Everything answered — no fluff

Wedding Video Editing
FAQ

Every question we get asked about outsourcing wedding video editing to SmashJ — answered honestly. Workflow, turnaround, software, privacy, reviews and more.

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Wedding film editing since 2015 1,000+ films delivered 10–15 business day turnaround Premiere Pro · DaVinci Resolve · FCPX Frame.io review workflow

Why outsource?

What Outsourcing Your Wedding Video Editing Actually Gives You

Before the FAQ — a quick reminder of what's actually at stake. These are the real-world benefits our clients tell us they experience after outsourcing their wedding video editing to SmashJ.

📈
Grow your bookings
Take on more weddings per season without creating a backlog. Editing is no longer the bottleneck.
💰
Improve cash flow
Films delivered promptly after each shoot — couples pay balances sooner and referrals come in faster.
😌
Reclaim your weekends
Stop editing until midnight. Hand the footage to us and spend that time on things that matter — including shooting more weddings.
🧾
Smart accounting
Editing costs become a deductible business expense — not invisible unpaid hours you never get back.
💍
Happier clients
Couples receive their films within weeks, not months. Faster delivery means better reviews, more referrals.
🔥
Keep your passion
You got into wedding videography to shoot, create and connect — not to spend every evening in a timeline.

Frequently asked questions

Everything You Need to Know

We've grouped questions by topic so you can find what you need quickly. If your question isn't here, get in touch and we'll answer it directly.

⚙️ Workflow & Process
How does the process work from start to finish?
It's straightforward. You send us your footage via Dropbox, Google Drive, Filemail or any cloud storage you already use — along with your style references and licensed music. We study your existing edits, then complete the edit and send you a private Frame.io link for review. You leave time-coded comments, we refine accordingly. Once approved, we deliver the final project file and music via Dropbox or Google Drive. Simple, online, no complicated setup required.
How do I get my footage to SmashJ?
Upload via Dropbox, Google Drive, Filemail or any cloud storage solution you prefer. We have no restrictions on file sizes or camera numbers — send us everything and we'll handle the rest. All footage transfer and delivery is done online. We do not require physical drives to be posted.
How does the review and approval process work?
Once the edit is complete, we send you a private Frame.io link. Frame.io lets you watch the video and leave time-coded comments directly on specific moments — no emails back and forth describing timestamps. We work through your feedback, make the revisions, and return an updated cut. Two full revision rounds are included with every edit. Once you're happy and approve the final version, we deliver the completed project file.
What does final delivery include?
Once your edit is approved, we deliver the full project file in your preferred editing software (Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve), along with the licensed music used in the edit. Everything is delivered via Dropbox or Google Drive. You receive the project file ready for your own final export, colour grade or quality check — not just a rendered video.
What if I have specific notes or a brief for the edit?
Please send us as much detail as you like — a written brief, style notes, must-include moments, music cue points, anything that helps us get it right first time. The more context you give us upfront, the closer the first cut will be to your vision. We'd rather over-inform than guess.
⏱️ Turnaround & Timing
How long does wedding video editing take?
Once we receive your footage, we can deliver the first cut within 10–15 business days. For the first couple of edits while we lock in your style, allow a little extra time — this is normal and improves with every subsequent project. If you have a tight deadline, let us know when you enquire and we'll discuss expedited options.
Why might the first edit take a bit longer?
The first edit is where we study and lock in your style — your colour grade, pacing, transition choices, and the way you structure a highlight or ceremony cut. Getting this right takes a little more time upfront. Once we've nailed your look, subsequent edits are much faster and require fewer revision rounds.
Can you handle urgent or rush edits?
In some cases, yes — depending on our current workload. If you have a tight turnaround requirement, let us know when you get in touch and we'll be honest about whether we can accommodate it. We don't promise what we can't deliver.
Can you handle multiple weddings at once?
Yes. This is one of the main reasons videographers use SmashJ — especially during peak season. We can run multiple projects simultaneously, which means your backlog doesn't pile up the way it would if you were editing yourself. Volume pricing is available for clients sending regular or high-quantity work.
💻 Software & Technical
What editing software does SmashJ use?
We edit primarily in Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve. If you use Final Cut Pro, let us know and we'll confirm availability. Project files are returned in your preferred NLE — ready for your final review, colour grade or export. No reformatting or conversion required on your end.
Are there any restrictions on file sizes or camera setups?
None. We have no restrictions on file sizes, camera numbers, footage formats or resolution. Whether you shoot with one camera or five, RAW or proxy, 4K or 6K — send it all and we'll handle the ingestion and organisation. We support proxy file workflows for large projects.
Who provides the music for the edit?
Licensed music must be provided by you using a platform such as MusicBed, Soundstripe, Artlist or a similar music licensing service. This protects both you and your client from copyright issues on delivery platforms. If you're unsure which track to use, share a few options and we can advise on what works best for the edit's pacing and tone.
Do you work with proxy files?
Yes. If you shoot in 4K or higher and want to keep file sizes manageable for transfer, we support proxy workflows. You can send us proxies for the edit and retain the original high-resolution files. We'll return the project file with links that you can relink to the originals for final export on your end.
🎨 Style Matching
Will the edit actually look like my work?
Yes — this is the thing videographers are most surprised by. Before we start, we review your existing edits, your website, and any style assets you share (LUTs, transitions, overlays, fonts, your preferred song structures). We replicate your pacing, your cut style and your colour approach. The finished film should be indistinguishable from your own work. Your clients will never know the edit was done by someone else.
What should I send to help you match my style?
Send us a link to your website and two or three of your best existing edits. If you have LUTs, transitions, overlays or any custom assets you regularly use, send those too. The more reference material we have, the more accurate the first cut will be. You don't need to write a long brief — your existing work tells us more than words.
What if I want to change my editing style over time?
Just let us know. If you're evolving your look — new LUT, different pacing, a new font treatment — share an example of the direction you want to go and we'll adapt. We're not locked into the first style we learned for you.
Do you only edit wedding highlights, or can you do full documentaries too?
We edit the full range — cinematic highlights (4–10 min), wedding short films (12–18 min), feature films (10–20 min), full documentaries (45–120 min), and multicam ceremony edits. We also handle commercial and documentary video editing for clients who need it. See our services page for the full breakdown.
🔒 Privacy & Confidentiality
Is my clients' footage kept confidential?
Always. Client confidentiality is non-negotiable at SmashJ. We never share, post or distribute client footage without your explicit permission. No social media, no portfolio posts, no internal showcases — nothing. Your couples' most intimate moments stay exactly that: private.
Can SmashJ sign a non-disclosure agreement?
Yes. If you require a formal NDA before sending footage, we're happy to sign one. Several of our long-term clients have NDAs in place. Just let us know when you get in touch and we'll arrange it before any footage is transferred.
What happens to my footage after the project is finished?
We hold raw footage for a short period after delivery in case revisions are needed. On request, we delete all raw footage from our systems once you confirm the project is complete. You remain in full control of your clients' media from start to finish.
Do my clients need to know I'm outsourcing the editing?
That's entirely your business decision, and one many of our clients think carefully about. Most videographers engage post-production partners without disclosing it to their couples — in the same way a photographer might use a lab for printing, or a builder might engage specialist subcontractors. We work as a silent partner. Our name never appears in the final deliverable, and we never reach out to your clients directly.
💳 Pricing & Volume
How much does wedding video editing cost?
Pricing depends on the edit type, length, number of cameras and the complexity of the project. We provide custom quotes based on your specific requirements rather than publishing a one-size-fits-all rate card. Get in touch with details of a typical project and we'll come back to you promptly with a quote.
Do you offer discounts for regular or high-volume work?
Yes. Volume pricing is available for videographers who send multiple projects per season. The more consistent your volume, the better the rate. This is one of the key reasons many of our clients build a long-term relationship with us rather than treating us as a one-off solution.
Do you work with videographers outside Australia?
Yes. SmashJ works with professional wedding videographers in Australia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and beyond. Everything is done online — footage in, project files out. Geography is not a barrier. Visit our US-specific page if you're based in the States.

Still have a question that's not answered here?

Ask SmashJ Directly

Two questions we get asked a lot

Why No Public Sample Edits? Why So Few Reviews?

These are fair questions — and they deserve honest answers, not deflection.

On sample edits
Why We Don't Have Sample Edits Publicly on the Site

Client privacy is at the core of how SmashJ operates. The couples whose weddings we edit didn't sign up to have their most intimate moments used as marketing material — and we don't treat their footage that way.

Any edit we retain as a reference or showcase is stored in a private, password-protected Vimeo vault — accessible only to prospective clients who request access directly. We share sample edits gladly, and we have a large catalogue to draw from. We just don't broadcast them publicly without explicit consent from both the videographer and their clients.

If you want to see work that closely matches your own style, location or cultural tradition — get in touch and we'll send you a Vimeo link directly. We think that's a better experience than a generic showreel anyway.

On client reviews
Why You Won't Find Many Public Reviews of SmashJ

This one comes down to the nature of the service we provide. SmashJ is a behind-the-scenes operation. Our clients — professional wedding videographers — use us as their silent post-production partner. The couples receiving the finished films have no idea we were involved. That's by design, and it's exactly what our clients want.

Here's the honest reality: most of our clients don't want their competitors, their own clients, or even their industry peers to know they outsource their editing. Outsourcing is a genuine competitive advantage for them — it lets them take on more bookings, deliver faster, and maintain a higher quality of life than other videographers who are editing around the clock. Sharing that advantage publicly would undermine it.

So when we ask clients for a testimonial, the most common response is along the lines of: "I'd love to — but I'd rather not have anyone know I use you." We respect that completely. It's a reflection of how much they value the relationship — not a lack of satisfaction.

What we can tell you is this: the majority of SmashJ's clients return to us every season. Some have been with us since 2015. That kind of retention doesn't happen with mediocre work or bad service — it happens when videographers find a post-production partner they can genuinely trust.

Explore SmashJ

Dig Deeper

Ready to learn more or get started? Here's where to go next.

🎬 Wedding Video Editing → ▶️ Demo Reels → 🔒 Privacy Policy → 🔗 Frame.io Process → 🇺🇸 US Videographers → ℹ️ About SmashJ →

Question Answered?
Let's Get Started.

Tell us about your footage, your style and your current workload. We'll send you a quote and a Vimeo link to sample edits that match your look.

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