Natalie + Ben’s Wedding Video – Same Day Edit!

“I wanted to introduce you to my wonderful friend Michelle…  As the maid-of-honor for her sister’s (Natalie) upcoming wedding she’s been put in charge of finding an AMAZING videographer, and after attending our wedding in August and witnessing your “A-MAZING-NESS” first hand, she would love to chat w/ you about possibly shooting her sister’s wedding.” – Jen Stewart, past bride of Ning Wong Studios (you can see her same day edit here)

And, that’s how I met Natalie…through a flattering referral from Jen!

When I did my first consultation with Natalie, it was through Facetime.  Her sister/maid-of-honor Michelle, was with her too, so the three of us chatted and it really felt like we were already friends.  Then, their mom joined in.  Momma Mitra was all about business – she wanted to know the numbers, what our package included, everything.  Of course, I happily answered her questions, and after a bit of time, she warmed up to me.  I was relieved that I had passed her test.  Now, the only test that was left was to see if Ben (the groom) liked me.

Natalie and Ben happened to be in Orange County one weekend, so we met at a cute cafe in Laguna Beach.  I bought my wife with me and we had a wonderful consultation over some coffee and tea.  I remember leaving the meeting feeling really happy because not only did I really like Natalie and Ben, but I think I passed the test, since they booked me on the spot!

So, fast forward to about a month before her wedding….I had decided to do a same day edit for them, but I had to recruit some “spies” that would help me with it.  I was able to contact her sister Michelle, and her day-of wedding coordinator Michelle P.

When I told her sister about my plan, she was ecstatic!  She was 100% on board and wanted to do whatever it took to make it happen.  Michelle P. was great to work with too – we were able to work out the details and hammer down the time to unveil the same day edit.

The afternoon before their wedding, David (my awesome second shooter) and I drove up to the ranch to get some establishing shots, detail shots, and join them for rehearsal.  Since the venue was rather far from our homes, we also stayed overnight in the area so we could be well rested for the wedding day!  Natalie and Michelle invited us to their rehearsal dinner, and we politely declined but they insisted.  We were really glad we stayed – we were able to meet some of their friends and family, we heard some of the best speeches, and we were able to witness Michelle’s awesome editing skills through her slideshow presentation!

Natalie and Ben’s wedding took place in Santa Susana, CA, at the Hummingbird Nest Ranch.  Wow, what a venue.  Every single thing about this venue is a photographer’s dream – every nook and cranny was filled with fantastic light and it would be nearly impossible to take a bad photo here.  We were really excited to shoot there.  We set up our gear and got to work.  My team was shooting the wedding and funneling their memory cards to me since I was furiously editing the same day edit.

On a separate note – Natalie and Ben hired the amazing Joe Buissink as their wedding photographer!  If you don’t know who he is, click his name to look at his phenomenal portfolio and countless awards he’s won!  I’m a huge fan of his, and it was so cool to meet him and see him in action.  I did geek out a bit when I first met him, but he was super nice, extremely cool, humble, and great to work with!

So as the day went on, my team did an excellent job covering the wedding.  I popped out for fresh air to do some shooting myself, but I spent most of my time behind the keyboard.  I had a 9pm deadline to meet, and I didn’t want to disappoint!

As soon as I finished with the same day edit, I rendered and exported my video, and looked at the clock.  8:45.  Perfect!  I went outside to find Natalie and Ben to tell them that I had a surprise for them.  When I told them that I had a same day edit for them, they were floored.  They were so excited, so happy, and couldn’t wait to see it!

Well, enough rambling.  I feel like I’ve typed too much.

Here’s the same day edit.  We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it!

Venue:  Hummingbird Nest Ranch
Photography:  Joe Buissink
Videography:  Ning Wong Studios
Flowers: Petals LA
DJ/Entertainment/Band:   90210 Entertainment Group
Wedding Planning & Event Design:  Sherma from This Sweet Love
Day-of Coordination:  Michelle P. from Hummingbird Nest Ranch