Moments of a lifetime: Episode 1

sweetpeacinema November 30, 2016

We’re in the deep heart of editing season, and it’s giving me wonderful insight on why cinematography and wedding videos are so key to capturing your day fully.When I’m editing a video’s story together, I’m looking for moments — big and small — to not only tell the story of your day but keep your interest. I like to say that video captures these moments in their fullest sense because we have the elements of movement and sound, which add complexity to what your seeing and, as has been proved in research, ignite parts of your brain to tap into memories more fully.These moments still have the power to surprise and move me, even though I’ve seen hundreds of these slices of time.That’s why I decided to start sharing a few of these moments, so that you dear reader and viewer could also experience the joy, laughter, anticipation, sincerity and, yes, sometimes even sadness that makes up all of our wedding shoots. There are very few times in your life when the expense of a professional videographer is warranted, but your wedding is one of them.In this Moments of a Lifetime, Episode 1, I’m sharing a ceremony entrance, this time of bride Ashley as her groom, John, waited for her to join him at the front of the church. This is one of my favorite moments during a wedding, because seeing your partner for the first time, dressed in wedding finery, is something to behold. Sometimes, it’s a first look before the ceremony, and I love those, too, but I’ll share one of those in the future and explain why they’re so special.One thing you may not know, is that a ceremony entrance, or processional, is a tricky shot to get. First, I’m right up front opposite the groom, because our couples expect to see that straight-on view of the entrance. (Don’t worry. Nobody notices because they’re all looking at the people walking up the aisle, especially the bride or partners.)Nearly every time in a church or other indoor location, the doorway creates a drastic change of lighting. Only an expert cinematographer can adjust camera settings to maintain proper exposure for the face and keep focus. Yes, it’s a tricky shot, but worth every moment. In this case, you’ll also see a moving camera spend time with the bride and her father just before the entrance. This is a camera on a gimbal, which allows the camera operator to move at will but have flawlessly smooth shots, again, only something a studio that cares about your film will have and know how to use properly.We hope you like this first moment, and the many more to come as we finish this season’s edits!Cheers,Cindy

A Recipe for Love Amid Vines

sweetpeacinema October 28, 2016

A recipe for love is different for every couple.For some, it’s lots of laughter. For others, it’s streamy romance.But for Elle and Logan, it was about hundreds, perhaps thousands, of texts to each other before they even had their first date. And then, later as a couple, it evolved into becoming great hosts whose knack for throwing parties with amazing food and drinks has friends and family vying for invitations.So it should be no surprise to anyone attended their wedding at DC Estate Winery that food and beverage were priorities. You could see it the moment you walked in with adorable signature drinks — Mr. Old Fashioned and “Soon-to-Be-Swart” Sangria — greeting guests on the vineyard’s spacious veranda before the ceremony. Later in the evening, guests dined on smoked meats, supper club staples and many more inventive entrees served at four food stations sprinkled throughout the ballroom.And while food took center stage that evening, it was the ceremony that commanded the stage at the start of the gathering. And the recipe for this ritual was all about deeply held love and promises.”I still find it amazing that the biggest heart in the world fits inside your tiny body,” said Logan, to his petite bride, during personal vows that melted our hearts. Logan, a master smoker of meats, even promised to make Elle her favorite burnt ends for her birthday every year. Now that’s a vow many would love to hear!And let’s talk for a moment about the venue, the family owned DC Estate Winery just along the southern border of Wisconsin and Illinois. It’s a beautiful location with a Tuscan flair, surrounded by vineyards and a tranquil pond. The tasting room opens to a spacious veranda with a welcoming outdoor hearth, where guests mingled before Elle and Logan’s ceremony. The ballroom is unique, with large glass windows that fully take advantage of the beautiful views, and in the case of Elle and Logan’s big day, a stunning sunset.Their ceremony was in the round with their wedding party creating a ring of support as guests sat at dining tables. What a great way to enjoy a ceremony, and not have the chaos of having to “flip” the room from a traditional setup. Elle and Logan, once again, thinking of the comfort of their guests, just like they do at their fabulous home parties.It’s an honor to film the start of a couple’s “official” start to their marriage, and Elle and Logan’s reminded us of how special a wedding ceremony and reception can be.Congrats to the newlyweds!

Recipe for a Great Team:

Cinematography: Sweet Pea CinemaPhotography: Type A Images (Yeah!!! We love working with Amanda. Check out her blog about Elle and Logan’s wedding here.)Venue: DC Estate WineryPlanner: Tia LasswellCatering: Francesco’sDJ: Jukebox BandstandBride’s dress: Bridal BoutiqueGroom’s attire: JC Penney

Romantic Sunset at Pier Wisconsin

sweetpeacinema October 7, 2016

While there were many beautiful and romantic moments on Sarah and Adam’s wedding day in late September, the one that will always linger with us is the fiery sunset that broke through the all-day clouds.It was as if Mother Nature was saying: The love these two share deserves my most glorious colors.And they were awash in the warm hues of golden hour.The day started much earlier at the couples’ church, St. Matthews Evangelical Church in Wauwatosa, in a service that welcomed guests with live piano and cello music. Pastor Matt Kruse offered a heart-warming sermon and blessings, important pieces to Sarah and Adam starting their married lives together.

Romantic golden hour

The reception, at the always stunning Pier Wisconsin, was in the outdoor tent, offering unparalleled views of the lakeshore and Denis Sullivan as it cruised in and out of the harbor. And this is when the day’s weather broke open so completely, bathing the couple in romantic golden hues amid the giant riprap boulders of the breakwater and the screeching of the ever-present gulls.Under the tent, guests were treated to decor in tones of gold, taupe, champagne, peach and blush, with personal touches from the couple, including a tribute table to loved ones long gone, and a hand-made bench that attendees were asked to sign instead of a guest book. Talk about creating a lasting memory from your wedding!And then there were the wonderful toasts by Adam’s parents, the best man and two of Sarah’s bridesmaids. All touching, and all with moments of genuine humor. But it was Sarah’s mom, Ellen, whose words struck a chord with us, and which set the tone for the Sneak Peek. Her toast included part of an ee cummings poem that we love:

… (here is the root of the root and the bud of the budand the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which growshigher than soul can hope or mind can hide)and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars aparti carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

Congrats to Sarah and Adam!!

The Team

Cinematography: Sweet Pea CinemaPlanner: EvenementPhotography: Twig & OliveCeremony: St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church, WauwatosaOfficiant: Pastor Matt KruseCeremony music: Music Director John PardowskiReception: Bartolotta Catering at Pier WisconsinFlorist: Impressions by EstherMusic: The UnxpectedLighting/projector: Sound by DesignSationary/Paper Goods: Wedding Paper DivasMakeup and hair: Zen SalonTransportation: Badger BusCake/desserts: Made by a family friend, Lani Renneau

Fireworks in Fall on a Lovely Lake Geneva Farm

sweetpeacinema October 2, 2016

Fireworks were Claire and Sam’s eyes the evening we met talk about their wedding film. Sparks, to be sure.These two are hilarious, and we swear Claire could have her own stand-up routine, with her dry wit and keen storytelling skills.But back to those fireworks. While there were so many beautiful and fun elements to Claire and Sam’s wedding day, we are still marveling at the private fireworks they treated guests to at their reception. As Claire put it in wiseguy terms: “My dad knows a guy.” And what a guy he was. The display was insane, illuminating the sky, obliterating the full moon on the rise and reflecting beautifully on the surface of the pond, which had been encircled by luminaries. Spectacular!We were so pumped to fly our Phantom 3 Pro during the fireworks to get a truly unique perspective on the show!But all of this came several hours after a beautiful ceremony set on a grand hill overlooking the pond and the Sperry tent that was being readied for the party later. Sam’s father began the ceremony with a fantastic re-telling of the story of how Claire and Sam met. Hilarious and sweet. Just like these two. The couple also incorporated a wine ritual, drinking from two glasses, one white the other red. White symbolized the cup of sorrow, and they were instructed to drink very little from it, and the red symbolized happiness. Let’s just say there wasn’t a drop left.And there’s Gus, Claire and Sam’s adorable pooch. Gus accompanied the best man and maid of honor down the aisle and he played an important role in the ceremony, too, being the main topic of the officiant’s sermon. And best man and brother of the groom, Max, donned a doggie nose and channeled Sam during his toast to the couple. The laughs kept coming and coming, along with tears of joy.We are so fortunate to have met Claire and Sam and feel privileged to have filmed the official start of their married lives.We hope enjoy this Sneak Peek and the love and fun it conveys.Cheers,CindyTHE TEAMBride prep: Maxwell Mansion, Lake GenevaCeremony and reception venue: The bride’s family farmOfficiant:Photographer: Heather Cooke Elliot PhotographyPlanner:Reception: Sperry TentsBand: Blue Water Kings BandFlorist: Blossom’s Flower HouseCaterer: Wild AsparagusPies: Honeypie CafeBride’s gown: Haley Paige from Bliss BridalBridesmaids attire: Each word a dress of their own choosingGroom’s attire: Calvin Klein, Men’s Wearhousehttps://tuxedo.menswearhouse.com/Bride’s hair & makeup: Ashley Seneff of Tailored SalonFireworks: J&M Displays

A Date for the History Books at Stone Harbor

sweetpeacinema October 1, 2016

Sometimes, couples pick a wedding date that fits their perfect season.And other times, the date means a whole lot more.In the case of Megan and Justin’s wedding on Sept. 17th, the numbers on the calendar were a link to something that had happened nearly four decades ago: the day Megan’s parents tied the knot and created a marriage that has not only stood the test of time but has been a beacon of stability and love for everyone to see.Who wouldn’t want to share that incredible date? And so it was with Megan and Justin’s big day that began with a ceremony at St. Joseph Catholic Church and ended at Stone Harbor Resort, both in Sturgeon Bay.And if choosing that special date wasn’t enough, it was incredible to see that the couple had a stained glass window made for Megan’s parents that immortalized those special numbers. A thoughtful gift, to be sure. And it wasn’t the only gesture. The couple also rented a rockin’ Morgan car that Megan’s dad, Ron, squired his daughter in to the church. Truly a memorable entrance.Megan and Justin have known each other since grade school but began dating years later in high school. Both are in their mid 20s, so it was no surprise to family and friends that these two were ready to get married. They’re both goofy, upbeat and completely comfortable with each other. And while they claimed that the formality of a wedding wasn’t a huge deal, they both had tears flowing as they saw each other for the first time as Megan walked up the aisle.Their beautiful reception had so many details that reflect these two. Star Wars cake topper? Check. Macrame piece that Megan’s mom created with the motto: “Celebrate We Will”? Check. And what about the bride’s wardrobe change into a second gown. Stunning!And we can’t forget the memorable toast by best man, Ben, who said that he was so proud of the relationship between Megan and Justin and how it had flourished, after admitting that he’d struggled a bit when Justin couldn’t always be available for his escapades.We’re so thankful that Justin and Megan trusted Sweet Pea’s second team, led by Jayce Kolinski, and second shooter, Dave Naida. The team reported that this event’s friends and family certainly showered the couple with love and care, and the bridal party kept the energy up all night.So surely this date — this very special date — will go down in history in the Kerscher-Walsh clans.Congrats! The Team:Cinematography: Sweet Pea CinemaPlanner: Sash and BowPhotography: Magdelene PhotographyCeremony venue: St. Joseph Church, Sturgeon BayReception venue: Stone Harbor ResortDJ: Midwest Sound Florist: Door Blooms Flower FarmCake: North Water BakeryBride’s gown-ceremony: Stella YorkBride’s gown-reception: FioreBridesmaids attire: Azazie & H&MGroom’s attire: Jos. A. BankBride’s hairstylist and makeup: Mint Salon