You’ve got an amazing surprise engagement perfectly planned.
That plan includes everything from the moment you bend a knee to the carefully memorized words that end in “Will you marry me?”
We’ve seen dozens of proposal videos on our social feeds, but almost all of them are nearly impossible to watch: super shaky and the faintest of audio. That’s because they generally are captured on cell phone. There’s no chance of getting it right with that gear.
Let Sweet Pea help!
With engagement season nearly upon us (that’s now through February), we are offering a great deal to folks about to propose.
We’ll help plan the big moment with you and use all our stealthy gear (long lenses, hidden microphones) to capture it all without tipping your hand.
Then, we’ll expedite the edit so you can share the good news within hours.
The really great news? You can apply the entire cost of an Engagement Planning and Shoot Package to any Sweet Pea Wedding Film package that is booked.
And that makes this shoot entirely free to SPC wedding clients!
It’s our way of saying thanks for a Wedding Film Package booking, and it lets us get to know you two even better before the really, really, really big day.
Emotions are expected on a wedding day — joy, laughter, tears, happiness — as a whole range of feelings hits couples on their big day.
We knew Chris and Sara would wear their emotions on their figurative sleeves (well Sara didn’t have sleeves on her gorgeous Enzoani gown, but you get my point). Both bride and groom had waited a long time and planned an amazing day for guests of their beautiful destination wedding earlier this month at Gordon Lodge in Baileys Harbor.
These two are deeply in love and support each other in everything they do, so of course emotions were high.
Door County holds a special place in their hearts. Chris’ family has had a home there for years. Chris had shared his love for the region’s stunning views of Lake Michigan and beautiful forested lands with Sara, so it’s no surprise they said their “I dos” at Gordon Lodge.
Ready to Wow
For a destination wedding, we almost always arrive early and try to have an extra “romantic” video session with the couple, especially when its Door County. We had planned a midday sailing shoot with these two, but Wisconsin’s fickle weather kept the wind gusts too strong to fly our drone.
I was bummed out, but I have to say now that I’ve scanned all the wedding day footage, we didn’t need the extra shoot. Amazing toasts and incredible heartfelt personal vows, their cinematic film is going to wow everyone.
Our Favorite Things
What did we love about working with Chris and Sara?
First, these two are incredibly open and trusting. When we asked questions, they answered. And when they shared meaningful moments, they never blinked at having us around. That level of trust is so rewarding. (I gotta admit: I was totally teary-eyed during their ceremony!)
Second: They planned a perfect day, everything from the surprise bouquet Chris sent to Sara on the morning of their wedding day, to amazing personal vows that illuminated why they love each other, a rockin’ cocktail hour and a reception that left guests entirely happy they had traveled to one of Wisconsin’s most beautiful locations.
Third: We were lucky to work with some of our favorite wedding pros: Chandra from Door County Event Planners, Amy from Gordon Lodge and the incomprobale photographer Jason Mann. When you work with people who care deeply about their clients and strive to give them the absolute best, as well as prioritize collaboration, there’s just nothing better.
Emotions to Start the Day
When I started scrubbing the footage from this wedding, I knew that the couples’ card readings and first look before the ceremony would anchor their Sneak Peek. I can’t tell you how many times I had tears welling up in my own eyes as I edited the footage. That’s how beautiful these two are together.
We hope you enjoy their Sneak Peek as much as we did creating it and that it satisfies everyone’s cravings for more until we can get their final project finished down the road.
When the car turns north on Interstate 39 and zooms past Wausau for a destination wedding, the North Woods of Wisconsin begin to take shape.
Tree trunks get bigger. The air is fresh. Lakes look like gemstones as sunlight bounces off rippling waters.
We’ve been up north many times to film weddings, but we’d never had the chance to record at Red Crown Lodge in Woodruff, Wis. We were excited to explore this grand retreat AND start filming the wedding weekend of fun for bride MacKenzie and groom Andrew.
We’d never been to Red Crown before because the private resort limits its weddings to just a few each year; most of its bookings are corporate events. It makes sense, as this storied getaway was established in 1922 as the annual gathering place for Standard Oil executives. It’s a stunning place with buildings made from gargantuan trees, immaculate lawns and furnishings, and impeccable service from the staff. When someone asks if we’re willing to travel for a destination wedding and it’s to a stunner like this, we immediately say: YES!
The lodge is on the banks of Trout Lake, one of Wisconsin’s true gems. It has some of the clearest waters we’ve ever seen, and when we arrived Friday, the sun was reflecting a brilliant blue. Heaven!
Destination wedding & water sports
We arrived early to scout out the location. We like to attend a wedding ceremony rehearsal if possible, particularly if it’s a destination wedding location where we’ve never filmed before. It gives us the chance to determine sitelines and find the best spots for our gear. It also lets us get to know the couples’ families and friends even better.
We also knew we wanted to take the time to record MacKenzie and Andrew on the lake. These two love hanging out on the water, and Andrew practically grew up in the Min-Aqua Bats water ski club, just down the road.
So when Andrew said he’d have access to the family’s wooden ’57 Carver boat with its sleek prow and vintage Johnson 25 motor, we knew we wanted that baby on film! Of course, we were thinking of a romantic sunset cruise, which did happen, but in true Andrew style, he opened up the motor and put the boat through a few paces, too.
Of course, our trusty DJI Mavic Pro 2 drone captured some stunning footage!
North Woods vibe
Saturday’s wedding ceremony had the perfect location: Tucked under a canopy of pines with a backdrop of the lake that guests could admire from their elegant wooden farm chairs arranged in a semi-circle.
During his sermon, Deacon Richard Piontek encouraged the couple to make good use of their “forgetter,” which is what he calls a willingness to let go of anything that gets in the way of keeping positive. He cited Corinthians 13, which describes love as being patient and kind.
Then, it was on to the party! In case of rain, a large tent was erected on the eastern lawn, and it’s clear roof let the canopy of trees envelop the guests, along with beautiful hanging wreaths of greenery. Tall, elegant centerpieces in white, pink and blush flowers graced each table.
MacKenzie’s father, Jeff, started his toast with a trusty Green Bay Packers Title Towel, which he called his “crying towel” in case he “choked up.” And while his eyes glistened during his loving toast to his daughter and new son-in-law, there were far more bouts of laughter throughout.
In the end, groom Andrew stood up to speak and not only thanked his stunning bride but both their families. You see, for Andrew and MacKenzie, having their family and friends gathered close to watch the start of their new lives together meant everything. The beautiful setting was just icing on the cake.
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
Congrats to the newlyweds, and we hope you enjoy this Sneak Peek until their full wedding project is complete!!
Sound the alarms, because the Story Hill FireHouse has opened its doors (its stunning, custom-built, firetruck-size doors) as one of Milwaukee’s hot new wedding venues. The newly renovated 1927 bungalow-style firehouse is the imaginative creation of the vivacious Janelle Meyer Brown, owner of Evenement. After 25 years in the event planning business, Brown finally wanted her own venue, and she found a real jewel.
FireHouse Character
The historic brick firehouse, nestled on the western edge of Milwaukee where it’s convenient to downtown as well as the western suburbs, shines with character. From its sliding pole, antique hook ladder, firefighter dorms and lush grounds, the space charms its guests with a unique blend of intimacy. Story Hill FirehHouse recently invited some of the area’s top wedding professionals to showcase its features with an inspirational wedding shoot. Watch our video and check out all of the unique features at the firehouse. (Our special thanks to newly(ish)weds Elizabeth and Derek, who played our smokin’ hot bride and groom.)
Vendors On Fire!
We love these shoots because, unlike a real wedding day when each wedding pro is hyper-focused on their own craft, we all get to relax a bit more and collaborate with one another. Those flowers! Those cocktails! That cake! All these vendors were on fire!! Thank you, Story Hill FireHouse, and best wishes!Florist: Flowers for DreamsPhotographer: Roost MKECake: Cake LadyInvites/Table Needs: Bayview Printing Co. Bar sign/#sign: DCo LovenotesLinens: BBJ LinensRentals/Tablescapes: Marquee RentalsHair: BeautiqueMake-Up: Felicia Sopa
The perfect toast came during the very last hours of the very last day of four continuous and beautiful days of celebrating the union of a stunning and gracious teacher and her handsome and charming accountant.
The perfect toast came after a colorful and buoyant sangeet, which is a traditional Sikh party that introduces both families and is a wonderful display of singing and dancing, as well as the jaggo ceremony, which finds favorite aunties carrying a symbolic lighted oil lamp while they dance.
And we can’t forget to mention the amazing Indian cuisine from Bollywood Grill as well as DJ KSR, one of the chillest spinning artist we’ve met, who nonetheless unleashed next-level tunes with ground-breaking and infectious Bhangra tracks until the dance floor could hold no more.
The perfect toast also followed another day that began before dawn to properly celebrate a Sikh wedding ceremony, including the groom’s pre-ceremony preparation and rituals, arrival to the church in a hotrod BMW, teasing negotiations to enter the temple and an exchange of garlands between relatives.
After the groom and bride each made their own stunning entrances into the temple, the ceremony began. After sacred verses were repeated, the wedding couple walked around the Holy Scripture four times. Kim’s brothers, cousins and dear friends escorted her in this walk, as AJ took the lead. At the end of the ceremony, a small treat was offered to all guests before everyone headed into another amazing luncheon of delicious traditional Punjabi food.
The couple’s perfect story also included one more day: a joyous Catholic ceremony held at Gesu Church on the campus of Marquette University, where these two met.
We loved the message the priest delivered: that two people from two religious backgrounds could not only make a beautiful life together, but could merge two communities that would support them throughout their lives. And seeing Kim walk up that impossibly long and stunning aisle at Gesu took our breath away!
And then it was on to the reception where hundreds of cherished family members, friends and acquaintances were treated to amazing food and hospitality … as well as a not-so-welcome spring snowstorm.
And now to the perfect story
As giant snowflakes floated down from the sky, covering everything in a blanket of white, that’s when Kim and AJ’s perfect story unfolded.Bibek, one of two best men took the microphone and began to talk about a moment in time when he knew that AJ was going to make Kim his wife, and it was a profoundly moving moment for both men.
And for everyone in the entire room.
You see, AJ had his love on his mind and was worried that blending their religions and cultures was a lot to ask of someone. But Kim – determined, energetic, honest and kind – was more than up to the task, embracing everything and everyone in every way. You could see it in the way she looked at AJ during the long days of parties, dancing and rituals: I’m in this. I’ve got this. I love you.
So Bibek’s story is the centerpiece of Kim and AJ’s Sneak Peek, which we have to admit is one that is soooo filled with beauty, action, love and emotion, that it takes our breath away every time we watch it – and as we edited it!
