How to Edit Wedding Video|10 Tips for Stunning Videography

You can have many wedding videos shot on your wedding day to capture all the special moments. Many couples consider hiring a professional wedding videography company to edit the footage. At least you can do it yourself now. Because you are in charge of editing them for the wedding, they should be beautiful and exciting.

Editing a wedding film is not a joke, as any good wedding videographer knows. However, you can create a film if you know what you are doing. The couple will keep that as an essential part of their life together. Usually, couples’ wedding day is the biggest of their lives. That is why careful documentation is necessary.

Fortunately, we’ll discuss 10 tips on how to edit wedding videos like a pro. Everything matters, from arranging your images to adding those special touches. Do you want some secret tips? Alright, let’s begin.

What Is Wedding Video Editing?

Normally, a wedding video, also known as a wedding film or movie, documents a wedding occasion. Wedding video editing takes raw footage and turns it into something that looks professional. This involves selecting the best clips, arranging them logically, and adding music and effects where necessary. 

Also, ensuring the smooth transitions so the film flows well and captures the day’s spirit. You can do this by hiring professionals or using online freelancers. It’s an honour to document such beautiful events through video editing.

What Are The Two Types Of Wedding Video Editing?

For me, the most exciting part of movie-making is the editing. It’s where everything comes together. Different types of wedding videography exist. But, wedding videographers usually take one of two approaches for their videos: the traditional “documentary” style or a more artistic and experimental “cinematic” approach. 

In a documentary-style film, the wedding is filmed from beginning to end and edited chronologically with few cuts. A typical wedding video will have stock footage of the couple, ceremony, and reception.

The second type I love is making a story out of it. This follows a similar format as a documentary, but you build a story around it based on interviews you do (which might not just be with the bride and groom). The filming style can be more cinematic, and the content can be more emotional.

There are linear editing styles, basic styles, non-linear styles, review-for-editing styles, bespoke styles, cinematic styles, and more. You can adapt more skills which you really enjoy.

Why Is Wedding Video Editing So Important?

Only having a high-quality film to work with makes it halfway there. If the footage isn’t edited together cohesively and professionally, the final wedding film will be a total letdown.

Here are some of the most important reasons for wedding video editing:

• Keeping Your Promises

Image-Why Is Wedding Video Editing So Important

ALT Text_ Why Is Wedding Video Editing So Important-showing couples promise

In your wedding vows, you make solemn promises to each other. A wedding film allows you to re-live those heartfelt vows. It was also a beautiful day when you said deep things to each other about your love.

• Leaving a Legacy for Generations to Come

You can’t replace the memories you capture on film of the happy event. They will bring joy to future generations. It connects you to your past and helps you pass on special experiences to future generations.

• Experiencing Unscripted Moments

Some of the most beautiful moments in life are unexpected. Often, they happen outside of the camera’s viewfinder. 

That’s why it’s important to have somebody capture these natural conversations, candid looks, and genuine laughs. 

A videographer will give you an authentic record of your wedding day.

• Even Those Who Loved Them But Couldn’t Attend

Not everyone we want at our wedding can be there in person. Because it’s too far away or their health prevents them from travelling etc.

However, recording your ceremony/reception allows you to bring joy into your hearts by sharing those moments with them from afar.

• This helps tell their love story through videos

Video is just video without a proper frame. It doesn’t tell much of a story; it downplays the most dramatic parts. After editing, the footage becomes clearer, more consistent, and more detailed. 

It uses filters, music, and visual effects to emphasise certain screen space areas. The videographer takes an ordinary video and gives it that “wow” look.

Note: Getting a wedding video done is like having a treasure chest full of memories forever. Spend some money on hiring a professional videographer, and you’ll be able to revisit the most beautiful days in your life many years later.

Why Choose To Wedding Video Editing?

You chose wedding video editing because it’s your job today and your passion. As a videographer, I suggest you…. Don’t want to feel awkward or stressed while being filmed on a wedding day? Good. It’s not about waiting for the right moment, staying with a camera at hand every time. It’s about capturing each private second, sipping champagne, and seeing your guests have fun with each other or laugh with friends!

The process ensures that you will be more comfortable when someone you know is in charge of filming. In addition, the film will be genuine and reflect your day. Two days before the event, they will give you cameras to record all those special moments before the start of the ceremony. 

Which App Is Best For Video Editing?

If you are trying to do beautiful wedding video editing independently, here are 7 resources to help you. We’ve shared the best list of which tools are available in 2024:

1. Adobe Premiere Pro: The learning curve for Premiere Pro is rather steep — if this is your first time editing, know that it could take a minute to get the hang of things.

Color grading is one of many editing features in Adobe Premiere Pro. You also enjoy a free seven-day trial. 

Using Lumetri Color in Premiere Pro gives you full control over your videos’ appearance. The editing timeline is also ideal for precise, selective grading.

1. Clipchamp: Clipchamp is an excellent option for making web films or teasers because it’s cloud-based. 

It works in your browser, so you don’t have to download anything, and it’s great for compressing video without losing quality (which means smaller file sizes).

1. iMovie: iMovie is good for beginners. If you have an Apple device and plan on making a wedding film, using iMovie is a no-brainer. It’s high quality, feature-rich, and incredibly user-friendly.
2. Lightworks: Lightworks has two versions — free and premium ($24.99/month). The premium version unlocks features like 4K export and timeline rendering.
3. Music for Makers: Make your post-production life much easier with this music library called Music for Makers. They have a ton of high-quality audio that you can use in your videos to make them more engaging and impactful.
4. Motion Array: Motion Array isn’t a video editing application; it’s actually a marketplace for royalty-free assets like templates, presets, motion graphics, footage, and more.
5. Canva: Canva is another free tool I recommend if you’re a complete novice in post-production. They recently added a video editor and movie creator, which includes a large graphic library and customisable video themes.

Just try a few other options before settling on one that works great with your creative process and vision. Remember, it’s not about the app itself but how well you know it so you can materialise your ideas!

How To Edit Wedding Video?

Wedding films can be described as an art that involves talent, imagination, and dedication. Once you have all the tools and materials required for editing wedding videos, you can start your journey. Here are ten tips on how to edit a wedding movie.

• Create A Story First

Tell what happened during the day, but don’t be afraid to play around with it. We’re not saying to go all Memento on this, but try spicing up the chronology. 

Do we see their guests coming in while the bride and groom prepare for their big day? Match the exchange of rings with stunning nature shots taken throughout the day. 

It doesn’t have to be groundbreaking. Getting from point A to point B is only half of the storytelling.

• Film Everyone Who Matters Most

Ensure you film not just the couple but also their loved ones – parents, grandparents, closest friends, etc. Watch for any strange occurrences or exciting people throughout the day. 

With all kinds of things happening at weddings, there are bound to be surprises worth capturing. Your guests will love looking back on these surprises.

• Pay Attention To Details

A wedding story includes countless little things. Your footage should include the dress, rings, flowers, and other props. 

Remember those offbeat moments or uncomfortably funny situations, too – they make this day so special and unforgettable.

• Choose A Theme Or Style For The Ideal Wedding Video

Keep this top of mind throughout. Should it be funny, sad, or sweet if you had your way? Let their characters guide the choice of style. 

Do not hesitate to ask influential relatives and visitors for insightful feedback about this. It is a matter that needs thorough consideration.

• Prepare For Those Transition Shots

If you plan to shoot the wedding alone, consider locations that can be perfect transition points when planning events and props. You should note these elements when you first see the raw footage.

The effect will look great when you fade back on something relatively stable, like a cross dissolved with two people standing at an altar. 

However, it will look great with lovely backgrounds fading to black on a moving object, such as a guest or some natural scenery. You can flip it around, and it will do just fine!

• Keep The Highlight Reel Short

Image- keep the highlight reel short

ALT Text: showing couples smiley face short highlight reel footage

Of course, the length may vary depending on what your client wants. Because this is what the couple will want to show friends and family most often, one rule must always apply: skip through dull sections and get straight into exciting bits.

Stick to ten minutes: the morning when everyone starts showing up, the cake cutting, and the first dance. You can also use the promotional video to improve your wedding editing skills.

• Rhythms Are Jam

Don’t let the music at a wedding or any other important event ruin the quality of the video. Give yourself a break from Epidemic Sound.

With an Epidemic Sound subscription, you’ll get more than royalty-free music—they also care about licensing. So you can focus on creating. 

Moreover, you will have unlimited access to advanced search tools, making finding that perfect sound easier.

If the happy couple likes to party, then play some energetic tunes to get everybody dancing. Choose songs that suit the mood of the wedding, whether it be light-hearted or dramatic.

• Remember: It’s All About Feelings

A wedding film should prominently feature the feelings of the happy couple and their loved ones and friends. It should include photos that capture joy, sadness, and laughter, all experienced throughout the day. 

Here, video wedding photography might be a good friend since it is unlike videos. Still, images can freeze time…So keep this in mind and have some still pictures ready to show off your skills.

• A Cinematic Colour Correction And Grading

For your wedding film to look cinematic, it needs colour correction and grading. This calls for artistic grading of each shot and colour balancing. We shoot all our films in a ‘log’ profile for maximum creative control over the final product. 

We don’t want filters that look like Instagram filters. Because if we look at different videographers’ wedding films over the years, we can easily tell them apart based on what was popular [the “look”]. 

Our aim is for our films to be timeless and cinematic. Our favourite natural colours are blue, green, and gold, and we love adding grain to soften the image.

1. Recording sound is as important as recording video

A good wedding film should record what was said during the ceremony, speeches, and other significant event moments. 

But a beautiful wedding is more than that. It’s a day filled with funny jokes and memorable quotes. Make sure you get that on tape too.

Bonus Tips Form DC Media

Put your own spin on it

Finally, don’t be afraid to make this wedding film truly yours. Ask the couple for their favourite phrases or memories from their big day—including those in the movie. You can also add text overlays, animations, or special effects to make it stand out and be remembered (just keep everything tasteful).

Following these steps will create a beautiful wedding film that will become an heirloom for the couple. Then, export high-quality video footage.

How Much Does It Cost To Edit A Wedding Video?

Standard fees for a wedding videographer in Ireland can range from €1,500 to €3,500. But it’s not without reason—they’re responsible for capturing the most important day of your life! The videographer may also adopt an approach and shoot based on the couple’s vision. Some couples prefer raw footage, while others like an over-the-top montage.

In Dublin, a video production company published prices for local freelance videographers. The fees for editing footage go from €63 per hour to €178 per hour. If you’re a content creator, shooting and editing wedding videos can be a lucrative business. However, you need experience before you jump in.

Wedding videographers/editors are expensive because of their knowledge. Besides that, they have professional cameras and everything else you could ever need to film a wedding alone.

Statista’s market study shows that Irish photo/video sales will hit US$32.38 million by 2027 (9.68% CAGR from 2022 to 2027).

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you all know how to edit wedding videos. Technical abilities, artistic vision, and emotional sensitivity must all be delicately balanced to create an unforgettable wedding film. If you stick to disguise editing techniques, you can take the couple’s wedding raw footage and turn it into an astonishing story.

Always put the story first, listen carefully to your soundtrack, watch your timing and transitions, and try new things visually, like a time-lapse or slow-motion sequence. But most importantly, be faithful to the day’s emotions and the couple’s unique love story.

Your wedding films will stand out once you build your style through hard work and practice. Are you ready to make stunning movies from your wedding footage? Let us create some magic with Wedding Movies! Contact DC Media today!

Frequently Asked Question

How Long Does a Wedding Video Take to Edit?

Editing a wedding film takes 20-40 hours, depending on the length of the movie and the complexity of the cuts.

How to Properly Edit a Wedding Video?

If you want your wedding video to be well edited, arrange your film, clear off any unnecessary parts, add music, and add transitions. Use Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere as software.

How to Edit Wedding Videos Faster?

Quick cuts, pre-made templates, and batch editing can all help you edit wedding movies faster. Plan your changes and make the most of the tools you have.

What’s The Ideal Length For A Wedding Film?

Typically, feature films run between 20 and 60 minutes, while highlight reels are usually 3 to 10 minutes long. Consider the couple’s taste and the amount of video available.

How can I create good low-light wedding movies?

Use noise reduction technologies to reduce graininess. Tweaking the contrast and exposure settings meticulously will make details stand out. For a more artistic approach, consider turning troublesome films in black and white.

What is the best way to export my wedding video?

For optimal results, use a high-bitrate codec such as ProRes or H.264. Whether you need to export in 1080p or 4K resolution is entirely up to you and your client. You should always export a sample for approval before sending the final result.