Serendipity Cinematography

One of the age old debates in weddings these days is whether or not to do a “First Look”. I will tell you that 95% of my couples do them and I am a HUGE fan… I know it is traditional to not see each other beforehand but let me tell you all of the reasons why it is a good idea.

1. It allows both your Photographer and Cinematographer to be more creative because they have more time to work with. If they have a few hours before the Ceremony they can really utilize the venue and all of its nooks and crannies to get great shots and great video. It allows us both to be much more creative with our shots yielding you much better photos and wedding film.

2. If your Photographer and Cinematographer only have after the Ceremony to get photos and video of the couple you can pretty much guarantee a lot of the shots in the same place because they are racing against the sun and won’t have time to move around the property. It also makes the entire photo session a lot more stressful because you know you have limited time and it shows in your photos and wedding film.

3. If you don’t do a First Look you will more than likely miss your Cocktail Hour. Many couples don’t want to miss that because they want to spend as much time as possible with their guests.

4. First Looks end up being some of the best footage from the entire day. Your Photographer sets up a private and intimate moment and we all shoot it from a distance giving you both time to be in the moment. Sometimes that First Look is the only time that you get to be along together that entire day and have a few minutes to talk.

5. First Looks calm nerves. If you are seeing each other for the first time walking down the aisle it is all so overwhelming and you kick in to fight or flight mode and often times don’t even remember the moment. In a First Look all of the jitters and nerves go away. It calms you. I promise that your walk down the aisle will be just as special.

Now with what I have said above take what you like and leave the rest. I am not saying that your photos and wedding film will suck if you don’t do a First Look. What I am saying is that we do this all day every day and multiple times a weekend. This is just what we have found works best for most couples and gets them the best wedding film and photos possible. You are spending ALOT of money on your Photographer and Cinematographer. Give them the best opportunity to be creative and to give you the best shots and memories possible of your wedding day.

Cinematography is the 1st things cut from a wedding budget and the #1 regret couples have. Don’t be the couple who has regret after the wedding…. Here is my case for why you need a wedding film and a professional cinematographer.

1. Of course you are going to have a Photographer on your wedding day…. but photos only capture the sites of the day. Don’t you want to capture the sounds and the emotions of the day? Don’t you want to hear what your fiancee’ says to you the first moment that he see’s you? Or your dad tearing up as he gives his speech? Or what your mom says to you as she zips up your wedding dress? These moments are some of the most important of your life and ones that you will want to remember 10 years from now. A wedding film is the perfect compliment to your still photos.

2. Wedding Cinematography is a hindsight purchase. You will not realize the value of a wedding film until the day after the wedding when you are recapping the night before with your husband. If you have a wedding film to look forward to you will be ecstatic knowing that the memories are preserved… hire a professional Cinematographer.

3. A wedding film will show you parts of your day that you never knew existed. We split our Cinematographers up and have them cover different elements of the event. Elements that you won’t see like the groom getting ready or the bride getting ready.

4. Sometimes we experience loss. We have had many brides now who have unexpectedly lost someone after their wedding and were so grateful to have their wedding film to look back and see that person enjoying such a wonderful and happy day.

5. You are spending ALL of this money. What is a little bit more money to preserve the memory. You deserve to remember this fabulous event. I have never had a bride say to me “I have too many memories of my wedding day.”

6. With the world of HD and all of the cool technology it is a shame not to take advantage of that.Don’t you want to show your kids exactly what mommy and daddy’s wedding day looked like?

7. Wedding films are not what they used to be. They aren’t just set up a camera on a tri-pod and hit record. Wedding films are cinematic, emotional, they have creative shots, they include great audio. They are your own customized wedding film.

8. You can share your wedding film with people who couldn’t be there to celebrate. You won’t just be showing them pictures, you will be bringing them into the moment.

9. Because these memories are priceless and you can’t get them back.

10. Once people find out what we do for a living they often say, “That is the one thing that we would have done differently…. We would have hired a Wedding Cinematographer. We had my uncle shoot it and he ran out of tape. OR…. We had a friend shoot it and it was awful. It made us motion sick to watch it. OR We had so and so do it….. fill in the blank of some tragedy that happened where the memory was lost forever.

I know you may not see the value now but trust me 10 years from now you would do ANYTHING to have those moments back. Make the investment. I promise you that it will be one of the most worthwhile purchases that you make from your wedding day.

The Sedona Wedding Studio is hosting a Sedona Wedding Bootcamp on February 18th. This bootcamp is to inspire couples to create their own unique wedding in Sedona. Serendipity Videography is a member of the Sedona Wedding Studio and I am overjoyed to have been asked to be a speaker at this event. I will be discussing the latest trends in Wedding Cinematography as well as making sure quality cinematography is a part of your wedding budget. Other speakers include Katrina and Andrew from Sedona Bride Photography, Deb from Classic Party Rentals, Bobby Russell from Sedona Sounds, Jim from Events By Showstoppers and Margaret Van Damme from Van Damme Weddings. It is the perfect way for a couple to learn about how fabulous a wedding in Sedona can be in an intimate setting.

Hello everyone!  Sarah here, excited to be done with college and back with Serendipity!  I’m older, wiser, and not as single as I was earlier this year.  I simply can’t wait to get my hands on the footage from your special day and to make “cinemagic”!  If being an Editor has taught me anything, it has taught me that your final film is only as good as the hands who shot it.  At Serendipity our Videographers have spent years as professional Videographers- capturing those moments they know will sing, framing a shot up just right, and making sure that the unique sights and sounds of your day are properly documented.

That’s why when Taryn showed me a new videography company featured on a popular wedding blog last week I was disgusted – nay – appalled by what I saw.  Said company sends you anywhere from one to five flip cameras, you pass them out to your family and friends, send the footage back, and either edit it yourself online, or have a ‘professional’ edit them for you.  All for only $300.

Friends, let me explain something to you – putting your memories into the hands of your best friends or family members who are knocking back one too many glasses of wine is a bad idea.  The reason that professional cinematographers exist is because brides were sick of their uncle’s shaky shots, bad audio, and inability to capture the important moments.  And now you’re paying ‘professionals’ for just that.  How have things come full circle in such a bad way?!

I understand the need to save money, believe you me.  As a new college grad and potential bride, I am pinching every penny I can.  This company has given today’s couples an opportunity to save in an ingenious new way, and in theory it is a really good idea.  But in actuality, you will be much happier in the long run going with the professionals.  Do you really think you will be satisfied with the footage your drunk friends and family are going to provide you with?  Are you willing to leave that responsibility in their untrained hands?

Let me get personal for a moment here; My dad got in an accident 4 years ago and was taken from this life.  As his unmarried daughter, I would give anything in this world to have him at my wedding.  When I get married, you had better believe that I will have a videographer there, because I know what it’s like to loose someone unexpectedly.  I know what it’s like to treasure the pictures and videos that we still have of him.  What are your memories worth?  What are your family and friends worth?  When you hire a videographer, you’re not just paying for the cost of some camera men to hang around at your reception, high priced video equipment, or the few DVDs you receive in the end.  You’re paying to have a cinematic memory of all of your loved ones gathered around you on your special day.  You can’t put a price on that.

When you hire Serendipity you can be sure that you will not have any drunk, bone headed well wishes or interviews.  Why?  Because we’re experienced enough to know that all interviews should be done before or during cocktail hour.  You won’t have hours of wide shots of your reception because we understand the importance of variety.  Your shots won’t be shaky and inaudible because we are professionals!  We document your love in the way that you choose to create a piece that you will love to share, and love to watch over and over (not one that makes you nauseous).

Please, I beg of you – Your wedding is something that only happens once.  Don’t let this be a case of ‘live and learn,’ because you won’t get another chance.  Trust me on this one – I’m a college grad.

I am completely copying Kelly Gill’s post from Phoenix Bride and Groom Magazine because she laid out this big news perfectly. Plus it is the end of wedding season and my brain is mush. I can barely form 2 sentences at this point so I am just going to let Kelly do the talking. Thanks Kelly for a great post!!!

For the very first time ever, Major League Baseball is getting in on the wedding game in a big way! They are holding a contest where the prize is a ceremony and reception at the All-Star FanFest at the Phoenix Convention Center on Tuesday, July 12. Couples submit their stories (in video format) online by June 1 and the winning couple will be chosen by All-Star Ambassador (and the D-Back’s favorite former player) Luis Gonzalez, Celebrity Wedding Planner David Tutera and Jenni Croft Badolato from ABC’s “The Bachelor”.

You are never going to believe the amazing line-up of wedding vendors that are donating their services to the wedding! Wedding Coordination by Charlee Geisler of Signature Events- a veritable wedding rockstar here in the valley- along with:

Angelic Grove – Floral décor and arrangements :: Eyes 2 See Photography – Wedding photography :: Serendipity Video – Wedding videographer :: Classic Party Rental – Specialized party supplies and rentals :: F/X Entertainment – Ceremony and reception music :: Celebrations in Paper – Invitations and wedding program :: Cheryl Roberts with Steven Paul Salon – Hair and make-up :: Julia Baker Confections – Wedding cake :: Men’s Wearhouse – Tuxedos

(Iamge Courtesy of Eyes2See Photography)

They are also giving away some fantastic loot: a catered reception for 50 guests by Aventura Catering, a wedding ring package from Molina Fine Jewelers, a wedding dress by Uptown Bridal, roundtrip airfare and tickets to the 82nd MLB All-Star Game. The lucky couple will also receive items from Major League Baseball partners including a $500 MasterCard gift card, beverages for the reception provided by Anheuser-Busch, hotel stay provided by InterContinental Hotels Group, and a $500 Newlywed Lawn & Garden Kit donated by Scotts featuring a wide array of Scotts Miracle-Gro products.

So if you are a baseball fan and your dream is a wedding on the baseball field enter the contest!!!!