Melovee & Joe’s wedding at Kluge Estate Winery & Vineyard was very special for most all of us who played a part.  Joe and Melovee own Blue Ridge Light Forms so we’ve all known them as colleagues for years. Having the opportunity to participate in their big day was a real privilege and today I am so happy that I can show you just a glimpse of the day through the lens of Brad Bennett’s video camera. Thanks, Brad… beautiful work!

Contact info. for Brad Bennett of Shaking Hands Productions:
~ e-mail: shakinghandspro@gmail.com
~ phone: 434-258-1212
~ website: www.shakinghandspro.com

Additional Vendors:
~ planner: Easton Events
~ photography: Jack Looney Photography
~ lighting: Blue Ridge Light Forms

I know you’re going to enjoy this sweet little video of highlights from Josh Gooden of Maura and Matt’s early May wedding at the University of Virginia Chapel (ceremony) and – Farmington Country Club (reception) set to Michael Bublé music.  I especially love the funny and love-filled toasts from family and friends about half-way through, there’s just something very special about having these heartfelt expressions captured for all time on video. I bet their kids will get a good laugh someday too!

Contact Information for Josh Gooden Cinematography:
~ website: www.joshgooden.com
~ blog: http://joshgooden.com/blog
~ phone: 540-405-9532
~ e-mail: info@joshgooden.com

Summer & Jim were married at King Family Vineyards in late February and today I’m so happy to be able to share this little peek at their wedding weekend as filmed by the talented film-makers at United Wedding Productions.  Thanks to everyone who made Summer & Jim’s event so special!

Contact Information for United Wedding Productions:
~ website: www.unitedwedding.com
~ blog: http://unitedweddingblog.squarespace.com/
~ phone: 804-364-2033
~ e-mail: info@unitedwedding.com

Earlier this month I was contacted by Josh Gooden with a link to his wonderful 2009 wedding cinematography reel … it is my pleasure to share it with you today!

A word from Josh:

Our team of storytellers creates cinema style films that capture and preserve one of life’s most precious moments. The following reel features recent weddings and engagement sessions from the Shenandoah Valley. From seeing you walk down the aisle, to hearing your voices as you exchange vows and rings, hearing the toasts, and reliving all the memories of the reception, we capture the details that you will want to watch over and over again.

Wedding & Event Reel | 2009 from Josh Gooden on Vimeo.

Contact Information for Josh Gooden Cinematography:
~ website: www.joshgooden.com
~ blog: http://joshgooden.com/blog
~ phone: 540-405-9532
~ e-mail: info@joshgooden.com

This past August I had the honor of officiating at Lisa & Yen’s wonderful Veritas Vineyards & Winery wedding and the talented folks from United Wedding Productions were there to capture the day. When I saw this preview video posted on the Veritas website I got in touch with Martin at United Wedding right away to ask if I could also share it with my readers here on the blog… and so here it is… thanks, Martin!

Lisa and Yen’s Dream wedding at Veritas Vineyards in Charlottesville from United Wedding on Vimeo.

Contact Information for United Wedding Productions:
~ website: www.unitedwedding.com
~ phone: 804-364-2033
~ e-mail: info@unitedwedding.com

Now clearly this would not exactly fall under the category of “useful resource” but I love You Tube and I’d never seen anything quite like this ’til yesterday… it is a very well done trailer called

Rob & Lindsay’s Wedding Preview/Trailer

the creators obviously not only had a great time creating it but clearly know quite a bit about video production. I guarantee you will laugh out loud!
… at the very end of this 4 minute video there’s a little message that pops up that says, “Want a movie preview for your birthday, wedding or other special event? Contact LindsayNRoberts@yahoo.com.” Let me know if you do, or if you have!

Last month I had the pleasure of performing Adrienne & Jason’s ceremony at beautiful King Family Vineyard. It was a spectacular fall day and I was so pleased when I arrived at the Vineyard and discovered that Linda and Ran Henry of Blue Mountain Weddings would be photographing the event. As you can see from this small selection of photos, Ran and Linda did a wonderful job of capturing Adrienne & Jason’s beautiful autumn wedding. One of the unique features of this dynamic husband and wife team is that not only did they supply excellent photography services but Ran also provided his first-rate DJ services as well! Enjoy these fabulous pics:

Contact Information for Ran & Linda Henry of Blue Mountain Weddings:
~ website: www.bluemountainweddings.com
~ phone: 434-227-1253
~ e-mail: RanandLinda@bluemountainweddings.com

P.S. Blue Mountain Weddings also offers professional videography services and they can webcast your ceremony over the internet for friends and family who can’t be with you.

Yes, Tuesday! After all of the weddings I’ve done over the years at the Clifton Inn, I had no idea that there was a lake with a dock on the property… imagine my surprise . … and it made an absolutely idyllic backdrop for Jeffery and Lena’s beautiful little wedding this afternoon. All of their guests easily fit right on the dock with us and it made for such an intimate outdoor setting.

Two of the many special things about this wedding ceremony were the family sand ceremony that Jeffrey’s 3 beautiful children joined in to symbolize their participation in the forming of this beautiful new family… plus incorporating a Russian wedding tradition at the end of the ceremony where the newly married couple shares bread and salt with the guests signifying their good wishes for health and prosperity for their life together. Albemarle Baking Company, apparently followed Lena’s instructions to create an authentic loaf!

As with all weddings there are many wonderful and talented people that help make everything happen, including of course, Crystal at the Clifton Inn who helped Lena and Jeffrey plan their day. Additionally, Jennifer Myer played beautiful music for the ceremony, Jill Rose of Jillian’s Video Productions was there to videotape everything for all the friends and family that couldn’t be there today and Will Kerner was there to photograph every moment… there was a moment there when we were afraid he was going to fall in the water trying to get the best shot… hopefully he will share some of his photos of the day with me so that I can post them here in a day or two.

Thanks everyone… don’t we have the absolute best jobs in the world!?!?! And BIG Congratulations to Lena and Jeffrey… I wish you a lifetime of love!

Long life, health & prosperity!

About a month ago I had the pleasure of performing Heather and Morgan’s wedding ceremony at the University of Virginia Chapel. Later, they held their reception at beautiful Veritas Vineyard. You will find other posts I’ve written (with photos) about the UVA Chapel here and here and here (to name a few) as well as posts featuring Veritas Vineyards here and here and here. But this is the first time I’ve had the privilege of sharing the work of photographer Meredith Montague with you.

Meredith was a pleasure to work with and I am so pleased to be able to share this small selection of her beautiful work with you. Thanks Meredith!

Contact Info. for Meredith Montague Phototgraphy
~ phone: 434-981-9718
~ e-mail: weddings@meredithmontague.com
~ website: http://weddings.meredithmontague.com
~ blog: http://mermont.typepad.com

A couple of weeks ago I had my first experience of having one of my ceremonies webcast. The bride and groom each had a grandmother who, for a variety of reasons, could not attend their wedding and this service allowed both grandmothers to see the ceremony as it was happening… amazing!

Ran Henry of Blue Mountain Weddings has teamed of with Chris Munson of 20 South Productions to make this service available here in the Charlottesville area and I have to say, after my experience, that I think it’s a wonderful option for your wedding… especially when circumstances such as these (family members not able to attend) present themselves.

Blue Mountain Weddings also provides photography, videography and DJ services and 20 South Productions offers a wide variety of musical entertainment options for your wedding or other event. Both Chris Munson and Ran Henry are wonderful to speak with and to work with so if you have interest in any of their multitude of services I wouldn’t hesitate to give them a call.

CONTACT INFO.:
20 South Productions
~ phone for Chris Munson: 434-296-1600
~ e-mail: chris@20South.net
~ website: www.20south.net
Blue Mountain Weddings
~ phone for Ran Henry: 434-227-1253
~ e-mail: ranandlinda@bluemountainweddings.com
~ website: www.bluemountainweddings.com