Hopeless romantics take heart – we’ve got a fantastic highlight film from the lovely team over at Full Frame Digital Cinema to tug at your heartstrings this morning. It starts with the groom and his groomsmen getting ready (and watching what I can only imagine was a very helpful – and so adorable – bow tie tutorial) and the excitement and emotion slowly builds until it is so palpable, some of you might just shed a tear (I definitely did not have a dry eye). But first, just a little preview of this fantastic affair from Josh Finsel and Amber Breiner.
From Full Frame Digital Cinema … This had to definitely be one of the most fun trips we have had as a team. Not only were the scenery and tree top covered roads breathtaking, but we were able to spend the weekend with Melanie and Peter, our incredibly fun, laid back, amazing couple. Our weekend began with Melanie and her bridesmaids getting ready at Paradigm Salon, while the groomsmen were at the Golden Plough Inn. After the salon, the girls headed back to Melanie’s parent’s home to finish getting ready as Peter and his groomsmen made their way over. Peter and Melanie then had their first look in front of friends and family, then we all took the trolley over to the beautiful Aldie Mansion for an outdoor ceremony under a giant oak tree. Well, as everything was set up and ready to begin, about five minutes before it was to start, a massive downpour began! All the guests were safe inside as we ran to save all of our camera and audio gear for the pouring rain! We finally made it inside with only minutes to reset, but the ceremony was beautiful with personally written vows between the bride and groom. The night ended after an incredible reception filled with dancing, toasts, a sushi bar and some really tasty desserts.
Melanie + Peter :: Philadelphia Wedding Trailer from FFDC :: Jeffrey Holland on Vimeo.
From the beautiful bride … A 50% chance of thunderstorms was forecast for the entire day of our wedding. It poured in the morning, but the skies cleared by early afternoon when Peter arrived at my parents’ house by trolley. My family is Taiwanese, and it’s tradition for the groom’s side to escort the bride’s side to the wedding. We had our first look in front of our family and friends, and then continuing with tradition, my mom and I served tea and sweet red bean soup she and my aunt had made that morning.
We were hoping to get married under the sprawling oak tree behind Aldie Mansion, but it poured buckets twenty minutes before the ceremony. We were lucky though–imagine if it had rained during! All our guests were safely inside, and we held our ceremony in front of the mansion’s original brick arches. And afterward, the sun came out for cocktail hour: just perfect.
I like to think that our wedding was traditional but filled with unique, personal touches. Peter owns a digital design and web agency and created all the stationery. We tried to incorporate a double use for as much of our wedding as possible. Guests filled in the caption to a silly cartoon on the back of our RSVP cards and wrote in marriage advice on the back of our menus. The table flowers included potted orchids and succulents for guests to take home. I recycled leftover invitations to make the table numbers. The groomsmen set up a makeshift photobooth using a laptop and wireless mouse. My mother created ikebana arrangements to decorate the cocktail area. A friend personally painted our cake toppers. And there’s so much more.
What I remember most from our wedding are the words: our vows and the speeches given by family and friends, including one from Peter’s best man who couldn’t attend but sent in audio from Iraq. We are so thankful to everyone who shared in our big day.
Now that several weeks have gone by, we are so appreciative of Full Frame Cinema and Josh Finsel and Amber Breiner for documenting our wedding. I found Josh and Amber by browsing online and loved their candid, journalistic style. Peter found Full Frame through Style Me Pretty. Booking Josh and Amber and Full Frame were, hands down, the easiest two decisions in our wedding planning.
Wedding Photography: Josh Finsel and Amber Breiner / Wedding Cinematography: Full Frame Digital Cinema / Flowers: All Seasons / Ceremony, Reception, and Caterer: Aldie Mansion and Jeffrey Miller / Cake Toppers: Esther Mun, Lil’ Cake Toppers / Wedding Printables: Self Designed / Bride’s Shoes: Calvin Klein / Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza, crystal beaded trim from Sposabella Lace / Hair: Paradigm Salon / Bridesmaids Dresses: Priscilla of Boston / Groom and Groomsmen Suits: Custom by Black Lapel / Reception Music: Tim Lieb from Ambiance DJs / Ceremony Music: Loudermilk Quartet / Transportation: Bucks County Trolley Company