Doing what I love

CHOOSING THE RIGHT WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHER

By Michele Hazlewood

            It’s a day you’ll never forget - your wedding day.  It’s is full of treasured moments — that walk down the aisle, the first time the groom sees his bride, the moment you and your beloved say I do, and sharing your first dance in front of all your loved ones.  But it’s also a day that’s full of precious moments that you will probably miss.  And that’s where your Wedding Videographer comes in.

Think about it.  You’ve been planning this special day for a year or more.  You have meticulously put together all the little details that make your wedding unique.  Now the big day is here and your heads are in the clouds.  There’s a reason everyone tells you your wedding day will fly by - it really does.  In the blink of an eye, you’ll be off on your honeymoon wondering where the day went and wondering what you may have missed.  While you were busy being a bride and groom, your Wedding Videographer was capturing those unplanned and spontaneous moments.

Imagine old Uncle Eddie rocking it on the dance floor for the first time in his life.  It’s the electric slide, and wedding guests are falling all over themselves trying to avoid getting tied up in his two left feet.  And everyone on the dance floor’s laughing till it hurts.  But you’re away with your photographer taking a picture with a family member, or you’re on the other side of the room thanking your guests at Table 23 for coming to the wedding.   Your Wedding Videographer will not only capture the cake cutting and those other poignant moments of the bride and groom’s wedding and reception, but will also record those moments you didn’t get to be a part of, all of which you’ll be able to relive in your living room for years to come.

So, what should you look for in a Wedding Videographer?  While you do your research you’ll find pages upon pages of advise.  So, keep it simple by looking for these important traits:  personality, experience, passion.

You want to make sure your Wedding Videographer’s personality will match the look and feel of your wedding.  Try to meet her or him in person.  It’s not only a chance to watch their demo and get to know their style, but it’s also an opportunity to gauge your Wedding Videographer’s personality.  You want someone friendly who will blend in with your guests.  You’ll be able to tell whether a prospective Wedding Videographer is in it just for the money or is someone who truly enjoys what they do.  And that’s recognizing that while they may shoot several weddings a week, the wedding they shoot on the day of your wedding is the only wedding that counts on that day.

Meet your prospective video vendor armed with plenty of questions.  Any professional Videographer should know the answers to all of them.  Ask what type of equipment they use.  Do they shoot digital?  Most wedding videos are delivered as DVDs now.  But if you need a VHS for grandma, they should be able to accommodate you.  Do they use wireless microphones for the services?  Is the Videographer also the editor?  Ask how long they’ve been shooting wedding videos.  They should be familiar with the different types of religious wedding ceremonies.  And for the reception, remember, someone who’s been in the business for years won’t be shy about jumping into the crowd to get Uncle Eddie’s electric boogie, but that person will also be discreet enough not to tape your guests while they’re eating.

And finally, your Wedding Videographer should be as passionate as you are about your wedding day.  Look for an artist.  After all, the camera is only a tool.  When you put it in the hands of someone who has an artistic eye and a love for the craft, the camera becomes a magic wand.  That’s what separates the professional Wedding Videographer from a friend with a camcorder.

Enjoy your wedding day over and over again.  Remember, while wedding photos are beautiful keepsakes, your wedding video walks and talks.   And keep in mind, your wedding video is not just a DVD of memories, it’s also a time capsule to be shared with your children and a great way to introduce them to the patriarchs and matriarchs of your family that they may never have a chance to meet.

www.Unique-Videoproductions.com

You never know what can happen when the phone rings.

This says it all.

Enjoy.

    Wow, I don’t even really know where to start. My husband Matt and I are so blessed to have met Bruce and Michele I can’t even put into words. At the last minute our photographer was stricken with swine flu and we were on a very tiny island in the Caribbean with very few options when our wedding planner told us of her friends back in the states who were willing to work out a deal with us. They hopped on a flight the day before our wedding and arrived on Vieques Island to make our dreams come true! I can’t tell you how nervous I was as a bride to have never met my photographer and had never been able to discuss all the pictures I wanted to have done with her. Not to mention I never even gave thought to a videographer. So there I was on my wedding day about to get married in about 2 hours and I still hadn’t met them yet when I looked off my balcony and there were Bruce and Michele literally standing in the water practicing the angles to get the best shots of our wedding. What a relief! I just knew from watching them for those few moments that we were in the best hands possible and all my worries melted away. They both came up to my bridal suite and introduced themselves and they had such a calming demeanor I finally felt like I could sit back and enjoy the wedding. A few short weeks later Matt and I received our photos and copies of our DVD and they mean so much to us! It was so amazing on Christmas to sit down with our families and be able to watch all the moments captured on film that we had completely forgot about. If any bride out there is on the fence about hiring Bruce for videography don’t even think twice, and seriously Bruce give that bride our number and we will be sure to change her mind! Also Michele took such beautiful photos at such flattering angles (thank god! haha)everyone looked phenomenal. I just want to thank you both again for such professionalism it was such an honor to have worked with you.
 
      All The Best, Brianna Rothman
 
PS we miss you guys come to Maine soon!

One of the biggest comments I hear from time to time is, ” I wish we had videotaped our Wedding”.

The following comment would be, “I missed so much.  The day went by so fast .” Believe me friends, it does. Even though I have a lot of footage to edit, the day sure does fly by.  All that work, planning, interviews, driving from one place to another. I’m willing to bet any Bride or Groom puts well over a thousand miles on their vehicles alone just doing Wedding planning.

Now let’s go ahead in time a little.  The Wedding was 3 months ago and you’re writing Thank You notes to all your family and friends, putting little comments on the stationery.  ” Hi Aunty, it was wonderful having you come all the way from California with Uncle Jimmy, watching him dance all night long with probably eveyone in the room was hilarious. I never knew he was such a dancin’ machine.  Mom would always tell me stories about him being one heck of a dancer.  She was right.”

You can only tell that story with Video because I’m sure you weren’t standing there watching him dance all night.  You have a lot of guests to mingle with.  My job is to capture what you miss as well as those moments when you two are the center of attention like your first dance, cake cutting, ect. 

I often mention to you Brides and Grooms how special it is to have a precious memory of your great grandparents, grandparents, great aunts and uncles for your children and future friends to meet. I have been told by many, many Brides & Grooms how special it was to show their children the DVD and that have included relatives who have since moved on.  Just listening to their voices again can be so comforting to some people.  I am creating a Time Capsule for Generations to come and to me that’s not just my passion, it’s also an honor.

It’s a love story written without a pen to be shared with generations to come.

Hello Everyone,

I just had to share this with you all.

The day after Valentine’s Day I received a call from a young lady who had just received her brand new engagement ring on that special day. She asked if I had her date available, I replied, ” that was fast”.  She had a date in mind all along and it was available on my calendar.

Then I asked her where her Service & Reception would be held, she told me she had not chosen either yet.

To know how I felt when she asked me to videotape there Wedding before making all of there other  arraignments was more than just a compliment.

I sure hope it shows in my work how I feel about what I do, and if you know me at all, all I do is talk about weddings.

Thank you Kristen & David for considering my services before even securing a venue, you have no idea how wonderful that feels.

Thank you, Bruce

With a stunningly gorgeous sunset wedding as the backdrop, the tears streamed from Matt’s eyes as he watched his Beautiful Bride, Brianna, escorted by her parents, walk down the wooden steps leading from there Villa to the beachside ceremony where he waited to exchange I do’s.

I was up to my hips in that 80 degree water for most of the Service as well as my wife Michele who was handling the Photography.  You have to go to where the best  shot is, mine just so happened to be in the water.

 If any of you know me, I’m an avid fisherman and my next attempt will be to videotape a Wedding in the ocean up to my hips while still being able to throw a line, talk about a dream job.

While it was a short ceremony, it was full of emotion as 50 of Brianna and Matt’s family and friends looked on.  Michele and I received many wonderful compliments all evening long from our new friends.  They even pulled Michele onto the dancefloor with them later that night.  But you can bet she didn’t let go of her camera!  So, someone’s got those pictures!  We both had a wonderful time documenting the day for our new-found neighbors.  These folks live just up the road from us in Portland, Maine. All your kind words were taken most graciously, thank you once again.

Sandy Malone who owns and operates Weddings in Vieques had every little setting laid out perfectly.  Whenever I Videotape one of Sandy’s Weddings In Vieques, I know that the guests as well as the Bride and Groom will have the best of EVERYTHING.

I’m fortunate to see the complete set up for the Reception before the guests and family arrive,  Sandy’s Staff  is on top of its game.  As guests see the venue for the first time as they arrive, most have their breath taken away at the sight of this gorgeous destination wedding.

A little about this awesome Wedding Party Brianna & Matt chose, do you people ever sleep?  I get around the island quite a bit and I ran into them everywhere.. more at Al’s Mar Azul than anywhere, nothing wrong with that.  You guys were so much fun!  Matt and Brianna have wonderful friends who know how to party, and so do their families.  Hardly anyone sat out the dancing that just never quit.  The bridesmaids danced to just about every song played and I even saw someone’s Dad and mom dancing in the pool. Don’t worry dad, it’s all over the DVD.  What a Party.

I had a great time and hope to run into you folks again someday.

Best to you all, Bruce

I shot my first wedding reception at Nino’s in Coventry twenty some odd years ago. I’ve lost track of how many I’ve videotaped there since then.  But one thing has remained the same -  the hospitality, the warm greeting, and the terrific service you receive once you arrive. Then the party starts.

I videotaped Deborah & Michael’s Wedding there in early September and this party went from the dance floor to the outside deck that overlooks the beautiful lake Nino’s sits on.

You can check out a short clip of  Deb & Mike’s Wedding on my home page player, enjoy.

It’s always a pleasure to see Robin waiting at the door for you when you arrive, the planning and all the work you put into your day is now in her hands, and to tell you the truth, I get tired watching her run around making sure every detail is perfect.

Hat’s off to the entire staff,… all I heard all night were compliments on the service and the great food.

For as long as I can remember people have always commented on how good the food has always been.  You definitely don’t go home hungry after an evening out at Nino’s.  And once the plates are served, all you hear is the clinging and clanging of silverware. Ever notice that when people really enjoy their meals, they don’t talk so much?

Nino opened the landmark reception venue back in 1970.  Now owned and operated by Charlie & Terri, you can appreciate their own style while still keeping Nino’s name. I asked Charlie why he didn’t change the name seven years ago when he took over Nino’s, he answered, “respect to Nino and his family.” That’s class.

I look forward to my next visit.

I’m sure the Dance Floor will be just fine.

That is where Larry  ” Engagements D.J. Entertainment “  put Amy & David to the test on June 26th  to what started as a beautiful Service on the outside deck then became a non-stop party on the parkay floor. 

Amy did’nt miss a dance and David danced with I’m pretty sure, …everyone.

You both have wonderful families and some wild friends, they leave no room for blank tape.

Thank you for letting me capture your most Beautiful  day.

Here’s to Life………

Bruce

Everything came together with tears a’flowin’ as Joanne & Paul exchanged their vows at Blessed Sacriment Church in Providence on July 9th.

Paul’s Uncle returned home to Rhode Island to act as the couple’s priest.  In the middle of the service he sang a song to Joanne and Paul who cried their eyes out.  It was an absolutely beautiful moment.

The ceremony was filled with as much emotion as the reception was filled with good times!  Now talk about filling up a dance floor.  Joanne & Paul chose Luke’s D.J. Service.  And the party never stopped.  Way to go Luke.  The folks over at the Quidnessett Country Club will remember this Wedding for a long time.

I told Paul & Joanne’s parents’, “I want to come to all your parties!” I had a ball.  And so did everybody else.  Check out a little bit of their Wedding/Dance Party on my home page.

 I Love my Job.

Take care everybody.

Bruce

Teresa and Myo had a Wedding Fantasy come so true for them on the island Memorial Day weekend.  Like the rolling seas behind her and husband to be at the ceremony, Teresa was a wave of emotions.  Tears in her eyes from being so overwhelmed that so many of  her friends and family were able to attend the couple’s dream destination wedding.  But ever the beautiful, glowing bride, Teresa laughed and smiled every second of the day.  I’m also pretty sure there wasn’t much sleep on the menu for the three-day long party.

Draped in beach wedding linens, Myo was a tall, sleek gentleman surrounded by gentlemen.  But don’t be fooled, what a wild wedding party. These guys can dance, and I mean anywhere.  They were  ‘Dancin on the Ceiling”.   Speaking as a Videographer, the camera was hungry for more tape all night long.

The Ceremony on Sun Bay Beach could not of come together more beautifully than it did.  Not a dry eye on the beach.  Check out my home page and get an 8 minute look at Teresa & Myo riding away on horseback down the beach into the sunset after there ceremony….takes your breath away.

I ‘ve shot a lot of Wedding’s in my life and to see Teresa’s eye’s looking at her now new Husband said it all for me.  To see someone so incredibly greatful to there family and friend’s  is a compliment that sits by itself.

The camera always arrives with a blank tape,  thank you for choosing me to fill it with your Love Story.

CHOOSING A DESTINATION WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHER

By Michele Hazlewood

So, you’ve decided to tie the knot in a land far, far away.  You and your loved one have picked the perfect destination getaway wedding.  Be in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Europe, or elsewhere, two things are guaranteed.  One, it will be an unforgettable experience for you and your guests.  Two, not all of your loved ones will be able to attend.  But they can still be a part of your once in a lifetime destination wedding when you send them a DVD of the on-location recording of your nuptials and wedding reception.

In a slumping economy, you may not think a destination wedding would be very cost effective.  But you and your checkbook might be pleasantly surprised when you downsize with a destination wedding.  If you have a destination wedding, you’ll probably have fewer than 50 guests.  So, hiring a Videographer shouldn’t mean taking a big chunk out of your wedding budget.  Think of the money you’re already saving on everything from favors to flowers when you keep the ceremony small.  So, you can have your Videographer and your cake, too!

While choosing a destination for your wedding day may mean for some staying at home because of poor health, children, and the cost of airfare and hotel, for your nearest and dearest, it’s a great excuse for a weekend getaway, one they may have been wanting to take anyway, except this trip comes with the added bonus of attending a beach wedding.

So, do you hire the local Videographer or bring in your own?  That depends on your own comfort level.  If you go local, consider whether you need to see the Videographer’s work and meet him or her in person first.  When it comes to your wedding, you should be comfortable with anyone who’ll be there for the duration while helping preserve the memories of a lifetime.  There are plusses to bringing in your own wedding Videographer, though.  You’ve had a chance to meet them face-to-face.  And the call won’t be an international one if any problems arise.  Also, if you want to add baby pictures or honeymoon pictures to your wedding DVD, it’s much easier if the Videographer lives close by.  So, if you want more than a slap and dash video before dashing away to your honeymoon festivities, you want to feel confident that your wedding video is in good hands during and well after the big day.  

And there is a way for your loved ones at home to watch your ceremony streamed live on the web!  Ask your Videographer or the venue in which you’re getting married if they’re hooked up to do live web casts.  Then grandma can watch you exchange your vows live from the comfort of her own home!

If you’re having a destination wedding, you’re probably hoping for an intimate affair and don’t really want your parents sticking around for your honeymoon.  And face it, if you get married at home, you’ll probably have to invite Aunt Martha who’s really only an aunt three times removed.  And do you really want to tear your hair out over whom you should invite from the job?  So consider hiring a Videographer so you can bring the ceremony to them later.  You can even consider having a smaller party for the folks at home after you return like a restaurant luncheon or a backyard barbecue.