Grace's Bridal Prep

We've have the greatest luck in getting to work with some of the sweetest couples and Grace and Jimmy are no exception.  When we found out they were animal lovers, we knew we would get along great!

When we were planning their wedding film and going over the details of what was important to include, their dogs, Baloo and Betty, were at the top of the list. Their dogs are a big part of their lives.  As you'll see in the film clip below, photos of Grace and Jimmy together and together with the dogs are all over their home. Their sweet dogs were also included in their engagement photos.

Tragically, the month before their wedding, Baloo passed away. Grace decided to have him walk down the aisle with her, in spirit, by including his name tag on her bouquet.  We knew that we could find a way to honor Baloo in their wedding film and her bride's prep segment was the perfect place.  Among all the details, excitement of getting ready and the bright smiles, especially from Grace, you will see clips of both Betty and Baloo.

Here is Grace's Bridal prep featuring both of their dogs. We hope you enjoy it.

There is more to come from Grace and Jimmy.  To see clips as soon as they are up, please stop by our Facebook page and like us.

Brittany's Bridal Prep

We're so excited to share this prep! Our beautiful bride, Brittany, is the sister of one of our past brides, Noelle.  We were so happy to receive the call to film another wedding with this super sweet and loving family.  It was such a great joy to be a part of this celebration!

We are animal lovers and so is this family!!  Both times we filmed with them it was dogapolooza and we loved every minute!  At times it was hard to tell who was having more fun, the girls getting ready or the dogs, who were getting a lot of attention!

 

When we filmed Noelle's wedding in 2013 and saw how much her dogs were a part of her life and wedding, we were tickled!  They were prominently featured in the prep segment of her wedding film and her reception favors were cookies in the shape of her dogs. 

Much like her sister, Brittany loves her dogs and made them a part of her wedding too.  Her favors featured her dog, Maximus, who also served as ring bearer at the ceremony and her dog, Tyson, who has passed away, was walking her down the aisle in spirit. His tag was included as a a part of a keepsake attached to her bouquet.

Here is Brittany's Prep from her wedding day! Hope you enjoy!

 

If you watched this clip, please let us know what you thought by leaving a comment on the blog or on our Facebook post.  To see more from Brittany and Dan's wedding when it's available, please follow us on Facebook.

I'm sure there will be another post from this wedding soon. There were so many fun moments to share!

Dina + Paul: A Wedding Nine Years in the Making

Dina + Paul met in 2006 and that was when we met them too.  It was at the wedding of Dina's sister, Stephanie. To say this day was a long time coming is not an exaggeration.  Even Paul's best man made reference to it in his toast saying, "Several times I did warn Paul that he'd better marry Dina before she came to her senses and decided to move on." 

This is the third wedding we've had the privilege of spending with this loving family.  We've watched three daughters get married and watched the family grow over the years. What started as a family of six has blossomed into a family of five couples with 10 grandchildren for their happy parents.

From Top Left: Stephanie + Andrew's Wedding, Krystle + Nick's Wedding, Dina + Paul's Wedding

Happy Couples + Happy Parents

A Proud Mom and Her Girls

Looking back over the wedding films we did for her sisters, you can see that Dina and Paul are just as in love as they were nine years ago.  It's also clear that the family loves Paul and they made him a part of the family right away.

Stephanie + Andrew's Wedding: 2006

Krystle + Nick's Wedding: 2012

Dina + Paul's Wedding: 2014

Here is a sneak peek at their wedding day with Dina's Prep. Hope you enjoy!

We've watched these wonderful parents transform from Mom and Dad to Grandma and Grandpa and we've watched their daughters progress from young ladies to wives and mothers. We hope that in the future each of the girls, their husbands and their kids will be just as happy as their parents are and will be just as proud of their children.

Congratulations to Dina + Paul on a beautiful wedding!  It was well worth the wait!

Lina's Bridal Prep: Part Two

Some people ask us if doing a bridal prep on video is necessary, since there will be photographs.  My answer is always the following.  There are things you'll see in the video that you may not necessarily see in photographs.  Videographers shoot more than photographers because we're shooting 24-30 frames per second, not just only each time the shutter is released, so we may catch a moment that they miss while they're focusing, checking their last shot  for clarity or repositioning for another angle.  We're also both shooting from different angles and it won't be identical to your photographs, so a person that is obscured in the photograph may be in the video.  Last, but not least, we can't forget that the moments when you say something won't be in your photographs, only the expression, and you'll be wondering what the heck you said later.  One of those moments happens near the end of this clip when one of the ring bearers and flower girls arrive at the house as the bride and her mom are posing for photographs.  Too cute!

This is part two of Lina's bridal prep.  Hope you enjoy!

If you watched this clip, please comment and let us know what you thought.


Here is what our bride, Lina, thought after seeing her prep clip:

 "Jenn, I AM SO CHEESY!!!  LOL. I am literally crying like a kid, so ridic. I saw the clip on your website and I loved how you put everything together for the second part of the prep. I loved that moment when my dad is looking at me smiling and when our SILLY dog is like all over the place kind of "in the way" that was lovely!!!! And how you got the dog sometimes laying on the floor with his cute face on the ground! I have tears coming down and this was just one part of the whole video."


 

Noelle + James Get Ready for thier Wedding Day

 This is one of my most favorite preps we've ever done.  Not only does it have a beautiful bride and a handsome groom with their attractive entourage, but also the two most adorable and friendly dogs ever!  It was as much fun to film as it looks too!

 Check out Noelle + James' Prep!

If you watched this clip, please leave us a comment here on the blog or on our facebook wall to let us know what you thought.  

If you liked this clip, please like us to get notifications when we post new clips.

Lexie's Bridal Prep in an Artist Loft

Lexie was so excited for us to see the artist loft location for her bridal prep.  We were excited about the possibilities for really cool shots we could get there.  When her wedding day came, no one was disappointed.  This was a very unusual choice for getting dressed for a wedding, but thinking outside the box is the recipe for something really special.

This is a clip of Lexie getting ready and the first look with her groom, Mike, in the artist loft.  I'll probably post another clip from this wedding, but it may take me a while to decide which other clip to post from this beautiful, unique and very personalized wedding.

If you watched this clip, please let us know what you thought of it in the comments on this blog and/or on our Facebook Page post.  If you enjoyed this clip, please like our page to follow us.

The Production Team:

Location: The Woman's Club of Englewood, Englewood, NJ

Photographer: Cheryl, Bolton-Reuter Photography, Hyde Park, NY

Hair and Make-up: De Barkely, Hair and Make-up for Every Occasion

Krystle's Prep

We feel so privileged to get to work with so many great couples and their families and when we hear from them that they loved working with us so much the first time that they had to contact us right away to do another wedding film for them, it makes our hearts truly happy.  We were so excited to hear from Diana, mother of the bride, that her daughter, Krystle was getting married and they wanted us to be there to film it.  We first met this wonderful family when daughter, Stephanie married Andrew in 2006.  We were so honored to be asked to be a part of another family celebration.

   Krystle and Mom on Krystle's Wedding Day                             Stephanie + Andrew on their wedding day in 2006

Many people assume that filming a wedding is a simple job and that there really isn't much to do except be there and film what happens.  I guess for some videographers that would be enough, but we want to create more than a standard, basic and boring "wedding video".  We don't want to just film a wedding, we want to get to know the people.  Not only the couple getting married, but the family, members of the bridal party and their friends too.  It's our job to tell the story of the couple and the people celebrating with them, so we spend a lot of time before the wedding getting to know as much as we can and then, in the process of creating the final wedding films, we learn so much more.  In most cases, we learn so much about a family that when we're asked to do other weddings within that same family or circle of friends, we feel like we're apart of the family already.

Our hope is that the feeling is mutual for our couples and their families, as it clearly is with this family.  They are such a warm, welcoming and fun bunch that I think it would be hard for anyone around them to not feel like they're a part of their family.  It was so wonderful to see everyone again and to meet all the new, adorable and sweet little additions to their family.

Today, I wanted to share a clip from Krystle and Nick's wedding film.  This clip is of Krystle getting ready with her mom and her sisters along with all the adorable children, a hubby or two and a special appearance by grandpa.  It's not often that you see so many kids and guys hanging around with the bride before the wedding.  This is really what filming a prep is all about for us.  Quite often couples select not to have their prep filmed because they think it's just a time to film the bride and all her accessories.  For some videographers, that is what prep is all about.  For us, it's about the interactions, emotions and activities among all the people there too because these are the moments that will be important to look back on in the future.  Hope you enjoy!

If you watched this clip, please let us know what you thought.  Leave a comment on the blog or on our Facebook post.  If you liked what you watched, we would love it if you would like our page.



 

Real Bride Reactions: Amy-Jo Watches her Prep

Watch along with Amy-Jo as she sees her bride's prep for the first time. You can see the emotions her wedding video brings as she remembers preparing for her wedding!

If you watched this clip, please leave us a comment here on the blog and/or on our Facebook Page to let us know what you thought! We would love it if you would like us too!

You can see more from Amy-Jo and Paul's Wedding!

Amy-Jo's Bridal Prep

Amy-Jo and Paul's Preview

Amy-Jo's Adorable Bridal Prep

There was so much activity that morning.  So many people around and so much being said.  It was a wedding videographer's dream because it's our job to tell the story of your wedding day and there is no better way than through the words of your friends, your family and yourself.

Amy-Jo was a smiling bundle of energy and emotions.  So excited, a little nervous, but incredibly happy.  It's written all over her face and it's in everything that she says in this clip.  I really can't do much more to describe it.  It's really something that you have to see for yourself.

Here is the clip of Amy-Jo's Wedding Day Preparations. Enjoy!

If you liked this video, please leave a comment here on our blog or on Amy-Jo's post on our Facebook Page. If you like our work, we would love it if you would like our us while you're there.

Want to see more from their awesome wedding? Check out their wedding day preview here.

Corin's Bridal Prep at The Rhinecliff Hotel

We feel so lucky to have so many wonderful couples find us and choose us to film their weddings!  It is truly an honor to be trusted with such a great responsibility and to have the privilege of seeing such beautiful celebrations of love happen in front of us.  There was no exception when it came to Corin and Albert's wedding at the Rhinecliff Hotel.

We are so glad that Corin, a total sweetheart, and her adoring groom, Albert, asked us to film their wedding!  In the first conversation I had with Corin, she told me that when she watched our samples online, she was sitting at her computer crying over each one she watched, even though the couples in them were complete strangers to her.  She said if videos with people she didn't know had this type of effect on her, she knew that she had to call and book us right away for her wedding.  What a huge compliment it is for us to hear that our films not only touch the couples we make them for, but also touch the hearts of strangers who view them.  After I met with her and Albert, I became very excited about being asked to film their wedding.  I just knew, like Corin did, that we were a perfect fit for their wedding.  She explained that it was going to be a short and sweet ceremony with a simple, intimate and fun reception with all the details being personal to them.  Boy did they deliver!  Not a dry eye during the ceremony and a lively party with a sea of smiling faces!  We absolutely love weddings that are centered around who the couple is with every detail expressing who they are!  I think that most guests love these types of weddings too!

Corin's jewelry choices weren't your typical bridal fare of diamonds or pearls.  She wore pieces that represented her grandparents.  Butterfly shaped earrings to remind her of her paternal grandmother who loved butterflies, a flame pendant for her paternal grandfather who served as a firefighter for 37 years and a bracelet with delicate apple beads for her maternal grandfather who she remembers apple picking with as a child.

Albert's wedding band was special as well.  The core of his band is his maternal grandfather's wedding band.  He had it plated to make his wedding ring.  I love the idea of wearing or re-purposing heirloom jewelry!  This is a such a sweet way to honor a loved one!

The bouquets and boutonnieres were made by the bride's Aunt Sue.  She crafted the white roses from crepe paper and paired them with the natural, dried green hydrangeas and lovely black ribbon accents.  Corin's bouquet was beautiful and it will last forever!

This was our first time at The Rhinecliff Hotel and we hope it won't be our last.   What a beautiful place for a wedding!  It manages to be classic, rustic, charming, vintage, country and modern all at the same time and you can't beat a beautiful views of the Hudson River.  With wrap around porches and balconies everywhere, there is always a way to access the views for a quick photo or just to take a break to watch the calming water.

The bridal suite was warm and welcoming with plenty of room to get ready.  It was a beautiful mix of rustic and modern with it's wide plank pine floors, exposed beams, dual balconies with sweeping views of the Hudson River and modern bathroom and furnishings.  The hotel sits near the Rhinecliff Amtrak train station which served as a great place for some post ceremony sunset photos.

 

This is part one of Corin's bridal prep which is has a lot of the funny moments (the super emotional and sweet part two may have to be posted at a later date).  Hope you enjoy it!

If you watched this clip, please leave us a comment here on the blog and/or on our Facebook Page and tell us what you thought.  We would love it if you would like us while you're there!

There is so much more to say about and show from this wedding.  There will definitely need to be another post to show what the rest of this wedding looked like, if only to give you a look at their doughnut shaped wedding cake inspired by The Simpsons. FUN!

Nicole's Bridal Prep at Round Hill House

Nicole got ready in the bridal suite at her venue, Round Hill House in Washingtonville, surrounded by her mom, future mother-in-law, Maid of Honor, Flower Girl and a handful of family and friends.  It was so much fun filming it all as it happened.  Nicole was a very excited bride, so happy she was smiling or laughing practically the entire time.

Often bride's wonder if having us there to film getting ready is necessary because they will have it all covered in pictures, but the beauty of a video is getting to hear back all the interactions between everyone there.  It's these moments that you will forget and really enjoy watching back later. 

If I had to pick a few, my favorite moments in this clip would be when Nicole's mom grabs her veil and then watches as it's placed on her and the interactions between Nicole and her flower girl, Jacklyn as she puts blush on her cheeks, helps her with a garter and puts her shoes on.  Too cute for words!

Here is the clip of Nicole's Bridal Prep. Hope you enjoy!

If you watched this clip, please leave us a comment here and/or on our Facebook Page and tell us what you thought of it. Don't forget to like us while you're there. :)

Production Team:

Venue: Round Hill House, Washingtonville, NY

Photographer: Allan and Vicki Levine, Allan E. Levine Photography

Flowers: Flowers By David Anthony

 

Jessica's Bridal Prep

This is the first part of Jessica's Prep for her wedding.  There were so many details and so much activity going on that it needed more than one song.  This is the reason that I recommend that every bride includes a prep segment in their film.  The common perception is that you're only going to see the bride get in her dress, but there is so much more going on.  You'll notice that this clip ends before you see her get into her dress.

More evidence of the energy of a bridal prep can been seen in their preview clip.  It began with Jessica's bridemaids playing a song that became the anthem for Jess' bachelorette party.  The girls were singing and dancing along to it as Jessica got her hair done.  Just based on the energy in the room as they were getting ready, I knew it was going to be a great party and it was!!  With moments like these happening as you get ready, how can you not have it documented on film?

Here is the first clip of Jessica's Bridal Prep

If you Enjoyed this clip, please leave a comment here on the blog and don't forget to visit our Facebook Page to like us.  (You can post a comment on our Facebook wall too).

Kristin's Bridal Preparations

It always surprises me when some bride's say that they don't want to have their bridal preparation caught on film.  If photographs of this part of the wedding are so important, why wouldn't the actions and sounds be equally important?  Hopefully this bride's prep will have more bride's thinking it's important to have video there.

I am completely in love with Kristin's Bridal Prep segment! It has the beautiful dress, the spectacular shoes, all the blingy details and of course all the girls sharing the excitement along with her (especially her adorable little girl, Scarlett).  I hope you enjoy it as well!

If you enjoyed this clip, please make a comment here on the blog and/or post to our Facebook Page.

Elizabeth's Beautiful Bridal Prep

 

I am currently editing Elizabeth and Michael's wedding and just couldn't resist sharing her beautiful prep segment.  Hope you enjoy!

Maeghan and Dan's Arrival and Prep

Here is a segment from our Bridal Bailout winners Meaghan and Dan. It's been a while getting to this edit, but well worth the wait. What a fantastic wedding they had!! It all took place up at West Park Winery in Ulster County. Gorgeous location!

Originally, Maeghan and Dan were not going to have a videographer at their wedding because it just wasn't in their budget. It breaks my heart to hear this from so many couples. Video is one of the first things to be eliminated from a budget to save money, but video is the only way that you get to relive everything in motion and sound, just as it happened. So much goes into planning a wedding; time, money, research, effort... So many of the details are beautiful and precious, but not many of them last past the day itself. Pictures and video are forever and the best way to look back on your day, not just for yourselves, but for your family, friends and future children.

When Maeghan learned of our Bridal Bailout contest, she jumped a the chance to enter hoping to win the free video for their wedding. These guys were so deserving. They are a wonderfully fun, super cute, totally in love couple and I can't imagine their incredibly fun, energy packed and laughter filled wedding not being on video!!

This is the first part of several posts that we will make for their wedding. For the best possible quality when viewing this clip, please allow the video to load fully and then press play. Hope you enjoy!

Did you enjoy this clip? Please leave a comment here on the blog and/or on Facebook.

Marissa's Bridal Prep

All brides are happy on their wedding day and all brides smile throughout the day, but Marissa just could not contain herself for one second. She was smiling, laughing and joking around with everyone from the moment that we arrived to film her (I would be willing to bet that it was most likely from the moment she woke up, but we have no video evidence to support that).

As you watch through this clip you will notice that there is really only one moment where Marissa has a calm wash over her; when her dress is being done up and her brother walks in to see her. She tries to smile, but you can see the emotion behind it. She bounces back immediately though because she knew that when her brother arrived that Justin was waiting outside to start their photos. She was so excited to see him and in such a hurry get there that she almost forgot to put on her jewelry, garter and veil. In those moments, the bride that I thought was already giddy became consumed with such intense happiness. I hope that everyone that has been together for nine years like Marissa and Justin have can still be this excited to see each other. They are very truly in love.

For more on this wedding, see:

Marissa and Justin's Wedding Day Trailer

Marissa and Justin's Cocktail Hour

Marissa and Justin's Photo Session

Miriam's Bridal Preparations

Here is Miriam's Bridal Preparations segment. I remember going between smiles and tears when I edited this segment. From the sentimental song and the sweet interactions with the children to the scenes with her mom and the entrance of her Dad (where I ALWAYS lose it no matter how many times I have watched it). It still effects me even watching it back now.

The excitement, joy and anticipation on Miriam's face with the juxtaposition of the look on her Dad's face when he sees her for the first time in her gown. You can see the proud father in him trying to hold back the tears of the father giving his little girl away. When people ask me why we only do weddings, this is the best reason I can think of. I love watching for all these moments to happen and being there to catch them.

To see more from Miriam and Mike's wedding see:

Miriam and Mike's Dancing Segment
Miriam and Mike's Highlights

Also have a look at Miriam and Mike's Testimonial Video where they share their experience with
Beautiful Memories as well as their reactions to their wedding video.