Videographer Music Selections

Wow..how long is your video?

If you ask for suggestions I'm sure they'd give it to you. And doesn't seem so important until after the wedding...

But I have no idea since we're still in the process of booking one

We have to submit it before the wedding....so confused. I'm thinking something classic- like Pachelbel in canon d, our first dance song and my bridal march song (which is A Thousand Year and I am nottt even sorry at all for picking the Twilight wedding song). Then a couple of our favorite upbeat songs from our bands set list?

Are there any restrictions due to music licensing? I'd ask before making a list.

I have to sign a release that says the music was purchased by me/FH and was not obtained through piracy.

I thought there'd be restrictions because of licensing too....

Ah ok....

I've been thinking about this a lot. I don't think you necessarily have to use music from your ceremony/reception, or not exclusively, you know? There's a lot of cute upbeat music featured in the millions of wedding videos I've now watched online -- ie: lots of Colbie Callait -- that seems to work better as background music than the songs I actually enjoy listening to on their own.

We're using a pretty big/popular company for our videography so I'm not too concerned about the legality with it. I just got confirmation from our rep that it can be any song as long as we purchase it from Itunes or whatever legally.

Gah. Many choices. That said, he said they just put classical music in if you don't submit any.

That is great that you can use anything you purchase! I love Ingrid Michaelson "The Way I Am"

@FutureMrsT That's what I was thinking too. I've been watching videos from the company non-stop at work trying to find one similiar in style to my wedding and see what works/what didn't for them.

Greetings,

Your Videographer will tell you about the legalities. While the current popular songs will be dated in a few years -- and your Wedding Video is a lifetime keepsake -- possibly consider using a nostalgic song, in the mix, that has been around for years. What a Wonderful World, As Time Goes By, Someone to Watch Over Me, Make Someone Happy. All the best! Sincerely, Michele, Jersey Shore

Hi Mrs. Morales, I have been working on this right now as well. My videographer uses this one song in most of his videos and it is awesome.

White Dress - Ben Rector

Also another song that I found because of a bride on here posted her video and I fell in love with it.

Best Part of Me - Landon Austin

Once in a Life Time- Landon Austin is also awesome

I am using most of our special songs in our video. First dance song, Dad/daughter dance, mother/son, mother/daughter, cake cutting. I have a huge list of music picked out.

Those 3 that I mentioned above stand out to me though.

Wait, what?

First, its not legal for your videographer to use any music in a video posted online unless they pay a license fee. Period. No exceptions. Doesn't matter who uploads the video either. For private viewing (at home via USB or DVD) they can generally use "natural sound" as in the song from the ceremony or first dance gets to stay there.

If your videographer is asking you to choose music, are they steering you to a licensing site like TheMusicBed or SongFreedom? If not, I don't understand what they're doing at all. Making a highlight video for you at home set to Bruno Mars?

@Kathryn, those choices ARE from TheMusicBed, and presumeably your guy is licensing music so its nice and legal and legit. There are a TON of great and amazing songs on those sites, and licensing isn't really that expensive ( each song is $50 for one time use, or $80 for 5 uses).

@RobertBenda- Thank you for the feedback. I'll check with the company. Like I said, they're one of the biggest/highest rated in the Chicago region so I'm sure that they're up to snuff on their legality-- I may just need further clarification.

Please do. If they're posting online, it HAS to be licensed. For several reasons that can effect you. You don't want ads on your wedding video... or for the record company to change its rule and pull the music off line suddenly and *poof* there goes your video, too.

Or, worst case, and this does happen, the record companies notice your videographer's videos and sue them into non-existence. Amazing wedding video guy Joe Simon got hit with a six figure suit for using ONE song ("Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars) a few years back. Another company used "Blurred Lines" in their photo booth video.

Not worth it, kids.

I know the music has to be licensed or you can get your ass sued! But then again, who would sue a newlywed couple! Roll the dice, I'm sure you'll be just fine.

All the videographers I checked out use whatever music you request in the long video that only you get to keep - not posted online. The highlight video if it's posted on YouTube especially and the videos are monetized (which is specific per channel) will need to have licenses for music. I do YouTube vids and mine are monetized - you'll see a lot of Landon Austen and Ben Rector for YouTube video because they are from sites like free play music. I think you're fine. No need to be concerned

So, I'm getting two videos-- one long and one highlight reel. Perhaps this is why they are giving me a choice for music. There's no absolute that they will post my video either-- they do post many of the bigger weddings highlight videos, but who knows if they change the music in the background from the copy they give to the couple or not? Really, not concerned-- I'm using a big company for this reason, just need clarification.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Iz is a good one, and A Sky Full of Stars by Coldplay is also a really good one for wedding videos.

Our choices are all Hawaiian songs so I can't really help, but we are having Pachelbel's Canon in D as one of our songs (just a version played on the ukulele). If you watch enough highlight videos you'll start recognizing some of the same songs, but you probably wants something that is good background music like what you'd hear at a cocktail hour.

@Nera, they don't sue the couple, they sue the videographer (and if it happens before your wedding, your guy may suddenly be out of business). AND they pull the videos offline. I suppose if you post your own video online they could sue you. However its more likely they mute your music, pull your video offline for copyright violation, or put annoying ads on it.

@buttons125 it is NOT for monetized YouTube channels. In fact, I'm not allowed to monetize my wedding videos I post for clients BECAUSE thats a separate license entirely. The music isn't free to use Ben Rector, et al. We pay a license to use the song ($50-$80 each time). If the videographer then monetizes their videos, they're in violation.

@MrsMoralesToBe For your long video that you get on DVD/USB and doesn't go online, any music is fine. Personally we use your music from the actual wedding day. Anything online needs to be licensed properly.

Folks this isn't because I think its *likely* you or your videographer will get sued (though it is a genuine possibility). Mostly Its really a big indicator on the way they do business, and how professional they are. If they're not handling the music licensing properly, what other corners are they cutting?