The responsibility of capturing the magic of a wedding is no small feat. In the ever-evolving world of wedding videography, where technology and artistry seamlessly intertwine, one crucial aspect to consider is music licensing.

When you’ve poured your heart and soul into creating a beautiful wedding video, the last thing you want is to face potential copyright issues that could jeopardize your masterpiece - and your livelihood.

In this blog post, we’re taking a deep dive into the world of wedding video music licensing. We’ll unravel the complexities of music licensing and guide you through every step of the journey, ensuring that your creative endeavor is copyright-compliant.  

Why Music Licensing is Vital for Wedding Videos

Weddings are joyous occasions, but the happiness can quickly turn into a disaster if a videographer inadvertently incorporates someone else’s work without proper permission. Wedding video music, just like any other form of art, is protected by copyright laws.

To navigate this intricate landscape, understanding copyright law is a must for videographers aiming to both run a successful business and craft visually stunning videos with the perfect soundtrack. So, let's break down the basics.

Understanding copyright law and how it applies to wedding videos can seem a bit like deciphering sheet music for the novice musician. Let’s break down the basics in a digestible way. 

Music and wedding videos are both considered to be original works that are protected by copyright. So, the musician will be the copyright owner of the music, while the videographer is the owner of the video. Combining them together does not make it a new original work. 

Protecting the Reputation of Your Videography Business

Anyone who works in the wedding industry knows that reputation is everything. The industry is highly competitive, with little room for error. A good social media presence and a strong portfolio are important, but most engaged couples rely on word of mouth, too.

Using licensed music as a wedding videographer is not just a legal obligation, it’s a strategic move to safeguard your business reputation. While the intricacies of obtaining rights to a song can seem daunting, there are affordable ways to simplify the process.

Even having just one legal issue can kill your business. Showcase your commitment to quality by not only understanding this area of business but ensuring your clients and fellow vendors do, too.

Understanding the Basics of Wedding Video Music Licensing

Knowing exactly what music licensing is and how it applies to wedding videos is the first step. Let’s dive deeper into the world of music licensing and how it works. 

What is Music Licensing?

Music licensing is the process of obtaining the legal rights to use someone else's work. Music is considered intellectual property, just like videos, and can’t be stolen or used at any time without proper permission. 

From a more technical standpoint, music licensing involves two parties entering a legal agreement that dictates the terms in which the work may be used. It also details any financial compensation required for the music’s usage and exactly how it can be used.

Lastly, the contract may outline how long they can use the work. This is an important detail in the wedding industry as you don’t want to showcase a song that, a few years from the publish date, is illegal to use. A wedding film should be eternal for the couple. 

How Licensing Applies to Wedding Videos

As we can see, there is much to unpack on how wedding videos and licensing go hand in hand. Understanding what type of licensing you need and the terms is crucial to maintaining your professionalism. Some videographers assume that it’s the after-wedding video production they need to be worried about. 

One of the biggest pitfalls is if video and music are shown together at the wedding illegally. While a professional may think that the likelihood of getting caught with this mistake is slim to none, this isn’t the case in the era of technology. As soon as someone uploads a video from their smartphone, there is technology out there to detect unauthorized use of an artist's work. 

What License Do You Need for Wedding Videos?

When creating wedding videos, videographers will typically need to obtain a specialized synchronization license that allows them to include the song as background music in the video.

A synchronization license grants the right to synchronize music with visual images. Since wedding videos involve the synchronization of the music with the footage, this is the most common type of license required for wedding videos. This type of license can easily and affordably be obtained through a Track Club subscription.

It’s also important to understand other types of music licenses that may be required for the wedding music itself. In particular, a public performance license or a mechanical license may be required for popular songs played live or as background music during the ceremony or reception. 

Where to Find Licensed Music for Wedding Videos

While the process of obtaining licensed music for wedding videos might seem complicated if you’ve never done it before, it’s actually quite simple. Here’s what you need to know. 

Trusted Music Licensing Platforms

A trusted music platform, like Track Club by Marmoset, offers a diverse range of licensable music for wedding videos. Our meticulously curated small-batch music catalog makes it easy to find and license the perfect track, customize it for your needs, and sync it with your video.

Custom Compositions and Licensing

Having custom-tailored music is a great idea but is not the most financially affordable. It’s also important to note that the agreement and fine print must be detailed correctly. 

Remember, working with an artist to produce work for your videos still has copyright law and protections. Having an agreement with all the major elements, such as financial compensation, use rights, and timelines, is very important to avoid any liability. 

Free Online Music Libraries

Free online music libraries can seem like a financially friendly option, but they come with a significant downside. These tracks are often overused and unoriginal, which can be a tough sell in the wedding industry. It’s also very important to do your own research to verify that any songs you use are truly copyright-free.

How to License Music for Wedding Videos

The easiest way to license music for wedding videos is to work with a reputable music licensing agency like Track Club. Here’s how the process works!

Subscribe to Track Club

To get started, sign up for the Track Club subscription that makes the most sense for your business. Your subscription takes all of the guesswork out of music licensing. From gaining proper permission to compensating the artist, everything is taken care of for you. 

Find the Perfect Song for Your Video

Once you’ve signed up for Track Club, download the app and use their Smart Filters to find the perfect song for your project. Filter by genre, mood, length, and more to narrow down your search.

The number of results will become more refined as you narrow your search parameters, making the entire process fast and easy. It only takes a few minutes to find a song that matches your couple’s personality and elevates your work.

Customize the Song as Desired

Track Club’s app comes with a built-in song customization tool called MixLab. With MixLab, you can create and download custom stems, and even mute, increase, or decrease the volume of the vocals or individual instruments, and much more.

Add the Song to Your Video

Now you’re ready to export the song to your favorite video editing software and add it to your video. It’s really that easy!

Taking Your Time

When it comes to producing wedding videography, taking your time is important. After all, your visual masterpiece is the cherished keepsake couples rely on to immortalize their special day. Working with the right tools can make the process much easier.

Understanding music licensing and the above elements is the first step in operating your business professionally. The next step is figuring out how to obtain licenses and find your music. 

Enter Track Club, your gateway to easy and affordable music licensing. Find the perfect track that resonates with emotion, customize it as you wish, and obtain the right music license for your needs all in one place!