How to Legally and Safely Use Drones for Wedding Videography in the U.S. and U.K.

Apr 5

If you're a wedding videographer—or planning to become one—there’s no doubt you’ve thought about how drone footage can elevate your work. Smooth aerial shots of the venue, sweeping views of the couple walking hand-in-hand—it’s cinematic gold. But before you send that drone into the sky, you need to understand something very important:

Using drones for weddings is not just about great shots—it’s about flying legally and safely.

This post covers exactly how to use drones legally for wedding videography in the United States and the United Kingdom, with real legal references, important safety rules, and cinematic tips to wow your clients.

Why Drone Footage Matters in Wedding Videography?

Let’s face it: couples want their wedding videos to look like movies. And drone wedding videography delivers that cinematic vibe better than almost anything else. Whether it's a bird’s-eye view of the mountain backdrop or a reveal shot of the ceremony location, aerial footage sells.

In fact, more wedding filmmakers are adding drone services to their packages—but without knowing the legal drone filming rules, you’re risking fines, flight bans, and even lawsuits.

The Problem: Flying a Drone for a Wedding Isn’t Always Legal

Many videographers assume that flying a drone at a wedding is as easy as just showing up and hitting record. But that’s far from reality.

In the U.S. and U.K., commercial drone use—yes, even for weddings—comes with strict rules. You can’t just show up with a DJI drone and fly over the ceremony. You must be licensed, insured, and approved depending on where and how you fly.

Here’s what you need to know.

How to Legally Use a Drone for Wedding Videography in the U.S. ?

Wedding videography laws USA

If you’re shooting a wedding with a drone in the United States, you are considered a commercial drone pilot. That means you’re governed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under Part 107 rules.

Step-by-Step Legal Checklist (U.S.):

1. Get FAA Part 107 Certified

You must pass the Part 107 exam to become a certified remote pilot. This test covers airspace classification, weather, regulations, and drone operations.

2. Register Your Drone

All drones used commercially must be registered with the FAA. Place your registration number visibly on the drone.

3. Request Airspace Authorization

If the wedding is near an airport or in controlled airspace, you must request FAA permission through LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability).

4. Follow Flight Rules

Fly below 400 feet AGL
Keep line-of-sight at all times
Don’t fly over people or moving vehicles unless you have a waiver
No flying at night unless properly equipped and approved

5. Get Venue & Property Permission

You’ll need written or verbal permission to launch and land your drone from private property (even if the couple booked the venue).

Pro Tip: Always carry proof of FAA certification and drone insurance.

How to Legally Use a Drone for Wedding Videography in the U.K. ?

Drone filming weddings UK laws

In the United Kingdom, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulates drone use. Wedding videographers are considered commercial drone users, and that means getting certified and following the UK Drone Code.

Step-by-Step Legal Checklist (U.K.):

1. Get a Flyer ID and Operator ID

Anyone flying a drone that weighs over 250g needs a Flyer ID (pilot) and Operator ID (owner).

2. Take a Certification Course

You’ll likely need either an:

A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC) for lightweight drones (under 2kg)
GVC (General Visual Line of Sight Certificate) for heavier drones or urban flying

3. Check the Airspace Restrictions

Use apps like Drone Assist to check for no-fly zones, restricted airspace, and special permissions needed for city or congested area flights.

4. Respect UK GDPR and Privacy Laws

Flying over private events requires explicit permission. Do not record or photograph guests without informed consent.

5. Follow the Drone Code

Keep the drone in sight at all times
Stay below 120 meters (400 feet)
Keep 50 meters away from people and property (30m for A2 CofC with light drones)

Common No-Fly Zones to Watch Out For (U.S. + U.K.)

Airports & heliports
Stadiums or large outdoor events
National parks (U.S.)
Royal Parks (U.K.)
Military areas
Urban zones without proper permissions

Always check local rules before the shoot.

Drone Safety Tips for Wedding Videographers

Drone safety tips for weddings

Even if you're licensed, safety should always come first. Here's how to avoid ruining someone’s big day—or your drone.

✅ Check weather conditions: Avoid high winds or rain
✅ Inspect gear pre-flight: Batteries, propellers, GPS, camera
✅ Avoid flying directly over guests
✅ Assign a “drone spotter” to help monitor flight and safety
✅ Rehearse drone paths before guests arrive

Cinematic Tips: How to Capture Stunning Wedding Drone Footage

Best drone shots for weddings

Want your footage to actually look good? Try this:

Shoot at golden hour (1 hour after sunrise or before sunset)
Start with a wide establishing shot of the venue
Use smooth, slow movements (no quick yaw turns or jerky pans)
Blend drone shots with ground footage in editing for a natural flow

Get Wedding Videos Edited FAST by Zepicut

Are you a wedding videographer using drones but spending too much time editing your footage? Let us help.

At Zepicut.com, we offer premium wedding video editing with a 4-day turnaround—faster than any major agency in the industry. While most editors take 15+ days, we deliver cinematic, color-graded, storytelling-driven wedding films in record time.

Whether you’ve got hours of drone footage or multi-cam wedding ceremonies, we’ll handle it all.

🎬 Focus on capturing magical moments—we’ll turn them into a masterpiece.
📩 Visit zepicut.com and get started today.

Yeabsira Solomon