Looking back on some of our highlights videos, there is one thing that I have noticed takes the video to the next level. Something that takes the memories from a formal affair to an entire day of celebration. Getting Ready Coverage makes all the difference. Here are the top 5 reasons to add Getting Ready Coverage to your wedding package.

1. Catches the intimate exchanges between loved ones. A ceremony and reception video accompanied with getting ready footage can help you to relieve how it felt when your sister laced up your dress, when you gave your grandparent a big hug, or your parents tears when they first saw you in your dress. The unplanned moments with your loved ones are the most emotional and closest to your heart. These memories deserve to be documented!

2. Every moment of your day is documented. Sometimes the overwhelming feelings of the day can overcome your memory. Much like other important events in our lives, this day will fly by. Having a video of the day can help you look back and remember all the special moments, from the hair and make-up in the morning till the end of the reception. Pictures are great to look at, but having a video can really take you back to that day.

2. It truly completes your wedding day story.  With this add-on, we start the day early on with the bride as she begins her hair and make-up.  Following the bride and groom to the venue, we cover the bride’s dress and the groom’s tuxedo. We catch all the little details that can sometimes slip through the cracks, like shoes, jewelry, and so much more.

 4. You become more comfortable with your videographers. This add-on service allows us, as videographers, to help track your entire day. Wedding Memories of Omaha offers this service because we value the priceless moments that happen throughout the whole day, not just at the ceremony and reception.

5. It captures your personality as a couple. Some couples choose to meet together before the ceremony, some write letters to express their love. Any way you choose, we can capture it on film. Unlike pictures, we keep the film rolling to catch the secret kisses, bloopers, laughing, and everything in between. With this extra footage, we are able to make the video to fit each couple’s personality perfectly.

Amy & Bill’s wedding on Saturday, April 21 at St. James Catholic church was a real treat for us. The church itself is beautifully adorned with stained glass windows and elegant wood beams. It provided a comfortable space for the bride and groom to have their own changing areas and privacy on their big day.

The Scoular Ballroom hosted the reception. The ballroom is a historic landmark in Omaha, constructed in 1927. The atrium area is made of glass and marble, and upon initial entry is very stunning, especially when light floods in at sunset! It would be nice to put a sign in here, so guests can find the reception hall itself (which is down a long hallway). The interior of the ballroom is very attractive, with vaulted ceilings and exquisite trim. Its fine drapery gives the Scoular an air of old-fashioned appeal, and the ballroom very comfortably seats over 300 people. The head table was set on the stage on the other side of the dance floor, which provided a nice separation and view of the wedding party but might have made it hard for some people to see at that distance.

Amy and Bill used the atrium and hallway to practice a funny dance for when they entered the ballroom. This worked really well and was very entertaining for guests. A huge benefit of the Scoular is that there is enough space to move around and dance as you enter, even with the gifts and guest sign-in table nearby.

The dance floor itself is made of wood panels on top of the natural carpeting of the ballroom. This made it unsteady for a tripod during dancing, and it is fairly small in comparison to the size of the room itself. The high overhead lights are either “on” or “off,” so if you want to adjust the intimacy of the lighting on any range other than very light or very dark, use lots of candles for your tables or bring in additional ambient lights.

Candles alight every table, in the background the head table sits atop the stage

The food serving lines were set up on the dance floor itself, and then torn down before the dancing. Overall, the staff is courteous and helpful, though some of the food tables were taken apart during the toasts, creating a distraction. There was also no one qualified to run the audio-visual equipment on point, so if you’re going to play a video or slideshow you might want to inquire beforehand. The off-street parking is great, and there’s a useful roundabout for pick-up or drop-off.

Overall, the Scoular provided a very elegant experience for Amy and Bill’s charming reception. We recommend the Scoular for larger weddings, especially those seeking a classic romantic look. We were honored to spend a day with Amy and Bill and their families, and we look forward to filming more receptions at Omaha’s Scoular Ballroom in the future.

We’re thrilled to release our brand new website! Our goal was to make the design match the quality of our videos.

I hope you enjoy the fresh new look. It comes with a pretty new price guide to walk you through our packages on the Samples and Packages page, and we’ve added a brand new package.

The new package is called the Ultimate Cinema Package. It’s going to be a package that gives us total creative freedom to do all the things we really want to do for your wedding film. It’s not that we don’t do our best for the other packages, but we do our best with what we have. When we have more videographers for longer on your day, we can try more things and inevitably get more amazing shots. We can bring out all our fancy video equipment and really step up the storytelling.

We’ve also completely refreshed our approach to love stories and the way we do interviews, so check out our latest samples! They’re fast-paced, engaging, and fit your style.

Happy wedding planning!

Another weekend, another bridal fair. The arena smells of reused table clothes and fog machines. A beat up party bus sits in the corner and you’re wondering why on earth you gave up your morning for this, but how else are you going to find the perfect dress? The gaudy centerpiece that your mother-in-law insists upon? Most of all, you’re questioning if there is a better way to do wedding planning. There are other brides like YOU who are looking for a sliver of personality in an atmosphere of hum-drum. Not EVERY wedding is birthed from the bland and repetitive ideas displayed in today’s bridal fairs.

That’s exactly what Candace Kalasky thought. She teamed up with Megan Hunt and Lesley Pick and created The Lovestruck Event. The set had a vintage, DIY feel. Handmade streamers, giant balloons attached to an antiqued ladder, and custom made cakes brought the whole vision together. It’s like Pinterest jumped off of the web browser and into Nebraska. Models donned wedding dresses ranging from Cinderella gowns to spunky short styles. Once they emerged from the hair & makeup station, they proceeded to pop champagne and nibble on pastel colored macaroons while being photographed for the event’s promos. Jokes and laughter constantly interrupted the 90’s music mash-up playing in the background and the color scheme hit the “Kate Spade feel” nail on the head. If the promo shoot was this fun, one can only imagine how the actual event is going to be!

The Lovestruck Event, held on September 30th, is going to be a place where you can engage all five senses and experience what your wedding day will be like. Dance to the music, taste the cake, smell the flowers; they promise to fill you with inspiration and motivation to make your big day stand out with out blowing budget. Bright, fun, and colorful…this event is going to be anything but “bridal fair”. Check out their newly released website for more information & come say “Hey” to us as we are part of their vendors list. Cheers!

Love story teaser trailers are a great way to give your guests a sneak-preview of your love story and get them really pumped up for your reception. We’ve started adding teaser trailers with every love story package this year, and we are so pleased to announce the release of Laura & Adam’s exclusive new love story teaser trailer.

These give away bits and pieces of the stories, but make you want to come back for more! It’s a trailer for what’s to come at your reception with the full love story, but also in a way your entire wedding day.

Watch it only if you’re prepared to be enthralled and amazed.

As videographers, we pay attention to detail. The candy pearls on the cake, perfectly placed crystals on the center pieces, even down to the hem of the dress. With every new season comes new fashion styles and that doesn’t stop at your wedding dress. Notice how your mom’s puffy sleeve gown has transformed into today’s strapless, mermaid cut. Here are some tips & trending styles from this year’s top designers, from Atelier Aimee to Vera Wang.

TEXTURE- Although a sleek, figure defining dress is feminine and classy, this years designs are dropping the smooth cupcake look and getting messy! Today’s gowns are bursting at the seams..literally. Horse hair (no worries, most designers use man-made fabrics & just call it that) is making it’s way out of the underlying layers and onto the front of gowns. Tiered tulle isn’t just for prima ballerinas either. Organza fabrics are more controlled than tulle but also add volume. It has a crisp and stiff texture, while Georgette is light and sheer. It can be beautifully layered and still maintain a controlled, flowing look. Sheer, beaded or lace overlays are HUGE this year. Designer Lazaro defines this look in their gowns.

COLOR-White is traditional, but every girl looks great in a bit of color. Blush hues have been popping up on the runway making a statement that color is not quirky, but expected. Plus Reese Witherspoon donned a flush-cheek color gown on her big day. Try Oyster, sherbet, or creme. Go daring and experiment with nude with a lace overlay (Vera Wang featured gowns in…BLACK!). It can add a haute couture touch to an elegant affair. Christos accomplished this breathtaking look in many pink, grey, and a couple gold dresses.

ACCENT-Contrasting ribbon waistline in silver, gold, or ivory with jeweled detail. Don’t be afraid to add big bows or long ribbon tails,but keep in mind that the texture of the rest of the dress might be busy enough. Also, lace isn’t being confined to just the bodice or skirt. Lacey sleeves are becoming more common (Kate Middleton pulled them off royally! Pun intended), plus they’ve always been feminine and slimming. Monique Lhuillier is on top of all of these wedding gown details.

WAISTLINES-The natural waistline is dominant this year, but the dropped waist is a close second. Paired with a sweetheart neckline, a natural waistline gives an innocent look without looking too much like a little girl on Easter Sunday. The drop waist gives a bit more va-va-voom for a classy, modern bride. The trumpet and mermaid cuts are perfect for the confident bride. Hugging every curve and giving an ultra-femme vibe.

All of these trends are observations as to what has been seen recently on the runway from the world’s top bridal gown designers. Happy shopping, bride-to-be!

Sarah and Brad’s wedding at Lauritzen Gardens fit the concept of a “winter wonderland” wedding to a tee…it was even set on a day when the sky was filled with snowflakes! A forest of poinsettias and Christmas lights surround a miniature village of intricately designed buildings commonly seen around Omaha. A fun, active train weaves over bridges and in between plants, although, make sure to ask the event director to turn it off before the ceremony, otherwise it can prove to be a bit of a distraction.

The groom’s getting-ready-suite was lined with rich mahogany color walls, tables, and sturdy chairs. The bride’s room was less than spacious allowing room for only three to four people to occupy it comfortably. With a grand fireplace in a clearing of abundant plants serving as the vow exchange backdrop, it feels almost as magical as if the wedding were taking place in an actual forest (sans the brisk Nebraska wind). There are plenty of angles for wide and close up shots for videographers/photographers; however, photos in public areas are strictly prohibited before 5pm. That might make a difference in planning your ceremony to allow time for photos of the dress, for instance, in some of the prettiest parts of the gardens.

Walls fitted with double doors line the perimeter of the reception hall. Bartenders ready and willing to pour you a drink, friendly staff, and delightful food compliment the seasonal theme. Tables garnished with led lit trees dangle like chandeliers, playing off the poinsettia bouquets dusted with a shimmer that would make mother-nature proud. The shallow stage and grand dance floor provides an intimate setting for the string quartet that Sarah and Brad had arranged to perform. Lighting was prime, so the first dance photos and videos will turn out crisp. Guest’s tables surrounded the wedding party table (which was placed perpendicular to the stage), but the abundant center pieces can make it difficult for videographers to get a clear shot during the toasts.

Over all, Lauritzen Gardens is an enchanting venue to host your wedding and reception. Make your guests (and yourself) feel caught in a cinematic winter forest with the luxury of a controlled climate.

Valoree and Aaron’s ceremony at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Gretna, NE was breathtaking.

Tall, solid wood doors greeted friends and family to the sky scraping ceilings composing the main chapel. Stained glass windows painted masterpieces on the marbled floors and solid wood beams stretched from floor to ceiling. Rustic, yet refined, this church was traditional with a contemporary design twist.

An enchanting terrace provided a magical scene for Val and Aaron’s first meeting. The snowy staircase surrounded with pine and other seasonal plants enveloped the couple to hold in the romantic moment and seemingly freeze time (allotting plenty of opportunities for photographers/videographers to catch the pre-ceremonial event).

The reception was held at the Embassy Suites in LaVista . A dining hall fit for royalty implemented enough space for invitees to mingle, dine, and view the newly pronounced husband and wife. The wedding party tables were on a raised two tier stage which made it easy for viewing during toasts. The amiable staff wasn’t afraid to strike up a conversation…or refill your drink.

In conclusion, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church is a wonderful place to hold your wedding while honoring your faith and tradition. The up to date sound system will ensure that everyone hears you say “I do” and the Embassy Suites will ensure a happy guest along with a pleased bride and groom.

Your ceremony was a hit and your reception is promising, but what are guests to do with all the in between time from the two events? While you’re busy taking pictures, guests will be waiting at the venue and cocktail drinks can only go so far. Lucky for you, we did a little bit of research to help you out. Here are a few ideas to spark your creative imagination:

1. Live Singers/Dancers- An a cappella group or singing waiters during cocktail hour will turn on the charm. There has been a dramatic increase in the usage of live entertainment such as stringed quartets. Hire a group of dancers; choose from belly dancers to Irish jig or salsa dancers who’ll perform before you arrive. Bring in some different music for an hour or so, perhaps a steel drum band, a barbershop quartet, or a mariachi band.

2. Magician- We’re not talking stuffed animals out of a hat here. Card tricks and illusions will create an outstanding atmosphere. Wedding magicians know that the long wait between ceremony and reception can be excruciatingly awkward, so they are there to ease the pain in a fun, yet still adult, process. Bringing people together and creating a light atmosphere…that’s the definition of a reception and a good magician will achieve that. Omaha-based magician Ryan Thomas has frequently performed here in Nebraska as well as Oregon and Southern California. He provides light hearted entertainment to wedding receptions, as well as other functions, in the form of close-up card magic.

3. Watercolor Artist- There are actually wedding watercolor artists who will draw in pastels, or paint in watercolors, the reception as it unfolds. This can be a great gift for the bride and groom, but it’s also some quiet entertainment for guests and especially good for weddings set in great scenery, creating a collage of events like guests dancing outdoors on the sand and the best man’s toast by the water at a beach side bash.

As your guests get comfortable for the evening, any of these functions will be an entertaining way to help keep order. Everyone will be talking about your wedding for a long time and you will have done something different and memorable. Choose wisely, have a great time and congratulations!

We had a splendid day with Miayia and Tung in Sioux City, Iowa. We began at Saigon Hair, where we filmed Maiyia’s getting-ready coverage. Then, we moved over to Tung’s parents’ house, where we watched him and his wedding party assemble. The ceremony itself was a traditional Vietnamese affair, involving the groom first visiting the bride’s home in a processional to ask for her hand and offer gifts to her family, and then the entire party subsequently moving to the groom’s home to celebrate.

This was followed by an afternoon at Grand View Park, which, if you’re near Sioux City, is a lovely place to have your pictures taken! The rose garden is very green and beautiful in the summertime, with a scenic fountain and Greek pillars for a backdrop. There is also a white amphitheater where we found more great photo/video opportunities.

The reception was held that evening at the Martin Ballroom, a venue in downtown Sioux City. The Martin Ballroom is historic, and was originally part of a hotel (The Martin Hotel) built in 1913. The room itself is a cream color, with ornate white trim and high ceilings, and it looked very elegant with Maiyia and Tung’s black and white wedding colors. A delicious family-style meal was served, and a small, elevated stage offered a space for the first dance, as well as a karaoke stage. This was cute at Maiyia and Tung’s reception, but it may not be the right choice for every couple, especially one that would like a lot of people to join them during or after the first dance. Guests must also walk up a long flight of stairs to enter the hall, but a charming foyer greets them at the top—useful for additional photos, gift placement, and other displays.

We were told that occasionally those in the apartments above and below will complain about noise levels, which is definitely a negative for a couple that wants late-night dancing. While a moderate echo and slightly harsh ceiling lights distracted from the warmth of the room, some adjustments are probably possible to make the lighting more intimate. The ballroom seems like a good option for a couple that appreciates functionality, since there is plenty of space, enough to accommodate many guests and arrange a larger dance floor if so desired. For more information, go to www. martinballroom.com.

Overall, the day was pleasant and memorable, and we’d recommend brides in the Sioux City area check out both of these locations. Congratulations Maiyia and Tung!