What is the perfect wedding film length? | Wedding Film Editing Tips!

How long do wedding films need to be? Every wedding filmmaker you ask will have a different answer! Here's how I figured out the perfect wedding video length.

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[MitchPhillips]

I've always done between 6-10 minute films and although I offer Doc Edits as an add-on, 95% of my couples don't bother with them. I think the key is to work audio segments of card readings, vows and speeches into the highlight film, that way it enhances the story and encapsulates all the key elements of the wedding. I also charge a high price for my Doc Edits to almost prevent people ordering them. I don't overly enjoy putting them together, but if a couple is willing to pay that higher price I'll do it. Win win.

[martydenson_mfm]

About 95% of my clients want to see everything I filmed. So I give them what I call a edited "Longplay" version. They feel cheated if I don't give them everything (except the horrible footage). I also include a 3-4min short film/highlight because I know they'll want to show family & friends who won't want to watch more than 5min worth. Great video/discussion. My business partner & I fight over this topic all the time. Tried offering short film style 20-30min a few times and it was a nightmare to deal with the clients. No matter what the contract agreement said, they wanted more. BTW Great topic.

[MelissaTimea]

This is so me... I started my business at the end of 2005 and always provided a long for edit. I WAS getting burned out. When 2009 rolled around, the economy crashed, I was having problems with my marriage as no money was rolling in because the economy collapsed. I quit at the end of 2009 and went back to my 9-5 job. I was so burned out from doing those long form edits that I hated editing after a while. Well, fast forward to today, I am ready to step back into wedding videography. I'm going to do some things differently this time including offering just a highlight as a package option and only offering a long form if couples really want it.

[JoshuaCassady]

Bro, I've binge watched dozens of your videos the last couple of weeks. I just filmed my first wedding ever in Dallas, two days ago. Dude, you are a baller man. Thank you for eveything. Blessings to you, your family, business, and channel!

[JordanNelson]

Dude, I stinkin’ love this!! I made a vid about this topic and totally agree with you. I’m so glad someone with far more influence than I put this out there! I love the theme of “freedom” when it comes to wedding filmmaking.

Side note, started wedding filmmaking over two years ago and you were one of the big influencers in helping me grow and learn. Now I have my own channel about video creation/wedding filmmaking and it’s opened up so many other opportunities. Just know your content has made a very significant practical impact on my life! Appreciate ya!

[Thejohnventura]

I love the advice of watch what others have made. It’s seriously how I improve and change my edits. But yea… end of the day happy editor(you) and happy clients will be what drives your business.

[PostColorGear]

I'll be honest man, you kinda blew my mind. Any weddings I shot I always provided them with a doc edit (roughly 30-45 minutes) and their highlight films. You offering just (basically) highlight films and (I safely assume) still getting business just made my day 😁

[tonyobrien]

Hey Matt, thanks for covering this. I'm in the 1HR + Doc style and 6-7 min highlights camp.(in my experience my clients in Ireland want majority of ceremony + speeches but there seems to be a market emerging for shorter edits only) I might add a highlights only package and see how it's received.... I read through some of the comments and for the people that think it's a rip off, well the client knows what there getting and the price, all beforehand .They are free to look around to get other quotes. Another comment was "you're there all day filming, you might as well give it to the client" What about the monster edit that needs to be done! Sound, song choice, cutting to a beat or (Might have to learn to edit the length of my comments first :)

[films]

Thanks for the love, Matt! Everyone has to find their sweet spot.

[MuKo.Delanoy]

HI Matt. I love your work and video's. I just checked out 31 films and OMG..They are amazing in their own way and style. Thanks for all your knowledge and expertise. Pardon my English. I'm From Curacao and we speak papiamentu natively and learn English as a second language in school.. It's a small Island 40 miles north of venezuela and about 30 miles of the coast of south America. Just did my 1st wedding 2 weeks ago and looking forward to grow in this industry. Thanks again Matt

[carolinaneira]

Thank you Matt. This help me a lot. I give the couple two videos. One 2 minutes long and other one hour long and I actually get so excited to edit the short one and then I don't edit the second one too happy. That can result with a video that does not bring out all my potential. I'm going to think about what I want to offer.

[ΑναστασιαΔερμεντζοπουλου]

your videos are so incredibly useful and not just random information and speaking in general, you truly open my eyes, thank you for this!!

[RedeemedProductions]

The way Matt says "documentary edits" makes me so happy.

[MomentumProductions]

Matt, I love you. 5 Years from now, you will shoot my wedding. :)

[MelissaTimea]

When I was getting started in 2006, I based my packages on some other videographers packages in my area. My top package came with 'unlimited hours' of filming on wedding day. A couple bought that package and on wedding day, about 4 hours into the reception where it was just open dancing, I asked to the groom how long he wanted me to stay. He said the whole night till they turn on the house lights. I think I filmed for 12 hours or more that day. That was the last time I ever offered 'unlimited hours' of filming. I know we are talking about edit results on this video, but this was a time that I changed my mind about what I was offering.

[Richoecreate]

I think this is great feedback Matt. My own opinion/experience is 5-6 min as you can tell you’ll full story within that timeframe . Some audience will eventually start losing Interest after a while.

[ovivil]

Oh wow, I just opened Youtube to search for videos on the length and your video popped up. I feel some sensei vibes!

[matrixate]

I've been doing videography for quite some time. I've been taught by both cinematographers and videographers. Some were professors that studied with actual Hollywood directors. There is a basic formula. From what I've learned and implemented, there is a point where the attention span and patience meet.

[VRcation]

Hearing you say 31films was surreal because theyre also in my top 5

[goldsightmedia]

I've just now noticed that I've used your videos two answer more than a handful of my questions and I finally just subscribed lol. Thanks for making videos that are relevant and useful to the average day photographer / videographer!