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Wedding at the Zoo!

Posted on July 21, 2016
by Kurt Maechner

Melissa and Ryan are such a sweet, fun couple!  Their ceremony at St. Brendan’s was beautiful and meaningful.  From there we went to Lakewood park for photos and video.  We were worried that the weather forecast would doom the day to rain, but instead we got…90+ degree heat!  Wo!  Melissa and Ryan and their bridal party braved the heat and the mayflies with joy.  We especially loved the moments we captured of them looking through a long distance telescope perusing the skyline of Cleveland in the distance.

From there we were off to Stillwater Place at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.  This one-year old venue is stunning!  It sits on the edge of a lake with an outdoor patio and fireplace.  Inside it has large beams and a vaulted ceiling and sported a light-projected image of Ryan and Melissa’s name and their wedding date on the lodge-inspired wall behind their sweetheart table.  A friend made one of the most unique wedding cakes we have seen.  Not only was it a legitimately amazing-tasting cake, but it was decorated with zoo animal silhouettes and topped with two alligators dressed as a bride and groom.  We also loved, loved, loved their live band The Bluewater Kings.  They were great to film, great to meet, and great to dance to!

Our favorite part of the day, though, was filming Melissa and Ryan with their bridal party riding the zoo Circle of Wildlife carousel.  How fun!  After that they entered the reception hall with zoo workers with various live animals to meet and pet. As the night continued on it was a delight to see, just before we headed home, guests in a circle surrounding the couple as they danced.

Blessings on a wonderful life together, Melissa and Ryan!

Melissa & Ryan’s Wedding Film from For Real Wedding Films on Vimeo.

Here are some of the delightful vendors we had the privilege to work with:
Photography: Peak Moments Wedding Photography (including the wonderful thumbnail portrait above)
Venue: Stillwater Place
Wedding Band: Bluewater Kings
Video Music provided by Song Freedom  & The Music Bed
Ceremony: St. Brendan Parish 

Lakeside Wedding

Posted on July 2, 2016
by Kurt Maechner

Weather-the joy and challenge of every outdoor wedding. It was May, the weather was starting to look beautiful after a long, Cleveland winter, but then Amy and Matt’s wedding day came. The temperatures dropped and it became a blustery, rainy day. They had a backup plan, but despite the rain and clouds, they stuck to their guns to get married outside. Just a half hour before the ceremony began the rain came again! For ten minutes it came down and then…it stopped. Twenty minutes later, Amy walked down the aisle to Matt. Hallelujah!

Amy and Matt were married at one of our favorite places in the world: Lakeside, Ohio, a Victorian cottage community on Lake Erie with over 100 years of history. Amy got ready in her parents’ cottage and got married at the gazebo near the playground where she grew up playing. The immense waves of the mighty Erie created amazing footage to capture the beauty of the day.

After the wedding we took some sweet, fun photos and video clips with Amy and Matt along the lake and, my personal favorite, chasing them, camera in hand while driving around in a golf cart with a “Just Married” sign hanging!

Finally, we ended the evening at the reception, with a view to the lake. Amy and Matt’s love for games was on display as guests could enjoy corn hole, a parachute, and more. They also added to a unique experience by forgoing a traditional cake in favor of delicious wedding cupcakes!

It was a delight to work alongside their photographers Holly and Matt from 5:5 Photography. They were such a fun, sweet, talented couple. Amazing work and amazing people!

We, of course, enjoy filming all of our brides and grooms, but Amy and Matt’s wedding was special to us as Amy’s parents have been friends of ours for many years and this was their last child to marry. It was certainly bittersweet to watch Sue help Amy get into her dress and for Tom to embrace his daughter with emotion when she came out in white.

God’s blessings on you both, Amy and Matt!

Amy and Matt’s Wedding Film from For Real Wedding Films on Vimeo.

Here are some of the other delightful vendors we had the privilege to work with:
Florist: Beautiful Blooms by Jen
Dress: www.modcloth.com
Venue: The gazebo in Lakeside
DJ: Rock and Roll Express 
Reception venue: St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church
Video Music provided by The Music Bed

Jessi & Drew’s wedding film!

Posted on April 12, 2016
by Kurt Maechner

It’s all in the details, and that was so true from Jessi McFadden and Drew Fleming’s wedding.  Beth and I just adored the details of this day!  We started off at the sweet home of the McFadden’s where you feel so welcome and at ease.  Jessi parents were so relaxed!  I hope Beth and I can be that way when our daughters start marrying!  The warmth of family and friends there was a pleasure to behold.

From there we all gathered at Messiah Lutheran Church where stained glass, prayer, and music surrounded us.  From there we ventured into the very, very cold weather of downtown Cleveland.  Despite the frigid temperatures and curious passersby we got some beautiful film of Jessi and Drew walking amongst the classic lights of Playhouse Square.  We all shivered, but you sure can’t tell when you see Jessi and Drew together!

Finally, we enjoyed a wonderful reception at Windows on the River, housed in an old 1892 power house, with windows overlooking the Cuyahoga and the Cleveland skyline.  With a cake made by Jessi’s sister and fun toasts by family, Jessi and Drew danced the night away!  Oh, and did I mention that there was a barbecue fountain!!!

Here are some of the delightful vendors we had the privilege to work with:
Photography: Marisan Photography (including the wonderful thumbnail portrait above)
Venue: Windows on the River

Cake: Sweethearts Desserts

DJ: DJ Tom
Video Music provided by Song Freedom  & The Music Bed
Ceremony: Messiah Lutheran Church 

Jessi and Drew’s Wedding film from For Real Wedding Films on Vimeo.

Kathleen & Nathan’s Wedding Film

Posted on March 21, 2016
by Kurt Maechner

We love filming our couples, but every once in a while we get the chance to film a friend’s wedding.  We have been friends with Kathleen’s parents since our early years of marriage.  In fact, they were and have continued to be mentors to us about how to make a marriage thrive.  As the years have gone by we’ve also had the privilege to become friends with their kids (who are no longer kids!).

Kathleen and Nathan’s Wedding Film from For Real Wedding Films on Vimeo.

Kathleen and Nathan’s ceremony at the “oil can” church in University Circle was as close to a cathedral as you can get in Ohio.  It was thrilling to see rose petals falling from the dome as they recessed down the aisle.  From there we got to fight the elements at East 4th Street, accompanied by laughter and broken umbrellas!  We also get some beautiful shots at the gorgeous Palace Theater.  We ended off the night partying at Carrie Cerino’s, the place where Kathleen’s parents went on their first date (and, incidentally, we had our rehearsal dinner back in 1998!).

All in all, we not only loved spending the day capturing Kathleen and Nathan’s wedding, but we also believe wholeheartedly in their marriage.

Here are some of the delightful vendors we had the privilege to work with:
Photography: Cavanaugh Photography (including the wonderful thumbnail portrait above)
Venue: Carrie Cerino’s Ristorante & Party Center

DJ: Rock the House

Video Music provided by Song Freedom  & Chris and Bethany Solyntjes

Ceremony: University Circle United Methodist Church 

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