jayblake |
Another Sunday at a wedding fair and for some reason the weather can't decide what it's doing... I am i am standing next to the people from big hair and makeup and thought I would ask them what they did. Big Day Hair and Makeup is a friendly but professional reasonably priced service for bridal hair and make-up , mother of the bride, bridesmaids etc. Speak soon
So I learned something - Am sure you did too
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It’s Sunday and once again I find myself at a wedding fair – this time at the lovely venue of Warbrook House. The exhibitor next to me offers a wonderful array of balloons so I thought I would ask her to explain what it is about balloons that works so well at weddings… Balloons can bring to the room to life, from a small wedding venue to large ballrooms, balloons fill the space with elegant designs. As most couples these days are working to a budget, balloons are a cost effective way to decorate your venue. Be it a small personal wedding or a grand occasion balloons can create a magical setting. Sula L’Heureux Frenzy Balloons
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Walking back from my daily outing with the dogs this morning my train of thought was quickly moved from looking forward to a great week to the matter close at hand. Having 2 Labrador Crosses is great - well some of the time. Yes I know we should have listened to those who told us only to have 1 dog from the same litter, etc and yes maybe in hindsight they were right. Anyway back to this morning The rag or so it seamed soon proved to be something else and it was not the wrag which told me what it was - it was it's mother. Yes unfortunately my two lovely dogs were doing what came naturally to a baby monk jack deer. The mother was doing what came naturally to it as well and was biting and pushing the dogs away. It certainly got me thinking - on a whole number of levels about whether we should have the dogs, whether we have the time to dedicate to their training and I guess at one level (although I confess this is also linked to the passing of a family friend at a young age this week) the frailty of life. As I was reminded at the wedding on Saturday - a beautiful day and a wonderful couple - we have to make the most of each day. We must ensure that we do not end a day angry with our partner, should we broaden this to with anyone? Now THERE is a challenge. So let me leave you on a positive note, it's been a great day with some wonderful conversations with people! Have a great week, thanks for reading and do please drop me a line with your thoughts
Jay
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It's near the end of another week and an interesting week it has been too! My wife and children have been away at the seaside & so while it has been a lot quieter this week around the house there has still been a lot going on. While talking to a couple on tuesday night who kindly provided a video testimonial for us, I will make sure you get to see that soon. They mentioned the 5 love languages, a book which we had put them onto and one we would reccommend all couples get and read. It talks about the fact that we all recieve love in different ways and unless you understand the way in which you recieve love then you can spend a lot of time & or money trying to show love in the wrong way. The following link will take you to see what your love language is - I might talk about this some more in the forthcoming posts. http://www.fivelovelanguages.com/30sec.html#love Have a great day
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Hi Folks Thinking as I was this afternoon again about the friends wedding we were at last weekend - I got to thinking about the cake - especially the fact that it was YUMMY! Now it was also beautiful however.... The important thing was that it was YUMMY - you need to make sure that your cakes are not just masterpieces of cakey architecture but that your guests are going to want to go home wanting more - after all that is likely to be the last thing that they have eaten. So when you are choosing your cake supplier - don't forget to try the cake! Have a great day - and check out our venue's and suppliers for people who make great cake! Jay
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Nicky walked up to the front door and as the rain gently came down the day started. What's different. Well my standard answer to "would you like a glass" when the champagne is being poured is "no thank you" you see I don't drink when I am working. However as I was a guest as well I dutifully joined in a celebratory glass of bubbly. So what's the same. Well I discovered as I looked back over the day that actually we so love what we do that actually when we are working (or should I say... earning a living) filming someone's wedding we are just as passionate about creating the special reminder of the day as we are when we are filming for a friend. So as Nicky & Neil head off this week to St Petersberg I would like to wish them and all our brides and grooms a wonderful honeymoon but more importantly a fabulous fruitful and long married life together. Speak Soon
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Every so often I do another search around the web to find a reading I have not heard to share with you. It's important to remember that the last frame of your wedding DVD is not the end but the beginning, of your married lives together. I came across this one - what powerful words!
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The Phone rang one Monday afternoon a year or two back. "is that special memories?" how often that question is the first I am faced with when I answer my phone. I discovered that the groom I was on the phone to was getting married on friday. Not A friday - but THIS friday - 4 days away. So yes that was cutting it fine but it did make me think this morning. There must be people out there getting married this weekend who will in years to come join the throng of people saying "if only we had someone film our wedding for us" ... So if that's you - or you are getting married next week or next weekend.... Whenever, do give us a call - we will do all we can to have your wedding covered. I have a number of camera people I use and trust to ensure you have a wonderful memory of your day! Enjoy the process... We look forward to sharing your special day with you Till next time Jay
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Morning all Sitting here with a good friend of mine who works in the wonderful world of beauty therapy and massagae. It reminds me of my wedding day - just over 9 years ago. I won't bore you with the details today but suffice it to say that I started the day by having a full body massage. A real treat and certainly calmed the nerves for the day ahead.
Have a great day all and do say hello if you get the chance Till next time
Jay
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While I sit here in my studio this morning looking over the beautiful Buckinghamshire countryside I am reminded of the one thing we can't predict when it comes to a wedding. The weather! I am always reminded of a conversation I had with a client when preparing to film their day. They mentioned that they had originally chosen a wonderful venue on the river near henley. I filmed an amazing day there only the year before. On my wedding anniversary as it happened. Anyway it was a wonderful day when I was there and the weather really helped to make the day. The client a year later however said that they were concerned that if it was not beautifully sunny that the venue could not cope easiily with bad weather. And so it was that I was driving up to their home on their actual wedding day, in the rain! Reminded that there always needs to be a contingency plan. Thankfully the venue they ended up with was ideally suited to both sunshine or rain. Do talk to your venue - they will be able to advise what options there are if the weather is not perfect. In any case many of my photography collegues tell me that bright sunshine is not as good as cloud for their shots. Happy Planning!
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I know that we offer an excellent service for a very good price. However a number of clients have been asking this year whether we are able to offer discounts on our prices. I have finally come to the decision that offering more options to our clients and the ability to have differing prices dependent on the needs of the bride and groom may well be beneficial to all. There are certainly some things I don't want to change... Offering less than from before the ceremony to the speeches I don't think is worth doing. We tried this when we started out some 5 years ago and it really did not work. It may however be that people want to reduce their costs by us not staying after the speeches until the first dance. We will therefore have a price review very soon combined with announcements about offers. If you are getting married soon don't hesitate to get in touch and we will ensure you get a very special offer for a very special memory. If you have any suggestions about criteria which you feel might warrent a discount or any view on the subject please do get in touch, by email might be easiest to : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Thanks in advance
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The Boys & Girls of Burford Primary school in Marlow Bottom suppassed themselves last week by putting on a performance of hoodwinked. Watching the performances over the 2 nights was great fun, Unfortunately the songs were so adictive that I have been singing them all week while I have been putting together the edit. It has had to be rushed through as the children leave the school at the end of the term which is only this week. It is one of those opportunities for us to give back to our local community. It also enables all the parents to go and enjoy the performances without feeling the need to capture it themselves. The edit is going to press now - a final watch through tomorrow and then create the copies. Well done all - and to all finishing a year at school this week - have a great summer holidays
Jay
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A lovely conversation happened yesterday with the bride I am filming this saturday. We are filming her preparations (she has booked our Orchid Package) and she asked me how long we were contracted for. Ok so this does have to pay the bills and enable us to do the things we want to do but equally you have to understand that when we are with you it's you we are concerned about and want to make sure we are providing the very special memory to. So this Saturday I will be with the bride at 10am and will stay with them through until the first dance in the evening. We only leave then as there is just so much dancing you want to watch at the end of a wedding dvd. Oh and in any case you are more likely to want to get to see what your guests have said to you in their personal messages. Hope you are all well Jay
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Ok - sorry guys, firstly for me having a small rant, but also for not updating this thing for some time. So that explains why I have been quiet for a while. I am still trying to recover physically, while nothing is broken I am sore and looking forward to being back at my full state of health. The emotional side not to mention the practical side, yes he wrote my car off which means we are negotiating what it was worth, working out what to do in order to get a new one etc etc means that things are not happening in their usual or unusual efficient way. As someone who historically would have had a drink or two and then driven carefully home I certainly do not intend to do that again and my plea to you would be to act similarly. We have a wedding this weekend which will be a good test of how well I am recovering. I hope you are all well and do tell those you love and care for that you do - you never know when you might not have the opportunity to do it again Till next time. please think before you Drink! and drive...
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Sitting in a slightly cold room in the middle of wokingham may not be of interest to everyone, especially at 6.30 in the morning. Yet here I am writing this blog entry for you all in anticipation of posting comments on twitter and watching to see how many of you wonderful people have read of it. I am thrilled to see more and more people are starting to make use of twitter and as some of you will know we have been using it for some time now. So follow us, see what we are up to please comment and join the fun that is Twitter - if you don't know what it is - again place a comment or give me a shout - always happy to help
Till next time
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Little Nutbrown Hare, who was going to bed, held on tight to Big Nutbrown Hare's very long ears. He wanted to be sure that Big Nutbrown Hare was listening."Guess how much I love you," he said. And so started the reading which was so beautifully read. There is always something special about each and every wedding and each and every wedding video. This one was the deep and obvious love between a father and his children. Matched in no small part by their love for him. This along with the love between the bride and groom it was just such a lovely wedding a real privilage to be a part of it! We film many different weddings with different family situations, first weddings for one or both involved. Second, Third marriages. Sometimes these can be more poinient and I am still not sure why that might be. Is it because they have both been through it before and come at it in a different way? If you need any suggestions for any aspect of your wedding please do let us know Ahh - so you want to know how the story ends?? Here you go!Big Nutbrown Hare settled Little Nutbrown Hare into his bed of leaves. He leaned over and kissed him good night. Then he lay down close by and whispered with a smile, "I love you right up to the moon - AND BACK." Till next time
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Afternoon all I had a phonecall from a friend of ours yesterday asking if I was available to film a wedding next saturday. I happened to be free so gave her client a call. How exciting. Not only is the church about my favorite church in England, but the reception is being held at the Landmark Hotel in London which is where my wife and I spent the first night of our honeymoon before heading off for Heathrow. The amazing thing for me is that is 9 years ago now and feels like 9 weeks ago and 19 years ago all at the same time. I guess its just worth saying that if you have a wedding coming up don't think it's too late to call. We are able to look after more than one wedding on a day and so may still be able to accomodate you. Speak soon Jay
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Hi Folks
Tomorrow sees the beginning of the ground work to make sure it is secure and safe for our clients to get to the studio. Half of me is really excited and the other half somewhat apprehensive. Simply because we have had a number of people quote and have gone for the upper end of the quotes as we feel it is going to give us a better finished project. Well watch this space - I will keep you posted on the progress. oh and thank you to my neighbour for allowing me to use his garden to access the studio while this is going on. I think that might just be useful.
Until next time
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What a glorious day! If only we were out filming a wedding today... Just as I start to think that an e-mail pops into my e-mail box from a client I filmed last year... Hi Jay,
It's always nice to get positive feedback but especially when it's totally unexpected. Its now been over 6 months since their wedding and on discussion (yes I did call her back before writing this) everyone who has not seen it who pops in for coffee is given the opportunity... So if you want to be enjoying your wedding day 6 months, 6 years or 60 after your wonderful day - do get in touch Till next time
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Evening all I had a lovely conversation tonight with a potential client. Like so many there is always a stressful time leading up to a wedding and it can cause lots of tension and anxiety. But that is not what got me thinking and my fingers typing away on the keyboard. We talked at length about what she wanted. She had a tick list ... I was able to confirm that we film in widescreen, high definition, that we use final cut pro to edit the finished film on. I was asked how many copies we offered to the client and what our approach to filming was. It was then that the comment came which was a comfort and yet it cut like a knife. She said – It is really good that so many people now recognise the importance of the bride’s day over and above the filming of it. It made me think – ok come on Jay – what makes you different. If everyone is like that – why use special memories. Being a member of the Institute of Videography gives me access to others in the industry; it provides us an opportunity to ensure we are right at the top of what is happening. If illness were to strike we have the support of the institute and can locate an alternative videographer. But our passion does not just end at the end of your day. We always provide our clients with a fully edited client draft which enables any final changes to be made if needed to ensure your film is precisely as you want it. Many videographers charge for any changes which are required. We offer our clients the option of having a premiere of their video in the comfort of our studio. Invite family and friends to see your video with you or enjoy it privately over champagne & canapé’s. We can also arrange to work with you in the studio to ensure that the final touches are just as you want them. So if you need more information on any of these options or want to talk more about your big day please do get in touch!
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