What Should I book and When?

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The save-the-dates are out. The guys got their tuxes. The DJ has met with you twice. Your photographer’s face book page is teeming with weddings that seem to rival Hollywood. What’s next?
     For better or worse, it is usually at this stage in the planning that I come in. As a wedding videographer, I’m accustomed to my place on the wedding to-do list. It’s somewhere between “order the cake” and “get out of the limo”. Yes, I’ve been contacted by desperate individuals who have perhaps tardily reassessed their need for a video, and I’ve both accepted the opportunity and also had to turn a few away due to prior bookings. And then there have been brides who haven’t even settled on a date but know they want a wedding videographer here in Massachusetts. I have yet had a client who is still searching for a spouse, but I’m sure that’s coming.
     Likely you fall somewhere in between these extremes. Not surprisingly, the epitome of matrimonial etiquette, Emily Post, is silent on when the videographer should be booked. My recommendation, if I may brashly interject in lieu of Ms. Post, is that you book your wedding videographer as far in advance as possible.
     It’s something that is important to you, your family, your friends, and your future generations. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to find a dependable, knowledgeable and unobtrusive filmmaker for your future family heirloom just because you were distracted by the color of the bridal sandals or the flavor of red velvet frosting for the snack bar.


When you know your date:
1. Book the reception facility
2. Ceremony location and officiant
3. Photographer/entertainment/videographer

     I put these three vendors on the same line because we interact the most with you and have the highest effect on your day. Does it surprise you that you should choose us before your dress? Well, it may. But a true professional at realistic rates with ample reviews AND an open calendar is harder to find than Vera Wang at your local Salvation Army.
     The planning may seem overwhelming, but the more professionals you have working for you and with you, the easier it’ll be. We’ve been to hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of weddings. We know our stuff. We can and want to help. Hire us while we’re available!

Allanah&Rob: Zukas' Hilltop Barn

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I cannot believe we're halfway through October! I met with Allanah&Rob forever ago, and I'm not sure who time passed more quickly for-them or myself. I was really looking forward to their wedding today because they are such down-to-earth, normal people and I knew all the other vendors who would be working since Rob's sister, Allison, is the event coordinator and "wedding planner extraordinaire" of Zukas. I wish I could film every wedding there. That place is so picturesque and the staff is just incredibly focused.

The uplighting, provided by DJ Greg Bedard, looked phenomenal and JP Arthur Tatro and his wife did an outstanding job as usual. If you're looking for a really calm, knowledgeable and flexible JP, definitely contact Arthur and Eileen Tatro. They are a highly organized, friendly, responsible husband and wife team.

Rob and Allanah were visited by their precious two beagles prior to the start of the ceremony. This gave me some awesome footage that will definitely be on their wedding video.

I am so grateful to Allison for recommending me to her brother and I'm thrilled I am able to contribute to their big day and what will surely be a fun married life!

Rebecca&Brendan

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Rebecca&Brendan got married on one of the most perfect autumn days imaginable. A stunningly blue sky totally devoid of clouds was above us as I arrived for the photo shoot during the preparation at Rebecca's parents' charming old colonial in Stafford Springs, CT. Her yard provided a perfect nature-like atmosphere for some fun pictures and video after all the bridesmaids were dressed and then we headed off to a very moving ceremony at the congregational church about two football fields away.

I've never been to Stafford Springs before but it is essentially the perfect New England town-almost reminiscent of a nineteenth-century village.
The Publick House once again provided wonderful staff, prompt service, and delicious food all set in the immaculate and gorgeous landscape of the oldest restaurant in North America. I know this because I worked here for 3 years during high school and memorized the spiel about it being built in 1771, and having been visited by George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and Big Bird (who lives in nearby Pomfret). Note that not all three of these guys dined together-although that certainly would've been interesting.
I was privileged to once again work with Tom Bruhl-musician, DJ, entertainer, MC, flutist, guitarist, saxophonist, and all-around great guy. He is a DJ that is also basically a one-man band. I see bands or DJs who play their own music only about 10% of the time and brides, if you're reading this, DEFINITELY consider it. A band/musical DJ can make for a really unforgettable experience. Tom is entertaining but not over the top; he knows how to keep your guests happy and interested int he proceedings, but he is by no means a show stealer. He maintains the perfect balance of professionalism, genuine care, and fun. I hope I can work with him again soon.

Rebecca and Brendan went to prom together almost 20 years ago and through an interesting series of events, ended up together, and they couldn't be happier.
I got some great footage and Rebecca and Brendan will have their DVD before they know it!

Me looking goofy, filming the introduction

Sarah&Tyler

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The last remnants of winter frost were disappearing and flowers were just starting to re-emerge whenSarah, Tyler and I met together in the spring at their home in Quincy. Sarah had already apprised me of some surprises at the wedding and it was my mission in this meeting not to let the cat out of the bag. I managed

to do it, and the meeting went well. The summer progressed and all to quickly turned to fall. And then, on the first official day of autumn 2013, Sarah and Tyler were married.

Upon arriving at the church early and powernapping in the car, I was delighted to meet Dennis and Xien of Picture Perfect Photography. We had worked together in the past and although we couldn't remember when or where, our bond was reunited and together we worked hard to capture the priceless memories of Sarah&Tyler's big day.

And when I say big day, I mean BIG day. They had a large wedding party which made the extended photo session on the beach in Mashpee a ton of fun. Dennis even assisted me by driving my car as I got some (potentially illegal) video of the festive bridal party celebrating in the trolley as we drove around the Northern shore of Cape Cod.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fun was just beginning though, because after some hilarious and emotional toasts, Tyler was surprised by Sarah and her college a ca pella group performing for him. After the cake cutting, he was again surprised by a perfectly choreographed flash mob!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the parent dances following dinner, Sarah&Tyler's guests did.not.leave.the.dance.floor. They stayed out there right up until the sparkler sendoff at the very end. Such a fun wedding to shoot! Congratulations Sarah&Tyler!!!

Why Angles Matter

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Those who remember high school lit classes may recall the visual of Don Quixote fighting windmills. His perspective was that they were worth fighting, and that they were animated enough to fight back. The way he saw the world changed his life. What does this have to do with your wedding video?

Take, for example, the wedding ceremony of Jessica and Joel in September of 2013. They were married under pale, soft blue of the beautiful late summer sky outside of a stately nineteenth-century New England manor. This shoot was unique in that I used four cameras to achieve optimal perspective. I wasn't going to allow for the perception of anything short of the real thing.

I set up the XA10 at the rear of the seats, facing the direction from which the bridal party would arrive. In post-production, I altered some of the shots by eliminating excess space around the subject of the frame. Like a camouflaged bird, the HFG20 hung securely and invisibly from the gorillapod atop the trellice for a perfect view of the bride and groom both as they walked down the aisle and as their faces reflected the passion behind saying "I do." The EX1(Auto Mode) hung out on the right side of the seats, facing the bride and groom and their wedding party, with an unobfuscated and inviting view of the audience as well. I managed the EX1 in manual mode for the processional and a straight shot of the bride and groom throughout the ceremony. I casually adjusted each camera int he background in anticipation of the best angle to capture the emotion of what was being spoken and felt. Want to play "Where's Waldo?" with the camera placements? Go ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brides ask: When should I book my wedding videographer?

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     The save-the-dates are out. The guys got their tuxes. The DJ has met with you twice. Your photographer’s face book page is teeming with weddings that seem to rival Hollywood. What’s next?
     For better or worse, it is usually at this stage in the planning that I come in. As a wedding videographer, I’m accustomed to my place on the wedding to-do list. It’s somewhere between “order the cake” and “get out of the limo”. Yes, I’ve been contacted by desperate individuals who have perhaps tardily reassessed their need for a video, and I’ve both accepted the opportunity and also had to turn a few away due to prior bookings. And then there have been brides who haven’t even settled on a date but know they want a wedding videographer here in Massachusetts. I have yet had a client who is still searching for a spouse, but I’m sure that’s coming.
     Likely you fall somewhere in between these extremes. Not surprisingly, the epitome of matrimonial etiquette, Emily Post, is silent on when the videographer should be booked. My recommendation, if I may brashly interject in lieu of Ms. Post, is that you book your wedding videographer as far in advance as possible.
     It’s something that is important to you, your family, your friends, and your future generations. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to find a dependable, knowledgeable and unobtrusive filmmaker for your future family heirloom just because you were distracted by the color of the bridal sandals or the flavor of red velvet frosting for the snack bar.

When you know your date:
1. Book the reception facility
2. Ceremony location and officiant
3. Photographer/entertainment/videographer

     I put these three vendors on the same line because we interact the most with you and have the highest effect on your day. Does it surprise you that you should choose us before your dress? Well, it may. But a true professional at realistic rates with ample reviews AND an open calendar is harder to find than Vera Wang at your local Salvation Army.
     The planning may seem overwhelming, but the more professionals you have working for you and with you, the easier it’ll be. We’ve been to hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of weddings. We know our stuff. We can and want to help. Hire us while we’re available!

Kristen&Jon: Norwood, Massachusetts

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Kristen&Jon booked me fairly late in the wedding planning process, and this worked out well all around because I miraculously had a coveted June Saturday available. I showed up early to film the girls getting ready. Kristen could be a bridal model, I swear. Her family was so incredibly nice and the preparation shots came out great.

She and Jon make a fun couple. I immediately liked Jon when I met him, which is only natural since we share the same name. He had a very calm but nonetheless fun personality. I love when the couples I work for are so fun to be around and their families are equally as warm. I love my job!

The highlight of their reception I would have to say was the phenomenal Men in Black. Hiring a wedding band can be a daunting task and sometimes an expensive one, but every band I've seen at wedings I've liked. Men in Black took the cake, and they included everyone in their nonstop performance. I was thoroughly, thoroughly, thoroughly impressed. I cannot stress how talented they are.

An elegant affair

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As a recently converted viewer of Downton Abbey, I was enthusiastically anticipating returning to one of New England's most regal wedding venues: St. Clement's Castle. It has been several years since I have filmed a wedding there, and I knew that it was going to be as gorgeous as it was in the past.

Lindsey&James were getting ready at the Crown Plaza in Cromwell, CT and after we did some preparation shooting, we headed to Weslleyan University for some family pictures.

Lindsey was delivered to the ceremony site by horse-drawn carriage and her guests had tears in their eyes as she dismounted with the sun setting over the castle's turrets behind her.

It was the perfect time of day for a lakeside, castel-front ceremony. The 25 minutes flew by as her photographers and I got some breathtaking shots. Eagles soaring over the Connecticut River valley, the sun setting during the vows, the newly verdant leaves bristling gently in the evening breeze...

 

I am working hard to have their DVD completed for them by the time they return from their honeymoon to exotic Thailand.

Bree&Rich: Spencer, MA Wedding Video

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Bree decided to take me up on my last minute offer to film the preparation and I'm glad she did. Having footage of the preparation adds another dimension to the wedding video, and I think it tells the story in more complete form. As I drove up the long driveway of Zukas Hilltop Barn, I noticed that the only raincloud in the sky was over the ceremony site! The bridesmaids arrived just a few minutes later and we got some great preparation footage. The rain clouds disappeared and the girls went outside for some shots as I did some filming inside the elegant tent.

The sun came out and the ceremony began right on time at 5:30. As Rich was walking down the aisle, it began to rain and we all scrambled to reassemble inside the tent. It was disappointing, but the staff at Zukas was efficient and prepared as usual and within 10 minutes we were again ready to go. Thanks to the uplighting by DJ Rob Alberti, the tent sparkled with a brilliant pinkish hue and provided a perfect replacement backdrop. JP Arthur Tatro, with whom I have worked several times, was likewise adaptable and exerted a calming presence on the audience. Naturally, the skies cleared just as we began for real....

The rest of the evening was fun. Bree&Rich's guests were excited by the open bar and enjoyed themselves on the dance floor right up until the end. Consequently, they will be getting some fantastic dancing shots. I can't wait to get their wedding video out to them!

2013 Wedding Season is Here!

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Another winter hibernation has come to a close and wedding season is upon us! To ring in the wedding vendor’s new year, I have rewarded myself (and my loyal clients) with new equipment. The 2013 wedding season is going to be exceptional for Eastty Weddings for several reasons:

  1. Completely HD for last year’s SD prices
  2. Three angles of shooting instead of the previous two
  3. Revised Editing software:

-Apple has redesigned and reformatted Final Cut Pro to the point where I find myself learning a virtually new system entirely. The alterations made to the software benefit Eastty Weddings clients in a number of ways. Primarily, FCP’s new interface and features is reducing my editing time by about 60% and since time is money, my time reduction is transferred to you as monetary savings! The quality of the footage is enhanced systemically and matching my different cameras’ respective picture quality to each other is exponentially easier.

4. New monopod, tripods and audio equipment allow for increased stability, faster mobility and improved sound quality.

 

             It’s exciting to have so many changes. I have also begun filming with a Sony Ex1 that I used for the first time at Jordan and Steve’s wedding on Saturday. It is my first time working with a non-Canon product and I have to say that it is remarkably easy to use and reliable. Combining this with my Canon XA10 and Canon DSLR 7D allows me more creativity with shots because I know that I have two other stationary angles capturing the event while I’m busy trying to be creative!

Completely High Definition

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For one year now, Eastty Weddings has offered High Definition as an option with any wedding video package. For couples who are on a budget, standard definition has always been available. I cannot in good conscience continue to offer this service because even my professional and much beloved and familiar high broadcast quality standard definition cameras are lagging behind the superior image quality of my high definition cameras. I take great pride in my work and want my clients to have videos that will endure generations with the highest clarity. This is why, as of January, 1, 2013, all services that I offer will be completely High Definition with no additional charge. I am keeping my prices the same as I continue to offer the highest quality product possible. For couples on a budget, I will still offer lavalier microphones, blu-ray discs, and other similar services as options.

Gretchen&Matt

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Gretchen&Matt hired me just a few weeks ago which is relatively last minute in the wedding industry. I was so happy that I had the date available. They are a great couple and we felt at east instantly when we met to go over the details. It was a raw day at the Spencer Country Inn but their guests enjoyed themselves immensely, especially thanks to the antics of the very involved showman Bruce Jacques. I have never seen such an entertaining singer!

Lisa&Mark

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What a great wedding! Lisa and Mark enjoyed themselves surrounded by friends and family at the Black Swan Country Club tonight. I was priveleged to work with a few of my old friends, Gary Abramson of Photography Your Way in Peabody, and DJ Chuck of Move It Music in Lynn. Having worked together well at many weddings over the years, it was like a little reunion. I thought the highlight of the night was the Portguguese dancing!Photo courtesy of wedding photographer Gary Abramson-Photography Your Way

Sarah&Ean

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The rain had to come sometime. Unfortunately, it came today-right around the time Ean and Sarah were to be wed outside on a picturesque farm in Narragansett, RI. We made the best of it as the ceremony was moved to the interior of a rustic barn-style hall, lavishly decorated in a rural autumn theme. They were wed in front of a massive fireplace, and their guests were just as happy to experience this indoors as they would have outside. Congratulations!

Aaron&Sarah

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Today's wedding has provided me with some of the best dance footage I've ever gotten! Aaron&Sarah are two very special people who had an elegant wedding for probably 1/10 the price I would value it at. They are budget-oriented and their frugality paid off. They had a beautiful wedding ceremony and were surrounded by festive and exuberant friends and family at the reception. I'm going to have a lot of fun editing this one.