Flow of a Film
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There’s only one Goal: HOOK the Audience
Make me want to watch their film within the first 6 seconds.
Meaning this is not the time for a drone shot or flat lay detail. Throw us right into a moment.
Preferably, I’d like a “Cold Open”
A Cold Open starts us right in the middle of an emotionally charged moment or significant moment from the day.
A super fun moment in their reception
Something emotional like their first look or a powerful/poetic line from their ceremony
Super beautiful shot of them with someone introducing the theme of their story.
Don’t just dip your toes into the story, jump right to the deep end. Show us where we’re going. Stop the scroll.
The goal is to get people feeling something before they actually see it. Then we build the rest of the story around that emotional center.
Filmmakers that do this Best
Wayward North - more emotional weddings
Little Long Distance - more fun, lighthearted, nostalgic
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Have a Clear Theme or Story Arc
I don’t want my films to all feel the exact same or basically be in the same order and just recap the day. So the fix for this is to have a clear theme, start the film with that as an emotional center, and then basically layer in the narrative and different parts of the day in an order that builds on that core theme.
What did the day reveal about this couple that’s unique?
Ex. they didn’t kiss for 3 years, they’ve been together for 10. They’ve overcome adversity, they’re adventurous, they’ve made the friend group stronger, went through long distance, are opposites or the same, etc.
The best films ask specific questions, explore why it matters, and then pay off that curiosity near the end. This is how you can piece together the story of the day and the couple.
It’s also the key for finding music that fits with the feeling of the couple. You want music that matches their theme.
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Who they are, how they met, what makes their story special.
Try to be balanced in talking about both of them.
I typically show them getting ready or going through the day while we talk about them.
Do your best to build anticipation by showing what they’ve gone through to get here today.
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If they say personal vows, I definitely want to hear the best parts of those.
For the repeat after me vows, I typically cut them together so it’s like they are talking to each other.
If it’s possible to weave in affirmation from a friend / family member around this time, I find that often helps.
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I love when near the end of the film, we come back to the theme that we introduced in the very beginning.
Perhaps even the same speaker from the intro now giving us the conclusion answering the big question of the film.
This video kinda walks through the process I try to follow when editing wedding films. Most importantly, we just want it to feel like it’s personalized and reflects the couple’s story (not just following a template).
I try to have key moments for the day such as the first look or bride walking down the aisle hit at climax points in the music as well. That way you maximize the effect.
Finding Music
I typically use this framework when choosing songs.
The Basics
I use Musicbed for all of my songs.
I try to keep all of the songs in the same key.
I really don’t like when it feels like “wedding music.” Use music that complements the story, listen to the words that are being said, find a song that complements that.
I love when some of the words in the song relate to what the couple has been saying.
The Extra Sauce
Using the film score sound pack from Multiply Media to put extra emphasis on certain moments or transitioning.
This video explains that really well.
This is a link to download the Film Score Sound Pack
B-Roll + A-Roll
Premise: B-Roll should complement the A-Roll
Ex. When you hear heartfelt vows from the couple, don’t want to pair that with detail shots of the reception. Instead, you want to actually see the couple.
In exciting moments like post-ceremony, you don’t want to immediately see cocktail hour shots, you want to see celebration and excitement and hugs.
I would rather see an authentic moment play out than cut it short because of 5 kinda random b-roll shots.
For first looks, first dances, parent dances, walking down the aisle, etc. Allow the moments to breathe. Slow down the pacing a little bit, let us feel the actual moment. For moments like the party, feel free to speed up the pacing and show it more montage style sometimes.
Be really selective on like random shots of flowers or flatlays and stuff. I very rarely like using those shots.
Use slow motion sparingly, if at all. Especially during genuine moments like a first look or something, don’t slow it down and effectively turn it into b-roll. I like for genuine moments to play out and feel genuine.
When you do use slow motion, use it intentionally for moments like the grand entrance or ceremony recessional. Moments that you want to “slow down + relive forever”
Color Grading
Correction Node: for Exposure, White Balance, and Contrast
Exposure: I would prefer you adjust this by using the Gamma wheel slider. Prioritize skin tones + blacks looking black.
White Balance: I set this using Temp + Tint.
Saturation: I often bump it up to around 55.
Look Node: for specific colors that look bad in certain clips.
Examples: Blues in bride's dress, Greens in grass or trees, Yellows in rooms
I usually adjust these by bringing down those specific colors in the Hue vs Sat curve. (only use if necessary)
Sound Design
This is typically the final step in editing for me, but it definitely adds a lot to the film when there is at least some basic sound design.
I would love if you guys could add at least some ambient sounds + foley or in-camera audio when needed. For example, when people are laughing or there’s a champagne pop, etc. I like to actually hear it.