Music is almost like magic. It can tell a story, spark memories, convey emotions, and capture the essence of life’s most significant moments.
When it comes to wedding cinematography, the wedding video songs you choose have the monumental duty of telling your unique love story. They will affect the mood, pacing, and emotional impact of your film to create something timeless that you can cherish for decades to come.
In other words, it’s no small decision!
That said, picking out wedding video songs doesn’t have to be a stressful or overwhelming process. Here are a few guidelines and best practices to help you curate the perfect playlist.
Understand the Legalities
Before we can dive into the fun part, let’s start with some basics around licensing.
As a type of intellectual property, music is protected by copyright laws. This means if you want to share your film on a public forum like YouTube, you will likely have to pay to license the song(s).
Licensing fees can vary from song to song, with some of the more popular songs costing thousands of dollars. Navigating copyright laws and legalities can be complex, which is why it’s best to work with videography experts who are familiar with the licensing process.
Rather than licensing an expensive song, you can also explore music options in the public domain. These songs, also known as copyright-free songs, are free to use and share.
If there’s a specific song you have your heart set on, you can still use it in your wedding film without paying for licensing – as long as it’s for private use only. Watch the film in the privacy of your own home instead of uploading it to the internet in order to avoid legal repercussions.
At Reverent Wedding Films, we use MusicBed to find licensed songs for all wedding videos, cinematic films, highlight reels, and teasers. They have an extensive, high-quality library of songs and genres to fit every need – without any risk of copyright infringement. Music from MusicBed is included in all our packages.
Imagine the Story You Want to Tell
A truly timeless wedding film is more than just a compilation of clips; it narrates your unique love story with rich emotion and deeper meaning.
Every timeless story follows a structure. You might already be familiar with some of them, like The Hero’s Journey. We like to use a 3-act structure to tell your love story, and wedding video songs are an essential part of establishing that story’s pacing and flow.
From the pre-wedding anticipation to the vibrant energy of a dance floor hit, the music should reflect the spectrum of feelings throughout your journey together. Fast-paced tracks can capture the day’s joy and energy, while slower, more melodic pieces can underscore profound, heartfelt moments.
You might be asking yourself, “If every wedding film follows the 3-act structure, how will mine be unique?”
Every couple has their own story to share. The music, along with special moments caught on film, adds life to that structure and transforms it into something one-of-a-kind.
For example, a long-distance couple that is finally uniting for good might start their film with songs expressing the longing and hope they felt during their time apart. A pair of high school sweethearts might lean into music that holds the youth and nostalgia from their early days as a couple.
Think about the challenges and triumphs that led you to be the couple you are today, then choose wedding video songs that capture the same sentiments.
Consider the Location and Theme
The setting and theme of your big day can also help inspire your playlist of wedding video songs. The best songs will tell your story while complementing the genre or style of the wedding film itself.
To give a few examples, a bit of country twang can be the perfect companion to the rustic charm of a barn wedding and a bridal party accessorized in cowboy hats. Smooth, romantic classics can elevate the elegance and sophistication of a traditional ballroom event adorned with roses and lace.
Take inspiration from the venue, decor, and outfits you have planned. Let the music reflect the environment and mood of your day!
Stick to Classics or Instrumentals
The wedding may only last a few hours, but your film will be a timeless memento you can watch over and over for decades to come.
If you want your film to remain meaningful over time, be aware of how current music trends could date your film. In addition to the licensing we’ve already talked about, this is another reason why you might want to second-guess choosing a currently popular song for your wedding film. While it might be your favorite song in the here and now, will it hold the same sentimental value years from now?
Instead, we recommend choosing classic wedding songs, cinematics, or instrumentals.
Some well-known classics have already proven themselves to be timeless. You may even be able to find covers of the songs that capture the sentiment but better match the story and mood you want to express.
Cinematic songs and instrumentals are other ideal options, since they can carry emotion and provide a thematic backdrop without competing with the natural sounds of your celebration like laughter, vows, and speeches. Instrumentals are also more flexible when it comes to naturally transitioning between songs or fading in and out to complement the narrative flow of your film.
Your Love, Your Songs: Wedding Videos Made to Last
If you feel overwhelmed by the prospect of choosing the ideal wedding video songs, don’t be! You shouldn’t have to make these decisions alone – especially when you already have so much to plan in preparation for your big day.
At Reverent Wedding Films, we handle every aspect of creating your dream wedding film. Our experienced cinematographers bring more than just technical skills to your wedding; they bring a wealth of storytelling experience and an understanding of how music can enhance the emotional landscape of your film.
Working together with our communication coordinator and film editors, our cinematographers know what story beats and emotions they need to capture according to the shot list, your love story, and the style of wedding film you want to create.
When it comes together – music and all – you’ll have a timeless wedding film that will bring a smile to your face every time you hit play!
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