What Couples Should Know Before Booking a Wedding Content Creator

The wedding content creator may just be the newest vendor to hit the scene of the wedding industry...

But what exactly does a content creator do?

Are they just walking around with an iPhone?

Are they replacing your photographer or videographer?

Do you actually need one?

And if you're hiring one, what should you be looking for?

Those are exactly the questions I sat down with Jennifer Cancel of Jen Content Creator to answer for the latest episode of Set the Stage.

Because while content creation is becoming a much more common part of the wedding day, there's still a lot of confusion around what a content creator actually does and why you might want to hire one.

So... What Does a Wedding Content Creator Actually Do?

Jen describes herself as the couple's personal paparazzi for the day.

She follows you throughout the wedding, capturing what is happening in real time and creating content that you can look back on and share afterward.

And to answer the question, is there a phone involved. For Jen, yes, there is… but there is so much more to it, (and you don't have to be a social media guru to benefit from having one).

No, Your Content Creator Isn't Replacing Your Photographer or Videographer

This was one of the biggest misconceptions Jen wanted couples to understand.

A content creator is not a replacement for professional photography or videography.

They're an addition to your media team.

Photography and videography have their own purposes, while content creation gives you another way to experience and remember the day.

And one of the biggest differences?

How quickly you get it.

Your Wedding Day Delivered in Just 24 Hours

With Jen's wedding content creation service, couples receive their raw content within 24 hours.

That means you can wake up the morning after your wedding and be able to relive the memories with a full album of footage on your phone showing what happened the day before.

Compare that with professional photography and videography, where editing and retouching can take 6-8 weeks. (And rightfully so... as the editing process can take considerably longer to create the picture perfect memory that you'll cherish for years to come).

But for those looking for an easy way to be able to share with family and friends – content creation may just be that solution.

And here's an important distinction:

When talking about 24-hour turn around time, she's talking about the raw content.

If your package includes a larger number of edited videos, those take additional time. Jen explained that she may edit one or two videos overnight, but larger packages can take another two or three days because she wants to take the time to make sure the finished videos look good.

So you're getting the immediate memories and the more polished content afterward.

You Don't Have to Care About Social Media

This is something that I found incredibly interesting.

Jen said that more than 50% of her couples don't actually care about social media.

They're hiring her because they want to see their wedding from another perspective, capture those candid moments, and be able to rewatch those memories the next day in a format that is easy to share with their friends and family.

You don't have to be a TikTok person.

You don't have to want to go viral.

And you don't even have to use the content for social media at all.

The footage can simply be for you.

Going Viral Isn't the Goal

That said, Jen's content does sometimes go viral.

One of her favorite examples is a groom who came out in a dinosaur suit. That video has reached three million views on Instagram.

(If you haven't seen it, yet, you can take a peek here!)

But according to Jen, going viral isn't the goal.

When it happens, it usually happens completely organically and is completely unexpected.

The true goal is documenting the wedding and creating content that the couple actually wants.

How to Choose a Good Content Creator

This is probably one of the biggest things couples should take away from this conversation.

Content creation isn't just about taking footage with a phone.

Jen spends time before the wedding understanding what her couples want, planning content, and thinking through trends or concepts they may want to incorporate.

For couples who aren't familiar with TikTok or other social media platforms, she'll even preview videos and explain what they're going to do and how they'll execute them, acting as a coach to guide them through concepts while still staying true to what the couples goals are.

Ask to See a Full Gallery

Just like we talked about photography in a previous episode of Set the Stage...

Don't just look at the highlight reel.

Jen recommends asking a prospective content creator to see a full gallery.

Yes, you're going to see beautiful videos on their social media... (that's the point of a portfolio.)

But you also want to see how they capture the candid moments.

Can they anticipate what's happening?

Do they have an eye for the moment?

Do they know how to capture the things that aren't necessarily planned?

And ultimately, do you like their style?

What Should You Ask Before Booking?

Jen recommends that couples ask some very specific questions when they're interviewing content creators.

What equipment do you use?

Jen's team uses iPhone 17 Pro devices, along with equipment like gimbals, lighting rigs, microphones for speech and ambient audio, and specialty lenses.

Jen specifically talked about the importance of lighting, especially when filming individuals with darker skin tones.

Equipment matters and hiring a content creator who is prepared for all different kinds of audio and visual scenarios is essential for quality content.

What's your planning process?

Ask how they prepare for your wedding.

Are they simply showing up and filming whatever happens?

Or are they taking the time to understand your vision and plan around your timeline?

Do you direct trends?

If you want TikTok trends or specific videos, find out how your content creator handles them.

Jen plans trends ahead of time and coordinates with the media team so everyone knows what's happening.

Who is actually going to be at my wedding?

This becomes particularly important if you're hiring a company with a team.

Ask who will actually be there capturing your special day as some content creators might have an internal team and others may subcontract out so you'll want to clarify beforehand.

How do you work with my photographer and videographer?

Your media team should be able to work together without constantly getting in each other's way.

Jen describes her approach as generally being more of a fly on the wall while the photographer and videographer direct the day.

If there's a specific TikTok trend that requires direction, they'll step in, get the one or two takes they need, and then get back out of the way.

Why Jen Has a Team

For larger events, Jen doesn't work alone.

Trying to capture the bride, groom, guests, details, and everything else happening simultaneously can become stressful—and it's simply not possible for one person to be everywhere at once.

So Jen has a trained and vetted team of regular staff who can split coverage.

For example, if the bride and groom are getting ready separately, one team member can cover the groom while another covers the bride.

More people means more ground covered.

And that means fewer moments are missed.

How Much Does Wedding Content Creation Cost?

Jen explained that content creation packages average around $100–$200 per hour, typically including raw footage, edited videos, and 24-hour delivery.

Of course, packages and pricing can vary, which is exactly why asking what is included is important.

When Should You Book Your Content Creator?

Jen recommends booking at least two to three months in advance.

Why?

Because she doesn't just want to show up on the wedding day.

She wants time to plan.

The farther ahead she can work with a couple, the more time she has to conceptualize content and get creative.

She mentioned that some couples book much farther in advance—even a year ahead or as far out as 2027—but at minimum, she recommends giving herself a couple of months.

What About All Those Trends?

We all know how quickly trends come and go.

Jen stays current by being very active on TikTok and keeping an eye on what's happening.

And sometimes a trend that was popular when you planned your wedding isn't exactly the trend anymore when the wedding actually arrives.

Her solution?

Don't stress about it.

If a trend has passed, she still recommends posting it and usually does so on her own social media.

And then there are some trends that have a lot of staying power.

One example Jen talked about is a sunglasses trend that she's done more than 15 times over three years.

It's essentially become a kind of video guest book, with guests participating.

And that's a good reminder that not every piece of content has to be the newest viral thing.

Sometimes the things that matter most are simply the things that let you remember who was there.

Don't Forget About Getting Ready

According to Jen, getting ready is one of the most emotional parts of the wedding day—and one of the most important times to capture authentic moments.

Think champagne toasts.

Your bridal party.

Those little interactions before the ceremony.

And, of course, the TikTok transitions.

Grooms' getting-ready coverage tends to look a little different.

Instead of makeup and hair, there might be jacket details, cigar boxes, or simply hanging out with the guys.

But there's still plenty to capture.

Your Content Creator Should Capture the Details, Too

Jen arrives about 30 minutes early to the reception space so she can capture the room before guests enter.

That means details like your décor, guest book, and floral arrangements can be documented while everything is still perfectly in place.

And then, once the doors open, she positions herself near the entrance to capture guests' genuine reactions as they see the reception space for the first time.

Those are the kinds of moments that can easily get overlooked when everyone is focused on what happens next.

Fake Exits Are a Mixed Bag

Jen and I also talked about something that comes up frequently in weddings:

The fake exit.

There are some practical reasons couples choose to do them, particularly if they want a full crowd present for certain photos before guests start leaving.

But there are downsides, too.

If you stage an exit, you might be sending guests home early.

And that can affect the energy of the reception.

Jen and I talked about alternative ways to create a transition without necessarily ending the night.

One example she loved was doing an exit between cocktail hour and the reception using a boat ride with sparklers.

The point isn't that you shouldn't have a staged moment.

It's that you can think creatively about when and how you do it.

Vintage Is Back

One of the more fun things Jen offers is vintage-style content.

That includes Walmart camcorder footage and digital Cam Snap 8 cameras that guests can pass around.

And there's a reason this kind of content is becoming appealing.

Jen and I talked about how people seem to be moving away from the idea that everything needs to look perfect, polished, and high-quality.

It's about the experience.

And sometimes a grainy, nostalgic handheld camcorder creates just the right amount of connection and engagement that will have your guests talking about for years to come.

Don't Forget to Hire a Planner

Maybe I'm biased but…

You need to hire a planner.

Jen and I talked about how much easier the entire vendor team can work when someone is actually responsible for coordinating the wedding day.

Without a planner, photographers, content creators, and other core vendors can end up taking on coordination responsibilities that aren't actually their jobs.

And when your photographer or content creator is busy trying to figure out where everyone needs to be, they're not focused entirely on documenting your wedding.

Your vendors have jobs.

Let them do those jobs.

Content Creation Isn't Going Anywhere

I think it's safe to say that wedding content creators are here to stay.

Couples want their memories.

They want them quickly.

They want candid moments.

And they want different ways to experience their wedding day.

Content creators have earned their place alongside photographers and videographers as another part of the wedding media team.

But just like any other vendor, you still need to know what you're buying.

• Ask questions.

• Look at full galleries.

• Understand the equipment.

• Know who will be there.

• Ask how they plan.

• Ask how they'll work with your other vendors.

And most importantly, make sure the person you're hiring actually understands what you want out of the experience.

Because whether you plan to post every video on TikTok or never post a single thing, your wedding day is something you'll only experience once.

Remember it the way you want to.

Meet Jen Cancel | Jen Content Creator

Jennifer Cancel is a wedding and event content creator in Orlando who describes her role as the couple's personal paparazzi for the day.

Her services focus on capturing real-time wedding moments and providing couples with their raw content quickly, along with edited content and additional offerings like live streaming and vintage-style media.

You can learn more about Jen and inquire about her services at:

jencontentcreator.com

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