One of the best things about what we do here at Aubert Films is being able to hear back from clients about how much they loved their film. When we receive a letter, email, or Facebook message from someone who is ecstatic about their film, it’s so personally rewarding. For us, it’s the true profit for all the time and energy we put into a film. For this reason, I love doing Same Day Edits. Most of our films are delivered through the internet or in the mail so we don’t actually get to see our clients’ reaction first hand. But an SDE allows us to show a film to the couple and their guests all at once while we are watching too! When everyone erupts with laughter, cheers, and clapping, it’s so overwhelmingly rewarding for us.
That’s what it was like for us when we showed Liz and Mike’s Same Day Edit; who’s wedding took place in Washington, D.C. at the Mellon Auditorium (Click here for the Wikipedia page <– Yes you read that right!). My favorite comment that we got on film was “OH MY GOD! That happened like an hour ago!” Liz and Mike were such an amazing couple and it was a pleasure to film their wedding. Their families were fun and engaging too so our entire team felt at home with everyone. I knew for certain that Liz was as cool as a cucumber when she got stung by a bee before she hopped into her dress. No freak-out, no tears, Liz just shrugged it off and got some ice for her hand. Awesome.
Check out their Same Day Edit below, as well as their reaction to it!
Great working with:
Douglas Benedict Photography
Christine Godsey from Engaging Affairs
Hi, my name is Jennifer and I am a shoe addict! Yes, I often buy shoes and then purchase outfits to go with them (instead of the other way around). I totally understand the new trend for a bride to wear flirty, fun and colorful shoes to be under her wedding gown. I love the photos I see of gorgeous Christian Loubitan pumps peeking out from under a flowing white gown where you get a glimpse of those candy apple colored soles. I am in complete agreement for a bride wanting to be a princess in her dreamy pair of strappy blue Jimmy Choo’s! So, when an equally shoe addicted destination wedding bride comes to me and says, “You won’t believe this, but although I told you that I envision a beach wedding, there is no way my Minolo Blahnik’s are touching sand,” I am completely sympathetic. Usually this announcement comes approximately 3 months before the wedding, and long after guests have made their travel arrangements. Changing to a church wedding at home, is simply not an option. However, as one who knows the importance of proper shoe care and realizes what sand will do to those stylish strappies, I have many suggestions to allow your destination wedding to still display the crystal ocean water as your backdrop and avert a shoe catastrophe.
There are many locations where the resorts are now advertising “Sky” or rooftop weddings. The Azul Sensatori (Riviera Maya) and the Beach Palace (Cancun) have been promoting their rooftop ceremony for years. Arches are created on these rooftops, aisle runners are used, and in a snap, the roof becomes one of the hippest locations to exchange vows. Plus being able to have a rooftop cocktail party on the roof immediately after the wedding is chic and very South Beach! Some other key benefits are that it is private, and it has unbelievable views for photos. One of my brides told me that she felt like a rock star celebrating on a roof with all her loved ones. Another really unique location is at one of the very traditional Spanish chapels located at several resorts in the Riviera Maya. One of my favorites, Dreams Tulum, has a fairytale Spanish chapel with stained glass, hand carved wooden pews and intimate in size as it only fits about 20 people. At sunset, the windows reflect different colored bands of light, and as the candles flicker, one can’t help but feel immersed in the romantic ambience this location provides. I have lost count of brides that I have sent to Dreams Tulum envisioning a beach wedding, only to see photos of their wedding in the Chapel. When I ask if the weather was bad, or why they ended up at the chapel, each one tells me that they fell in love with it and “when in Mexico”. . . The story of the origin of the small church at Sandals Montego Bay is also so romantic and heart wrenching, that it is no surprise to me how many couples decide to marry there. (if you want the story, just send me an email, oh and have tissues ready!) However, if the rooftop and the Chapel setting isn’t really what you had pictured, have a look at the Gazebo perfectly positioned at Sandals Negril or the Roman Gazebo at Beaches Negril. Both are steps from the sand, yet there is a paved pathway that leads right to the Gazebo steps. The covered Gazebo at Sandals Negril also provides protection for those who can’t handle the harsh direct Caribbean sun (think about elderly relatives, or anyone Irish) and the Roman Gazebo at Beaches Negril is elevated about 3 feet above the gardens, so not only do you see the Caribbean in the background, but you also get a gardenlike tropical setting.
My point is that you don’t have to choose between style and sand! The best resorts for destination weddings, have many options. You can have a beach wedding and not step foot in the sand at all! And if you too, are also a closet shoe addict, please send me your wedding pictures with your fashionable shoe choice—I would love to post them and share with other shoe conscious brides!
You have finally narrowed down your resort, you have picked your date and even blocked out group space. Figuring it would be the best time to share this exciting news with your friends and family as they all gathered together for the holidays, you put together a packet on pricing, estimated airfare and came prepared with resort brochures. You anxiously tell everyone your thrilling news but to your surprise their faces look blank. Some of your family members smile, your mother nervously grins and your dad seems to keep staring at the prices. Wait a minute, isn’t this your choice? Isn’t this your day?
For so many of our clients, their enthusiasm is diminished when they start to hear the rumblings of issues as to why YOUR choice isn’t the best choice for them. There is the obvious expense of traveling to a destination wedding that sometimes can be a burden on your attendees. There is also a feeling from an older generation that they should not have to pay for such an extravagance. In instances where we found very little complaints from families, their situation was that no matter where they had their wedding, one side and many friends would have to travel to their wedding regardless.
This made planning a destination wedding an obvious choice and sometimes even more affordable for guests than flying to a “hometown” location and staying a few nights, renting a car and ultimately paying for meals while there. Airfare alone to a destination wedding on a popular island can be less expensive than flying domestically across the U.S. Now that is the best scenario and that is not always the case for couples making the decision to plan a destination wedding. Another situation in which little complaints are raised, is that this is a 2nd marriage for the couple and they don’t want a repeat of the traditional. In this case, the list of invitees is smaller and many sympathize with this decision and are very less likely to complain. They also do not feel the obligatory pressure to attend. This is where the group tends to be about 10 rooms and the bride is perfectly happy with whomever can attend. Again, this may not be your situation.
So how do you deal with family and friends who feel it necessary to voice their opinions about your day? Being prepared for not everyone “being overjoyed” about your choice is the first reality you must brace yourself for. Tell yourself “I can’t be upset if my ____ can’t make it”. The second thing you should consider is, can I help ___________ financially so that they can attend and would this make them more comfortable with my decision. Let’s face it, attending a destination wedding is an expense that not everyone can afford. My husband and I knew the location choice we selected was not the cheapest. We looked over the numbers and I knew I would be devastated if certain people could not afford to come. We felt it was our responsibility to pay a portion of their resort expense. Remember, that sometimes group blocks give you certain free rooms, and if it is possible to use those “frees” to help lessen family/friends expenses, this is a way of lessening the verbal rumblings you might hear.
Many of the stresses destination wedding couples instantly face is the overtly negative opinions given to them when they announce their happy news. It is like someone took a pin and ran through your gorgeous bubble garden. If you have dreamed of a beach location since you were a little girl, and this is your fairytale wish, remember, it is YOUR day and it is YOUR dream. It is also comforting to be aware that couples planning a traditional church wedding at home, have “know it all’s” with “pins” too. So planning a wedding isn’t always cheery regardless of where you have it. Now, if this seems to be the only affordable way you can get married, because let’s face it, for the bride/groom, a destination wedding is far cheaper than a traditional wedding, then you might have to convince your invitees that this is the way it is going to be and you would prefer to not hear their complaints as your mind is made up. Taking the offense can be the best defense when you announce your news. One of our destination wedding couples shared this:
“Our wedding allowed some of our dear loved ones the opportunity to travel outside the US for the first time. They might not have ever experienced a trip like this in their lifetime and for that I am truly grateful.” [Dana & Anthony Petrucci- read more]
Remember, a normal wedding is about 4-5 hours. A destination wedding is 4 days. These precious days shared with loved ones will make an indelible memory on everyone who attends. Hearing your dream isn’t your families dream can be devastating, but VIP is here to help talk you through things and having support while you plan your big day can work wonders!
