Sample Videos

Please Note: All video files are compressed for faster download

Highlights with Vows and Toast

Love Story (shortened version)

Artistic Photo Session

See Website for more examples or call 408.667.7752

Wedding / Reception Planning Success

Avoiding common mistakes made in the planning stages could help ensure you and your guests have a great time.

Being an event videographer I can say that cameras don’t lie.  In the editing room it is very clear if the reception is a success or a failure.  I have seen a lot of well intentioned planning end in not so pleasant outcomes.

Areas definetely not to be taken lightly in the spending department:

#1 DJ
Find a DJ who is not afraid to Emcee.
This could be the biggest overlooked area.
An example was a reception whereby the DJ hired only played music.  He did not Emcee so therefore there was no “pace” or “feel”. Hours went by after the food was served with no upcoming event. 

Finally, after a long bit of time (guests were sitting during much of the “dance time”), the hired Photographer took a mic and she herself starting calling out “Now for the first time, please congratulate Mr. and Mrs. XXXX…”  She also had to announce the Cake Cutting, Toasts, Special Dances such as Mother Son Dance, etc.

Make sure you give an order and a general timeline to your DJ/Emcee. You can always switch things around when you are there. 

#2 Food
Not just what you will feed you guests but also how you get them served. If you are doing buffet style…this does not apply. However, I must say that I have heard it many times that some people feel like “cattle” going through this buffet self-serve process. So consider your audience.

If not a buffet style, you must really do your homework and know HOW the food is planning to be served. 

Does the caterer take care of hiring others to help serve?  Look at the contract and get it in writing how many will help push food out to your guests. 

Filming a wedding last year, I saw one server for over 200 very hungry guests. And the Bride and Groom were not served.  The beans were cold, the rice was hard and I am not sure what the other thing on the plate was.  It took literally 2 hours for everyone to get served.  The mother of the Bride got up to help serve her Daughter and Son-In-Law and then moved onto the rest of the crowd.  If it were not for this major delay, the Bride and Groom (family and guests) would have had much more time to enjoy other planned activities(without being rushed).

#3 Photographers and Videographers
I have seen wonderfully talented Photographers who do both excellent work and are pleasant to be around on the Big Day. Some charge much and some are very reasonable. I must say that I have seen a few weddings where the Photographer charged in excess of $3500 and took an hour to try and get one decent shot.  Though price is an important factor in your budget, know that just because you lay down a lot of money on one, does not guarantee a great Photographer.

There is much more in Photography and Videography than just pretty pictures / video.

I was filming another wedding where the Photographer, well…no other way to put it nicely…..he was a complete snob and even turned to me and said, “Who is the greatest Photographer?”.  I won’t tell you my reply… .

This same Photographer caused the Groom’s mom to almost cry as he snapped at her for making a suggestion of what family member group shots to get.  My heart broke. She was a wonderful lady who did not deserve such disrespect.  Please note: I am giving my personal experience.  Though it is true that you get what you pay for, also remember that “not all the glitters is gold” and not all high priced vendors are “worth their weight in gold” either. 

Meet Meet Meet.

I strongly urge you to meet with the actual photographer and videographer who will be there at your wedding.  Trust you gut feelings and go with your instincts.  If you feel even slightly uncomfortable with them…..I urge you to keep looking. 

Agencies or No Agencies…that is the question.

Some Photography studios outsource a photographer. You may only have a phone interview at best and not meet them till the day of your wedding. As this is a personal choice. It works for some and not others.  If you go the agency route, try and get as much info on that person selected for you as much as possible. Do you want a new student,  one who has done more food photography? Make sure you know who you are getting before signing a contract. 

Same with Videography. Some companies hire students and pay them a dismal amount to shoot your wedding / reception and hand over the tapes to someone else to edit. Or the student is paid a couple hundred dollars more to edit it themselves.  I won’t give my opinion on this. I think it is obvious what can go wrong with that business model.

No matter how “hidden” your Photographer and Videographer wants to be. The real fact is that you may notice them.  How can you not….we have a huge camera(s) and we are walking around.  So if you have a not so friendly group of vendors in this area, your guests will definetely notice. 

Try and find ones that are not only experienced but are friendly, energetic and still passionate about their job.  It will make a huge difference. 

#4 Officiant / Church / Ceremony Site
Good positions / footage equals good video

The pastor, rabbi, officiant or church coordinator can help or harm the final outcome of you footage. There are prime locations that will give you the best coverage and ensure a beautiful movie of your ceremony. Depending on the restrictions from the venue or the coordinator, those ideal angles / shots will have a negative affect on your final movie.  Make sure and ask before you book / sign a contract what restrictions are going to be enforced.

Last year when filming an otherwise beautiful ceremony, the church had a policy that wireless mics could not be used. We could not “tap” into the churche’s sound board, we could not use any audio at all.  Not only that, but we were told where to “sit and stay” during the ceremony and it was far away from the Bride and Groom. As you may have figured out… there vows were not heard and we were filming at odd angles.

These are a few off the top of my head, but it is worth considering.