Videographer: @storyofyourday

The 2023 Autumn RSVP Wedding Symposium in Venice brought together the elite of the wedding & event industry. The meeting of global wedding creatives Photographer Stuart Wood, Luxury Wedding & Event Planner Sonia Petrazzi, and International Wedding & Event Videographer Emma Wilson of Story Of Your Day led to the collaboration of a very special project.

With the backdrop of the most beautiful city in the world, the team wanted to celebrate the San Clemente Palace Kempinski being ranked #1 top hotel in Venice by no less than Conde Nast in their Readers’ Choice Awards.

Stuart Wood says, ‘What started out with a crazy idea over lunch grew into this major endeavour, which only goes to show that collaborating with like-minded people and genuine teamwork can bring the very best out of us all. I just knew that my photography would rise to the challenge when we got going and that with the calibre of those around me, I would never settle for anything less than the very best from myself’.

So a luxury styled shoot was planned for early 2024 and this would include an assembled cast of truly world-class suppliers, all of whom excel in their fields.

One of those world-class suppliers that made up a vital part of the team is Italian handmade album manufacturer Graphistudio.

Based only an hour from Venice, it was decided that their luxury product would be perfect for the project. In a world that is increasingly digital only and where viewing pictures from a screen is the norm, the tangible act of viewing exquisitely printed pictures placed within their renowned plush and ultra-slick designed albums would only ever enhance the photography.

Jeremy Price, MD of Graphistudio UK, says, ‘The wedding album becomes a family heirloom and the only thing that truly increases in value to couples long after the wedding is over. Creating this stunning bespoke album for our Venice collaboration gave us a chance to really show how photographs can be appreciated, as they are meant to be wrapped up in the finest of Italian leathers and linens with heritage Italian printing to complement all the amazing facets of this event.

The chosen filmmaker for the project was Swiss-based Wedding Videographer Emma Wilson of Story Of Your Day. Having someone so experienced at filming destination weddings & events with an outstanding reputation in the wedding industry was crucial to ensure a styled shoot film that did not simply mimic the photography, but was unique and different enough to enrich it and rightly sit alongside it.

Emma Wilson says, ‘It’s been a while since I have filmed a styled shoot but the location and fabulous suppliers involved made it an easy decision. I wanted my film to look and feel more like a luxury elopement rather than a traditional styled shoot film.  So I decided to make a film that wasn’t a ‘Behind The Scenes’ but instead captured the real essence of Venice and the stunning venue.’

It was decided that the project would need two days to shoot the images and the film. The first day was based on the private island of San Clemente, which concentrated on the hotel and its own historical church, with the second day shooting generic images of the couple Irene and Marco around Venice itself.

For the wedding dresses, leading Haute Couturier Sian Hughes Cooke, founder of Shimmering Ivory, was invited to present her newest collection.

Sian says, ‘Venice would always be a perfect backdrop to showcase our ethereal Shimmering Ivory couture designs. We selected a sheer pure white oversized floral embroidered corset & oversized skirt, the epitome of elegant and modern sophistication. Perfect for the garden of the San Clemente Kempinski.

For the old town of Venice, we chose a blue silk ruffle oversize dress inspired by the sea. This looked stunning against the city’s iconic canals. We also featured a sleeker look for the gondola and bridges of Venice with a stunning French lace and embroidery dress that really created the perfect Venetian look.

The logistics of planning and organising all of the suppliers and then getting them out to the island and around the city on time and for all of this to work together so flawlessly could undoubtedly become a whole article on its own. Still, without any doubt whatsoever, this venture could never have happened without the impeccable skills of Sonia Petrazzi and her team. Sonia has worked at the very highest level for over three decades on luxury weddings and events, not only in Venice but all over Italy, Europe, and South America.

Sonia says, ‘I have a deep affection for this enchanting city that I know inside out. Venice never fails to surprise me, offering a constant stream of new discoveries.

We aimed to showcase the beauty of the city and the Island of San Clemente with Hotel Kempinski. The collaboration was fantastic.

Alongside local Venetian suppliers, florists, and designers, we meticulously brought every detail to life. Drawing inspiration from Venice’s natural allure, the floral arrangements boasted a soft pastel palette and lush greenery, infusing a whimsical romantic ambience into the venue.

It is indeed a further testament to the calibre of the assembled team that they attracted the likes of Bella Belle shoes and Fregoli Haute Couture handbags, which perfectly accessorise the imagery.

Credits

Venue: @sanclementepalacekempinski

Planning: @sonia_petrazzi @artwedding_italy

Photographer: @stuartwoodphoto

Videographer: @storyofyourday

Photo Album: @graphistudio @ukgraphistudio

Dress: @shimmering_ivory

Suit: @finaest

Performers: @gabrielerizzi.lab

Flowers: @centrofiorivenezia

AV & Set-Up: @knowhowproduction_venice

Models: @modelsonice

Hairstyle & Makeup: @letiziacordellamakeup @wedding_venice_hair_makeup

Bridal Bag: @fregoli_italia

Shoes: @bellabelleshoes

Wedding Cake: @pasticceria_racca

Water Taxi: @landseaservice

Piano: @interpretiveneziani

Venetian costumes: @atelierlabauta

Content creator: @socialsoiree_uk

Their engagement came during one of their many travels amidst the tranquil setting of the Bahamas, with a sunset backdrop and the sand beneath their feet. Italy held special significance for them, given Marie’s Italian heritage and Giovanni’s paternal roots, leading them to choose Calabria for their wedding. Tropea, with its stunning scenery and Giovanni’s familial ties, became the obvious choice. Despite initial uncertainty, they secured their dream wedding date at a quaint church overlooking the crystalline sea.

The festivities took place at Villa Paola, a charming former monastery that perfectly matched their criteria for intimacy, history, and scenic beauty. Organizing the wedding proved challenging amidst current health concerns and the complexities of planning an international event. Nevertheless, they persevered, proud to have realized their vision for a dream wedding.

The lemon theme, symbolic of Italy and the venue, infused the celebration with vibrancy. They incorporated personal touches and practical elements like dancing shoes for tired feet, homemade limoncellos as souvenirs, and masks to adhere to safety protocols. Every detail, from fans to cool guests during the ceremony to shuttle services for convenience, contributed to the ambience.

Their most cherished memories of the day were seeing the emotion in each other’s eyes as Marie walked down the aisle and Giovanni awaited her at the altar. Reflecting on their journey, they advise future couples to stay true to their desires and trust their instincts, for only they truly know what they want.

Venue: Villa Paola, Tropea

Wedding dress: Orlane Herbin

Man outfit: Tom Ford

Make up and Hair: Laetitia Corneillie

Flowers: Gianni Cortese, Floral Designer

Photographer: David Maire

Videographer: Meryll de Gordon

DJ: Ray Secondino

Some key features of their services include:

• Behind-the-scenes iPhone Photography & Videography for your Wedding day.
• Delivery of all photos and videos taken during the event within 24 hours where possible.
• Creation of Reels, TikToks, and Highlight Videos, with express delivery of a few days.

They don’t just capture moments; they craft them into stunning montages that encapsulate the essence of your special day. While you await your professional photos and videos, these snippets from your day will keep you at the moment. This service can be a great second layer to your existing photographer and videographer, as it ensures no moment goes missed.

Q: What do you do that differs from photographers and videographers?

Each of us, as suppliers, offers unique services and content. My focus is on providing raw unedited, high-quality iPhone photos and videos, capturing every beautiful and authentic moment of your wedding day. I aim to deliver hundreds to thousands of high-quality videos and images to you within 24 hours of the event, along with a selection of carefully edited reels and TikToks just days after. I am the perfect add-on to ensure no moment is missed on your special day. Compared to videographers my content is more in a short form so the content is ideal for sharing on social media platforms.

Q: How did you get into this?

For the last 4 years, I have worked in Marketing roles, with the last 2-3 being solely focused on Social Media Management and content creation for companies across the UK. I knew I loved creating content but hadn’t found my niche. After my sister-in-law came across the concept I decided to give it a go with my first wedding in September of 2023 – an incredible day at Hedsor House. I knew from that day onwards that I had found the right career for me as it was just so much fun & such a pleasure. My feedback from the couple was so positive and knowing I had made a difference to one of the most important days of their life was such an honour.

Q: What equipment do you use?

I use an iPhone 15 Pro Max currently to shoot Weddings along with my DJi Gimbal. I also bring with me a spare iPhone (13), an LED light and lots of portable chargers! I recently also purchased a drone from DJI, so will be offering drone footage to couples going forward.

Q: Why should a couple consider hiring a Wedding Content Creator for their special day?

What I do is offer a fresh and distinctive viewpoint, focusing on candid, behind-the-scenes moments of your day. My work provides an easily accessible and adaptable collection of memories, with hundreds or even thousands of moments captured. I strive to ensure that no precious moment goes unnoticed or uncaptured, offering a comprehensive and diverse reflection of your wedding day. Unlike traditional forms of documentation, the content I create is highly adaptable, allowing you to remix, repurpose, and create your content from the day if you wish to do so.

This interactive approach enhances the experience of reliving your memories, making it engaging and enjoyable. In addition to standard photos and videos, I can create fun, interactive videos that add an extra layer of enjoyment to your memories.

These videos will bring laughter and joy whenever you revisit them, becoming unforgettable moments in themselves. My work complements the services of photographers and videographers by capturing candid and unconventional moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. By doing so, I ensure a complete and diverse collection of memories that beautifully encapsulate the essence of your special day.

Q: How do you deliver your footage?

All raw footage from the day will be uploaded to a Google Drive folder and shared with you. You will then just need to download the footage to your phone or laptop to receive it in full quality. The reels will also be uploaded to this folder but in a separate subfolder. This is a very accessible way of accessing your files.

Q: What style would you say your content is?

I would say I have more of a classic, editorial style of content. I like to focus on small details & genuine emotion. With my reels, I tend to try and give an overall feel of the day, capturing details such as the dress, décor and personal touches perfectly.

social soiree @socialsoiree_uk

On your big day, you should be able to dance the night away and celebrate with all your loved ones whilst enjoying everything you put together to have the perfect wedding day. What best than to have everything you put together and all your wonderful and most memorable moments recorded? That is where a videographer is needed.

The Videographer will capture every moment of your special day and edit it for one of the most beautiful films you have ever seen and can pass on from generation to generation. We have found the best videographers that you can choose from for your big day.

Denee Motion Boutique Wedding Films

The Denee Motion Boutique is a team of highly experienced cinematographers and photographers that consult with the couple and have everything ready on your big day. They take care of lighting, photography and planning beforehand to capture all moments to the smallest detail so you won’t forget a thing when looking back at it. They develop a documentary of you and your partner and create a stunning, timeless film filled with unforgettable memories with your loved ones.

Link: https://deneemotion.com/

Vic Rivero

Vic Rivero is an experienced and dedicated wedding filmmaker with ten years of experience in the field. They have a deep understanding and the best technological expertise in photography and filmmaking. They will, without a doubt, do a fantastic job at filming and editing every moment with an amazing result for you to enjoy.

Link: https://www.vicriverofilms.com/

Bloomsbury films

The Bloomsbury Film Studio is the perfect choice for photo shoots, wedding ceremonies, nuptials and hen parties. They come with their superb cameras and their lighting setups ready to capture every exciting moment from your upcoming event and edit it together after speaking to you about how you would like your film to be and end up with the most stunning film featuring you and your loved ones on the most special day of your life.

Link: https://bloomsburyfilmstudio.co.uk/

Juno Wedding Films

Juno Wedding films tell the stories of people and places without focusing on just one day. Through their films, they capture each moment before your nuptials till after your celebrations, taking in every moment of your love story. They create bespoke, emotional, luxurious, crafted films that uniquely highlight each person. At Juno Weddings, they take great care and time when creating and producing wedding stories for their clients. They travel around with the couple documenting everything and everyone during their most touching and unforgettable moments.

Link: https://www.junoweddingfilms.com/

HD Moments

HD Moments is an outstanding choice for your big day. They produce the highest quality videos and have the best professional approach. They set up everything on your big day, including lighting and sound checking, to ensure they capture your most memorable day through every angle and not miss a second. With HD Moments, you will receive a precious film filled with positive and lovely moments with your loved ones.

Link: https://hdmoments.co.uk/

Story Of Your Day

Story Of Your Day is an acclaimed luxury destination wedding film brand delivering highly-curated wedding films for discerning clients who share a vision and passion for storytelling. At Story Of Your Day, they want to redefine wedding films, change how they’re perceived, and, in doing so, offer something unique and exceptional to their clients. Their clients don’t just want a wedding film; their story is told in a soulful, authentic, timeless cinematic film. When you commission Story Of Your Day, it’s because you share this same belief – more than just buying a ‘product’, you’re investing in an ‘experience’.

• Awards: 2021 LUXLife Best Luxury Destination Wedding Videographer
• Featured in Style Me Pretty | Tatler | LUXLife | Bridelux Hub | Rangefinder | BBC
• Link: https://www.storyofyourday.com/ +44 7973 459058 +41 79 927 1262

Lights and Magic wedding stories

At the Lights and Magic weddings, videography is more than just covering events. For them, it is about capturing and sharing every memorable moment with the newlyweds. They provide premier quality video coverage that captures the magic from your special event and provides a very well-presented video and an excellent film to watch with your loved ones in the coming years.

Link: https://www.lightsandmagics.com/

Moss Wedding Films

For your upcoming wedding, choosing Moss wedding films to cover your big day is a guaranteed choice that you will receive the most brilliant results. The man behind the cameras is Sam, an excellent photographer/videographer who created Moss Films and has captured some of the most loving and memorable moments and hundreds of weddings.  He is an award-winning wedding filmmaker covering weddings throughout the UK and destination weddings. He takes great care in covering every special moment of your wedding day. He emphasizes every detail whilst producing a stunning, timeless and elegant cinematic wedding film for you and your loved ones to enjoy in years to come.

Link: https://www.mossweddingfilms.com/

Muse Motion Pictures

The Muse Team put all their experience and skills into their film while offering a full production service from art directing and location scouting to help you on your big day. Their team will collaborate with your creative team to have the best result and capture each moment through their lenses. They take everything you say and write it down to be aware of what angles you want your wedding film to take, and you have the final result of your dreams.

Link: https://www.museproductions.co.uk/

RL Films Co

RL Films Co. will document your wedding discreetly and cover every angle. They take small cameras to surprise all your guests and capture the rawest and most authentic moments without anyone realising that they are films. They want to capture your big day on camera without the feeling of your wedding day being interrupted whilst creating timeless and modern films, leaving your wedding film to look just as good in 20 years. RL films can’t wait to listen to your love story and plans and to create a fantastic wedding film together.

Link: https://www.rlfilmsco.com/

Blue Ridge Wedding Videography

At Blue Ridge Wedding Videography, they strive to make a difference from the usual wedding videos and have a unique style. They are very cautious in taking everything you want to be featured on film and documenting it most elegantly and timelessly. Their wedding films are produced with their award-winning creative flair and ensure that the memories from your big day are captured in the most beautiful way possible.

Link: https://www.blueridge-weddings.com/

Choosing a videographer is a critical task as they will be the ones to document everything on your big day and, before that, create the most touching film you and your partner will ever watch. We hope the above list has guided and helped you choose an excellent videographer to capture every detail of your wedding that you put together so elegantly and create an outstanding film for you and your loved ones to enjoy forever.

The Top 20 Question to ask a Videographer

1. How long have you been a wedding videographer?
2. Can you show us samples of your previous wedding videos?
3. How would you describe your videography style?
4. What type of equipment do you use?
5. Do you work with a team, or are you a solo videographer?
6. How many hours of coverage do you typically offer?
7. How do you capture audio during the ceremony and reception?
8. Do you offer drone footage or other aerial shots?
9. Will you be able to provide us with a final edited video?
10. How long will it take to receive our final edited video?
11. Will we have input on the final editing process?
12. Do you charge for additional edits or revisions?
13. How do you handle music licensing for our wedding video?
14. Are you familiar with our wedding venue?
15. Do you have liability insurance?
16. Do you have backup equipment in case of technical difficulties?
17. What is your cancellation policy?
18. How far in advance do we need to book your services?
19. Do you require a deposit?
20. What sets you apart from other wedding videographers?

Comment below on your favourite videographer.

You can also check out our latest list of top short wedding dresses and get inspired for your big day!

Aida

The deep box pleats and 3D micro-pearl embroidery makes the Mikado silk shimmer beautifully. I love the florals that snake down the skirt and stretch up, covering the bodice and creating the slim straps, like vines winding round the bride. You can add a gorgeous silk train to this one with a beautiful feature bow at the waist.

Nevis

This hand embroidered beauty has a different floral design, featuring pretty pansies scattered across the skirt, bodice, and long sleeves. With a deep V neckline, front and back, you can add an overskirt to this dress for a super show-stopping look.

Magdalena

I love the metallic belt that breaks up this one. Sitting at the waist, it’s accessorised by a sweet 3D flower, over masses of sparkly sequins that adorn the silk tulle gown. With a thigh high slit in the ballgown shape skirt, this one fuses a traditional shape with a modern, chic vibe.

Estelle

Made entirely of beaded fishnet, this gown sparkles from every angle. With hand embroidered florals and fringes, it has detachable sleeves – perfect for a last minute change-of-mind – as well as a gorgeous low back for a dramatic look.

Nissa

Shimmering French lace covers this gown, with 3D embellishments and gorgeous illusion sleeves. I love the sweetheart neckline that scoops down to the off-the-shoulder sleeves, and the mermaid style perfectly kicks out to that fabulous train.

Feeling inspired? You can find the full collection here, or take a peek at more of our favourite designer wedding dress collections here.

From high society to high fashion

The youngest of seven children and the only boy in his family, Oscar de la Renta first discovered his skill for design whilst drawing clothes for newspapers and fashion houses to earn a little extra money. With famous and over-achieving relatives on all sides, Oscar was quietly studying painting in Spain when his work was noticed by the wife of the US Ambassador to Spain who asked him to design her daughter’s debutante gown. Soon after, Oscar began sketching for leading fashion houses, before becoming an apprentice for Cristóbal Balenciaga, who became his mentor.

The label

First appearing in Vogue in 1964, Oscar de la Renta already had a wealth of design experience under his belt, and after joining Jane Derby in New York City, he took over the label as his own after her death in 1965. His passion was making women look and feel great, with bright colours, bold patterns and beautiful silhouettes.

Awards galore

His accolades and awards stacked up through the years; with two Coty Awards (the fashion industry’s equivalent to the Oscars) as well as two Council of Fashion Designers Designer of the Year Awards. He was also a two-time winner of the American Fashion Critic’s Award and held numerous international honours and titles. His final honour was receiving the Carnegie Hall Medal of Excellence in 2014.

Bridal arrives

The first Dominican to design for a French couture house, Oscar created the haute couture collection for Balmain for nearly ten years whilst also diversifying and developing his own brand. With lines in fragrance, accessories and homeware as well as a less expensive clothing line, ‘O Oscar’, de la Renta also added a bridal collection in 2006.

The First Ladies’ favourite

A household name in the field of haute couture, Oscar de la Renta was renowned for designing for America’s First Ladies, and a collection of his outfits was shown in 2014 to celebrate his five decades of style.

Vogue

Oscar de la Renta remained familiar with the pages of Vogue throughout his career, lending elegant luxury and signature bold style to celebrity shoots and features.

Outside the magazines and off the catwalks, A-listers continued to drape themselves in Oscar de la Renta across the world, he even designed Amal Alamuddin’s wedding dress.

And now…

Peter Copping led the brand as Creative Director from 2014 until 2016, and now Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia have taken the reins as joint creative directors. Bringing youthful clean lines to de la Renta’s signature rich fabrics and bold prints, the pair have pocketed plenty of Oscar’s exuberance, having worked closely alongside him and adored him and his work for many years, even creating their own label, named Monse, in memory of Oscars mother. Their vision can be seen throughout their collections, with celebrities just as in love with Oscar de la Renta as ever.