Kimbell Art Museum - #BisforBaker - Stephanie + Cody, the Memory Tin

Meet Stephanie and Cody: she's festive and organized, he's kind and enjoyable to be around.  It's their love for one another that inspired their wedding celebration -- from a surprise proposal (complete with a bag piper in California) to a wedding at a modern art museum in Texas.  We adored every detail we could see; like the ghost chairs at the ceremony and the trumpet skirt detailing on Stephanie's couture wedding dress.

Enjoy the full film that captured Stephanie and Cody's celebration----

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/124674130[/vimeo] Soundtrack: "The Best Day Of My Life" by Candlepark Stars, licensed through MusicBed.com "I Love You, I Do" by Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, licensed through MusicBed.com 

Before the ceremony, the bride and her attendants enjoyed watching "Father of the Bride" together.  It's one of our team's favorite movies, too! Guests were treated to the sounds of a string quartet before the ceremony and were free to roam the numerous wings and art exhibits afterwards to enjoy the beauty that the Kimbell Museum provides.

Stephanie loves formal exits.  In fact, it's her favorite part of any wedding.  Guests lined the sidewalk of the Kimbell and waved wands of ribbon and bells as Stephanie and Cody ran to their getaway car.  As they kissed in front of the vintage automobile, fireworks lining the streets lit up the scene for a truly romantic end to the evening.

Ceremony Coordinator: Bill Robertson Prep Venue:  The Worthington Renaissance Hotel   200 Main Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102 Groom Prep: Fort Worth Barber Shop    3529 Lovell Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76107 Wedding & Reception Venue:  Piano Pavilion, Kimbell Art Museum    3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107 Photographer: Andrea Polito Caterer: Bonnell’s Catering Entertainment:  Roof Raisers - Gene Glover

Dallas Petroleum Club || #hitchedtoafinch || Audrey + Roy, the full film

"If I'm a bird, you're a bird"

On a recent saturday afternoon, the sounds of cellos and violins swelled in the rafters of First United Methodist Church.  The crowd stood for Audrey to enter the sanctuary, escorted by her doting, smiling father.  Roy, her groom, stood smiling and trembling at  the front of the altar.  As Audrey made her way toward the front, on the first row of pews, Audrey's grandmother leaned close to her mother, leaning to catch a glimpse of her granddaughter.  Brimming with joy, Audrey's mother turned to her own mother and said, "isn't she beautiful?"

Moments like these are why we love capturing the story of a wedding day.  Enjoy the glamorous wedding of these two lovebirds here:

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/98775841[/vimeo] Musical Soundtrack: "Hold Onto Hope Love" by Amy Stroup "I Can Feel Your Heartbeat" by A New Normal,  licensed through The Music Bed

Just before the ceremony began, all of the bridesmaids and house party girls swirled around the bride.  With Roy's last name being "Finch" there were many bird-themed ideas being tossed around for the wedding's hashtag, and they all settled on #hitchedtoafinch.

Even the wedding cake played to the bird theme:

This Aggie Ring cake was decked out to all of the groom's specifications.

The bride and groom exited their wedding to a line of sparklers, and they left the wedding in a classic car that belonged to Roy's great grandfather.

WEDDING VENDORS: Ceremony Venue: First United Methodist Church Dallas 1928 Ross Ave, Dallas, TX 75201   (214) 220-2727 Reception Venue: Dallas Petroleum Club - Chase Tower 2200 Ross Ave, Dallas, TX 75201   (214) 871-1500 Wedding Planner: Katie McCann Crow  Collins Coordination Floral / Decor: Jackson Durham Lighting: Beyond Lighting Caterer: Dallas Petroleum Club Bride and Groom's Cakes: Dallas Affaires Cake Company Wedding Videographer:  Mason Jar Films Wedding Photographer: Averi Blackmon Ceremony Music: Serenata Strings Cocktail Hour Quartet & Three Pianists: Petroleum Club Musicians Reception Entertainment: Emerald City Rentals: Posh Couture Rentals Draping: Quest Drape Paper Goods: Ellis Hill Calligrapher: Laurie Harper

Wedding dress: Warren Barron Bridesmaid's Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid Tuxedoes: Culwell and Son Hair & Makeup: Beauty and the Blush, Contact: Rayyen

What Love Really Looks Like: confessions of a wedding videographer

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With Valentine's day, the talk of love is in the air, and I've got something to let you know:  

I'm still surprised how often I meet strangers who, after finding out that I film weddings, often lean in and whisper to me in some sort of pseudo-confession:  "I have never watched my wedding video in the past 30 years."  In contrast, our own clients have been known to watch their wedding films on repeat until they are basically suffering from sleep deprivation--all in the first day of receiving their film!  

Now, I know what you're thinking when you hear the word "wedding video" too--but these aren't your Aunt Pam's wedding videos--with those heart-shaped frames around the edges  & star wipes between each shot, so bad that they are never watched---our films of weddings are time capsules of some of the greatest moments in a person's life.  The stories in our films will make your heart skip a beat, and they will make your face hurt from laughing so much.

Like when a wasp got caught in this bride's dress during the ceremony.   Or, when she cried sweet, happy tears as she spoke her vows.

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What's the difference between the films we make  and the stereotypical wedding videos from the 1980s?  I'll tell you:

We know that love is made up of both big moments and small moments.   We know that a wedding day isn't just about the DIY accents--it's also about a community of people getting to celebrate together---a community that has supported the couple as individuals over the course of their entire lives, and they're all coming into the same town and the same room for a week, or a weekend, or a few hours-- and they're cheering as they get to witness the start of a new chapter for this couple.  We also know that a wedding is not a finish line--it's a party celebrating the beginning of the biggest adventure and the bravest self-sacrifice two people could ever make.   Love is a continuing story, passed down generation to generation.

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Over the course of each year, we get to witness special moments as we make wedding videos for our clients, and it might sound crazy, but we walk around our office quoting wedding films more than we quote hollywood movies.   In fact, as much as I love romantic movies like Thoroughly Modern Millie, The New World, and Ever After, I'm going to be so bold as to say that not only are our wedding films better than 80s wedding videos--but I like them better than hollywood films because, seriously, y'all.  These love-birds are REAL.  These people are really, really real.  And knowing that these stories are true as day is extremely encouraging and refreshing--sure to soften the heart of even the most hardened cynic. 

Just to prove it, here are some special wedding moments from the past few years that make my heart skip a beat or my face muscles hurt from laughing each time I think about them:

How History repeats itself:

We found out that this bride met her husband in front of the exact same building where her parents met each other 20 years before.  Not only that, this bride and her groom share the exact same birthday.   ...watch the story here

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When this groom is amazed at his bride's jaw-dropping beauty.

When this groom saw his bride in a private "first look" right before their wedding ceremony, his jaw LITERALLY dropped when he saw her beauty!  I also love how the bride's dad SANG during the wedding reception as Jackie and Chance danced their "first dance" in front of friends and family.  ...watch the story here

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When a family friend officiates the wedding: 

It always cracks me up when I think about this hilarious moment  where the officiant in this wedding is handed the rings for the vows, and he looks at the bride's ring for a minute, then turns to the groom and says, "well, there goes your boat payment."  Keeping your wedding personal always makes weddings more memorable!  ...watch the story here

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When dads make grand gestures:

During the reception at this wedding, the father of this groom announced that he just donated money to support the museum where his son, Andrew, met Erin, the bride-to-be.    ...watch the story here

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When a groom exclaims, "I'm the luckiest man alive!"

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When the best man explains why he chose the groom as a godfather for his own children.

...because he knew that in the event that Scott would need to raise his daughter, she would grow up seeing a great example of what it's like for a woman to truly be loved by a man.  Oh, man, you better grab your tissues before you watch the full story here.

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When this father surprises his daughter with fireworks at the wedding reception.

....watch the full film here

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When this groom cries.

....And he does, multiple times.  In fact, he's so expressive that his groomsmen gently tease "your make-up's gonna come off!"  This good-natured groom takes it all in stride, even though the tears well up multiple times--and he's got some impressive moves on the dance floor, too! ...watch the story here

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When this groom jokes about improvising more and more wedding vows.

The custom wedding vows this couple shared are better than any hollywood script: "Every day spent together with you is the best day of my life," wrote the bride as she prepared for the ceremony.  On the way to the ceremony site, the groom teased "If your vows are better than mine, I'm going to improvise more vows!"  This bride and groom were both collegiate-level athletes, and their competitive spirit was super cute--but we have to admit that both of their vows still bring us to tears. Chris & Caroline decided to elope---but they still took along some family and friends--watch the film here or read more about it on style me pretty.

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When these childhood sweethearts prove that young Love CAN be a Forever Love. 

This bride and groom have known each other since the bride was 3.  They grew up as neighbors, dated for seven years as adults, and the groom still CRIED when the bride walked down the aisle.  In their vows, they say, "I promise to kiss you first thing each morning and last thing each evening."   ...watch the story here

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When this bride cries happy tears:

After being pronounced man and wife, Morgan turned to the crowd and CRIED as she showed off her wedding ring.  And then they way that they look at each other.  Pure adoration!   ...watch the story here

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When this father-in-law tells why he first approved of his son-in-law:

The Bride's dad tells a story about when he met his future son-in-law for the first time that has us in stitches each time we hear it.  In Texas, wearing cowboy boots is a good way to impress your future father-in-law!  ...watch here

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When Love lifts us up where we belong:

When this bride opened a gift from her husband on her wedding day, she found a bracelet with a Hot Air Balloon Charm to remind her of the moment he proposed in a hot air balloon.  ...watch here  Kacy & Jason's story is a reminder to put things around us that remind us of important moments.

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When this couple reminds us that it's Never Too Late For Good Things to Happen:

This groom got his bride a ring with a diamond for each decade of his life that he had to wait to find her.  (She's pretty thoughtful, too--she hired his favorite artist to come and create a "live painting" on site at their wedding reception, and managed to keep it a secret from him 'til the wedding day!) ...watch the story here

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When this groom makes a promise to his father-in-law:

I'm telling you, there wasn't a dry eye in the house when Mark stood up at the rehearsal dinner to promise his father-in-law that he would take care of Liz for the rest of her life.  We've filmed both Liz' wedding and her sister Sarah's wedding, and this family has truly shown us that love is filled with both a deep sense of honor and a generous sense of humor.  ...watch this film.

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When this couple is told they are a sign of hope. 

The priest at this wedding is a wordsmith, seriously. ...watch the story here

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It's a beautiful thing when two people promise to care for one another unconditionally. Love has the power to shine a light into the world, to encourage and surprise us, to carry us through difficult circumstances, and to teach us to cherish the big and the small moments.  The love that we witness at these weddings is a strong reminder of what is good in life, and we hope that as you have read these stories, you've been reminded of good things in your own life.

xoxo,

kourtney amelia

Dallas Union Station || The Gift of Another Sister || Ann + Andrew, the full film

The opening shots of this film really highlight the beauty of First United Methodist Church Dallas.  Nestled into the heart of urbanite downtown Dallas,  The bell-filled steeple juts into the skyline with gothic-influenced mini-spires at each corner.   Inside, the green and golden stained glass windows create a warm glow for the golden organ that fills the entire sanctuary. This is where Ann and Andrew chose to have their wedding ceremony.  

While Jones had communicated with the couple before the wedding, I met Ann just as she was putting the finishing touches on her gown and jewelry.   Although she was calm and quiet while she put her earrings on in just the company of her mother, her hilarious personality immediately peeked through as she paraded out into the room where her bridesmaids sat.  They began to cheer as they saw her in her wedding gown for the first time, and Ann, without missing a beat, began to smile and wave like a debutant or queen, graciously greeting each one of them in an imaginary parade right there in the room.  It was so funny.  From that moment I knew that while that night would be emotional (as all weddings are), it would also be an evening filled with humor, kindness,  and the kind of family goofiness that makes kids say "ta-dah!" when they show their parents what they've done.

If you didn't read our post with Ann & Andrew's preview, you need to know how the couple met.  In college, Ann became best friends with Andrew's sister, and everytime Andrew's sister would return home from the dorms she told her brother, "you have to meet my new friend, she is just like you."  What a fairy-tale, to have a best friend become your family member. 

While the night was filled with cheerful toasts, and hilarious dance moves, certain moments really stick out in my mind:

Andrew's brother gave a toast thanking Andrew for bringing Ann into their lives, bringing "the gift of another sister."

Ann and Andrew had a surprise birthday cake for Ann's mom, and had the entire crowd sing happy birthday to her!

Ann's dad not only blessed Andrew as a part of their family, but he told Ann that no one could have ever been a better daughter than what she'd been.

...and that, my dear friends and readers, is why we love making wedding films.  These are the moments of  your life, carefully captured and lovingly pressed for you into an artistic video, so that you can enjoy those looks, the sounds, and the kindest words from your dearest loved ones over and over and over again.

Ann & Andrew, it was truly a treat to watch your family enjoy themselves on such an important day.  Thanks for choosing us as your dallas wedding videographer!

-kourtney amelia

Ceremony: First United Methodist Church, Dallas
Reception: Union Station
Event Planner: Caroline Fair, Caroline Events
Photographer: Lauren Larsen
Reception Entertainment: Professor D
Floral: Garden Gate
Cake: Jackie Spratt
Dress: Stanley Korshak
Lighting: Beyond 

Dallas Union Station || The Gift of Another Sister || Ann + Andrew

Ann & Andrew are friends with some of our previous couples (notably John & Laura, who are both pastors at Watermark Church in Dallas).  In college, Ann became best friends with Andrew's sister, and everytime Andrew's sister would return home from the dorms she told her brother, "you have to meet my new friend, she is just like you."  Andrew did end up meeting Ann, and as they say, the rest is history.  What a fairy-tale, to have a best friend become your family member. 

At the reception, the Wolfgang Puck catering was superb, and as you can see, the dotted swiss wedding cake was regal and modern with each layer decorated in a different pattern or texture of buttercream icing.

Professor D, as usual, rocked out the reception with their amazing brass section and variety of vocal talent.

Adding some Texas flair to their wedding, Ann chose a ring-bearer pillow with her new monogram in blue with blue rosettes and a golden-threaded silhouette of the state of Texas, where the wedding was held.  Simple and gorgeous.

The engagement ring.  Photographer Lauren Larsen was a treat to work alongside.

Ann & Andrew, it was truly a treat to watch your family enjoy themselves on such an important day.  Thanks for choosing us as your dallas wedding videographer!

-kourtney amelia

Ceremony: First United Methodist Church, Dallas
Reception: Union Station
Event Planner: Caroline Fair, Caroline Events
Photographer: Lauren Larsen
Reception Entertainment: Professor D
Floral: Garden Gate
Cake: Jackie Spratt
Dress: Stanley Korshak
Lighting: Beyond