Mason Jar Films

Emily and Clay, Preview

In September, I had the privilege to go to one of my favorite places on earth, the Napa Valley, to document the wedding of Emily and Clay on super8 film.

Emily and Clay were married at the intimate and luxurious Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford.  If you're looking for a nice getaway, honeymoon, or place to enjoy a fantastic meal, you've got to check our Auberge.  And if you're getting married, there's no better background for your ceremony - vineyards and blue sky as far as the eye can see.

The Davis family put on a wonderful, intimate occasion, full of exuberant dancing and heartfelt toasts.  If I were a quicker draw, I might've caught Emily tossing her bouquet (accidentally) onto the roof of Auberge as she made her exit. :->

Emily & Clay (and Helen, Steve, Eric, and Morgan), thanks for having me out to document this special occasion.  I look forward to putting the final product in your hands to share with family and friends on Thanksgiving.

jones

p.s. While in Napa, I recommend a few wineries, including William Cole and Spring Mountain.  Thanks to my past wedding clients and San Franciscan jet setters Ashley and Vijai for these suggestions!  And for a fantastic meal, don't miss Bouchon Bistro.  You won't want to come home!

 

 

Gina and Derek, Images

Gina and Derek were married last Saturday at Christ the King in Dallas with reception at the Tower Club.  Kourtney and I had a blast documenting their event, from the getting ready moments early afteroon at the Adolphus to rocking to the grooves of Professor D 'till 1 a.m. at their reception.

Wedding Coordinator Kay Watson kept the trains running on time (as usual!) while our old pal Gary Donihoo of f8 Studio snapped away like the rock star he is.

Enjoy some of the still frames (from our footage), and stay tuned for more pieces of filmmaking in the near future!

Gina and Derek, thanks for having us along for the ride.  Enjoy your little escape this week south of the border!

jones

Event Planner: Kay Watson
Rehearsal Dinner: Ozona Grill and Bar
Ceremony: Christ the King, Dallas
Reception: The Tower Club
Photographer: Gary Donihoo, f8 Studio
Floral: The Urban Blossom
Reception Entertainment: Professor D
Paper Items: Paper & Chocolate

Monica and Mike, Reception

While Monica and Mike's reception had a lot of Italian and Latin flavor, this wedding did take place in Texas, and the Texas bbq theme dominated the reception.

You may notice that my shots of the chocolate fountains appear to be improperly white balanced.  This is not the case - that is not chocolate.  Instead, they were flowing with BBQ sauce!  This made for easy dipping, but might've wreaked havoc on those who were hoping for a cocoa topping to their wedding cake!

Enjoy the clip from their reception.

Monica and Mike,many thanks for having us as a part of your celebration.

Cheers!
jones

Ceremony: Marty Leonard Chapel
Reception: Stonegate Mansion
Wedding Coordinator: Shari Johns, As you Wish Events
Photographer: Gary Donihoo, f8Studio
Emcee and lighting: Randal Stout

Monica and Mike, Ceremony

Love love love the location for Monica and Mike's ceremony - the Marty Leonard Chapel in Fort Worth, designed by a disciple of Frank Lloyd Wright.  With the glass walls allowing the chapel to fill with natural light, it's the perfect location for those who want a ceremony that practically decorates itself!

Monica's father sang the Ave Maria, which you hear underlying the ceremony - due to technical difficulties, he went acappella (perfect for an Italian wedding :->), and it couldn't have sounded better.

Check out the super8 shot at the end for their departure - it's the kind of shot that becomes iconic within a families history!

jones

Ceremony: Marty Leonard Chapel
Reception: Stonegate Mansion
Wedding Coordinator: Shari Johns, As you Wish Events
Photographer: Gary Donihoo, f8Studio
Emcee and lighting: Randal Stout

Monica and Mike, Bling and Things

I have been waiting a long time to share with you 3 pieces from Monica and Mike's documentary.  Being artists themselves (graphic designer and an architect - bet you can't guess which one is which), there was a consistent thread of artistry throughout the day.

In this clip, you see it in Mike's pre-ceremony gift to Monica.  He designed the artwork and packaging himself.  What woman wouldn't fall in love with a man that understands the value of an aesthetically pleasing presentation?

Watching this clip again, I am reminded of what a cool, calm, day in laid-back Fort Worth this was...there's just something special about that town.

Got a lot of super8 footage to show ya next week.  Stay tuned.

jones

Ceremony: Marty Leonard Chapel
Reception: Stonegate Mansion
Wedding Coordinator: Shari Johns, As you Wish Events
Photographer: Gary Donihoo, f8Studio
Emcee and lighting: Randal Stout

Somesha and Olivier, Treme

After a fantastic dinner catered by Joel's, Somesha and Olivier's guests were treated to a jazz set by the third brass band of the evening, Treme.

Named for the neighborhood out of which they were conceived, Treme has been a mainstay of the New Orleans music scene for many years with such notables as Kermit Ruffins playing through their ranks.

The guests boogeyed to their hearts' contentment to numerous upbeat jazz renditions, and this filmmaker struggled once again to separate himself from the seductive pull of the dance floor.

Shortly after drummer Lionel Batiste pounded out his last note, the bride and groom escaped into the night unannounced, seeking out more adventure.

Somesha and Olivier, thank you for having me along to document this wonderful experience.  May your worst day in Paris be no less than your best day in New Orleans.

jones

2nd Line: New Wave Brass Band
Photographer: Chris Williams, Zoeica Images
Ceremony: St. Louis Cathedral
Reception: Restaurant Galvez
Catering: Joel's
Reception Entertainment #1: Storyville Stompers
Reception Entertainment #2: Pierre Pichon Trio
Reception Entertainment #3: John Boutte and Leroy Jones
Reception Entertainment #4: Treme Brass Band

Somesha and Olivier, 2nd Line

2nd Line parades are a New Orleans tradition for many occasions, but especially in leading the bride, groom, and their guests from the ceremony to the reception location.  With hankees and umbrellas, the attendees have authority over all vehicle traffic as they dance their way to food, music, and more dancing!!!

Filming the New Wave Brass Band was absolutely electrifying!  Even when working a gig, there is no way to be surrounded by such musical gusto and not dance for a few measures!

jones

2nd Line: New Wave Brass Band
Photographer: Chris Williams, Zoeica Images
Ceremony: St. Louis Cathedral
Reception: Restaurant Galvez
Catering: Joel's
Reception Entertainment #1: Storyville Stompers
Reception Entertainment #2: Pierre Pichon Trio
Reception Entertainment #3: John Boutte and Leroy Jones
Reception Entertainment #4: Treme Brass Band

Somesha and Olivier, To the Cathedral

For all the readers easing in from Style Me Pretty, welcome to my blog!  And for those that did not see the Style Me Pretty write up on this wedding, watch the first video here and look at some of Chris Williams' fantastic photos here.  For Somesha's preview film from last month with more exclusive content, click here.

Regarding the video above, most of Somesha's final film is scored with songs from the musicians that were featured (live) at her reception, and in this clip, John Boutte sings her and her wedding party down the streets of the French Quarter in a horse drawn carriage to St. Louis Cathedral.

Locals, tourists, and sorority girls alike sent out their well wishes along the route, and guests (as well as a Dixieland jazz band) trumpted Somesha's arrival.

Ahhhhhhh, New Orleans.  You are truly one of a kind.

jones

2nd Line: New Wave Brass Band
Photographer: Chris Williams, Zoeica Images
Ceremony: St. Louis Cathedral
Reception: Restaurant Galvez
Catering: Joel's
Reception Entertainment #1: Storyville Stompers
Reception Entertainment #2: Pierre Pichon Trio
Reception Entertainment #3: John Boutte and Leroy Jones
Reception Entertainment #4: Treme Brass Band

Ellen and Clay, Departure

Ellen and Clay win the 2009 award for 'best departure,' giving and getting the love to so many.  The emotion is palpable - I watch this and feel like I'm there all over again (even though I never was!)?

Kudos to Kourtney for editing most of this documentary.  We will be back this December documenting Ellen's sister Evelyn's wedding at Arlington Hall in Dallas, so stay tuned to the blog for more of the goodness that they have shared with us.

Ellen and Clay, thanks for inviting us to document the story of your lives.  We look forward to seeing you soon.

jones


Ceremony: St. Joseph's Downtown Church
Reception: Southwest School of Art and Craft
Photography: Greg Blomberg
Event Planner: Maria Morgan, Wedding Planners, Inc
Reception Band: Blind Date
Floral: Jennifer Wascher, Natural Journey Florist
Catering: The RK Group
Bridal Gown/Veil:  Warren Barron, Dallas
Linens: Cover That Up!
Reception Lighting: AVTech Support
Invitations: Invitations, Etc.

Ellen and Clay, the Party

The Blind Date band always gets the party started and keeps it going late into the night.  I've seen them a few times now, and otherwise mellow guests are known to tear up the dance floor upon hearing their energetic renditions of all their favorite tunes.

As you might imagine, we weren't lacking for footage!

Get out of your seat and dance!
jones

Ceremony: St. Joseph's Downtown Church
Reception: Southwest School of Art and Craft
Photography: Greg Blomberg
Event Planner: Maria Morgan, Wedding Planners, Inc
Reception Band: Blind Date
Floral: Jennifer Wascher, Natural Journey Florist
Catering: The RK Group
Bridal Gown/Veil:  Warren Barron, Dallas
Linens: Cover That Up!
Reception Lighting: AVTech Support
Invitations: Invitations, Etc.