Fairmont Copley Plaza

Videotaped Amy and Vivek's wedding yesterday at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston. They had their Hindu ceremony in a great ballroom, with balconies all along the one side. It made for many great angles. After the ceremony, during cocktails, the ballroom was made over for the reception—they worked fast!

Another nice note

Received lately from Rosanna and Joseph, married in NY last year:

"We just wanted to thank you for the beautiful DVD. We will have this wonderfully crafted memory for the rest of our lives! Thank you!"




This was the first wedding I shot with my new Canon XH A1 camera, and I was very happy with the results—the picture was very sharp, and I really enjoyed composing shots in the 16x9 format.

Thank you note

Just received from Kelly and Ryan, who were married at Elms College Chapel in Chicopee, MA and had their reception at the Yankee Pedlar Inn in Holyoke:

Dear Tom,
Wow! What an amazing job you did creating our wedding video! Not only are Ryan and I thrilled with the results, you also impressed my mother and my mother-in-law! We are so happy with your work and we are certain the DVDs will get plenty of use. Thank you so much!!

Lord Jeffery Inn

Met with Anne and Jiuming last night about doing their wedding video. They are getting married at St. Brigid's Church in Amherst, MA with a reception at the Lord Jeffery Inn, also in Amherst.

The question of high definition (HD) came up, and we talked about how important is it, is it worth the extra cost, what are the differences between standard def and high def. I thought Jiuming made a great point when he suggested that the video be shot using the typical technology of the day, which, in this case, would be standard definition. Your parents' or grandparents' wedding might have been captured on silent black-and-white film, placing it in a cultural and historical context. In the same way, shooting in standard definition now places your wedding in a specific cultural and historical context—so maybe you don't need to fret about high def versus standard.

To be sure, I love to use the new technology, I can shoot in HD, and I enjoy HD projects, so I'm ready for the next era of wedding video, too.

Bridal Sale Blowout!

Just heard about this bridal gown sale through the DJ Network:

Wednesday, Feb. 27th 4-9pm, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Springfield, MA (next to the Basketball Hall of Fame). All bridal gowns are on sale for $199 (originally $800-2500).

Violin Audition

On Tuesday, I videotaped an audition for a violin camp. Apparently, certain camps are getting very competitive, with students expected to submit a professional-looking demo. The 13-year-old violinist sounded great, playing two very complex pieces (a little daunting for me, since I just got a violin for Christmas and I'm having trouble with "Twinkle, Twinkle").

I had done another one of these a couple of years ago for someone doing a singing demo for another camp. I love doing these just to see the talent that's hiding out here in the valley.

Bridal Show Coming Up

March 9th I will have a booth at the Western New England Spring Bridal Show at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. The show will include a fashion show by Bancroft Bridals of Agawam and live wedding bands.

Look for my booth—I will be offering an iPod nano loaded with your wedding highlights to anyone who books a date with us at the show!