Common Questions About Videography
I recently learned a little bit about videography from Bliss Collection member Jessica Piscitelli Robinson of Jessica Pi Productions.
Here is some basic information to help you decide whether you need a videographer for your big event!
Photography by Alexander.com.
Aren’t Professional Photographs Enough?
People come to life in video the way they cannot in other formats. There is no better way to capture the sights, sounds, and movement of your wedding than with video. Photography is an art form, and it captures one aspect of the day beautifully. But a video can show you how you walked down the aisle, how long the tears took to come down your father’s cheek when he kissed you goodbye, and what it sounded like when you were pronounced husband and wife for the first time.
Why Do I Need A Professional Videographer?
Just about everyone has a video camera these days. So why pay someone to shoot your wedding video? The answer is simple: quality. You will only have one wedding day. You will only have one chance to say your vows, dance with your parents, and cut the cake.
Not only do you want a professional microphone to make sure the audio quality for the vows is clear and crisp, but you also want the assurance that your videographer has done this before and knows how to capture the important moments without stepping on the toes of the other professionals you’ve hired.
In the end, you want a wedding video that you will want to watch over and over again—and not something you’re going to fast forward through to get to the good parts.
How Do I Choose A Videographer?
Like any other vendor for your wedding day, much of the choice is subjective. Do you like the person? Do you like her work? Does she suit your style? There are, however, a few general questions you can ask to help you make your decision:
How much experience does she have? Live events move quickly and there are no second chances. Experienced videographers know how to avoid making grave mistakes.
What technology do they employ? There are a lot of great professional cameras and mics available. Primarily, you are looking for someone with up-to-date, broadcast quality equipment. You also want to make sure you receive your final product in the format you want, whether it is strictly DVD copies for family, or podcasts for your iPod.
Do you know your videographer? Sounds like a funny question, but a lot of video companies employ subcontractors. Make sure you are getting the videographer you think you are getting and that the portfolio samples you see are actually produced by the person who will be shooting your wedding.
How Much Experience Do You Have?
I’ve been shooting wedding videos for more than ten years. I have a degree in Film and TV Production from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and have worked with many great directors in New York City’s feature film industry. When I’m not videotaping weddings, I produce corporate videos for my company, Capture Video, Inc.
Will You Interfere With My Photographer?
A lot of brides are worried about their vendors getting along, particularly the photographer and videographer. I work side by side with the photographer and give them all the room they need to do their job. After all, video captures 30 frames in a second, so I have a lot more chances to capture the moment than the photographer.
Will Your Videotaping Be Obtrusive During The Wedding Day?
One of the comments I hear most from the bride and groom is that they didn’t even notice we were there. My crew and I try to capture the day’s events without interfering. We do not interview guests, use bright lights, or get in people’s faces. We take our cues from the bride and groom and their guests, being as involved as they want us to be.
Member Spotlight: Marti Wright
I got a chance to chat with one of our newest members this week, Marti Wright!
Marti is with Tica Beauty and Cosmetics.
What makes you unique and different from other vendors in your category?
20 years of experience, our Artists are focused on custumer service and are trained in the latest techniques while constantly educating themselves in the industries latest trends. Tica Beauty Cosmetics are glamorous wearable colors with the highest quality of formulations.
What is your favorite aspect of the wedding industry?
Making “Brides to be” look and feel beautiful on one of the most important days of their lives.
What is your favorite new trend (pertaining to your category) for spring 2012?
Bold bright lips, saturated shadows, and perfectly primed skin
What is the most important piece of advice you can offer to engaged couples who are planning a wedding?
To make sure to start looking for vendors a year or more before their wedding date!
Thanks, Marti!
Check out Tica Beauty at www.ticabeauty.com !
Member Spotlight: Myrna Hyman
Member Spotlight: Jeanna Hilton
I had a quick conversation with Jeanna Hilton of Stonewall Golf Club regarding her thoughts on the wedding industry.
What makes you unique and different from other vendors in your category?
We really try to be as flexible as possible and make the day what the bride and groom want and not what we as the venue want. And of course our view!
What is your favorite aspect of the wedding industry?
Selection of venue of course, it’s the biggest decision they make and can set the tone for the whole event!!
What is your favorite new trend (pertaining to your category) for spring 2012?
Healthier wedding eating and a more “farm to table “ approach to dinner.
What is the most important piece of advice you can offer to engaged couples who are planning a wedding?
Try and not get STRESSED. Wedding planning should not be stressful. Hire a planner and enjoy your day!! And make sure you eat the food you are spending so much money on!!
Thanks, Jeanna!
Selecting Wedding Flowers: Top Considerations
Wedding Reception Food Trends for 2012
Wedding receptions are changing with the times, and brides and grooms are having a great time experimenting with new trends in food and drink choices!
Gone are the days of every reception offering a simple plated meal followed by wedding cake. Couples today want personalized menu choices that are fun, delicious, and reflect their personalities.
Small bites and appetizers are becoming more varied and substantial. Some couples even allow the small bites and cocktails to steal the spotlight and choose to forgo a formal meal altogether. Of course, the appetizers should be both hearty and plentiful if this choice is made.
Some popular appetizers / hors d’oeuvres include mini crab cakes, shrimp cocktail, brie in puff pastry, empanadas, mini skewers and kabobs, and crostini.
Another fun trend right now (that can easily be incorporated into your appetizer menu) is the concept of small bites in edible “carriers”. In other words, serve foods that do not leave the guest left holding a toothpick, utensil, or other item once the small bite is consumed. A few examples include crab dip served in edible spoons, Caesar salad bites in parmesan crusted phyllo cups, or shrimp and avocado salsa served in pastry cups.
Signature cocktails are also a fabulous way to make a reception or cocktail hour special. Many caterers will work with couples to create a drink that appeals to their taste buds and matches their desired color scheme. Don’t be afraid to give your signature drink a clever name. Some examples: how about a “Smith-tini” at the Smith wedding or a “Miller-politan” at the Miller wedding?
Another way to keep guests socializing and enjoying themselves is to offer food stations where they can customize their own delicious choices. Some fun ideas for stations include mashed potato bars (offer different types of potatoes in martini glasses and toppings like sour cream, cheddar cheese, bacon, butter, ham, scallions, etc.), pasta bars (offer different shapes, sauces, vegetables, cheeses), or stir fry bars (offer different meats, seafoods, sauces, vegetables, rices).
Food stations are also a natural choice for desserts! Try an ice-cream sundae bar, cookie bar, or candy buffet! Guests will have a great time creating their desserts and chatting about their choices with the other guests!
A final food trend worth talking about is the inclusion of nostalgic comfort foods in the wedding reception menu. Couples are no longer afraid to offer their favorite foods like chicken tenders, mini-hamburgers, French fries, and macaroni and cheese at their formal wedding receptions. In most instances, this can add a fun element to the cocktail hour as long as the foods are presented in an appropriately elegant manner.
For all your wedding planning questions and wedding or event services, The Bliss Collection is your source for Northern Virginia’s finest wedding professionals.
Bliss Member Spotlight: Florist Christi Lopez
Bliss Collection member Christi Lopez of Bergerons Flowers is a creative force in the local wedding industry. I spoke to her about her take on current floral trends that brides and grooms are loving in 2012.
What is the most requested “look” for wedding bouquets/ boutonnieres?
There are several trends going on right now….
1) Feathers
2) Brooches
3) Succulents
What is the most exciting new trend for wedding bouquets/ boutonnieres?
An artistic approach to personalizing their bouquet, which usually means incorporating something of sentiment into their bouquet.
Are there any traditional flower trends that you think are “over” or that you are seeing too much of?
Too much “roundy-moundy”, hand-tied of monobotanical blooms. Although, I’ll admit I’ve enjoyed submerged flowers, but they really are overdone!
What is the most exciting new trend for wedding reception centerpieces and decorative flowers?
The most exciting trend is the eco-green look which mostly incorporates succulents into centerpieces. These are perfect for the fact that succulents can be enjoyed long after the wedding by the guests that take them home!
If a bride described herself as “simple, classic, on a budget,” what would you suggest for her spring 2012 wedding?
Branches, Branches, Branches! They continue to be versatile and a great starter to add-on blooms for any price-point.
If a bride described herself as “extravagant, youthful, whimsical and princess-like,” what would you suggest for her spring 2012 wedding?
Runway Romantic–peonies, garden roses, any color in the white and pink families, along with clouds of babies breath work to make a beautiful sea of princess wonder!
If a bride described herself as “quirky, uniquely different, totally original,” what would you suggest for her spring 2012 wedding?
This bride definitely will go for the elements that aren’t necessarily floral; brooches, feathers, or cotton and sticks. She will go for a bouquet that isn’t round, but is shaped beautifully to coordinate with her dress!
If a bride described herself as “the ultimate sophisticated glamour girl,” what would you suggest for her spring 2012 wedding?
These still are the glitz and glamour looks, but without being ostentatious. Use metallics and crystals, but don’t go overboard to keep the Hollywood style but classic. Centerpieces will utilized mercury glass and hanging crystals.
What is the most unique wedding flower look you have ever masterminded?
Wow, this is a tough one. I feel like there is nothing new under the sun, but I feel like the details of the wedding are definitely part of what makes me sing! The underneath of the bouquet, a groom’s boutonniere, ring bearer’s boxes/pillows are all areas with little works of art can be made.
Have you ever worked with a bride who made a mistake in her initial flower choices? How did you assist her? Did you get her to change her flowers?
Yes, there have been many. But, if have to say, most brides that come to me, either entrust me to help them with their selections or have a definite look/style in mind that we hone to make theirs! Often brides may not know what they like, but they definitely know what the don’t like! It’s my job to work with them to figure out what really reflects their and their fiance’s style so the wedding day if a reflection of them and their new life together.
What are some unique trends for adding other decorative things to floral arrangements (fruits, vegetables, etc.)?
These items are included in earlier questions, but I do think that decorative wires, twines, ribbons are still a fabulous way to ehance designs along with lighting. Lighting can do wonders to add impact and a sense of elegance used in perfection at the reception site!
How did you get started as a wedding florist?
As a young girl, I helped an interior designer decorate at our family’s church. Weddings became this beautiful event after he added his finishing touches, as each bride realized their dreams come true. No ho-hum affair there! After high school, while working my Mom and I started taking classes with the head designer from Blackistone’s Florist. Continuing to design and provide wedding flowers during college, I would head home from Pennsylvania on Friday and design, deliver and head back on Sunday. In 1997, purchasing Bergerons was the opportunity of a lifetime for me. Since then, I have been designing for my clientele in the Northern Virginia and Washington DC area. My design philosophy puts the highest value in beauty, both naturally and artistically. I truly believe that beauty is in the details.
Welcome, Marti Wright!
Welcome to our new member of The Bliss Collection, Marti Wright of Tica Beauty!
Marti is an outstanding addition to our group!
With twenty years of experience, she and the other artists at Tica Beauty are focused on customer service and are trained in the latest techniques while constantly educating themselves in the industry’s latest trends. Tica Beauty’s Cosmetics are glamorous wearable colors with the highest quality of formulations!
Marti ‘s reputation speaks for itself…she wasthe recipient of the 2009, 2010, and 2011 Bride’s Choice award for outstanding Makeup Artist!
Tica offers Makeup application lessons to women of any age. They also do makeup for on-site corporate events, photo shoots, web-designs and any special event necessitating a special look!
Welcome to The Bliss Collection, Marti!
Wedding Coordinator or Wedding Planner? A Personal Story
Many brides are confused about whether to hire a wedding planner or to use the wedding coordinator at the selected venue. I chatted with Maureen Chandler of Blush Bridal Boutique about her personal experiences with this decision. This is her story.
I was one of those brides that dreamed about my wedding all my life. I knew what kind of dress I wanted, how the cake would look and the perfect decorations for my “perfect day.” I was told for months leading up to our wedding that I needed to hire a planner or a day-of coordinator. Nine years later, I still regret not taking that advice. I had an event coordinator on-site and had done all the planning myself so I thought everything was under control.
Like many couples, when we chose our reception site, we were led to believe that our event coordinator was there to help us plan our wedding, and, he was, but only for the venue itself. We did not take into consideration the other vendors that were booked: photographer, florist, limo service, band, decorator, baker, etc.
Using Pinterest to Plan a Wedding
Ok, I admit it, I am addicted to Pinterest!
Pinterest is a virtual pinboard that allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. You can browse pinboards created by other people to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.
People use pinboards to plan their weddings (my favorite idea!), decorate their homes, and share their fashion wish lists.
As someone who has always been a fan of “inspiration boards,” I am loving the ease of using Pinterest.
Inspiration boards required actual clipping, gluing, and labeling of various items onto a board or piece of paper. While incredibly fun and useful for creating an image or developing a concept, storing and revising the boards was always impractical.
Pinterest simply requires the user to register, install a “Pin It” button, and start pinning!