Italian Inspired Rehearsal Dinner: Nikki + Chad

Nikki and Chad welcomed guests to their Italian inspired rehearsal dinner with cocktails on the croquet lawn at The Breakers Palm Beach. Event designer, Renny & Reed, flew in beautiful trees from New York which we centered the stations around. Reed even incorporated mini versions of the trees for the escort table. We hung the amazing escort cards from Mr. Boddington's Studio from the little branches.

After cocktails, guests feasted on an exquisite Italian dinner in the majestic Circle Ballroom. To start, a trio of pastas including a light-as-air sweet potato gnocchi, followed by The Breaker's take on a caesar salad - a combination of roasted garlic dressing, topped with a balsamic reduction and jumbo stuffed fried olives. Everyone raved about the veal with a skillet of polenta and spinach and could not believe their eyes when the meal finished with an enormous gelato sundae! The amazing meal was enhanced by the perfect wine pairings that The Breaker's master sommelier, Virginia Philip, picked for the meal.

Nikki surprised Chad and the rest of her guests by booking The Three Waiters for dinner entertainment. If you're not familiar, The Three Waiters are amazing singers disguised as actual waiters. Throughout dinner, they put on a bit of a show (it's quite funny and guests totally buy into the act.) At the end of the meal, the waiters are revealed as the amazing singers that they are and put on an astounding performance. Check out the photo below of guest Jerry Rice  - he loved it!

My Favorite Detail? The escort cards from Mr. Boddington's Studio. The wax seal with the couple's monogram made them so special. Plus, I loved how guests wore them on their wrists throughout cocktails!

Venue and Catering by The Breakers Palm Beach. Photography by Abby Ross. Event design and florals by Renny & Reed. Printed Materials by Mr. Boddington's Studio. Calligraphy by Leigh Wells.

Coming Soon: Nikki + Chad's Rehearsal Dinner at The Breakers

I can't wait to share Nikki and Chad's amazing Italian inspired rehearsal dinner at The Breakers Palm Beach with you. It's a Circle Ballroom stunner! Stay tuned. Photo by Abby Ross.

Words of Wisdom: Thoughts on Videography

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a sucker for a good wedding video. I love seeing the highlights of the big day captured beautifully on film and woven seamlessly together to make a story that is so touching and so unique to each couple. Film is a wonderful addition to your wedding memories and I highly recommend incorporating it if your budget allows.

That said, it can be quite overwhelming to have a flurry of cameras around you on your wedding day. So I've compiled some suggestions to avoid making your wedding into a circus of photographers and film crew!

The video above is a preview of Nikki + Chad's Palm Beach Wedding that I will share with you next week. If you missed their welcome party, check it out here. Video by my new favorite videographer, the lovely Gina of LOLA Video. Be sure to check out her blog for Sarah + Graham's amazing video too!

* I believe the photographer should have priority over the videographer on the wedding day. Nothing ruins the perfect shot like a cameraman dodging in front of the lens. To make sure the photographer has the priority on the wedding day, be sure that it is written into the contract that the film crew should not be in front of the photographer's camera at anytime unless worked out ahead of time. I especially feel this is very important during the ceremony!

* Make sure the videographer moves around as little as possible during the ceremony. I usually allow one stationary camera off to the side of the altar (with no cameraman). This ensures you'll get the angle, but will keep all eyes on the soon-to-be-married couple and not the cameraman.

* Videographers should never interview guests or ask them to "Say a few words about the couple" into the camera. Nothing is more awkward for guests than to be interviewed on the spot (on film no less)! They should always accommodate requests for guests who ask to say a few words, but never impose.

* If you are like me and don't want to ruin the beautiful atmosphere that was created for the event, you need to make sure they do not use any light except during the cake cutting, first dance, or toasts (if it is dark). Having the camera light on during those key moments is actually a plus because it adds a follow spot on the bride and groom. Going without lighting may jeopardize quality a tad, but it will help your event feel more personal and intimate by not drawing attention to the cameras that are around.

* While I love "getting ready" shots, I think it is best to keep the photos and filming on the shorter side as that is a really critical time for keeping the day on schedule and too many cameras can create a bit of chaos.

* Videographers and photographers should keep their camera bags in a hidden, yet accessible spot at all times. Camera bags are not part of the event decor!

* A lot of my brides ask me which type of film to go with - HD vs. Super 8 vs. 16MM vs. Digital Video. There really are so many great choices! I really love the combo of Super 8 film and digital video. Super 8 reminds me of my dad's movies of us as kids. He would take his little camera with him on all vacations and film everything. And while I love the nostalgic look of Super 8, the one drawback is that there is no sound. In order to capture the sound during toasts, first dance, ceremony you need to also have a digital video camera. The end result is great (the video above of Nikki and Chad incorporates both Super 8 and digital). Of course, 16mm is spectacular and doesn't have the sound drawback of Super 8, but it can be much more expensive. For weddings, I really don't recommend HD video as realistic and crisp as the picture can be. It can be really unflattering and that is not how you would want to remember your wedding day!

Weekly Inspiration: Beautiful Flowers

Just a couple flowers to brighten up your Monday! I love seeing the "behind the scenes" photos from my events, like this one of all the centerpieces before they are placed on the tables.  Florals by Kathleen Deery Design.