Anna and Ben’s Wedding on Dallas Wedding Videography

Lovely Afternoon Ceremony and Reception at Dallas Arboretum

Anna and Ben chose the beautiful Dallas Arboretum for their May wedding. The bright sunshine-filled day melted away into a warm Texas night full of music and laughter as family and friends celebrated the joyous occasion.

The graceful bride was a former Miss Texarkana. In her sleek trumpet gown was lovelier than the blooms in the glorious garden. Her strapless satin gown with its straight neckline hugged her sleek profile. Her tiny waist was highlighted by a satin ribbon with a crystal buckle. The tulle veil, trimmed in scalloped lace, fell to the same length as the cathedral train of her gown. She carried a large bouquet of pastel peonies.

Anna and her bridal party waited for the ceremony in the shade of a graceful arbor. As she approached her groom, she passed the reflecting infinity pool in A Women’s Garden, where it seemed the statue of the contemplative female turned to admire the bride. Across the lawn, Ben waited with the minister and the base of cascading fountains. Live strings were playing.

The emotional impact of the vows ruffled the bride, who had seemed so serene just moments before. She tripped over words and struggled to remember phrases, until she turned to Ben, who was sending her encouragement with his smile.

When the ceremony was over both the bride and groom relaxed, playfully bantering back and forth as the photographer put them through their paces. Then everyone congregated in a nearby courtyard, next to the Loggia for the energetic reception with live band and photo booth.

The wedding cake was a multi-tiered confection, surrounded by real peonies, trimmed with pink ribbon and topped off with hand-crafted sugar peonies. After cutting the cake and feeding each other a bite, the couple moved to the dance floor for their first dance and dances with their parents. After the formal spotlight dances were through, the band, Tenacity, warmed up the crowd and everyone came to the dance floor. Laura Schhindler of L’events (link) produced an outstanding event.

Behind the Scenes with LeniCam Video Productions

Anna and Ben’s outdoor wedding was a lot of fun and we had to utilize many of our videography skills. Take the bright sunshine for instance. While it made for a splendid wedding, it also created a situation in which Anna could have disappear into a shiny white blur – if our videographers hadn’t known exactly how to record the scene. Then after the sunset, there was the opposite problem and without the proper lighting, instead of happy figures rocking out to the sounds of the band, all that viewers would be able to see is dark shadows. During this video we can appreciate Anna’s warm smile, during the ceremony and on the dance floor.

We also had to take special care to get the audio right. Since the couple stood right in front of the cascading fountains during the ceremony, the words of their vows could have been lost in the sounds of water. We put a wireless microphone onto the groom to get every precious word of their vows, as well as the light-hearted banter during the photos.

Two sets of microphones were used to capture the sounds of the live strings. On the video there is no hint of the wind or the water.

We Sweat the Small Stuff So You Don’t Have To

LeniCam Video Productions – Dallas Wedding Videography

The explosion of social media has created a new moment for brides.  Just a few years ago no one expected a bride to post a highlight wedding video.  Now its almost as important as the wedding license.  A piece of paper might do for government entities, but your friends and family expect a video.

So Where Do Highlight Videos Come From?

There’s another wedding moment you’d recognize if you frequented bridal shows – it’s when the bride-to-be figures out just how overwhelming it is to plan a wedding.  Either they just got engaged in the last few weeks or they just set the date.  Now they have to plan a wedding.

It’s a real deer-in-the-headlights moment.  They wander through a bridal show with their mom or a maid-of-honor gathering brochures into a free tote bag.  As they look into our booth we can see dollar signs and question marks billowing out of their ears.

“Have you booked your wedding videographer?” we ask gently.

• “I don’t know if I can afford one.”
• “I haven’t thought about it.”
• “I think my photographer provides one.”
• “My uncle is going to do it.”
• “It’s not in my budget.”

These are the usual answers, but there should be question marks at the end of the sentences.  We do meet brides at the shows who say they are actually in the market for a videographer, but that’s not the usual response and those brides are usually further along in the planning process.

Whatever the bride answers, our job is not over.  We want to be sure that when the wedding is over, the bride has what she wants.  As a part of our Dallas Wedding Videography, we provide a short highlight film online for sharing, but that’s just the icing on the cake.  Several of your vendors such as your venue, your coordinator or even your photographer might offer the same thing as part of their package, but will it be enough?

Who Has Time to Watch a Full Length Wedding Video and How Often Will You Do It?

A sweet pair dropped by our booth on Sunday.  Mom was the budget-minder.  The bride-to-be was just overwhelmed.  The bride knew she wanted to post a highlight reel shortly after the wedding and the mom was pretty sure they were going to use a photographer who included it in their package.

You could almost imagine the photographer’s sales pitch.  He was going to save them money by providing the free video and then he planted the question.  Are you really going to have time to sit down and watch a full length wedding video and even if you did, how many times would you actually do it?

To a busy bride-to-be time is something in very short supply.  They try to imagine carving out enough time sit through full length wedding video and if they had to do it before the wedding they know have no time for it.  But you are not always going to be a busy bride-to-be and you’re not the only one who will be interested in your wedding video.

LeniCam provides five copies of your wedding video.  Most brides share these with parents and/or grandparents.  Your parents and grandparents want to watch the whole wedding video and they want to see it more than once.  In fact, they’ll probably show it to anyone they can get to sit still for more than a moment.

What’s more, our videos are divided up into chapters and have scene selection, just like the video from the box at the grocery store.  You don’t have to have more than a few minutes available to watch a favorite moment from your wedding.

A week or so after our couples return from their honeymoon we send them a proof copy of their wedding.  Some couples watch it right away, but sometimes it takes them weeks to get around to it.  Either way the couple is always amazed at what they see.

• “It was great to see what the groom was doing while I was getting dressed.”
• “Watching her be transformed into a bride was amazing.”
• “I didn’t realize so many people there.  I don’t remember seeing some of them.”
• “My favorite part was when [groom] saw me for the first time.  Without the video I would have never known what he said at that moment.”
• “Who knew that the funniest part of the day would be while we were taking pictures? I forgot all about that!”
• “I got to see the part of the service before I came down the aisle.”
• “I loved that interview you did with my aunt.”

These are the kinds of things we always hear over and over and over.  Whether the couple themselves wanted the video or someone else had insisted they get it, our couples love their wedding video.  They may put the video on the shelf for a while during their first busy first year, but then their first wedding anniversary comes around and they pull it out.  Or someone they know is getting married and wants to see their video.  Or they have kids someday and want to share the day with them.  Or they lose that special aunt and want to hear her voice one more time.  Or they are going through a tough time and need to be reminded of the good times.  The list goes on and on.

Maybe We Do Need More Than a Highlight

That sweet budget-minded mom and her overwhelmed bride-to-be?  Well, they knew they weren’t going to be satisfied with just a highlight wedding video.  When your wedding, that you’ve spent so much money, time and effort is over, your photos and video will be all that lasts.  The photos do capture moments, but only a video will capture the movement and sounds of that moment.

His face transforming from anxiety to joy?  Her laughter?  The breeze capturing a corner of your dress and sweeping it into the sky?  Grandmother’s sweet words?  For that, you need video.  Call us at or email us at to book your date.

Vietnamese Bride and Indian Groom Unite in Dallas Wedding Videography

Irving Hindu Temple Site of Multicultural Wedding

Wedding celebrations alive with colorful ethnic clothing, beautiful flowers and ancient tradition united a very modern, very affectionate couple from very different backgrounds. Amanda and Chandan were married in March at Ekta Mandu, the Irving Hindu Temple.

The beautiful Vietnamese bride, in her red sari and hennaed hands, embarked on an exciting journey into a completely new world. In her Hindu wedding she stepped into a new role, a new life and a new family with a new, unfamiliar ceremony. Gently guiding the way through the new experiences were her handsome Indian groom and his sweet family.

Hindu weddings are so full of wonderful festivities they cannot be squeezed into a few hours. Amanda and Chandan’s puja, for obtaining the blessing of the gods on his marriage, was held in his parents’ house on a Friday night. The relatives of the couple honored them by applying turmeric, water and other spices to their faces, hands and feet. Though the ceremony is an important one, it is also joyful and you can tell how much fun the female relatives are having as they smear on various layers of fragrant spices and sprinkle water onto the matrimonial heads.

Chandan was first to be honored and it is easy to see how happy he was to be part of such an auspicious occassion. He sits on a beautifully decorated divan in white linen garments joking with his mother, aunts and grandmother.

Amanda was equally joyful, in her embroidered red caftan, welcoming the unfamiliar ministration with good humor. Her mother was coached through the process by Chandan’s eager family. Chadon told us he was attracted to Amanda because of her silent confidence and this attribute was evident as she maneuvered through the blessings.

The wedding itself took place the next day at the lovely Irving Hindu Temple. The graceful exterior held a beautiful pavilion, set up for the marriage. Chandan’s simple white linen clothing from the night before was replaced by an elaborate silk ensemble in red and gold with rich embroidery and decorations.

As in the celebrations on the night before, the groom’s family began the ceremony with blessings and prayers. Then the bride and her family came in a procession to the pavilion. Like Chandan, they traded their simple garments from the night before for luxurious ensembles decorated with gold.

The charming groom was very gentle as he guided his lovely bride through the different phases of the ceremony. You can see the affection they share and their delight in one another as they step through ancient customs. In the beginning they are separated by a sheer curtain and only their hands touch as the exchange tokens. Soon their garments are tied together and the couples’ eyes are locked on one another as those around them attend to the ceremony.

Rice, as a symbol of blessings, played an important role in the ceremony. At one point, the groom held his bride’s hand as she stepped gingerly from one pile of rice to another. Later the couple took turns pouring handfuls of rice over each other’s heads from a large silver bowl. Laughter abounded as the tedious task was cut short. The new bride grabbed the bowl and poured the remaining kernels on to the groom’s head.

During the ring ceremony, the groom knelt at his bride’s feet and placed tiny rings on her toes. Many other gifts were shared during the rites, like beautiful floral necklaces, coconuts, flame and similar items of honor. Beauty and meaning were imbued in each exchange.

Celebrants took a break in the afternoon and then reunited at the groom’s home for the reception in the evening. This time Chandan donned a dark navy suit and tie with a crisp white shirt, more familiar to western eyes than his other outfits. The bride was resplendent in a turquoise sari and shawl ornate with gold embroidery. The bride and groom exuded an aura of delight as the bride gushed with enthusiasm for her new family.

Behind the Scenes with LeniCam Video Productions

On the night of Chandan and Amanda’s puja, Dallas was shut down with one of our rare ice storms. Even though businesses and schools had been closed all day, we made it to this precious event.

Chandan had given his mother very strict instructions about keeping the celebration low key, including having the puja and reception at home. His mom followed his instructions to the letter, but she wasn’t about to minimize her joy. When our videographer made it through the ice storm, he had to be very careful to setup his equipment in a spot which would allow him to capture all the activity without getting in the way of the fun, because Chandan’s mother had filled up every corner of the house and a tent out back with guests. Our many years of experience in all types of situations helped us to be everywhere, recording everything, while remaining virtually invisible. The family particularly appreciated this. In fact, they had only one complaint about the finished video – the photographer hadn’t learned our invisibility tactics.

There were more celebrations on the following day. Since many of the guests and family members participate in Hindu wedding ceremonies; we needed to capture the sights and sounds from a wide variety of people in numerous locations under the wedding canopy. We always put wireless mics on the groom’s and the officiant’s lapels, but this time, it wasn’t going to be enough. So, we hid additional mics on the posts holding up the drapery of the wedding canopy.

This was a two camera shoot. One camera was at the back to get that perspective and another was up close to the canopy. We put the camera at the front on a rolling dolly so that we could move quickly to catch the action from a variety of angles.

As we set up for the wedding we observed the couple trying to connect their music to the sound system.  We realized something was wrong and found out their device was not compatible to the system. Having the right audio equipment for every situation is part of our job, so we dug around in our bag and found the right audio adapter. We love it when we can say, we saved the day!

At the end of the second day of celebrations, we earned a very flattering compliment. The priest, who sees weddings being videographed all the time, hired us for his own daughter’s wedding reception. We were thrilled to discover he liked our process, but we wondered why he didn’t want us to also film the ceremony. So we asked. The ceremony will be in India – a little out of our usual geographic range, but anything is possible!

Call us today to find how we can custom fit our videocameras to your ceremony.

We Sweat the Small Stuff So You Don’t Have To

LeniCam Video Productions – Dallas Wedding Videography

Kelsey and Decebal at Cox Chapel  and Scottish Rite Library on Dallas Wedding Videography

Decebal first held Kelsey in his arms at College Station’s Texas Hall of Fame Dancehall and now he will hold her in his heart forever.  The couple married in Cox Chapel at Highland Park United Methodist Church.

“I just love her and she’s the sweetest girl I’ve ever known,” Decebal said when asked about his bride.  Kelsey looked every bit as sweet as his declaration in the lace, satin and pearls she chose for her wedding day.  The sweetheart bodice of her strapless ball gown was covered in lace, lace embellished the satin skirt and trimmed her full length veil.  For the ceremony, Kelsey wore a long-sleeved lace bolero. Pearls set with crystals in gold gleamed in her ears and she wore a double-strand pearl necklace.  More attractive than all her wedding finery were her big blue eyes and wide smile.

Elegance was the hallmark of the day, from the beautiful ceremony in the stately Cox Chapel to the vintage Rolls Royce which transported the couple to their reception at the magnificent Crystal Ballroom of the Scottish Rite Library.  In the gorgeous ballroom, with its ornate columns and stained glass windows, their intricately decorated multi-tiered cake, emblazoned with their monogram and topped with white roses, looked right at home.

Having met through a love of dancing, it’s not surprising Kelsey and Decebal graced their wedding day with brilliant steps and spinning twirls.  Most of this highlight video is devoted to their skill on the dance floor, which suggests they will be able to dance through the rest of their life with grace – especially if their lives are filled with as many kisses as their dances.

When the night was over, Kelsey and Decebal climbed back in the Rolls Royce and headed off to their new life together.  Congratulations to Merritt Lewis of Highland Park United Methodist Church who coordinated the fabulous wedding ceremony and Kristen Dee who shot the still photography.

Behind the Scenes with LeniCam Video Productions

Kelsey and Decebal’s wedding and reception was a visual feast filled with sweet words and beautiful music.  One LeniCam videographer caught Kelsey’s tears as she read a touching card from Decebal, while another videographer captured Decebal’s emotional response to Kelsey’s sentimental gift of leather-bound love-letters.

In the chapel a camera placed at the rear of the chapel captured the overall ambiance.  Another cameraperson, hid in an alcove below the altar, to record the close-ups of Kelsey’s smiles and tears during the vows.  He had the wedding coordinator’s permission to sneak out when everyone turned to watch the bride enter, but then he had to dive back into the alcove and figure out how to get the rest of the shots he needed without being seen.

The light-footed couple hosted an energetic reception in a stunning venue.  Since they chose to have only one videographer at the reception, we used a tripod with wheels to move throughout the event to record everything, everywhere, while remaining virtually invisible to the guests and participants.  Kelsey and Decebal’s stunning footwork were captured into permanent memories on their video, shared here in their highlight video for family and friends and preserved on our secure server, just in case.

We Sweat the Small Stuff So You Don’t Have To

LeniCam Video Productions – Dallas Wedding Videography