Archive for the ‘ Reel Weddings ’ Category

A Full Engagement Diary: Sonali and Prayes

Every wedding has a great engagement story. What better way to tell that story than through video? A couple of months back, Sonali and Prayes sat down and told me the story of how they met and how they got engaged. I thought it was such a cool story that I decided to upload (with their approval) their whole Engagement Diary.

For those who aren’t aware, the Engagement Diary is an optional service that you can purchase in addition to my day of wedding videography services. The best way to think of it is like your own personal version of TLC’s Wedding Story that makes for great reception entertainment. Not only that, but whenever your kids ask how you two met, all you have to do is pop in the DVD. Anyway, here is Sonali and Prayes’ 22 minute Engagement Diary…


Also, for those who might have missed it earlier, their wedding trailer…


Chris W

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A Watson Videography First: A Full Wedding (yes a FULL Wedding) Online!

The number one question brides ask me is, “What does a full wedding production look like?” Well wonder no more! Mike and Sarah Davis were gracious enough to let me share this with you and I really appreciate that. While it’s got a few tech issues here and there, I’m really proud of how well it flows and how it’s put together. Here’s what Sarah and Mike had to say about it……

Hi Chris,

We would be honored if you posted part or all of our wedding on your
website!!! I can’t tell you how absolutely thrilled I am with your
work. I never imagined that my wedding day could be captured so
beautifully - with such excitement, emotion, laughter, tears,
EVERYTHING. It is absolutely PERFECT. We can’t thank you enough. We
will be so grateful to you and your team every time we watch the videos
- for many, many years!

You chose the perfect songs - when “In Your Eyes” started playing, I
screamed and looked over at Mike. It is perfect!!!!

We’ve never had a professional video like this of my dad’s band. It
means so, so much.

I could go on forever! Everything is just perfect. Thank you for all
your hard work, dedication, and attention to detail. Watching the
videos, I feel like a princess :-) We were all smiling ear-to-ear the
entire night. You have truly given us the greatest gift we could ever
ask for. Thank you!!!!!

So without further ado, Sarah and Mike’s Wedding Story



Chris W












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Trailer For Sonali and Prayes’ Wedding Documentary

     
     
Last December, I had the privelige of documenting the wedding of Sonali and Prayes.  Their wedding was without a doubt one of the most unique weddings I’ve ever done.  Joining for those 4 days was Humza Yasin of Yasin Photography.  You can see my original write-up of the wedding here.


Fast-forward a few months later and I am just about to start editing their wedding.  In the meantime, I decided to cut a trailer of their wedding.  Can’t wait to really get started on this one….







Also at the wedding, Sonali’s parents made a very memorable entrance.  Check it out….







Finally, if you checked out my “Home Movies” post, you’ll see that the Animal Kingdom isn’t so fond of me.  Here’s even more proof of that fact.







Hope you enjoyed the clips!


Chris W

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Last 8 Minutes From a Nigerian Wedding

     
     
For the ten of you who read this blog, my apologies for not being as active as usual.  I have been working hard to clear out my ‘06 weddings and that means putting aside the blog for a short time.   I just finished another wedding with only one more ‘06 to go so I thought I’d pop in and do a little update…..


One of the cool things about what I do is that from time to time, I get to learn a little bit about how different cultures celebrate weddings.   I had one such opportunity at Elizabeth and Bernard’s wedding a few months back.  For their reception, they decided to honor Nigerian traditions such as the Breaking of the Kola Nut and the Money Dance.  I had a great time telling their story and thought I’d share the last 8 minutes with you.  Enjoy!







Chris W

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In Production: Adrienne and Lance’s Wedding Documentary

     
     
I had so much fun capturing Adrienne and Lance’s wedding day back in November, but I think I’m having more fun crafting their story these many months later.    Not only was it a great wedding but it was also an opportunity to catch up with the bride’s sister, Whitney, whose wedding I did 2 years ago.  Just like her sister, Adrienne’s wedding had lots of memorable moments throughout the day.  One thing in particular that comes to mind was the limbo contest.  Lance can really get down there.  But that’s for later.  Here’s how their day started….Enjoy!









Can’t wait to finish this one.  It’s a good one so far.


Chris W

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Marisa and Dan’s Wedding: 02/17/07

     
     


Who is that Masked Videographer? 


This weekend I had the honor of documenting Marisa Saenz and Dan Knoff’s wedding.  Their ceremony took place at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Richardson with the reception taking place at the Addison Event Center.  The people responsible for making Marisa look as beautiful as possible (not that it’s a hard job) were makeup & hair artists,   Maritza Morales and April Ruiz of Pure Colour.  The coordinator that day was Ruth Spirer of Weddings and Events by Ruth.  Keeping the party going at the reception was Melody Gualtiere of Melodies and Memories Entertainment. Last but not least, I had the pleasure of once again working with one of Dallas’ best photographers, Kevin Jairaj of KJ Images.  Can’t wait to see his interpretation of this wedding.  On with my random thoughts….


There’s alot of great moments that happened at Marisa and Dan’s wedding.  Meeting each other before the ceremony in the lobby of the hotel, coming into the reception with “Phantom of the Opera” style masquerade masks, or maybe the last dance with bubbles blowing all around them.  Those are all great moments to be sure but the one thing that sticks in my mind about this wedding more than anything else was Marisa preparing for her vows the whole day.  She was so determined about getting her vows right that she was still going over her lines right to the end.  I’m happy to report that she did just fine when she got up there and made it through the vows without a hitch!   See for yourself in this inaugural edition of  Watson Videography Candids.  A collection of some of my favorite moments from any given wedding.  Keep in mind this is just cleaned up raw footage and not indicative of the final product!







Although I’m still a few weddings away from editing this, I decided to also cut a quick preview for the bride and groom as well as for those who couldn’t make it to the wedding.  Enjoy!








UPDATE: Kevin Jairaj of KJ Images was kind enough to share some of his favorite photos from the day.


  


 




As always, it’s an honor to capture a couple’s special day and Dan and Marisa’s was no exception.  Have a great life together!


Chris W

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Kristyn and Vinnie’s Wedding: 02/10/07

     
     
I had the distinct honor of documenting Kristyn and Vinnie’s wedding day this past Saturday.  I tell you, if you have to spend 16 hours with someone, you can do alot worse than these two wonderful people.  Kristyn has a heart of gold and probably one of the most radiant smiles I’ve ever captured  and Vinnie is a proud member of the US Army who just finished serving his second tour of duty in Iraq.   As I said, great folks.  Now back to the wedding…..


If you’ve ever attended or took part in a Vietnamese wedding ceremony, then you know you’re in for a long day.


My day started at 8am at the bride’s house where I covered Kristyn getting her hair and makeup


At 10am, it was time for the traditional Tea Ceremony where the bride and groom offer tea to all their family members.


After the tea ceremony, we broke for lunch and enjoyed roasted pig, sticky rice, and pho.  It’s simply impossible to leave a Vietnamese wedding hungry.  Talk about great eating all day.


At 2pm, it was time to get back to work and capture their Catholic Ceremony which was held at the beautiful Martyr’s Catholic Church in Arlington, TX.


At 6pm, me and my assistant drove down the street to Thanh Thanh Restaurant for the reception which included the bride and groom visiting every table to thank each of the guests for attending their wedding as well as the cake cutting, bouquet toss, and the first dance.  I have to stop right here and say that their first dance was one of the more emotional first dances I’ve had the honor of capturing.   But why take my word for it when you can see for yourself?   Here’s their preview….







Joining me that day was my long time associate videographer, Pete Cuellar of Video by Cuellar.   I had a chance to check out his footage while putting together the special preview and he got some great stuff.   Thanks for putting in some extra hours that day.  Really appreciate it! 


I also had the pleasure of working with QC Cong of XO Photography  again and I can’t wait to see his interpretation of the wedding we shot together.  Judging from the pics on his site, it should be something special.  The coordinator that day was Cynthia of Catering Services and let me tell you, she’s a multi-tasker.  Not only did she make sure things ran smoothly, she also sang at the ceremony and played MC for the bouquet toss.  It was also cool to see how she involved her entire family in the day.  Her husband and two daughters all pitched in in some way and it was a just a treat working with all of them.  Their number is 817-874-3834.


Vietnamese Weddings are very colorful events and if you want to find out more about them, you can read this Wiki entry.  Congratulations Kristyn and Vinnie!  Enjoy Europe!


Chris W

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Rena and Jason’s Wedding Recap 02/03/07

     
     
Last weekend I had the pleasure of documenting the wedding of Rena John and Jason George.  They are a wonderful couple and I couldn’t ask for a better wedding to start off my season for ‘07.  Their wedding was held at the gorgeous St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Coppell and the reception was held at the Hilton at Lincoln Center in Dallas.  Blue was the order of the day as everything from the bridesmaids dresses to the groomsmen’s ties to the reception decor all had blue accents.  It made for a very cool look for their wedding and was one of the more unique wedding designs I’ve seen.  I also had the pleasure of working with some photographers I never worked with before: David and Luke of Edmonson Photography.  It was great working with both of you and I hope to run into you at future weddings.  Here are some random thoughts regarding Rena and Jason’s Wedding Day….


When a bride and groom embark on a new journey together a couple of sayings come to mind….


    

  • Today is the first day of the rest of your life
    

    • 

  • The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
    • 

  • There is nothing to fear but fear itself (okay this one is mainly for the guys)
    • 



Now we can add a new one to the pantheon…….





For those who are in the dark, allow me to shed some light….




Jason, you’re my hero and all for breaking new ground but you disappointed me.  At the end of the ceremony you had a golden opportunity to say “THAT JUST HAPPENED!” and missed it man.  All kidding aside, it was a beautiful ceremony that I was honored to capture and the reception was wonderful and filled with heartfelt speeches and great emotional moments.  I can’t wait to tell their story.  So much so that I decided to capture some of my favorite moments and make a quick trailer.  For those who couldn’t attend, here’s what you missed….





UPDATE: Luke of Edmonson Photography was kind enough to send me a slide show of their wedding.  Check out the slideshow


He was also kind enough to send me their photo album.  Check it out here. 


One of the things I enjoy about shooting weddings is the opportunity to catch up with old friends and this was no exception.  Two of my past couples were in attendance including Raj and the always bubbly Renee Godi whose wedding I captured just this past September and Zack and Cheryl Angridicheryl whose wedding I captured a few years ago.  I also had the opportunity to meet for the first time their adorable new son which was really cool


Seeing one of my past clients with a new family starting out really underscores how important my job really is.  Wedding videography isn’t just about capturing an event, but rather capturing family history.  Thank you Rena and Jason for offering me to opportunity to capture your special day.  It’s always an honor.


Chris W

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