Welcome to the Purple Ribbon Weddings Daily Diary! We use the PRW Diary to post live photos while shooting a wedding video in Melbourne, blog about our activities, provide news updates and any other interesting wedding news we come across.

We love this feedback

May 15, 2012  |  Share

The feedback is in from Robert and Ashleigh’s wedding video. And it’s quite good.

Below is the email we received from Ashleigh shortly after sending her video (published with Ashleigh’s permission):

WOW! I am speechless… What you have created is absolutely amazing. There are no words to describe the feeling we have when watching our video. You have captured our day perfectly, allowing us to re-live the love and happiness that was overflowing on our wedding day. You are truly truly talented and we cannot thank you enough!

It’s comments like these that make us love our jobs. It’s so rewarding to see such happy customers.

Here is the video:

Thanks and congratulations to Robert and Ashleigh!

Great idea: Same-day edit wedding videos

May 14, 2012  |  Share

On Saturday we tested a revolutionary new concept for wedding video production – the same-day edit.

After shooting the morning preparations, exchanging of vows and photo shoot, Debbie and Daniel had the clever idea to get us to edit the video ready to show guests at the reception.

That meant we could show a short film at the reception featuring morning preparations, traditional family ceremonies, the entire wedding ceremony and the couple’s photo shoot.

It was a unique and entertaining way to share the bride and groom’s experiences with all the guests. And the crowd loved it!

We love the idea too, so if you’re looking for a fresh new way to entertain guests at your wedding, consider a same-day edit.

Congratulations to our chief video editor Micky for pulling off the edit in record time.

And even more congratulations to Debbie and Daniel for pulling off a fantastic celebration.

A quick shot of the lovely bridal party, courtesy of Ryan:

Spectacular panoramic photography from last weekend’s weddings

April 26, 2012  |  Share

One of our favourite photographers – Chris Kapa – has been kind enough to share a couple of photos from last weekend.

Purple Ribbon Weddings worked with Chris on two weddings on both Saturday and Sunday, where he took these spectacular panoramic shots.

The first shot is from Simon and Sherry’s wedding:

The second comes from Ben and Katia’s:

Many thanks to the couples for two action-packed days. The couples looked great and we can’t wait to put their films together. Stay tuned for their wedding video trailers soon.

And well done to the talented Chris Kapa for the amazing shots. See more of Chris’ work at ChrisKapa.com.

We love it when our couples get creative

April 24, 2012  |  Share

We thought this was just great.

On Saturday our newlyweds – Christine and Paul – decided to do something completely different for their photoshoot.

Their photos in front of Jerry’s Milk Bar in Elwood had a fantastic retro vibe and was heaps of fun.

Jerry’s is a brilliant old-fashioned cafe/milk bar. The menu is reminiscent of a true 50s-style milk bar – including milk shakes and spiders!

The bridal party ordered spiders and relaxed in the sun in front of the retro backdrop while the photographer snapped away and we took the video.

If it were up to us, all our wedding video photoshoots would involve milkshakes.

Weekend highlights: Testing new equipment and four big events

April 23, 2012  |  Share

Last weekend was huge. Covering FOUR big events, our camera team was extremely busy.

Featuring three weddings and a bar mitzvah, the weekend also saw us testing out a telescopic lens for part of the shoot.

Steve (pictured below) tested out the lens, which allowed to zoom long distances in amazing detail.

1950′s wedding video highlights importance of capturing memories on film

April 16, 2012  |  Share

A recent client was kind enough to share with us this wonderful relic from 1958.

Their great uncle and aunty’s wedding video is a fantastic example of how important video is to capture memories. Thanks to this footage their wedding day will last forever. Generations to come will have the opportunity to see their family in the prime of their lives.

Here is the wedding video below:

Now compare that with one of our most recent wedding videos. Technology has taken giant leaps since the 1950′s, allowing us to capture the wedding in much finer detail.

It’s amazing to think that in 50 years’ time someone’s grandchildren might be appreciating our wedding video work in the same way.

5 Ways to Spot a Good Wedding Videographer

April 10, 2012  |  Share

How do you know if a cameraman is doing a good job at a wedding? How do you determine a great wedding videographer from a bad one? There are a few simple factors that we think make all the difference. A professional, experienced and competent cameraman will always exhibit the following attributes:

1. Stealth

Purple Ribbon Weddings - Cat
A good wedding video specialist should barely be noticed. Unlike the still photographer – whose job is to take the lead and instruct everyone where to stand and how to pose – the role of the videographer is to stand back and allow everyone to be themselves. People won’t move and speak like their natural selves is they are aware of a camera constantly watching them. Your cameraman should never get in your way or command too much attention. They should exhibit cat-like stealth throughout the day.

2. Energy

Purple Ribbon Weddings - Energy
Your wedding video guy should constantly be on his feet, moving around to make sure he’s getting the best shot. Anyone can mount a camera on a tripod and hit the record button. But a good camera man will know that it is important to always be alert and ready to move into the perfect position. If your cameraman spends too much time sitting down or standing still, he’s probably going to miss some of the best candid shots of the night.

3. Equipment

Purple Ribbon Weddings - Camera-Toaster
Is the cameraman’s gear large and clunky? Or is it small, sleek and unobtrusive? A cameraman should be using the latest digital technology, so if the equipment doesn’t look shiny and new there’s a good chance the video won’t look great either. We are amazed that in this day and age we still come across videos that look like they have been filmed on a toaster.

4. Clothes

Purple Ribbon Weddings - Clothing
Even though they’re getting paid to be there, the cameraman is still a guest at your wedding. They should dress according to your dress code. It may seem like a minor detail, but the clothing represents the cameraman’s professionalism and respect for their clients.

5. Preparation

Purple Ribbon Weddings - Prepared
Any good cameraman would have called ahead to find out all the locations and times of the big day. If the cameraman is cluelessly asking questions, running around at the last minute or getting lost it means they haven’t prepared thoroughly ahead of time. Any potential problems should have been foreseen way in advance.

Do you really NEED a wedding video?

March 29, 2012  |  Share

Okay, so we’re a little biased on this issue, being a wedding video company and all. But we would like to put forth our argument as to why a wedding video is a must-have for your big day.

We are often contacted by couples who are still undecided about paying for wedding videos. Usually one half of the couple is keen and the other still unconvinced.

The main reservations are typically:

  • Why pay for video coverage when you’ve got a still photographer shooting the day?
  • Wedding photos AND video? Isn’t that a bit of overkill?
  • Our friends hired a videographer and their film looked terrible.
  • My uncle has a video camera, why can’t he do the filming?

These are all valid concerns, but here’s why they’re totally wrong:

  • Can a still photographer capture your first dance? Your father’s speech? Your family’s reactions at the wedding ceremony? There are many aspects of a wedding that a still photographer just can’t capture. Like SOUND. Or those blink-and-miss snippets of raw emotion.
  • Sure, a wedding videographer will cost extra. But think about it, you’re already splashing a lot of cash for just ONE DAY. Eventually memories of that day will fade. Did you get your money’s worth? Re-living the day again and again through video is the best way to get maximum value out of your expenditure.
  • Your friends had a terrible wedding video? That’s because they hired a hack who uses antique equipment. There are a lot of pretenders in the wedding video market. Make sure you find yourself a professional. Check out our tips to avoid a terrible wedding video.
  • Do not let your uncle near that wedding video! He’s going to pull out his old JVC camcorder from 1992. He’ll pop an old VHS tape and record the most grainy, shaky footage you’ve ever seen. And it will tarnish your memories forever. A wedding videographer will use the latest equipment to make a cinematic-quality film. There’s really no comparison.
  • Our main argument is that a photographer can’t capture everything, but a videographer can. Still photos won’t recreate your memories perfectly. A video will.

    You know your wedding will be one of the happiest days of your life. Extend that happiness for as long as possible with a video.

Spectacular vineyard view for a wedding video

March 26, 2012  |  Share

Thought we should share this spectacular view from a wedding video we shot on Saturday.

The beautiful vineyard setting at Port Phillip Estate in Red Hill offered an amazing backdrop for a wedding.

That’s Micky, our talented head of wedding videography, holding a camera in the foreground.

And congratulations to the lovely couple – Amanda and Dante – for pulling off a brilliant celebration!

Wedding Videography

Some pics from Saturday’s stunning wedding

March 19, 2012  |  Share

Congratulations to Chris and Lucy for pulling off an amazing wedding in Geelong on Saturday. It was a fantastic day and a nice change to shoot a wedding video outside Melbourne.

The wedding was held at a French-style mansion in Leopold, Geelong.

The beautiful setting was punctuated by stunning seaside views.

But the highlight was the magnificent interior.

And the lovely couple looked great. Congratulations from the team at Purple Ribbon Weddings!