Tag Archives: Boston Wedding video

 

We met Heather and Chris organically as they found our wedding films online and reached out to us. Once we met for our first consultation, I knew these two were an ideal JPod Films’ couple. They each had fun, easy going personalities and it was easy to tell that they saw the value in a quality wedding film. Once their parents saw our work, Heather said “booking us was a must”. So they did and I was really excited about sharing in their wedding day.

Heather and Chris started their day by getting ready at the Lenox Hotel and the vibe was so energetic and fun. The girls were telling great stories about when Heather and Chris first met, while the boys were yelling and screaming over last-minute World Cup goals. As the preparations continued, the couple each gave sentimental gifts to their parents and each other which really brought a great warmth to their Boston wedding film. The couple transitioned to the Boston Public Library for the rest of their wedding day which started with a great first look at the top of the library staircase. After a pre-ceremony photo session, the couple were married in the library’s courtyard and the ceremony featured heart-felt and extremely well-written vows. The night continued with lots of high fives, elegant decor and high energy dance party. We loved how the couple incorporated their favorite old-school music into the ceremony and reception, as Africa by Toto was used in the ceremony and You Make My Dreams Come True by Hall and Oates was used for their first dance song.

We were lucky to work alongside the uber-talented Kate McElwee and the band Beantown from Wilson Stevens. True professionals like that always make the day flow so seamlessly. Enjoy Heather and Chris’ Boston wedding film from the BPL!

Wedding Professionals:

Filmmakers: Chris Morgan + Jamie Podworski

Photographer: Kate McElwee

Band: Beantown, Wilson Stevens

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Boston Public Library

Preparations: Lenox Hotel

Florist: Foret Design Studio

Caterer: Catered Affair

Dress Shop: Madeleine’s Daughter

Dress Designer: Ramona Keveza

 

Ever since we filmed Kate + Bryan’s wedding in Hyannisport in 2014, the small residential village has been one of our favorite and most visited locations on Cape Cod for our Boston wedding films. This time, it was another Bryan with a “Y”, as Jacqui and Bryan were getting married in this gorgeous little nook on the Cape. This New York City couple grew up on the Cape, but they found us organically after seeing Kate and Bryan’s wedding at their same reception venue, The Hyannisport Club.

Jacqui got ready in her parent’s quintessential Cape home and her morning with the girls had so many cute little moments from her flower girl’s innocent sassiness to the first looks that she did with her Dad and her bridesmaids. Bryan got ready nearby and the boys in their blue suits with light blue ties were dressed to impress. A beautiful church ceremony at Our Lady of Assumption was followed by a nice, but quick photo shoot by the water as some quick moving showers passed through the area. The reception took place at the beautiful Hyannisport Club, which boasts one of the best looking sunsets on the Cape because of its southwest location on the Hyannisport peninsula.

We got to work alongside the talented Todd Wilson Images duo of Todd and Sarah, while the band Splash from Wilson Stevens came down from Boston to rock the party all night long. Not only was there a constant, packed dance floor, but the dance party ended with the newlyweds up in the air much like you would see in the hora dance at a Jewish wedding. The bride and groom finished the night with a sparkler exit which capped off a perfect Boston wedding film on Cape Cod.

Wedding Professionals:

Cinematographers: Jamie Podworski + Jake Wieners

Photographer: Todd Wilson Images

Band: Splash

Venue: Hyannisport Club

Flowers: Betsy Wallace

Transportation: Rockstar Limo

Hair: Casey Blaser, Salon in the Mills

Makeup: Lyndsay Simon

Cake: Casual Gourmet

Dessert Table: The Perfect Table

Dress: Pronovias

Dress Shop: L’Fay Bridal – NYC

 

We were fortunate enough to have Boston Voyager magazine reach out to us and offer an interview with JPod Films owner Jamie Podworski. It is always a great opportunity to put a face and a personality to our Boston wedding films. We love what we do, and the magazine gave us a great opportunity to tell our story of how things began and what makes us different as a wedding filmmaking company. To read the whole article, click HERE.

But, why stop there? I thought this would be a good opportunity to shed a little more insight on who we are and what makes us tick. Here are five more questions/facts about owner Jamie Podworski.

  1. What is your favorite part of the wedding day? I really have fell in love with the Father of the Bride toast over the years. As a father of three girls, I know that this is something that is coming in my future. I think each father gives great perspective into raising a daughter and the important things that have made them who they are today. So often, Fathers of the Bride also provide great insight to what a great marriage/relationship is made of, and I take great stock in that.
    Courtesy Person + Killian Photography

    Courtesy Person + Killian Photography

  2. COFFEE! I am a huge coffee lover. My local coffee shop is often my first stop as I hit the road each weekend.
  3. I am definitely an active person. I have run two marathons and completed a half-ironman triathlon. I have always been a runner, but I love to cycle and get in some boot camp classes early in the morning as well. Add to that, I still try to skate with the youngsters, as I play hockey in a fairly competitive over-18 hockey league one night a week. Don’t worry…Your long wedding day will not tire me out.Ice Hockey Wedding Filmmaker
  4. Dogs. I am definitely a dog lover for sure. So, my couples who find a way to incorporate their own four-legged friends get bonus points. I currently own a 7-year old chocolate lab named Charm. She is my editing buddy for sure.
  5.  Wedding Dog
  6. What’s the one thing that people are most surprised about when it comes to wedding filmmaking? The post-production process. A lot of people do not realize that everything from backing up footage to editing to proofing all of the edits can be a 40-60 hour process. An additional piece of this process is the selection of music. I spend hours some nights trying to find the right song(s) for each couple. Having the right feel makes a huge difference in the edit.

 

 

We met Maggie and Matt through a mutual friend of ours and Maggie and I hit it off right away when we first talked. We were excited as this Boston wedding film was going to be the first one ever at the JFK Library and Museum. Although the Library and Museum has been in existence since 1979, 2017 was the first year that this beautiful space began hosting weddings. And, what a space it is! Between the towering windows and ocean views from the cocktail hour space to the 10 acre property outside, to the reception space with endless possibilities, this venue has quickly established itself as one of the elite wedding venues in Boston.

Maggie and Matt’s wedding fit the space perfectly, as elegant was the perfect word to explain every part of their wedding. As I say that, I kind of laugh. Because, even though Maggie and Matt carry that elegance, they have a cute, quirky side that makes them such a great couple. Throughout the day, you could see how connected they were with their inside jokes and continued laughter.

The wedding preps took place at another iconic space, the Park Plaza Hotel in Boston. It had such a great, relaxed feel all morning. You knew the bride was relaxed when she started steaming bridesmaids dresses. The day really got going as Maggie and Matt did a first look in the light rain outside the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. In the wedding film, the couple’s great connection really comes through during this first meeting. The rain stuck around for much of the day, but we were still able to sneak in an outdoor photo session under the trees in the Boston Public Gardens. The night continued into the JFK Library and Museum, which was transformed into an amazing space between the work of New Leaf Flores, DesignLight, and the JFK coordinator Jeannie Spence. We also have to add that we loved the post dinner treats and snacks – Blackbird Donuts and Fenway Franks. Thats a win-win! Enjoy our latest Boston wedding film from the city’s newest sophisticated venue.

Wedding Professionals:

Cinematographers: Mia Major & Jamie Podworski

Photographer: Suzanna March Photography

Reception Venue: JFK Library & Museum

Band: Sugar Babies

Church: Arlington Street Church

Preps: Boston Park Plaza Hotel

Florist: New Leaf Flores

Lighting: DesignLight

Caterer: Gourmet Caterers + Gordon’s Liquors

Dessert: Blackbird Donuts

Makeup: Stacey Fraska

Hair: Michelle Decosta

Dress Designer: Lela Rose

Shoes: L.K. Bennett

 

As wedding filmmakers who like to tell a couple’s story, the wedding toasts at the reception play a vital role in our filmmaking process. When we reach out to our photographer friends to talk about an upcoming wedding together, the toasts are the one item we highlight as important to us. We take pride in filming them with good lighting and great sound quality, as we know that it makes our Boston wedding films stand out. Making them look and sound good is our job, but saying the right things is traditionally up to the Father of the Bride, Best Man and Maid/Matron of Honor. So here are some tips to sounding good and making the best of your time in the wedding spotlight.

Length Matters

The best length for speeches tends to be about 2-3 minutes. I honestly believe a well-spoken father of the bride can extend their speech to 3-5 minutes in an engaging manner. But, at the end of the day, the reception is about eating, drinking and dancing. Therefore, speeches that carry on for too long (especially multiple speeches) only cut into the fun part of the evening. On the flip side, 30-second speeches add little the night’s festivities. If you have been selected to speak on behalf of the bride or groom, you have enough knowledge and background to talk for at least 90 seconds.

It’s Not About You

One of the biggest reasons speeches carry on too long is that speakers talk too much about their relationship with the bride and groom. Opening up a speech with your connection to them is a great way to start, but telling multiple stories about every part of your relationship is a way to lose the audience’s interest. Telling one story that exposes the great character traits of the bride or groom has to offer is a great way to show your connection with them. Remember, it’s a toast, not a roast. Save the long stories and razzing of your friend for the bachelor/bachelorette party or rehearsal dinner where the audience is smaller and more connected to the couple.

Courtesy Person + Killian Photography

Courtesy Person + Killian Photography

The Most Important Part of the Speech

All great speeches turn the focus onto the couple. That is what the wedding day is all about! We all have a story about the couple. Most often it was when they first met, or the first time you heard about their new boyfriend or girlfriend. There is always that ah-ha moment. Tell the audience about it. And, then talk about why you think the couple works so well together. It’s the feel-good moment of the night. Own it!

Opening and Closing

How do you start and how do you end your toast? That is the easy part. To start, simply introduce yourself. Secondly, it is a respectful gesture to thanks the parents of the couple for the wedding itself and rehearsal dinner, as most often, parents pay for much of the wedding.

To end a good speech, simply toasts the couple. It could be as simple as asking everyone to raise their glass (don’t forget this part) and wishing them a happy, healthy life together. To take it up a notch, connect your ending to the couple. For example, for an Irish Bride, end with an Irish Blessing. For a brother or sister, quote a respected family member.

Write Down Your Plan

There are two ways to approach the speech. The first is to write it out your speech completely, so that each thought is well thought out and delivered to your satisfaction. For others, reading word for word will cramp their style. If you are this type of person, do not wing it! Simply, just make an index card with a list of topics for each part of the toast. Each part of the speech can be delivered off the cuff, but have a plan in place. Then, you won’t forget to thank the parents when you get a touch nervous.

That’s the basics. Two to three solid minutes of content and you’ll be getting congratulations throughout the night. Do you need a template? I love the DIY wedding toast template Malcolm Fraser gives in his article for Huffington Post. And, one last tip, take a deep breathe as you get to the microphone. It will pay big dividends. Cheers!

 

We met Breanna and Matt through their photographer, Matt Hinkley of Hinkley Photography. We first knew the were a great JPod Films couple when Breanna told us that she was going to school to become a veterinarian, and that they had two dogs who were going to be included in the wedding plans. Although the two resided in the midwest, our Skype conversations felt so warm, as if we had known each other for years. It was also the first of four straight Boston wedding films that we had on the water in September (four different states too).

It was the second straight year that we spent the second weekend in September at Church Landing in Meredith, New Hampshire. Breanna and Matt got ready on opposite ends of Church Landing and then met for the first time on the back lawn of the property. It was one of my favorite parts of the day, as Matthew’s mid-western charm really came through. After some fun pictures with their dogs Ruby and Khan, we headed to a beautiful open field next to Moulten Farm for a pre-wedding photo session. We really got creative here and even opened the film with this part of the day. The couple had a traditional church ceremony at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Laconia before returning to Church Landing for the cocktail hour and reception. Some of the cool details include the Hoosier glass, tying in Indiana, used for the centerpieces as well as the Birch logs used throughout the reception decor.

We got to work with Matt and Liz Hinkley from Hinkley Photo (photo credit for picture above) for the second straight year in Meredith which was a blast, and we were also paired with one of our favorite bands in Honey Train. The day just had just a great vibe! Enjoy our latest Boston wedding film from the edge of Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.

Wedding Professionals:

Photographer: Hinkley Photo

Band: Honey Train

Venue: Church Landing at Mills Falls

Photo Shoot location : Moulten Farm

Florist: Lotus Floral Designs

Hair + Makeup: Cascade Spa

Cake: Jacques Pastries

Dress: Pronovias

Dress Shop: Madeleine’s Daughter Bridal

Shoes: Kate Spade

Stationary: Karli Strohschein Art

 

 

Our latest Boston wedding film came to us as a referral from the Renfros (Tiffany + Matt, Margarita + Steve, Zach + Chris). That connection helped us build a great relationship with Erica and Matt, as we got to meet them and Matt’s parents before the wedding day at Margarita and Steve’s wedding. It was at that wedding that we knew that Erica would be a fixture on the dance floor at her own wedding.

This Boston couple chose to get married close to where Erica grew up at the newly renovated Newport Beach House, which just reopened in 2016 under the management of Longwood Events. With a small wedding party, we started the day with an intimate getting ready session for the bride and groom at the Hotel Viking in the heart of Newport, Rhode Island. Erica waited until getting to the Newport Beach House before putting on her beautiful lace wedding dress in the bridal suite. Every wants a sunny day on their wedding day, but Erica and Matt got an overcast misty look over their water view. It sounds like a bad thing, but in reality, it was a magical look for the camera in what was easily one of the best photo sessions we have had in the past few years.  It doesn’t hurt to have to talented and funny Joe Laurin of Joseph Laurin Photography cracking jokes next to you, which put Erica and Matt in such a naturally relaxed and happy state. Just jump ahead t0 4:58 to take a peak. The ceremony and reception took place on the top floor of the Newport Beach House overlooking Easton Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

We worked with some awesome vendors in addition to Joseph Laurin, as Julie Keilbasa and Alison Barbara, hair and make-up respectively, were a fun addition to the bridal preparations at the Hotel Viking. We felt at home on the Rhode Island coast, as multiple Boston wedding professionals were with us as well including the interactive band Soul of Boston and Les Fleurs of Andover. Enjoy our latest Boston wedding film from beautiful Newport, Rhode Island.

Wedding Professionals:

Venue: Newport Beach House

Photographer: Joseph Laurin Photography

Band: Soul of Boston, Hank Agency

Flowers: Les Fleurs

Hair: Julie Kielbasa, Julie Rose Beauty

Make-up: Allison Barbera Beauty

Linens: Rentals Unlimited

Transportation: Newport Limousine Service

Dress Shop: Madeline’s Daughter, Portsmouth, NH

 

 

Zach and Chris’ Boston wedding film was the third wedding overall and the second this year that we have filmed for the Renfro family. For Zach and Chris, opposites definitely attract in many ways. Zach is outgoing, while Chris is more reserved. Zach runs, Chris lifts weights. Zach is a doctor, Chris is a lawyer. But together, these two are an unstoppable force of love and dedication to one another.

Zach and Chris started their day with preparations at the Fairmont Copley, and their exchange of gifts was a cool way to begin the day. It was evident at this point what a great connection these two had with one another. A first look outside on Copley Square, right near the Fairmont Copley was a second sweet moment early in this wedding day. Next, the couple travelled the city by trolley for a photo session that brought us to many of their favorite locations. It was during this time, we got to meet their first child Ezra, who is a young, energetic yellow Labrador retriever. After a brilliant early night photo session on iconic Acorn Street, we headed to the Boston Public Library for a sophisticated ceremony and reception.

We were fortunate to be surrounded by an all-star team of wedding professionals including Jill Person from Person + Killian Photography, Eye 2 Eye of Wilson Stevens Productions, Winston Flowers, A Catered Affair and Suzanne B. Lowell Lighting Design. It was the second time we got to work with one of our former brides and wedding planner Kate Evans of Kate Evens Events. She kept the whole day running extremely smoothly, while Suzanne and the Catered Affair staff turned the library into a elegantly designed space. Enjoy our latest Boston Wedding Film from the city’s Back Bay.

Wedding Professionals:

Photographer: Person + Killian Photography

Band: Eye 2 Eye, Wilson Stevens Productions

Getting Ready Venue: Fairmont Copley

Hair & Make-up: Charlotte Phinney & Company

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Boston Public Library

Flowers: Winston Flowers

Lighting: Suzanne B Lowell Lighting Design

Wedding Planner: Kate Evans Events

Catering: The Catered Affair

Linens/Rentals: The Catered Affair at the Boston Public Library and Be Our Guest, Inc.

Transportation: Old Town Trolley Tours of Boston

Ice Sculpture: Brilliant Ice Sculpture, David Chapelle

Tuxes: Brooks Brothers

Invitations: Goosefish Press

Favors: South End Buttery

 

We met Sammie and Jeff through our friends Edna and Kasie at EFD Creative Event Planning and Design. What makes these two such a great couple is that they love each for exactly who each person is and has become. To quote the sarcastic Jeff is his vows, “I vow to be a quality roommate. I’ll work hard to drastically improve my home improvement and handyman skills to a solid ‘below-average'”. To quote Sammie in her vows, “I will continue to play games with you, even when we grow old and can’t remember the rules.” It was a Boston wedding film that I really think shows how we incorporate each couple’s personalities uniquely into each final film.

Sammie and Jeff and the team at EFD Creative did a marvelous job creating a beautiful and elegant wedding day throughout. The ballroom looked amazing for the reception and you can see how amazed the bride was in this video that we released shortly after the wedding. We loved the details that featurd the #gettinggrilloed hashtag that played off Jeff’s last name, as well as the superhero cufflinks that Jeff incorporated.

We were so lucky to work with so many great wedding professionals beyond the EFD Creative team and the Boston Harbor Hotel staff. David and Jo from Allegro Photography were our visual counterparts, while so much of the beautiful decor came from the talents of Orly Kohn Floral Boutique, Suzanne B Lowell Lighting Design and Cakes to Remember. Enjoy this perfect summer day on the Boston Harbor in our latest Boston Wedding Film.

Wedding Professionals:

Photography: Allegro Photography

Wedding Planner: EFD Creative Event Planning + Design

Band: Night Shift

Venue: Boston Harbor Hotel

Flowers: Orly Khon Floral Boutique

Lighting: Suzanne B. Lowell Lighting Design

Cake: Cakes to Remember

Hair and Makeup: Studio 9

 

Lauren and Sean found us through their photographer Matt Cavanaugh and their wedding planners Lauren + Ruthie of Eutopia Events. They reached out to us, as they thought our wedding films fit exactly what they were looking for: “authentic, not corny and modern/clean.” Their words, not ours, but I thought they described exactly what we strive to produce in each of our Boston Wedding Films.

This Boston couple traveled back to their college stomping grounds of Northampton and Amherst, Massachusetts to tie the knot. Lauren is a Smith College graduate, while Sean received his degree from Amherst College. They actually met at Amherst College when Lauren and her friends ended up at the wrong room and were coerced by Sean and his friends to hang out for the evening. That was their first meeting, but their relationship didn’t start until a few years later.

The bride got ready just a few houses down the road from Helen Hills Chapel on the campus of Smith College. There were so many great little moments from the bride’s preparations that add so much personality and character to this wedding film. The Reception was across the Connecticut River in Amherst at the Eric Carle Museum (right down the road from Amherst College). The Art filled walls created a unique space for Lauren and Sean’s celebration. The couple even created an “art project” for their family and friends, which served as their guestbook.  Enjoy our latest Boston Wedding Film…

Wedding Professionals:

Cinematographers: Mia Major + Jamie Podworski

Photographer: Matthew Cavanaugh Photography

Band: Hudson, Night Shift Entertainment

Wedding Planners: Lauren + Ruthie, Eutopia Events

Flowers: Forget Me Not Florist

Ceremony: Helen Hills Chapel

Reception: Eric Carle Museum

Transportation: M + L Transit Systems

Caterer: Blue Heron Restaurant & Catering

Dress Designer: Amy Kuschel

Music Licensed through The Music Bed