused specifically on short-form, social media content. They are different from your photographer and your videographer. While some vendors offer overlapping services, I always recommend clear communication so no one’s primary job is compromised.
You don’t need one to have an unforgettable wedding.
But if social media storytelling matters to you, it can be a fun, modern addition, as long as it’s thoughtfully planned.
And while we’re talking about planning thoughtfully…
If you’re working to make smart, stylish decisions for your wedding day (without overspending or spiraling), my is designed to help you feel confident, organized, and completely in control of your bridal fashion budget.
And if you’re ready to shop for something meaningful, whether that’s a handcrafted wedding heirloom from my Couture Collection or a ready-to-love style from my Just Say Yes Collection, I would be honored to create something beautiful just for you. My specialty has always been creating custom wedding heirloomsthat are meaningful, expertly crafted, and designed to last long after the wedding day is over.
Because trends will come and go.
But intentional, expertly crafted heirlooms? Those last forever.
