So many of our couples have never hired a videographer before so it can be a bit overwhelming as you shop around. Wedding Videographers all offer pretty much the same options but often times call them different things. I’d like to demystify the terminology for you to help educate you on the process and hopefully make it a bit easier on our couples as they shop around for wedding filmmakers.

Feature Film or Highlight Film

A Feature Film or Highlight Film is a summary of your wedding day. It is all of the major events from your wedding day summarized into a customized story. Serendipity films have lots of audio in them so you can hear what was said and what people were feeling that day. Some companies do more of a music video with limited audio in it. Feature Films or Highlight Films are edited to music.

Documentary Style Film

A Documentary Style Film is a specific part of your wedding day edited in its entirety. For example a Ceremony Documentary Style Film is your entire Ceremony edited from beginning to end. How that is different from a Feature Film is the Feature Film is only going to have snippets from your Ceremony. The Documentary Style Film is your entire Ceremony. Most companies will offer many options for Documentary Style Films including a Ceremony, Documentary Style Film, Toast Documentary Style Film or First Dances Documentary Style Film.

Raw Footage

Raw Footage is all of the footage from the wedding day. But it is unedited, it is Raw.

Interactive Menu

This is how Serendipity delivers a wedding film. It looks like a DVD but it is not the clunky technology that is a DVD. It is a cloud based technology with each film being downloadable and easily able to be shared. It is the new latest and greatest in wedding film delivery technology. DVD’s and USB’s are a dying technology.

Only 50% of couples hire a videographer for their wedding day and I am often baffled how in all the years I have been doing this that that statistic hasn’t shifted much… especially with the invention of social media, You Tube and entire shows dedicated to videos on the internet. There is a reason Instagram started allowing 15 second videos, then Stories on their platform and has recently introduced IGTV to feature longer videos and why Facebook years ago allowed embedding of videos and more recently live videos. Video is the reason some people have careers with some You Tubers making millions of dollars now… Video is where its at… Think about what the first thing you look at online is when reading an article or consuming your media. Is it an article?? Or do you watch the video… Yet couples often times still see a wedding film as either a luxury or an item they will add at the end if budget allows. Sadness… Tear… So I am going to give you my very best pitch on why every couple should have a wedding film.

How often do you have every person that you love in one room together…

That moment needs to be documented… The love, the laughter, the emotions. It is one of the happiest days of your life and those around you are there sharing in that celebration. That celebration needs to be documented. Who is apart of your wedding day may not be in your life 10 years from now. Life happens… parents and grandparents get older. You can’t take for granted that those that are at your wedding will be with us forever. Take advantage of this moment to be able to remember it and celebrate it with your family and children you may have one day.

Photos and Video go hand and hand…

Of course you are going to have a Photographer. But a Photographer catches moments, snapshots. What a Wedding Film will give you is the sound from the day, the emotion in real moving moments. They go hand in hand. A Wedding Film allows you to see your wedding day in a totally different medium. We document your day so differently than a Photographer and show you often times totally different moments you didn’t know existed. I have never had someone say that they had too many memories of their wedding day by hiring a Photographer and Videographer.

Video is just easy these days…

With how easy it is to upload and share videos online why would you not have a wedding film?? You can send it to all of your family and friends who attended and to those that didn’t. So more people can share in the memories!!

Wedding Videos are not what they used to be…

Now they are films… Customized stories of your wedding day that are both cinematic and emotional. They are interesting and they draw you in. They are something you will enjoy watching for years to come.

I promise you’ll watch it…

1. Some people say they will never watch it… I disagree… They watch it at the minimum on their wedding anniversary. But more importantly don’t you just want to have it… just in case… for that day when you do decide to watch it. I wouldn’t want to feel the regret of wishing I had something that I never could do over or get back. That panic would be awful.

When we met Hannah and Josh we knew their day would be full of class, tons of fun, and blush pink. The moment we arrived and saw the set up by Imoni Events we knew we were in for a treat. From Hannah’s gorgeous blush details, to the emotional first look (we were all in tears!), to the fun floral champagne bar. There was no detail left undone.

El Chorro is one of our favorite venues to film at. It is not a huge sprawling property which is a good thing for both guest experience as well as your vendors. The ceremony site is right next to where the cocktail hour is held which is right next to the ballroom where your reception is held. All of this making for a flowing and easy guest experience. The aesthetic of this property as well as the foliage makes for the most stunning backdrop for your photos. Everything is green all year round including the artificial turf they had installed a few years back again making your walk down the aisle flawless and beautiful. The ballroom at El Chorro is a blank canvas that you can make your very own with whatever color palette you have chosen for your wedding.

Now back to this super cute couple… Through out the entire day Josh could not keep his eyes off Hannah. The love these two have for each other is indescribable and the fun these two have together is unreal. Josh and Hannah are perfectly made for one another and we couldn’t feel more honored to have captured their love story. Seriously wishing we can do this day over and over again. You just have to watch their feature film to understand!

Vendors: Photographer: Andrew Jade Photography // Videographer: Simply Cinema // Venue: El Chorro // Planning & Design: Sarrah with Imoni Events // Florist: Flower Studio // Entertainment: Sweetwater Strings & DJ Groove Tech // Stationary: Victoria York Design

Being a wedding videographer, we get to meet the most amazing couples. Each couple has their own story, their own unique personalities, and fun personal touches they add to their wedding day. We honestly have the best job ever! And capturing a first look has to be one of our favorite parts of our job!

One of our favorite moments in a wedding day though, is the first look. What is a first look you ask? Well it is a time prior to the ceremony where the couple gets to see each other for the first time. I know what you may be thinking, wait.. aren’t we supposed to wait to see each other for the first time under the alter? Waiting till the alter is a very traditional approach, and still very much respected and can be done. A first look though, definitely has it’s own perks. Lets talk about them!

1. You are free to have sincere authentic emotions and thoughts:
When you do a first look prior to ceremony, it is just you and your significant other. (And your paparazzi of course) But ultimately it is just the two of you. Both free of judgement and free to openly express how you feel about one another in that moment, your thoughts about marrying each other, and your love. When you wait for the alter it’s hard to express those emotions fully while your officiant is holding your ceremony. So it truly gives you time to just soak in that moment together intimately and privately.

2. You are able to get the bulk of your photos out of the way: Ever wonder how couples are able to enjoy their cocktail hour with their friends and family? First look! By having a first look it gives your videographer and photographer time to capture couple portraits, bridal party photos, and family photos before the ceremony even begins! Giving you some time to capture a few couple portraits at sunset after the ceremony, and then enjoy cocktail hour with friends and family.

3. The feelings don’t go away: If you’re worried that having a first look will make the feelings and emotions go away during the ceremony, it’s not true. If the feelings and emotions are there, then they will be there regardless. I have seen so many amazing ceremony reactions, moments after a first look. If you don’t want to give your whole look away prior to ceremony, but want to have a first look, consider saving your veil for the ceremony. It is something different for your groom to be looking for. Either way, nothing can take away from the moment you walk down the isle toward your significant other to commit your life to them forever.

Either way, whatever you two decide on, it will be perfect for your wedding day. We are ultimately just so grateful to be there to capture it. Let us know if you have any other questions on First Look’s! (If you’re interested in seeing another, check out this Private Estate Dairy Farm Wedding! There first look was so sweet!)

Vendors: Photographer: Leslie Ann Photography // Videographer: Simply Cinema // Venue: Villa Siena // Florist: Blume Events // Entertaiment: SKM

This romantic Royal Palms wedding, where do we even begin? The connection Josh and Christina have is almost indescribable. Their love, fun flirty actions, and affection towards one another is so contagious. I have never felt so excited during a first look. Christina could not wait for Josh to turn around, and as soon as he did she couldn’t help but jump up and down with joy. (Seriously, watch their wedding trailer!) It was the sweetest moment, and they didn’t stop there.

If I were to ever renew our vows, my wedding may look a little something like this. The moody colors, the black velvet chairs, and the dark flowers. Seriously, I’m in love. This wedding was perfectly Josh and Christina. We honestly couldn’t feel more blessed we were there to capture their love. Congrats Josh and Christina!

FEATURE FILM:

Vendors: Photographer: Andrew Jade Photography // Videographer: Simply Cinema // Planning + Design: Sarrah with Imoni Events // Venue: Royal Palms // Floral + Decor: Sarah’s Garden // Hair: Pin & Primp // Makeup: Mischief Makeup // Rentals: Glamour & Woods + Event Rents // Linens: BBJ Linen + La Tavola Linen // Stationary: Victoria York Design

Classic El Chorro Fall Wedding

Conner and Tegan are such an adorable couple with such class. Their wedding was a dream from the catholic ceremony in the gorgeous St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, to the stunning dinner space set up and designed by Sam with Revel and adorned with florals from Carte Blanche, to the after party space which was so fun you couldn’t help but want to have a good time! Conner and Tegan, we wish you a lifetime full of love, happiness, and adventure!

Feature Film:

Vendors: Photographer: Elyse Hall Photography // Videographer: Simply Cinema // Planning + Design: Revel Wedding Co. // Venue + Catering: El Chorro // Hair: Chelsea Sprinkle // Makeup: Created Beauty Co. // Floral: Carte Blanche // Rentals: Event Rents + Prim Rentals // Lighting: AZ Uplighting // Linen: La Tavola // Entertainment: The JJ’s Band // Getaway Car: Roscoe & Louie // Cake: aBake Shop

Serendipity in Life and Film with Taryn Pollock

Taryn, Owner of Serendipity & Simply Cinema, had the opportunity to be featured on Your Jubilee’s Podcast. They started up their podcast in June of this year! Your Jubilee started this podcast, The Celebrated Life, because as they shared; they wanted a way to live their purpose of a celebrated life. They wanted to connect with more people and share how life is more than the big moments. They’re passionate about “celebrating the journey and not just the destination.”

On this episode Taryn opens up about how she started Serendipity and Simply Cinema. Two very successful Wedding Videography companies based in Arizona.

She also shares out her top pieces of advice for starting up a new successful business and about her and her son’s struggle with PANDAS. If you have not educated yourself about PANDAS, and want to know more head to: www.pandasnetwork.org.

Taryn is now at a point where she advocates for PANDAS and wants to help others with PANDAS and their family recognize the symptoms. She understands all the people that could be currently dealing with misdiagnosis, so she tries to share her story and open other’s eyes about it.

To Hear Taryn’s Episode:

Click Here and play the link!

Taryn is so honored to be featured on this boss babe podcast and we can’t wait to listen to even more episodes! Make sure to subscribe if you’re interested in listening to amazing stories from local rock stars!

Photographer: Leslie Ann Photography

Bright Modern Arizona Biltmore Wedding

As I am sure you can tell by our social media, this was easily one of our favorite weddings to shoot! Also Jenn Wagner‘s photos she captures are unreal. I love when we are able to shoot a wedding alongside a photographer and capture the same emotion, moments, and feelings throughout the day. So when the two are looked at together, they are seamless, and that’s how I feel about this wedding.

Kristin and Jamie are absolutely made for each other. Both so sweet and thoughtful in their own ways. I learned from Jenn Wagner that the two planned a surprise each for one another. Jamie planned a flower wall for Kristin after a small little comment about it months prior. Kristin planned a firework show for Jamie. Both were able to keep the surprises totally secret until the day of the wedding when they were revealed.

Their wedding was full of bright colors, lots of flowers, and many happy tears. The two shared very sentimental vows with one another during the ceremony and had so much fun during their couple’s session.  We wish we could shoot their wedding over and over! Congrats Jamie and Kristin, we wish you two a lifetime of love and happiness, and lot’s of surprises!

How They Met:

Jamie and Kristin met online! She was new to Arizona and Jamie sent her a message, which actually impressed her, but she didn’t respond. Can you imagine?! Thankfully he is persistent, because he saw that she read his message and sent her another message, this one asking her to dinner. The two met the next night and have been together ever since!

The Proposal:

Jamie and Kristin had looked at rings together while on vacations and what not, so he had an idea of what she liked. Something big and shiny…who doesn’t?! But still, Krisitn had no idea when, or even if, he was actually going to propose. They were in Hawaii in November over her birthday so she thought if he was going to do it, he’d do it there. But what do you know, it didn’t happen. He, very cleverly as Kristin said, waited until the following week when they were hosting a 30 person Thanksgiving with all of their family and friends. With everyone present at the dinner Jamie asked Kristin to marry him! Kristin said it was amazing because then they got to have an impromptu engagement party afterwards!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vendors: Photographer: Jenn Wagner Studio// Videography: Simply Cinema // Venue: Arizona Biltmore // Planner: Jessica with Shine Events // Florist: Sarah’s Wedding Garden // Entertainment: Got You Covered // Shoes: Badgley Mischka // Dress: Bella Lily Bridal + Hayley Paige // Cake: Ruze Cake House // Rentals: Prim Rentals + Party People

Modern Clayton on the Park Wedding

Adam and Sarah your wedding last season was such a joy to capture! Sarah and Adam were married at Clayton in the Park which is located in the heart of old town Scottsdale. The venue is so unique to Arizona as it’s not your typical desert scenery. Inside it is modern and chic and we absolutely love it there! You photo session has so many backdrop opportunity’s throughout old town!

Sarah and Adam decided to do a first look at it was absolutely precious and so emotional. Sarah couldn’t help but tear up with joy seeing her groom. Later during the ceremony, the emotions poured out again as Adam and Sarah committed their lives to one another.

They ended the night with the most epic dance party! I mean that floor did not empty for even a minute. We had the absolute best time capturing their day! Congrats Adam and Sarah! We wish you both a lifetime of love, happiness, and lots of dancing!

 

Vendors: Videographer: Simply Cinema // Photographer: Mary Claire Photography // Venue: Clayton on the Park // Florist: Lux Florist // Tux: Celebrity Tux and Tails // Hair: Hair by Emily Hughes // Makeup: Ashley Doran Makeup // Planner: Andrea Leslie Weddings

Hindu Wedding at the Desert Botanical Gardens

How They Met, The Proposal, and Wedding:

How They Met:

Franck and Arthi sat next to each other on the first day of medical school. Arthi said it was truly love at first sight.

 

The Proposal:

Franck proposed to Arthi on April 30, 2015 at Nice Beach in Nice, France. They were on vacation after finishing medical school. The two of them had previously gone on a trek earlier the day before to a hilltop to look for a castle. This was going to be Franck’s original proposal site, but it was thwarted because the castle was a huge tourist spot.

So, Franck waited until the next day, where they sat at their favorite bench after getting crepes that morning. They got crepes from the same crepe stand they had been going to every morning while they were there. With a mouthful of Nutella crepe, Arthi looked to her right and saw Franck on one knee. He gave a beautiful speech and proposed right there! Arthi doesn’t remember any of this…Franck doesn’t really either. It was a perfect moment just for the two of them.

 

The Wedding/ Weddings:

Franck and Arthi jam packed their wedding weekend with three, yes you read that right, three weddings! We were so honored to be there to capture them all. Their wedding weekend started Friday afternoon at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Parish with a traditional catholic ceremony. From there they headed to a private Scottsdale estate where they were greeted by many friends and their family to celebrate the two of them! There was lots of food, henna tattoos, and the best speeches that evening!

Saturday we headed to the Desert Botanical Gardens for an early morning Baraat and Hindu Ceremony. It was full of gorgeous colors and decor. Later that evening Arthi and Franck ended their wedding weekend extravaganza with a very personal Civil Ceremony were they shared the best promises and vows to one another and had the cutest first dance! The whole weekend was packed with fun, laughter, and lots of jokes. We absolutely loved being apart of it!

Hannallah Feature Film:

 

Vendors: Videographer: Simply Cinema // Photographer: Kelly & Sergio // Venues: St Paul’s Roman Catholic Parish + Desert Botanical Gardens // Planner: Meant2Be Events // Entertainment: Fusion RoadShow // Stationary: Idieh Design