Jillian & Andrew \ Ballroom at the Ben \ Highlight Film

Jillian and Andrew's wedding was sort of a last minute booking.  It actually happens quite often  with video.  Lots of people are on the fence and as the day approaches they go from thinking about it to wanting it.  I can't say for sure that was the case for Jillian but I'm so glad they did.  I had a blast at the wedding.  I say it all the time but they and their friends and family were so welcoming and it's true.


Jillian + Andrew | Highlights | Forever Lucky Films from Forever Lucky Films on Vimeo.

Marie & Albert | Tendenza | Forever Lucky Films

Marie + Albert | Highlights | Forever Lucky Films from Forever Lucky Films on Vimeo.

For more information check out www.foreverluckyfilms.com

Praying Mantis having Dinner

When you get stuck at home watching 9 month old twins you find all kinds of stuff you never noticed around the house. We have a resident mantis that's just been wrecking havoc all summer. Finally, filmed him the other night. Check out how he operates. Music: Nat King Cole - What'll I Do

Halle & David | The Old Mill | Forever Lucky Films

This wedding was a blast. First time I've seen a motorized cooler utilized in a wedding and that takes planning, so you know this was a run planned affair.  The simple elegance of the Old Mill and the fun bunch that filled the place was my inspiration for Halle and David's film.


Halle and David | The Old Mill | Forever Lucky Films from Forever Lucky Films on Vimeo.

Rachel + Damon | Forever Lucky Films | Grantville PA

Rachel nailed it. Even her details had details. From vintage books and signs to an ice cream truck were excellent touches that made it memorable. Rain came down just a few miles south but made to the wise choice to avoid their patch of heaven just outside Hershey PA. Bob Dylan is the master. Here he is being covered by, Audra Mae.

Rachel + Damon | Forever Lucky Films from Forever Lucky Films on Vimeo.

Cait + Chris | The Ashford Estate | Forever Lucky Films

The Ashford Estate remains one of the most spectacular locations for a wedding.    Long tree-lined dirt road.  Barn for ceremony.  Bigger 'barn' for the reception and beautiful French Revival styled Mansion.  So, if you're going to choose a location and if it's going to rain you can't find a better spot than Ashford.  Even indoors, every detail was designed to be the backdrop of your dream wedding.  Okay enough about that.

I've been lucky to shot a few weddings for the families involved.  Loved them all and really turned out better that I could have even hoped.   I've mentioned it before but when I edit I have to edit to music I like.  There's no one that I like more than Radiohead, but it took a subtle but intense Gigamesh remix to match the visuals of one of my weddings.

Cait + Chris | Forever Lucky Films from Forever Lucky Films on Vimeo.

Gen + Matt | Villanova & Overbrook Golf Club | Forever Lucky Films

Gen & Matt's are the perfect match. It all came down to a classroom at Villanova where they spotted each other and as Seinfeld would say - yada, yada yada- then they got married. We weren't there for the yada, but that didn't matta because we were their for the wedding? Fittingly, the wedding was held at the beautiful church at Villanova, followed by the the reception at the spectacular Overbrook Country Club.

 Every week I get to meet with different vendors at their venues and they stand out as one of the finest. One of the best photographers you can find, Shea Roggio, did all the heavy lifting and we were lucky to ride his coat tails a bit.
 

Joanna + Richard | Philadelphia Wedding | Forever Lucky Films

My birthday is June 3rd and this year I had my biggest celebration over.  Must have had two hundred and fifty turn out.  Musical acts from as far as Italy played their heart out for me.  There were canons shooting rose petals.   Even the dance floor had my initials printed on it.  However there there was a typo because it read 'JDR' and rather than 'JCR'.  There was an amazingly talented and fun photographer Amanda Young shadowing me.   Pretty awesome day all around.

Shockingly, I reviewed the footage and realized the party was not for me, but in fact is was an for a super nice and ridiculously photogenic couple -  Joanna and Richard.     I'll have another birthday but their wedding was unmatched!.

Joanna + Richard | Atrium at the Curtis Center | Forever Lucky Films from Forever Lucky Films on Vimeo.

Jackie + Tommy | Forever Lucky Films

Here's a highlight film from a fun wedding I did last weekend.  I can honestly say I've never seen a bride smile as much as Jackie.  Tommy told me Jackie doesn't like being in front of the camera, but you'd never know it, she moved with a joyous calm all day.   

Enjoy.

Philadelphia Wedding | Marybeth + Kevin | Forever Lucky FIlms

I neglected my blogging duties.  Too busy prepping for an intense summer.   This was the first of the season for me. And the first at Vie, a new venue on Broad Street in Philadelphia.  I don't think Vie will have a Saturday off very often  judging by the location, food and size .  Huge dance floor, projection wall but nothing over the top in terms of decor..  Allows for a lot of flexibility in creating a unique experience.   

Check out Marybeth and Kevin's video below and check out Photographer Jim Harris' take here.  

Sofitel Wedding | Alison & Dan | Forever Lucky Films

Getting unedited footage in the mail is like Christmas for me. Especially with the beautiful locations and talented filmmakers behind the camera like Tom and Jen Mattera. Alison and Dan's wedding started with a First Look at the Radnor Hotel, before shifting to the grand church at Villanova then culminating with a end-of-year reception at the dapper Sofitel Hotel.

For the video, I was drawn to M83's Midnight City and the lyrics that go with it.  They're simple but intertwine wildly with the video.

Waiting in a car
Waiting for a ride in the dark
The night city grows
Look and see her eyes, they glow

Waiting in a car
Waiting for a ride in the dark
Drinking in the lounge
Following the neon signs
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsty.com/m83-midnight-city-lyrics.html ]
Waiting for a roar
Looking at the mutating skyline
The city is my church
It wraps me in the sparkling twilight

Waiting in a car
Waiting for the right time
Waiting in a car
Waiting for the right time
Waiting in a car
Waiting for the right time
Waiting in a car
Waiting for the right time
Waiting in a car
Waiting for a ride in the dark

Collingswood Wedding | Fran + Mike | Forever Lucky Fillms

Soon after booking Fran and Mike's wedding. My wife learn she was pregnant with our first child. Due date Jan 15, 2012. Fran and Mike's wedding date, December 30th. I thought, whew dodged a close one (also booked Dec 31 more on that day later in the week). Then a 12 weeks in, we found out our first child was actually two children and the date was now Christmas week.

Over the last few years I've worked with some great videographers and filmmakers. I was fortunate that Tom Mattera and his wife were available. They shot some outstanding footage for us and I've been experiencing Fran and Mike's wedding at the edit suite. Photography was captured by Andy Todes....check out his website here

Check out some of their highlights here.




For more videos check out www.foreverluckyfilms.com
THANKS

Some Cocktail footage

Editing Jen and Andy's wedding tonight. Thought I'd share to the intro to the reception footage since its dreamy fun, like a music video within a documentary within a movie.

Squaw Valley Wedding | Ava + Chip | Forever Lucky Films

So Ava wanted a wedding back-dropped with the glory of fall in Squaw Valley while Chip wanted a winter wedding back-dropped with snow capped peaks.  Initially Ava won setting a date early November.  The day before the wedding the trees lined the valley with colorful foliage.  Then the clouds came and the next day those leaves were covered with snow.

The first snow of the season fell as Ava and her bridesmaids prepped at Plumpjack Inn and continued all day. I would have to say it was the coldest outdoor wedding I've done, maybe will ever do, but everyone was prepared and there really was no better place to tie the knot that day.

Here are some of the highlights of there jubilant celebration.  In the end everyone got that what they wanted.  Snow, colorful leaves and most importantly an epic party with family and friends (plus a win from their Alma Mater Oregon).

Spring Lake Wedding | Kim + Will | Forever Lucky Films

This is the story of the wild pilot and the energetic blond. This isn't about Top Gun. This is the story of Kim and Will. Their fun, jam-packed wedding held in Spring Lake, New Jersey.

Le Meriden | Rachel + Jason | Forever Lucky Films

In the heart of Philadelphia, sits Le Meridien Hotel. Sandwiched between structures built for art and business, Le Meriden is in the business of art. Each corner is funky. It's a place were bands, hipsters and socialites can call home when in town. Its also where lively, yet sophisticated weddings happen. It's where Rachel & Jason combined all the elements of fun, sexy, emotional and family to tie the knot. Editing the video, sexy won out. Lana Del Rey is all over the web, but her personal vocals matched the intimacy of the big day. It hits you every times she tell you she's gonna love you 'till the end of time. Enjoy!

Fiddler's Elbow Wedding | Laura + Anthony | Forever Lucky Films

I was checking out my blog and realized I hadn't posted Laura and Anthony's wedding.  It was a huge and fun wedding.  Rain came but came late, so we had time for some for some great shots outside.  I shot their friend's Jen and Reed's wedding a number of months earlier and both were among my favorites of the year.  Fiddler's Elbow is a great spot.  Laid back despite the size of the weddings it puts on.   The band rocked it and we were there.

Cape May Wedding | Jen + Andy | Forever Lucky Films

There was a wine festival and a lima bean festival going on that second weekend in October in Cape May, but the real party was happening at the Yacht Club.  That's were Jen and Andy got hitched.  One of the highlights of the evening happened when Andy took the mic and sung Forever immortalized by the fictional band from Full House - Jesse and the Rippers.  Watch how it all went down here.



As for the rest of the day, it was bookend with a beautiful beach home and incredible sunset captured below.  Brandon Rodkewitz was the lucky photographer.  You can see his work on his site.  http://www.brphotographs.com .

Brianna + Jeremy | Cherry Hill Wedding | Forever Lucky Films

Brianna and Jeremy poured their personalities into their wedding. Nothing from the location, an abandoned home in the middle of a Cherry Hill Park to the Reception, Jeremy's childhood home, was stock. Brianna's dress, with a touch of pink stood out from the moment I saw her in it. The gears in my head turned and I had the inspiration for their highlight video. Weeks later I was able to realize my inspiration use their creative talents in this short clip below.



Photography from LuRey Photography
Music: Lykki Li Unchained Melody

House of Blues | Julee + Kemp | Forever Lucky Films

Why write words when I can just show you film.



I will say that this was a blast and love the photos Andy Todes created from that day. Awesome stuff.