The Small Highlight

in 8 steps

Step 1: Getting set up.

By the end of this video, you should understand:

  • We use 23.976 timelines.

  • We have 2 companies.

  • Double check the length of the highlight.

  • Slow anything shot in 60 FPS by 40%.

Step 2: Choosing the right audio.

Approved wedding audio for the highlight:

  • An origin story about how the couple first met or got engaged.

  • A funny part of the reception speeches/ funny officiant audio.

  • Any audio from the couple's vows public, private vows, letter reading.

  • "You may now kiss the bride".

  • Ambient laughs and claps.

  • End of Toast audio- well wishes

  • Hint: If guests or the couple laugh, its good audio!

Please do not use the following audio:

  • Generic audio about love (Ex: “love is patient, love is kind…”)

  • Adjectives about the couple (Ex: “She is so kind”, “He’s a great person”

    • Use a story about the couple instead (Ex: “He’s so kind she gave me the shirt off his back. He gave his pants too!”

Last note: Feel free to shorten audio but make sure the audio sampled still makes sense. Ask yourself if the audio clip needs more context?

Step 3: Soundscape & Jumpcuts

By the end of this video, you should understand:

  • Where to place the audio.

  • How to combine music with the first look/first kiss for emotional impact.

  • How to time jump cuts to the beat to keep audience attention.

Step 4: Start with the couple having fun

By the end of this video, you should understand:

  • Begin with lively, candid couple footage.

  • No wedding audio in the beginning. Just music.

  • Feel free to add some ambient music, risers or atmospheres to the beginning of the song if it needs it.

Part 5: Prep to The Kiss 

By the end of this video, you should understand:

  • Most of the wedding audio used should be funny.

    • It can be from the ceremony or reception

    • Origin stories and anecdotes work great here.

  • Prioritize candid clips where people laugh!

  • Please include all first looks.

  • Please include at least some of the vows and end this section with “You may now kiss the bride…(or groom)”

    • Fade out audience claps.

Part 6: The Reception & The End

At the end of this video you should understand:

  • After the altar kiss, prioritize reception & bridal party fun.

  • The audio from the end of toasts works perfectly here.

  • End the video with:

    • a clip of the couple

    • their centered names “NAME + NAME”

    • then cross dissolve to the correct bumper.

    • Fonts and bumpers can be downloaded here.

Part 7: Color Grading & Correction

  • Do not correct or grade the video clips themselves. Create 2 adjustment layers on the timeline above the video clips:

    • 1st adjustment layer is for correction- white balance, saturation, contrast, shadows

    • 2nd adjustment layer is for grading- Use the custom Annagh6 LUT @ 100% (download here)

A smiling bride and groom at their wedding reception, standing inside an ornate ballroom. The bride wears a white gown and holds a bouquet of white flowers, while the groom is dressed in a black tuxedo with a bow tie. The image shows a side-by-side comparison labeled 'Before' and 'After'.
Side-by-side comparison of a woman before and after makeup, smiling while seated indoors with a group of women in the background.
Side-by-side comparison of two wedding photos showing a man in a tuxedo and a woman in a wedding dress with a bouquet, smiling and talking on a bridge in a city with tall buildings.

Step 8: Exporting & Notes

  • Export highlights as mp4’s in 23.976 fps

  • Do not use downloaded transitions (jump cuts and opacity fades only)

  • No dips to black in any of the videos please.

  • Please export 2 versions of the short highlight

    • 1 fully edited version labeled: “Couple name 1 + Couple name 2 Highlight”

      • example: John + Jane Highlight

    • 1 version with no coloring & no audio track labeled: “No color or music Couple name 1 + Couple name 2 Highlight”

      • example: No color or music John + Jane Highlight

Examples

BRIAN + EVELYN

The wedding videographer wasn’t able to capture any prep footage AND their wasn’t really any funny audio to use. The editor was still able to jumpcut to the beat, use clips of the bride laughing & make the edit emotionally engaging.

MARGOT + BRETT

This editor did a great job picking lively clips of the couple and started with a great origin story that made the audience laugh.

LIAM + ARNEL

This editor skipped step 3 but because they used such great audio and video clips, everything worked!