Ritz-Carlton New Orleans | Those glasses look good on you - Emily + Kearney, the preview

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Meet Emily & Kearney, our latest Mason Jar couple. Their wedding was dripping with high-style design and the whole event was lovingly narrated through speeches by their dearest friends and family. Jones traveled to their destination wedding in New Orleans to not only film their wedding day, but also their rehearsal dinner. Filming at the rehearsal dinner allows us to capture all of those stories and toasts that your family can cherish for years to come.

Emily grew up in New Orleans, but she moved to Boston during her teenage years.  NOLA has always remained dear to her family, and so, with joy, their new extended family travelled to New Orleans to enjoy both its charm and the celebration of love.  This short sneak peek of their wedding video features a snippet of a speech by Emily's brother, who had everyone rolling with laughter.

Their wedding celebration was exquisite--a true homecoming for all involved. Emily joined organizational forces with Kearney's mother and they designed an elaborate feast for the rehearsal dinner. We must say that the toasts were equally well-crafted by all the family members, friends, and siblings involved. The Elms Mansion (where the rehearsal dinner was held) is a luxurious and regal location in New Orleans full of southern charm.  A jazz band played both indoors during cocktails and outdoors during dinner.

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The father of the groom welcomes his guests to the rehearsal dinner.

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Comic timing and tender stories are definitely this family's specialty. While they are the first to mention that they all speak their mind, and speak it loudly, we have to be the first to say that we enjoyed their speeches and as always, we are so thankful to be a witness to the love this family shares.

Here are some screen grabs from the wedding video we are working on for them:

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Kearney, the ever-eloquent groom, sent his loving Emily some gifts to open before the wedding. Among a parade of lovely notes and cards, he gave her a necklace he had made from one of his grandmother's rings, saying that although his grandmother had never met Emily, they would have been great friends if she were still alive.

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We had the pleasure of working with these fine vendors during the wedding day:

Photographer Paul Morse.   You can view his official images from Emily & Kearney's wedding here.

Event Design by Linda Matzkin & Alexandra Kappel of Hopple Popple Events.

Ceremony and Reception at The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans

Reception Band: Jimmy Church Band

Makeup: Tisa from Tisa’s Beauty Bar

Florist: Urban Earth

Second Line Band: The Storyville Stompers

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Escondido /// You Have My Heart For The Rest Of Our Lives /// Laura + Marcus, the full Heirloom film

Marcus and Laura travelled from the Dallas area to the hill country of Austin for their wedding celebration. If you haven't seen our first post about their wedding, you're welcome to check out here.  Marcus' older brother performed the ceremony, and he told Laura that she should know how much she was loved by Marcus--as a golf enthusiast, it was a big sacrifice to miss the tournament that was happening that weekend.  We could tell he wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else, though--as soon as Marcus saw Laura, he was enraptured with her from the start.

Laura had a neat little surprise for Marcus, though--Check out this groom's cake!

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Can we just say this is the cutest use of cake balls that we've ever seen?  Nice work!

One of their dear friends sang in the ceremony, and it seemed to be a fitting way to begin their film.  Their day began very quiet and reserved as the rain came down outside--and the amazing team at DFW events and Escondido Golf Club were on the spot with a rain plan to sheild the reception under a tent and bring the ceremony indoors.  The indoor location for the ceremony was no let-down, though--it was a cathedral style room with a large fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out across the green landscape--so plenty of outdoor light still fell on the family as they gathered to watch Marcus and Laura say 'I do.'

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The party cranked up afterwards with Top, a band from DFW. The family put out a super cute sign encouraging girls to ditch their high heels for flip flops and have a good time.   The glow-sticks came out about 10 o'clock, and some very creative guests created some crazy glow-hats like we've never seen before.

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"You have my heart for the rest of our lives"

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Editor's note:

One of my favorite moments in this film comes as Laura was getting ready.  Marcus had written her a note, and he agreed to read it out loud for us to add as a voice-over narration for the moments where Laura prepared to walk down the aisle.  I also used the narration to finish the film.  While I love using officiant narration for our films, I think that using the voice of the bride and groom resonates so strongly in the story.  It is my hope that when Laura and Marcus sit together watching this film as they grow older that they would continue to not only reflect on the love they shared that day while hearing each other's voice, but that they would continue to be encouraged and strengthened to love each other with confidence and purpose as they move forward.  I want Laura and Marcus to see the faces of the people who have loved them so well--parents, siblings, friends--and be refreshed as they remember being loved with such kindness by so many people.   I also want their children to grow up watching this film and hearing how fiercely and tenderly their father spoke about his love for their mother, and for that example of love to be passed down for generations as they share this story with their kids and grandkids.   That's one of the reasons I love filmmaking--photographs are meant to be studied in-depth and at length, but films can help you re-live not just the sights, but also the sounds of these important moments.

I can't forget to mention that the slo-mo of Laura and Marcus running through their line of friends during the sparkler exit has me in tears every time I watch it, especially when Laura hugs her bridesmaid & then Marcus hugs his father-in-law and you can see him mouthing the words "thank you."

-Kourtney Amelia

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, the full film

Friends and family wandered in from the lounge, the golf course, and the hotel bar as the ceremony was about to begin in the glass-enclosed veranda at Barton Creek Resort.  The windows looked out onto the the golf course below and the Texas hill country beyond.

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As the ceremony began, the Barton Strings quartet played jazzy, soothing music.  The bridesmaids entered in navy dresses with bouquets of cream and pale pink roses, and David, the groom, turned his back to the crowd so that he wouldn't see Kristy, the bride, through the glass windows until the moment she stepped onto the aisle.  His best man stood by to tell David the exact moment he could turn around to see his bride.

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And then he waited.  and waited. and waited.  It may have been the longest 60 seconds of his life, but as he cracked a joke and asked his best man "is she coming?" his best friend simply smiled and shrugged.  The first couple of rows of friends and family erupted into laughter, and then Kristy entered the room, radiating beauty.  

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While life and marriage are always full of surprises, we hope that our couples find that the things they wait for are the best life can offer.  Congratulations to Kristy & David; we sincerely enjoyed being a part of your day and watching you interact with those you hold most dear.  We hope your wedding video is a treasure you can enjoy for years to come and that it will remind you of these people who loved you so much that they celebrated this special occasion with you under the wide blue skies of Texas.

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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  8212 Barton Club Dr   Austin, TX 78735

Event Planning: Aimee Villa, Lizze Belle Events

Photography: InTandemd

Ceremony Music: Barton Strings

Reception Entertainment: Professor D

Lighting: Ilios

Floral: Bouquets of Austin

Getaway Car: Antique Limousines

Montegut House || Feels Like Coming Home || Mary + Aaron, Part 1 of 2

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You've just watched a sneak peek of our full film for Mary & Aaron, a New Orleans Celebration. The couple planned their reception around a theme of southern hospitality and home comfort. Their party had family photos scattered throughout the venue--a constant reminder of love, history, and the joy of family and friends.  Even the bathroom doors were decorated with pictures of Mary and Aaron as children to identify the "men's" room and the "women's" bathroom.

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Montegut house is a truly intimate place to have a reception or party.  While filming, we were struck by the beauty of the courtyard--the gurgling lion water fountains, lush tropical plants, stucco architecture, and chandeliers hanging from the canopy branches of a single tree.  It felt like a quiet little world in the middle of the French Quarter.  The inside of the building has an even more home-style feel--with cozy rooms for visiting, balconies for fresh air, and plenty of space for dancing around historic fireplace hearths.

Mary, the bride, had told us that she wanted her reception to feel like she had just stepped into her mother's home--and it certainly did--her family had brought their own heirloom crystal, milkglass vases, and mercury glass votives to adorn all of the tables.  The vintage cake topper had even belonged to Mary's grandfather.

Pictured below: Montegut House courtyard, magnolia leaves, & candles along the fireplace, the gorgeous seven-tier wedding cake, the first dance, and roses in the courtyard.

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The exclamation point on the evening was the second line parade led by a Grand Marshall and Jazz Brass Band.

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Ceremony: Christ Church Cathedral

Reception: Maison Montegut

743 Royal St

New Orleans, LA 70116

Event Planner: Elyse Skansi, Tying the Knot Wedding Coordination

Photographer: Mark Eric

Catering: Joel's

Florist: Iris Floral and Event Design Studio

Cocktail Hour Music: John Royen Band

2nd Line Band: The Jaywalkers

Reception Entertainment: Crystal Clear Band

Riverhill Country Club | "Hook 'em and Sic 'em Forever" Bailey & J.R., part 1 of 2

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Bailey & J.R. couldn't have had better weather for their outdoor wedding and reception in Kerrville TX.  The Mansion at Riverhill is a historic site in Texas, built in 1901, and it has been a social setting in the Kerrville community ever since.

Bailey is a UT grad, and while in school, her friends said they knew something must be really special about that Baylor guy (JR) when Bailey kept skipping out on events in Austin to go spend time in the little town of Waco.

The energy in the room was simply precious when we arrived to film with Bailey & JR before the ceremony.  Bailey was quietly putting the finishing touches on her dress & veil, and her mom was just glowing.  After they went outside to take pictures, her brothers stood nearby, proudly taking pictures of their sister as a bride. 

Many of their good friends took part in the day--the wedding party was made up of many friends and siblings, and friends even played instruments in the ceremony.

We hope you enjoy the preview of their full film--and feast your eyes on stills from their complete video below.  Tricia Hamil with Viridian Design did a great job putting together a beautiful event--complete with wine barrels, vintage light bulbs descending from the oak trees, rustic painted wooden signs, white florals, antler chandeliers, and even a deer theme silhouette streaming down onto the dance floor.

As a Baylor University Alum, I was personally really happy to see JR's Baylor Football helmet cake.  Sic 'Em, and congratulations to you both!

-kourtney amelia

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VENDORS

Wedding Coordination & Florals: Viridian Design with Tricia Hamil

Photography: Ashley Garmon Photographers

Hair: Erin Jantzen

Makeup: Donna Bruns

Linens: Marquee Rentals

Lighting: Ilios Lighting

Cakes: Sophie's Choice