If you've been reading along with the blogs as they come out you are already aware that my #1 current professional goal is to service a Disney Wedding Event. I can not begin to stress how difficult of a process this has proven to be. I have had brides reach out to me, schedule phone calls with me at their request, and then not answer the phone or return messages. I have contacted any existing vendor I can find with evidence of having been involved in a Disney event. It amazes me the reach which the current service providers have. There are international service providers booking multiple trips into Orlando each year to manage weddings, yet can't manage to find a single point of contact locally. The secrets of being considered a Disney-level wedding vendor are vast and met at every turn with a lack of information and closed doors. ​

Let's take a look at the first wedding I booked here in Florida. This entry is going to be both a review of the event and a showcase about the venue Paradise Cove. 

Where to start with Dessirea & Jason? Thats an easy one.... the only thing these two might love more than each other is all their exotic pets. Check out their instagram @DeGrandeFarms, they have some of the most unique pets you'll ever see. Now as far as the wedding itself, such an incredibly fun bride and groom. Jason & Dessirea gave me the chance to complete my first wedding here in Florida. It was a feeling of relief when I booked their project, because it meant I was back on my feet and running in business again. It was incredible to be able to capture the events of the day knowing that not all the guest could attend due to the current state of covid. I do remember seeing the size of the overall wedding and being concerned about how much reception party footage I was going to be able to record. Boy was I wrong, the entire wedding brought so much energy to the dance floor all night long that I ended up editing an extra social media trailer just to showcase the party itself. Check out the photo below, to this day the use of peacock feathers as part of the floral display is still on of the prettiest designs I have seen. 

Paradise Cover, Orlando FL - One of the coolest things about starting over here in Florida is learning all the venues. I would have never expected to find a picture perfect beach setting in the middle of the Orlando theme park scene. This venue is a hideaway located on the shore of Lake Buena Vista that can handled the entire wedding day from prep to ceremony to reception. The most unique feature is the boat entrance / exit option. It was so awesome filming my amazing couple jump on a boat and disappear out into the dark lake lit only by moonlight to end the night. As you can see from the pictures below the ceremony location is absolutely stunning with a water front view and sandy beach for your post ceremony portrait sessions and video showcase segment. My favorite part of the entire venue has to be the twinkle string lights that hang above the outdoor patio area. The DeGrande's shared a beautiful moment under the stars for one of their dances, and Paradise Cove was the perfect backdrop for everything. 

Wow, what a busy couple weeks it has been. Started just before Memorial Weekend with a wedding in Ocala, then a trip out to Vero beach for the holiday, followed by a style shoot at the Hilton Downtown Tampa. That is just 5 days of it. I've got multiple photo shoots this week, and Danielle and the kids are off to South Carolina. The nice part is that this will free me up for a week of uninterrupted editing. That being said with travel starting back up and a little bit of time on my side, Ive had to promise Austin to also put out a Martin's Mark family vlog again. It has been over a year now since I made time for the last one.  Another personal activity I've struggled to find time for lately is drone flight. Thats why it was so great when last weekends wedding added it onto the videography contract. (See what I did there, what a segway)

Drone regulations are an important part of being able to offer service as part of my investment options. Recreational based FAA rule exemptions disappear the minute  intended use becomes for commercial gain, such as operating for pay at a wedding. This means that I am required to take and pass a test stating I can operate safely and know the rules. I am happy to say I did pass that test, but like to point out that this is one of the things to consider when booking a wedding videographer. I'll be writing a blog soon about the cost of quality service, and this is a great example of that. It cost to have a vendor that knows the rules, and follows them. Sure it may never be a problem to fly a drone illegally at your wedding, but what happens when it is your wedding and that's the one time it is a problem. With me, you'll know your guest are safe and the images will be beautiful, so considering adding it on to your videography service contract.  ​