How wedding film music works.
Music is the thing that makes a wedding film feel like something. Here's how we choose it, why it takes time, and what you need to know.
Music changes everything.
If you've ever watched a wedding film that made you tear up, the music is doing at least half the work. It sets the pace. It carries the emotion. It tells you when to feel something before you even realise you're feeling it.
The same wedding footage cut to different music can feel completely different. Playful vs emotional. Intimate vs cinematic. The music choice is one of the biggest creative decisions in the entire edit, and it's something we take seriously.
It's also, honestly, the thing that takes the most time. Which is why we want you to understand the process.
Why you can't always use your favourite song.
This is one of the most common questions we get. Couples often have a song in mind, something that's meaningful to their relationship, and assume it'll be in the film. Sometimes it can be. But often it can't, and here's why.
Every song used in a wedding film needs to be properly licensed. That means we need legal permission from the rights holders to use it in a video that'll be shared online. Using commercial music (anything you'd hear on Spotify) without a licence is copyright infringement, and platforms like Vimeo and YouTube can and will remove the video.
We license all our music through Musicbed, which is one of the best platforms in the world for cinematic, high-quality music. It gives us access to thousands of incredible tracks across every genre and mood. The quality is genuinely outstanding and often sounds better in a film than a commercial pop track would.
If there's a specific commercial song you love, we'll do our best to find something with the same energy and feel. In most cases, couples end up loving the track we choose even more than their original idea because it was chosen specifically for their footage and their story.
Vibe-based music selection.
We don't ask you to pick a specific song. Instead, we ask about the vibe. This is faster, easier, and honestly leads to a better result.
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Step 1: We ask you a few simple questions
What kind of music do you listen to? What's the energy of your day? Are you going for emotional and intimate, or upbeat and fun? Any songs, artists, or genres you love? Any you definitely don't want?
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Step 2: We choose tracks based on your footage
Once we've reviewed your footage and understand the rhythm of your day, we search for tracks that match both the vibe you described and the energy of what we captured. The right song often has to work with specific speech moments, ceremony timing, and emotional beats.
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Step 3: We lock it in and build the edit
Once the music direction is confirmed, the edit is built around it. The cuts, the pacing, the transitions are all shaped by the track. This is why changing the song later usually means recutting large sections of the film. Getting the music right early makes everything else flow.
Why this is the part that takes longest.
Music selection is the single biggest factor in how quickly you receive your film. Not because we're slow, but because the process requires your input and the right track needs to be a genuine fit.
When we reach out with music questions, the faster you respond, the faster we can move into the edit. If you're on your honeymoon or just need a breather after the wedding, that's completely fine. But if speed matters to you, this is the part where your response time makes the biggest difference.
Our typical delivery is around 12 weeks from the wedding day. If you're responsive on music, it can be faster. If it takes a few rounds to land on the right direction, it may take a bit longer. Either way, we'll keep you updated throughout.
Things couples ask us.
"Can I use our first dance song in the film?"
If it's a commercial track, usually not for the main film. With the Short Film and Feature Film, the first dance is included in full in your speeches edit, so the song is still captured.
"Do we get to approve the music before the edit is finished?"
We confirm the vibe and direction with you before we start editing. Once the first draft is ready, you'll hear the track in context. If it's not sitting right, we'll adjust.
"What if we have no idea what music we want?"
That's totally fine. Plenty of couples trust us to choose. We've been doing this for a long time and we're good at reading the energy of a day and matching it to a track. Just tell us to run with it and we will.
"Is the music included in the price?"
Yes. Music licensing is included in all our packages. You don't pay anything extra for it.
Let's check your date.
Tell us when and where you're getting married. If we're free, we'll come back with a few thoughts and a time for a quick chat.
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