Church Wedding with African Style Reception in Videos Wedding Dallas

Edward and Sylvia tied the knot at St Michael Catholic Church in McKinney, Texas.  Their exciting African-styled reception followed at the Marriott Legacy in Plano, Texas.

Behind the Scenes with LeniCam Video Productions

The beautiful church has traditional cross-shaped architecture.   Because there was no inconspicuous place for the front camera, we chose to use our custom made proprietary remote control camera.  Our videographer was able to monitor the proceedings from the back of the church while our camera caught tight closeups during the vows.

Sylvia forgot to remove her gum before going up the aisle and found herself chewing it occasionally during the ceremony. During the editing phase, we removed all evidence of the gum, to her relief.

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

LeniCam Video Productions – Videos Wedding Dallas

In a splendid wedding showcase, merging Hispanic and Nigerian wedding traditions, the radiantly beautiful Jennifer married the happy and handsome Casanova in a Catholic ceremony celebrated at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Downtown Dallas.

When the glowing Jennifer stepped out of a Hummer stretch limousine and onto the church’s steps, bright sunshine filled the streets of Dallas, igniting her white satin gown and bouquet of white roses. A gentle breeze teased at the edges of her cathedral-length veil.  A short-sleeved lace bolero complemented the strapless, empire bodice of beaded and sequined lace.  The rusched satin of the skirt was pulled up to her hip on one side by a bouquet of satin roses, revealing a beaded and sequined lace skirt underneath.  The train of her gown exploded into puffy ruffles below the corset closing.  Waiting at the altar was an eager bridegroom looking spectacular in his black tuxedo.  The beauty of the united couple was matched by the magnificent accoutrements of the historically-significant cathedral.

The bright colors of Nigerian bubas (tops), iro (skirts) and elaborate geles (headdresses) were sprinkled among the sea of guests, as were garments and accessories of deep sapphire blue, marking Jennifer’s family and attendants.

The love the couple felt for one another was easy to see as they vowed their lives to one another.  When the priest prompted Casanova with, “I will love you and honor you all the days of my life,” Casanova firmly added an “always” before “love”.  After the ceremony, the wedding party stopped on the portico of the cathedral for formal photography and there were so many attendants, they filled the stairway.

Jennifer and Casanova held their reception at the lovely Marriot Quorum where guests were greeted by a mariachi band.  The bride and groom were led to a stage, where they sat on thrones while being showered with blessings and prayers, some in the Nigerian native tongue.

Gorgeous floral displays adorned the tables and at each place setting guests found a gold favor box and a water bottle with the couple’s picture.  Each place setting also had a champagne flute and a shot glass, making guests aware that they could expect to have a good time at this party.  The guests showed their appreciation by showering the couple with money throughout the evening, going far beyond the boundaries of a money dance.

The couple stood next to the huge multi-tiered wedding cake, which was covered in silver flowers with white icing foliage, for the cake cutting ceremony.  Afterwards Casanova dipped Jennifer for a dramatic kiss.  Crystal monogrammed flutes waited for their toast.

After sharing a few more moments like the First Dance and the Bouquet and Garter Tosses, it was time for a wardrobe change.  Casanova appeared in a sapphire buba with intricate silver and gold embroidery in an emblem on his breast.  Jennifer wore a sapphire kaba (single-pieced dress) with a shawl and crown of kola nuts.  By appearing in these cultural clothes on their wedding day, they established their own colors for the new family they were beginning. Even Jennifer’s parents embraced the Nigerian tradition, wearing matching Nigerian cultural clothes in their own colors. Eventually the time came for Casanova and Jennifer to say good-bye and start their life together.

Behind the Scenes with LeniCam Video Productions –  Videography Wedding Dallas TX

What a special day we had with Jennifer and Casanova and their unique celebration.  We were excited about capturing everything from the glowing bride on the cathedral steps to the beautiful panorama of Nigerian cultural clothes.  The trick is to be everywhere all the time, recording the sights and sounds of the day, while remaining invisible to the guests and participants.

Experience allows us to move quickly from the bright sunlight as the bride arrives, to the dimmed interior of the cathedral, all the while making adjustments on the fly to the lights and cameras.  Inside, we know where to stand between the huge columns, to record the bride as she walked down the aisle with her father, because we’ve done many weddings at this venerable old cathedral.  Experience has taught us to put a wireless mic on the groom, so that we can capture important phrases like Jennifer’s exclamation of “My husband,” as their car headed to the reception.

At the end of the day, we take all our footage and recordings back to the studio where they can be woven into a cinematic memory Jennifer and Casanova can enjoy in the years to come.

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

Here’s what  Jennifer had to say about us on The Knot: “Best Way to Remember the Day – by far one of the best investments we made to capture all our memories on our wedding day! LeniCam Video Productions is BEST OF THE BEST in my opinion and I will use them again for other special events. My husband and I ordered extra DVD’s and gave them as Thank You Gifts to family and friends: all of them couldn’t stop talking about the quality! I would recommend to any bride or to those who want to get the Bride/Groom a special gift! Worth every penny!!!!!”

LeniCam Video Productions – Videography Wedding Dallas TX

Rainah and Leo, A Joyful Day at Celebration Center in Plano, TX 

When you are a long way from home, your native tongue is music to your ears.  When Leo heard his music in Walmart, his curiosity got the best of him.  His curiosity led him to the love of his life.  Rainah and Leo were married at Celebration Center in Plano, in a ceremony honoring their Zimbabwe African traditions. Ceremony and reception were recorded by Videographer for Dallas Wedding.

Rainah was beautiful in her white satin gown.  The beaded lace bodice had cap sleeves, a sweetheart neckline and empire waist.  Shirring hugged her through the torso and the skirt of the dress featured pull-ups.  Rainah accessorized her dress with a tiara, necklace and earrings of crystal and pearls.  Her tulle veil was cathedral length.

During the ceremony the couple stood before a stately pediment supported by two Corinthian columns wrapped in gold fabric. Along with chants in the native language which brought them together, the ceremony featured the lighting of a unity candle.

For the ceremony the bride and groom stood with only their matron of honor and best man by their sides.  However, the entire wedding party danced into the reception in a rhythmic formation – all twenty four of them: bride, groom, matron of honor, best man, six bridesmaids, six groomsmen, three flower girls, 2 junior bridesmaids and five ring bearers.

The table for the bride and groom and their attendants of honor sat at a table on a stage overlooking the whole scene.  Directly in front of the stage was a table with the rest of the wedding party.  The dance floor had plenty of room for dancing after the bride and groom enjoyed rituals like a first dance, cutting their cake and the tossing of the bride’s bouquet and garter.

Behind the Scenes with LeniCam Video Productions – Dallas Wedding Videographers

Rainah and Leo’s day was a lot of fun, from beginning to end.  As we discussed the logistics for the day, the couple had some very specific requests.  The wanted us to go to the two locations where the bride and groom were getting ready separately.  Then each would take a limousine to the wedding venue.  We’re always glad to accommodate the wishes of our couples, because each wedding is a unique event.

We dispatched a videographer to each location and filmed the fun as the couple got ready for their day.  One of our favorite shots at the bride’s house was a pair of flower girls sitting patiently on a sofa in their white gloves, white floral wreaths, white anklets, white patent shoes and white satin dresses. Each dress sported a huge burgundy silk rose.

When the day was over, we went back to our studios and put the video together in a way that made it seem as if the viewer is watching the two get ready simultaneously, even though they are in two separate places.  In the background through the video we used Zimbabwean music Rainah and Leo had chosen for their day.

We Sweat the Small Stuff So You Don’t Have to.