Escondido | "God is bringing the hidden to light" Laura & Marcus, Part 1 of 2

The day began grey, cool, and very, very cheerful.  Laura & Marcus brought a lot of the Baylor community together for their wedding--and everyone was so pleased to be celebrating the bride and groom that no one minded pouring rain on the wedding day.  Although the Christian ceremony had been planned for outdoors, the crowd of family members and friends happily snuggled in tight in a gorgeous naturally-lit hall with a cathedral ceiling for the ceremony.  The rain was soft as the ceremony hymns began, as often do most obstacles seem diminished when you're with dear ones and friends.

Marcus, the groom, is so visibly mesmerized with Laura during their first dance--you can easily see his awe at her beauty as he twirls her around the dance floor,  her lace dress swishing.  We truly enjoy moments like these.

Escondido, the location, means "hidden" in Spanish.  Laura and Marcus both love being outdoors, and their family felt it was fitting that, since guests would have to travel from all over the Texas map, they chose a venue for the wedding that is so beautifully tucked away into the Texas Hill Country. Although traveling isn't always easy for an event, everyone agreed that the treasured celebration was worth it.

Marcus' brother, the officiant, pointed out that life can be like that--although we may have to work harder for something that seems hidden, the gem that you will find is worth it.

Escondido Horseshoe Bay Wedding Pic 01 rustic reception

Laura's natural sense of style is evident in the watercolor signs, peonies in coral, blush, and citron, and naturally textured succulents, birch, and "lace" icing on the cake.

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Visit Escondido:

9090 Farm to Market 2147

Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657

(830) 598-6311

Event Planning and Design: DFW Events

Ceremony and Reception: Escondido

Photography: Taylor Lord

Makeup: Rochelle Rae

Reception Entertainment: Top

Floral: Petal Pushers

Lighting: FILO

Bride's Cake: Cocoa Paloma Desserts

Groom's Cake: Creme de la Cookie

Linens: BBJ

Rentals: Outback Rentals

Ceremony Sound: Groove Labs

Cocktail Musician: Danny Shoemaker

Transportation: R&R Limousine and Bus

Barton Creek Resort | "Now, THAT'S a Tribute" Kristy & David, Part 1 of 2

 Kristy & David's first dance at their wedding was over-the-moon high energy and FUN.   Up til then, the day had been relaxed and low-key----girls getting ready and laughing, family visiting at the Barton Creek bar, and children skipping around.  All of that quietness changed after the ceremony and vows, when everyone hit the dance floor with energy and tons of smiles.  Kristy's colors of pale pinks, creams, and white were a lovely contrast with her bridesmaids in blue and the cool lighting on the dance floor.

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Barton Creek's grand ballroom is fitted with perfect details for an elegant wedding reception--crystal chandeliers, damask wallpaper in blush & gold hues, and gorgeous wainscoting.  The resort is filled with Historic Texas decor, and so the classic feel of the ballroom really set the tone for the punching rhythm jazz tune that David and Kristy chose for their traditional entrance and first dance. 

Barton Creek Lizze Belle Austin Wedding Video Pic 04 First Dance

Kristy and David found a wonderful way to make their first dance even more memorable than most--David's  father played the trumpet to in the original recording of a soulful blues band hit in the 60s.  David's parents have both passed away, and so David & Kristy chose to dance to that song in remembrance of them. As Kristy's father said in his toast, "now, that's a tribute." 

We are also big fans of Kristy's accessory style--- the gorgeous silk ribbon belt with rhinestone accents is a stunning addition to her ivory gown.

Wedding Band Set of Bride's Engagement ring and band plus Groom's wedding ring.

Kristy and David's rings together on the big day.  The bride and groom were so sweet and treated us like visiting dignitaries.  We were honored by their compliments of our work, and even more humbled to watch the way their love for each other and for their families was so evident.  When we post their full film, you'll see hearts so big, it is a wonder that they fit in the Texas borders at all.

Barton Creek Resort & Spa:

8212 Barton Club Dr

Austin, TX 78735

If you're planning on hiring  a wedding planner, Austin photographer, or any other kind of vendor, you'd be working with some upstanding folks if you hired any of the companies listed below. It was a true pleasure working with them.

Ceremony and Reception: Barton Creek

Event Planning: Aimee Villa, Lizze Belle Events

Photography: InTandem

Ceremony Music: Barton Strings

Reception Entertainment: Professor D

Lighting: Ilios

Floral: Bouquets of Austin

Getaway Car: Antique Limousines

Lafayette Petroleum Club | "It's Good to be Heather!" - Heather & Beau, Part 1 of 2

Bridesmaids bustled through the mahogany classical living room as they finalized their makeup the morning of Heather and Beau's wedding.  Outside, the humidity gathered on the windows and the petals of the honeysuckle outside the front door, as if it wanted to peek in on the house's festivities.  A grand chandelier loomed over the dining room table where a lace-covered umbrella waited to find if it would be required to shield the bride in the event of rain.

"It's good to be Heather!" said her mother as Heather opened presents from Beau and family right before she slipped into her wedding dress.  Smiling in agreement, Heather nodded her head.  And it is good to be loved by Heather, we must add.  By the time you finish reading this, you'll agree, too!  Heather and her parents created an event with Tod Viator (designer) that would knock the socks off of everyone in town. It was filled with heavenly surprises for the guests around each corner. 

For example, Heather had handkerchiefs made for each bridesmaid to remind them of her love for them.  Below is pictured the one she carried along with her own bouquet.

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wedding video

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Hanky

Truly, the details of this wedding will stun you--but the love of this family will also leave your heart feeling so full.

Heather made sure there was room for both her photographer and for me, her wedding videographer, to ride with her family to the wedding ceremony from her home where she got ready.  I loved the anticipation in that limo--the air was thick with joy and excitement.  This still is from the moment when Heather and her father caught sight of the church, where a harpist played under a canopied entrance to greet the guests.

To the church

St. John the Evangelist

Gasp! That steeple is gorgeous!

I now pronounce you

The pink roses (in shades of Steel Magnolias blush and bashful) adorned the aisleway of the cathedral and the front.  For the ceremony, Beau wore a cream tux jacket, and he slipped into a darker coat with white bow tie for the evening party.  Very formal, and very fashionable!

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Their magical entryway.

Below, Beau had a parrot-themed cake.  His mother explained that he loves parrots and chose that animal as a part of his email as a young man, and has never changed his personal email account since. 

Quite fantastic!

louisiana petroleum club groom's cake

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louisiana petroleum club wedding video pic bride's cake

One of my favorite moments occurred when Heather's mom shed a happy tear as she watched Heather and Beau cut the wedding cake.  It never fails--every parent has a moment during their child's wedding where the blessings of the gathering of friends and family is so overwhelming.  We're just happy to be there to help you remember those blessings in the future.  Heather and Beau, thanks for choosing us to document your day.

-kourtney amelia

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Event Design and Floral: Ted Viator, Viator and Associates

Ceremony: St. John the Evangelist

Reception: Lafayette Petroleum Club  111 Heymann Blvd, Lafayette, LA 70503

Photographer: Elizabeth Dondis

Reception Entertainment: Jesse's Girls

Cakes and Favors: Sucre

Photobooth: Freeze Frame Photobooths

Super 8 Film: A Vintage Wedding Movie | "You Add to His Life" - Mara + James, part 1 of 2

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

Bell Tower on 34th | Sarah + John Forever & Ever

Sarah & John's wedding day started off very calm--while the girls got dressed, the guys played soccer in a courtyard outside before making their way to the hotel bar.  Sarah's bridesmaids were very helpful in taking care of everything Sarah needed as we headed out from the hotel to the Bell Tower on 34th.  The venue is pretty cool--with ballrooms, atriums, and rustic inspired spanish architecture. The warm colored walls and columns are inviting and regal, the perfect setting for a classy event.

Sarah and John very sweetly visited each table during their reception, and their friends stayed til the wee hours dancing their hearts out, as you can see in the preview.

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Sarah and John's name card

Sarah's wedding dress - Vera Wang Houston Video

Tiffany Engagement Rings and wedding band

A Tiffany engagement ring nestles in with the set of wedding bands.

The Belltower on 34th

Wedding Cake

Twin 1

Poker Game

The groom & his groomsmen played poker to wait out the final minutes before the ceremony.

First Dance

  Sarah & John kiss in an open courtyard just before the evening's end.  Behind them was a beautiful waterfall that spanned the entire exterior wall of the courtyard.

Sarah and John's Final Image

Sarah & John, your day was sweet and spunky, and we wish you many more years of fun to come!  Thanks for having us to Houston to help capture your memories.