Mason Jar Films is a premier wedding, special event, and commercial videography company located in Austin, Texas.
Vintage Wedding at Hotel Saint Cecilia /// Maryelaine + Bill /// The Heirloom Film + Super 8 Film
Vendors:
Planner: JD Medrano, Hotel Saint Cecilia
Reheasal Dinner: Franklin Barbecue
Ceremony/Reception: Hotel Saint Cecilia
After Party: Continental Club
Photographer: Jenn Lindberg
Floral: Gypsy Floral
Band: Terra Vista Strings
Filmed by Chris P. Jones
Edited by Kourtney Amelia Schopper
Your wedding day is both something you look forward to, enjoy the experience, and remember with great fondness. Personally, I recommend that you try to approach all three phases surrounding your wedding with the same level of care and consideration that you give to the actual wedding day experience. That being said, the ways you plan to help yourself remember the day are truly important. Whether that is through tokens and gifts that you exchange on a wedding day or your wedding film and photography, it is important for you to be true to yourself and select things that reflect you as a couple.
If you're looking for a unique idea for your wedding video, maybe you should consider having it documented on actual FILM. There are several choices that filmmakers like us can offer to you--from 8mm, super 8, to 16mm, the images will take your breath away. My goodness! No matter how long we have been filming on Super 8 film, I am always amazed at the beauty of the images we get back from the developers. This video is beautiful! (I can get away with bragging about the footage because I didn't film it, Jones did.) We love the look of film--we always have. It gives both a rustic and timeless quality to a wedding film--a vintage style that can't be replaced. Film handles light differently and more organically than the way that digital cameras do, and because of that, the quality of the moving images is always breathtaking and surprising.
If you're not familiar with super8, the process is simple, but different than digital filmmaking: with digital, we have all the footage that instant--which is what allows us to do fun things like same-day-edit films on site at a wedding. But film takes time. After we come and film with you on your day, the film has to be processed at a developer (just like the old days!), who then digitizes it at the highest quality so that we can put together a video that has the true look and feel of film, but doesn't require you to own a projector. Win-win.
Another bonus that you'll have over your parents 1960s film is that we can record audio during your day and sync it up--so you still get to hear your vows, toasts, and other moments that matter to you. Win-win-win. So, if what you like is the vintage look and the feel of film, this is for you!
The couple left in a sparkler exit. Make sure to watch this moment in the video---sparklers produce a really cool effect on film.
Some couples are best reflected in an energetic, fast-paced HD video, and others in a reflective, personal film on super8 film, and still more enjoy a mixture of both. We do our best as filmmakers to honor your personality and your community in the artistic style that we edit your film, but the format and style in which we actually film your wedding are up to you in many respects--you only need to share your vision with us.
-kourtney amelia
Filmed by Chris P. Jones
Edited by Kourtney Amelia Schopper
Being hired by a family more than once is truly an honor. We filmed the groom's brother a few years ago when he got married, and so we were so pleased to come out and celebrate with this family again as James married Mara.
In college, Mara's sister was friends with James; that was how Mara met and fell in love with him. Mara's sister was also the maid of honor, and all of the bridesmaids wore grecian inspired pink gowns. The best man, James' youngest brother, played guitar and sang for their first dance at the wedding, and the father of the groom, James' dad, prayed over the couple at the ceremony. It was truly intimate: an event that celebrated family and love.
My goodness! No matter how long we have been filming on Super 8 film, I am always amazed at the beauty of the images we get back from the developers. This video is beautiful! (I can get away with bragging about the footage because I didn't film it, Jones did.)
If you're not familiar with super 8, the process is simple, but different than digital filmmaking: with digital, we have all the footage that instant--which is what allows us to do fun things like same-day-edit films on site at a wedding. But film takes time. After we come and film with you on your day, the film has to be processed at a developer (just like the old days!), who then digitizes it at the highest quality so that we can put together a video that has the true look and feel of film, but doesn't require you to own a projector. Win-win.
Another bonus that you'll have over your parents 1960s film is that we can record audio during your day and sync it up--so you still get to hear your vows, toasts, and other moments that matter to you. Win-win-win. So, if what you like is the vintage look and the feel of film, this is for you!
-kourtney amelia
The afternoon light is gorgeous reflecting on all those ruffles in the skirt!
James in white bow tie and boutonniere before the ceremony.
The tiered wedding cake had a very 1920s glamour with the blue ribbon on every tier and gold seal accent. Almost a little Great Gatsby!
This is the other side of the sign that was carried down the aisle during the ceremony. On the way into the ceremony, we saw the side of the sign that says "here comes the bride" and on the way out of the ceremony, it was carried by the ring bearer with the "introducing Mr & Mrs." side facing out. Mara did a great job making sure the sign fit with her gold & elegant decor.
Mara's engagement ring.
The couple left in a sparkler exit. Make sure to watch this moment in the video---sparklers produce a really cool effect on film.
[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/36292490[/vimeo]
It took me a little while to finally meet Jessica and Ron after our first contact this past summer. Jessica has a busy, thriving career, and Ron was actively picking grapes from his vineyards before the record summer heat would swallow them up.
Over some ceviche and guacamole at La Condesa, I heard of their travels to Greece, their love of music, and their appreciation for fine comestibles. Jessica, having lived in most time zones in the U.S., had spent some time in an ashram in India as well. Ron, with a law degree pedigree, had successfully operated his own record label. Between the two of them, they were planning a vintage wedding that combined all their favorite things:
music - Barton Strings was set for the ceremony, The Darin Layne Jazz Trio at Cocktail hour, and Robert Earl Keen and Dysfunkshun Junkshun (separately :->) for the reception.
food - Primizie was planning an elaborate feast to be enhanced with bottles of wine from Ron's Vineyard
travel - Spicewood Vineyards is a hop and a skip out of town, but having a wedding and reception in one location away from the city gives it that destination wedding feel.
super 8 film - Ron & Jessica thought it was best to have a good portion of their day preserved in actual super 8mm film, to give their wedding movie the authentic "wonder years" style nostalgia that they were looking for in their vintage wedding.
But most of all, it was evident that Ron and Jessica valued their family and friends, and while they wanted their union to represent their story, they wanted more to serve the people who have brought them to this place in their story.
There are those who can pick out a fine wine. There are few others who can turn water into wine. And when you're in the middle of a drought and there's no water to be found, there are those whose lives are like wine to others. Jessica and Ron, your relationship is a fantastic vintage, the perfect blend, aged to perfection, and poured out to their family and friends in just the right measure.
Thank you for having us along to document the fellowship that transpires from a bottle of y'all.
<<click here to see some of the amazing official photos by Diana M. Lott>> <<<screengrabs below are from the wedding video>>>
Event Planning and Design: CLINK Photographers: FOUR Ceremony/Reception: Spicewood Vineyards 1419 County Road 409, Spicewood, TX 78669 (830) 693-5328 Catering: Primizie Bakery: Michelle's Patisserie Tents/Rentals/Linens: Marquee Rents Lighting: ILIOS Stylists: Niki Hayes and Marie Malone Calderon Ceremony Music: Barton Strings Entertainment Booking: Emerald Entertainment Cocktail Music: Darin Layne Jazz Trio Reception Entertainment #1: Robert Earl Keen Reception Entertainment #2: Dysfunkshun Junkshun DJ/Ceremony Sound: Penguin Entertainment Florist: PRIVE Austin Wedding Videographer: Mason Jar Films Guest Transportation: Transconsultants
CeCe and the ladies got ready at her mother's house, where her mother Mimi told me the amazing history of the veil that CeCe would wear during the ceremony. To read more about Empress Eugenie, the woman for whom it was originally designed in 1853, click here.
Next Tuesday's New Orleans wedding video clip - 16mm and super 8 wedding film coverage of the CeCe's in her dress.
jones
Event Design: Van Wyck & Van Wyck
Wedding Planners: Crescent City Consultants, Pat Denechaud
Ceremony: Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church
Bridesmaid's Luncheon: Galatoire's
Rehearsal Dinner: Arnaud's
Bridal: Vera Wang, provided by Mimi's
Photographer: Stephen Karlisch
Horse and Buggy Royal Carriages
2nd Line Band: Storyville Stompers
Cigar Roller: Cigar Factory of New Orleans
Fresh Reception Taffy: The Roman Candy Man
Reception Entertainment: Jimmy Church Band
Mason Jar is a film production studio based in Austin, Texas. Our compact team of dedicated filmmakers travels internationally to capture stories of a lifetime, including weddings, documentaries, and commercial projects for video marketing.
