Archway Media Services, Inc.

Catching up

2009-02-02T18:17:00.000-08:00

Oh, goodness! It's been 2 months since my last blog. Please forgive!

Well, I'm not one to whine and complain, but I do need to take a moment here and vent a bit about our technical difficulties. In the last 6 months or so, we lost a total of 6 computers and/or hard drives from our business. What a nightmare! I've never in my life.... Well, thankfully the only outright casualties were our own personal pictures and videos we hadn't done anything with yet. There is something to be said about the by-gone days of shoeboxes full of hardcopy prints sitting around, isn't there? At least they're in boxes, sitting around! As heart breaking as that was, the only way it effected our business is that we had to go back to square one raw DV tapes and lost all the work (and time) that was on those drives. We're most likely going tapeless soon, so we already know to backup and backup the backup!

So, I say all that to explain why I'm so grateful for our clients. Projects through the busy season (June through August) have been delayed a bit as we're still trying to catch up from these catastrophic events, and everyone has been so gracious and understanding. Thank you - you know who you are! Never before have we been in a position to ask couples and families to wait "just a bit more" when we know how anxious everyone is! We are very very blessed.

Some of you may also know that we have recently experienced some personal tragedy just the past week or so, and I want to thank you for your prayers and encouragement. I happened to be in the middle of editing - well, actually two projects - I'm searching for words here.... It has been very healing to be able to immerse myself in these two projects: Kassie & Nathan and also Ann & Luke as I have been recovering from personal loss. These couples are so in love...so genuine. Remembering their day made me smile...both brides actually light up MY life with their smiles, and I barely know them! It was great to laugh "with" them again while editing and see all the love and warmth in and around them. Can you believe what a sap I am??? It's such a blessing to be able to do what you love and find a way to appreciate the joys of life even in the middle of sorrow.

Hopefully more to come soon...

Angee

Limiting Archway dates; buggy for JuneBug!

2008-12-03T08:41:00.000-08:00

Because of Brian's new job (read other blogs dated today if you haven't already), the practical issue is that we have less man hours available for editing. For that reason, we will have to limit the dates we book for Archway due to the intensive editing hours the Archway product requires. That being said, I'll book a JuneBug wedding for every week if I could! The reason for the different name is to minimize confusion, since it is a very different product. There is probably a blog about it somewhere down the line here. Anyway, we can turn a JuneBug product around a lot quicker because, while it is still filmed with an artistic style, we don't do the high-level special effects and cinematic interpretation. JuneBug is closer to a documentary-style end product, but with a sound track underlayed to still give it a polished feel. All of our JuneBug clients so far have been floored at what they received, saying it's so much more than they expected. That's right...that's how I roll. :) Anyway, please keep JuneBug in mind as another option, but if Archway is what you want, don't hesitate in case the month you need is already closed!!

About the move

2008-12-03T08:22:00.000-08:00

A little more about our move...

My last post was a quickie to let you all know we are still operating and basically what happened with us. BUT, I realize you're probably wondering why.

If you've read our bio information or know our history, Brian actually went to seminary and is an ordained minister. Of course, this plays into our passion for weddings and in creating the highest quality representation of a couple's wedding day that we can - we really believe it can be a tool for marriage enrichment (or even a life line!) down the road. Anyway, our life's journey since we got married has developed the unique skills that have lead to the conception and success of Archway. However, Brian has wanted to use his abilities in a church and ministerial setting for years now. He has checked on jobs now and then, but nothing seemed to be attractive enough to spend time pursuing it - plus the potential of moving me away from my mom and son! So, of course, we stick to the task at hand, pouring everything we had into Archway! Then, the perfect job popped up during one of his casual searches. Sooooo, our reason for moving is so that Brian could step into his dream job...yeah, seems worth it to me. :)

He is a new man! Yes, we are still operating Archway Media and also JuneBug, but now he has a steady full time job with benefits, and about 1000 pounds of stress has been lifted from him. He loved doing Archway full time, but the stress of running our own business and going through a DRY off-peak season every year was wearing on us - especially him. Now we're able to breathe a little bit during this off-peak season, continue editing, and not spend every waking moment fretting about how we're going to generate business during the off season and for the next year. Now that Archway doesn't have to provide full-time income for both of us and 100% of our family's support, we can focus on editing and enjoy the fruits of the word-of-mouth and reputation we've worked so hard to build. We have weddings booked here and there through October of next year and want to keep filling more dates! I love making wedding films...I love being involved in the wedding industry...I love our favorite vendors...I cannot let go. ;)

We have not fallen off the Earth!

2008-12-03T08:06:00.000-08:00

Do not fear! Yes, we have moved, technically, but we are not "going" anywhere! Stick with me. We are blessed to live in the age of technology...the entire world can fit in our pockets now! So, while we have moved to Evansville, IN, we really have just moved down the street. Next door, even. :) Really, the only thing that has changed is our address and phone number. The 345-4000 number was a land line we couldn't keep. But Archway Media Services is alive and well, and I'm confident that if you are technologically minded enough to appreciate the value of a professional wedding video and recognize the quality of our work, you can see that our working relationship - and certainly the quality of the product - will not suffer just because our residence is in Indiana now.

We are still HIGHLY invested in St. Louis - personally and professionally. Since we moved in October, there have only been two weekends we were not in town. Thank GOD gas prices went down! I am so close to my mom (who lives in the St. Louis area) that we both get physically ill if we go too long without seeing each other. My son is also there with his dad, along with so many friends and professional acquaintances that we must reconnect with from time to time! So, whether it's for a wedding gig or just to see my mom and son, I will be making the short trek back and forth quite often.

Anyway, Brian's having a technical issue with the server, but he is in the process of changing our contact information. Now, both Archway and JuneBug will use the same cell phone: 618-580-5052.

Katrina & Jesse 8/31/08

2008-09-06T15:10:00.000-07:00

The chocolate queen has found her king! What a gorgeous - but HOT - outdoor wedding. I don't think they had to use any heat in the chocolate fountain. :)

Katrina owns Kamy Chocolate Fountains - always a hit at ANY event, and this was no exception. I didn't know this until the minister joked about it during the ceremony, but Katrina & Jesse met online through some kind of singles or personals site. That's how Brian and I met! Not that we needed anything to help us feel connected to Katrina and her groom...they are so fun and down to earth that I felt like I was with a bunch of my own girlfriends while filming her getting ready. I bet these two never meet a stranger. In fact, apparently Jesse has fashioned quite a nice friendship with a certain legendary Cardinal who was also in attendance!

The festivities took place on the grounds of the breathtakingly beautiful The Studio Inn in St. Albans, MO, just past Wildwood. We had never been there, and we were honestly struck speechless. First of all, it's sooooo nice when everything can happen in the same location! It's easier on everyone, and I'm sure it makes a huge difference in the photos, because usually the photographer has more time because there's no need to travel to and fro'. (Yes, "to and fro'.") But THIS PLACE...my goodness...an old mansion set amongst Missouri's rolling hills and a spectacular golf course. Does it get any better than that?

Speaking of pictures, the day was photographically documented by the superb Alisha Clark. We thought we'd go ahead and take care of the video. :) Anyway, always a pleasure to work with Alisha. We work and play well together, and I think our fun energy as we work with each other is infectious and helps everyone relax, which of course works out pretty well for what we're trying to accomplish in the photos and video! I always encourage couples to meet personally with the photographer and videographer and even to see if the vendors know each other. We've actually had joint meetings before with photographers we know - what savvy shoppers! They got to see the dynamic of our little group before the wedding day. Why not!? Well, I can't wait to see the photos from the day - especially the ones of Alisha and I making a bride samich on the dance floor! :) Good times.

The ceremony was so relaxed and fun - the officiant did such a fantastic job! I complimented him on even orchestrating little details here and there when necessary, like directing the bridesmaids to make way for Kat and Jess to get behind them for the sand ceremony (by the way, Katrina - how much sand did you spill!? Too cute!), and reminded the Matron of Honor to hand Kat the bouquet before the presentation. Very smooth. I think too many times, officiants try to be so stoic and serious, and they don't think they should point things like that out. Yes, a wedding ceremony is a serious matter that certainly deserves respect, but there's no reason we can't all enjoy it and relax a little bit!

The reception was completely pink'd out by Erin at Exclusive Events - how cool! She's got a couple pics on her site. The lanters, oh, the lanterns!! THEN, the reception was ROCKED by Jimmy Hussey, A Rockin' DJ ferSHER! Man, he keeps the party hoppin'. I was a little worried that no one would want to dance because we were all just deflated by the hot day, but he got everyone going! I have to find out what the song was that Jesse and his mom danced to. I probably don't want to listen to it, though. I'm so used to "What a Wonderful World," but this was like a love letter from a mom to her son. I sobbed. Yes, sobbed. Tried to pull myself together to go get the mic from Jesse after, but he noticed my face and asked if I was okay...that did it. I lost it again. He and his mom and some other people around loved on me a little while I took the mic from him. Good Lord, how rediculous am I!? It wasn't just the song...their dance was so sweet and tender. I hope I get to share moments like that with my son.

From my point of view behind the camera, it was such a perfect day (well, could have been cooler, but I'm reaching), and I would imagine it met and surpassed all of Katrina & Jesse's dreams. We hope to do the same with their movie, and I can't wait to get to it!

Blessings,
Angee

Ellie photo shoot!

2008-08-23T16:33:00.001-07:00

OH...my...goodness, did we have fun with Stephanie, Zettl Photography, taking some pictures of Ellie at the Muny the other day! I think she captured every cute little "here today, gone tomorrow" expression Ellie makes these days that I just want to lock away in my heart forever. I haven't seen the shots yet, but she was clicking away at all the right moments, and she's so great with the itty-bitties! Ellie got a little fussy, but Steph and I were tag-teaming her with all our best material, and Ellie gave it up for the camera. That's my girl! :)

I'll upload some shots as soon as possible!

Dena & Quinn - 8/16/08 - VIDEO

2008-08-20T23:58:00.001-07:00

WHY were we so excited about this wedding? WHY!!?? In a word, Shelli. That's Shelli Alred, Alred Wedding Consultants. Yes, Dena and her mom, Betty, joined the elite club of smartest brides and moms for hiring a professional planner, and I think they get some kind of extra credit for hiring Shelli. :)

Venue: Ritz-Carlton, Clayton. 'Nuf said. Well, that was where the girls got their glamour on (MAC girls - gorgeous!) and then everyone got their party on later. :)

Goodness...so many thoughts. Trying to keep up with everything I want to oush and goush about.

Can I just take some time here to verbally and internetally (ha - you like that one?) love on Jon Koch and Joanna Kleine, photographers ultimus? That's the scientific name for what they do. Ha! There are a handful of photographic artists that, when I learn I get to work with them, make me giddy and tingly and just a ball of girly excitement. These guys are in that group. I know that when I work with them, I'm in for a day of fantastic filmtistic opportunities because these guys shoot so unobtrusively! Yes, I'm making up words right and left. Let's move on. I know that, as I'm in the middle of a sexy pan up bride's body, they're not going to be shouting directions of "move a centimeter" this way or that, which ends up ruining my shot because then bride either looks up in confusion or her face is for some reason moving robotically...it's just not good. Jon and Joanna are so great about going with the flow, and they're so thoughtful about our job and even receptive to ideas I might have. It's a dance of give and take and, lemme tell ya', the dance got a little hot and steamy between Quinn, Dena, Jon, Joanna, and myself during the shoot between ceremony and reception! Part of me thought Dena might just steal Quinn away for a while and show up and hour late to the reception! The weather was great, but we were all sizzlin' by the time we headed out to the Ritz. Gettin' a little warm remembering. Can't wait to see if all that steam shows up in Jon's shots!

So, what else to report? Well, the photos and the filming were unbelievable. What else matters? Oh, GEEZ - there was a ton more, of course! Shelli was involved! Shelli and her staff of three other girls took care of every fine detail. What an event! She even took care of the late munchies for the guests with mini-burgers and other fun snacks.

I'm kinda' working backwards here, but I can't forget the ceremony! This was our first Greek Orthodox experience at Assumption Greek Orthodox church. What a special service, full of so much symbolism and tradition. The church was so unique - the walls and ceiling were completely full of ornate murals. I'm so excited I was able to experience a new culture. We are so blessed to have so many opportunities like this just because of what we do - new people, cultures, traditions; we're all part of this beautiful earth and bound with the common bond of humanity.

Alright. That's it for now. I'm gonna' go watch Oprah. :)

Congratulations to the gorgeous couple and THANK YOU, Dena and Betty, for choosing us to capture the memories!

Ang

Jen & Joe (8/2/08) - WITH VIDEO

2008-08-06T11:57:00.000-07:00

What a gorgeous and perfect day. I sure didn't notice any glitches! We started the day in Joe's hotel room, with him in the shower (no, we didn't film that!), and his mom playing hostess. What a generous, gracious, group of people - all day! Joe's mom offering us a "pop" (haven't heard that in a while), Jen's parents making sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed at their home...and Brian was just tickled pink all day because Joe's side is full of Cubs fans! :) The officiant even worked that into the ceremony. Too cute!

Wonderful group of vendors to work with, too. David & Elaine from Through A Lens photography were wonderful to work with. They were so considerate of us and really seemed to be getting some great shots! It's always nice to work with another husband and wife team. We saw the flowers at Jen's parents' house and instantly thought of Jeff at Grimm and Gorly florist and, 10 minutes later, he walked through the door to check on everything and we squealed in delight for being right again! I can't put my finger on it, but there's just something about his arrangements!

The ceremony was so nice, and the reception, well...the Renaissance is always so beautiful! Alteration Band kept the place hoppin' - as always. They are just phenomenal! Gordon knows how to keep the show rolling and even does such a great job announcing events and keeping the flow of the evening going with energy and his fun personality. You know? I don't think a lot of brides think to pay attention to how events are announced and exactly how the band will keep the energy up through all the rig-a-ma-roll...wow...don't think I've ever spelled that out. :) Anyway, Gordon is one of the best, for sure.

It was a fantastic day, and I hope it met all of Jen and Joe's expectations. Hawaii for a honeymoon?? Seriously - does it get any better? Oh, and Jen's brother was so nice to remind Joe that there are other things to do in Hawaii besides things in the hotel room. I think everyone in the room blushed! Ha! I hope they remembered they would have this fun video to watch, too, you know...in case they got bored. :)

Love to Jen and Joe and everyone who participated in their day!

Ang

Kristin & Brandon 7/19/08 with VIDEO!

2008-07-20T10:12:00.000-07:00

Pick your jaw up off your keyboard. Yes, it's me...blogging again within the same MONTH even!

So, yesterday was a dream wedding for us...oh, yeah. Probably Kristin and Brandon had a good time too, but the planets and stars and all other celestial beings were alligned for us as filmmakers. :)

Wonderful people, first of all. I wish I was a part of their family! Both sides of the church were filled with such fun and genuine people. A couple so in love, I had tears in my eyes filming their Love Story...then again while watching it...then again during the ceremony...then again during the toasts at the reception. Can't really see what I'm doing in my camera if I'm tearing up, people! :) So, you can imagine that picture time was a blast because we professionals didn't have to dictate every move, trying to "create" the magic. SPEAKING of pictures, we had the honor and pleasure of working with Chris Croy and his wonderful assistant, Tamara. Wait. I'm getting ahead of myself. People, loving couple (oh, and they're GORGEOUS, too - that don't hurt any!), amazing photographer who respects our job as much as his, COORDINATOR - oh, boy...the difference having a coordinator makes. All this added up to a 12 hour day that almost didn't feel like work. My feet, legs, back and shoulders tell me otherwise today, but yesterday was a perfect illustration of why I love my job. Hmmm...could have done without the heat, though.

I started the day filming all the ladies getting ready in the conference room at Kristin's parents' business. What an opening scene! There was plenty of room and it was well lit - so much better than I'm usually able to work with in a cramped hotel room with a few lamps. Anyway, the girls were having such fun hanging out and/or getting done up with "My Best Friend's Wedding" playing in the background. A running theme of the day was "This or That?" Jennifer Aniston or Julia Roberts...Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire...Madonna or - can't remember that one. One moment, a bridesmaid is catching grapes in her mouth, the next moment Kathy is singing "I Say a Little Prayer for You" into a toothbrush case and getting the bridesmaids to join in as backups in true old-school night club fashion. Priceless!

Off to the church, where Kristin soon received a card from her moments-to-be husband and had to choke back tears from the heartfelt sentiments. She would call out "pants!" whenever a moment was getting to her, and her bridesmaids were supposed to do something to help...they stuck their butts toward her, acting like they were going to flash her, so I guess "pants" is short for "underpants"? Perhaps something left over from some private joke through the years or a recent slumber party or something...this is what a wedding day should be, isn't it? I just couldn't have scripted it better.

The only "hairy" moment the whole day, as far as I could tell, was the challenge of getting the veil on. Mom and Dad tried to help, but a hair emergency resulted, and a couple bridesmaids saved the day. I remember Kristin saying, "I don't care if it all falls out after today..." just do whatever is necessary, basically. :) You are among friends, Kristin. We all understand, and most of us don't even have the gorgeous fairy-tale locks you have! And it was perfect.

The ceremony was lovely. I had a very limited view from a doorway up on the altar, but I could see Brandon and Kristin grinning and giggling, sometimes chatting (I can't wait to hear what they were talking about!), and bridesmaids dabbing tears away all down the line. They exited the church amidst a shower of rosepetals and made their getaway (just down the street and then back behind the church to get pics underway) in K's dad's classic, cherry-red Mustang. Say it with me: sweet. Yes, it's overdone, but in this case, it's necessary.

Alright, alright...time to sing the praises of Chris Croy and his tiny assistant, Tamara. We didn't have a lot of time for pictures because of the 1 hour drive to the reception in St. Louis, but these pictures are going to be spectacular. Chris was so thoughtful to make sure I was getting what I needed for the film as well. Such an artist, a professional...and a gentleman. The last time we worked together was a nightmare - Bridezilla straight from the TV show - probably the worst either of our companies has had to deal with. Hmmmm...I wonder if she would read this and know it was her.....don'tcare. It was so refreshing for us to experience what it's like to work with Chris when we're really allowed the freedom to actually do our jobs and practice our craft without sour faces, screaming, and tantrums. Uh, I'm talking about the bride there - not us. :) Brian and I usually only have tantrums in the office.

Well, the reception was beautiful and, as I mentioned earlier, brought more tears...the HUGE room at Windows OFF Washington was so full of love and excitement it was almost tangible. Alison from Simply Elegant Events and her assistants were available to take care of anything we needed or answer any question. Of course, as a bride, you're aware that your coordinator needs to be there for you...but do you really understand how important it is for her to support your vendors too? I'm not sure all coordinators understand that. The best ones do. (See our resources page!) I know Kristin's mom, Kathy, was deeply involved in planning, too. I don't know whose hands did what, but the place, the party, the DAY was amazing. Oh, LORD...I can't talk about how spectacular the reception looked without also mentioning Erin with Exclusive Events! Lit jewel curtains at the corners of the dance floor...fabric backdrops...I don't even know everything she designed, but it was breathtaking. And whose idea was the chicken wing bar!? So fun!

There is so much more I could talk about, but you should just watch our fun little video. I can't wait to see the real thing myself, but these things take time. Hopefully, everyone will enjoy watching this little treat in the meantime. This is something new we're trying! This blog video was shot with our JVC harddrive handycam, so it's certainly not up to the quality of our broadcast cameras, but it sure is great to be able to download something to the computer and get a little something put together the day after! :)

Enjoy!

Ang

Apology and peace offering of pictures.... :)

2008-07-03T20:09:00.001-07:00

So, my last post was in March, and I said I was going to try to do better at this blogging thing. Uh... Well, you see... I'm sure, blog stalker, that I have hurt you deeply. I never wanted to hurt you. I never wanted to make you feel ignored or unappreciated. I guess all I can really do is try to do better moving forward. I can't change the past. We can only look ahead to the future. And...the future is....uh, great...and...bright...and we, we can't live in the past. No, and we can't let something like this come between us. What we have is a beautiful...a strange and wonderful, yet beautiful thing. I will try to rebuild whatever I have damaged in our relationship...whatever I have damaged in you. Please don't give up on me. I can't promise to be perfect. I can only offer you these typed words and try to give you more in the future. In the meantime, I can share.....

So, tomorrow is the 4th, and we have a wedding to shoot! (Well, JuneBug has a shoot.) Hey - what better way to celebrate, I say - fireworks on your wedding day and every anniversary! And, who can't appreciate the duality: committing to a life partnership on Independance Day. :) Love it.

What else...well, way busy in June. Not so much in July. What gives? Also, September and October are practically EMPTY. What!? Any of you out there still need a videographer for Sept or Oct? For crying out loud, do NOT assume we are booked!

I'll attach a pic or two here - fresh from July 1st, actually. Brian took the pics and I did some editing. No biggie...we're just having fun learning about photography and PhotoShop for our own enjoyment. We'll leave the high-pressure professional stuff to those who KNOW what they're doing! (Hey, that's how people should feel about their wedding video! :) And on that note....

Till next time!

Catching up

2008-03-11T20:49:00.000-07:00

OMG, Ellie is 3 months old now and I haven't blogged since January!!?? I'm so sorry, faithful blog followers - especially you, blog stalker. First of all...I know I don't give this blogging thing a high enough priority...if you faithfully check this blog, I'm sure you are disappointed over and over again. So sorry! I really am going to try and do better at this. For goodness sake...every day at lunch?? I'll do my best to give you (you know who you are) better reading material!

I suppose I'll end up writing about personal as well as professional thoughts and experiences. It's too tough not to talk about Ellie, as she takes up a large portion of my thoughts and activities any more. If you're reading this, we've most likely taken part in your life on your wedding day, so I guess you might as well get to know more about Brian and Angee "off the clock" here. :)

Well, Ellie was just three weeks old and Brian traveled with another of our crew to film a wedding in New Mexico. Wow - it was hard to have him gone, but little bit and I got along just fine. I think it really was harder for him. He had to work without me, and then he had to miss Ellie! He said she had changed so much in the three days he was gone.

As soon as the New Year hit, we geared up for weddings on Jan 5 (Carrie and Steve) and Jan 12 (Erin and Brian). Let me just say that I do NOT take for granted that I get to do the bulk of my work from home! Wow, it was hard to be away from her, even for just a few hours until another crew member relieved me! It was nice to get back into the swing of life, though, too. I was starting to get cabin fever - and I was beginning to feel that there was nothing left of "me" except whatever was necessary to cater to this tiny, hungry little poop machine. So, it was good to get back in the game. :) I had been looking forward to Carrie's wedding for over a year!

In the meantime, projects kept backing up in the post-production schedule...as you may know if you're one of our brides and you haven't received your finished movie yet. So, Brian and I made some pretty drastic decisions and restructured our company - he's doing more editing now and little to NO web work - just a couple long-standing clients. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel now!

Now, we're getting very close to making some serious headway in our project schedule. Next month, Brian will be traveling (alone this time) to Vegas for the National Association of Broadcasters' convention. It was such a great learning experience last year, and we shopped some new equipment, although we didn't make any purchases. THIS YEAR, we're in a position to make a hefty investment in one or two directions, but I can't really discuss that any further. I'll DEFINITELY be posting about the purchases once they're made, though! We have to see which direction looks better at the convention...something exciting is about to happen in Archway, though, for sure!

Oh! ARCHWAY HAD A BABY TOO! I almost neglected to mention this! We realize there is a need out there for professional videography at an affordable price. So, we decided to create another company, JuneBug Productions, in order to fill that need. Basically, we offer our experience and style of filming without all the editing, which is what drives the cost of the wedding films we produce as Archway Media. So, a bride can get a true-to-life representation of her ceremony and reception for under $1000 if she can't fit Archway's artistic product into her budget. To avoid any confusion about the difference in the two products, we created JuneBug.

In closing, if you haven't checked out Ellie's website in a while, check it again! We recently added new pics (thank you, Stephanie Zettl and Gina Kelly) and video, and MORE pics should be loaded shortly.

Thanks for reading and understanding that we're spread pretty thin these days. What a wonderful life!

Alright, here's the baby! Everybody calm down.

2008-01-15T17:22:00.000-08:00

Okay, okay. So, I thought it would be unprofessional to talk about our new little baby girl here on our Archway blog, but Brian reminded me we're not that professional anyway! Really, we end up sharing in the lives of our clients, so why not share the most wonderful event in our life with you?

So, here she is, Ellie June. AKA: Miss Ellie, Ellie-bean, Ellie-button, June bug, Snuggle bug, Ladybug, smellyelliebelly. Daddy needs to load some more pics up there - the picture page is all that works so far. She had her own website before she was 24 hours old, and has already had two professional photo shoots, thanks to Stephanie Zettl and Gina Kelly - can't wait to get some of those loaded!!

So, I was still filming weddings up until 38weeks, and I got back to doing some editing 2 days after we got home from the hospital. Still, I'm having trouble getting into a rhythm with my project schedule. Ellie has certainly turned our lives upside down! Really, I'm trying to take advantage of working at home and when I'm with her, I'm with her.

Brian has taken to his new role as daddy. He got baptised with "fire," let's say, with changing diapers. His first time, just a couple days after we got home, she basically exploded on the changing table between diapers. He even cleaned it up! He's still a little timid with handling her - just not wanting to hurt her. He doesn't believe me that she's really not all that delicate. She's just 6 weeks old now and weighs over 11 pounds already!

It would be great to get some VIDEO loaded on her website... Or, maybe we should just start working now on her photo and video montage for her wedding. Ha!

We did find out we were having a girl at about 20 weeks. We were sooooo happy! We really were both hoping for a girl in our hearts, but hadn't really talked about it. So, we drive home together, pretty much speechless. We went our separate ways doing errands or whatever, and it hit me. I called B right away and screamed into the phone as soon as he answered: Oh my God, we have to pay for a wedding!!! :) Here's hoping the next one's a boy.

Kara & Brian 11/23/07

2007-11-28T15:57:00.000-08:00

This one even made the Post-Dispatch! 16 attendants on each side, my friends. Brides who have already had your day, the thought of it must make your blood pressure rise, imagining everything Kara went through in planning - and execution - of her day with such an enormous wedding party. Well, she did it, and is no worse for the wear. I knew it would be hectic, but I really didn't imagine it all could have gone as well as it did.

St. Peter's Cathedral provided a gorgeous backdrop for the ceremony, which, thanks to family members presiding, was sentimental and humorous...just perfect for the couple. We're practically honorary parishioners - not to mention honorary Catholics - after participating in so many wedding ceremonies at the Cathedral. :) It's so beautiful and translates very well in the film. Such a huge wedding party introduced a few new challenges, but everything should work out smoothly in the final edit.

Zettl Photography was on the scene with wide-angle lenses a go-go for this one, I'm sure! I was amazed at how quickly and calmly Stephanie was able to get all the shots done at the church. Bravo to her, Mary (Kara's coordinator), and the wedding party and families! I'm not sure it went so well once every one was out and about with some celebratory beverages in them, but Kara and Brian will have some spectacular pics from the church for sure! :) Stephanie and Peter are so great to work with and so talented. I've probably gushed about them before, but it's so great to work with professionals who understand that everyone who is involved in the day has the potential to actually enhance their work and the overall experience of the day. They respect what we do as an art that is supplemental to what they do - and, of course, we feel the same. Steph and Peter! Alright, enough of the love fest.

We only accompanied everyone to the first photo stop after the ceremony, which was the Shrine. Brian and I had to high-tail it to the reception venue to make sure the photo montage was set up and running in the lobby and get two huge projector screens and the video set up to show their Love Story for their 500+ guests! What a great idea, though. The montage was shown at their rehearsal dinner as well as in the lobby for guests to enjoy as they waited for the banquet room doors to be opened. The Love Story film was a surprise for everyone. Yes, a group of 500+ can be rambunctious and a difficult to quiet down, but it sure went over well from where I was sitting! People were laughing and reminiscing...Brian ate his first ever salad (a barter the couple made: she would climb a mountain with him and he would eat salad before she would walk down the aisle) on camera for all to see and enjoy. Too funny! Well, I guess I got a little ahead of myself here.

Orlando's in South County hosted the reception - yes, aaaalllllll of it. Three rooms, I believe. The lobby wasn't quite big enough to accommodate everyone who was waiting, so doors opened up a little early. The room was beautiful - splashes of red in all the right places. The cake, decorated with red and silver Christmas Tree balls. The food was spectacular. The entertainment was full of energy and got the room hopping. Boom never disappoints. What a party!

This was certainly one for our record books - and probably for everyone involved! I'm still just shaking my head in amazement that everything went off so well. Really...it defies logic. We just couldn't be happier for Kara and Brian, and hope this is just the beginning of a long friendship. Go Irish!!! :)

Wendy & Justin 11/3/07

2007-11-28T09:45:00.000-08:00

Wendy is a down-to-Earth, everybody's best friend kind of girl, and Justin is a regular BelleVegas guy's guy. Hard to believe these two are on the cusp of hoity-toity living as part of the Major League Baseball world! I know that Wendy will help keep Justin's head out of the clouds. He does deserve a trip to the stratosphere once in a while, though. :)

Spending time with Wendy and her girlfriends as they got ready in a cramped space at the quaint little church in Edwardsville helped me realize just how genuine this girl is. I remember instantly connecting with her at our first ever meeting so long ago, and I felt like I was just one of the girlfriends in that room. I just happened to have a giant camera on my shoulder. All of her bridesmaids were just as delightful, and Wendy seemed completely stress-free and full of bridal glow.

Mike Nichols handled the photography, and he brought a studio back-drop with him to get formal portraits with a studio feel. Pretty cool! Also, he had an assistant with him who focused on journalistic coverage of the day while he took care of staging portraits and other formal shots. They were great to work with!

The reception was held at the American Legion in Edwardsville, and this group had such a great party! I had to hear about it from Brian, as we had another of our videographers relieve me for the reception so I could go home and put my feet up. (8 months pregnant!) But, I know I'll get to enjoy some of the fun as I capture and edit the footage.

So, the baseball season is over - Justin came VERY close to going to the playoffs his rookie year! Now the lovebirds are hitched AND proud new owners of a home. Whew! What a whirlwind! Congratulations to the newlyweds. It was so great getting to know you two and celebrating with you.

Donna & Doug's Film

2007-11-06T09:38:00.000-08:00

What fun, what fun!! Oh my goodness, I knew it would be great the day of, but then Donna and Doug picked some really fun music that I knew would be perfect with the footage. Now, you have to be careful picking "today's" music for your wedding film. I mean, make sure you like the tunes, 'cause you're stuck with them for life! The songs weren't too trendy - not too "top 40," so I think it worked out really well for them. I got to use a song from Cake, believe it or not! You can see that one on the samples page on our website. I'm so inspired by the music the couples choose, and I think that clip really illustrates that.

Beyond that, the difference it makes in the film when a couple is able to relax and enjoy their day and each other never ceases to amaze me. I don't have to try and create romance and magic between the bride and groom - Donna and Doug oozed adoration for each other! The times when I really notice this are times that a Wedding Coordinator has been hired. After so many weddings, I can't deny this as fact - it is not coincidence. In this case, Donna hired Sabrina with Proposing Dreams, and Sabrina and her assistant took care of the details so Donna and her loved ones could enjoy the day. I was able to get great sound bites from Donna because she wasn't frantic about this or that, I got some nice footage of her hanging out with her many bridesmaids before the ceremony, and the rest of the day was filled with love, romance, and fun because of the lack of stress! If you are an upcomming bride, please consider investing in a professional coordinator!

Favorite memories from the film: The ring bearer beating the pants off the groom and the groomsmen playing poker before the ceremony. They used salt and pepper packets as chips, and that kid was on fire! :) Chatting with Donna about her sweetie right before the ceremony; her huge, infectious smile and fantastic giggle. Doug, crying like a baby while Donna and her dad walked down the aisle. (I used a picture-in-picture effect because I just couldn't cut away from either camera angle - so sweet!) "You look beautiful...that's the understatement of the century!" he said as they walked up to the altar together. Urban picture time with Michelle from Under Grace was soooooo much fun, and turned out to be such a unique addition to the film. Thank you to Gibbols' management for letting me borrow some costumes! Also, The Royal Dump wenches came out and had some fun with us too.

I let Donna know that I hoped she was even half as happy with her film as I was! What a great couple to work with...there are so many components that can effect the finished product, and for this one, everything just fell right in line. We couldn't have scripted it better!

Gwen & Josh 10/27/07

2007-11-01T09:27:00.000-07:00

This was the third sister's wedding we've had the honor and pleasure to document for this particular family. Brian joked with the MOB, "So, what are the plans for Thanksgiving?" We feel like we're part of this family! It's so much fun to be able to see past clients and catch up a little bit. It's also interesting to see how very different the sisters' weddings are.

The ceremony was held at St. Peter's Cathedral in Belleville, IL. Gorgeous church! Brian always gets a beautiful shot from the balcony, and I'm able to shoot from the altar, between the huge marble columns. The footage always turns out so beautifully from this location - and the photographers love the architecture, too.

Speaking of photography, Steve Seebeck thinks outside the box. He utilized natural lighting and interesting architectural details throughout the cathedral, and I can't wait to see the photos. I'm sure it makes his job even easier to have such beautiful subjects to shoot as Gwen & Josh. I'm sure every shot will look like it came from a bridal magazine. Steve is gracious and thoughtful to work with - that's so important for the movie! He's very relaxed and enjoys his work, which helps put the people in front of the camera at ease. I just can't compliment this guy enough.

Windows on Washington hosted the reception - one of our favorite reception venues, of course. They care about the event and their clients, and it shows. The room was beautiful, of course, and the food was phenomenal. Pleasure Groove provided the entertainment, and they lit the place on fire. Brian was super impressed by their professional set up: very nice sound board, drum cage, personal monitors...let alone the unbelievable vocals.

Gwen split her daddy dance between her real and step dads. This family is a shining example of how to GET ALONG after divorce. It brings tears to my eyes every time. The evening was just a lovely combination of sentimentality and celebration, as the drinks flowed and the guests absolutely crowded the dance floor the entire night.

What a party!! Congrats, all.

Lindsey & Richard 10/13/07

2007-10-14T08:28:00.000-07:00

Their love began at Penn State. Him, a volleyball player; her, a swimmer...ah, summer games!

Well, the Coronado Ballroom was the backdrop for the entire day. What a gorgeous venue! Brian had been there before, but this was my first experience. It's so nice for the wedding party and guests when both ceremony and reception can take place in the same location - makes for an easier day on everyone, I'm sure! The venue was spectacular and the food was unbelievable.

Shelli and Aaryn, Alred Wedding Consultants, were busy tending to details and keeping watch for us, the photographers, and the gentelmen to arrive. These girls always have everything under control. Shelli ran around a bit too much for a gal 6 months pregnant, but who am I to point fingers? I understand there were some issues in getting the wedding party transferred which caused some delays, but that was nobody's fault. I know delays in schedule put added stress on the wedding party and especially Tim (Artisan Photography), but events began on time and everything was taken care of, thanks in large part, I'm sure, to Shelli and Aaryn. Lindsey arrived, glowing and excited - what else matters?

The day really couldn't have gone more perfectly for us, as far as the movie is concerned. A special gift from Richard lit Lindsey up even more (diamonds, of course)! Bridesmaids squealed in delight when Lindsey donned her gown. Proud daddy came in and exclaimed, "Awesome!" with arms outstretched. For the ceremony, the hoopa was well lit but not back lit, so our cameras were able to capture everything - not just sillouettes! Lindsey cried beautiful tears during her vows. The inter-faith ceremony was so so special, and our audio feed was flawless. And the reception! Touching toasts, good lighting (so important for us) during special dances, and this crowd knows how to party!

Fabulous Motown Review provided the entertainment. These guys know how to whip a crowd into a frenzy and keep the party going. Songs flowed into each other without a lag in between - two separate vocal teams split the night: one female and one male. I just don't even know how to describe it - they worked the crowd and worked the stage so masterfully. The party didn't stop until the last minute, and I don't know how those guests were able to walk out of the place. They danced HARD! It was so fun to watch, and I don't even know these people. I can only imagine the laughs Lindsey and Richard and their families will share as they watch their guests having such a great time.

Funny moments: during picture time with the ladies, it was hard not to notice the naked girl showering in an apartment window right above their heads. Note to the ladies: a slightly frosted window does not make up for a curtain. I'm just trying to help. :) During the ceremony, a groomsman's yarmulka fell off his head and the groomsman behind him caught it and immediately held it in his fists as though nothing happened. Brian and I were both focused on the Bride and Groom at the time, though. Wouldn't that have been great to capture!? The guys did a great job holding in their laughter. Not really funny moments, but the traditional chair dance with the Bride and Groom up in the air and a rousing dance to Hava Nagila have got to be at the top of the highlight charts for all receptions we've filmed as a company!

I'm thrilled we were there to make sure all these memories are enjoyed for a lifetime for these families. They were all so gracious and I can't imagine that the day was anything less than the day of Lindsey and Richard's dreams. Congratulations to all of you!

Amber & Tim 10/06/07

2007-10-10T10:59:00.000-07:00

We're friends of Amber's parents, so we were already looking forward to the day - and we knew it would be a party! I felt so badly about the heat, but, after all, we are in St. Louis. Personally, I had a really tough time with it (thanks to hormones, I'm sure), but Amber, Tim, and their wedding party seemed to take it all in stride.

Christ Church Cathedral is gorgeous and very hospitable. A friend of the family, Pastor Joe, performed the ceremony, and it was meaningful, touching, and fun. It's great when someone with personal knowledge of the couple can perform the ceremony. I can't wait to watch the footage. Amber had trouble getting Tim's ring on, it seemed, and she laughed and said, "I told you so!" So, I bet there was some more fun conversation that we couldn't hear...but I get to enjoy it all later. :) I'm pretty sure they were chatting a lot, so I hope they were saying cute and sweet things that I don't have to censor too much. We shall see!

The reception was at The Cedars. Fantastic venue! Beautiful chandeliers add to the ambiance of the room, the food was wonderful, plenty of room, large dance floor, adequate and nicely kept bathrooms, and I love a stage! I'm sure it's great for the DJ, too, but we love when we can get a different perspective of the dancing, and I'm not climbing on too many chairs these days.

Speaking of the DJ - Ed from Night Magic did a phenomenal job. (Well, he's from Night Magic - duh. www.nightmagicentertainment.com) He even helped us with a few fun things we wanted to do for the movie because the crowd was soooooo great and into doing anything fun...WOW. Usually, I get to kick my feet up a little and let Brian cover the party footage (I've been the main one covering everything up 'till then - usually out in the heat, so it's my time to cool down with a beverage and be an extra pair of eyes for B), but there was so much fun going on that I probably only sat for a song or two! I even did a little Electric Slide with Amber and danced with her dad, too! Boy, did I pay for all of that the next day. Yikes!

I should back-track a little here, because one of my favorite parts of the day was picture time - in between the ceremony and the reception. Yes, it was HOT. Yes, we got separated from the wedding party for a little bit (still had plenty of time). BUT, my goodness, did Shea (Capture Photography www.capturephotoz.com) and I get so much great stuff during picture time! My, my, my. Amber and Tim were up for anything, and we had plenty of time, so everyone was relaxed and able to let creativity rule! Shea downloads a large handful of his favorites from the day and plays a slide show on his laptop during receptions. I couldn't help but loiter by that table and enjoy the show myself. Shea was more than willing to hear my suggestions and very sensitive to my job, making sure I had what I needed as well. It was a pleasure working with him, and I'm sure both of our finished products will reflect how well everyone worked together. Amber & Tim - and their families - will have pictures to treasure forever.

Well, back to the reception. I can't thank Amber's parents enough for being such gracious hosts - Sandy even came over to where the four of us were sitting (2 videographers and 2 photographers) to make sure we were able to eat and that we were comfortable. Oh, goodness - and the Maid of Honor's toast was so much fun. Amber's dance with her dad made me smile the whole time ("My Girl"). They twirled and laughed through the whole thing. Precious. So many wonderful moments. Oh, yes...and Tim, calling Amber to the middle of the dance floor by herself and making her dance to "Mr. Roboto" was unforgettable. I was so glad, though, when he came out there, doing the robot with her after a bit so she wasn't all by herself.

Congratulations - I hope you two will always be as fun-loving and full of life as you are now!!

Emily & Kevin's Film

2007-10-03T10:27:00.000-07:00

We delivered Emily & Kevin's movie at the end of last week, and we are so proud of it. Apparently, they're thrilled, too! That's what it's all about, anyway. I just have to share some of my favorite moments from their movie. Yeah, we're kind of geeks that way. We have favorite lines and scenes from the movies we make. Nobody else gets it when we pull out a line from Jessica and Alex's movie or Tricia and Rick's movie, but we crack up. :)

I love the moments I don't even know happen until I get to edit the project. I mean, Emily & Kevin's vows were very unique and amazing...so many things about the day were. But, when I catch him saying "Wow, that was cool" softly to Emily after they said the Lord's Prayer by holding hands with their entire wedding party, facing the congregation, and the congregation all joined hands across the aisle...yeah, that was cool.

Then, the couple gave us a gift! Right before they were announced into the reception (so they must have figured we'd be rolling), Emily and Kevin are talking with a couple members of the wedding party, solely for our entertainment. Fun for us, and great for some comedy in the movie! Groomsman: I bet you guys can't wait to get your clothes off.
Emily: Oh, yeah...I can't wait to see Kevin naked.
Kevin: We love the videographers. Brian and Angee are the best. (The tone of his voice is really the best part of that, but you can't enjoy that here. Sorry.)

Anyway, we're just blessed to have been able to capture the elegence, symbolism, togetherness...all the wonderful moments of the day. I'm so glad Emily and Kevin made videography a priority!!

Their Wedding Film features a new format for us: the Vignette. This is an extended, flowing highlight of the entire Wedding celebration. Emily and Kevin's complete Vignette will be featured on our new demo DVD - we just know this new format fits the tastes of today's sophisticated couples, and we're so excited about it! You can see the ceremony portion of their vignette here http://www.archwaymedia.com/samples.htm. Enjoy!

9/22/07 Kimberly & Dana

2007-09-27T10:09:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness, what a wonderful couple! It was such a pleasure to get to know Kim and Dana - and their lovely families and friends - on Saturday. Not to often do we get to know the groom better than the bride before the wedding, but Dana was apparently in charge of the "Video" task for the wedding. Sometimes grooms really get into the whole "tech" realm and get so excited about the video. Others are begrudgingly going along with what their bride wants, and I have to encourage them to TRUST us and know that we will not allow them to look silly in their movie (unless they clearly want to look silly - I'm for that, too). The ceremony was at the lovely, historical Trinity Lutheran church in Soulard. We have filmed many ceremonies there, and I think Pastor Marth is a bigger draw for me than the building. His ceremonies are always so fun and down to earth. He relaxes everyone with his humor and stories, and he realizes the treasure of the wedding video and allows me to get a great position up on the altar. It all makes for a great movie! During the recessional, he turned to me, laughing: "You're going to know all my stories!" to which I replied, "But I love all your stories!" And I do. He really does mix it up, though. Sometimes he'll talk about something personal to the couple...this time, he spoke very poetically about the sun shining through the beautiful stained glass window to the left of the altar and the symbolism there. It was just a beautiful ceremony, and family and guests spoke about it the rest of the day. That's how it should be, right? Too many times, the focus is on the party afterwards, and it seems like the ceremony is an unfortunate formality to some involved. Oh, what a party we had at Cafe DeMenil! Mr. B does an exquisite job of taking care of his clientelle - that is without question. He and his staff are also very gracious and hospitable to the vendors as well. Really, the only drawback is the limited bathroom facilities here - just one stall for women and one for men. It seems to work out, though. I must say, the toasts were some of my favorite ever. The crowd broke out in some serious laughter as the best man brought a step stool over for his brother, saying that it would be a useful tool in their marriage. (Kim is probably a good 5 - 6 inches taller than Dana.) Dana didn't mind at all - he climbed right up there and posed for a picture. Can't wait to see that one! Speaking of pictures, Zettl Photography handled the photography for the day. Brian walked around Soulard for the wedding party pictures with them this time, so I don't have any stories about that. Usually, that's my jurisdiction, but, at 7 months pregnant, walking around Soulard for an hour or two was not going to fly. Stephanie and Peter provided extensive coverage of the entire day. Peter just can't sit still for more than 5 minutes, and that works out great for their clients, I'm sure! It's great to work with them - we all respect the responsibilities and art of the other team, so we work very well together. Well, I can't wait to get to this project. Kim & Dana were so lovey-dovey with each other, and that just makes the movie. During their first dance, they were chatting the whole time - and Kim was the same way with her dad during their first dance! We had both gentlemen mic'ed, so I'm very excited to see what kind of sweet sound bites I have to work with. Love it! Best wishes to the happy newleyweds!!

First Blog

2007-09-24T09:36:00.000-07:00

Well, here we are - finally blogging! I'm absolutely giddy. We've just been too busy with making movies to catch up to the times and deal with the blogging stuff! :)

Brian's working feverishly on redesigning our site, so this is the perfect time to add a new component. We just have so many wonderful experiences and funny stories to share, it would be wrong not to put it out there for your enjoyment! Yes, sharing joy with the world...that's what we're about. Really, it just gives me an outlet of communication amidst what sometimes seems to be endless editing. I love what I do, don't get me wrong! This will add a nice distraction, though, so I can get back into editing mode, perhaps a little refreshed.

Something else I hope this will do is keep us a little more closely connected with our clients - and help those of you who might be thinking of hiring us get to know us a little better. All this technology is great, but it's a shame when the personal connection is lost. I would say the biggest joy for us in what we do is getting to know our clients and creating such a unique connection with them - well, you - as we celebrate such a monumental change in your lives with you and then, later, pour all of our energies, passions, and creative resources into making the best film adaptation of the memories we all experienced together we possibly can, in the hopes that it will enrich your life as a couple and allow your entire family to relive your special day over and over again. Yes, that is soooooo sappy, but so true. This is why we do what we do. Sometimes, though, things stand out in our minds from your day - or even during the editing process, that now we will be able to share here. This just adds another dimension to our relationship with you. Uh...we hope. If anyone reads this. Hello? :)