Malachi and Burke had an intimate wedding at Aviano with their closest family and friends. There were so many things that I loved about this wedding. First and foremost the support of their family. As a same sex couple. It was beautiful to see the elders in their family supportive of their love. Their Toasts were so meaningful. It shows what a long way we have come in understanding and accepting that love is love no matter what.

My second favorite thing was their First Dance… It is incredible!!! They spent so much time practicing it and getting the choreography just right…

Their Feature Film tells the story of their day and their love beautifully!!

Planner // Sip and Twirl

Photographer // www.mikeolbinski.com

This couples love story is just too cute to not be shared… I am going to give you both of their versions of their first date and you will see just how meant to be this couple is and that not all beginnings are fairy tale beginnings, but make for a fantastic story…

Diliana, The Brides Story…

Zack was already a part of Delta Sigma Pi when I, as a sophomore, decided to apply to join. During the rushing process, I was able to meet Zack and my first thought was, “Hot senior. I definitely have to make it in.”

As a pledge, I was supposed to call and meet the fraternity members during that semester. Zack and I had met up once, meaning he definitely had my number. When I was finally an official member and Zack was allowed to ask me out per fraternity rules, he pretended he had lost my number and asked for it again. I tried giving him 6 out of the 7 digits, but his persistence and charming smile convinced me to give him all 7.

He finally asked me out on a Saturday and invited me to a bar the following Wednesday at 8pm. After I agreed, the conversation died out. Entirely. Zero communication even the day of the date which was four days later. But who was counting? Wednesday at 8pm finally rolled around and I was ready (I know, right? I was actually on time) and hanging out with my roommate. Then 8:10 rolled around. I told her, “this guy has 5 more minutes to show up/text me. By 8:15 I’m moving on.” 8:14 rolled around and I got a text saying, “So, you’re running late.”

No, I wasn’t. Just had no idea how he was going to pick me up if he didn’t know where I lived.

Even though he failed to pick me up, texted me when he was outside instead of knocking, and then even tried to get away with not walking me to my door afterwards, I knew there was something special about this guy and could not get him out of my head all winter break. Little did I know that that attractive senior with rough first date skills would be the man of dreams.

Zack, The Grooms Story…

Diliana ended up rushing the business fraternity that I was already in, so we got the opportunity to interact every now and then until the end of her rush semester, when I was finally able to get her to give me her number. There was a local bar, called Frog & Firkin, and I had to play it cool when I asked her out, so I texted her on a Saturday and said “Let’s do Frog & Firkin Wednesday at 8 pm.” That’s it; it wasn’t a question, and I nailed it. She agreed, and then I didn’t follow up Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. I thought I was being cool and playing hard to get. In hindsight, I’m pretty sure she was just annoyed.

I showed up on Wednesday at Frog & Firkin, expecting her to get herself there (like the consummate gentleman I was). I ordered a beer and waited. And waited. Ten minutes went by. Fifteen minutes went by. I’d finished my beer and was astounded that she’d stood me up. Ended up texting her something snarky: “So, you’re running late.” Again, not a question. And when she responded, I knew I was going to marry this girl: “I’m sitting here wondering how you’re going to pick me up if you don’t know my address.”

Touche.

Vendors: Photographer: Karlee K Photography // DJ: Vox DJ’s // Florist: Milagros Decor

Most couples have never hired Wedding Videographer before, so they are not sure what they are looking for or what questions to ask to make sure that it will be everything they are dreaming it will be. Here is a little guide on how to select the right Wedding Videographer for you as a couple:

style:

The first thing you need to identify with is the style of the videographer. Take a look at their website samples and review their blog. Ask to see films from the venue that you are getting married at, but don’t bypass that videographer if they haven’t filmed at your venue. That is often times a good thing because they see it as a blank canvas and it can stimulate creativity to be able to film at a new location. If you are finding yourself sending who you want to hire samples of other videographers work, then hire the videographer that you are sending samples of. If you are asking to change that videographers style then they aren’t the videographer for you.

experience:

It is really important to look at the experience of the company you are hiring. How many years have they been in business? How many wedding seasons have they gone through? Do they specialize in weddings or all video production? You want to work with a company who specializes in wedding films. Weddings are a very different production than commercial video production because they are live events. You can rewind the first kiss as a couple because your videographer wasn’t ready. We get one chance to get the shot, so live event experience is a must!

videographers:

Who will be filming your wedding? Do they have a staff of videographers that are trained to film weddings or do they just hire freelancers to shoot the weddings booked? Be very aware of this. Freelancers can operate cameras just fine, but they may not be trained in filming weddings. Again weddings are live events and require a specific level of expertise and experience. It is important that your team of videographers is in sync that day and has experience with one another. You don’t want a couple of random hires to film your once in a life time event.

a one camera package, its never a good thing:

The offering of packages with one camera and one videographer is never a good thing. Do not purchase this despite the temptation of the low price. It is very dangerous for your wedding film for so many reasons. When you do this you truly are selling you, and your wedding film short.

1. What if something happens to the one camera they are filming on? Then what? All filming stops while they figure out a solution?
2.  What if something happens to the one card they are recording on? If your wedding is filmed with one camera and one data card and the card fails… then what? Your whole day that was filmed is lost and can never be recovered.
3. So much is missed when filmed by one person because they can’t be in two places at once. Getting ready of the couple, cocktail hour and reception detail coverage, both reactions during the first look, and so much more.
4. You only get one angle of everything..

service:

Who will you be working with throughout the process? Are you working with a sales person who just sells you on the service and passes you off? Will you be working with the owner or have access to the owner should the sales person leave? Your wedding film is a very important investment. Who is servicing you and how they are servicing you is of utmost priority.

investment:

You truly get what you pay for with wedding videography. There are a lot of low cost providers flooding the marketplace with some very cheap packages. A quality wedding film is definitely something worth investing in. If a company is significantly less than others in the marketplace, there is a reason why. You need to look long and hard at their product and what your experience will be like with them. Quality wedding videography is not cheap and owning a wedding videography company is not cheap. There is a reason the pricing is the way it is for a legitimate company that may cost more. You need to be concerned about the low cost providers, and their ability to still be in business by the time your wedding comes if the price point is so low.

watch out for fluff:

You need to look at the meat and potatoes of the collection or package you are purchasing. There are many things that videographers offer to make a collection or package look like you are getting so much, that is truly of no value to you. For example the raw footage; everything that is usable is going to be in your film, trust us, you do not want the raw footage. When you get the raw footage there isn’t a mountain of memories that was missed because if it was good, it would have made it into the film. Almost all of the raw footage that didn’t make the film is generally because it was a practice shot and then also out of focus stuff. There is no value to that, plus are you ever going to really look at hours of footage? What would you do with it? What matters most is what is going to be delivered and these are what you need to be asking for:

1. How many hours of videography am I getting?
2. How long is the Feature Film going to be?
3. Am I going to receive a Wedding Movie Trailer?
4. How many videographers will be at my wedding?
5. How many cameras will the videographers be filming with?

delivery:

How the company delivers a finished wedding film is important. Are they delivering on old outdated technology like DVD’s and Blu Ray’s? Those are both dying technologies that in a few years won’t be around. Asking for a DVD is like asking for music on a cassette tape or CD. Everything is going towards streaming, downloadable films, or URL based delivery methods. These are how you should be delivered your film at this point.

Overall we want your wedding videography experience to be all that it should be! Check out our blog and feel free to email us if you’re looking for a wedding we filmed at your venue, to see our style. We would love to capture your special day and we are looking forward to hearing from you!
Happy wedding planning!

Vendors: Photographer: Rachel Solomon // Videographer: Simply Cinema // Planning + Design: Regan with Imoni Events // Venue: Paradise Valley Country Club // Floral’s: Sarah’s Garden // Entertainment: Neon Band // Stationary: Paper Joy // Makeup: Lillian Fogel // Hair: Pin & Primp // Rentals: Event Rents + Glamour & Woods // Beer Burro: Haul N Ass Productions

How To Hire A Wedding Videographer

Most couples have never hired Wedding Videographer before, so they are not sure what they are looking for or what questions to ask to make sure that it will be everything they are dreaming it will be. Here is a little guide on how to select the right Wedding Videographer for you as a couple:

STYLE:

The first thing you need to identify with is the style of the videographer. Take a look at their website samples and review their blog. Ask to see films from the venue that you are getting married at, but don’t bypass that videographer if they haven’t filmed at your venue. That is often times a good thing because they see it as a blank canvas and it can stimulate creativity to be able to film at a new location. If you are finding yourself sending who you want to hire samples of other videographers work, then hire the videographer that you are sending samples of. If you are asking to change that videographers style then they aren’t the videographer for you.

EXPERIENCE:

It is really important to look at the experience of the company you are hiring. How many years have they been in business? How many wedding seasons have they gone through? Do they specialize in weddings or all video production? You want to work with a company who specializes in wedding films. Weddings are a very different production than commercial video production because they are live events. You can rewind the first kiss as a couple because your videographer wasn’t ready. We get one chance to get the shot, so live event experience is a must!

VIDEOGRAPHERS:

Who will be filming your wedding? Do they have a staff of videographers that are trained to film weddings or do they just hire freelancers to shoot the weddings booked? Be very aware of this. Freelancers can operate cameras just fine, but they may not be trained in filming weddings. Again weddings are live events and require a specific level of expertise and experience. It is important that your team of videographers is in sync that day and has experience with one another. You don’t want a couple of random hires to film your once in a life time event.

A ONE CAMERA PACKAGE, ITS NEVER A GOOD THING:

The offering of packages with one camera and one videographer is never a good thing. Do not purchase this despite the temptation of the low price. It is very dangerous for your wedding film for so many reasons. When you do this you truly are selling you, and your wedding film short.

1. What if something happens to the one camera they are filming on? Then what? All filming stops while they figure out a solution?
2.  What if something happens to the one card they are recording on? If your wedding is filmed with one camera and one data card and the card fails… then what? Your whole day that was filmed is lost and can never be recovered.
3. So much is missed when filmed by one person because they can’t be in two places at once. Getting ready of the couple, cocktail hour and reception detail coverage, both reactions during the first look, and so much more.
4. You only get one angle of everything..

SERVICE:

Who will you be working with throughout the process? Are you working with a sales person who just sells you on the service and passes you off? Will you be working with the owner or have access to the owner should the sales person leave? Your wedding film is a very important investment. Who is servicing you and how they are servicing you is of utmost priority.

INVESTMENT:

You truly get what you pay for with wedding videography. There are a lot of low cost providers flooding the marketplace with some very cheap packages. A quality wedding film is definitely something worth investing in. If a company is significantly less than others in the marketplace, there is a reason why. You need to look long and hard at their product and what your experience will be like with them. Quality wedding videography is not cheap and owning a wedding videography company is not cheap. There is a reason the pricing is the way it is for a legitimate company that may cost more. You need to be concerned about the low cost providers, and their ability to still be in business by the time your wedding comes if the price point is so low.

WATCH OUT FOR FLUFF:

You need to look at the meat and potatoes of the collection or package you are purchasing. There are many things that videographers offer to make a collection or package look like you are getting so much, that is truly of no value to you. For example the raw footage; everything that is usable is going to be in your film, trust us, you do not want the raw footage. When you get the raw footage there isn’t a mountain of memories that was missed because if it was good, it would have made it into the film. Almost all of the raw footage that didn’t make the film is generally because it was a practice shot and then also out of focus stuff. There is no value to that, plus are you ever going to really look at hours of footage? What would you do with it? What matters most is what is going to be delivered and these are what you need to be asking for:

1. How many hours of videography am I getting?
2. How long is the Feature Film going to be?
3. Am I going to receive a Wedding Movie Trailer?
4. How many videographers will be at my wedding?
5. How many cameras will the videographers be filming with?

DELIVERY:

How the company delivers a finished wedding film is important. Are they delivering on old outdated technology like DVD’s and Blu Ray’s? Those are both dying technologies that in a few years won’t be around. Asking for a DVD is like asking for music on a cassette tape or CD. Everything is going towards streaming, downloadable films, or URL based delivery methods. These are how you should be delivered your film at this point.

Overall we want your wedding videography experience to be all that it should be! Check out our blog and feel free to email us if you’re looking for a wedding we filmed at your venue, to see our style. We would love to capture your special day and we are looking forward to hearing from you!
Happy wedding planning!

 

Vendors: Videographer: Simply Cinema // Photographer: Melissa Jill // Venue: The Sanctuary // Florist: Butterfly Petals // Planning: Your Jubilee // Dress: Rue De Seine Bridal // Hair + Makeup: Andrea Whitten // Band: Sapphire Sky Live // Rentals: Glamour and Woods // Linens: La Tavola Linen // Cake: Classic Cakes

A Wedding Film is Worth the Investment:

First off, congrats to all the newly engaged couples out there! This is such an exciting time in your lives, and we hope you enjoy every minute of it! As you start looking for vendors and budgeting out your wedding, we wanted to give you a little incite as to why a wedding film is so worth the investment!

A Wedding Film is the first thing cut from the wedding budget, yet the number one regret a couple has after a wedding if they decided not to get one. The very thought of a couple not having a wedding film to document their wedding day makes us beyond sad. So many moments and memories lost, so here is our pitch! Take what you like and leave the rest!

1. Who is at your wedding sadly may not be here ten years from now. Over our ten years in business we have had 7 couples lose someone unexpectedly after the wedding. For many of those couples, their wedding day was the last time they ever saw that person and heard their voice. Can you even imagine not hearing your mom’s words to you as she zipped you into your dress? Or your dad’s toast to you on your wedding day? Or what your groom says to you the moment he first sees you in your dress? Lost, lost, and lost if you opt out of a wedding film. We hate to be morbid, but it is a truth. Document the say… No matter the curve balls life throws us you will be so glad to have a video record of those who were with you that day.

2. Of course you are going to have a Photographer on your wedding day. But Photos and a Wedding Film go hand in hand. A Photographer will give you snapshots of moments. We will give you the sound and motion from those moments. Together we are your memory team giving you multiple facets and angles of the day. We have never had a couple say to us that they had too many memories of their wedding day. As soon as people find out what we do for a living, inevitably the ones who didn’t have a cinematographer at their wedding always say to us, “That was our biggest regret.. I so wish we had a wedding film. We decided against it and I wish we hadn’t.” I have never had someone say to me, “I wish we didn’t invest in a wedding film.” Even if it wasn’t a great film, they are still glad they have it.

3. The day goes beyond super fast. The morning after your wedding you will discuss with your spouse how amazing it was and you will both agree that it went by lightening fast. And if you decided to invest in a wedding film you will have a sense of peace in knowing that you have that memory forever, but also that you will soon get to re-live that day when the film is finished. We will show you in your film, parts of the day, that you never knew existed. You will get to see your day from a completely different angle. You will get to re-live it like it is brand new again and that is priceless.

4. You will want this memory if you decide to have a family. While it may not be on the radar now, having a family might be in the picture one day and you will regret deeply not being able to share the day of your wedding with your future children. They will want to see what life was like before they came along. A wedding film is such a special memory to share with them.

5.  In this day and age with all of the technology it just makes sense. Wedding films can now be easily shared with family and friends. You want those that attended and those that couldn’t to be able to share in the memories, still be able to through your wedding film. Wedding films are nothing like they used to be, they are high quality productions now. They are a customized story of your wedding day, fabulous, and a must have in your wedding budget.