As a wedding videographer, I can’t help but say I think a wedding film is essential. But not only because I do this as a professional, but because I know first-hand the importance of capturing all of your family and friends at that one special moment in time.
A friend of mine recently posted about how much her sons loved watching her 19-year old wedding video. It made me think about my wedding video from 18 years ago, and although I am divorced, this video still has amazing value for me. It holds moving imagery that captures emotion like no other medium, and it has had a lasting effect for myself, and my three daughters. It will always serve as a joyous snapshot in time of their family.
One of my fondest memories of my wedding day was the Mother and Son Dance. It was special because of my Mom. She was my rock. She was my biggest supporter, and she was my sole parent after my father passed when I was a teenager. She was what any child would want of a Mom.
My Mom and I shared the love of music. She was very happy to volunteer songs for the first dance. One of her favorite songs was I’ll Still Be Loving You from a lesser-known band called Restless Heart. But when listening to the song, I realized it was more suited for the Mother and Son Dance. Because it was not a popular song, my wedding DJ did not have this in his CD collection (yes, before digital music). Unbeknownst to my Mom, I borrowed her CD and gave it to the DJ shortly before the wedding. After I took it, my Mom noticed it was missing. I obviously denied that I had seen it, but she was convinced I lost it as I was the one person who was always in her CD collection. I had to deny it on more than one occasion, and she was frustrated. It would not have been an easy CD to replace.
Fast forward to the wedding day and our Mother and Son Dance. My Mom had no idea what song I had chosen for us. Once the song Restless Heart started playing, I looked at her and said, “And you can have your CD back after the wedding”. She burst out laughing and couldn’t stop giggling the entire song. It was one of those moments that I will never forget sharing with my Mom and it is captured in the video below. I know how happy she was that I chose that song for our dance.
The reason that moment was so important to me is that my Mom, who was completely healthy and full of life at my wedding was diagnosed with lung cancer the following year. She passed away just 15 months after the wedding. Now, this wedding video serves as one of, if not the best imagery of who my Mom was…her smile…her joy for life. My kids know her and remember her from this fantastic memory. And, on this Sunday and every Mother’s Day that follows, I will think of and treasure my wedding video and a special dance I had together with my Mom.
Credits: Videographer: Mike Houle, Photographer: Terry Chenaille, DJ who kept the CD safe – Nino Cuccovia
