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Thursday
Oct212010

Congrats BROOKE & JAKE!

 

It's not unusual for fall weddings to be decorated with pumpkins and fall leaves.  But this wedding was a little ununual in that the pumpkins were pink!  Brooke and Jake had a beautiful wedding day on October 16 -- Check out Cheryl's Notes for all the details and lots of photos!


Tuesday
Sep282010

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Happy Anniversary to us!  Its hard to believe that its been 8 years since Cheryl and I shot our first wedding as McNeal Video.  I guess its true that time flies when you’re having fun.

I honestly didn’t know we’d been doing it that long.  When asked,  I never really gave it much thought and would always estimate about 6 or 7 years.   But today is Amanda and Chris’ 8th wedding anniversary, so that means we’ve been doing  it now for 8 years. 

Things have changed so much for wedding videography during that time!  

When we first started, the perception of wedding video was that it was boring and cheesy – something you would watch once and then put away.   And, sadly, most were.   So I became a woman on a mission – I wanted to change that perception!   I wanted to create beautiful movies of the wedding day – something artistic and emotional – something different – something that brides would love. I knew there were videographers in other parts of the country that were creating wonderful wedding movies  - why didn’t the Nashville bride deserve that option for her wedding day?     

I was surprised at all the walls I hit when I first started this business – there were even some professional wedding vendors that were discouraging,  but the encouraging words of satisfied clients kept me on track.  As we continued to shoot and edit, we found our own style that appealed to many brides.  As time went on, we benefitted from changing technology.  Back in 2002, we were still offering VHS.  Now its DVDs and Bluray.   Gone are most of the slow-motion dissolve videos, replaced by fun music,  fast cuts, time shift, multiple cam setups, slider shots, color correction and grading, creative angles and better audio.  Nashville now has many wedding videographers that offer a superior product, and brides’ opinion of wedding video is changing. 

The industry of wedding video is evolving to a new level, and I am excited to be part of that. We have some new things planned for 2011 that I am anxious to tell you about;  I  will announce them soon.  But today I want to say thank you for all the support we’ve received from our brides and grooms, their families, and other wedding vendors.  Our lives are richer for knowing each of you.  Thanks for being part of our success!


Monday
Sep272010

Sometimes Only Video Will Do - Don't Stop Believing

I love this clip - it shows the undeniable pure joy shared by of a group of friends, and its a perfect example of how sometimes only video will do.  

I'm sure there were dozens of photos taken during the several minutes that this bride, groom, and friends were enjoying this song during their wedding reception.  But if they just had photos, would they remember what song it was they were singing when they look at the pics 20 years from now?  I doubt it.  But that won't be a problem for Jenn and TJ since we were there to capture this moment (and many others) for them. 


The clip kinda makes you want to get up and dance -huh?  I can't watch it without smiling.  :)

If you are planning your wedding day, don't make the mistake of thinking that photos will capture it all - because it simply can't.  You need a videographer too.

If you'd like to see more footage from Jennifer and TJ's wedding day, click here.


Sunday
Sep122010

Congrats ALLISON & ANDREW!

 

Allison and Andrew were surrounded by friends and family during their wedding ceremony on September 4, 2010 at Pick Inn.  The happy couple couldn't have asked for more perfect weather for the ceremony.

Cheryl's Notes has all the details about the day as well as lots of photos.  It was a  joyous day for everyone involved.


Friday
Sep102010

StudioWed Open House - Sept. 14

I'm always excited when StudioWed has an open house because its such a fun way for brides and wedding vendors to meet and get to know one another.   But I'm especially excited about the one scheduled for next Tuesday, September 14, because StudioWed will be featuring their videographers!  You can find more info about it here.

If you are a bride making wedding plans, do yourself a favor and stop by for a visit. And, by all means, be sure to check out the monthly giveaway too!

The Open House will be from 6-8pm, and I promise you'll meet some of the best wedding vendors in town!

I'm looking forward to seeing you there!


Friday
Sep032010

Congrats MARCI & DAVID!

 

 

Marci and David were the lucky winners of the 2010 HER Magazine/Wedding 101 Ultimate Dream Wedding Giveaway, and we were there to capture their wedding day!  It was a lovely ceremony!  All the details are in Cheryl's Notes.  Lots of photos are posted there too!


Monday
Aug162010

Pitter Patter Art

I have mentioned from time to time that Cheryl and I are part of a large family.  We have 28 cousins.  Twenty-one of them are on my mother's side of the family.  You can just imagine what family get togethers are like - all the aunts, uncles, cousins, the cousin's kids, and the cousin's kid's kids!   There are alot of us, but today I want to tell you about one very special cousin, and that's my cousin Laura.

Laura is truly one of the nicest people on earth.  I don't think I have EVER heard her say anything bad about anyone - she sees the best in everyone and everything. 

Some of you may remember Laura from when she worked with us during our first few years of business.  (She was the young, cute, perky one.)  We even used her legs in some of the ads we ran.  :)  But, sadly, we lost Laura to the role of Josh's wife and motherhood -- both roles that she clearly loves and excels in.

After having 2 children (a girl, Harper; and boy, Hud . . . 18 months apart!), Laura and Josh adopted their little boy, Sol, from Ethiopia.  That made them parents of 3 children under the age of 3!  Most everyone in the family thought they had lost their minds, but time proved everyone wrong.  Laura and Josh's energy and love have made it look effortless.  They recently celebrated their first "gotcha day" for Sol, and yesterday I received an email from Laura announcing to the family that they are now in the process of adopting another little boy (again, from Ethiopia). 

I am telling all of this to you because I want to support Laura as she and Josh take this next step in their lives, and because I want to make everyone aware of Laura's website, Pitter Patter Art.  I neglected to mention how creative Laura is, but this will be apparent after you visit her site -- she creates and sells custom clothing and art pieces to help fund the adoption process.   As last time, all money received for Pitter Patter Art orders will go directly into their adoption fund.

Please take a few minutes to visit her site and see what she has to offer.  I am sure she will have fund raising "specials" from time to time - and I will be sure to tell you about them when she does. 

Thanks so much - they will truly appreciate your support.  And so will I  :)

 

 


Saturday
Aug142010

Sky Lanterns!

The exit at our last wedding was spectacular.  Photos just don't do it justice, so I thought I would share a short (raw footage) clip with you. 

 

 

Its always fun to find something new and creative at the weddings we attend - and this one was fabulous!  You can read more about the wedding day in Cheryl's Notes.


Friday
Aug132010

Congrats KRISTIN & LUIS!

 

Kristin and Luis are such a happy couple, and that happiness was infectious and spread to the friends and family that surrounded them as they said their vows.   They had an absolutely beautiful wedding!  Cheryl's Notes has tons of stills pulled from footage and all the details of the day.  Check it out!

Thursday
Jul292010

Congrats JESSICA & CORY!

 It was the  hottest day of the year, but Jessica and Cory had a beautiful wedding and reception at The Parthenon last weekend.  Cheryl's Notes has all the info and lots of photos - check it out!

Thursday
Jul292010

WEDDING MOVIE - Lynn & Jake

 

Chapters from Lynn and Jake's wedding DVD are now posted online.

Click here to view the clips and for other information about their wedding day.

Sunday
Jul182010

Oldie but Goodie

Recently, while choosing clips to add to my iPad, I watched alot of our archived movies that I haven't thought about in awhile.  I thought it might be fun to spotlight some of them from time to time, so this is my first "oldie but goodie" post.

I love this clip - its one of my favorite music videos that we've done.  This couple was so much fun, and it was a blast working with them.  Hope you enjoy watching it  - it really was a joy putting it together, and it brings back lots of good memories.

Sunday
Jul182010

Congrats to RACHEL & FRANKIE!

We were so happy to be part of Rachel and Frankie's wedding day last weekend -- despite the hot, steamy weather, it was a fun day! 

Photos and all the details about the day are posted in Cheryl's Notes.  And be sure to visit Rachel and Frankie's page to view their photo montage!


Monday
Jul122010

StudioWed Open House

If you are a bride in the process of making wedding plans, you want to be sure to attend one of StudioWed's upcoming Open House events.  I recently had one of our brides tell us that she wished she had known about StudioWed when she was planning her wedding.  Unfortunately, she didn't find out until too late.  The vendors at StudioWed are the best in town; you owe it to yourself to check them out. 

There are several open house dates scheduled - if none of them are convenient for you, however, just give Mary Alice or Leigh a call and stop in to visit anytime.  And now StudioWed is offering a special bonus -- If you visit the studio during the month of July, you will be entered to win a diamond necklace!

Click here to register to attend the July 13 open house.

We hope to see you there soon!

Tuesday
Jul062010

5 1/2 Years Later . . . 

This post is for the brides who don't think video is important because they would only watch it once.  Its always wonderful to hear things like this from our past brides.  Thanks Victoria - we love you too!  :)

Tuesday
Jun292010

WEDDING MOVIE - Katherine & James

Sunday
Jun272010

Congrats to LINDSEY & JON!

Lindsey and Jon were married at Scarritt Bennett on June 18.  We were thrilled to be there to capture all the festivities.  They are such a fun couple, and it was a fabulous day from start to finish!

You can read all about it in Cheryl's Notes - there are lots of photos there too as well as a video clip of an unexpected guest at the reception.


Tuesday
Jun222010

Things Learned Along the Way

 

Another year, and another birthday.  I never dreamed it possible that I would be this age; it seemed so far off and unreachable.  For some reason, I didn't think it would happen to me!  There are many things that I would have done differently over the years -- if I'd known then what I know now.  Its true that experience is the best teacher; and here are some of the things I learned along the way. 

*  Things that I agonized over and thought were so important when I was a teenager, weren't.

*  I could've broken 'the rules' from time to time and the world wouldn't have crashed in on me.

*  It was not true that The Beatles would be a "flash in the pan" and would never last. 

*  Sometimes your parents DON'T know whats best.  (Although most of the time they do, so be real careful about this one.)

*  I really didn't need all of the clothes and cute shoes that I thought I just had to have.

*  It never hurts to say "please" and "thank you".

*  History really does repeat itself -- that's why you need to know about it.

*  My 20-something body was fabulous.   (I wish I'd known that at the time.)

*  Young women should not read COSMOPOLITAN Magazine, and young men should not read PLAYBOY.

*  Everyone should take dance lessons.

*  Don't ignore a nagging feeling that you can't shake.

*  No matter how hard they try, a man is not capable of a genuine conversation while the TV is on.

*  30 is not old.  Neither is 40.  Or 50.

*  No one will ever be able to make home made fudge better than your Mama.

*  High heel shoes are going to eventually ruin your feet and hurt your back.

*  Tell the truth - its just easier.

*  Revenge is useless.  All it does is make someone feel bad.  Then that makes two of you.

*  Look for the good qualities in people.  Don't choose friends just because they are "popular".

*  No matter how sick I got of hearing it, my mother was right -- "pretty IS as pretty DOES".

*  And, last but not least  . . . . Time flies.  (I swear it was just last week that I was 25.)

 

Monday
Jun212010

WEDDING MOVIE - Noreen & Justin

Monday
Jun142010

WEDDING MOVIE - Leslie & Billy