Oshkosh Wedding Video: Hallie + Josh | I found the love of my life

We talk a lot about life’s sweetest moments in our shop.Sweet Pea Cinema was conceived with the idea of capturing those moments and preserving them forever, and of course the key word starts our company name.At Hallie and Josh’s wedding at UW-Oshkosh Alumni Welcome Center, we encountered one of those rare moments in a day that took our breath away. Josh and Hallie read their own vows. And when Josh started, we all knew very quickly that there wouldn’t be a dry eye in the house.He spoke from the heart. He talked about how meeting Hallie had changed his life. He described how he would take care of her – and their family when it comes along some day – for the rest of his life. He pledged his unwavering support and love.We knew, right then, that Josh’s heartfelt vows would anchor their Sneak Peek. Of course, Hallie did a great job in her vows, too, and you’ll see a snippet as well. We’re so impressed with these two young adults, just 21 and 22. Not only have they made the commitment to help each other through life’s challenges and victories, but they’ve also joined the military, and will soon be serving our country in Kuwait. Dedication and commitment seem to be key attributes from this fine pair!To be honest, we expected this to be an emotional wedding day, because Hallie had lost both of her parents just a few years ago, right around the time she met Josh at basic training. Hallie’s parents, James and Kaye, however, were well represented with small photo charms on Hallie’s bouquet, two beautiful roses at the ceremony and lovely portraits at the reception. We admired how their broader families help fill in some of the gap, with Hallie’s uncle performing the wedding ceremony and her godfather walking her down the aisle. It was clear that these two are loved by family and friends.Details were abundant with the bridesmaids turquoise dresses and matching sparkly flipflops, beautiful artisan burlap floral bouquets and boutonnieres, charming silver milk bottle and Mason jar centerpieces, and acres and acres of tulle and light hanging above the crowd and behind the head table. And who wouldn’t be charmed by Telly and little Telly, the adorable stuffed Sesame Street animals Hallie has had around for years and which Josh has agreed to fully embrace, too!Filming this wedding was a sheer joy, because you could easily see how in love Hallie and Josh are, and their enthusiasm for what lies ahead seemed boundless!Wishing this happy couple many years of love and adventure!Cheers,CindySome of the professionals and family members that helped bring this day together:

Door County Gordon Lodge Wedding Film: Ashley + David

When the bride shines more brightly than the sun, you know it’s going to be a fabulous wedding and a gorgeous wedding film.Ashley is the bright sphere of influence in her world, with her electric smile and genuinely sweet disposition. It’s no wonder her brilliance captured the heart of the man she describes as her “one true love,” David. This Chicago girl does it all: modeling, radio host, reporter, actor, all while holding down a full-time job as a matchmaker for Selective Search. David, who grew up in Wisconsin and is a graduate of UW-Madison, also leads a busy life working in finance and traveling as much as he can. The two met years ago, but wedding planning began in earnest when David popped the question at the observation tower at Peninsula State Park.Everything about this elegant and gorgeous wedding began and ended at one of our favorite places in Wisconsin: Gordon Lodge on North Bay in Baileys Harbor, which rests on the quieter yet equally lovely side of Door County. Ashley’s father, Ed, put it best in his toast, describing the area as the “Martha’s Vineyard of the Midwest.” We couldn’t agree more! Gordon Lodge hugs mighty Lake Michigan and has modern yet quaint cabins and hotel rooms, which were just about all filled with guests for the wedding. The location made it easy for the large contingency of Chicago friends and family to relax and have fun.After sipping champagne at the Lodge and the bride putting on her intricate Ines Di Santo gown, the bridal party converged on Stella Maris Catholic Church in Baileys Harbor. This classic church was made all the brighter with a string quartet, pew caps with sweet roses and acres of tulle. And then there was Father Quinn, who brought an incredible level of history and meaning to the ceremony, including explaining why Catholic couples are compelled to marry before a sacred altar.After a quick bubble release at the newlyweds’ exit, the bridal party made a stop at Anderson Dock, where Ashley and David joined local tradition and painted their names (along with a heart) on one of the many weather-beaten boards.Then it was back to Gordon Lodge, starting with a cocktail hour that also featured lawn games and a stunning flower “wall,” that had been designed by the bride and her mother, Elaine. Nestled under a large tree, it was the perfect backdrop for guests to take their own Polaroid snapshot and add it to a guest book. When the bridal party made its grand entrance to the Gordon House for the reception, it had been transformed with generous doses of gold, blush and flowers, again, all the decorating brainchild of Ashley’s mom, Elaine. Candles, portraits and giant frames glinted throughout the night, as the couple basked in the glow of toasts from their bridal party and a few extras. It seemed that everyone wanted a chance to talk about this couple’s loyalty, generosity and love for each other.We always love working with Amy at Gordon Lodge, but met several pros that we hope to work with again. Chandra from Door County Event Planners was our font of information, and Jason of Jason Mann Photography was our absolute dream visuals partner. Thank you all!We could not have been more thrilled to film Ashley and David’s big day, and we’re proud to release their Sneak Peek today. We hope you enjoy it as they await the release of their full Cinematic Film in the months to come.Congrats to the newylweds!CindyThis beautiful wedding could not have come together so seamlessly without the help of these professionals:Amy at Gordon Lodge and Resort | Chandra of Door County Event Planners | Stella Maris Catholic Church | Father Quinn Mann of the Diocese of Green Bay | Photography: Jason Mann Photography | Bridal gown: Ines Di Santo from Bella Bianca Bridal Couture | Groom’s attire: Calvin Klein from Men’s Warehouse | Bridesmaids’ dresses: Juliette from BHLDN | Bride’s hair: Litsa Tsapralis, owner of Anasa Salon & Spa | Makeup: Artist Sara Miller | Cake by Bill Fairchild | Linens: BBJ Linens | Musicians: Allegro String Quartet | DJ: Spencer from Style Matters DJs 

Chenequa Country Club Wedding Film: Alexina + Garrett | You’re always in my corner

“You bring out the best in me, you inspire me, you are always fighting in my corner.”

Love moves us to do amazing things. Sacrifice our own comfort for someone else’s. Getting down on one knee and proposing. Declaring a lifelong commitment before a crowd of hundreds.And earlier this month, love inspired one young couple, Alexina and Garrett, to give the most beautiful toasts to each other during their lovely reception at Chenequa Country Club. We have never been treated to such an outpouring of love, so specific and yet so universal, so grounded in reality and yet so empyrean. We could tell that both had given a lot of thought to what they had written and how they were saying it. And that says a lot about this couple, too: they’re smart, thorough, passionate and fun.I think Alexina said it best, and I’m paraphrasing here: That their love is so right because it’s so easy, they just work together.You’ll get just a snippet of each of these amazing toasts in their Sneak Peek, and much more in their final Cinematic film, which will be simply jam packed with dazzling details, everything from their laurel-ringed monogram sign to their fairy tale-like exit from St. John’s Noble Victory Memorial Chapel with a birdseed toss. It was our first wedding in the Noble Chapel, and if you want to feel like a fairy tale princess on your wedding day, that’s the location to check out. It’s turrets, thick stone walls and stained glass windows remind us of a time when knights roamed the world.And lastly, we can’t forget to mention the killer getaway Alex and Garrett had when they zoomed off a classic 1970 Stingray Corvette. That’s right, a sweet little hot rod with its rag top down. And if that wasn’t cool enough, when guests entered the reception they were treated to a photo of Alex’s parents, on their wedding day, standing next to another Corvette that had been part of the family car pool. You see? That’s the kind of attention to detail and connection to family these two have. So cool!And while our heads always get turned by wedding finery of the day, it’s really our couples and their story that we hope to capture. And we have to thank Alex and Garrett for not only declaring their love in their wedding ceremony, but for pouring their hearts out to each other during their toasts. I think we all developed a deeper understanding of why these two tied the knot after hearing those words.We know they’ll each be fighting in their corner for many years to come.Happy Friday!CindyThe pros that helped make this day possible:Ceremony venue: St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy Nobel Victory ChapelReception venue: Chenequa Country ClubOfficiant: Reverend Kathleen RaddatzHair: Erika Zeronis, Yellow House SalonMakeup: Kelly Schubel, Lustrous MakeupBridal gown: Watters, Bliss BridalGroom’s attire: Joseph Abboud, Men’s WearhouseFloral: Bel Aire FlowersPhotography: Studio 29 PhotographyDJ: Muzic in MotionDesserts: Holey Moley Doughnuts and Gigi’s CupcakesDecor: Vintique Rental

Blue Mound Wedding Film: Elizabeth + Spencer | “Unfolding as it should”

“You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.”

Excerpt from the poem “Desiderata”

by American writer Max Ehrmann, 1927

 Prose befits a wedding day much like a gossamer gown on a bride: beautiful, flowing and inspirational.We thank co-best man Nick for reciting a few lines of “Desiderata” in his reception toast for Elizabeth and Spencer, which for us, turned the moment electric. The poem’s gentle wisdom and soaring guidance seemed absolutely perfect for the charming and gracious couple at the center of the head table. We also knew that the poem had considerable meaning to the groom, who read from it during his proposal and who, serving as a best man himself just about a year ago, invoked its wisdom at Nick’s own wedding.These words have been orbiting this couple for quite some time, so naturally, we wanted let its cheerful message play a part in the Murphys’ Sneak Peek.And, of course, so many fine moments linger with us as we combed through the footage, our way of gathering the story that will frame their full cinematic film. We won’t soon forget the meaningful ceremony at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Brookfield with soaring vocals during the Mass performed by a family friend. We loved Father Reith’s homily advice to the couple, telling them to set an alarm for 25 years from now, and taking the time to really think about their emotions and feelings of that very moment. We even chuckled when he mentioned their wedding video, and how, when they are watching it decades from now, they should not touch the fast forward button, and let it help bring them back to when they pledged their love for each other before family and friends. We couldn’t agree more! :)And what about the moment when the groom and groomsmen climbed atop the party bus? We’re glad they all made it back to the ground in one piece!The elegant Blue Mound Country Club, with its verdant fairways and greens, could not have been more perfect for a summer reception, which started with a receiving line that appeared to include very single one of the guests, each so eager to wish Elizabeth and Spencer a happy marriage. The sea of gorgeous flower arrangements by Esther Fleming were the perfect foil to the venue’s glistening chandeliers and beautiful tablescapes. After the pitch-perfect meal, dark descended and a half moon rose in the sky, and the entire wedding migrated outside to the club’s relaxing patio with a great view of the dancing tent, which few could resist with the irresistible beats supplied by Double Platinum DJ.Throughout the day and night, we marveled at the decorum of this fine couple, who are clearly loved and admired by the many family and friends that surrounded them on their wedding day. We are so honored that they chose Sweet Pea to capture this day for them.Cheers,CindyThe outstanding vendors who helped make this possible: