Well guess what? We’ve been collecting a portion of sales from 2011 weddings and have created a production grant for graduates of our film school! The call for applications will be announced shortly and we’re looking forward to sharing the details about the filmmakers and the films they will create with the assistance of the { First Kiss Films } Production Grant. Thank you to all our couples who through choosing vintage cinema with love will help support filmmakers in Burundi tell their stories.

Here’s to another year of great memories and world cinema,
xo Bridget

To signify Mary’s work as a writer, this wedding featured lots of romantic text, signs, and quotes. Charming stacks of vintage books continued the theme along with other textural, old-world details such as paper crafts, buttons, spools of thread, and embroidery.

Staying within the analogue theme, Ben’s grandfather’s collection of vinyl records by Otis Redding, Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong, provided classic tunes during the reception. As the celebration continued guests enjoyed organic dining in the Glass House as the sun set and the newlyweds prepared to dance the night away.

I have such fond memories of Mary & Ben’s art-laden wedding day and just loved spending the day with them and creating this film!

Mary’s & Ben’s magical wedding was set in a beautiful conservation area just outside of Toronto.  Filled with so many sweet handmade details and so much heart it was a real challenge to just pick a few sneak peek images!

The email I received from them reminded me of how lucky I am to create films for awesome people like Mary & Ben: 

“BRIDGET!!!!!! Just finished watching our video for the third time. I don’t even have words. What you captured is so special…so absolutely the essence of what we hoped the day would be. I truly don’t even know what to say. You are such a gift, and I will be thankful for a long time to come that we found you. We’re just s…o totally blown away.

I feel like thank you isn’t nearly enough, but I’ll keep on saying it. Thank you, thank you for sharing your gift and for giving as much love to our day as we had for it. How extraordinary that you have the ability to capture such moments and piece them together in a fluent, loving visual language. Beautiful.

Thank you once again. Your forever friends,

Mary & Ben”

Ottawa-Gatineau couples won’t want to miss the Wedding Palace Bridal Show taking place this weekend at the Ottawa Convention Centre. Come stop by our booth #407 this Saturday or Sunday from 11:00am – 5:00pm. We’d love to see you!

So as our last post for 2011, we’re sharing a non-First Kiss film, but it’s a festive one that’s quickly becoming an online hit. Plus it’s made by none-other than my husband with a cameo by yours truly. :)

Wishing you all the best in 2012!
xo Bridget

This fall the sixth season of Ottawa Fashion Week  caused a lot of buzz in the Nation’s Capital and it certainly was a delicious event to capture on film! The sparkling new Ottawa Convention Centre hosted the Spring/Summer 2012 season and international clothing designers, as well as local musical and artisanal talent came together to inspire us all. Huge thanks to the talented band The PepTides for allowing us to score this film with one of their groovy songs.

Watch the film now for your very own backstage pass to OFW ’11!

The light could not have been more perfect that day and their gorgeous outdoor ceremony and reception venue just glowed under the warm sun. Elegant wrought iron gates defined the grounds and the canopy of mature trees overhead created shimmering pools of light throughout the day.

Sophie was absolutely stunning in her lace McCaffrey gown and her bridesmaids surrounded her with more lightness with their airy white dresses. The men looked handsome in their morning suits and guests wore elegant hats. Perfect soft, romantic florals in tones of champagne gold, antique purple and ivory was the icing on the cake .

Speaking of cakes…the gorgeous cakes seen at the end of the film added the a personal touch as all three were designed by Sophie herself! This is one of those weddings where words can not describe the beauty of the day….you must see this film. Big thanks, hugs and congratulations to the newlyweds!

~ Filmed on Kodak 16mm and super 8mm film ~

Photography: Mango Studios
Ceremony/Reception: Jubilee Gardens
Invitations: Jennifer Kwong (design), Everlovin’ Press (letterpress)
Dress: McCaffrey Haute Couture
Makeup Artist: Bree Powell
Floral Designer: Full Bloom
Caterer: Copper Pot Catering
Musician: Marc Nelson
Cakes: bride – Sophie Bifield Cake Company
Decor: Hubert & Finnigan Prop House

It’s been a rough year for motion picture film. The rapid shift from analogue to digital technologies threatens the future of this distinctive medium that I so dearly love. A major film lab in Montreal shut down without warning this past July citing “the rapid shift to digital since 2010″ required them to restructure. And last month after 123 years ARRI announced it won’t be producing motion picture cameras anymore. I’m not anti-digital, but I adore film and do not want to lose my ability to create with it. 

Source: Pinterest

Other artists are starting to publicly declare their fears of the future of this medium as well. Tacita Dean, a British artist shares her distress stating film is about to die through an exhibit that opened last month at the Tate Modern. It’s both an homage and requiem to the medium itself simply called “Film”. She says, “this beautiful medium, invented 125 years ago, is about to go,” unless fast action is taken. The language of analogue filmmaking, said Dean, is as important to her as a painter’s canvas and paint. I absolutely feel the same way.

I also believe that a moment becomes more precious when it is captured on film and one of the reasons our work resonate with so many people. Film is a physical medium - you can feel as much as see the difference between a film and digital recording….just as you can hear the difference between music recorded on a vinyl record and a CD of the same performance.

Steven Spielberg, one of cinema’s best storytellers of all time, still chooses film and has said, “I will remain loyal to this analogue art form until the last lab closes.” So, like Spielberg, myself and other film artists choose film not because it is easier to use or less expensive, but because it evokes a sense of intimacy that can be felt by the viewer. And the image it creates is simply breathtaking.

My personal fear is that my medium of choice will one day be a thing of the past. So, if you love film, I urge you to use film or support artists who choose to create with this incredible medium…otherwise, the choice may not always be ours.

Long live film,
Bridget

Evy always knew she wanted to be a teacher, and after spending an afternoon with her I can tell she’s probably a great one too. She followed her career dreams and was offered a position at a nice school with other great teachers - one in particular happened to be Brendan’s mother!  After these two women got to know each other, it didn’t take long for Brendan’s mom to realize that Evy and her son should meet. And now…E&B are planning their wedding!

Mom always knows best.