Sunday, July 12, 2020

Microweddings, Minimonies, and Elopements

Microwedding
Minimony at The College of William & Mary on July 11, 2020.

The Knot recently published an educational article on the difference between MICROWEDDINGS, MINIMONIES, AND ELOPEMENTS.  Microweddings are 50 people or less and include a reception with catering. Minimonies are "mini" ceremonies for very small groups (typically immediate family) and do not include a reception. An Elopement is when the couple ties the knot with an officiant, a photographer/videographer, and maybe a few family members or friends as witnesses. Minimonies and Elopements are similar in that you save a bundle on catering. But Minimonies typically happen at traditional wedding locations like a professional venue or a church. Elopements happen in backyards, courthouses, and public spaces. Traditionally, Elopements imply secrecy, but that definition has evolved over the years according to The Knot.

The health crisis of 2020 has played havoc with the wedding industry. Venues, DJs, and caterers have been hit hard. With fewer people attending "COVID-era weddings," photography and videography are even more important. Historically, photography is a must at weddings, and videography has been considered a luxury by many. However, with key relatives and friends missing out on the weddings themselves, videography is now a "must."

Reagan Studios filmed our first Elopement of the pandemic on April 20, 2020...a private backyard waterfront ceremony on a secluded beach at a friend's house:

Katie and Dan moved their big wedding celebration to the fall, but decided to not delay their nuptials. Make sure to watch this video and see what happens as he carries her into the water! Click HERE to see their magical intimate wedding including their spoken vows. We filmed their "We Do Redo" in Sept. 2020 at the Outer Banks. As a surprise to their guests, their ceremony turned into the best surprise gender reveal we have ever seen. Click HERE to see this remarkable event.
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Our first Microwedding of 2020 was June 13, 2020 at Amber Grove:
Microwedding

Desteney and RJ's day started out like a typical wedding with prep time (hair and make-up) at their venue. The ceremony of just under 50 people was outdoors and the guests practiced safe pandemic protocol. The reception that followed was at the couple's home and was even more intimate. Their wedding highlight reel ended-up looking pretty much like a large wedding video - as all the elements of a standard wedding were present. Click HERE to see their highlight reel. Still photos by John Malkowski.
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"I feel like if we can get through planning this crazy COVID wedding, then we can get through anything." -- Jamie Reyes, bride 2020. That quote sums up 2020 pretty well. Couples proceeding with their weddings are warriors! With the rules changing weekly, it takes courage and determination to proceed.

Jamie and Justin rescheduled their May wedding to August. And then just before their wedding, the Governor changed the rules from 250 guests to a maximum of 50 in their area, Virginia Beach. They reduced their headcount and moved forward. As a surprise to the groom, the bride made a special video with clips from many family members and friends who could not attend. Click HERE to view.

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Reagan Studios filmed two Minimonies in the spring of 2020. Kira and Talon were married on the water at Yorktown Beach and elected to film their prep time at a nearby hotel as well. The small gathering was family-only and we enjoyed a brief photo & video shoot immediately afterward:

Beach Mini Ceremony

Kira and Talon braved a precarious climb for some key shots, and she even went in the water at the end of the evening. Click HERE to see their main highlight reel. To see the still photos by Mason Murawski, click HERE.
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Our second Minimony took place in the Wren Building at The College of William & Mary:
William & Many Minimony

Morgan and Justin gathered at the Wren Building on the Campus of William & Mary just an hour before their 15-minute ceremony. Prep shots and their "first look" happened in the Great Hall. Even their ceremony took place in the Great Hall and not the chapel on the other side of the building. With only immediate family in attendance, we concluded the evening with a photo & video shoot on campus surrounded by ancient trees and historic brick sidewalks. Still photos by Lindsey Lyons.

To learn more about how Reagan Studios can help you remember your small gathering in a big way, drop us a line HERE. To learn about our wedding videography packages and to see more samples, click HERE. To view our YouTube channel, click HERE.




Sunday, January 5, 2020

2019 RETRO COLLECTION by Reagan Studios


We filmed 34 weddings in 2019. Some couples selected packages including full ceremony films, video guestbooks and next-day Instagram sneak peeks, but all of our packages included music video highlight reels.

We did our fair share of wedding classics this past year like "A Thousand Years," "Speechless," "Perfect", "This Is It," "When You Say Nothing At All," "Blessed," and "Cake." We also used a bunch of country songs.  Check out our 2019 Country Collection HERE.

The newest song we used in 2019 was "Adore You" by Harry Styles, and the oldest was "La Vie en Rose" by Louis Armstrong.  Our most unusual music videos for 2019 were "Wow" by Post Malone and "The Git Up" by Blanco Brown. 

We had two weddings this past year where the participants sang along: "Head Over Boots" by Jon Pardi, and "123456" by Fitz and the Tantrums. We also used two songs from the movies: "Married Life" from Pixar's UP feature film composed by Michael Giacchino, and "Far Longer Than Forever" from THE SWAN PRINCESS composed Lex de Azevedo.

This year we seemed to use a lot more retro hits from the 80's, 90s, and early 00s: Tears for FearsSugar Ray and Fall Out Boy for example. So...

Here's the link for our 
2019 RETRO COLLECTION:

https://mediazilla.com/Kq3nb8hc6

In each wedding, the song selected was either a first dance song, a big hit during the reception, or a favorite artist of either the bride or the groom. And in once case, it was just a song playing during the hair & makeup time, and I noticed that both the bride and I were bouncing our heads and smiling (LFO).

This is not a collection of our favorite wedding highlight reels from 2019. We had some amazing weddings with videos getting record views that are not included in this collection. Our most-viewed videos from 2019 so far are "Look What God Gave Her." by Thomas Rhett, followed by "Big, Big Plans" by Chris Lane. 

This collection is simply some of the music video highlight reels we made in 2019 using songs that are considered "oldies."

Enjoy!

Collins and Keith Reagan
www.reaganstudios.com

Reagan Studios is a video production company specializing in commercial videography, wedding cinematography, and music videos for artists and bands of all genres.


Friday, December 6, 2019

Disney Princess

 Wedding Videography

DISNEY PRINCESS

Bekah and Chris were married on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at Flyway Lodge in Knotts Island, North Carolina. An historic waterfront property, it was originally a hunting lodge frequented in the last century by notables like President Dwight Eisenhower. The property is currently under renovation and is available for special events such as weddings and corporate gatherings.

Chris asked Bekah to marry her in Disney World during the fireworks display while "Happily Ever After" played throughout the park. That song was chosen by Bekah as her recessional and is played in the short film after the ceremony - timed just as the DJ played it.

Check out their wedding cinematography showcase: it features a music video wedding highlight reel using a sweet tune from Tears for Fears, PLUS a short film that features the full ceremony and two songs that were the bride's processional and recessional.

Wedding Videography is essential in remembering your best day ever. Why spend a year planning and a substantial sum of money on the wedding of your dreams - only to not film it? Check out Reagan Studios. Read their reviews on Wedding Wire.

Produced by www.reaganstudios.com, a film production company based on the east coast of the United States specializing in wedding cinematography, commercial videography, and music videos for artists and bands. Primarily focused from New York to Nashville, Reagan Studios is available to travel worldwide.

Still photo by John Malkowski.

Sunday, September 22, 2019

PERFECT

 Perfect by Ed Sheeran

Perfect


While Chris and Katie were dating, Chris secretly learned to play the piano. Then, while on vacation in Florida, they stopped by a piano bar after a long day at Universal Studios. When Chris requested the pianist play "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran, the pianist acted like he wasn't sure how. So Chris said he would show him. Katie knew that Chris could not play the piano and was flabbergasted at what she saw. Upon completion of the song, Chris proposed. The next year, they were married in Virginia, where Kate is a news anchorman and meteorologist and Chris is a corporate executive. The video you are about to see is a few clips from the engagement shoot and wedding cinematography by Reagan Studios. The story made the NEWS when they returned from their honeymoon. Click HERE to see the news clip.

Click HERE to see the whole video.

filmed on location at The Manor House at King's Charter.

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

SPEECHLESS

SPEECHLESS


Kacie and Jake got married on a beautiful sunny spring day, March 24 of 2019. They selected Cousiac Manor as their venue as it offers an inviting barn venue with a breathtaking riverfront view. Planning and coordination was the key to their success and they have Robin Schreiber Consulting and the Happy Bride to thank for that. Still photography was done by the talented John Malkowski who works closely with Reagan Studios which created the edited videos. Splash DJ provided the music and MC services. And the delicious catering was provided by Big Mama's Event Services.

The wedding was attended by Jake's parents, JoAnn and Billy Mewborn, and Christopher and Karren Witt. Kacie's parents, Denise and Mike Russell were also present and Mike gave Kacie away. Grandparents Ike and Deanna Newingham, and Alma and Dick Griffin were in attendance. In fact, the barn was bursting at the seams and everyone attending was family one way or another!

The entire bridal party - bridesmaids and groomsmen - wore cowboy boots, and the decor was classic country. HERE is a link to their photo spread, shot and edited by John Malkowski.

HERE is a link to their main highlight reel SPEECHLESS. To see more wedding videos that Reagan Studios have filmed at Cousiac Manor, click HERE.

Jake is a Firefighter/Medic with the city of Newport News and Kacie is a hairstylist/makeup artist at Victoria's Day Spa. She also manages Oh My Kac Cosmetics. They reside in Virginia and have two dogs.

For more wedding videography, see www.weddingcinematography.net
Should I hire a wedding videographer, if so whom? Reagan Studios provides wedding videos and full film footage for brides in Virginia and around the world.


Saturday, February 9, 2019

OUR 2018 BRIDES

32 brides filmed at 21 different venues throughout Virginia and North Carolina. See anyone you know? 
Check out www.weddingcinematography.net 
for more information.

Wedding videography filmed at Fairview Farm, Science Museum of Virginia, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Red August Farm, The Dominion Club, Independence Golf Club, Alturia Farm, Hollyfield Manor, Seven Springs, Vista Creek, The Barn at Edgewood, Portsmouth Woman's Club, The Market at Grelen, White Dog Bistro, Country Club of Virginia (CCV), Marina Shores Marina, Blue Valley Vineyard and Winery, Cousiac Manor, Ford's Colony, and two private estates.

For more information on wedding videography, visit www.reaganstudios.com


Monday, December 10, 2018

Millionaire

 Millionaire wedding video

"Millionaire" by Chris Stapleton wedding videography 

by Reagan Studios at Hollyfield Manor


The Christmas season 2018 started off right at Holyfield manor when Gretchen married Mitch on December 1. Their first dance was to the song, "Millionaire" by Chris Stapleton. Reagan Studios used that song to create an awesome highlight reel summarizing their amazing day. 

To learn more about wedding videography and a cinematography and photography package that might be right for you, check out www.weddingcinematography.net
and watch the sample videos. Wedding videos in Charlottesville and Richmond and Williamsburg are our specialty, but we travel worldwide for destination weddings.