How to split a wedding video into separate chapters
- Step 1Decide: even sections or exact moments? — If you want a quick N-way handoff or rough sectioning, the equal split below is fast and lossless. If chapters must start on exact moments (the kiss, the toast), those points are unequal — use lossless-trimmer per chapter instead. Many editors do both: equal split for bulk, trims for the hero moments.
- Step 2For an even split, choose a part count —
parts = round(total minutes ÷ desired section minutes). A 90-minute master into ~15-minute sections is90 ÷ 15 = 6parts. The splitter divides by count — there's no 'cut at these timestamps' mode here. - Step 3Drop the master and set Number of parts — Accepts MP4, MOV, MKV, WEBM, AVI, M4V, TS — including ProRes-in-MOV masters. Enter your count (2–20). Stream-copy keeps the grade and codec intact.
- Step 4Run the lossless split — FFmpeg.wasm extracts each section with
-ss START -i master -t SEGLEN -c copy -avoid_negative_ts make_zero. No transcode, so even a large ProRes master splits fast and bit-identical. - Step 5Deliver the ZIP to the couple — Extract
name-parts.zipand rename sections by chapter for delivery ('01 — Ceremony', '02 — Speeches'). Each plays independently, so the couple can share a single chapter without the whole film. - Step 6Trim hero moments to exact starts — For the vows or first dance that must begin on the beat, cut precisely with lossless-trimmer using exact in/out points. Combine these hero clips with the even sections in the gallery.
Even split vs exact-moment chapters
A wedding's real chapters are unequal. Match the method to what the client needs.
| Need | Method | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Quick N-way handoff / rough sections | Equal split into 2–20 parts | This splitter |
| Chapter starts on an exact moment | Frame-precise trim at in/out points | lossless-trimmer |
| Recombine chapters into the full film | Same-codec concat (lossless) | video-merger |
| Web-ready preview for the gallery | Faststart-optimised export | web-optimizer |
Part count for master length and section size
Equal split divides total runtime by part count. Use it for even sections; use exact trims for named moments.
| Master length | ~10 min sections | ~15 min sections | ~20 min sections |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 min | 6 parts | 4 parts | 3 parts |
| 90 min | 9 parts | 6 parts | 5 parts |
| 120 min | 12 parts | 8 parts | 6 parts |
| 150 min | 15 parts | 10 parts | 8 parts |
Splitter behaviour for client delivery
Real tool facts relevant to wedding videographers.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Part range | 2–20 |
| Quality | Lossless (-c copy) — grade preserved |
| Codec / container | Unchanged (ProRes/HEVC/H.264 all preserved) |
| Boundary | Nearest keyframe, not frame-accurate |
| Output | ZIP of ordered sections |
Cookbook
Delivering a wedding film as shareable pieces. Use even splits for bulk and trims for hero moments.
90-minute film into 6 even sections for handoff
A fast, lossless way to break a long master into manageable deliverables before fine-cutting hero moments.
Input: smith-wedding-master.mov (90:00, ProRes) Option: Number of parts = 6 Output: smith-wedding-master-parts.zip ...-part-1.mov ... -part-6.mov (~15:00 each, ProRes) Rename by section for the client gallery.
Exact ceremony chapter (use trimmer, not split)
The ceremony has a precise start and end — equal-time splitting can't hit it.
Ceremony runs 12:40 -> 47:10 in the master. Equal split would never land on those marks. Use lossless-trimmer: in 12:40 out 47:10 -c copy -> '01-Ceremony.mov', bit-identical, exact bounds. (Route: /video-tools/lossless-trimmer)
Preserve a graded HEVC master
Stream-copy keeps your colour grade untouched across every section.
Input: graded-master.mp4 (HEVC 4K, 6.2 GB) [Pro tier] Option: Number of parts = 5 -c copy -> grade and codec preserved exactly in all 5 sections. No re-render of your colour work.
Recombine sections back into the full film
If the couple later wants the whole film as one file, the same-codec sections rejoin losslessly.
Have: 6 same-codec sections from the split. video-merger (concat demuxer, stream-copy) -> full-film.mov, reproducing the master within keyframe tolerance. (Route: /video-tools/video-merger)
Web-ready preview chapters for the gallery
Split sections are full-quality; for a fast-loading online gallery, optimise each for the web.
Split into sections, then run each through web-optimizer (+faststart, scaled H.264) so the gallery streams instantly on the couple's phones. (Route: /video-tools/web-optimizer)
Edge cases and what actually happens
Wedding chapters aren't equal length
Use trimmerCeremony, speeches, and dances run different durations, but this tool splits into even segments. For named chapters with exact starts and ends, use lossless-trimmer per chapter. Reserve the equal split for quick bulk sectioning or simple handoffs.
Chapter starts a beat before the moment
By designEven when used for rough sectioning, boundaries snap to the nearest keyframe, so a section can begin a second or two early. For a hero moment that must start exactly on the kiss or toast, trim at the precise frame with lossless-trimmer.
ProRes master is very large
Check tierProRes files are big — a 90-minute master can run tens of GB. Free caps at 1 GB and Pro at 10 GB; a large ProRes master may need Pro + Media (100 GB). The split itself stays lossless and fast because it copies streams rather than re-encoding.
Couple wants the full film back
SupportedBecause every section shares the master's codec, they recombine losslessly via the concat path in video-merger, reproducing the full film within keyframe tolerance. No re-render of your edit is needed.
Grade or codec must stay untouched
PreservedStream-copy never decodes or re-encodes, so your colour grade, codec, and pixel format are identical in every section. Only transcode (via video-transcoder) if the delivery target can't play the master's codec.
Need a web-streamable deliverable
Different toolSplit sections keep the master's container, which may not be faststart-optimised for instant web playback. For an online gallery, run each section through web-optimizer to add +faststart and a web-friendly encode.
More than 20 sections requested
ClampedThe count maxes at 20 — far more than any wedding needs. If a client truly wants more, split into 20 then re-split a part, but unequal hero-moment trims are almost always the better delivery for weddings.
Audio sync across a long film
PreservedStream-copy preserves A/V sync and -avoid_negative_ts make_zero rebases each section's timestamps to zero, so speeches and music stay locked. Drift would indicate a source already out of sync, not the split.
Master duration can't be read
ErrorIf the master is a partial export or lacks duration metadata, the tool raises 'Could not determine video duration.' Re-export from your NLE with a complete container, then split.
Frequently asked questions
How do I split a wedding video into chapters?
For even sections, choose a part count (2–20) and the tool divides the master into that many equal lossless pieces. For named chapters with exact starts — ceremony, vows, first dance — those are unequal, so cut each with lossless-trimmer at precise in/out points instead.
Can I split at exact moments like the first kiss?
Not with this tool — it splits into equal durations, and boundaries snap to keyframes. For a chapter that must begin exactly on a moment, use lossless-trimmer, which cuts at the in/out points you specify while still keeping it lossless.
Will splitting touch my colour grade?
No. The split uses stream-copy (-c copy), which copies the bitstream without decoding, so your grade, codec, and pixel format are preserved exactly in every section. There is no re-render of your colour work.
Does it work with ProRes masters?
Yes — it accepts MOV (and MP4, MKV, WEBM, AVI, M4V, TS) and preserves the codec via stream-copy, so a ProRes-in-MOV master yields ProRes sections. ProRes files are large, so check your tier's file-size limit.
Is the couple's footage uploaded anywhere?
No. The split runs entirely in your browser via FFmpeg.wasm, so private wedding footage never reaches a third-party host. It only goes where you deliver it — your gallery, a drive, the couple directly.
Can the couple rejoin the chapters into one film?
Yes. All sections share the master's codec, so video-merger concatenates them losslessly via the concat demuxer, reproducing the full film within keyframe tolerance — no re-render.
What format are the chapter files?
The same container as the master — MOV in, MOV out; MP4 in, MP4 out. If you're delivering for the web, run each section through web-optimizer for faststart and a streamable encode.
How many chapters can I make?
Between 2 and 20. That's more than enough for any wedding; for named chapters of unequal length, frame-precise trims are usually the better approach than a large equal split.
How big a master can I split?
Free allows one file up to 1 GB; Pro up to 10 GB; Pro + Media / Developer up to 100 GB. Graded 4K and ProRes masters are large and often need Pro + Media. The limit is on file bytes, not film length.
Will the sections be exactly equal?
They target equal length, but each cut snaps to the nearest keyframe, so durations vary by up to one keyframe interval. For exact boundaries on specific moments, trim with lossless-trimmer.
How should I deliver the sections to the couple?
Extract the ZIP, rename sections by chapter ('01 — Ceremony', '02 — Speeches'), and share them in your gallery or directly. Each plays independently, so family can be sent a single chapter without the whole film.
Can I make web-friendly preview chapters?
Yes — split first (full quality), then run each section through web-optimizer to add +faststart and a scaled H.264 encode so the gallery streams instantly on phones.
Privacy first
Every JAD Video tool runs entirely in your browser via WebCodecs and FFmpeg (WebAssembly). Your video files never leave your device — verified by zero outbound network requests during processing.