Category: Videography

Save the Date Video by Ben & Mindy

Posted by Wedding Window on February 3, 2012

Happy Friday everyone! We decided it would be nice to kick off the weekend with a DIY Save the Date! We were instantly smitten when Mindy and Ben recently sent us their adorable Save the Date video. Below Mindy shares the back story to the video as well as the couple’s perspective on planning the wedding…

Photo Credit: Ben & Mindy

The Concept
Mindy: I’m the writer. Ben, my fiancé, is the creative artist. So when it came to making our Save the Date, we knew it would be unique. My fiancé and I are both in marketing and we tossed around a few ideas, but none that really stuck. We decided to hold off on making a Save the Date, due to a case of “writer’s block.” : ) The idea of a literal “save the date” just hit me one day at work …and I mean, who doesn’t love a good pun? It seemed impossible to convey that story in just a picture, so that’s when this thing really took off and we thought about making a video. I sent my fiancé an email one day at work with an entire script written out about a story line of boy sees girl, girl loses dog, boy saves dog, boy marries girl. But in this case, dog meant date. Our good friend is insanely crafty and made our wedding date numbers almost overnight.

That’s when my fiancé and his production company came into play and turned my elementary idea into something everyone could relate to and love! We filmed it throughout St. Louis one Saturday, and it was important to us to get a lot of different locations shot in this video, locations that we love in our city.

The Wedding Planning So Far…
This is a wedding, not a funeral. That is the approach Ben and I have taken to planning it. We love each other and want everyone to see that. At the end of the day, it’s not about the center pieces, it’s not about the DJ, and it’s not about coordinating our wedding colors. At the end of the day, all we want is to have our little life together. But we’re totally down for one big party before we get started! When we feel like we’re getting stressed, we stop. We take a time out – we put it off and focus on us. Nothing about this wedding is so important that it should cause a fight. We promised each other the day we got engaged that this wedding would never become more of a priority than our relationship. And we’ve kept our promise.

Also filed under: Our Team

February 3, 2012 by Wedding Window

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Save-the-Date Videos!

Posted by Michelle Cangemi, WeddingWindow.com on December 21, 2011

Many couples choose to send out save-the-date videos rather than mailing out reminders. I love this idea! Not only does it save you money on postage, it is also eco-friendly because you don’t have to use cards and envelopes! Who doesn’t want to include a few green elements in their wedding festivities?

Another reason I love the idea of creating save-the-date videos is that you’ll have a video of you and your love to hold onto as a pre-wedding keepsake! Whether you hire a videographer to create a cinematic save-the-date film or decide to have fun with a DIY video … there are so many ways to make your save-the-date videos a custom addition to your wedding plans! Below are some examples of how couples have put their own custom spin on the video save-the-date…

First up is Ivy and Lawrence from IQ Videography

Ivy & Lawrence | SAVE THE DATE from IQvideography on Vimeo.

This save-the-date for Terryn and Jon by Jon Button is adorable!

Terryn and Jon Save the Date from Jon Button on Vimeo.

Next we have Peter and April’s save-the date-by Bong Sare

Peter+April-SaveTheDate from Bong Sare on Vimeo.

Here is another from Squid and Beard for Blair and Maggie.

Save the Date: Blair and Maggie from Squid and Beard on Vimeo.

Here is Matt and Macy’s save-the-date by Matt West

M&M Save the Date from matt west on Vimeo.

Amir and Aida got creative their their video by cstproduction.

Azmir & Aida – Save The Date 16th Sept 2011 from cstproduction on Vimeo.

And lastly, we have this cute save-the-date by Janet Wu

Save the Date! from Janet Wu on Vimeo.

Also filed under: Fun & Creative Ideas, Green Wedding Ideas, Our Team

December 21, 2011 by Michelle Cangemi, WeddingWindow.com

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Vendors We Heart: Rain Studios

Posted by Michelle Cangemi, WeddingWindow.com on May 10, 2011

Today I’d like to introduce you to Josh from Rain Studios! Josh is a super talented wedding vendor who specializes in cinematic wedding films. I could write all day about how wonderful his films are but I think the wedding trailers below certainly speak for themselves …

Paula + Lee ~ Strawberry Farms ~ 1.1.10 from Rain Studios on Vimeo.

Get to know Josh and the fabulous Rain Studios …
What inspired you to start your business, Rain Studios?
I started shooting weddings as a favor for people in my dad’s church and became fascinated by each couple’s special story and celebration. Honestly, much of my inspiration came from them. I wanted to capture what I felt and what the couple felt and what every guest felt that day through the lens of my camera. In my opinion, when you hire a “professional,” I think you should get a professional product. When we shoot and edit a wedding, we’re trying to create an experience that people other than just the bride and groom will want to share in. Weddings are such amazing events – I mean really, think about it – two people are committing their everything to each other for the rest of their lives. Sometimes I feel like even our “cinematic style” will never do full justice to such an awesome moment. I’m sure the thought of rain for a production company specializing in weddings seems a bit odd, but there’s a good reason behind it. I’ve always loved the imagery of rain. It’s something that brings cleansing and life. Our tag line is, “Bringing life to media.” And that’s just what I’m striving for – a fresh perspective that isn’t confined by what is, but what can be. That may sound a little cheesy, but it’s what I’ve founded this company on.

What options for customization do you offer?
We offer several packages with different amounts of coverage and edited sequences, but the customization comes from each couple. I try to make an effort to meet with clients prior to the wedding day to get a feel for their style and vision and in doing so, am able to note the details that will make the couple’s special day one-of-a-kind.

If you could give one tip to couples who are planning a wedding, what would it be?
I’m biased of course, but hire a videographer! Many couples have described their wedding day as a blur and it’s my hope that we help them relive every kiss, word, smile and tear with their wedding movie. I can’t tell you how many times I meet married couples that say one of two things: A) “One of our biggest regrets is not hiring a professional videographer.” or B) “We are so glad we hired a professional videographer! We never realized how much we had missed or forgotten during the day!” My ultimate goal is that as they watch their video and hear the vows exchanged, they find their marriage strengthened and encouraged.

What is something that most people don’t know about your biz/you?
Most people don’t know how much work goes into these videos. I’ve been shooting weddings since I was 13 and have a BA in Film Production and yet we still work around the clock to make every movie the best that it can be. At times, it’s a little frustrating, but this is what couples will have to remember their wedding by for the rest of their lives. I refuse to sacrifice quality for the sake of expediency.

If you had to choose one word to describe yourself/your business what would it be?
Epic!

Five things that make you happy.
1) My wife, Katherine.
2) My daughter, Grace.
3) The love of my Heavenly Father.
4) Getting to capture and share in the love of our clients’ weddings.
5) Tropical Skittles.

Here are some wedding trailers by Rain Studios … Enjoy!

Jennifer + David ~ Villa Del Sol ~ 8.8.10 from Rain Studios on Vimeo.

Bryana + Brett ~ Cambria Pines Lodge ~ 7.17.10 from Rain Studios on Vimeo.

Meghan + Josh ~ Chatsworth, CA ~ 3.6.10 from Rain Studios on Vimeo.

Karen + Adam ~ Mariner’s and Strawberry Farms ~ 7.31.10 from Rain Studios on Vimeo.

Mary + Justin ~ Arroyo Grande, CA ~ 9.18.10 from Rain Studios on Vimeo.

Also filed under: Our Team, Vendors We Heart

May 10, 2011 by Michelle Cangemi, WeddingWindow.com

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Vendors We Heart: Studio 205 Films

Posted by Michelle Cangemi, WeddingWindow.com on April 12, 2011

Wedding Videography can be something that couples think they should do without if they have a tight budget … until they see the work of an amazing film studio. After realizing the splendors of modern wedding cinematography, having the day on film often becomes a top priority. And, of course, a top wedding vendor must handle your top priority …

Photo Credit: Studio 205 Films

Photo Credit: Studio 205 Films

Studio 205 Films is certainly a vendor we heart! They create beautiful wedding films that capture the day from beginning to end leaving couples with an intimate narrative of their day.

Photo Credit: Studio 205 Films

Photo Credit: Studio 205 Films

Learn more about Peter Chang, the man behind Studio 205 films, below …
What inspired you to start your business?
I had been working in the film and tv industry for close to a decade, and I decided to do a wedding video as a gift for a friend, never expecting that it would take on a life of its own.

What options for customization do you offer?
If you can imagine it, we can do it. If we can’t do it, we can figure out how!

If you could give one tip to couples who are planning a wedding, what would it be?
As soon as you wake up, you’re going to be behind schedule, so plan for lots of extra time throughout the. It’ll give everyone a chance to breathe, especially you!

What is your one must-have item/product/tool to have on-hand when you’re working?
Excedrin.

If you had to choose one word (or phrase) to describe yourself/your business what would it be?
I guarantee you there isn’t a harder working crew out there.

5 Things that make you happy?
1. Family
2. Football
3. DVR (especially in combination with football)
4. Breakfast burritos (though not necessarily for breakfast)
5. Driving by people taking long walks on the beach.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Mothers love me.

Studio 205 Films covers all wedding related events. Below are examples of an engagement/save the date film, a love story and a wedding film!

Engagement/Save the Date

merly + patrick | save the date from studio205films on Vimeo.

Love Story

ann + tee love story from studio205films on Vimeo.

Wedding Film

jenn + daniel wedding same day edit from studio205films on Vimeo.

Also filed under: Our Team, Vendors We Heart

April 12, 2011 by Michelle Cangemi, WeddingWindow.com

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What to Look for in a Wedding Videographer …

Posted by Robyn Johnson on March 28, 2011

photo credit: www.amdv.co

My husband works in film production and occasionally does weddings. He wanted to pass along some tips to all of you who are looking for or are considering hiring a wedding videographer…

How many cameras should I have film my wedding?
You have to ask yourself … When you watch this in a year or 10 years, what do you want to see? For the most part, people want to see facial expressions of the bride and groom and reactions of each. In order to do that well you need at least three cameras. One camera stays focused on the groom, one on the bride and one that gets a wide shot of the whole bridal party including the bride and groom. It’s a much more efficient way to capture everything that is happening. Also, this way one camera (usually the wide shot) can pan pickup any other parts of the ceremony such as poem or scripture reading or a soloist, while the other two stay on the bride and groom.

photo credit: www.jcpro.co

How important is it to have HD cameras?
A lot of wedding videography companies will tout HD packages as something “special” and charge extra for them. The reality is that we are to the point where HD should be viewed as the standard and SD or standard definition as a low cost alternative, HD shouldn’t be an upsell.

Many companies will use the Sony XL1, the Panasonic HVX200 or the Sony HVR-Z1U as their camera of choice. They are great cameras for the price and they have been selling as HD camera’s for at least 5 years so anyone offering SD as there base pricing option hasn’t updated their equipment in a while or is using a high-end SD camera in which case could be better than the affordable HD cameras I mentioned above.

photo credit: www.tlceventstudio.com

What about sound?
Audio is one of those things that you don’t notice until it’s bad. Think about it. When you watch a movie you don’t say wow I can hear everything their saying. That’s because you’re supposed to! The second the audio becomes too quiet or unintelligible, you complain. The same goes with a wedding ceremony, you want to make sure that your videographer either can tap into the sound system that is projecting the voices for the room or can set up a microphone that can be run into one of his cameras. NEVER do you want the only sound captured on camera from the internal camera mic. Although camera mics can be very good, they pick up everything between you and your subject. So the people talking about your dress right in front of the camera … or the crying baby will drown out your vows, unless you have a mic dedicated to the main subjects.

Should the videographer be at the rehearsal?
Yes. Although not always feasible and sometimes not necessary, it’s still a good idea to have someone from the videography company there to see the flow of the ceremony and to see what challenges they’ll need to adapt to. The earlier those challenges can be identified the better.