Today we launched Simply Cinema. Simplified Videography for the budget minded bride…

The Simply Cinema Concept

Simply Cinema is simplified Videography for the budget minded bride. Here’s the skinny on how we came up with the concept. Let’s start with a little family history…. Simply Cinema is the cute baby sister of Serendipity Videography. It all started with Serendipity Videography getting all of these calls from brides wanting to spend between $1500 and $2000 on a wedding film. The kind of fabulousness that Serendipity Videography creates and produces for its couples costs more than that and rightfully so. But rather than turning those brides away we decided to create a concept that fits these brides Videography needs. So on December 1st 2009 baby sister Simply Cinema was born and like many sibling relationships she couldn’t be more different than her big sister Serendipity Videography. Simply Cinema is simple documentary style Videography. She isn’t all of the bells and whistles of her big sister but she is fabulous in her own way. So who is a Simply Cinema Bride? 1. A Simply Cinema bride is a bride who wants Videography of her wedding day but doesn’t have a significant budget for it yet still wants something of fabulous quality and style. 2. A Simply Cinema bride could be a bride who quite frankly doesn’t prioritize highly Videography but does want her day documented, but for a reasonable price. Don’t worry being this bride doesn’t offend us… I totally get it… Some brides want a great Photographer or a gorgeous Venue instead of putting their money into Videography. I understand. I was a bride and we all have different priorities on what matters the most to us on our wedding day. The good news is now you don’t have to sacrifice Videography because you want to spend more on something else.

It’s very exciting…. My parents 40th Wedding Anniversary is coming up in May and my parents have decided to renew their vows and do a full on wedding. The first time around they eloped in the middle of the night to Reno and got married. My mom fell into the same trap many of my brides do where the day starts becoming about pleasing everyone else and before you know it your wedding decisions are being made by those around you and you end up with colors your mom picked and a dress your sister thought made your butt look like there was less “junk in the trunk”. So after 40 years together they have decided to celebrate by having the wedding they always dreamed of. Isn’t that so fun??? Well guess who is in charge of the planning process? Literally totally in charge… My mom has given us full decision making power which is awesome! My sister and I and we couldn’t be more delighted!! This is so much fun for me because Jeff and I got married 10 years ago in Maui and I literally planned the wedding in 10 minutes. They sent me a one sheet and I simply had to check the boxes of the things I wanted. While this was convenient I didn’t get to go through the whole process of planning a wedding so this is fun for me especially with all of the cool things they have now!! So my parents have definitely come to the right place with all of the fabulous connections we have in the wedding biz!! So I will be taking you along with me on my journey to plan my parents wedding. So here are the details so far….. They are getting married at the Golf Course where they live and having the reception in the Club House. Next step was determining colors. I jumped on the Style Me Pretty website where we are a Little Black Book Preferred Vendor and looked at their Inspiration Board and showed my mom some different ideas and she fell in love with Navy Blue and Lime Green! Super cute!!! So we are off to a great start!! Stay tuned to our first mission… finding bridesmaid dresses at Twirl Boutique!!!

This is our inspiration…

Sometimes we get so caught up in the fact that we document people’s love that we forget that we too are married and in love and that our love deserves to be celebrated. Jeff and I knew it was Valentine’s Day but forgot to acknowledge it until he was racing out the door to shoot a Valentines Day Wedding at The Biltmore. We have been married 10 years this July and I am grateful every day that we are still happily married especially since we work together…. So “Happy Valentines Day” my love! Here’s to many romantic engagements this evening that lead to many phone calls of people wanting a fabulous Videographer to document their love!!

Here’s Jeff and I on our wedding day July 2nd 2000 in Maui. No comments on the gloves they were very in 10 years ago…

Bridal Bootcamp 2010 was a SMASHING success!! In case you missed it Bridal Bootcamp 2010 was held last weekend at The Arizona Biltmore. It was the brilliant idea of Victoria Canada of Victoria Canada Weddings and Events. It was a brides guide to style down the aisle. The purpose was to help brides whip their wedding into shape. There were so many things that I LOVED about being a part of this event… First and foremost it was the “unbridal show”. It was not sales based, it was education based. The vendors role there was not to sell our services directly. It was to educate brides about our particular specialty. So during my sessions I talked about why Videography is a “must have” in your wedding budget, emerging trends in Videography, how to pick a Videographer that matches your style and taste and the Videographer/Photographer relationship and why it is so important on your wedding day. The second thing I loved was that it was an intimate experience. There were not 10,000 people crowded into a space. There were not people shouting at you and stuffing flyers into your bag. It was casual and conversational. You were able to have a chat with a bride and answer her questions in a non-intimidating environment. The vendors were there to be a resource not give a sales pitch which was so refreshing to both the brides and the vendors. As vendors we were able to share our knowledge and give expert advice. The third thing I loved was that I was able to mosey about and listen to the other vendors presentations and mingle with other vendors. I learned make-up tips from Corinna Cooke, I heard Keri Chantler of Twirl Boutique talk about the role of a Maid of Honor and how to give a meaningful and emotional speech, Rhonda Rush of Impact Events discussed the role of a planner. As I made my way around the room I learned some fantastic ideas about how to give your paper products a punch without breaking the bank by Rene Showalter at Celebrations In Paper, as well as different linen color trends that are emerging from Laurie Southwick of Southwick Linens and finally I learned how to be beautiful in photos by Eyes Too See Photography and why Engagement Sessions are so important by Melissa Jill Photography. The day overflowed with tips, tricks and ideas from Phoenix’s best and brightest wedding vendors. Thank you to all of the vendors who participated and to Victoria Canada and the girls at The Biltmore who did an amazing job of putting it all together. Serendipity Videography can’t wait for the next one! Until then enjoy our mini-Highlight Film of Bridal Bootcamp 2010!

Bridal Bootcamp 2010 from Serendipity Videography on Vimeo.

Here are the fabulous Venders who participated in Bridal Bootcamp 2010:

Bridesmaids Dresses by Twirl

Cakes by Sedona Cake Couture

Sponsorship by Phoenix Bride and Groom Magazine

Audio Visual by Swank Audio Visual

Venue and Catering by Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa

Rentals by Tri-Rentals

Ceremony Music by String Serenade

Disk Jockey by MT Sounds DJ Service

Disk Jockey by Ray the DJ

Floral by Avant Garde

Floral by Petal Pushers

Floral by Table Tops, Etc.

Hair by William Zecco

Paper Products by Celebrations in Paper

Make-up by Corinna Cooke

Photography by Melissa Jill Photography

Photography by Eyes 2 See Photography

Linens by Southwick Linens

Tuxedos by Mr. Formal

Videography by Serendipity

Coordinated by Impact Events

Coordinated by Victoria Canada Weddings & Events

Wedding Dresses by Destiny’s Bride

Wedding Officiant by Arizona Wedding Ministers

“The bitterness of poor quality always remains long after the sweetness of low price fades.” -Matt with MT Sounds at Bridal Bootcamp 2010

This couldn’t be more true brides to be….. I know that the $1000 price tag is attractive when looking for a Wedding Videographer especially when you are trying to push and pull to make everything fit into your budget but will you be happy with the end result….. With Videography you truly get what you pay for….