When I came across this photo, I couldn't believe what I was seeing!  This was not our wedding so I don't know all of the details.  (A special thanks to Jennifer Woodbury for letting me use the photo for learning purposes.)  

It appears that the gentleman holding the tripod in front of the bride and groom is a friend of the family. He might have even volunteered to film the wedding ceremony for the couple.  How great, right!  It saves lots of money and gives him a job.  I get that.  I don't agree, but I get it.  But obviously we have an issue.  A professional videographer would NEVER, EVER be so obtrusive.  

This photo actually makes me a little irritated because so often brides tell us that the reason that they don't want video is because they don't want a camera in their face all day.  We don't work that way.  We try to be as unobtrusive as we possibly can.  A professional would know how to get the shots without being in the way.  Professionals are also held to a higher standard.  Churches place restrictions on us so that this doesn't happen (not that we would ever do this); they can't control what guests do.  Thus the reason that we have this example of a bad situation.  

Not only did he ruin the photographer's shot, but what did they guests see during this pivotal moment of the ceremony vows?  So you save a little money, but yet it costs you in other ways.  

I want to use this photo to help brides understand that it doesn't have to be this way.  There are ways to get an amazing shot without being in the way.  A professional videographer will be able to do this without you noticing that they are even around.  This is what it looks like when you hire a professional videographer.  This photo of the wedding ceremony came from David Shirk with Unplugged Photography.  Do you see our cameras?  We actually had 4. I don't even see one of ours.

My advice would just be to let your friends and family enjoy your wedding day and hire a professional videographer.  In almost 10 years of business, we have NEVER had someone regret having a video, only not having one.  Your wedding day will go by so fast (everyone says this because it is true); a professional wedding video will be something that you will treasure for years.  

Never having seen the reality show, "Sweet Home Alabama", I didn't quite know what to expect for our October wedding that was to be located in the same place as they filmed the show. But I have to say, it was a beautiful area and the owners of Dorgan's Inn (Fairhope, AL) were absolutely lovely!  It was an amazing destination wedding weekend for Alana and Matt.  

Michael has a smile that makes you want to smile. Beautiful Heather has this way that she looks at her groom.  Their love is just contagious!  It really was a picture perfect day at the American Village.  It wasn't too cold, wasn't too hot, it was just right for a magical wedding.  And Michael gets the award for BEST REACTION EVER TO HIS BRIDE WALKING DOWN THE AISLE!!

I would say that it was an all-star team on their wedding; we were just so happy to be included in with everyone!  It never gets old when a couple chooses us to share in their wedding day. With a romantic ceremony in the chapel and a fun barn reception, it was a day that this couple (and their families) will always treasure.  

Enjoy their wedding highlights below!   

Wedding Vendors:

Anita Kanellis - AK Brides

Brandon and Stacy Gresham - Gresham Photography

Design Productions

Lillie's Flowers

Black Jacket (band)

Ivory & White

Mr. Burch Formal Wear

Olexa's Cakes and Catering

Kathy G Catering

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Angela S. Deaver | Main Street Productions | Birmingham Wedding Videos

   205-669-1421 | 205-612-9574
   www.mainstreetav.com

"It’s a beginning and an ending, it’s glorious and sad, and it’s intimate and public.  In your lifetime there will be few milestones that will change the course of your future more than your wedding day. Main Street Productions understands and believes in the emotions of life. We bring these emotions to our art and look forward to presenting you a glimpse into your own past." - John Deaver, Main Street Productions 

 

How lucky are we that such a dear friend in the wedding industry, Katie Calhan, referred us when her bestie was getting married!  We just love Savannah and her family (and of course Seth too)!! So we are excited to share their wedding day highlights.

Ceremony - Shades Mountain Baptist Church

Reception - Avon Theatre (Go Pro Events)

DJ - Carlos with Total Entertainment

Photography - David Boyd Photography

Cake - Baby Bites by Pastry Arts

Hair/Makeup - Joyce's Salon

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Angela S. Deaver | Main Street Productions | Birmingham Wedding Videos

   205-669-1421 | 205-612-9574
   www.mainstreetav.com

"It’s a beginning and an ending, it’s glorious and sad, and it’s intimate and public.  In your lifetime there will be few milestones that will change the course of your future more than your wedding day. Main Street Productions understands and believes in the emotions of life. We bring these emotions to our art and look forward to presenting you a glimpse into your own past." - John Deaver, Main Street Productions 

 

Confessions of a Wedding Junkie!

Did you love our widely popular "Insider's Tips?"  Do you just crave everything "wedding?"  Is your Pinterest board covered with tons of wedding-related ideas?  If you answered YES to any of these questions, this is something for you!

In this new web series, we are taking a behind the scenes look at everything in the wedding industry.  From talking with actual brides about their wedding details to chatting with some of the industry's best professionals, we will be providing real conversations in a casual atmosphere (and maybe with a glass of wine).  Did I mention that we are streaming this event LIVE!!!

In session 1, we will visit with Sara Sanderson (one of our past brides) as she chats with her friend and newlywed, Erin Richardson. Rachel Whitaker (a bride to be) joins them for a different perspective on the planning process.  Listen to these ladies as they talk candidly about their wedding!  

We will chat with some of the great service providers in the wedding industry in session 2.  Jerrod Brown, Anita Kanellis and Geoff Carlisle are just a few wedding professionals that consistently go over and beyond for their customers.  Learn what they do to make them different.  

We are in the process of scheduling more sessions so let us know if you have ideas of things you want to hear about or even want to participate!  

The first session begins at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 24, with session 2 starting around 7:00 p.m.  Tune into Main Street's Live Streaming page to watch! 

This emailed is being shared so that you will have an idea of why video is something that you MUST include with your wedding.  

"We justttttt finished it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

I'm not sure if the perfect words will ever come to mind to describe what I just saw.  What came to mind besides perfect, wonderful, hysterical, amazing and beautiful was it is the perfect Romantic Comedy I have and ever will see in my entire life.  [I'm talking something just topped My Best Friend's Wedding, which has been my go to, most favorite movie since the 5th grade.]  It is something I want to watch everyday until I memorize every word and I wish there was no ending.  There were words (and dance moves) I will never forget.  There were things I never saw or heard that I'm so glad to have forever.  My perfect story has a great beginning and a happy ending and now it is in video form featuring Wilson and I.  

You captured every moment I hoped would be captured and more moments that I forgot or was not able to see.  

I truly don't know how to thank you and John.  What y'all do is stunning and a true talent given from God.  What a blessing it is and will be to Wilson and I.  Thank you for your hardwork, your diligence and your gift.  

And in closing:

"My name Alana, I'm six and I'm a BEAUTY QUEEN!!!!!!!!"  I gotta have money to do my pageantsssssss.  A DOLLA MAKE ME HOLLA HONEY BOO BOO!!!!!!!!!!!!"

PERFECT, ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!! i LOVED it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't think we will have to rent or go to movies for quite sometime, poor Wilson!  

Seriously, I'm shaking it was so great. 

THANKK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Now, if you want to see her wedding highlights, click here.  Although it is not included in the highlights, the actual video does have a side by side comparison of Grace's fav TV star, Honey Boo Boo.  She had the impression down to a science!  

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Angela S. Deaver | Main Street Productions | Birmingham Wedding Videos

   205-669-1421 | 205-612-9574
   www.mainstreetav.com

"It’s a beginning and an ending, it’s glorious and sad, and it’s intimate and public.  In your lifetime there will be few milestones that will change the course of your future more than your wedding day. Main Street Productions understands and believes in the emotions of life. We bring these emotions to our art and look forward to presenting you a glimpse into your own past." - John Deaver, Main Street Productions 

 

We are pretty lucky that we have such great couples at Main Street.  They are great and their families are usually great too!  But it will take a lot to top this couple.  Miss Sara (who knows everyone in the city of Birmingham it seems) and her beau, Drew were married in a romantic ceremony at Double Oak Community Church.  With almost 500 guests, it is easy to see the number of people this couple impacted.  The Club was the reception location and was flawless as usual.

We were able to work with an outstanding photographer, Alyson with Eternal Reflections by Alyson. She was so much fun and the photos turned out amazing!   Check them out here.

We love wedding planners!  How could you not?? They keep the day running smoothly and efficiently, they look out for you throughout the day, and they generally make the day better.  As much as we love planners, we love planner extraordinaire, Beverly Andrews with Engaging Celebrations!  So our course with her in charge the day was almost easy. Almost. Ha! Geoff and Lamar with JAMM Entertainment were both in attendance as DJs for Sara and Drew's reception.  They had everyone dancing and having a great time, which makes the footage look so fun!

The only thing that went wrong the whole day was Sara's lipstick kept staining Drew's lips and cheeks!!! 

Other vendors involved:

The Something Blue Shoppe

Bridesmaid’s Inc.

Brides & Bow Ties

BBJ Linen

Vintage Auto Chauffer

Mr. Burch

Porcelain & Pink and Morgan Ashley Studio Salon

We are so excited to share the highlight film from Sara and Drew's wedding!

Angela S. Deaver | Main Street Productions | Birmingham Wedding Videos

205-669-1421 | 205-612-9574

www.mainstreetav.com

"It’s a beginning and an ending, it’s glorious and sad, and it’s intimate and public.  In your lifetime there will be few milestones that will change the course of your future more than your wedding day. Main Street Productions understands and believes in the emotions of life. We bring these emotions to our art and look forward to presenting you a glimpse into your own past." - John Deaver, Main Street Productions 

Everyone is always asking what are the new trends within the wedding videography industry.  And that is really such a hard question to answer.  They don't want to know about the amazing new cameras that have come out in the past year or a technique that makes it easier to create fabulous footage. They want something that not everyone is doing.  Something that will make their wedding different than all of the other's that they have gone to this year.  For instance a few years ago we saw the emergence of Same Day Edits.  Way cool - high impact.  And I guess I would say that it is a trend to watch as they still are moving and powerful, but yet, you don't see them every weekend.  

But I thought of another wedding trend to tell people about.  Live Streaming a wedding ceremony.  We have only done it a handful of times, but it is perfect if you have family or friends that are not going to be able to make it to your wedding.  We just send you a link to where the video will be broadcasted and determine a time that we will be "on air" and all you have to do is let your friends and family know about it.  Simple. Everyone's happy.  

Here is a wedding that we did the other weekend for live stream.  We only did a one camera setup for this one, but obviously for her entire wedding video, we will edit together all three camera angles.  I should say that all of the venue's restrictions on camera placement will still be followed.  Of course, when we are working with just one camea angle, you will see more movement then on a traditional edit.  And at the end of the day, this bride was able to include her friends and family in such a special day.  PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A LONG CLIP.  TO WATCH IT UNINTERRUPTED, PAUSE AND LET IT LOAD BEFORE YOU TRY TO WATCH IT.

DiPaolo live streaming from Main Street Productions on Vimeo.

Angela S. Deaver | Main Street Productions | Birmingham Wedding Videos

   205-669-1421 | 205-612-9574
   www.mainstreetav.com

"It’s a beginning and an ending, it’s glorious and sad, and it’s intimate and public.  In your lifetime there will be few milestones that will change the course of your future more than your wedding day. Main Street Productions understands and believes in the emotions of life. We bring these emotions to our art and look forward to presenting you a glimpse into your own past." - John Deaver, Main Street Productions 

 

How could you not love this couple?  From Grace's sweet demeanor to Wilson's handsome grin, they are a wonderful couple.  AND Grace does an AMAZING impression of Honey Boo Boo!!!!  It says so much about her personality that she had so many wonderful bridesmaids that traveled far and wide to be in her wedding.  

A terrific team was in place for their wedding, despite the torrential downpour throughout the wedding day.  Jerrod Brown (and Frank Allen) of Jerrod Brown Studios were snapping up a storm, Beverly Andrews of Engaging Celebrations was trying to keep us all in line.  It really is a difficult job sometimes.  The rehearsal dinner, held at Wynlakes Golf and Country Club, was beautifully decorated by Carol Riley with Lillie's.  

Enjoy this highlight video from their wedding!

Angela S. Deaver | Main Street Productions | Birmingham Wedding Videos

   205-669-1421 | 205-612-9574
   www.mainstreetav.com

"It’s a beginning and an ending, it’s glorious and sad, and it’s intimate and public.  In your lifetime there will be few milestones that will change the course of your future more than your wedding day. Main Street Productions understands and believes in the emotions of life. We bring these emotions to our art and look forward to presenting you a glimpse into your own past." - John Deaver, Main Street Productions 

 

Sure we do a lot of weddings around here at Main Street Productions.  Some are romantic, some are fun, some are just crazy!  That was Celena and Brian's wedding.  They were both so relaxed and they loved the camera. It almost made the day easy!  Super wonderful and sweet Allison (plus Anna) with Allison Lewis Photography made the day even better!  And of course we always love to be at Rosewood with Renee and her staff.

We came across the clip while editing the video and died laughing.  A little background to set up the clip.  The wedding ceremony site at Rosewood is beautiful and I love to capture unique views with unmanned cameras.  It is customary at Rosewood that as soon as the ceremony ends, the couple goes straight to cut the cake.  So of course we follow quickly, not concerned about stopping the unmanned cameras.  Well it sometimes take a little bit to be able to get back out to collect your gear.  Apparently during our absence the mischievous groomsmen hijacked our camera and this is what we found.  Hilarious!!!  I love the 'stach...

Angela S. Deaver | Main Street Productions | Birmingham Wedding Videos

   205-669-1421 | 205-612-9574
   www.mainstreetav.com

"It’s a beginning and an ending, it’s glorious and sad, and it’s intimate and public.  In your lifetime there will be few milestones that will change the course of your future more than your wedding day. Main Street Productions understands and believes in the emotions of life. We bring these emotions to our art and look forward to presenting you a glimpse into your own past." - John Deaver, Main Street Productions