Free resource for videographers

Wedding Video Editing Brief Template & Footage Delivery Checklist

The clearer your brief, the fewer revision rounds you pay for. This is the exact structure we ask videographers for when they outsource a wedding edit — copy it, adapt it, and use it with any editor.

A vague hand-off is the single biggest cause of slow deliveries and misread edits. Every field below exists because its absence has, at some point, sent an edit in the wrong direction. Use the template for the creative direction and the checklist to make sure the footage itself arrives complete.

WEDDING VIDEO EDITING BRIEF
============================

1. THE BASICS
- Couple's names:
- Wedding date & venue:
- Number of cameras / shooters:
- Total footage size & runtime:

2. DELIVERABLES (tick all that apply)
- [ ] Highlight film — target length: ____ min
- [ ] Full ceremony edit
- [ ] Full speeches / toasts edit
- [ ] Teaser / social trailer — length: ____ sec
- [ ] Vertical social cuts (Reels / TikTok)
- [ ] Other:

3. STYLE & REFERENCES
- 2–3 films you love (links) + one line on why each:
  1)
  2)
  3)
- Pacing: (fast & punchy / relaxed & emotional / mixed)
- Colour & look: (warm / neutral / filmic / true-to-life)

4. MUSIC
- Provided by you? (yes / no)
- Track links or mood:
- Licensing status: (licensed / needs licensing / editor to source)

5. MUST-INCLUDE MOMENTS
- Timecodes or clip names for non-negotiable moments:
- Key people to feature (names / roles):

6. AVOID
- Moments, people, or angles to leave out:
- Sensitivities (e.g. divorced parents, absent relatives):

7. DELIVERY
- Deadline:
- Final format & resolution: (e.g. 4K / 1080p, H.264)
- Where to deliver: (link / platform)
- Revision expectations:

Footage delivery checklist

Run through this before you send anything. A complete transfer is what lets an editor start on day one instead of chasing you for missing audio a week later.

• All cards offloaded and verified
• Two backups exist before sending
• Folders organised per camera and card
• All audio included (lav, board feed, recorder)
• Full-resolution footage (proxies noted if used)
• Sync method noted (slate / clap / timecode)
• Corrupt or unusable clips flagged
• Total size and transfer method confirmed
• Completed brief attached
• Music files or links included

How to name and organise the files

A predictable structure saves an editor hours of guesswork and protects you if a clip is ever queried. A simple, reliable layout:

• Top folder: Couple-Name_Wedding-Date
• Per source: CAM-A, CAM-B, DRONE, AUDIO
• Inside each camera folder: keep the card structure intact — never rename original clips
• Audio: label by source and moment (LAV_Groom_Ceremony, BOARD_Speeches)

For the transfer itself, a large-file platform such as Frame.io, Dropbox or WeTransfer handles wedding-sized folders far better than email or a consumer cloud sync.

Frequently asked questions

What should a wedding video editing brief include?

The deliverables you need, 2–3 reference films with a note on what you like about each, your music plan and its licensing status, must-include moments, anything to avoid, colour and pacing preferences, and the deadline plus delivery format. The template above covers every field.

How do I hand off wedding footage to an outsourced editor?

Offload every card and keep two backups first. Organise files into folders per camera and card, include all separate audio, flag anything corrupt, note how the day was synced, and attach a completed brief — then transfer via a large-file service.

Should I send proxies or full-resolution footage?

Send full resolution so the editor can grade and deliver at final quality. If you also generate proxies, say so — some editors prefer to cut on proxies and relink. Never send only proxies unless a proxy-resolution master has been agreed.

Do I need a brief if I use the same editor every time?

Yes, but a shorter one — skip the references and focus on what is specific to this wedding. A consistent brief per project still prevents the back-and-forth that slows a delivery down.