Arden Bridal (Style Shoot Series)

Today's blog is about stylized wedding sessions, what they are, the purpose, and a recap of my first ever event as a participant. Day one of arriving on the Florida wedding vendor scene felt like being dropped on the moon. I had literally no network and in the world of wedding service providers building one can be an uphill battle. As a videographer you are often the last thing couples consider adding to the budget. (Danielle is writing a blog soon about why this shouldn't be the case) However currently that's just the way videography is seen, as a last minute addition. So that being said having a network that helps build you up and promotes you is key to landing new clients. 

I was lucky enough to be given the name of a few incredible points of contact from none other than a previous Bridesmaid of a Michigan wedding I had already worked. I was connected with Jessica Rios, and that was the starting point for what would become my second confirmed wedding in Florida. Jessica was planning a stylized wedding shoot for the opening of her second dress boutique, Arden Bridal, located in Tampa, FL. The event was being coordinated and planned by Eventfull Weddings own Karen Cerboni. You can actually check out her blog version of the event by clicking the button below. 

Planners Blog

---

Event Video

This brings us to the more technical questions of what is a style shoot and why do vendors participate in them. A styled shoot is essentially a mock wedding, planned in coordination with multiple vendors, to showcase talents and imagery. The negative side of style shoots is the argument that they can set an unrealistic standard for the everyday bride. However what you have to realize is that these events are meant to be inspirational not aspirational. As a wedding videographer I participate in them because we work in a world where content is the best advertisement and as an artist I just love creating videos within my craft. I am passionate about the projects I take on so what better way to showcase my talents than to do a mega networking event with likeminded people. 

The network I was able to build from that one style session alone has lead to my second confirmed wedding event here in Florida, as well as another  wedding that I participated in, as a network builder, thanks to connections made during the Arden Grand Opening. 

One last reason I love doing these events, all the free food from companies like Bakes by The Bay, and Local Mini Donut Co.