Recently one of the local videographers sent me a note asking to get on Michiana Weddings recommendation list. Well we don't just list anyone here, the vendors listed meet a certain level of quality in their respective industries. So I asked him to send in a couple fully edited weddings to view. Frankly I was shocked, the videos sucked and I mean sucked! Unsteady camera work, I coudn't hear the vows or the toasts and at times not even the music the disc jockey was playing. At times all I saw were the person's shoes or the ceiling. During the vows the bride and groom were blobs because the camera was focused on the wall 20 feet behind them. I couldn't believe anyone paid anything for this video or that this was some of the videographer's best work! My dad did a better job chasing my sister and I around the yard as children than this person did 'professionally'.

A little research online and I couldn't find any articles that went in depth into what a wedding video should look like when finished with examples. So I called our recommended videographer Brian Peterson from River City Productions and talked him into writing an article on what is good wedding video and provide some examples.

That one article has turned into a multi part article when Brian realized just how much there was to talk about. You can find What To Look For When Hiring A Videographer part 1 here. In part one Brian covers one the most important aspects for getting a video, audio quality and how the professional videographer does it so you know what to look for when talking with prospects to hire.

The audio and video clips are not yet posted, I will get them up in the next couple days. But this is in my opinion very important stuff to know so I'm posting the link without the clips. If you are hiring a wedding videographer you need to read this article and future installments! It breaks my heart knowing that 2 couples paid good money for these videos where you can't see them except as blobs, can't hear their vows or decipher the words of the toasts celebrating their union. Become an educated consumer, know what to look for!

- Amy


Part One: Turn Up My Hearing Aid, I Can’t Hear The Vows Or What You Need To Hear In A Wedding Video.

As a wedding cinematographer it never ceases to amaze me just how many poorly produced wedding videos are out there and how many brides and grooms regrettably purchased them. Not all videographers are created equal and as the consumer you need to educate yourself as to what to look for in a wedding video. In this and following articles we will illustrate what is good and what is bad when you are looking at wedding video demos.

Audio Is One Half Of A Video! Without audio video is nothing more than a sequence of still images displayed at 30 frames per second. Your photographer with modern cameras can capture 9 frames per second, why hire a videographer then if you aren’t going to be able to hear anything. The mp3 below is an example of a poorly done wedding video audio track during the readings. Notice that you can hear the person, but not very clearly. (Due to these clips being from a competitor's video the names have been removed and I am using video only.)






The audio could have been far more intelligable and easy to understand if the videographer had bothered to do his job properly. The following video clip demonstrates just how a reading should sound.

I like making videos sound "you are there" as much as possible so I have mixed back in some of the natural echo of the church while maintaining the clear and understandable words of the reader.

This next audio clip is from the vows of the wedding. This is where your audio should really excel! After all you will want to hear the words you spoke to each other on the altar. In the audio clip below... Well take a listen...

Labels: wedding videography

How am I gonna afford a wedding if all I can afford is My dress and a suit for my Husband?

Food and Venues are to expensive and even trying to save is almost impossible.

Please can you give me tips or help me I was even thinking of making my own dress but that cost wont even cover for half of the rest of the money needed to make it a day for me to remember.

Asiya Le Roux

Asiya, even on a shoestring budget, a wedding of your dreams can still be had. The difference is you will have to do it yourself. In speaking with photographers, disc jockeys and videographers, over the last few years they all have done several weddings where they are the only paid services.

If you want a designer gown there are a growing number of outlets for previously worn gowns, otherwise I would make it yourself. Do you have a family member with a large back yard? One of the funnest weddings I was ever in or attended was for a cousin of mine. The morning of the wedding all the bridesmaids and the couple's moms gathered in the kitchen to fix the reception dinner. At one point we even got into a food fight, I have never laughed so hard in my life. It all brought us closer together and I have very fond memories of it. My cousin was married in the back yard and then we all served the food.

The DIY wedding can bring your two families closer togther. And don't forget if you don't have the wedding of your dreams now, that doesn't stop it from happening in the future with a renewal of your vows. Five to ten years down the road when your financial situation has stableized, throw that grand party with a renewal of your vows.

Good luck, and all my best!

-Amy Taylor

Labels: wedding planning question

A little inspiration that is too cool an idea! I was looking around Celebrated Events featured wedding gallery when I noticed these images in one of her weddings. This is so cute, I love it! Two napkins, folded into the shape of a tuxedo jacket and shirt to hold the cake serving set. I love the boutonniere accent!

Labels: cool idea, wedding inspiration

Place cards are usually paper which is discarded to the trash after the wedding. Here is a creative idea, instead of the paper place cards, decorate cookies with the guest's names and table number! An elegant look that creates no waste and is a delicious idea for you wedding day.

These scrumptious looking wedding cake cookies from Beau Coup have been labeled with table number and names. You can find them on Beau Coup.
Of course you favorite bakery or wedding cake decorator could create them too. We suggest Rascia's Creative Cakes

Labels: cool idea, wedding placecards

Recently I had an opportunity to sit down with Cynthia Basker of Celebrated Events fame. Cynthia has been a wedding producer or if you prefer, wedding coordinator in South Bend since the late 1980's, producing some of the most lavish, beautiful and unique weddings seen in the Michiana area. We have raved about her style and ideas in the past, here is Cynthia in her own words:

1.) Describe a Celebrated Events wedding.

Our goal for every wedding Celebrated Events has the privilege of being a part of, is that it directly reflects the personality and style of the every one of our brides and grooms. When I hear guests say, 'this is so them' during the event/wedding itself, I know we have done our job.

2.) What are the 3 adjectives that describe your wedding style?
Effective, efficient and experienced.

3.) What do you consider the most memorable event you have produced yet?
That's a tough one to answer...there is a moment during almost every wedding/event that we produce that takes on a magical quality, where time seems to come to a standstill, whether its that moment the bride is alone with her father just before walking down the aisle, or when the bride and groom are on the dance floor during their first dance...its about the emotion in the air for me, not necessarily the elements that surround those moments.

4.) Who or what do you attribute your success to?
I don't think it is specifically a who or a what, but a collection of who's and what's. Along with just plain old fashioned hard work and having a true passion for what I do. I really do not believe you can succeed in the event industry unless you are willing to commit to the project, no matter how much work is involved, and have a passion for it. There have been many people along the way, in this industry that have lent me a hand when I've needed it, for which, I am deeply grateful. I believe that if you surround yourself with professionals from whom you can learn from, you cannot help but be pulled up to their level, so I've always tried to seek out others in my field that I admire and learn from them and their experience.

5.)Please talk about the current trends for weddings in Michiana.
Invitations - Brides are much more open to having color on their invitations, whether it be the paper itself, or even the ink the text is printed in. For instance, the paper may be a cream, but the text is done in a bright grass green, or the paper may be a combination of brown and lavender, with the text in white. Also, the 'pocket' design is hugely popular. This design incorporates 'pockets' in the invitation itself which hold response cards, reception cards, map cards or direction cards, etc.
Tuxedo vs. Suit - Grooms are often opting to wear tailored suits, rather than the traditional tuxedo. I think this trend is especially appropriate when hosting an outdoor affair.
Transportation - Providing transportation for your guests to and from the ceremony and reception, especially when the bulk of the guest list is comprised of out of towners. This is usually in the form of a motor coach service and prevents guests from getting lost, or, driving after having 'celebrated' a little too much at the reception.
Natural elements - I am beginning to see a bit of a departure from the traditional ballroom wedding look, to one that is more organic and botanical in nature. For instance, instead of using gold or silver chivari chairs, using the natural fruitwood color chivari. Instead of using strictly floral for arrangements, incorporating fruit, berries, branches and other elements found in nature.

6.) What do you love most about being a wedding producer?
The ability to use my organizational and creative gifts and skills to bring together two people and their families for one of life's most cherished moments. Its an honor.

7.) What piece of advice would you give to every bride and groom for their wedding?
Once your wedding day arrives, just let go - let go and concentrate on being fully present in each moment of the day. You've planned for this day long and hard and to the best of your abilities, trust in the plans you've made and enjoy the fruits of your labor! Its true, what everyone says, that the day just flies by, so please, enjoy it.

Image copyright Peter Thurin

Labels: Cynthia Basker, wedding coordinator, wedding trends

If you are a bride your wedding day is something you have dreamed about since you were five years old. A wedding can be stressful, a large amount of money is riding on it along with your dreams and hopes. To reduce stress as much as possible and fulfill all your wishes, you need to assemble a winning team of vendors and service professionals when planning your wedding day!

The success of a wedding and making your dreams come true depends on assembling a team of professionals that offer their best at all times, communicates and leave their egos at home. Professionals aren’t just part of their own little area of your wedding: DJs need to do more than just play the music, they are the ones with the microphone and speakers. The best man’s toast can not be delivered if there is music playing for people dancing. The cinematographer and the photographer will miss documenting your garter and bouquet tosses if the disc jockey does not announce it. Does the cake artist know your florist will be placing flowers on the cake? Does the caterer know you have a color palette or theme? Has your wedding producer or coordinator given everyone a schedule of events?

At Michiana Weddings we recommend hiring a wedding coordinator, wedding producer or wedding designer to help fulfill your wedding day dreams with a minimum of stress and a wealth of ideas. A wedding coordinator is the equivalent of a team captain and your vendors and service professionals are the team. Most important involving a wedding coordinator before hiring your other vendors and service providers can greatly reduce the stress level and improve the success of your wedding. Coordinators generally recommend those they know perform as team players. Their reputation ride on those they recommend, so working from their recommendations can benefit you greatly.

If a wedding coordinator, wedding producer or wedding designer is outside of your budget limitations then assembling a group of vendors that act as a winning team for you is your task. In this situation, we recommend that you carefully interview the prospective vendors and read their contracts in full. Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions about how the vendor deals with other service providers. Look for vendors that listen to are interested in your plans and are not telling you what you should do. If contracts put restrictions on other vendors who’s contracts they are not signatory then this is probably not a team player. The vendors first concern should not be themselves, but fulfilling your dreams and desires!

Cooperative teamwork will insure that you get what you have always dreamed up. Interview carefully, ask questions and assemble a killer wedding team for your wedding day!

Labels: planning your wedding, wedding coordinator

Is your fiance like my boyfriend, can not tie a knot to keep his shoe strings from flapping, let alone a tie? Today I found on YouTube several instructional videos to help all of our significant others with the binding issues with ties. I am afraid though there is no help for those shoe laces.

The Four-In-Hand Knot


The Full Windsor


The Half Windsor


Get your significant other to master one of these knots and you will be ready to step out in style to the next engagment party, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner!

Labels: Ties

Dove Chocolates now allows you to personalize the foils. These would make great wedding favors for your guests.

-Amy

Labels: wedding favors

From the mail bag:

Dear Amy Taylor,
I have found a photographer we absolutely love and want to hire. However he says he does not use a contract and all we have to do is put down a fifty percent deposit. I have signed a contract with everyone else and find this strange. My Fiance says just put the money down and forget about it, but I am a little less sure about that especially since it is $1500. What should I do? Do I need a contract or not?
Thank you,
Mary to Sean

Mary, I have one rule, signed contract or I am going elsewhere! This is a pet peeve of mine! I can't believe in this day of age anyone would not be using a contract. The simplest contract is what, where, when, who and how much. This way there is no misunderstanding about the basic details of the agreement, what would you do if he came back and said, the $1500 was only the first 1/3 or 1/4 of the total package. Without a contract it would be a he said/she said, with a contract it is very easy to settle.

In most cases, it contracts are more complicated, defining what is expected of you, the client and what is expected of the photographer. This is the type of contract I prefer, what is included in your package. I heard of a decorator last year that took it upon themselves to add flowers, vases, lights etc to the already agreed upon arrangements to the tune of an additional $4000 without the client's permission. The decorator presented the bride and groom with the additional bill at the end of the reception. The client was fortunate enough to have an itemized list as an addendum to the contract and told the decorator they would not be paying for what was the decorator's decision.

We all hope for it never to happen but what if you have to cancel or god forbid the photographer? What is their policy, does it have to be in writing. Do you get any of the retainer back? (If you cancel, don't expect to see the retainer refunded but if they cancel, you should get all your money back) Is it transfered to other services? Some contracts are short, some are long, but make sure you get a contract! If the photographer is unwilling to give you a contract, draw up your own and insist they sign it. If they refuse, find another vendor.

And make sure you read the fine print! One of the local reception halls has an out clause in their contracts where they can cancel any time they want. I personally know one who two months before her wedding was sent scrambling for a new hall because a party willing to spend more money had come along and rented the hall on the same date. Consumers need to be informed about what they can expect and personally I would not sign such a contract. In my friend's case she did not read the fine print and ended up under a tent on one of the hottest days in August. The day she had dreamed of for 2 years has been left with a decidedly sour note.

One wedding I was in the reception hall had a limo drink clause. It said if the limo pulled up and the hall staff saw alcohol inside the bride and groom would be charged $100 a bottle in lost drink fees. The limo had provided each set of bridesmaids and groomsmen one bottle of champagne and there were 20 of us, so 10 bottles. At the end of the night my friends were billed an additonal $1000 above what was consumed at the hall. They hadn't read the fine print of the contract.

No matter what vendor you are hiring, get a contract and read it! And good luck Mary.

One note, I am not a lawyer and this post was not legal advice. For legal advice consult a lawyer. :-)

-Amy

Labels: contracts

One of the movies I'm looking forward to, Made Of Honor is having a sweepstakes! You can win a wedding, a European honeymoon and many other prizes. Sponsored by the Knot and the movie.

Labels: wedding sweepstakes

Green is in with weddings and you can't get much greener than these wedding favors from the BloemBox Collection. A feast for the eyes, each BloemBox favor contains a long strip of hand made seed ribbon. This favor is made with all natural, biodegradable paper embedded with flower seeds. Simply plant the ribbon in soil, water and watch as your own beautiful garden blooms. These wedding favors / gifts appear on the Oprah ‘O’ List and have been seen in InStyle Magazine. The Bloembox collection includes an assortment of six varieties: Carnation, Pansy, Flanders Poppy, Shirley Poppy, Sunflower, and Zinnia. Each favor includes 15 ft. of seed ribbon.

Labels: wedding favors

I love the fall and I love deep dark red and this real life weddings has them booth! Thanks to Cynthia Basker over at our favorite wedding coordination company, Celebrated Events we have this inspiration board from Kristine & Jason Listner. Kristine and Jason were married on October 27, 2007 at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the University of Notre Dame. The reception followed at the Palais Royale. Here is a few photographs to inspire your wedding!
If you are a past bride and groom, or getting married soon in the South Bend, Mishawaka, Elkhart, Plymouth area, we'd love to get a few images from your wedding to feature so other brides and grooms are inspired. Drop an email to michianaweddings at ameritech dot net!

Labels: Basilica of the Sacred Heart, inspiration, Palais Royale, wedding

You are a discerning bride, looking for something different from the normal wedding nic-nac. These sleek, modern and unique Champagne Toasting Flutes are the perfect choice for your wedding toast(s). Conceived by Netherlands-based designer Alissia Melka-Teichroew, these handmade Toasting Flutes are the iconic flute housed inside a discreet outer tube. The mouth-blown double-walled ensures the bubbly stays crisp and cold, sip after sip throughout your wedding day. A unique item that can be used again and again, after the wedding for the discerning bride!

Champagne Toasting FLutes

Labels: unique item, wedding

What do you get the groom who has everything, namely you? From Ms. & Mrs. we first got the Wedding Survival Kit, then the Bride's Maid Survival Kit and... the Grooms Survival Kit! Included: Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Dental Floss, Mints, Pain Reliever, Antacid, Facial Tissues, Deodorant, Razor, Shaving Cream, Styptic Pencil, Adhesive Bandages, Nail Clipper, Hair Comb, Interior Mirror, Lint Remover, Mending Kit, Scissors, Safety Pins, Boutonniere Pins, Stain Remover, Static Remover, Wrinkle Remover, Stress Ball Keychain, Extra Wedding Bands, Black Socks. I especially love that stress ball and chain! Cool idea for those stressed out grooms.

Your groom and his men will keep their composure on the big day with this . The kit includes all the essentials to keep his stress level at a minimum. Inside is a collection of 26 wedding day solutions for any emergency that befalls the groom. This sleek and practical Groom's attaché is made of silver chrome and is topped with a stress ball...just in case! Just be prepared to assign a bridesmaid to carrying this one around, you may find your groom just a little reluctant to carry it himself. But it is a cool idea, knowing most men! ;-)

Check with Girly Girl Gifts I'm sure they'll have this one in stock!

Labels: cool idea, Groom

This is too cool. Today I stumbled over the Mars Inc. website (chocolate is a girl's best friend!) and discovered they are offering to personalize the backs of M&Ms for weddings, parties, birthdays etc!

Here is what their website says: Personalized M&M'S® Chocolate Candies on mymms.com. MY M&M'S® are a great way to customize your wedding favors, birthday party, or give as a creative gift. Personalize your candy with your choice of color and a personal message.

Check it out!

-Amy

Labels: cool idea, wedding favors