Introduction to our Guide to the Best Drone for Wedding Photography
You're reading our review of the best drone for wedding photography!
A wedding is an important milestone in anyone’s life, and one that needs to be beautifully documented in a slew of photos and videos that can be pored over later on so that the happy couple can relive the most memorable moments of the day.
For this reason, the concept of same-day-edit (SDE) videography came about: a production team would shoot the preparations and the ceremony, give it a quick once-over, then present it to the couple and their guests at the reception.
While conventional photography and videography remain the documentation modes of choice for many who specialize in covering weddings, many professionals are investing in drones they can use to make their work more breathtaking and memorable.
For this reason, we have compiled our list of the best drone for wedding photography.
Our List of the Best Drone for Wedding Photography
- DJI Mavic 3 – best for professional photographers 🏆
- DJI Mini 2 – best for casual photographers and hobbyists
- DJI Mini 3 Pro – best for beginners
- Raptor 8k Black Drone – best for wedding photographers on a budget (🎖️Editors’ Pick!)
Best Drone for Wedding Photography Comparison Table
Note: Prices are subject to change over time. Please click the links to check for current pricing.
Specifications | 🏆 DJI Mavic 3 (Top Pick!) | DJI Mini 2 | DJI Mini 3 Pro | 🎖️Raptor 8k Black Drone (Editors Pick!) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Camera | 4K @ 120fps | 4K @ 30fps | 4K @ 60fps | 8K @ 30fps |
Flight Time | 45 minutes | 31 minutes | 45 minutes | 25 minutes |
Range | 12 km | 10 km | 12 km | 8 km |
Max Speed | 72 kph | 57 kph | 68 kph | 72 kph |
Weight | 2.5 lbs | 0.55 lbs | 0.74 lbs | 3.6 lbs |
Size | 8.5 x 3.6 x 3.3 inches | 5.5 x 3.2 x 2.2 inches | 5.5 x 3.2 x 2.2 inches | 17.7 x 16.5 x 9.8 inches |
Features | ActiveTrack 4.0, 3D obstacle sensing, Smart Controller 2.0 | QuickShots, 3-axis gimbal, OcuSync 2.0 | QuickShots, 3-axis gimbal, OcuSync 3.0 | Object avoidance, Follow-me mode, Return-to-home |
Customer Reviews | 4.5/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.9/5 | 4.4/5 |
1. DJI Mavic 3 – Editor's Choice!
Unbeatable Visual Clarity and Flight Time
Key Features
- Compact quadcopter drone with its own carrying case;
- Easy to use remote controller;
- 48MP for stills and 5.1K video;
- Shoot modes include quick shot and Hyperlapse;
- Spotlight 2.0;
- ActiveTrack 3.0;
- OcuSyn 2.0 visual transmission;
- Obstacle avoidance system;
- Three flight modes: cine, normal, and sports;
- Low-noise propellers;
- Intelligent battery system;
- Easy switching from one mode to another; and
- Maximum flight time of 46 minutes on a single charge.
This drone is best for serious wedding photographers who focus on capturing the best quality footage possible. Build-wise, it's a strong drone that can manage high-altitude winds well while not intruding on wedding guests. Its 46 minutes of flight times ensures that you don't miss out on the most important wedding moments. However, due to its somewhat big size, capturing footage proximate to guests is not advisable. However, its optical zoom feature can let you capture things up close from a distance.
Pricing
Click here to check current discounted pricing.
Money-back guarantee
If you are not satisfied with the DJI Mavic 3 as the best drone for wedding photography, you can return it within 14 days after purchase to get your money back.
Where to Buy It?
We recommend buying DJI Mavic 3 best drone for wedding photography only from their official website. This way, you can avail DJI Mavic 3 discount code and get the product for less than the usual price.
Other Stores
Best to avoid reseller sites like that of Amazon, Facebook Marketplace and eBay for possible fake products and refund policy issues.
2. DJI Mini 2
The Little Drone That Can
Key Features
- Compact and foldable construction;
- Maximum flying time of 31 minutes per run;
- Video transmission of up to ten kilometers;
- Level V wind resistance, enabling it to withstand winds of up to 38 kilometers per hour;
- Ultra-clear 4K videos and high-resolution still imagery; and
- Intelligent modes and quick-shot mode.
This drone is perfect for getting footage up close of wedding guests and capturing moving moments during the ceremony without being intrusive. The DJI Mini 2 is a compact, lightweight image-capture quadcopter drone that is equipped with OcuSync 2.0 video transmission technology which enables it to fly farther and longer than most drones while taking high-resolution footage at the same time. Weighing just a little less than 249g and foldable, it’s a drone that makes all the difference in terms of convenience, as well as performance.
Pricing
Click here to check current discounted pricing.
Money-back guarantee
If you are not satisfied with the DJI Mini 2 as the best drone for wedding photography, you can return it within 14 days after purchase to get your money back.
Where to Buy It?
We recommend buying DJI Mini 2 best drone for wedding photography only from their official website. This way, you can avail DJI Mini 2 discount code and get the product for less than the usual price.
Other Stores
Best to avoid reseller sites like that of Amazon, Facebook Marketplace and eBay for possible fake products and refund policy issues.
3. DJI Mini 3 Pro
Compact but Powerful Drone
Key Features
- 48MP imaging technology with a Type 1/1.3 (10 x 7.5mm) sensor;
- 24mm lens with a fixed F1.7 aperture;
- Portrait shooting feature;
- 4K / 30p video quality;
- H.264 codec with a bitrate of 100MBps;
- Raw and JPEG image capture;
- OcuSync 2.0 image transmission with a maximum range of around 10 km;
- Downward vision sensing feature;
- Universal compatibility with the DJI RC remote;
- Flight time ranges between 38 and 51 minutes on a single charge; and
- One of the lightest in its class at just 249g.
This drone is best for beginners who can benefit from having a powerful but user-friendly drone. It can breeze through spots and angles that make for great cinematography. As a drone, the DJI Mini 3 Pro is as compact as it gets: weighing less than 250g and totally portable, this particular quadcopter drone outstrips its predecessors in the series thanks to the inclusion of a tri-directional obstacle avoidance system, a much-improved sensor that works very well in good light, increased aperture on the lens to F/1.7, and infinitely better video capture features.
Pricing
Click here to check current discounted pricing.
Money-back guarantee
If you are not satisfied with the DJI Mini 3 Pro as the best drone for wedding photography, you can return it within 14 days after purchase to get your money back.
Where to Buy It?
We recommend buying DJI Mini 3 Pro only from their official website. This way, you can avail DJI Mavic 3 discount code and get the product for less than the usual price.
Other Stores
Best to avoid reseller sites like that of Amazon, Facebook Marketplace and eBay for possible fake products and refund policy issues.
4. Raptor 8K Black Drone
Rugged and Reliable
Key Features
- Increased flight time compared to similar models;
- Flight speed of around 12 meters a second;
- Tri-axis gimbal stabilizer;
- 720p maximum image resolution;
- Panorama mode; and
- Built-in anti-collision system.
This drone is best for photographers who need to a strong and durable drone to capture important wedding moments. It is especially perfect for outdoor photography. The Raptor 8K Drone is a precision-engineered drone that can be safely used in or out of doors. This particular drone was crafted to have exceptional stability in flight, as well as high resolution imaging technology for clear, richly detailed footage.
Pricing
Click here to check current discounted pricing.
Money-back guarantee
If you are not satisfied with the Raptor 8k Black Drone as the best drone for wedding photography, you can return it within 30 days after purchase to get your money back.
Where to Buy It?
We recommend buying Raptor 8k Black Drone only from their official website. This way, you can avail Raptor 8k Black Drone discount code and get the product for less than the usual price.
Other Stores
Best to avoid reseller sites like that of Amazon, Facebook Marketplace and eBay for possible fake products and refund policy issues.
Why Should You Get the Best Drone for Wedding Photography?
Given how weddings are something of a “shock and awe” event, using the best drone for wedding photography to capture glorious views of the wedding venue – especially if you're doing it at a beachfront, in a vineyard, or even a forest clearing – will make it even more memorable to everyone who was in attendance and be a source of inspiration (even envy) for those who weren't.
That said, here are a few reasons why you should consider using the best drone for wedding photography:
- A Bird's-Eye View Like No Other – As stated earlier, using a drone allows you to take in the full length and breadth of the wedding video from up in the air. It provides the illusion of immensity and, when paired with shooting techniques and clever editing, allows videographers to swoop dramatically down to the venue itself as the bride makes her way down the aisle;
- Shoot at Unique Angles – Even the best still photographers will be challenged if requested to take views right on the water or to shoot from unusual angles. Using a drone allows them to do these and so much more to great effect;
- A More Memorable – and Dramatic – Experience – If you're one of those romantics who wants a wedding right out of a movie or you fantasize about being in your own cinema-grade production on the happiest day of your life, using a drone to capture all the action as it happens makes for a total experience.
Dos and Don’ts for Using the Best Drone for Wedding Photography
DO:
- Have a preliminary shot list you can clear with the bride and groom prior to the ceremony;
- Check the weather forecast to determine if conditions will be all right for a shoot;
- Practice with your drone well beforehand so you’re aware of all the features that you can use during the wedding shoot;
- Get a local government clearance if this is mandatory in the location where the wedding will be taking place;
- Take aerial shots of the couple as they are making their vows to add a special dramatic touch to the footage; and
- Coordinate with the wedding planner, best man, and/or maid of honor to take amazing group shots or waves with the whole group of wedding guests.
DON’T:
- Shoot in a place of worship if this is where the wedding is taking place as it distracts from the solemnity of the event;
- Take it upon yourself to shoot if the couple and their families have chosen a photo / video team to cover the event;
- Head to the venue without a shot list ready or even a general workflow as this could disrupt the event;
- Take shots up close – this isn’t just an invasion of privacy, but also something that could lead to serious injury and unnecessary expense; and
- Go to the event without a backup plan in the event of inclement weather.
How Did We Choose the Best Drone for Wedding Photography?
We took the following factors into consideration during testing:
- Ease of Use – We like drones that you can use right out of the box with instructions that are absolutely easy to follow. Drones that you can get into the air ASAP? Yes, please;
- Reliability – We looked at how reliable and durable these drones are in terms of flight time, image stability, image and video quality, audio clarity, and how well they hold up regardless of terrain and weather conditions;
- Features – We selected the best drone for wedding photography based on that whether it has features that people can use to make even the simplest shoot projects look absolutely cool and professional.
- Value for Money – We made it a point to consider if the best drone for wedding photography were within a reasonable price range yet offer a whole range of features and functionality that can step up one’s game in terms of photography and video production.
Conclusion to our Guide on the Best Drone for Wedding Photography
Our team of experts carefully tested the items presented in today’s best drone for wedding photography listicle review to ensure that readers will have a sterling selection to choose from when it comes to the best drones to use for covering a wedding.
Please note that, in the interest of getting authentic high-quality products, we recommend that you shop for these best drone for wedding photography through their official websites where you may also get great discounts for multiple purchases. Beware of purchasing from marketplace sites claiming to be resellers so to avoid issues with refunds and returns in the future!
FAQ
What’s the minimum resolution I need to look for in a drone?
A high definition camera is one of the hallmarks of a good drone for videography, particularly one that shoots at 1080p. More advanced models can go as high as 4K high definition.
Is a shot list necessary for an event like a wedding?
Yes, having a pre-planned shot list allows you to manage your time better and get the shots that you need without spending hours outdoors or causing inconvenience to the wedding party, their suppliers, and their guests.
What happens if a drone goes out of range?
When a drone goes out of range and loses connection with its remote controller, it risks losing control. Many drones, such as DJI models, come with a “Return-to-Home” (RTH) feature that activates automatically when the connection is lost, guiding the drone back to its takeoff point or a designated home location using GPS data. To avoid crashes or flyaways, it's essential to properly set up the RTH feature and ensure a strong GPS signal.
If you've read all the way through this best drone for wedding photography guide, we are grateful. We have reviewed all these products in detail, feel free to check them out;
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