How to edit the perfect wedding video
For people who choose to marry, their wedding is often the most important day of their lives. For that reason, it deserves to be documented well. Here’s a guide on how to edit beautiful wedding videos, the best apps for the job, and more.
For people who choose to marry, their wedding is often the most important day of their lives. For that reason, it deserves to be documented well. Here’s a guide on how to edit beautiful wedding videos, the best apps for the job, and more.
How much does a wedding video editor cost?
On average, a wedding videographer costs $1,900. That’s a lot of cash to cough up, but they’re expensive for a reason: it’s their job to record someone’s special day. A wedding videographer will usually personalize their style and shots based on what the couple wants.
Some couples just want the raw footage, while others request a fully edited, stylized montage. If you’re a content creator and want to film and edit wedding video content, there’s money to be made – but you can’t just go in with no experience.
Wedding video videographers and editors are expensive because they specialize in those kinds of scenarios. They also have professional cameras and equipment, which you’ll need if you plan to film weddings yourself.
Stage some fake weddings or get-togethers with your buddies. Shoot some footage, edit it, and assemble a portfolio and reel to show prospective clients. It takes a lot of work, but you need people to trust you with their special day. They won’t do that unless you can show them the goods!
What do wedding videographers use to edit videos?
Unfortunately, there’s no Wedding Video Editor™ app – a gap in the market, surely? – but there’s plenty of software and apps that pros use to make those wedding memories last a lifetime.
We’ve actually got a neat guide to the best video editing apps and software, but here’s a quick rundown of what you could use to edit wedding video.
Which is the best app for wedding video editing?
- Adobe Premiere Pro. Its color grading capabilities are second to none, meaning you can tie the whole wedding together under a cohesive visual palette.
- DaVinci Resolve. It’s used in award-winning movies because it’s that good. There’s a free version, too.
- Lightworks. If you go for the paid version, you can export in 4K, enable timeline rendering, and other tricks.
Is iMovie good for wedding videos?
If you want to edit wedding video and have access to an Apple device, it’s tempting to go for iMovie. It’s an invaluable tool: easy to use, packed with features, and pretty high-quality.
However, compared with paid-for software like we outlined above, Apple iMovie isn’t the best software to use as a wedding video editor. Practice on it, sure, but someone’s big day will usually require more. However, if you’re editing your own wedding video, have at it!
Where can I find wedding video music?
It can be tricky to find the perfect song to soundtrack your wedding video editing. The moment someone walks down the aisle, throws the bouquet, or cuts the cake is so personal – the wrong track can kill the mood.
At Epidemic Sound, we’ve curated a whole host of wedding-themed playlists. Check out our Wedding & Romance playlists here, and listen to the frankly stunning Sprinkle by Johannes Bornlöf below.
Like what you just heard? There’s more of that, plus a whole lot more – if your wedding video edit requires a dirty Euro-pop banger, heavy metal bop, or polka hoedown, we’ve got you covered. Check out our catalog of 50,000 tracks below. We guarantee there'll be wedding video songs aplenty.
How can I edit my wedding video?
Once you’ve got your editing software, soundtrack, camera, and footage sorted, it’s time to start editing your wedding video. Here are some tips and tricks to make those newlyweds proud.
Keep the highlight reel short and sweet
The whole shebang can, of course, be as long as your client wants. However, the highlight reel is what the newlyweds will want to share with their loved ones, and as such, it needs to abide by the age-old rule: don’t bore us, get to the chorus.
Keep it under ten minutes and stick to the essentials. That being the morning, the guests arriving, the ceremony, the cake-cutting, the first dance, and the reception. Get in, get out, then get away – this can work as an advert for your wedding video editing skills, as well as a keepsake for guests.
Plan your transition shots
If you’re filming the wedding yourself, think about scenery, moments, and items that will make great transition shots. If you’ve just been given the raw footage, it’s worth noting these things when you initially view it.
Fading to black on a moving object – such as a guest or some natural scenery – will look great when you fade back in on something fairly stationary, like the couple at the altar, with a nice cross dissolve. This works equally well the other way around, too!
Don’t be afraid to move the camera away from your subject, either; panning into transitions can be super effective.
Create a story
You need to show the day’s narrative, but don’t be afraid to switch things up. We’re not saying you should edit it like Memento, but think of how you can spice up the timeline. One of the soon-to-weds getting ready, with shots of guests arriving? Rings being exchanged, paired against gorgeous nature shots from throughout the day? Again, it doesn't have to be revolutionary, but there’s more to stitching a story together than just going from A to B.
If you’re looking for inspiration, watch this gorgeous ten-minute wedding video edit. No, you’re crying.
Nail the music
Bad music kills good video, so don’t let it ruin something as crucial as a wedding. Let Epidemic Sound handle it.
Our catalog is high-quality, affordable, and safe. An Epidemic Sound subscription goes beyond royalty-free music, removing the headache of licensing and freeing you up to do what you do best. You can enjoy the safety of our license hand-in-hand with our massive catalog of 50,000 tracks, covering just about every genre you can think of. You’ll also gain unlimited access to our advanced search functions — finding the right sound’s never been easier.
It’s better than royalty-free. It’s worry-free. Get started with Epidemic Sound below.
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