Monthly Archives: March 2012

One of the things we always strive to do at JPod Productions is build great relationships with our couples. Our goal is to learn as much as we can about our couples whether they are from Boston, Vermont, Cape Cod or Southern Connecticut. And we are fortunate to learn a lot about their relationships, their families, their lives, and of coarse, their wedding day. Now it’s time to share 10 things about Jamie that you may not have known:

1. I proposed to my wife at sunset in Newport, RI with a chocolate lab puppy wearing a ring around its neck. If you want the longer version, just ask me the next time you see me.

2. I love my coffee. I usually drink a hot cup in the morning and a cup of iced in the afternoon.

3. I’ve played ice hockey since I was 4. I referee and still play on occasion.

4. I am dog-lover at heart. I have had two Labrador Retrievers since college, but am currently waiting for the right time to add another chocolate pup to our family. I do walk my neighbors two chocolates when I get the chance. So, if you are including your pooch in the wedding plans, we are a great fit for you.

5. My primary assistant, Anne, interned with me when I worked at WWLP-TV22 in 2001 and we have been friends ever since. She has been shooting weddings with me for over 6 years now.

6. My favorite foods are seafood and pizza. I have a wicked sweet tooth too. For dessert, I’ll take a chocolate molten cake with vanilla ice cream any day of the week.

7. I have skydived, parasailed and snorkeled. I have never jet-skied or gone down a zip line, but I want to.

8. I completed a Half-Ironman Triathlon (1.2 mi swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run) and two marathons. My training has slowed down since having children…

9. Girls. Girls, Girls. I grew up as a teenager in a house with two sisters and a Mom. Now I have a wife and two daughters.

10. I am the homemade pierogi-maker in my family. I have kept my grandmother’s amazing recipe alive…

One thing we have very little control over as filmmakers is the content of wedding toasts. The better they are, the better our feature films tend to be. Marco Louvitakis, father of bride Katie Mocciolo (Louvitakis), had to be coerced into making a speech at his daughter’s summer wedding at the Salem Cross Inn, but it was could have been one of the best decisions in the wedding planning process. Now, this Boston couple has a wedding film that incorporates an amazing speech reflecting on the past and providing guidance for the future.

Most people who deliver a 5-minute toast will have talked for 3-4 minutes too long. But, not this dad’s speech. Marco’s toast took 150 people on a roller coaster of laughs and tears, while doing the most important thing of all – telling the bride and groom’s story. Telling stories about the couple during the toasts is one of the top ten things that I recommend you try and suggest to improve your wedding film. His opening story of meeting his now son-in-law Shaun tells a lot about how these newlyweds didn’t appear to be the right match on paper. These types of stories help us as filmmakers create films that bring out the personality of a newly married couple. Parts of this speech were spread out over the complete cinematic wedding film, but this is the speech in its entirety…

Great vendors we worked with at this event were Jennifer Corridan Photography and Greg Bedard DJ Entertainment.

http://vimeo.com/38615589

I met Emily and Andrew Cleary through a family connection and after our first conversation, I knew that they were the perfect fit for our company. It was the first of two weddings that we had during a busy weekend just after Valentine’s Day, and it was another mild winter day in downtown Boston. It was just warm enough to sneak outside for a photo session with the rest of the events taking place inside the Four Seasons Boston.

Emily and Andrew were married in the elegantly decorated Governor’s Room at the Four Seasons, with Lotus Designs Flowers giving the room every beautiful touch imaginable from flower petals down the aisle runner, to a variety of candles romanticizing the room, to breathtaking floral arrangements near the front of the aisle. Officiant Elly Jackson did a wonderful job telling the story of Emily and Andrew, which was the backbone of the ceremony and the movie trailer below.

After the cocktail hour, guests moved into the Four Seasons Ballroom for the reception, which was even more spectacular with Susan B. Lowell Lighting Design illuminating the room perfectly. Greg Hodges of 5 Star Events DJ led the couple in with an energy-building introduction that even included a surprise from the father of the groom. Greg’s music created a fabulous atmosphere for the guests all night long. We were so blessed to work with even more tremendous vendors all day and night, as Philip Deschamps and the catering staff at the Four Seasons Boston were great. Lisa Rigby of Lisa Rigby Photography (pictures attached to link) was just a pleasure to work alongside, and the cake from Icing on the Cake was beautiful and delicious (yep, I had to try the red velvet tier at the end of the night). Helping Emily look her best were Lindsey B. of Jorgo Salon (Hair) and Dani Wagener (make-up), while her dress was a design from Kenneth Pool.

Music provided and licensed through Songfreedom.

The vendor of the month for March is not only one of the top DJs  in the Boston area, but in all of Massachusetts. Greg Hodges of 5 Star Events is a vendor that has the three must haves of a good disc jockey – great Master of Ceremony abilities, the ability to read a room, and a commitment to his clients.

I got the opportunity to work alongside Greg just a few weeks ago at the Four Seasons in Boston. He set the mood right away as he introduced the wedding party with an energy-building pace that got the reception rocking with the entrance of the bride and groom. Early in the evening, we had a conversation of what type of crowd was in the ballroom that night. His music choices got people right out of their seats after dinner, and now I have a great dance section for my wedding film. Finally, it was easy to see the care he put into the couple and their wedding reception as his 4-page information sheet was extremely detailed and organized.

Greg has also earned the respect of a few of my cinematography colleagues as well. We have had conversations about who the top vendors are to work with at weddings and Greg’s 5 Star Events is right at the top of the list. Greg was also voted Boston’s #1 Disc Jockey by Boston’s A-List in 2011. In addition to their DJ services, Five Star Events offers uplighting services.