How The Coronavirus Is Affecting Brides, Grooms, And The Wedding Industry

At this point, everyone is aware of the Coronavirus (also known as COVID - 19). The United States President has advised social distancing and our Governor (we’re located in NJ) has advised limiting gatherings to 50 people or less to control the disease from spreading. However, I’m not sure if the vast majority of people are understanding how this is affecting Brides, Grooms, and the wedding industry as a whole. Well, since I am a professional wedding videographer/cinematographer in the wedding industry, I’d love to educate couples on what is currently happening and help give them the necessary advice and steps to take throughout this process. I have come up with 5 Steps to guide you in the transitioning of your new wedding date. With that being said, I’d also like to take the time to explain how wedding professionals are being affected as well.

First, I want to address the 2020 Brides and Grooms. My heart goes out to you all. I can only imagine how you must feel during these uncertain upcoming months. You’ve spent so much time researching all your vendors, booking them, trying on dress after dress, coordinating everything with your bridal party, and all the rest of the small details to make sure your wedding day runs smoothly.

My own wedding was a few months ago and I know how much work it entails planning out all of the logistics of your wedding day. I definitely experienced many tears along the way, but with all the tears I’m here to tell you that everything went smoothly and we had a beautiful day. Honestly, I realized the day of my wedding, how I was stressing about all these little details when really I needed to look at the big picture and realize it’s going to be wonderful no matter what, because I’m marrying the man of my dreams. It didn’t matter at that time, where the event was, when it was, what events took place on my wedding day that potentially went wrong or could have went wrong…I honestly didn’t care. That day was going to be my day, filled with happiness and no one was stopping me and my husband from enjoying it. It was a day to celebrate our love and show everyone that came to celebrate with us the commitment we have for each other. I am confident in saying that you will feel this way as well because what matters most is the two of you becoming husband and wife.

Lorenzo Media Productions Filmed And Edited This Wedding Movie Trailer

As for now, I understand rescheduling your wedding day has definitely put a damper on things but like I stated earlier, I’m a wedding videographer (Lorenzo Media Productions) and am here to help you through this transition. That is why my husband and I have come up with 5 steps that we highly recommend you take, in order to transition to a new wedding date smoothly with your Venue and Vendors.

5 Steps To Changing Your Date Smoothly

1) Get a list of new potential dates from the venue.
- Make sure to get more than 1 potential date. As many as possible to ensure the new date will align with all of your vendors. 

2) Contact your vendors and see which date(s) ALL vendors are available for.

3) Request a 1 week soft hold from your vendors and venue for that new tentative date.
- Not everyone will grant this but it can't hurt to ask.

4) Lock in the new date with the venue (Within that 1 week time frame)

5) Lock in the new date with your Vendors IMMEDIATELY.

SIDE NOTE: *Make sure that you are keeping the lines of communication going with your Vendors. Calendars change everyday. The more contact the better! 

I hope this information helps you sort out all confusion during this time and you are able to transition to a new wedding date seamlessly! If you are in need of advice I want you to know that we are here for you. You can always email us with your questions, we’d be happy to answer them for you. info@lorenzomediaproductions.com

It is important to understand that everyone in the wedding industry is being affected, including the vendors. We are being as responsive as possible and sympathetic to the situation our couples are going through. However, with that being said, it is important that couples understand the situation their vendors are in because it affects their livelihood. All vendors are self employed, meaning they “find” their own way to make money by starting a business of their own. Unlike people who work 9 to 5 with a steady paycheck, they do not know when they will be booking their next client. Therefore, since we live off our bride and groom’s payments, it is unlikely vendors are able to give refunds. Most wedding vendors are not big corporations that due millions of dollars in revenue. The vast majority are small businesses that provide more of an intimate experience.

The next best solution, where both sides are able to meet in the middle, is to reschedule a date that all your vendors are available for. There are many dates available within a calendar year, including days during the week. I know this may not be ideal for everyone but due to the circumstances and if couples want to get married in the same year without prolonging it to the following year, a weekday wedding would be the very last resort. I will say though, it is not uncommon for my husband and I to film weekday weddings. We’ve filmed Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday weddings in the past and I can assure you they have all been well over 100 people. I think this proves that the day really does not affect friends and family from attending a loved one’s wedding. If they want to be there, they will.

Like I said, we are all in this together and will get through it together as long as everyone is patient and understanding. Sympathizing with both sides to create a mutual understanding of how to move forward is extremely important in these uncertain times.

We wish you all the best on your wedding day. Just remember, no matter what it is going to be a day that you will never forget!

Dierdra - Lorenzo Media Productions

What Expectations To Have When Searching For A Wedding Videographer?

Great, you’ve decided you would like to hire a wedding videographer for your big day! You’re probably thinking now what? What’s the next step in your search. Let me start by explaining the most important part of hiring a videographer. First, you need to figure out what style you like best. For instance, would you like a chronological look of your day, or do you prefer a film with different parts of the day all mixed together? Do you want a film that has more of a documentary feel to it or a cinematic film filled with beautiful shots and poses? Do you like crazy transitions or like a simple, clean, and elegant film that will remain timeless for decades after. With varying video styles, personality types, and working styles, you’ll want to be sure you’ve found the right videographer that fits your needs. But what specific qualities should you look for in a wedding pro? Lorenzo Media Productions breaks it down for you!

Lorenzo Media Productions Filmed and Edited This Cinematic Wedding Video

Your Videographer’s Style Should Match With Yours

Whether they shoot more “raw” and documentary style or have a cinematic flare, you want to be sure the videographer you’re working with has a well developed look and feel for their work

While watching films the most important tip I can provide is looking for consistency, consistency, consistency. When there is consistency in a videographer’s films you know exactly what to expect with the product you will be receiving. Realizing this consistency will also help you feel confident in choosing your wedding videographer.

A Videographer Who Works Well With Your Photographer

When you book your videographer consider asking for any photographer recommendations. Since both vendors will have to work together side by side, it is important they have good chemistry and have previously captured weddings together. While all professionals should be able to work with one another, a pre-existing history can’t hurt.

A Videographer Who Creates A Plan

It is important for all your vendors to be well organized, but especially videographers. They have much more equipment to carry which means they need more time to setup. If your videographer is a pro, they will create their own separate timeline with you before your big day which allows for such setup time.

Find A Videographer With A Calm Personality

Your wedding will be a long day filled with emotion, so it’s important your videographer is someone you feel comfortable with. Good energy and a sense of calm will be a blessing if you’re starting to feel stressed.

Your Videographer Should Be Clear About What They’ll Deliver And When

From the time you inquire, your videographer should be specific as to what you can expect to receive and when it will be delivered.

Is Spending On Wedding Videography Worth It?

Most bride and grooms believe wedding videography, although nice to have, is considered many times as an “over the top item,” than a necessity. Here, Lorenzo Media Productions will explain why coughing up the money to hire a wedding videographer to capture video footage of your once in a life time day is a must!

To See The Moments You Missed…Worth It

It is impossible for the couple to really take in all the moments from their wedding day while they are getting dolled up in the morning, in transport to the wedding ceremony, or greeting guests at the reception. Wouldn’t you like to see the reaction of your partner as he or she opens your wedding gift? Hiring a videographer enables you to see many moments for yourself.

Lorenzo Media Productions Filmed and Edited This Cinematic Wedding Video.

When You Want To Relive Your Favorite Moments…Worth It

Video coverage allows you to relive your favorite wedding moments again and again — like your dad’s speech, the vows you exchanged, or the first look. These special moments pass in a blink of an eye. Even a second after they take place, these moments are considered in the past. As time goes by naturally the memory fades but with video you are literally able to relive and remember the feelings and actions that took place whenever and wherever you’d like. What makes it even better is the online blu ray streaming services videographers provide so you can download and share with as your family and friends. I’m sure you’d love to show your kids some day. Believe me when I tell you, you’ll watch it more often than you think you will — it’s a great way to mark anniversaries!

Documenting The Full Mood Of The Day…Worth It

Photography captures some beautiful photos however, it falls short to many components when it comes to your wedding day. Video picks up the slack by recording movement, let’s say your coordinated first dance or children walking down the aisle. How about sound? Wouldn’t you want to hear your best friend or siblings wedding toast? Video is able to capture the mannerisms and personalities of the people you love forever.

Check out our latest highlight. I’m sure this is what you wouldn’t want to miss out on!

Is Hiring a Wedding Videographer a Must?

I would say it’s a 100% must.

If you think that having both wedding photos and video is a bit excessive, or you may not want to put videography at the top of your “must have vendor list” for the simple reason that it does not fit into your budget then believe me — I’m here to tell you… You Will Want To Hire A Wedding Videographer. On the day of your wedding the time literally flies by and there are so many moments you will miss out on that your videographer will gracefully capture, like seeing your parents or grandparents reaction to you in your wedding dress or the emotions you and your future hubby will have saying your vows to each other. Also, you have to think about the sounds that can’t be captured in a photo, like your note reads, I dos, reception music, and let’s not forget about the special toasts that have been prepared for you.

Lorenzo Media Productions Filmed and Edited This Cinematic Wedding Video

Take a look at what our brides and grooms had to say about their experience hiring Lorenzo Media Productions as their wedding videographers. Check out our reviews from The Knot!

“After working with Greg and Dierdra at my sister-in-law's wedding, I knew I wanted them for my own as well. They are incredibly professional, yet loads of fun to work with. They are attentive and have an impeccable eye for detail. The quality of the video, as well as the style is incomparable to any other video from a wedding videographer I have ever seen. I would recommend Lorenzo Media Productions a hundred times over! They are the type of people you want to maintain a relationship afterwards and hang out, and that was important to my husband and I. You want people who feel like family and take you as serious as family, not just a client or number.” — Krissy

“Greg and Dierdra did an amazing job throughout the entire process. They captured all of the best moments of our wedding day and the final product is more than just a wedding video - it is a movie about us and our love for each other. Greg and Dierdra also incorporated cutting edge technology with the use of a drone - the footage that came from the drone is amazing and some of our favorite. We got our video back not too long ago and have already lost track of the number of times we've watched it ourselves, not to mention the multiple viewing parties we've hosted for family and friends. Another plus is that our video is available digitally to be shared with our out-of-town family and friends. Each time we watch our wedding video, we are transported back to the feeling of overwhelming love and joy we experienced on our wedding day. Greg and Dierdra, thank you so much for capturing our wedding so beautifully and allowing us to re-live the magic of that day over and over again with every viewing.” — Katy

“We only have the BEST things to say about Greg & Dierdra! Not only are they talented, but professional too! They truly are the BEST in the business, we are so happy we chose to work with them. Our sneak peek was amazing, and we can't wait to see the entire video! It was an absolute pleasure to have them apart of our big day!” — Nicolette