Boston, MA Professional Photography

McElroy Weddings is pleased to announce it’s official launch of professional Boston Wedding Photography.

Click here to see the site. http://bostonmaphotography.com/

Our photography is based on year’s of experience from award winning Photographer Joe DiMattia. We are now pleased to announce we provide wedding photography coverage for Boston, MA, New Hampshire and New England. McElroy Weddings provides photojournalist wedding photography coverage. See our full site for all the details.

Other photography services include:

- Engagement Sessions

- Cherish the Dress Session

- Trash the Dress

- Photo Booth

- Maternity

- Little Black Book Bridal Boudoir 

- Baby photography

- Family Photos

Seaport Hotel Boston MA Wedding

Another exquisite Boston wedding shot at the Seaport Hotel. This venue provides a fantastic bridal suite that is extremely spacious and perfect for a bride and her bridesmaids to get ready for the big day at hand!

It is conveniently located just outside the city, and is in close proximity to many beautiful churches located inside the city.

The views around this venue produce a scene for fantastic formals and footage, not only around the venue but also inside. It is located next to the World Trade center that is connected by a bride. This bridge overlooks a breath-taking view of the entrancing Boston skyline, and some of the harbor. It is also located very close to the harbor which provides a great opportunity for formals as well.

The Hawthorne Hotel Wedding

The Hawthorne Hotel is an amazing venue located in the historical Salem, Ma. The hotel is located right next to a park with a beautiful rotunda and greens that provide a great backdrop for formals. It is also located close to a beach where formals can also be taken, provided there is enough time.

The Hawthorne Hotel also provides a beautiful grand ballroom that is perfect for a reception or ceremony. It is adorned with beautiful chandeliers, and styled with a colonial spin that is features with intricate details that tie a wedding together. The staff is very professional and always willing to help with anything that is needed.

Taj Boston Wedding Videography

The Taj is one of the most illustrious venues and Boston, and one our favorites. The second you pull up, you are treated like royalty and greeted with warm faces, even if it’s raining. The Taj is a very elegant venue with an incredulous ballroom, bridal suites, and many other rooms for you to chose from for any purpose you might need.

The Taj is very accommodating to bridal parties for rehearsals, formals, receptions, etc. The ballroom is decorated to create an inviting ambiance with floor-to-ceiling windows under crystal chandeliers. The top floor of The Taj opens into a room that shows the beautiful side of Boston. Windows line the room that accentuate the city, whether it be at night or morning.

16 Details Overlooked When Planning Your Wedding

16 Details Overlooked When Planning a Wedding

Hey this is Brittney Marvin, and I’m a staff videographer and editor for McElroy Weddings. I’ve been editing weddings for 6 years and have shot over 30 weddings this season, and thought it’d be appropriate to answer bride’s and groom’s questions before arriving at a wedding.  If you have any questions about planning your wedding, email me at Brittney@McElroyfilms.com and I will respond with a blog post within one business day.

Overall
1. Scheduling
Having a thorough schedule is one of the most important things when planning a wedding. Preparing a detailed schedule at least a week in advance will help your vendors and bridal party plan where and when they need to be. This schedule will help the wedding run a lot smoother.

2. Pictures and Video
You get what you pay for when booking a photographer and videographer. At one wedding that we shot, the photographer didn’t show up till 10 minutes before the ceremony ended. He was very hung over and explained how “he had been in a car accident and was rushed to the hospital”, while it was very evident that he had not. The couples that only book cheap photographers and videographers usually later regret it, because of the quality that is delivered.

PreCeremony
3. Importance of pictures and video
Many people overlook the importance of capturing the dainty details of getting ready for a wedding. Although it doesn’t seem like it’s that important, this chapter of the wedding can make or break your final product form your vendors. Remember, this is one of the most important days of your life, getting the necessary shots will be all you have left when it’s all said and done.

4. Distance between bride and groom’s location
When planning a wedding it’s easy to forget about the actual location that the bride and groom will actually be getting ready. It’s important, if at all possible, to have both parties getting ready nearby. Having the groom and bride close makes it easier for the florist to deliver the flowers, photographers and videographers to get the necessary shots of both parties.

5. Scheduling
This schedule should include the details of when the bride’s hair is being done (if it is being done at a separate location provide an estimated arrival time for when she will be back), makeup appointment, and when the limo/car is going to be picking up the bride, bridesmaids, groom, and groomsman.

Ceremony

6. Research the Priest and the Staff of the Church
Before booking a church, find the restrictions and regulations (if there are any). Some priests won’t let photographers move around, use a tripod, use flashes, etc. If there are many restrictions, it may be better to find another church that doesn’t have as many.

7. Lighting in the church
Lighting is one of the most important elements in a ceremony. The lighting can affect the quality of the pictures, video, and service that your guests will be witnessing. If there is not a lot of lighting, including natural lighting) your pictures and video will come out a little darker than you would probably like it to turn out.

8. Scheduling
The scheduling in this chapter should include when the groom, groomsmen, bride, and bridesmaids are supposed to arrive. There are many different ways to conduct a ceremony, therefore a brief summary or title will suffice (i.e. Catholic Mass, candle lighting, and any other special event that is added into the ceremony)

Formals
9. TIME!
In order to make formals move along faster, giving someone the task of rounding up people is important. This person is preferably someone who is not in the bridal party, who will know the family that is on the shot list. If you are thinking of doing a full family shot, assign more than one person. The photographer that will be booked should either have you write out a standard shot list of just principle shots that you definitely want to have taken. Be sure to assign a trusted bridesmaid to help the bride with her train, flowers, veil, and bustling. The venue’s staff is supposed to help with this, but they don’t always do this.

10. Order of Formals
Formals are one of the most important chapters in a wedding. Getting the family pictures done first have always made for a happier wedding party. It’s hard for grandparents and parents to have to stand waiting, and stand more for formals. Before hiring a photographer, make sure to ask what order formals are done. If the bride and groom arrive earlier then the whole wedding party, then taking a couple shots of just the couple is acceptable.

11. Scheduling
Scheduling formals isn’t always the easiest task. It was stated earlier that it is important to make a shot list, or see your photographer’s shot list. After a shot list is made, make sure that the people you designated to find family and friends have a copy printed and ready. Giving your bridal party each a copy will help formals move smoothly as well.

Cocktail

12. Again Time!
Every couple is different, but some prefer to be able to go to their own cocktail hour. Instead of curtailing formals, move cocktail hour back so that the couple can have enough time to do both. If you would like more time for your formals then cut out cocktail hour for the bride and groom. They will both be able to see their guests throughout the night at the reception. Remember to plan accordingly!

13. Space
Planning a cocktail hour is important, because this is when your guests will have a chance to eat a little and relax. If there is not enough space for people to mingle and eat, your guests will become uncomfortable. Don’t forget when planning this hour that the space you’re looking at not empty, will soon be filled with all your guests and possibly tables of food.

Reception

14. Order of Formalities
Try to get speeches/toasts, prayer, parent dances, first dance, cake cutting, and bouquet toss/ grader toss done and over with earlier in the night. Don’t necessarily have them all back to back, but sprinkle them in throughout your courses. The sooner the formalities are done the more guests will get to see, and the more footage you will receive after the fact. If you wait too long guests will leave and you will run out of time with your vendors.

15. Vendor Treatment
To get the best work out of your DJ, band, photographers, and videographers feed them towards the front of when your guests are served. The sooner that vendors eat, they can take a little break and get back to work to open the dance floor, and to get the rest of the important footage. The photographers and videographers aren’t supposed to shoot while guests are eating, so this provides a good time that they can eat.

16. Schedule
The reception is one of the most important parts of the wedding that needs to have a detailed schedule! Without the schedule your vendors won’t know what is happening when and where. Letting your vendors know what things are happening, when, and what order helps them prepare before the events happen. The best way to kick off the night is with the first dance (after introductions of course). After the first dance the first course can start to be served as the toasts and speeches are given. After the first course is being cleared the parent dances can happen next. When the bride and groom are done with the final course they can finally cut their cake! Getting all of this done in the beginning means the dance floor can be opened up and everyone can start dancing already!

Wedding at Glen Magna Farms

Take a look at this romantic wedding videotaped at Glen Magna Farms. This wedding featured gardens and lush landscapes perfect for any bride.
Check out their site here: http://www.glenmagnafarms.org/weddings.html

Museum of Science Boston Wedding Videography

This was a fun wedding we shot at the Museum of Science in Boston back in April. Very lovely couple and really photogenic. Enjoy!

Follow McElroy Weddings on Twitter!

Follow McElroy Weddings on Twitter. We’ll be live blogging at weddings and events throughout the season. We’ll be uploading reviews on cakes, venues, bands and more. We’ll also be uploading wedding trailers, photo montages and many more videos. Check back for updated information.

http://twitter.com/#!/McElroyWeddings

Who is Your Wedding Videographer?

Who is Your Wedding Videographer?

Over the last couple of months I’ve talked to all walks of life here at McElroy Weddings Studio in Burlington, MA. Couples ranging from, “I’m not sure I want a videographer” to “I know I want you as my videographer!”

If you’re still contemplating videography you should ask yourself a few questions.
1. What experience does that videographer have?
2. Does he own the company? Or is he an associate videographer?
3. Where is my vendor’s place of business?
4. What are previous clients saying about their work? Both owner and associate videographers?
5. What does my money really get me?
6. When I’m comparing videographers am I really comparing apples to apples?

We’ll touch on each one of theses points in this blog entry.

Firstly, we need to know about their experience. What background and education does this vendor and associates have? If their day job is a technical engineer and he’s trying to make a few bucks on the weekend. Is that a good fit for you? Would you like it if your doctor likes to make some cool cash on the weekends? And his real job was a videographer? It’s probably a bad sign if the vendor you’re interested in doesn’t live and breath video day in and day out.

Secondly, Who will be shooting for you? Will it be the owner of the videography firm? Or a freelancer/associate? We have nothing against this per say.. Just make sure you know who you’re getting. Make sure that the videographers you’re getting shoots video on a regular basis and has a background in video.

Third, Where does your vendor operate their business? Is it at their house or a condo? You might want to re-consider a vendor if you’re sitting in their living room a few doors from their bedroom. Home offices are great and save on costs. However, look for the firms with a professional office. While at their business ask to see samples both in DVD and Blu-ray. Having a professional look and business tells a lot about a vendor and how committed they are to their profession.

Fourth, What are people saying about them on the web? They’re numerous places on the web where you can find feedback on a vendor. A good place to start is on TheKnot.com or WeddingWire.com. Perform a search on the vendor and make sure there is positive feedback on them. Ask questions, such as, “Has anyone has used them?” and “What was your experience like working with them?” Also, Check out BBB.org. That’s the Better Business Bureau, if they’re not listed ask the vendor why? This site also gives information if there has been any cases against them for bad business and if it was resolved or not.

Fifth, What does the bottom line dollar amount get you? How many hours of coverage, videographers, DVDs and editing? Make sure this is spelled out and written on the invoice and contract. Make sure they match as well. $2,000 for a wedding may seem high to some people or it may seem low. Just inquire about what that money actually gets.

Lastly, When comparing videography vendors. Make sure you come armed to the table with questions. If you’re considering a few vendors ask the same questions to each one. Re-ask the question to see if you can yield the same answers. Sometime potential clients don’t book. The most common reason why is because they went to another videographer because they were less expensive. The questions that come to our minds are:
1. Who are they and what kind of experience do they have?
2. Do they have a day job? Or are they full time at videography?
3. Do they have a professional Studio/office?
4. We’re they offering the exact same quality and editing that we offer? With Professional HD cameras, wireless mics, sliders and glidecams? Who’s editing their video? It probably isn’t edited by award-winning editors like us!

Bottom Line, You can get a cheap videographer from Craig’s list any day of the week. Do you really want to leave your precious day to someone who isn’t qualified? Do you want to trust all your memories to him with a low end camera and limited amount of editing experience?
You have one shot to get it right.. Hire a professional and spend a little money. You won’t kick yourself later with a professional DVD of your wedding day 10-15 years down the road. You’ll thank yourself you spent a few extra bucks.

Give us a call at the studio if you have further questions. Or book an appointment to come down and meet us in person and see samples.

Office:781-229-5900

Kirkbrae Country Club

Another wonderful wedding captured in High Definition. This wedding was featured at Kirkbrae Country Club, in Lincoln, RI. This is a magnificent venue to have a wedding. Formals we taken on the course’s lush greens and man-made waterfalls. Take a look at the wedding trailer below.

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