Lisa + Ryan: A central Wisconsin love story

sweetpeacinema October 3, 2014

When love finds you in an unexpected place, there’s something extra sweet about it.Lisa and Ryan — both transplants to the state — came from south of the Illinois line to establish careers in Wausau, she as a medical professional, he as a law-enforcement official.Each had busy, hard and demanding careers. Neither one really knew if central Wisconsin would be the place they’d call home.That is until they met each other.Then suddenly, the world — and the possibilities — opened up. Love blossomed and roots began to take hold.We have an extra soft spot in our hearts for these two, because they remind us just a little of our own love story. Dean and I married later in life (much later than Lisa and Ryan, for sure!), and until I met Dean, I wondered if love and true companionship would ever cross my threshold. I found that the wait was worth it, and I’m certain Lisa and Ryan do too.Now, let’s talk about their Sneak Peek.We simply had to set their first look moment on the grassy slopes of Granite Peak  as the foundation for the piece. We can’t recall more unfettered joy in a couple seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day. The tears and emotion were infectious!And of all the really wonderful things people said in their toasts to the couple, we fell hard for what step-dad David had to say, particularly after he asked permission of the groom to speak on behalf of Ryan’s late father, Kirk. What a gentleman.We also can’t say enough about working with the McCartneys. Butch and Kelsy are amazing. Please check out their photos and blog post from Lisa and Ryan’s wedding. We’d like to also thank the folks at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, who were more than gracious in setting up for the ceremony. Lastly, the Jefferson Street Inn‘s ballroom looked splendid with birch trees, wicker globes encased in moss and twinkling Edison lights illuminating the night, much from Evolutions in Design. Beautiful!If you’d like to know more about the wedding professionals who made their day all the more glorious, please check out the links below.Of course, there is much, much more beauty, laughter and love to come in their full cinematic film. We can’t wait to edit their incredible first dance! It is not to be missed.Cheers,CindyHair and makeup: Courtney Torres of The Beauty CatBridal gown: Jenny Lee from L’atelier Couture, MinneapolisBridesmaids dresses: Saison BlancheTuxes: Campbell Haines MenswearFlorist: Randy at Evolutions in Design!Band: Charisma (Bananas Entertainment)Catering: City Grill & Jefferson Street InnCatering manager: Jamie MartinoCake: Loving Traditions CakeryPhotographers: Kelsy and Butch McCartney of The McCartneys

Carissa + Jeff: A Love Story

sweetpeacinema October 3, 2014

Carissa and Jeff are a couple up for anything, and when we found out they wanted to do something extraordinary for their wedding reception, we were totally on board, too.We’re big fans of the slideshows that couples present during their receptions. They connect guests with the bride and groom and show how their lives evolved and, eventually, intertwined.But there’s something a little more exciting than a slideshow: a Love Story Film.A Love Story Film lets us showcase who you two are as a couple, reveal how you two met, what drew you to each other and what are your plans for the future. If it’s possible, we can incorporate still images — like a slideshow, in effect — as well as interviews with people who are the most important in your life.Carissa and Jeff knocked this one out of the ballpark. Their fun story of how they met anchored the piece, and we loved getting interviews with their respective parents and bridal party members. The love everyone has for these two really shows through in the wonderful comments they had to say about the newlyweds.As an extra special surprise, we added a few snippets of same-day footage to their piece, just minutes before it was played at their reception. We think it helps carry their story even further!Please enjoy this encore presentation of Carissa and Jeff’s Love Story Film, and stay tuned for their Sneak Peek, which is just around the corner!Cheers,Cindy 

Andrea + Chris: Old St. Joe’s and Tundra Lodge

sweetpeacinema September 17, 2014

When we met Andrea in the fall of 2013, we knew we were in the presence of someone special.Soon after our conversations began, Andrea revealed that her fiance, Chris, was serving in the U.S. Army on active duty in Afghanistan.Gulp!We’ve filmed weddings for service members who had retired from the military, but we never had planned a production with someone actively serving. Overseas. In combat zone.Double gulp.But then we met Andrea in person over a glass of wine at Timmer’s Resort. And, boy, did we learn a lot.This young lady’s grace under what had to be a stressful time was a shining example for us. Her fiance, now a Captain and Armor Officer, was in a dangerous place thousands of miles away and she was doing much of the heavy lifting of planning for their fall 2014 wedding at Old St. Joe’s Church on St. Norbert College campus and the Tundra Lodge. And Andrea was the picture of poise, ease and confidence. So of course we knew we had to pull up our britches and concentrate on creating glorious film for them.And then we met Chris, just a few short weeks before their big day when he finally returned home.Again, we were blown away.Chris is not only charming, confident in the best sense of the word, funny and humble, but you immediately see his love for Andrea. We understood why Andrea waited so long for him.It’s hard not to admire these two, and Andrea’s father, David, captured that sentiment best in his welcome speech and toast at the reception.  His message to the couple and their guests seemed to be the perfect audio foundation for Andrea and Chris’ Sneak Peek, which we hope allows you to feel at least a fraction of the love, commitment and character these two have.If you’re interested in knowing more about their wedding details, please see the list of wedding professionals below.Congrats to the newlyweds and enjoy!Cindy

Melody + Justin: Pledging their love

sweetpeacinema September 12, 2014

Sincerity can be in short supply these days, but Melody and Justin have it flowing through them, especially on their wedding day.Everything about their big day — which started at RockWood Church in Waukesha and ended at a lovely reception at the verdant Silver Spring Golf Course and Country Club — was so earnest and genuine, from their select bridal party of two to the their first dance song, “When God Made You.” If you don’t know the lyrics, definitely look them up.We also admired their personalized vows during the ceremony. Professional speakers couldn’t have done better. They touched on humor, humility and, of course, the love they share. The look on Justin’s face, when he promised to love, honor, cherish and protect Melody, simply melted our hearts. And it’s why we decided to anchor their Sneak Peek with their declarations of love!And let’s talk a little bit about their reception. We’ve seen candy tables before, but these two outdid themselves in that department. Plus, we’ve never filmed a bubble machine before, and we have to say: LOVE IT! Thanks for something new Kevin from Midwest Sound! Then there’s the dance that Melody and her brother performed. Fun. Entertaining. And just the right amount of goofiness.We can’t wrap up this blog post without a couple of thanks.First to our two assistants, Jayce and Charles. This was our third wedding of the weekend, and their help and creativity definitely kept our creative efforts flowing. Charles is responsible for that excellent motion shot of the newlyweds on the golf course, and Jayce helped capture that pretty epic slow motion ring reveal shot at the end.And we must thank the incredible team from Nikki Winter Photography, including Nikki herself, who were absolutely AH-MAY-ZING to work with. It’s not often you feel such a strong creative kinship!So enjoy this little sneak peek and stay tuned for more joy and beauty in their final project.If you’d like more information about the wedding pros that helped Melody and Justin celebrate their big day, please check out the list below!Congrats to Melody and Justin!Cheers,Cindy

Christa + Joe: Two clans unite at Gesu and Pier Wisconsin

sweetpeacinema September 9, 2014

Family is everything to Christa and Joe, whose marriage in August brought together two vast and great clans, the Connors and the Armelis.About 400 guests — predominantly family members of each clan — helped the newlyweds celebrate their beautiful wedding ceremony at the Church of Gesu on Marquette University‘s campus followed by a spectacular reception at Pier Wisconsin by Bartolotta Catering.While several people toasted the newlyweds, we were particularly moved by remarks by one of Christa’s four brothers, Shane.Not only did he give his new brother-in-law a ration of familial hazing, Shane summed up what many had said before and after: That Joe and Christa match each other perfectly. They’re smart, fun-loving, have their priorities in sync, and they both put a priority on family and close friends.So, we couldn’t resist setting his words as the foundation for Christa and Joe’s sneak peek.Gosh, there’s so much more to see yet: incredible photo sessions with Matt Mason Photography, a wild trolley ride and Sweet Pea’s first recording of a Sicilian coin dance. But all of that will come with their longer film. And if you’re interested in some of the wedding professionals who helped them pull off so much beauty, check out the resources below.We wish the newlyweds a fantastic future and many blessings!Cheers,Cindy

The team

Ceremony: Church of the Gesu, Marquette University CampusOfficiant: Father Patrick Dorsey, SJReception: Pier Wisconsin by Bartolotta CateringCatering manager: Julie GerberPhotography: Matt Mason PhotographyHair and makeup: Neroli, downtown MilwaukeeMen’s grooming: Groom for MenBride’s dress (designer and retailer): Lazaro, GiGi’s of MequonGroom’s tux (designer and retailer): Ermenegildo Zegna, Harleys for MenBridesmaid’s dresses: Watters, Pearls PlaceBridesmaid’s cages (netting hair pieces): Made by the brideTransportation (trolley): Spring City TrolleyReception lighting: Acme Production ResourcesLinens: BBJ LinensCake: Cakes by Erin SalernoBand: North Coast Orchestra

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