Wedding video editing pricing: what to charge and why
Wedding editing is the highest-effort, highest-emotion work in freelance video. Typical range: $1,500–$5,000+ for a highlight reel plus feature film. Here's how to price it without leaving money on the table.
Why weddings cost more
- Volume of footage. 6–10 hours of multi-cam footage is normal. Just organizing and syncing takes a full day before creative editing begins.
- Emotional stakes. This isn't a YouTube video — it's a once-in-a-lifetime deliverable. Clients expect perfection and will request more revisions.
- Audio complexity. Vows, speeches, ambient audio from multiple sources. Cleaning wedding audio is skilled, time-consuming work.
- Delivery formats. Highlight reel (3–5 min), feature film (30–60 min), teaser (60 sec for social), raw footage delivery — each is a separate deliverable.
Common package structure
| Package | Deliverables | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Highlight reel only (3–5 min) | $1,500–$2,500 |
| Standard | Highlight + feature film (30 min) | $2,500–$4,000 |
| Premium | Teaser + highlight + feature + raw footage | $4,000–$6,000+ |
Protect yourself: the wedding contract checklist
- Define exactly what's included (how many minutes, how many deliverables)
- Cap revisions at 2 rounds — wedding clients will ask for 5+ if you let them
- Set a delivery timeline (8–12 weeks is standard; rush fees apply for faster)
- Require 50% deposit upfront, balance on delivery