Music is the unseen character that breathes life into any story. In the realm of wedding videos, it’s the silent narrator that leads us through the highs and lows, the laughter, and the tears. A well-chosen song can stir emotions and heighten senses, immortalizing moments in the most poignant way possible. So, how do you pick the right tune? What makes a good song for a wedding video? Let’s delve into the intricacies and explore the two popular formats of wedding videos: the music video style and the narrative style.
This section will help you choose a song for your 3-4 minute video if you ordered “The Preview”, “The Preview+”, or “The Feature” Packages.
When it comes to a one-song, no-dialogue wedding video, think of it as a 3-5 minute music video where the bride and groom are the stars. Here, the song carries the weight of the entire story, setting the mood and tempo for the visual narrative.
1. Emotional Resonance: The song should resonate emotionally with the couple and the event. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a popular love song; it could be a tune that holds special meaning to the couple – their first dance song, a favorite band, or a tune they often hum together.
2. Tempo and Rhythm: A song with a blend of slower sections (for romantic, intimate moments) and more uptempo parts (for the celebration) works well. The ebb and flow of energy within the song will provide a dynamic backbone for the video, allowing the editor to create impactful montages and transitions.
3. Lyrics: Even though it’s a music video style, the lyrics still play a significant role. They should align with the couple’s love story or at least embody the general themes of love, unity, and celebration. Remember, the lyrics will be leading the narrative in the absence of dialogue.
A good example of a song for this style could be “Chariot” by Jacob Lee. Its heartfelt lyrics and rhythmic versatility make it a popular choice for many wedding videos.
If you ordered “The Short” package, read on!
When your wedding video takes on a narrative style with dialogues, it evolves into a cinematic journey of your love story. Unlike a short music video, this format captures the essence of your special day in greater depth, weaving in words, expressions, emotions, and scenery into a beautifully crafted film. In this format, the music enhances and elevates the experience, working harmoniously with the visual elements and dialogue.
1. One Song Rule: While a diversity of tunes may seem appealing, a single well-selected song can have a powerful impact, creating a consistent and resonating emotional theme throughout your video. Choosing one track ensures a cohesive, uninterrupted flow and allows your audience – friends, family, and future generations – to fully immerse in your unique love story.
2. Instrumentals are Golden: Instrumental music is often the preferred choice for narrative-style wedding videos. With no vocals to compete with dialogues, they seamlessly blend with the background, enriching the narrative without overpowering the spoken words. An instrumental track, especially with a beautiful crescendo, can dramatically enhance key moments and create a profound emotional connection with viewers.
3. Vocals that Complement: If you have your heart set on a song with vocals, consider choosing a piece that’s on the mellow side, with vocals that blend well with the music, almost like another instrument in the song. This way, the vocals can be played softly in the background during dialogue, enhancing rather than distracting. Furthermore, a longer song (4-5 minutes) will allow the track to unfold slowly, matching the pace of a narrative-style wedding video.
A great example of such a song is “Last Chance” by CHPTRS. It’s an exquisite piece that offers a perfect balance between mellow, almost ethereal vocals and a captivating instrumental backdrop. The song’s gradual build-up and emotional intensity align beautifully with the narrative progression of a wedding video.
Remember, the perfect song for your wedding video is one that encapsulates your love story and the emotions of your big day. In a narrative-style video, the music is a critical element that not only supports the dialogue but also sets the emotional tone, enhancing the storytelling. Choose a song that speaks to your heart, and it will inevitably touch the hearts of those who join you in reliving these precious moments through your wedding video.
To further help you choose, we have curated several Spotify playlists of some of our favorites (below). We recommend saving these playlists and listening to them on your daily commute until you find one you like 🙂 Of course, if you don’t see something you like here, there are thousands of options on the sites themselves, and you don’t need an account to browse. These playlists contain a mix of free and premium songs (max fee $79). If you’d like a list with only free songs, please let us know.
*Note* Occasionally these sites remove songs without notifying us, so while the vast majority of these songs should be available, we cannot 100% guarantee it. If you’re interested in one, please ask us to double check that it’s still available!