Boot Ranch in Fredericksburg, TX || Arrows in the Sky || Erin + Andrew, the full film

We are so thrilled to share this wedding film with you.  Their wedding was both a touching experience and imaginatively designed to create a delightful soiree for all of their friends and family.  Not only do Erin and Andrew have a delightful sense of style that is both tailored, preppy, and bohemian all at once, but their joyful spirits are extremely infectious.  In fact, while I was editing their film, my face was sore from smiling so much.  And now that we're sharing the film, your face can be sore because of extended amounts of smiling, too!

wedding video package heirloom
wedding video package heirloom
Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 45
Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 45

Erin's dress was stunning--mermaid cut with a fluted skirt that extravagantly trained behind her.  Not only did she wear a dress made of the most luxuriously draped gauzy tulle that we've ever seen, but her accessories were stunning-- something bleu shoes accented by white feathers.

Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 40
Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 40
Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 50
Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 50
Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 52
Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 52
Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 53
Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 53

The hill-top Christian ceremony was breath-taking, and Erin descended through a stair-case linked arms with her father.  The modern, romantic music selections for the wedding ceremony included songs by The Arcade Fire.  Listening to the songs they chose for their wedding day heavily influenced the music we selected for the film--the opening song is a lilting, hopeful song by  siren singer-songwriter Holly Maher filled with soaring tones of violin and cello with lilting melody created by a light piano.

Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 49
Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 49
Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 42
Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 42

Erin's mother is doting, and her father is hilarious--which created that same combination in her siblings, who totally ham it up with Erin throughout the photography sessions.

Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 44
Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 44
Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 56
Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 56

Matchmaker Band kept the party hopping through the night!  They have several 'front singers' to cover a variety of musical styles, and their growling vocals and energy is always top notch!  Watch it here.

boot ranch matchmaker band wedding reception band
boot ranch matchmaker band wedding reception band

As we mentioned in a previous post, we were thrilled to work alongside noted fashion photographer Christianne Taylor at this wedding.  She's based in California, but she often returns to her native state of Texas to document special projects.  We've worked with her before at Sarah & Colby's ranch estate wedding, and it was delightful to work with her again.

In our first post about Erin & Andrew's wedding,  we told you the story of how they almost didn't have a wedding cake, which is a precious story, but now, I want to tell you about what Andrew's dad said.

Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 32
Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 32
Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 33
Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 33

As guests sipped from glass soda bottles with these adorable DIY soda straw flags, Andrew's dad gave a heartfelt speech thanking the people who brought Erin and Andrew together, and how he felt that Erin and Andrew were like arrows shooting through the sky.  Psalm 127 speaks of how children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands, and how they will return to bless their parents.

"we also feel excitement at watching these two young people start their flight together," he said.

We could tell that Andrew's dad was already so thankful for the blessing of his son, and of his new daughter-in-law.   Congratulations to you both, Erin and Andrew.  We hope you are always able to reflect back to the joy of this celebration and how it was just the beginning of new laughter and adventures in your life.

Ceremony and Reception Venue:

Boot Ranch

77 Boot Ranch Cir, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 (830) 997-6200

Photographer: Christianne Taylor Videographer: Mason Jar Films Band: Matchmaker Band Music by Holly Maher & Amy Stroup licensed through The Music Bed

Boot Ranch in Fredericksburg, TX | "We'll Eat You Up, We Love You So!" - Erin & Andrew, the preview

Erin and Andrew almost didn't have a wedding cake.

Not that they didn't want one--Erin was just interested in other desserts--maybe pie, or an assortment of treats.  As they planned for the wedding, Erin made many selections for the party that were incredibly unique, from an off-shoulder wedding gown to a Kongming Chinese Sky Lantern release at the reception...but her brother jokingly begged for a traditional cake--Erin mentioned to me that he said "it can't be a wedding without a cake"--so she chose a traditional white tiered cake, and included a cake topper with a quote from their favorite childhood book (Where the Wild Things Are) in honor of his request.

web_Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 43
web_Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 43
web_Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 42
web_Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 42

In this way, Erin and Andrew's hilltop wedding in the Fredericksburg countryside was full of surprises and special touches that were themed around not only their love, but their family as well.  In fact, they had a gorgeous painting that held all the dinner placecards, and one of Erin's brothers painted that, too.  Also, guests sipped from these cute little soda straws during the cocktail hour as they watched the sun set.

web_Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 33
web_Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 33
web_Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 52
web_Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 52

Erin selected florals for the wedding that were very reflective of the wedding's location in the rustic and wild Texas countryside.  The men's boutonnieres had both succulents and other hardy plants native to the region.

If you haven't visited Fredericksburg before, it is one of those special towns nestled into the hill-country where people love to spend the weekend--You can wander through streets filled with quaint little bakeries, wineries and breweries, toy-shops boasting the skills of the town's german/european heritage, and of course, many restaurants overflowing with German food and good Texas eats.   Just before the ceremony, some of Andrew's friends remarked at the beauty of the short drive from the little town to the hills where Boot Ranch resides. The road, filled with twists and turns, ends at the gorgeous hilltop lodge, a perfect party venue with craftsman architecture and a terrace made of natural stone overlooking the hills.

web_Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 41
web_Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 41
web_Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 53
web_Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 53

Erin and Andrew had a private moment in a hillside garden just before the ceremony.  Photographers commonly refer to this as a "first look."  We were thrilled to work alongside noted fashion photographer Christianne Taylor at this wedding.  She's based in California, but she often returns to her native state of Texas to document special projects.  We've worked with her before at Sarah & Colby's ranch estate wedding, and it was delightful to work with her again.

web_Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 49
web_Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 49
web_Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 35
web_Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 35
web_Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 38
web_Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 38
web_Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 46
web_Boot Ranch Fredericksburg Wedding Pic 46

Both Erin and Andrew's fathers gave touching speeches at the wedding, and I look forward to editing their final film.  Congratulations to you all!

-kourtney amelia

Ceremony and Reception Venue:

Boot Ranch

77 Boot Ranch Cir, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

(830) 997-6200

Photographer: Christianne Taylor

Videographer: Mason Jar Films

Band: Matchmaker Band

Music by Holly Maher

Licensed through The Music Bed

Houston Wedding Video at Montesito Ranch | Sarah + Colby, the full film

Houston, TX -     It's been two and half months since we began creating the wedding video for Sarah and Colby, and we've been chomping at the bit to weave it all together.  One of the biggest priorities for every documentary videographer anywhere in the world is coming away from an event with content and finding moments to weave together a cohesive, emotive documentary.  After leaving Sarah and Colby's rehearsal dinner, Kourtney and I had no doubt that the Benjamin/Smith crowd was going to deliver the goods.

Heavens, we could've made an entire feature film out of the rehearsal dinner toasts alone - they were the perfect blend of compliments, zingers, and epic adventures recounted, and they set the stage for what we were to observe the following day.

Usually, when structuring together the framework of the story with toasts, we deliver the emotional pinnacle from either the groom or the father of the bride, but that was not the case in this instance.  Who delivered the lines that best drew out the story and the emotion of the event?  Watch and see!

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/34081345[/vimeo]

houston country military wedding pic 01

The groomsmen, all active military, huddle around the groom before the ceremony.

houston country military wedding pic 02

Sarah and her gorgeous bridesmaids in cowboy boots and yellow sundresses.

houston country military wedding pic 04

The cake was natural with white buttercream and real roses with sprigs of berry.

houston country military wedding pic 05Wheat lined the aisle leading up to a wooden cross.

houston country military wedding pic 07

With a military groom, a camo garter is perfect for the bride to wear on their big day.  The dogtag reads, "sarah & colby" with their wedding date beneath.

houston country military wedding pic 06

When you're done watching their wedding video, you'll be certain to want more from the Benjamin family. We can take care of you in that regard--There's another adventure to be had.

Sarah's sister Liz will be getting hitched on the ranch March 24th.  Mark your calendar for their wedding video preview which will land at 1 p.m., March 28th, 2012, and the feature film, which will premiere June 24th, 2012.

Thanks again, Sarah and Colby, for choosing Mason Jar Films as your wedding videography team!

houston country military wedding pic 08

Invitations: Bella Figura Events
Cakes: Kathy Warnecke
Photographer: Christianne Taylor
Dress: Priscilla of Boston
Houston Wedding Videographer: Mason Jar Films

Houston Wedding Video | Montesito Ranch - Sarah & Colby

Montesito Ranch wedding screen grab from Houston wedding video

I don't know if you've heard, but here in Texas, it's kinda dry. Ok, that may be the understatement of the year. It's tinderbox dust bowl drought spittin' cotton kinda dry.

At about 2 p.m. Saturday, I stood on the porch of the Montesito ranch, listening to Jan, the lady of the ranch and mother of the bride. "You see those trees off in the distance? I had to explain to some of our northern visitors that they aren't turning orange because autumn has come."

I ventured on down to the stables to chat with the foreman Carlos as he washed off the Polaris for Sarah and Colby's getaway.  "Are those storm clouds rolling in,"  I asked.  "I hope so," he responded without blinking an eye.

You know it's dire when the foreman doesn't mind it raining on his boss' daughter's outdoor wedding, scheduled to begin in about an hour.  Perhaps he was just wishing good luck upon the couple as the superstition purports.

Either way, he got his wish. 45 minutes before the wedding, shortly before guests were to arrive, I wouldn't say that the bottom fell out, but it wasn't holding on by more than a few threads.

Rather than putting a damper on things, the rain seemed to bring life to the setting, much like it does with flora and fauna in a desert-scape that hasn't seen precipitation in months.  Smiling guests began to arrive in their Sunday finest; then out walked a band of handsome, polished soldiers and a coterie of beautiful bridesmaids...and then last, but not least, a radiant bride look resplendent in her unique wedding dress.

As the ceremony progressed, the sun peeked through the clouds with magic hour hues, casting a golden glow under the tent across all the beautiful creation as if God himself wanted to spotlight his handiwork and let everyone see that it is good.

And good only got better from there on out.

Sarah and Colby, thanks for having us out to film your wedding video.  We look forward to telling your story, and letting it act as water and life to others.

<screen grabs from the Houston wedding video>

Montesito Ranch Horses as seen in the wedding video

Wedding cake as shot by Austin wedding videographer

Unique engagement ring shot captured from the Austin wedding videographer

Wedding Video shot of Mrs. Smith coat hanger

Thanks for choosing us to be your Houston wedding videographer!