So last time it snowed you were treated to a couple of posts of my kids outside playing.  Well, this time, we played even harder, but I’m pretty sure you’re tired of seeing them so how about a bridal session in the snow!  I called a few of my past brides yesterday morning and told them if they were in town and could throw their dress on they would be treated to a free bridal session.  Brianne was an Elmwood Gardens bride a couple of years ago and she called me back right away and was ready to go in 1 hour.  (Did you catch that ladies? She went from sitting at home with her 2 year old, to in a dress, hair up, makeup on in 1 hour!!!!  No more excuses about running late on the wedding day.)

She told me every time she sees her wedding dress she wishes she could put it on and wear it around again so I was thrilled to make her Christmas wish come true. :)

Two quick facts about the session.
1: I only wore sweatpants and a t-shirt so that I would be reminded of how cold it was outside and not freeze her to death.
2. We were only outside a total of 9 minutes.  It was my shortest bridal session ever, but I’m pretty happy with the results.

I love me some wedding video.  I also love me some nice wedding videographers.  Jeff Heimer of JMH Pro fit both of those categories.  He is a talented videographer based out of Tyler.  He does great work and is really nice to work with.  We worked a wedding a little while back at Elmwood Gardens and I have hung out with him a few times since then.  This guy is the real deal and the type of person you want involved on your wedding day.

Here are a few shots from the wedding as well as him in action. :)

On to the interview!

How did you get started, how long have you been doing this?
I have been involved in wedding video since 1992.  Ever since high school days.

What is your favorite part about your job?
I like making the newlyweds feel like movie stars.  I love capturing those special moments during the wedding and knowing right then, “This is gonna look amazing on video!”

What are some things brides should look for when looking for a videographer?
Brides should look for creativity and quality. Look through a videographer’s previous work for style and attention to detail.

Why should brides book a videographer?  Aren’t you just going to get the same shots the photographer gets?
Some of the coolest videos I still have are of my grandparents during Christmas.  I can see them move AND hear them talk.  True.  A good videographer works closely with the photographer, but to have the “moving memories” as well?  That’s truly priceless.

What is something unique to your service that you are extra proud of?
I’m so proud to use new and fresh ideas for wedding video.  It makes “working” way more fun.

Jeff Heimer
JMH Pro
http://jmhpro.com
903.312.8289
jeffheimer@gmail.com

If you are still considering a venue for your wedding then you are going to love today’s post.  Here are some of my favorite venues in the area.  They are all slightly unique.  Some have things that others don’t and I’m pretty sure that if you take a look at each of these you’ll end up having a hard time deciding on just one. :)  Anyway, here are a few photos with links to recent weddings as well as contact info for each of them.  Happy Friday.

Villa di Felicita | (903) 597-0002 | (Click here for a recent wedding there.)

Castle on the Lake | 903-721-3593 | (Click here for a recent wedding there.)

The Legacy Venue | 903.571.9644 | (Click here for a recent wedding there.)
The Belgium House | (903) 660-0125 | (Click here for a recent wedding there.)
Elmwood Gardens | (903) 724-5619 | (Click here for a recent wedding there.)
Roseland Plantation | (903) 849-5553 | (Click here for a recent wedding there.)

Hunt Villa | (903) 597-0002 | (Click here for a recent wedding there.)

Typically when I meet with brides or chat with them at the engagement session, I like to ask how the planning is going and what “phase” they are in.  More often than not, when the topic of “The Guest List” comes up, a discouraged look comes over their face.  This seems to be the most dreaded part of the planning process.  Well today I have great news for you.  I am adding guest lists to all my packages.  That’s right, I will contact all your friends and family and get their pertinent information and pass it on to you. :) It will not cost anything to my current brides and….

OK, so maybe I’m lying about that.  But, I do think I may have a solution for you.  Most of you are users of the internets. (Assuming you read this on a computer and do not have someone print it out and hand it to you every day.)  In fact, most of your guests are computer savvy as well.  Pretty much everyone is on Facebook and can do a bit of E-mail, so this is something that should work for the majority of your guests.  It’s a short little video on how you can use some free Google sites to organize and put your whole list together.  It’s 2010 people.  Work smarter not harder. :)

Sign up for a Gmail account here and get going.

Get started with Google Docs here.

If you are a Facebook or Twitter friend, you know I got some new shoes yesterday.  I have a little story about how my shoes can help you plan your wedding, but before we get to that, how about a few photos. :)

I wore out most of my tread on the old pair. :)

If you can fit an action figure in between the sole of your shoe and the tread it may be time for a new pair.

Yesterday I finally bought a pair of shoes.  I have had my current pair for a little over 4 years. I’ve been meaning to replace them for the past 3-6 months.  Danielle had told me to. I knew I needed to.  Every time it rained, water would seep into my socks and I was reminded of this fact.  I had the 45 bucks.  So why the delay?

Here’s why:

I don’t care about shoes.

They don’t’ matter to me. They are not part of my identity.  My self-esteem is not wrapped up in what they look like.  I just want my feet covered.  In fact, I only have 3 pairs. One pair of flip flops, one pair of walking, one pair of wedding shoes.  That’s it.

When I was at the NBA All-star Game this past weekend I saw plenty of people who cared about their shoes.  (Most of them young men.)  In fact, inside the bathroom I saw two guys standing at the sink with their shoes off cleaning them with paper towels.
(I mentioned this was in a public restroom and they were standing in their socks right?)

It would be pretty hard for someone to convince me shoes are “important”.  They are needed and I have some, but I’m not going to get too worked up about them.  The same should be true of your wedding planning.  Find out what is important to YOU and spend your budget on that.  Maybe you LOVE napkins.  Go all out.  Get the best ones.  Maybe invitations are you thing.  Go nuts with them.  Get the fancy ones with the tissue paper people throw away right after opening the invitation. If photography is what you value, I can totally recommend someone to shoot your wedding.  The point is, it’s YOUR wedding.  Spend your budget on the things you value and then when you look back on your wedding you’ll be thankful that  your wedding looks like you and not someone elses.

One more thing, if you do like shoes OR documentaries, you absolutely have to watch Just For Kicks.  It’s an interesting look at the world of sneakers and just how important  they can be to some people.  You can rent it from Netflix or watch it online here.  Enjoy.