Tag: wedding videography

Wedding Planning During COVID-19

You get to hear so much about quick fixes and crisis aversion while planning a wedding, don’t you? From a tear in your train to a broken heel of your bridal shoes, everything can be fixed and saved. But what do you do when a pandemic hits just when you are in the thick of wedding planning? No wedding magazine or bridal blog quite prepares you for something like this. Because this is not exactly something that happens so often and for sure not something that even occurs to us to prepare for!

But one day, in the middle of switching color samples for your wedding decor and cake tasting, you hear the news. That Covid-19 is here, and here with a fury which is taking countless people in! Between your own share of, ‘Oh, this wouldn’t impact us’, and waking up in cold sweat in the middle of the night in a red hot panic, you have made peace with inevitable-COVID-19 has made itself comfortable and is here to stay for a while! This also means that you’ll be wedding planning during COVID19.

Understood that a lot of intricate thoughts, planning, and love has already gone into making this day truly special, there needs to be a reiteration to your wedding planning-and fast! Things have not gone south yet, and if managed smartly, you will still be able to have the most amazing wedding day, just the way you planned to! Listed below are some pointers to keep in mind as you combat the uncharted territory of these uncertain times. Breathe, refocus, and read!

Postpone or Cancel?

Postpone (Please):

A wedding to look forward to next year is still better than no wedding to look forward to! Don’t be disheartened by the turn of events and don’t give up on your big day! Rather, try to postpone the wedding to late 2020 or 2021. This will give you something to look forward to and plan towards in the current day and will make more sense in the grand scheme of events.

Half and Half:

Couldn’t wait? We understand! How about half and a half and having a small courthouse ceremony now with no party and postponing the reception until a safer date? This way, you will be technically married, but will still have something exciting and celebratory to work towards! Now isn’t that exciting?

Cancel:

If you don’t want the pandemic even remotely tainting your special day, we get it! Canceling is a valid choice, however, it might be wise to have a timeframe in mind as you cancel. This will give your mental clarity, and will not be disheartening for you and your partner.

Reschedule Norms

Vendor loyalty:

Do not let your wedding vendors go, as they might have also put in a lot of work into your wedding planning. Arrange for a meeting with your photographer, videographer, caterer, florist, etc. and work out rescheduled dates and availability. If there is a change in plan, they should be the first to know and should be given the first preference for the rescheduled date. It is fair that way only!

Flexibility:

Flexibility is encouraged when you are already in the midst of uncertain times and the options are scarce. Trying to meet midway and work out dates and choice which are feasible for both parties. We understand this is a special day for you and your partner, but sometimes, things are just not in our control and it is a good virtue to take things by the stride.

Breaking the News

Go Virtual:

When physical contact is cut down, it is the internet that comes to the rescue. Send out e-vites, virtual save the dates, schedules, and reschedules. This way, everyone in your guest list is in the loop without you having to call them personally. Trust us, nobody will hold it against you, especially at a time like this. Go for convenience rather than etiquette.

Mass Communication:

Want to break the news in a way that feels a little more personal, go for live streaming, or a video conference. This way, the guests will feel a personal connection to the message and will take it in sportingly. Also, for older members of the family, this might be the safest yet most personal way to communicate your plans.

Search for the Silver Lining

More time to plan:

As you are entering a new timeline with a revised wedding day. A few extended months of planning window is only going to help you make your wedding day even more perfect. Now is the time you can consume as much as content you can relate to wedding planning, go through inspiration blogs, and nail down what you exactly want.

Delayed gratification:

We guarantee that your guests will be highly onboard with the reschedule and will be ready to party by the time the wedding day finally rolls in. Having a social gathering to look forward to is equally rewarding to your guests as it is to you, and the wait is only going to make the occasion sweeter!

We understand these are uncertain times and we are still trying to find our foot as things are changing every day. There might be a storm of emotions brewing inside you, and it’s okay to feel as you do. We understand that it breaks your heart a little as you wrap up your dreams for a date much further away, but we reassure that we will be out of this soon enough and when we do, there will be no black cloud looming over your head, threatening to rain on your special day. That day will be truly yours, and no pandemic will steal your thunder! Now, isn’t that a heartening thought?

6 Wedding Trends for 2020 You Can Look Forward To

The ball drops and another year rolls in. What a year, huh? We will soon be stepping into a brand new year, and also a whole new decade. As 2019 comes to a glorious end, 2020 comes at us with the whole new box of wonders. If you have set a date to tie the knot anytime next year, we are here to give you a fresh breeze of inspiration which holds promises to be big trends in the next year.

2020 seems to be the perfect balance of going inwards and keeping your conscience happy and going all out with opulence, drama, and a peppering of mystery. The duality promises to be thrilling and we can’t wait to see what these trend predictions play out. Let us take a close look at how 2020 will look like in terms of wedding trends.

The Right Cause

If there was ever a time to care for a cause, this is it, because the world sure has a lot of causes which could use some attention. And what better way to share the joy and steer the focus to some cause which is close to your heart than using party favors as your charity? Give back to the community by adding a charity to your wedding registry or thank your guests for celebrating with you by donating to a charity of your choice.

Opulent Photo Booths

Photo booths are great, and even more so when the photo booths are no less than the set of a period drama backdrop. The experience is elevated by several levels, and are more artful in a Kardashian-meets-Shakespeare way. The effect is deliciously opulent like all your guests are posing for a luxury magazine cover. Bring in the moody tones and metallics and take the cute high school photo booths to a whole another level. Bonus? Your guests will love and cherish the perfectly captured and edited portrait of them delivered right to their doorstep following the wedding!

Unveil the Drama

Veils are going to sport a strong presence, come 2020. They are either going to be supersized by triple-fold or be unmissably bold in its presence or not be there at all. There is no mid-way here. Think along the lines of the dramatic veil sported by Priyanka Chopra and Nicky Hilton- that’s the effect we will be going for in 2020. The veil is either going to be blown out of proportion (quite literally) or be non-existent in the coming year.

The Allure of Unknown

There is definitely a wave of spirituality and mystical in this troubled time, and it has certainly trickled down to weddings as well. People have an allure for the unknown and weddings are certainly a great place to explore the same. Not only is it a great way of entertaining and keeping your guests busy, but it is also an inclusive way of passing on that feel-good around, irrespective of faith, creed, deco, and vibe of the wedding. 2020 predicts tarot and palm readings, crystal healing, and aura paintings.

Cheese Galore

‘Let there be cake!’, they said. But next year will surely see something called the ‘cheese hour’, a more interesting and decadent version of the traditional sweet table. Mounts of cheese, crackers, nuts, relishes, and fruits, which you can’t possibly say no to! Think of a charcuterie board, lux it up and multiply it seven folds in proportions, and there you have it- a phenomenal cheese table!

Sustainability

Caring for the environment is the need of the hour and certainly cannot be stored in the box labeled as a trend. However, the sustainable wedding is certainly bringing the right kind of attention to the issue at hand. It encouraged one to get closer to nature and keep technology and artificial materials at bay. Sustainability is certainly a strong presence in the current year and is anticipated to be more so in the coming year. Sustainable weddings are extended from food to flowers, decor to waste management, and everything in between. This is certainly a nice ‘trend’ to exercise.

The ebb and tide of trends are dynamic and can shape the overall evolution of any industry at large- be it fashion, wedding, or decor. What is in trend certainly does not direct the way you should be planning your wedding, but it surely gives you a fresh wave of perspective on what you could be considering. 2020 comes with a whole bunch of amazing reasons for us to be excited for the year ahead when it comes to weddings. Are you excited? Because we sure are!

Why You Should Consider Filming Your Rehearsal Dinner

By now, it’s pretty standard to hire a talented videographer to capture your wedding and incorporate it into a gorgeous film. But, have you ever considered having a videographer there to film your rehearsal dinner too? This is an add-on option that is quickly growing in popularity here at byDesign! Here are a few reasons you might want to consider adding a rehearsal dinner film to your package:

Candid Moments

Because the rehearsal dinner is less structured and hectic than your wedding day, it’s a great opportunity to capture candid moments between loved ones. All of the important people in your lives will be there, including your wedding party and closest family. It’s the perfect chance for everyone to get to one another ahead of the big day, and you will really value getting to look back at some of those moments.

Important Speeches

Oftentimes, the rehearsal dinner is when some of the best speeches come out. It’s a more casual event, and your guests probably will feel more comfortable opening up in front of a smaller group of people. Think funny memories, loving sentiments, and all sorts of future well-wishes. Having the ability to watch these back at a later time will be absolutely invaluable.

Pre-Wedding Bliss

The Rehearsal Dinner is “the calm before the storm.” There are few opportunities to document this incredible moment, when everything is suspended in pre-marital bliss. Everything has already been planned, you’re surrounded by loved ones, and everyone is giddy with excitement for the upcoming nuptials.

How To Choose A Great Wedding Videographer

Not all videographers are created equal, and of course it’s essential that you choose the best one for your wedding day! Follow these 5 steps to hire an experienced professional to capture your wedding day on film.

1. Make It A Priority

For some reason, videography doesn’t seem to be at the top of everyone’s priority list when booking wedding vendors. But as couples start to realize the value in watching their big day back on film for years to come, top videographers are booking years in advance. So in order to land a talented videographer, make it a priority, right up there with booking a photographer and venue!

2. Browse Local Videos

Resources like The Knot and WeddingWire are great for finding local videographers. Also, don’t be afraid to check out local wedding blogs for great examples, or browse Vimeo for inspiration. You may even be able to find a film from your venue, which is a great opportunity for you to picture your day.

3. Read Reviews

The best way to gain insight into what it will be like to work with a videographer on your wedding day, is to read the reviews from others! Again, The Knot and WeddingWire are great places to look, but also reference Facebook, Google, or even Yelp! Look for detailed reviews that mention how it was coordinating together before the wedding, interacting on the wedding day, and accomodations post-wedding.

4. Ask Questions

Do NOT be afraid to ask your videographer tons of questions! These are some of our favorites!

5. Choose Someone Who Matches Your Style

Most importantly, the best videographer will create films that you absolutely love. When you’re watching different videos, try to pick up on things such as music, audio quality, video quality, and transitions. Jot down notes about what you like (and don’t like) as you watch!

10 Moments You’ll Definitely Want To Include On Your Must-Have Shot List

When you hire a videographer to film your wedding, it’s helpful to clue them into the aspects of your day that are most important to you to make your film exactly everything you’ve dreamed of! These are some of the most essential moments to include on your “must-haves” list, and the best way to relay them to your videography team!

Getting Ready – Guys AND Gals

The time spent getting ready on your big day is arguably favorite. It’s the “calm before the storm,” when everyone is relaxed and brimming with anticipation for the events to come. Make sure to ask your videographer about your timeline or adding a second shooter – that way they can capture BOTH parties in pre-wedding mode. It’s one of the only times you spend apart on your wedding day, and you will treasure watching the love of your life get ready for the big moment!

Details

Chances are, you spent months and months planning your wedding to make sure every detail was perfect – from the escort cards to the favors guests took home. Be sure to cue your videography team into any extra-special details, but don’t be afraid to include the usual stuff too! Create a little box with a copy of your invitation suite and let them know you’d love shots of your engagement ring, the custom champagne flutes, etc.

Aerial Footage Of Your Venue

If it’s permitted at your venue to capture aerial footage, this can be one of the most stunning and theatric moments of your wedding film. Seeing your venue from an aerial perspective is so special and the most dramatic way to take the memories of your day to the next level!

First Look

Whether you are doing a “first look” or seeing each other for the first time as you walk down the aisle, you’ll want to capture all of the romantic feels! This is another time when a second shooter comes in handy because they can capture both of your facial expressions. And don’t forget any other “first looks” throughout the day – consider your bridesmaids, father of the bride, siblings, etc. The looks of surprise and love are something you’ll definitely treasure.

Vows

It doesn’t matter if you wrote your own or are using traditional vows, you’ll want them captured on film! Give your team a heads up so they know the general timeline of your ceremony and whether your vows will be personalized or not so they can best capture them.

First Kiss As A Married Couple!

How could we leave out the first kiss? This may seem like an obvious one, but consider the moments surrounding the kiss. Do you want your film to feature “I now pronounce you…” Are you going to stop at the end of the aisle for a fun dip or fist pump?

Toasts

Believe it or not, the order of events during different wedding receptions varies a LOT! The more detailed your timeline is, the more likely it is that your filming team will be able to record every important moment. Providing a detailed list of who’s speaking when is extremely helpful!

First Dance

Your first dance with your new spouse, parent dances, and any other features dances are essential parts of any wedding film. Planning a surprise choreographed dance? Don’t let it be a surprise to your videographer!

Breaking Down The Dance Floor

Speaking of dancing, make sure your filmer knows to get out there on the dance floor. It’s where your guests will be letting loose and having a great time – so you’ll love all the different expressions they will capture!

Anything Totally Unique To Your Day

Are you doing a meaningful cultural tradition on your wedding day? Do you have custom details that took hours and hours to coordinate? Are you surprising everyone with a burger delivery at the end of the night? The more information your videography team has, the better footage they can get to create a truly holistic vision of your day!

Most Importantly…

Don’t Forget The Candid Moments!

The candid moments throughout your wedding day WILL be your favorite – trust us! If there are people you especially want candid shots of, don’t be afraid to provide pictures ahead of time. But for the most part, this is where you let your filmers do their thing. They are experienced professionals who’ve done this a time or two and know what to look for. Put your trust in them to create an incredible cinematic representation of your day.

4 Secrets From A Wedding Videography Team

As a nationwide wedding cinematography company, we have filmed hundreds of weddings over the years. After all of the laughs, tears, and lots and lots of tulle, we’re finally ready to share some of the secrets we’ve collected along the way.

1. We want you to give us your must-have list

When you hire byDesign to capture your wedding day, your personal Project Coordinator will share some films with you and ask you to explain what you like or don’t like. We want you to be honest and detailed! Everyone has a different style, so the more information you give us, the better we can make your film! Be sure to include the types of shots you want, the editing vibe that speaks to you (romantic, fun, etc.), and the music you love! In addition, don’t forget to list things that are important to your specific event. Are you really close with your grandmother? Are your bridesmaids doing a choreographed dance? Is there a specific part of your vows you want to hear in your highlight? No detail is too much when it comes to planning your wedding film!

2. But we also love when you give us some creative freedom

We LOVE what we do, and we’re pretty good at it too! You can trust that we will grab the extra shots that will memorialize your wedding day into a fully cinematic film. When couples are open to suggestions and ideas and thinking outside the box with us, that’s when we get the most authentic, fun, and unique footage. So don’t be afraid to try something new!

3. It’s essential to set reasonable expectations

Every single couple and wedding day is totally unique. While it’s great to watch other films to get a general idea of what you like and don’t like, don’t expect that your film will look exactly like someone else’s! Keep in mind that they may have different vendors, may have purchased a different film collection, and every detail will vary (which is what makes your day unique!) The best part is that you will love your wedding film more than any others because it highlights your family and friends, includes all of the moments you so meticulously planned, and features you as the star!

4. We love watching your films as much as you do!

Once your wedding film is complete, everyone on your bDF team watches it and revels in the beauty of the day. We tear up while you say your vows, we laugh during the garter toss, and we finish it feeling so grateful that we get to work with incredible clients like you!