I have edited a few dozen weddings now, all with classical music or "old school" love sons (Frank, Dino, etc) and have a pretty good song list for those, but I have a request to cut to "soft rock". Are there any standards you guys use? I remember 8 years ago every wedding used Shania Twain, but isn't she a little out of date? I don't want to put on Air Supply and look like a donosaur, so any tips of more current stuff you guys like would be appreciated.

Brian...ask your client who they like and songs they like, if it works well with the footage captured, all is well.

I couldn't just throw songs at you though....I have no idea what the venue looked like, the age of the client, their ethnicity, inside or outside wedding, formal or casual....are they a sappy couple or modern/chic?

Things like that help determine what types of music to use.


....and for everyone else, let's not turn this thread into an argument about copywrite music.

You raise good questions, but as I am editing this piece for someone else, I am not in direct contact with the couple. They are young, 24 - 26, and boogied down at the reception, so I think they'd be pretty hip. Any suggsetions would be appreciated.

Acoustic version of "Bed of Roses" by Bon Jovi.

Luce - "Good Day"

Alicia Keys - "If I Ain't Got You"

Worth a listen, anyway...

Sometimes the royalty free way has good quality also. Check out:

http://www.q-music.co.uk/

Listen to the aucustic rock vibes. It's a good disc to have and it works well with certain portions of weddings.

Ben Lynn

Hi Brian:

Ben brings up a good suggestion. However, in addition to what he suggested, you can also try to find something here - http://www.magnatune.com. On that record company's website, you can preview entire songs before you buy them and also very easily license them in your projects as well. This way you can avoid getting sued for copyright infringement. =)

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Adam

Elton John, Definately, "Candle in the Wind" there's an acoustic remix he did of it, it sounds great!, I'm sure you can find something from Sir Elton to use.

Elton John, Definately, "Candle in the Wind" there's an acoustic remix he did of it, it sounds great!, I'm sure you can find something from Sir Elton to use.

Ummm... for a wedding? Candle in The Wind is about Marilyn Monroe and her problematic life-cut-short.

Maybe it's just me, but I feel the lyrics have to fit the occasion as well.

-gb-

True, that was the song i was listening to at the time of the post, but i think the style though fits pretty well, i wasnt really thinking of the lyrics at the moment, my mistake.

I would really try and ask the person that requested you use "soft rock" to give you an example or two. From there, I could give you some suggestions. I would personally stay away from generic music on this. If they are "young and hip", something the recognize will be much better.

The problem is, it can be anything from 80's soft rock like Bon Jovi to something current (and if they like one, they might hate the other).

You could also let us know what the dj played and see if that gives any clue.

I'd get into contact with the couple themselves and ask them to provide songs for the sections you need.

These are the montage sections that we ask our clients to provide songs for:
http://www.monstercrayons.com/help/index.php?title=Wedding_Video_Items

I thought about this some more....and really, the best thing to do is get music from the client. If YOU choose the music and they do not like it....well, problems, maybe small ones but the fact that they may want you to change it could cause you some issues. Don't know what your contract says, but something to consider.

I always tell the client to provide me with more music than I need....this way I have ample choices to go from. Not all music goes with the footage shot....and Im really big on using stuff that fits and does not require "forcing" the tracks. My clients like this, and like the fact that I explain how music works or doesnt work in a particular video. Ultimately, I will force a song if need be but this has been a rare thing that ive had to do so far because they always provide me with a lot of music to go from.

joe