…And the question of whether your cinematographer has worked at your venue before.
This is a question often posed (ha) to wedding photographers and filmmakers. It makes sense, to an extent. You want to know that we’ll be familiar with your venue. You might think that means we’ll know all the best places and ways to capture your day. You might feel better if you’ve seen our work in the space you envision your day. Maybe your venue has their own list of preferred vendors, and you wonder if you should just follow their lead.
I’ve been filming weddings, primarily in New York and New Jersey, since 2010. I’ve seen *a lot* of local venues. In my experience, there is so much that can change from one wedding to the next, even at the same venue: the weather, updates to interiors, construction in the area, changes in foliage… The same window brings in different light at different times of day and in different seasons. Most of all, the difference is you.
Here’s an example.
Caity + Chris and Meesun + Daniel – both couples wed at Perona Farms, a stunning, modern rustic wedding venue in Andover, NJ, two weeks apart. Both March weddings. Both chose Ann Marie of AMC Photography for their photos and Leah of A Lost Epic (that’s me!) for their films. Both are amazing, sweet couples, in love for the long haul. And yet, their wedding days could not have been more different.
| Caity + Chris | Meesun + Daniel |
| Cat people 😺 Their two cats featured on Caity’s gift to Chris, a custom, playable record album of love songs. | Dog people 🐶 Their dog, Cheeto, was on site for photos (cared for by Royal Dog of Honor) and prominent in their table decor! |
| Got ready on site at Perona Farms – cozy, secret speakeasy vibes. | Got ready at a nearby hotel, the Sheraton Parsippany – looks like a castle, feels like home. |
| Weather: an actual snowstorm ❄️ | Weather: morning rain 🌧️ followed by clear skies. |
| Reception feature: a surprise appearance by Mr. Met ⚾ complete with dance floor selfies. | Reception feature: a selection of board games 🎲 available for their guests. |
| Personal vows, shared in front of friends and family at their ceremony. | Personal vows, shared privately with each other in a row of trees near the venue. |
Check out the reel below to see how those differences play out.
What to consider in addition to your venue:
There is more to you and your wedding day than your chosen season, your venue, and even the rest of your vendors. Our goal as your team is to help you feel comfortable and confident as yourselves, to have an amazing time with the people who mean the most to you. So what are we looking for during your day beyond the cool locations your venue rightfully boasts?
💡 Lighting – windows and shadows and sun rays and opportunities for beautiful silhouettes…
🕵️♀️ Moments – the things that happen between you and your guests and in the background that tell the story of your love and relationships.
💐 Details – the creative choices you’ve made, their sources, how they impact your guests, and what they highlight say so much about what matters to you.
Filming in the same places, the same way every time, it would get boring! While I love coming back to an amazing venue, it’s always exciting to explore somewhere new. Every wedding gives us the opportunity to see things through a new lens (no pun intended.)
