Francesca and Chrisovalentino were married a couple of years ago. The wedding ceremony took place at the Greek Church in Margate and was a traditional Greek wedding, the third I have had the pleasure to film for this gracious family.

Traditional Greek weddings begin early in the day with lots of preparations at the bride’s house as well as the groom’s. So, the day required two of us to be there to record everything that happened long before the ceremony was even a thought in my mind.

Francesca and Chrisovalentino are a lovely couple who invited me to film their wedding because I had done the same for his brother Chris a year or so before at St Augustine’s in Westgate. That was a huge day in itself and today was going to be the same. A Greek wedding is truly a massive celebration of more than just the bride and the groom, it’s the joining of two families and everything that entails. Plus music, lots of music.

Ted Immi was the photographer for the day. I know Ted pretty well and we always work well together ensuring neither of us miss anything. That’s a good sign and makes any wedding day run like clockwork.

The ceremony took about an hour with lots of guests in a very small church but I had anticipated that and put my cameras up high. No problems and everything went smoothly.

The reception by the sea

The reception was held in Broadstairs at The Pavilion. Just down the road from me.

This is where the day really started to get busy. Lots of dancing and everyone joined in, pinning money on the bride’s wedding dress while a Greek band played traditional music through the night.

Greek weddings are like the movie. A lot of fun but boy, you really earn your fee and sleep well afterwards. I only wish I could film more of them.

Any questions you might have regarding your upcoming wedding, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Read more about wedding highlight videos.

You can view our wedding highlight videos here.

Stay well,

Chris
East Kent Wedding Video

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Brian and Caroline were married at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in September 2020. For me as a wedding videographer, I was more than grateful that they chose me to film their wedding even though it was one of only three that year. You may remember that weddings were restricted to a maximum of fifteen guests. I personally think it was a brave decision on their part to go ahead given the restrictions.

Brian and Caroline had their wedding at St Peter and St Paul church in Saltwood, not too far from Hythe in Kent. Their ceremony was held at the Hythe Imperial Hotel on a grey autumn afternoon. I never let the weather become an obstacle when filming and I’ll use it as an advantage and that’s what I did.

The first dance …or not.

The pandemic rules restricted the amount of guests to fifteen which was fair enough but we were then informed that a first dance was not allowed. Why? Nevertheless, I wasn’t going to be thwarted. Brian and Caroline were naturally upset because the first dance is a big part of any wedding day so I asked Brian if he had the first dance song on his phone. He did. On impulse, I took the couple down to the beach and that is where they had their first dance. Never say never. Big smiles all round. It always pays to think outside the circle.

Camilla Harney was the photographer for the day. I love working alongside Camilla. We have built up a third sense on the several occasions we have worked together and always look out for each other.

The pandemic was a tough time for everyone. I was lucky to have the chance to film three weddings that year. It got me through by the skin of my teeth and hopefully we never get to experience those days again.

Any questions you might have regarding your upcoming wedding, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Read more about wedding highlight videos.

You can view our wedding highlight videos here.

Stay well,

Chris
East Kent Wedding Video

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On a rainy day in late May, I was looking forward to filming their wedding. Measha and Jack are two lively characters which guaranteed a day full of emotional energy. This is the kind of wedding I love to film.

I had attended their rehearsal at the church a few days earlier and filmed that too. It’s important to attend a rehearsal, I believe, because it also allows the vicar to meet me. Reverand Alice was brilliant. I was using six cameras and she told me to go for it. Had I only met her the morning of the wedding, that might not have been the case. My presence at the rehearsal also eliminates any surprises on the wedding day as I now know how the service will unfold. Like studying for an examination, in a way.

The Wedding

Yes, it was raining but what can you do? I’ll tell you. You use the weather as a plus rather than a negative. It might be a colourful umbrella or guests running in from the rain. I take it as it comes and always look for a clue in whatever is happening in the sky. Thunderstorms are fantastic, rainbows too, but it is what it is on the day.

The photographer was Benjamin Toms who I had the pleasure of working with just last year. A delightful man, we looked out for each other, as I always do with whoever I’m working with. We are both there on the day to do our very best for the bride and groom, no second chances.

The ceremony was an absolute joy. Lots of singing and waving of arms. Everyone joined in. We headed outside for a photo opportunity and the rain vanished. Measha and Jack literally stopped the traffic to cross the road with eighty guests.

On to The Yarrow in Broadstairs for their reception, a venue I was only recently acquainted with. Measha and Jack arrived in a green VW Camper. Their wedding reception was unusual because they didn’t have a traditional first dance or evening music so I filmed as many video messages from the family and guests as I could. All in all, a brilliant day. I’m glad I was there.

Any questions you might have regarding your upcoming wedding, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Read more about wedding highlight videos.

You can view our wedding highlight videos here.

Stay well,

Chris
East Kent Wedding Video

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Kathleen and Robert were married back in August 2014. Hard to believe that was almost ten years ago.

I’ve posted their highlight wedding video today because it was a turnaround moment for me. It was a day I changed my whole approach to filming weddings. More than anything, it was the emotion of the day and Kathleen and Robert certainly delivered on that account.

Their venue was Knowle House in Higham, Kent. I never approach any wedding as just another event. I always treat each one as my first which is something I tell my clients when we first meet. It’s important for them to know that. I can tell you that as a wedding videographer, adrenaline is always a constant companion. That keeps me on my toes. That’s a very good thing. You don’t get any second chances at one-off events.

I’ve watched this video many times. Yes, I did create it but in all honesty, it’s the happy couple themselves who shine. This is what a wedding should be. Two people coming together and making that commitment.

And they said…

This is what Robert wrote after they received the video….

We are so pleased we have our vows on video for times to look back on with our friends and family, even one day hopefully our grandchildren!

We can’t stop watching it, we have at least one viewing booked everyday for friends to come and see it, we also downloaded the short video on to our phones and ran out of battery many times already showing people! Its the tears from our friends reaction that really shocks us!

That’s my reward. It means I’ve done my job well. That’s why I treat every wedding as my first.

Any questions you might have regarding your upcoming wedding, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Read more about wedding highlight videos.

You can view our wedding highlight videos here.

Stay well,

Chris
East Kent Wedding Video

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Hayne House near Hythe is absolutely lovely. Everytime I’ve worked there, the weather has been perfect, lots of sunshine and beautiful outdoor settings. It’s almost a guarantee despite the vagaries of English summer weather. It’s a bit of a drive for me but I don’t mind knowing that I’ve shot some of my best weddings there and the staff always look after me well. A great place!

Marleybrook House near Canterbury is another fabulous venue for somewhat different reasons. It is certainly one of the most adventurous wedding venues in Kent.
They have a fairground on site and it’s a cracker. Fully staffed, the rides are awesome and free on the day. They have dodgem cars, arcades, a huge ferris wheel and a stage for live music if you wish to hire a band for the day.
I don’t know if the fairground is part of the package or an extra. All I know is that element always provides me with a wealth of activity to film and a guarantee that the guests will be smiling and laughing. That is gold for me and my camera.

Leeds Castle near Maidstone is definitely a fair old drive for me. I’ve been there a few times now but this venue gives me a sense of grandeur with it’s ancient buildings and history. Built in 857, it was once the home of Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII. I always tend to be there with a fabulous photographer, David Fenwick who has been snapping away as long as I have been filming. We work very well together.

Mount Ephraim Gardens, not too far away from me, is a lovely place. There is something about this venue that always makes me happy when a client tells me they are getting married there. Always a sunny part of Kent for me, I love going there and the grounds are breathtaking. It’s probably where I’d choose to get married.

So there you have it, a few wedding venues in Kent to enjoy. However, there are so many more and I may cover those in a future post.

Any questions you might have regarding your upcoming wedding, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Read more about wedding highlight videos.

You can view our wedding highlight videos here.

Stay well,

Chris
East Kent Wedding Video

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Chloe and Callum were recently married at Northbourne church near Deal in Kent. A lovely couple, I had been waiting all year to film their wedding video for them.

I arrived at the church bright and early to check out the church interior to ensure the light was good. It was perfect so I set up the cameras and waited for everyone to arrive. It’s important for me to film guests as they arrive, especially the groom and his best man.

Although this wedding was fairly local for me, I had attended the rehearsal the day before as I hadn’t met the couple until then. It’s always a good idea to attend the rehearsal as it allows me to meet the vicar. In this case, he had been concerned that the photographer and myself might decide to walk around during the ceremony. I assured him that wouldn’t happen and he allowed me to film from the front.

The ceremony was perfect, the light was ideal and audio was spot on. Sometimes it’s challenging to get perfect audio in a church as echo can often be annoying but I miced the groom on his lapel. No problem at all.

The reception.

Once the church ceremony was over, we all headed to the reception at Chloe’s nearby farm in Deal. A special mention should go to Lucy Faulkner from Lulu’s Photography who provided the stills for the day.

I hadn’t met Lucy before but she was a delight to work with. I always try to work well with the photographer and she made that easy.

The weather was fantastic so filming the outside activities gave me plenty of exciting shots and I made the most of it. The guests were lively and that’s a bonus for me when that happens. When they play for the camera, I will always encourage that and they did. Fabulous!

I certainly enjoyed Chloe and Callum’s wedding, it’s a shame that every wedding is basically a one-off.

Any questions you might have regarding your upcoming wedding, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Read more about wedding highlight videos.

You can view our wedding highlight videos here.

Stay well,

Chris
East Kent Wedding Video

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Jenny and Martin were recently married at Mount Ephraim Gardens in Kent. The weather behaved, it was a beautiful hot late summer’s day, just perfect for the wedding day.

I met Jenny and Martin back in January. It was a cold and wet miserable day but today was perfect. This was my second wedding at this fabulous venue so I was looking forward to it.

Louisa Dettmer and her husband Duncan were the photographers. Not having met them before, I introduced myself and we worked very well together throughout the day. It was a pleasure.

An owl brings the rings

Jenny and Martin had their wedding rings delivered to them mid ceremony by a white owl. The bird landed on Martin’s gloved hand as he was supposed to do. The moment when the owl took flight was a one-off moment so I ensured that each of my four cameras covered every part of the ceremony hall.

Having upgraded to the new Tascam DR10 microphones last year, perfect audio is always a certainty now. These small mics are expensive but audio for me is just as important as the video quality.

Martin’s family and friends had flown over from Denmark for the occasion. I recorded many guest messages to camera in Danish. Video messsages are always very popular with a wedding couple.

I always enjoy the long summer days. Maximum daylight allows me to make the very most of the light and having the guests outside ensures I can make use of the beautiful grounds at such a venue as this one. The setting sun lit up everywhere in a beautiful orange light which made everything look fantastic.

It really was a great day and hopefully, it won’t be too long until I can get back to Mount Ephraim Gardens.

Any questions you might have regarding your upcoming wedding, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Read more about wedding highlight videos.

You can view our wedding highlight videos here.

Stay well,

Chris
East Kent Wedding Video

The post Jenny and Martin appeared first on East Kent Wedding Video, wedding videographer in Kent and the SE.

Jade and Chris were recently married at the Three Rivers Golf and Country Club in Cold Norton, Essex. On what was a beautiful English summer’s day, the happy couple enjoyed the perfect wedding and we were there to capture it for them.

I don’t normally travel across the Thames but this wedding was an exception. Jade and Chris had tried to book me three times, however I was unavailable on each occasion. Then the pandemic began and that changed everything for everyone.

Dates were cancelled and rearranged and on her fourth attempt, I was free to film their wedding day. How could I not do so when she had tried so many times to book me?

I decided to travel up the day before and booked into a small hotel so I would be fresh for the big day. Avoiding any potential traffic on the motorways also played a big part in that decision.

Arriving bright and early on a typical but hot summer day, I set up the cameras and we were good to go.

The wedding day!

Marcus Howlett was the photographer for the day, a nicer guy you couldn’t meet and we worked like a dream together. That is always a massive pleasure for me.

The wedding took place outside in a pergola. This is always a test for any videographer as it is a confined space with a shady interior and a very bright exterior. You need to know your cameras and you definitely need to know your craft. How do you ensure the subjects remain well lit in this situation? That is indeed where knowledge plays a big part and is also a definite no to auto settings on any camera. It won’t do at all.

I can say that the ceremony came out the way I wanted it to as did the rest of this fantastic day. Jade and Chris were the perfect hosts. After all this time, I am so pleased to have said yes to her request.

Any questions you might have regarding your upcoming wedding, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Read more about wedding highlight videos.

You can view our wedding highlight videos here.

Stay well,

Chris
East Kent Wedding Video

The post Jade and Chris appeared first on East Kent Wedding Video, wedding videographer in Kent and the SE.

Tash and Dan were married in December at The Orchard Suite, Bearsted in Kent. It was a fabulous wedding for the start of winter and the rain wasn’t invited.

I do tend to get a lot of recommendations to film weddings and this was no different. Having previously filmed the wedding of Megan and Dafydd a couple of years ago, they had told Tash and Dan about the video they received and how they loved it. That brings us to today. It is always wonderful to catch up with past clients. No matter who I have filmed in the past, I always remember them very well.

Mark Grey was the photographer for the wedding. I meet a lot of wedding photographers and always get along well which is so important to me. Mark was an amazing guy and we got on like a house on fire. I’m back at this venue later this year and sincerely hope Mark is again the photographer for the wedding. An absolute pleasure to work with. We hadn’t met before but we worked as a team throughout the day. Thank you Mark!

The wedding day proceeded very smoothly but I never take my foot off the pedal. I’m always looking around for something a little different. I look at faces that show emotion because a wedding is exactly that. A day filled with happiness, tears, laughter and joy and that’s what I’m looking for. I’m not there to simply record the ceremony, the speeches and the first dance. You could hire a CCTV for that. Filming guest messages allows me to convey those emotions for posterity.

It was my pleasure to film Tash and Dan’s wedding and look forward to catching up with them and their guests at a future wedding hopefully.

Any questions you might have regarding your upcoming wedding, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Read more about wedding highlight videos.

You can view our wedding highlight videos here.

Stay well,

Chris
East Kent Wedding Video

The post Tash and Dan appeared first on East Kent Wedding Video, wedding videographer in Kent and the SE.

Gemma and Dan’s wedding

Back in late April, 2018, I read a story in the local newspaper Thanet Extra. It concerned a young couple, Gemma and Dan, going through some extremely hard times. Gemma was suffering from a life threatening issue at the age of nineteen. The more I read, the more I felt that this was so unfair on her and her fiancee Dan.

The focus of the story was their upcoming wedding in September, and they were determined to beat all odds. They barely had two coins to rub together and had set up an appeal with the help of a lovely lady, Marnie Enever at Macmillan Crossroads. The appeal had it’s own Facebook page and so I decided to do something.

I met them at the wedding venue, the Botany Bay Hotel just outside Broadstairs, months before the wedding day. Such a nice couple and Marnie was also there to discuss all things wedding video.

The wedding day arrives

Gemma and Dan’s wedding day was here and now. I’ve been very lucky with the weather this year when filming weddings. This day was no exception and both Gemma and Dan were full of beans, despite Gemma feeling low here and there throughout the day. Their friends and families were there to give them all the love and support they needed.

The ceremony took place at All Saints church in Birchington. A nice big venue with lots of natural light made for the perfect vows. All went without a hitch…probably not the best phrase to describe a wedding ceremony.

Heli Charter at Manston were absolutely amazing and donated a half hour flight in one of their helicopters. I was there to film the take-off and thirty minutes later, their arrival at North Foreland Golf Course. It was a mad dash across Thanet in my car to achieve that but I arrived with seconds to spare.

Then it was off for the reception at the Botany Bay hotel on the coast where we managed to get the happy couple down onto the beach for some shots. Photos and video, not drinks!
Beverley Battersby was the photographer on the wedding day and she was a pleasure to work alongside.

Gemma and Dan’s wedding was everything they had dreamed it would be. It all went smooth as silk throughout the day, running to schedule and really, it could not have gone any better. I was pleased to have been there, sometime’s you need to stop and think how lucky you really are. I wish nothing but the very best for Gemma and Dan as husband and wife. They deserve it!

Read more about wedding highlight videos.

You can view our wedding highlight videos here.

Stay well,

Chris
East Kent Wedding Video

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