A Wedding in a Warehouse?

Looking for a unique location for a wedding?  Our partners at Imagine It Photography shot Liza and Josh's big day at the Ariel International Center.

According to the official website, "The Ariel International Center, is a historic 68,000 square foot building, located on 3 acres, overseeing the Lake and the Cleveland skyline."

Stephanie Uptmor at Imagine It said, "it is full of vintage details and has a rustic feel while still having killer views of downtown Cleveland!"

It's hard to believe that something as beautiful as this is inside of this old building (below) that all of us have seen while driving I-90!

You've got to see this wedding...

A few weeks ago we mentioned a couple that was going to get married at, of all places, a camp!  Well, let me tell you, when we drove into that camp to film the wedding, not knowing what to expect, Beth and I were simply stunned by the beauty of the setting.

Here are just a few photos from our partners at Imagine It Photography.

For more photos click here.

Tomorrow we'll post a few short clips we filmed on this simply dazzling day.

Photographers, Couple, Servants

So, the other day we mentioned in the blog about the 5 Love Languages.  So, this past Saturday evening, at Dan & Lauren's wedding, I saw this in a very humble and honoring way.

I've seen it before, but again it reminded me of their kindness.

John & Stephanie Uptmor.

Two amazing photographers.

A darling couple.

Two people with hearts the size of Texas. 

Throughout the night, while the two of them are doing what they do, taking pictures, hustling, arranging people, sweating in the heat,  they are always serving others.  

I saw this as we had taken a little dinner break, and all of us vendors were sitting there eating.  A couple of the guys were talking about frustrations with their daytime jobs.  John, having worked in the same field, proceeded to tell them about some good job openings and how to get an in with the company.  I mean, he didn't have to do that, didn't have to care....but he does.  This is just, it seems to me, John's normal.  It's really honorable and honoring.

I was also the receipent of such kindness as I asked Stephanie if she had an aspirin for my raging headache that night.  John became my hero as he quickly got up and bought me some.  

I mean...really?!

He didn't have to, but he just did.  He probably would have rather rested his feet for a bit, but he didn't.  He served.

On top of it all, Stephanie and John are also always building up others with their words.  It's genuine.  That's just who they are.  

Truly thankful for these two and the kindness that exudes from them!  

Get to know them more and see their work at Imagine It Photography!

The Key to Marital Bliss: The Ohio State Buckeyes?!

If there is one key to marital bliss, what would it be?

We're not sure, but a key to wedding day bliss for Ohio State graduates has got to be to have The Ohio State Alumni Band play at your reception!

We had the privilege of filming Lauren and Dan's wedding this past Saturday.  We enjoyed being a part of many firsts for us that day, like seeing our first ketubah ceremony, our first wedding under a chuppah,  but certainly the most exuberant part of that lovely day was seeing the crowd quite literally go nuts dancing and singing along with The Ohio State Alumni band.

Lauren and Dan met at Ohio State and brought their love for the Buckeyes to full form to celebrate their union.  Here's a small clip of the fun!
Goodman clip 1 from For Real Wedding Films on Vimeo.

Getting married in a mansion in Cleveland

Did you ever dream of getting married at a castle, a palace, or a mansion?

Well, the Western Reserve Historical Society is pretty darn close.

When I heard we would be filming a wedding there, my first thought was: Isn't that the place with the car museum?

Indeed it is, but I had no idea that they also had this amazing courtyard perfect for a pristine, intimate, yet royal wedding.

The Western Reserve Historical Society is actually housed in an Italian-renaissance style mansion built in 1911.

For Alex and Sloane's wedding, the bride and her bridesmaids get themselves ready in the old library, adorned with books, and thick wood-paneled doors.  They exited into the former main hallway, past sweeping stairways and a stone fireplace, and then out the double doors, graced with wrought iron gates to reveal the former gardens.  There the wedding guests awaited on white wooden chairs while a harpist played.

You don't need to go to Europe for any of this.  It's right here, near University Circle in Cleveland.

Take a look below to see a short segment of Alex and Sloane's wedding and the beautiful Western Reserve Historical Society mansion.


Cammock clip from For Real Wedding Films on Vimeo.

Need to save money on your wedding? Try a brunch reception!

So we got married young...at least according to my in-laws (They were in their 30's). Kurt and I had just graduated from college and being oh so crazy, got engaged our senior year and married the following winter.  

Winter?!  

Who gets married a week before Christmas?  

We crazy birds did!

(My poor mother who had to take care of all the out of town company right before a major holiday...and we had no concern of this as we were blissfully happy away on our honeymoon)

Ignorance can be bliss!

Anywho, one of the best pieces of being married right before Christmas was that the church was gloriously decorated.  We had no flowers to purchase, no decorations needed.  Poinsettas filled the sanctuary with beauty and regalness.

So, simple.

So beautiful.

So free.  :)

I just came across a blog that shared how the bride wanted a wedding brunch (including this cinnamon roll-flavored wedding cake-delish!).  I love the idea.  Again...

simple.

Beautiful.

A lot cheaper than a 3 course dinner meal.  

So, if you're trying to figure out how to cut costs, check out this idea as well as a number of ideas off this other fun blog (or this one), all about doing a wedding on a shoe string budget.

The Flavor of a Wedding

Each wedding has a flavor.

One wedding that had a unique flavor was the wedding of Russ and Kathleen.

They married in a picturesque small town in Indiana.  It was so much fun to wed the feel of this tiny, American railroad town with the sacredness of the church and the detailed beauty of Kathleen's wedding dress.  That, coupled with sweet moment of Russ and Kathleen with their moms, made for such a touching wedding film intro.

Enjoy.


The Flavor of a Wedding from For Real Wedding Films on Vimeo.

Are you planning a wedding? Step away from the ledge

Fear

Anxiety

Stress

Overwhelmed

Exhaustion

Congratulations!  You're getting married!

Ha!  Oddly enough, many brides planning their weddings know the dichotomy of the above list.  

Take some advice from a photographer that we know from a wedding vendor forum.  She writes:

I spent the last week up until my last bride's wedding sending her daily text messages reminding her to take a deep breath and have a glass of wine.  

She was one second away from epic melt down so I played therapist/wedding planner/best friend/photographer hats the whole time.   

I sent her little notes like: 

"this is your daily off-the-ledge text message.  You hired professionals.  All you have to do is show up and let us handle it.  Now, go have a glass of wine and pet your dog."

-Claire Goodfriend from c. goodfriend photography

Good advice.  :)