Choosing music for a pre-ceremony film, and what to know about copyright

The same photos feel completely different with different music. Here is what to consider when choosing music for your pre-ceremony film, and the copyright points that are easy to miss.

What music works?

• Calm and warm: guests are finding seats and greeting each other, so music that flows in the background feels better than something fast or loud.
• Instrumental: the hall is full of conversation; instrumental music sets the mood without competing with it.
• About as long as the film: a three-to-four-minute track suits a three-minute film. If it's longer, fade out the end.

Classical favourites at weddings include Pachelbel's Canon in D, Bach's Air on the G String, Chopin's Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 and Satie's Gymnopédie No. 1.

Copyright: the essentials

A wedding venue is a public setting where many people watch together, so keep these points in mind.

1. Tracks bought from music services are for listening. Streaming or downloads are licensed for personal listening, not for putting into a video shown in a public place.
2. Classical doesn't mean free. The composition may be out of copyright when the composer died long ago, but a recording of a performance carries separate rights for the performers and the record producer.
3. Check your venue's policy. Venues may have their own rules about films containing outside music, so ask in advance.

The simplest way to be at ease is to use music whose rights have been cleared.

Music in Opening Film

Opening Film includes six tracks whose rights we have checked for use in films shown at weddings. They are recordings by a US government agency (the US Air Force Band), which have no copyright, or recordings whose performers have waived their rights (CC0).

• Canon in D (Pachelbel)
• Air on the G String (Bach)
• Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 (Chopin)
• Gymnopédie No. 1 (Satie)
• Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach)
• Dreaming of you (Komiku)

Tap ▶ to listen to each before choosing. If you have a song in mind you can upload your own file; in that case you need to make sure you have the right to use it.

With the music chosen, the last step is making sure the film plays properly at the venue: see the venue checklist.

Note: this article is general information, not legal advice. Please consult a professional about your specific situation.