Urizar Wedding

I was really looking forward to tape Crissa and Oscar's Wedding. I have known Crissa from taping her sister's wedding and her sister's friend's wedding, so I was really grateful and excited that she had approached us to tape her wedding too.

I love how her wedding was very untraditional, unique and fun. This was my first time being at a vineyard and being at Park Farm Winery. It was so breathtaking. And as usual, Joan Ney, the wedding coordinator, blew my mind away with her magic touch. There were so much details in this wedding, each decor had its own unique meaning. She was extremely dedicated to her job, I wasn't even sure if she sat down and ate her dinner, as she was always on her feet making sure everything ran fine. I really adore her dedication and talent. She really is one of a kind.

We also enjoyed the opportunity to work with Paul and Nicole from Catchlight Imaging. They happened to be friends of my ex-colleague. I love their pictures - extraordinary! Every now and then, we were lucky to run into photographers who too respect the work of videographers :).

It was such a beautiful day for Crissa and Oscar's outdoor wedding. You could tell that everyone really enjoyed themselves and was having lots of fun, even though it was hot. I always tell people that when I do video shoots, I always feel like I know these people, partly because I have an upclose and personal view. Just like when you watched your favorite TV show and you happened to run into the star of the show on the street. There are weddings where you can feel that there was more passion and connection between the couple and their families. This was one of those weddings. Crissa and Oscar were so in love, I think people who were there felt that. And their families were very close and supportive. I felt really happy to be around them and to be capturing the most important day of their lives.

At some point, I was very disappointed with myself when I was caught off guard with a brief attack of heat exhaustion. I was very concerned if I was able to last through the whole wedding. I was also very thankful that my new assistant, Nick, was there to help me out with all the heavy equipment. I have never seen anyone work so hard and have such great work attitude. I was not even intending to hire an assistant for this wedding, but I was really glad I did. I really did not think anyone would exceed my expectations, but he did.

Thank you, Crissa and Oscar, for having us at your wedding!

Martin Wedding Highlight Video

I love doing weddings in Cedar Falls where I don't even need to print a map to know where I am going. I don't really mind the 1.5 hour drive. I was very hyped and inspired to shoot this wedding after watching the Tony Romo wedding video. It gives me some new ideas to try out and to improve. I can tell you that every wedding I shoot, I do get nervous. I see it as a good thing because I care a lot about weddings. I can't help it, it is a live event and I need to get it right the first time. My goal is always to exceed a bride's expectations, to capture the details that she was too overwhelmed to notice. I wanted someone to watch my video and say "wow". I feel like I am still getting there but I know I will get there.

This wedding has so much beautiful details that I wish I had more time to capture. First of all, my assistant arrived half an hour late, I almost felt that I was better off if he didn't show up. Hence, I was in such a rush setting up all the cameras, talking about the standing positions and lighting with the wedding coordinator and capturing some details around the church... all in one hour!

I love, love, love Samantha's entrance at the ceremony. The music, her coming down the stairs... The Heartland Vineyard Church is indeed a beautiful church, with a great sound system and nice theater seating. The people are absolutely wonderful and very helpful.

And I love doing weddings at Pipac Park Place Event Center too. It's probably the most beautiful location for a reception in Cedar Falls. And Joan Ney did a great job with the decorations at both the church and the reception. I am always excited to shoot a wedding when she is the coordinator. I haven't seen anyone else with such talent, putting together such a beautiful and elegant wedding. I am excited to shoot another of her wedding coming up in just 2 weeks!

For some reasons, I always run into some friends when I shoot weddings in Cedar Falls. Like the whole 6 degrees from Kevin Bacon. By the way, I swear I am 2 or 3 degrees from him.

Weddings are stressful to me because I want to do a very good job. I am very attached to the weddings I do. I can't help crying after listening to the vows and the speeches. But it is an amazing feeling to be able to work with and be surrounded by such wonderful people. That is why I'm still doing them.

I was actually upset while driving home from shooting this wedding. I thought I had found THE assistant to help me out on shoots. I have been trying out several but none had worked out. This assistant might have good technical skills but not only was he late (contract stated punctuality is very important), he had some attitude issues and was not enthusiastic to perform. It's really hard to shoot a wedding video and hold someone's hand at the same time. I understand most people work for the money, but it is important to love what you do because your work shows. I am a picky employer, I have no doubt about that. But anyone who has seen my work would know that I put a lot of heart into it. I just do not settle for low quality or bad attitude, it would be wasting my client's time and money if their shots are unuseable. I haven't been using assistants for that long, in fact I have done weddings by myself for many years. I think it's time I run a one-woman show again.

Esau Wedding Highlight Video

It was forecasted to rain on June 25, 2011. I even got rain covers ready for my equipment. But strangely enough, there was no sign of rain and it turned out to be a perfect day for the Esau Wedding.
The wedding took place at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Guthrie Center, IA. It was a very small church and camera placement was very limited. Cara was looked simply radiant in her dress. It was an emotional day seeing the father of the bride teared up. Brandon occasionally couldn't hold it in as well. There were some laughs at the ceremony, with the pastor describing how he received a LONG detailed email of the wedding schedule and him dropping the rings right before handing them to the couple, it made the ceremony an unforgettable one. It was a "Wild Weddings" moment.
Cara and Brandon then took off in an unique double decker bus, which I have never seen before in Iowa. We arrived at the Lake Panorama Conference Center and the inside just took my breath away. What beautiful decor - the lanterns, the flowers, the name cards, the cake... everything in great details. Due to the tight schedule, I managed to sneak them out of the reception hall to do some private shoots. They were really great to work with, very organized, flexible and understanding. You know they are people who treasure relationships when you see the room filled with their friends and families who have traveled far from all over the States to attend their wedding. I was happy to be apart of it. Thanks Cara and Brandon!

Rosenberger Wedding

It was a rainy afternoon but a beautiful wedding took place at the Walnut Hills Methodist Church. Right when the ceremony started, sunlight started to peek through the windows. Mallory was such a beautiful bride. As you could see, she looked so radiant.

This was the first time I saw the pouring of sand - a unique personalized custom, with a little bit of laughter when the sand was not cooperating.

The reception took place at the Stone Creek Inn where we barely got some natural lighting shots before it got dark.Thanks Mallory and Jerry for having us for your wedding.

Betlach Wedding - Trailer video

Betlach Wedding - Highlight Video

Betlach Wedding - End Credits

Schmidt Wedding

Movie Trailer Video

It was a warm and humid day but there was no rain as predicted. I was really happy to be part of the Schmidt wedding. They had a beautiful wedding. I must say I love their selection of bold and unique colors.

End Credits Video

I thought the Michael Buble song went well with their love story. The song might be overplayed on the radio, but hey, it's a good song.


Highlights Video

The meeting

Here's just a clip from the main wedding video where the bride and groom saw each other on their wedding day.

Cinematic Wedding Videography

Perpetual Bliss is offering couples cinematic wedding videography at $1,500 (plus 6% sales tax) for all day unlimited hours. We have recently acquired some new equipment and getting ready to build some new portfolios for 2011. This offer is applicable for weddings taking place in 2010.

It includes HD video recording (film look and widescreen 16:9), with the usage of steadicam. Video will be edited with enhanced colors, animated intros and music. It will be a 2-camera coverage for the ceremony and reception (with 1 unmanned camera). Wireless mics will be used on the groom and officiant (if permitted) during the ceremony. Package also includes End credits, Highlight video and Trailer video. The couple will receive in 5 DVD sets (converted to standard definition) with DVD authoring, custom designed menu, labels and covers.