When it comes to documenting your wedding day in a way that will last forever, there is no replacement for a talented videographer.  After you meet Michael and Shanna with Nostalgia Film, you will know exactly how awesome videography truly is.  You’ll be adding a videographer to your list of vendors in no time.

MEET MICHAEL & SHANNA:

What made you want to be involved with the DIY wedding industry?

Michael and I were planning our own wedding in 2010 when we started brainstorming one night about the idea for Nostalgia Film. He had been in the video/film industry his entire career and I had studied film and made my first Super 8 film in college. We were both seeking a little more creative fulfillment in our lives and careers… and really wanted to be able to collaborate. All of this intersected with the fact that while planning our own wedding, we found this niche for a new perspective on wedding videography that we thought really needed to be filled. We weren’t being inspired by what we found–we did the bridal expo and all of that–and nothing really spoke to us in terms of artistry and documentation of how we wanted to look back on our own wedding day.

What do you love most about being a wedding videographer?

I just told a guest at a wedding the other day, our job is awesome because we get to be a part of one of the happiest days of a couple’s life. The happiness and anticipation–the whole spectrum of emotions is such an incredible thing to be a part of. Plus, when we are shooting–especially film–it’s a very in-the-moment process which can be very joyful, spontaneous, and artistic, and at times meditative. The best moments to capture on film are those special things that happen in a split second–they way a couple looks at each other, the silly dances they do when they think no one is looking, the way the nervous groom sweeps up a giddy flower girl–those sweet moments that you have to be very aware and present to capture.

What did you do before becoming a videographer?

Michael’s been self-employed in video production for about 15 years, and still is. He has worked for many companies, including music festivals, Discovery Channel, Fox Sports, HBO, ESPN, and the Longhorn Network, and others. I have worked as a journalist and web designer/developer, and do web design/development and designs jewelry in addition to helping to run Nostalgia Film.

How would you describe your own wedding style?

We just wanted to throw a big, laid-back party for family and friends! We got married on the river out in the country and had a very creative, DIY wedding with little hints of Dia de los Muertos inspiration – papel picado, tres leches cake with sugar skulls, Mexican food. We made a lot–decorations, homebrew, ceremony accessories, jewelry, hair clips, I did my own flowers, including my bouquet with some help from gal pals the morning of the wedding over coffee, and I wrote the ceremony with help from Michael; a good friend officiated for us. We celebrated three days–we swam in the river, had a really good time! I have written a lot about DIY wedding advice and our wedding on our blog.

How would you describe your DIY skills?

Pretty fierce! For our wedding, I made hand-sewn pennant flags, hand-painted mason jars, sewed a ring-bearer pillow, made a card box, sculpted little items for our guest table, designed save-the-date postcards and programs, made a flower girl basket, made boutonnieres, and made jewelry and hair accessories for my bridesmaids, as well as doing all of our flowers with help from my girl friends. I already had an etsy shop, so making stuff was something I was really comfortable with. Michael painted signs, made a chalkboard, and brewed us some delicious home brew beer, which the guests really liked!

Do you publish your work on a blog?  If so, how often do you post new images?

We blog for Nostalgia Film’s Indie Bride Guide a couple times a month about real weddings; we post Super 8 films and videography, and we write about wedding planning and advice, and occasionally local film, events. We post some film photography, too. http://www.nostalgiafilm.com/blog/

I also blog a couple times a month at Craft Love Blog. http://www.socodivkadesigns.com/blog/

What social media channels do you frequent?  Facebook, twitter, pinterest, tumblr, something else?  

I’m kind of a social media fan:
http://www.facebook.com/NostalgiaFilm
@nostalgiafilm
http://pinterest.com/nostalgiafilm/
http://vimeo.com/nostalgiafilm
http://www.youtube.com/user/nostalgiafilmdotcom/videos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nostalgiafilm

Describe the best (or worst) wedding you’ve ever seen, and why was it the best (or worst)?  

Goodness, I really love every wedding we’ve shot! And I’ve really felt so lucky to meet every couple we’ve met. The kind of people who are drawn to film are awesome, creative people. We have been privy to some beautiful, heartfelt, and unique celebrations.

The only thing that I would ever say is just don’t try to be too ambitious! I definitely was with my own wedding (saying this as someone who had a three-day-DIY celebration), and I think sometimes that can detract from the couple’s enjoyment of their day. Sometimes the simple and scaled back is just as meaningful and amazing as any large-scale production.

MORE ABOUT NOSTALGIA FILM:

Did you start your business from scratch?

We did, just Michael and I in 2010, and we’ve been flying by the seat of our pants and learning a whole lot ever since.

What is your philosophy for ensuring a happy customer?

Lots of communication! We want to make sure we come up with the best possible package for a couple’s wedding–whether it’s film, video, or both. We’re always available by e-mail and phone throughout the planning and time leading up to the wedding. And we really like to get to know our clients, who they are–that factors in to how we shoot and edit. We like to go above and beyond, too, sometimes doing more than promised, just to make sure our couples get the best possible film… we want it to be a family heirloom that they’ll watch again and again.

How do you get to know the couple before the wedding?

Ideally we’ll meet over coffee or a drink, but we work with out-of-state clients so the phone and Skype come in handy there. We’ll e-mail with the couples leading up to the wedding, and check in the week of usually by phone. We love when couples send us their wedding websites or anything else that helps us to get to know them, too! I love seeing engagement photos, stories of how they met, etc.

What specific criteria do you have for working with a new couple (if any)?

Usually in that first meeting, it’s just about making sure we hit it off. After all, we’ll be working guests at your wedding! We tend to get very creative and fun clients by the nature of what we do. We like to make sure our couples understand the nature of film if they choose that route, or if a hybrid film and video package might work better for them. And otherwise, it’s just making sure we can accommodate with our schedule and travel.

How many hours does it take for you to record and edit the film?

Usually six to eight hours on the day of, sometimes more, then depending on if it’s video or film or both, the post-production time varies. Video and the hybrid packages take a lot more time in post-production–at least a week or two of choosing music and editing, but the film packages also take time to be shipped to our lab to be developed and telecined, but the editing is usually a little faster since it’s more of a music video/highlights style. We usually ask for four to six months to finish a film after the wedding, especially during the busy seasons when we are shooting every weekend.

Do you work with any other vendors on a regular basis?

We have been lucky enough to work with some fabulously talented photographers both locally and nationally, including The Nichols, Cory Ryan Photography, Joie La La and others. Working well with the photographer is important since we work so closely in conjunction–sometimes sharing light or coordinating tripod placement and where we position ourselves–it’s like a dance. We’re looking forward to working more and more with the talented photographer who shot our own wedding, Heather Curiel, who also does amazing bridal tintypes–we’re headed to Oklahoma in June to work in tandem; it will be so fun! We also have a short dream list of photographers we hope to work with, including Suzi Q and Katherine O’ Brien–we geek out when a photographer shoots film!

We’ve worked a couple of times with DJ Jeremy Cox, who’s fantastic. We’ve worked with really talented event designers, too–Sweet Sunday’s wildly creative work blew me away the other weekend. We have some exciting stuff to publish in the next few months!

I also co-founded Austin Wedding Party with a friend and am looking forward to collaborating more with the talented vendors I met and got to know better during that process, including HarperMadison Designs and Inspired Events & Designs.

Do you offer custom packages, and what is your most popular package/product/service?

We offer a couple packages in each of three categories–Super 8mm film, HD video, or a combination of both. Super 8 and the hybrid packages are definitely our most popular since that’s something we offer that’s relatively unique.

Super 8 is a magical, dreamy, and evocative format with vintage sensibilities. It’s well-suited to outdoor weddings with lots of natural light and perfect for rustic or vintage-styled weddings. Often, the bride or groom will tell us, “I want a wedding film that reminds me of old home movies.” Since Super 8 is a silent medium, we edit the Super 8 to music, sometimes using audio from the ceremony or toasts to sync short clips if the couple requests it. It really is the best moments of the day, captured in a really watchable way that has the power to evoke memories and emotion, even years later. As well as a highlight and longer video edit, couples also get the archival Super 8 footage–actual celluloid film that can last 100 years when stored well. I think in the days of instant gratification, and anyone being able to shoot video on their cellphone, that having something high-quality and made to last generations is something really special. I’ve written a lot more about the uniqueness of and my love of Super 8 on our website and blog.

We offer cinematic and documentary-style HD video for those couples who want to capture every detail and full audio of the ceremony, cake cutting, toasts, and first dances, and we give them a longer edit, as well as chapters, and a short highlight film to share with friends and family.

And we offer hybrid packages that combine Super 8 and HD for the best of both worlds.

Sometimes a couple will want all the magic and beauty and nostalgia of the Super 8 film, but will also want more detailed documentation of the ceremony and reception, so then a hybrid with film and video is perfect. Also, it’s great when the couple can’t agree on which to choose! Video is a lot more flexible with low-light, too, so if they want more details once the sun has set or at a low-lit ceremony, then combining the two is a good fit.

Why should our readers hire a videographer, and what makes you better or different than other videographers?

We are different in a couple ways, most noticeably that we shoot Super 8. It has a magical quality to bring you right back to how you felt in that moment, whether just weeks or months ago or 20 or 30 years ago. That’s something really special. These films can become a family heirloom, and the archival footage we provide can be potentially converted–with just light and a way to move the film–to whatever the yet-to-be-dreamed-up format of the future is.

Plus, we are a husband-and-wife team, that really helps the day of–I can go with the bride and Michael with the groom. If you’ve ever gotten married, you know the bridal suite can get a little crowded and intense, so it helps that I’ve been through it and can try to be unobtrusive. Then as we are shooting, we can communicate sometimes with just a look, and in editing we can bounce ideas and perspectives off each other. Michael’s a talented editor, and I have a knack for picking music, and I know if I come in when he’s editing and get a little teary, it’s a good film.

I see a lot in articles and hear firsthand from newlyweds that not hiring a videographer is one of their biggest wedding day regrets. I can tell you, personally,  I would love so much to see my dad’s toast or our first dance or the faces of some of our older relatives. Ironically, we didn’t hire a professional videographer–after searching high and low for someone with the style and artistry we desired and who fit our budget, we eventually gave up. Even the week of the wedding I was struggling with that decision. We had three friends shoot amateur video and film for us that we’re still trying to make something of in editing. So firsthand, I can tell you, I regret not hiring a videographer.

Plus, couples invest so much into their wedding day–time, talent, money–and it goes by in such a frantic whirlwind, that photography and videography are the only investments in the day that last and last.

 

Shanna was so gracious to share her story, and we are very grateful to have Nostalgia Film at DIY Bride this year.  She’s a true delight to work with, super easy to reach via email, and we gladly give her our highest recommendation!
Learn more about Nostalgia Film.

ABOUT AMY CHAMPAGNE:

What made you want to be involved with the DIY wedding industry?

I come from a family of DIY-ers, my grandmother made literally everything for the family when her kids were growing up because she couldn’t afford anything else. She actually made my aunt’s wedding dress 20 years ago! The mindset that you could make anything and have it be just as good or better than something you could buy and cost much less has been passed down. When I announced my engagement, there was no doubt that it would be one DIY project after another. I love DIY projects because there is always a conversation behind everything that is made. How did you come up with it, how did you know how to do it, how long did it take etc. etc. It leaves everyone in amazement and doesn’t break the bank!

What do you love most about being a bridal assistant?

I LOVE sitting down with each bride and hearing about their big day, all of their details, what’s most important to them, and how I could help keep their day running smoothly so it all goes according to plan!

How would you describe your own wedding style?

My wedding was a rustic DIY wedding in a Connecticut barn. It was the day after Thanksgiving, which is the first day of the holiday season, I didn’t want to go with a holiday theme; however, my colors were an array of greens, dark greens, light greens, etc. I decorated the barns with beautiful lush garland, with white tulle embellishments and white lights along with globe lighting and paper lanterns. The centerpieces were a mix of black lanterns on top of a bed of branches of the garland, and white candlelight, as well as branches assembled in tall glass cylinders. The cookie favors made by my aunt were personalized sugar cookies in the shape of a barn, my aunt also made my three-tier wedding cake that was both beautiful and delicious. The cardholder was a barn made from reclaimed wood, which my uncle made. It was gorgeous.

How would you describe your DIY skills?

I would describe my DIY skills as outside-the-box and cost-effective with a huge WOW factor.

Do you publish your work on a blog?

I do blog!! You can find my blog at www.amychampagne.blogspot.com, I blog at least once a week, and blog about all things related to weddings and being a bride!

What social media channels do you frequent?

I could be found on Facebook, www.facebook.com/aclovesweddings, I frequently post relevant articles, fun songs for weddings and parties, champagne giveaways, really awesome jokes, and updates on the business.

I am on twitter: www.twitter.com/aclovesweddings AND Pinterest where I post pictures and ideas for my brides as I see them applicable to their weddings and themes:  www.pinterest.com/amychampagne

Describe the best wedding you’ve ever seen, and why was it the best?

I recently blogged about how every wedding is special and unique in its very own way. My favorite part about weddings is to see the couple’s personality come to life, surrounded by the people who mean the most. If the food is good, great, if the bar is open, awesome, but to witness the bride and groom be announced for the first time, witness their first dance, the best man/maid of honor speeches, or a story from the father of the bride is the best part of any wedding.

 
ABOUT THE BUSINESS:

What is your philosophy for ensuring a happy bride?

My philosophy for a happy bride is to make sure everything she has planned and dreamed about for so long goes according to plan. I will take the stress of the day off of her shoulders so she could simply be a guest of honor at her wedding.

How do you get to know the couple before the wedding?

Through various meetings and projects throughout the engagement I get to know my brides, their personalities, and what is most important when it comes to their day. After I am commissioned as the day-of wedding coordinator I am available by phone, email, and text for anything at all.

Do you work with any other vendors on a regular basis?

I Do! (haha) I have a crew of professionals that I have worked with in the past that come highly recommended; however, every bride has her own style, and I look forward to meeting and working with new vendors all the time!

Do you offer custom packages, and what is your most popular package/product/service?

I do offer customized packages to suit all of my bride’s needs. The most popular package is the day-of wedding coordination, which includes full day coverage from the beginning of getting ready to (sometimes) the after party. I’m all theirs!

Why should our readers hire a Day-Of Wedding Coordinators, and what makes you better or different than other Day-Of Wedding Coordinators?

Brides, especially DIY Brides, should always invest in a day-of coordinator. So much effort, time, and work is put into a wedding, and a bride should do nothing but enjoy every second of it rather than worry about the minor details that need attention throughout the day. A day-of coordinator, such as myself will execute the bride’s day according to her expectations and plans.

The most important thing when hiring a day-of wedding coordinator is to have trust in them to ensure a seamless day and to simply like them, how they operate, their style to weddings, and above all else, customer service. Personally, I love weddings; they are my passion. It is such a joy to listen to my bride’s plans for their big day and to help them truly enjoy the most special day of their lives.

We thank Amy for taking time out of her busy schedule to share this information with DIY Bride!  Happy wedding wishes to all!

Here is the exclusive how-to video, just for DIY Bride readers: Elegant DIY Wedding Centerpiece

Many brides think that they need to be some kind of professional to pull of this elegant wedding look. The truth is, you can do this yourself, even if you are not “artsy” or the “DIY it all” type. The fact is buying wholesale flowers to DIY can save you money so you can splurge in other areas. Maybe you get a wedding video made, add extra guests, or splurge on a honeymoon with the savings you can incur by doing-it-yourself!

Flowers in this arrangement:

1. Vendela Roses
2. Cream Spray Roses
3. Dendrobium Orchids Bombay
4. Dendrobium Orchids (White)
5. Snap Dragons (White)
6. Wax Flower (White)
7. Eucalyptus
8. Israeli Ruscus
9. Tree Fern

 The vase is a white plastic urn. This urn looks classic and expensive but in fact is very inexpensive and can be purchased in bulk.

Watch the video to learn how you can make this look all your very own! Use your creativity by using a different color scheme with the same basic flowers or add some interesting textures! To save money on a look like this eliminate orchids and purchase more snap dragons, larkspur, or stock to contribute to the height of the arrangement. Another way to cut the cost of is to fill with greenery that will still give you the full look you need with less

I hope the video has been helpful in teaching you how to make your own elegant yet unique centerpieces! If you have any questions feel free to visit our Facebook to ask our flower expert any type of questions about DIY wedding flowers!! Also for more direction download our free DIY Wedding Flower Guide!

The designer marketplace at Felt & Wire features artfully crafted items from paper– letterpress wedding stationery, engraved personal stationery, handmade journals, one-of-a-kind gift wrap – just to name a few.  Paper crafts have a special place in the heart of scrapbookers, artists, writers, bookbinders, and the like, and these talented folks come together at Felt & Wire to share, sell, and buy amazing works of paper.  This is what makes Felt & Wire Shop unique, and the #1 reason we love them.

In a nutshell, take the concept of Etsy, funnel it down to just stationery and paper craft vendors, add some extra eye candy to the site design, and you have Felt & Wire Shop.  You can see featured sellers, find out more about them, and follow them, if you please.  The products aren’t just limited to weddings either, in fact, the diversity within the F&W marketplace is also stellar.  But beware – the visual stimulation is hard to fight, so plan on spending some time in the shop when you venture over!

I’m probably most excited about the incredibly cute thank you cards.  Sending a gratitude card is such an important gesture – no couple should ever skip sending thank you cards to guests.  Even beyond the wedding, the thank you card communicates to friends and family how much you appreciate them being a part of your life, and nothing trumps a handwritten thank you note.  Take a look at the designs available today, and you’ll see messages like “You Rock” and “Peas and Thank You.”

Looking for an affordable calligrapher?  Felt & Wire Shop has that, too.  Under the “Invite” tab on the site, you’ll see a sub-tab for calligraphy, and today I found a $68 custom address stamp in a beautiful type-set.  The deeper I dig into the F&W site, the more I fall in love with this vendor, Paperfinger (pictured).  Seriously, if you haven’t clicked on feltandwireshop.com yet, what are you waiting for?!

Let’s talk supplies for a moment.  DIY stationery can be challenging, but it is the most popular project our readers select to do on their own.  One of the most difficult aspects of DIY stationery is finding the individual elements and supplies needed to bring your vision to life.  You can find custom papers, colorful twine and tape, and inkpads at the Felt & Wire Shop.  So, don’t waste time hunting through countless hobby and craft shops; just go right F&W.

I’ll leave the rest of the goodies at Felt & Wire for you to discover on your own.  Believe me, there’s much more than just stationery and supplies.  Felt & Wire Shop is a DIYers best friend.

Learn more about Felt & Wire Shop.

Just over a week ago DIY Bride we discovered that our site had been compromised by a hacker and unsavory data had been attached to our files over the last few weeks. The damage was fairly extensive and we’ve had to piece together the site from backups. During our down time, we began porting the site from a system I hated back to WordPress. Instead of extending the downtime while we completed the transition, I’ve put up a temporary-but-functional site so that you may access all the info and downloads we have to offer while the team finishes up the new site offline.

Thanks for your understanding and support.

You’ll be delighted to know that you can now go directly to the source for your most pressing how-to questions because Amy has just released her first book Sweet Designs: Bake it, Craft it, Style it!. And, friends, it is gorgeous!

Sweet Designs is 15 chapters of Amy Atlas awesomeness. Each chapter begins with a fully-styled themed dessert table and within the pages of each chapters, Amy shows you how to create the desserts and crafts shown in the chapter opener. It’s a great approach to a craft book.  The project instructions and recipes are clear and concise with many how-to photos. To help readers get the most out of her projects, she’s included a ton of tips for customizing the projects to fit their unique themes and lots of suggestions for displaying your clever creations. What I love about this book is that it’s so beginner-friendly! Amy’s guidance puts these delightful creations within reach of nearly any would-be or hardcore crafter.

It's a big book - over 350 pages - and well worth the investment. This is something you'll be referencing for years all sorts of celebrations from birthdays to showers to holidays and anniversaries.

One of the most difficult parts of making DIY invitations is the finding perfect envelope. While most wedding invites are sent in a white, ivory, or colored envelope, the black envelope sets the tone for a classy, elegant, and unique event. Black envelopes also stand out; of course, you’ll need to use a bright ink color, but that just makes this DIY project all the more fun! A favorite combination of mine is metallic silver ink on a black envelope.

Once you select the right color envelope for your DIY wedding invitations, then you have to choose the right sizes, thickness, and style. When designing your invitations, it is recommended to stick with a fairly standard size, so you don’t have to make custom envelopes (that’s another DIY project all together!). Check out this guide at ace-envelopes.co.uk for more specifics on sizes and options.

Ace Envelopes is a fantastic resource for black or metallic envelopes, bespoke/custom envelopes, colored envelopes, translucent envelopes, and recycled envelopes. The selection of colored envelopes is quite extensive. Choose from vivid pink, yellow, green, blue, orange, and green. Neutral colors like brown, tan, and grey are also available. They promise next-day delivery for UK mainland customers, and 2-3 day delivery outside the mainland. Prices are very affordable, too!

Learn more about Ace Envelopes.

Photographer: stacey ramsey photographie

Photographer: Caroline & Evan Photography

It’s time for our annual Reader Survey. In the questionnaire, we ask 20 questions about you and your weddings to help us get a better understanding of who our current crop of readers are. This helps us cater our content to your collective needs and guides us in making improvements to our site.

The survey takes about 5 minutes to complete. We appreciate you taking time to help us help you!

Click here to take survey or fill out the survey below.