Featured on Style Me Pretty!

My work has been featured on Style Me Pretty’s national blog!!

What an incredible honor. First, just being invited into the exclusive Style Me Pretty Little Black Book is so amazing. But then being featured on their national blog is even more amazing! If you haven’t checked out Style Me Pretty yet, go there as soon as you watch the wedding preview below and check them out. They have a nearly endless supply of wedding ideas and inspiration: www.stylemepretty.com

And working with the amazing professionals up there in Columbus, such as Jarred & Heather from Inlux Photo, was so much fun. Check out their work… you’ll love it!

Now, on to Zakiya + Donté. As Mallory put it, you could tell so easily the love, respect and admiration they have every time they look at each other. What an amazing couple. I have the most amazing job in the world, being part of the biggest day of these couple’s lives, and witnessing the most amazing promise you could ever give another person. Anyhow, enough blabber from me. Please check out their wedding preview below, and then go check out Style Me Pretty!

SMP Feature direct link: http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/11/28/columbus-wedding-film-from-poetic-cinema-inlux-photo

Partners…
Photography : Inlux Photo
Ceremony & Reception : Heritage Golf Club
Flowers : Flowers on Springtree Lane
Bride’s Dress : Maggie Sottero
Makeup : Kelli Ramey of Beautimarkedbykelli
Hair : Michael Matteson of Square One Salon and Spa
Cake : The Cake Studio

Wedding Day Preview | Val + Noah

Noah and Val were the most fun-loving and outgoing couple I’ve worked with for a while, and Val looked so beautiful on her wedding day. Noah was speechless when he first saw her, and rightfully so. The day couldn’t have been more beautiful as well. One of the most memorable moments of the evening was the incredibly emotional toast from Noah’s brother that had everyone in tears, including Noah. While photography is absolutely essential, photos alone would not have captured such an irreplaceable toast. So blessed to have been part of their day.

Partners…
Photography : Mark Garber Photography
Ceremony & Reception : Drees Pavilion
Band : Paul Otten Band

Wedding Day Preview | Tricia + Pete

A bit of rain didn’t hold back Tricia + Pete! And the gloomy skies made for some amazing photography from the talented Sherri Barber. From the beautiful ceremony to the crazy reception, this was a great day!

Partners…
Photography : Sherri Barber Photography
Ceremony : St. Francis De Sales
Reception : Millennium Hotel Grand Ballroom
Photography : Heidi McKenna Makeup

Wedding Day Preview | Ashley + Sam

I think Ashley + Sam win for the youngest couple of the year! But even with their youth, they have the most amazing love for each other. You could see it in their eyes and hear it in their voices, and their family support system was unwavering in their admiration for them.

This was an absolutely beautiful day, in a beautiful church, working alongside an amazing photographer, Jacalyn Mains of JMM Photography!

Partners…
Photography : Jacalyn Mains of JMM Photography
Ceremony : St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica
Reception : The Phoenix

Wedding Day Preview | Jens + Denise

With Brigid Horne-Nestor in charge, I knew this would be an amazing day. And with a couple as sweet and in love as Jens + Denise, it was more than an amazing day… from the stunning bride to the beautiful Bell ceremony to the heart-warming toasts from Jens’ children. So blessed to have been part of this wedding.

Partners…
Photography : Essenza Studio
Coordinator : I Do Weddings
Ceremony & Reception : Bell Event Center

Wedding Day Preview | Jim + Tara

A bit of rain didn’t stop Jim & Tara from having a blast on their wedding day! The ceremony was just beautiful set in the amazing St. Francis de Sales. And both being Bengals fans, it only made sense to have the reception at Paul Brown. With the Paul Otten Band rockin’ the house all night, and shooting alongside my good friend and amazing photographer Tracy Doyle, this was a wedding for the record-books.

Partners…
Photography : Tracy Doyle Photography
Band : The Paul Otten Band
Ceremony : St. Francis de Sales
Reception : Paul Brown Stadium

Wedding Day Preview | Colt + Adrienne

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bride so excited to be getting married as Adrienne was! She was giddy with excitement and just couldn’t contain it, which was adorable. And Colt… such an amazing guy, it’s no wonder Adrienne was so excited! And it couldn’t have been a more beautiful day for such an amazing wedding. This wedding was also the first time I’ve worked with Indianapolis-based photographer Jessica Strickland. I would very highly recommend her, as she was great to work with and created some stunning images for Colt & Adrienne.

By the way, Adrienne is also a wedding photographer, and a great one at that! Check out her work at Adrienne Beth Photography.

Partners…
Photography : Jessica Strickland Photography
Makeup : BRIDEface
Ceremony : Blessed Sacrament Church
Reception : The Madison

Messages from reception guests? Sure!

I get asked a lot if I can get messages from the guests at a reception. While I can, it just seemed boring and often makes guests uncomfortable. So, I tried to think of a way to get guests to come to me, wanting to leave a message, and have fun doing it.

And thus was born The Message Box! I drew my inspiration from photographers setting up inviting and hilarious photo booths, and didn’t see a reason why a similar setup couldn’t be used for guests to have a great time leaving messages for the bride and groom.

Check it out…

It’s all setup after all the formal events are finished for the evening, and it’s the perfect place for guests to leave heartwarming and sentimental messages. Or, for those with a few more drinks in them, something maybe more unique and… um, interesting. Yeah, interesting.

The Message Box is an enhancement that can be added to any package booked with Poetic Cinema. Just email or call for details.

Should we hire a videographer?

My friend and fellow wedding vendor, Kristie Noel Bulach of Dolce Vita Photography, told me when we were chatting one evening that her biggest regret from her wedding is not hiring a professional videographer. I hear that a lot. But, by the time I hear a bride express that, it’s too late. I asked Kristie to write something for my blog about her only regret, and she worded it so perfectly:

As a wedding photographer my clients ask me day in and day out if I had a videographer, if I recommend to have one, if I like working with them, if its a “waste of money”, and they ask if they will like it and actually watch it.

My answer to these questions are: I did not have one- I regret every second of not having one, I love working with them- they are creative artists just like me and we can bounce ideas off of each other and create amazing shots for one another. Is photography a “waste of money”? Absolutely NOT! Will you print your photos? Will you look at your album? Then of course you will watch your video — maybe not EVERY single day but you will from time and time again just like picking up an album.

Everything about my wedding was amazing — my venue was beautiful, the dress was exactly what I had envisioned, the bridal party was full of life and fun, the flowers matched the look I wanted and complimented the girls dresses. While all of this is captured in memories of photographs, hearing & seeing it all in motion and really getting that feeling again every now and again would be worth every penny spent. There is nothing like seeing your grooms expression as you walk down the aisle, or hearing the laughter of your friends having a good time.

Don’t let “I didn’t budget for it” be an excuse- take my word for it- put it in the budget in the first place- You wouldn’t leave out photography right? As for the saying- you get what you pay for… believe it. Your home video camera is great for capturing moments but leave it to the professionals to create for you on the biggest day of your life!

I know everyone has a budget. And I know how important it is to stick to your budget. But if you haven’t made room for a professional wedding filmmaker, please comb through and see if you can make any adjustments. Don’t regret it when it’s too late.

Oh, and don’t forget to check out some of Kristie’s amazing work!

Wedding Day Preview | Paul + Penny

You’ve heard of BRIDEface, right? They’re a group of amazingly talented makeup artists, led by the gifted Nancy Dawson. And Penny is one of those artists. She’s so amazing at what she does, and she makes so many brides so happy as they start their wedding day. And Paul… he’s one of the nicest and most real guys you’ll ever meet. What an incredible day this was, Paul & Penny’s wedding. I loved Penny’s enthusiasm and excitement as the day progressed. And working again with the talented Tine Hoffman was the icing on the cake!

Partners…
Photography : TM Photography
Makeup : BRIDEface
Ceremony : Church of the Redeemer
Reception : Cincinnati Country Club

Wedding Day Preview | Luke + Lauren

Luke and Lauren are such a sweet couple. When you’re with them for just a few minutes, you can just tell they are meant to be together. Luke is so sweet to Lauren, and she just smiled all day long. Great working with Mike on this one as well! Thanks so much for the referral.

Partners…
Photography : Mike Bresnan Photography
Ceremony : St Bernard Church
Reception : Pebble Creek
DJ : Jason with Party Pleasers

Wedding Day Preview | Jon + Ashley

Out of all the Hall of Mirrors weddings I shot, this had to be one of the most beautifully setup. Dawn D just rocked this wedding! What an amazing couple and an amazing wedding. We had so much fun on the photo shoot. The final wedding film bloopers tell all!

Coordinator : My Details By Dawn
Photographer : Laura Leppert Photography
Ceremony : Knox Presbyterian Church
Reception : Hilton Hall of Mirrors

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