Last year, I got three phone calls for a May 2nd wedding. What a popular date I thought at first, as I got more details, it turned out, it was the same wedding. When I finally meet Kimberley and Brendan, I felt like I knew the family already, and we were immediately hooked. They had their wedding at the Coral House in Long Island New York. Kimberley and Brendan are such a lovely couple, and their love shinned on every step of the way. Congratulations!

Kimberley is one the sweetest brides I’ve met. She is so kind and beautiful. I’m really thrilled to have been her photographer.

I have no words for this picture. I just love it.

Kimberley and her bridesmaids working it.

I have to thank the groomsman for being so totally awesome and willing to try everything I told them to do.

If a picture says more than a thousand words, these two pictures say, LOVE two thousand times.

Kimberly looks so beautiful and radiant.

Thanks to our second photographer Jarlen who took these two beautiful pictures.

This picture goes to my collection of favorite bouquet toss pictures.

As a photographer, and a mother of a twenty month old, I love photographing children at weddings. They look super cute on their grown-up outfits, they’re the first ones on the dance floor, and they are simply fun to be around and photograph. On the other hand, it is important to remember that above all, they are children, and their needs and schedules are different than ours. They get tired, hungry, bored and when that happens, they will not be happy, and unhappy children not always cooperate the way adults want, which is specially critical if you have children on your bridal party, and you want them to walk down the aisle, throw petals before you walk, carry rings, and smile during formal pictures.

If you treat them like guests and think ahead of time of ways to make them comfortable and keep them entertained, you can concentrate on you and your fiance and enjoy your wedding. Here are the Top Ten Things you can do to keep children entertained and happy on your wedding.

1. Bubbles. Thank God for Bubbles; they are a modern marvel. They are inexpensive, easy to carry and will keep children of all ages happy and entertained for hours. Just make sure you bring extra, specially for the children on the bridal party.

2. Flowers. Ask your florist for extra petals, and tell your flower girls they can have more petals, but after they throw the petals on their baskets down the aisle.

3. Food and water. It is important that children are fed, specially if your event extends for many hours, church, photo shoot, and then reception. So check with their parents for their meal schedule, what is OK for you to give them, and create small favor bags for them, with one small bottle of water, the approved snack, utensils, if needed, and napkins or wipes. Avoid snacks with too much sugar because it will give them extra much energy; thus making it difficult to stay put. Avoid chocolate or foods with fillings to avoid getting their clothes dirty.

4. Offer them a gift. If you know a child is going through a “phase,” or you are afraid he or she will “act” certain way, check with the parents for their favorite character. Buy a small gift with that character, and tell them they will get it if they help you do the thing you want them to do, carry rings, etc. Just make sure the gift is appropriate to their age and don’t forget the batteries.

5. Washable and nontoxic crayons and coloring books. If you are worried that children will get bored at the reception hall  -most likely they will have more fun than anyone else – washable non-toxic crayons are the way to go; they will keep kids busy for a while, and they act as your wedding favor for them. Just make sure their age is appropriate as you don’t want to give crayons to babies or small children.

6. Make sure all children get something. Whatever you are giving out, bubbles, crayons, or a gift, make sure all children get one.

7. Hire a baby sitter. I don’t pretend to tell parents what to do, but if you are the bride or groom and have kids, it may be a good idea to hire a baby sitter you trust. That way, you know your children are safe and can concentrate on your wedding. Your parents and siblings get more time to enjoy the party too.

8. Keep your promises. If you promise a child something, please be sure to do it. Nothing breaks the heart of a child more, than hearing they will get something, and then not receiving it.

9. Get down to their level, and ask nicely.

10. Have fun with them.

Always check with parents and get their approval before you give or offer something to them.

Join The Wedding Photography and Video division of Gada Productions on April 28th at The Bridal Spectacular Showcase aboard World Yacht’s Princess Ship.
Cruise along the Hudson, enjoy live entertainment, fashion show, the best wedding vendors in the metropolitan area, complimentary bridal magazines and experience the ambiance of the panoramic view.
Admission is Free – Reservation suggested as space is limited Call Four Season Productions for information 732-651-6187.

Ship leaves promptly at 7:15PM

Ever since Gaby and I founded The Wedding Central, and started creating Wedding videos and wedding photography, we have always wanted to create Documentary style wedding videos. Through the years, since most of the requests were for a more traditional approach, we opted to follow the trend of a more classic wedding video, with our touch, but with the same structure. Usually, I begin with a musical recap with wedding pictures taken by Gaby or images from the actual wedding video. Then, I jump right to the ceremony, the reception, and the wedding video with another musical recap, including again some of the pictures taken by Gaby from our wedding photography portfolio and images from the wedding.

During the last couple of weeks, I’ve felt that I wanted more of our wedding videos. I am not suggesting that I don’t like my current ones, let me be clear, but I wanted to move beyond, by including more storytelling. I felt that there are many aspects of the wedding that we don’t get to see, and through my videos, I wanted to discover more about the couple and their wedding preparation.

Fortunately, Ayaiza and Frank volunteered to do this wedding video, documentary style. This particular video has a TV show inspired theme, and we are really, really happy with it.

It was really amazing to work in this project. A few days before the wedding, we spent a whole day at venue and during the hair and make-up trial taking pictures and recording video . As you can see in parts of this video, the wedding ceremony was going to take place at the terrace of the Marriott Biscayne Bay but unfortunately, it was very windy and cold (even though it was Miami).

Finally, Ayaiza changed plans and changed the ceremony site to another terrace at the hotel which was a bit cold that day but much less than the former one.

Moving on!! We had the opportunity to be part of the wedding rehearsal a day before the wedding. It was good as I could test the sound equipment and the place where I was going to film the wedding.

Finally, the wedding day. I turned the camera on and didn’t turn it off until almost the end. I was lucky to capture Dianevis and her staff from Casa Diri’s doing their amazing job and get to film the whole family and friends getting ready.

The ceremony: Ah, what can I say about it. I am not going to describe every detail of what happened but “It was amazing”. Reverend Gregorio was who married them and his experience and his way to conduct the whole wedding ceremony was “Fenomenal” (words of Ayaiza).

The rest of the night was pure FUN!!!! With mostly cuban and american music, the DJ herd the whole salon to the dance floor and the party did not stop until the very end.

What can say about this style of wedding videos. I’m completely in love with it, and I will always recommend this Wedding video documentary style to all our clients. It doesn’t have to include many vendors, but at least, get the emotions of what the bride and the groom feel about each other in a short interview.

Could you imagine in five or six years, you watch your wedding video and literally is like renewing their vows by just watching this type of wedding video.

Here is Ayaiza and Frank’s short version of their wedding video. I hope you like it!

So long, folks!!!

Danny

To watch a bigger screen CLICK HERE visit our facebook

Five years ago, my dear friend Ayaiza took my wedding pictures. Today, I’m honored, nervous and thrilled to return the gesture and being her wedding photographer. I just hope that this is all that you ever wanted, and that through my pictures, I was able to capture the love you feel for each other, and the happiness this day brought you and your families. This is a work of love, and it is my gift to you guys.

I love you mi amiguita.

The spectacular beautiful view from the bridal suite at the Marriott Hotel Biscayne Bay in Downtown Miami.

Ayaiza’s favorite color is red, so we couldn’t expect anything less than red roses. Casa Diri’s did an amazing job with her bouquet and all the flower decor.

Ayaiza’s wedding dress by Mikaela was so beautiful. It fit her like a glove and accentuated her beautiful body.

If there is a person that loves being a bride that is Ayaiza. She enjoyed being a bride so much, that if this picture were video, you will be hearing Oh, my god. Oh, my god I’m getting married.

Does anyone have of a reason to prevent this marriage? No?… I didn’t think so.

I love this picture of Frank.

First dance.

I absolutely LOVE this picture. If there is a picture that shows her character, I think this is it.

Stunning view of night downtown Miami, champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries. In the mood for love?

Who said you couldn’t be glamourous and fun. I love this picture of Ayaiza and Frank entering their room. Totally goofy and nice.

Click here to view Ayaiza and Frank’s Wedding Pictures

Ok, so I have to admit, I was a little nervous about this photo shoot. We arrived at the beautiful Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden in Coral Gables, a little bit before four o’clock. From the moment I saw it, I fell in love with it. The scenery was simple breathtaking. The kind of place I could roam for hours, and not be bore about. I was starting to see the possibilities. Then, reality hit; we were told the garden closed at 4:30PM, so I had a little more then half an hour to shoot day after wedding pictures in a vast Botanical Garden; no pressure right. Truth be told: I panicked, and I tried to conceal it, but I don’t know how successful I was.

We hoped into the cart and started the photo shoot. Luckily, our tour guide was so gracious. He didn’t rush us, and allowed us to stay past five o’clock. Although, I didn’t get his name, I will never forget him because he saved my day by allowing us the time to take some amazing shots of Ayaiza and Frank.

Inside Fairchild Botanical Garden, I felt I was in Paradise. Here, one can easily forgot there was is a world outside. This is one of my favorite pictures. I had this concept in mind for Aya and Frank, and it simply fit the setting.

I love this picture of Ayaiza looking at the camera. She looks so  pretty.

I took the following pictures wide to appreciate the beauty of the scenery.

After a pose, there comes the laugh.

Ayaiza loves Black and White pictures; so this is for her.

If you think that they were having fun. You’re right.

Danny took the following two pictures, and they are so romantic, which is exactly what he likes.

To view a slide-show of Ayaiza and Frank Wedding Pictures at the Fairchild Botanical Gardens, Click Here

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful little princess, named Ayaiza, who loved to show off her castle. She lived in Cuba and dreamed of finding true love and living happily ever after.

Well, as you would have guessed, the little girl was not a “real” princess, but she was named after one, and her made believe castle was a national landmark. But one thing is certain. She has found true love, and I’m sure they will both live happily ever after.

Frank is absolutely right when he describes her qualities. She is joyful, compassionate and never judges. She loves her family, chocolate, taking pictures and her dog Pluto. I’m honored to know this fine woman, and call her my FRIEND.

It is hard to imagine a person with such qualities as to deserve her love. But when I met Frank, I could tell, they both have found a perfect match. She deserves him as much as he deserves her.

We went to Florida specially for their wedding, and we thank them for inviting us and trusting us with documenting their wedding. Here is a peak of some Pre-Wedding pictures I took of this amazing couple.

Ayaiza and Frank’s love nest in beautiful Miami.

I wanted to capture the blue Miami sky that Ayaiza loves so much.

Ayaiza’s friend says she looks like a Real Wife of Miami.

Work it baby.

… and then the laugh.

I love the following two pictures. Aya you look absolutely stunning.

Frank did such an amazing job, and was so gracious.

The sun is starting to set, and it was getting colder by the minute.

I love that after every pose, Danny will make a comment that made them laugh.

The following two pictures are Danny’s favorite. He loves romantic pictures, and he is the one constantly telling couples to kiss, and the grooms really appreciate that.

To view a slideshow of Ayaiza and Frank’s Pre-Wedding Photos, Click here.

Ok, so my friend’s sister comes to visit me to discuss my wedding photography services. Suddenly, I have a flashback to when I first saw her. She was a little girl at the airport on her way to the big apple sobbing on my friend’s arms. The little girl turned into a beautiful and wonderful woman, and I’m thrilled to see her getting married to a very good man. And I’m honored that she is trusting me with her wedding photography.

We sit down and start discussing her wedding plans. She wants a small and intimated wedding, low key, but romantic and cozy, the perfect combination for a divine wedding. I’m thrilled to hear her plans. She continues. Since she has a small guest list, she can’t really go to a venue because they have a minimum. But, she found this gorgeous arboretum with a beautiful Victorian house to host her wedding, and as a photographer, I can’t think of a more romantic place to take pictures. She also found the perfect caterer and florist. Regarding music, she decided to go the ipod way because many of her guests do not dance. At least, she thinks that. Her plan is to set up a very nice playlist and connect the ipod to the speakers. That led Danny and I to lecture her about the importance of a DJ and MC, and I think we scared her, at least a bit. She hadn’t really though about that, and I don’t blame her. Many brides are doing this for the first time.

This is the moment when it hits me. Sometimes, DIY brides forego a vendor, not because they don’t value them, as some industry experts suggest; it is because they don’t know their value. And I’ve seen it before.

I remember arriving at a wedding to start getting pictures of the bride getting ready, only to see her rushing and tiding up, from centerpieces and tables to her daughter’s shoes. After she made sure everything was in order, she took a deep breath, looked at me and asked me “how did you do it?” referring to my wedding. I responded “I did it at a venue, and they took care of everything for me.” Her look told me “I should have done that.” It sure was a beautiful wedding, intimate, with delicious food and great music, but I will never forget her sight of relief once she finished tiding up.

So here are my two cents for any DIY bride and groom out there. Ask yourselves this: What is the most important thing for us on our wedding day? If your answer is: to share our love and enjoy our wedding. Then, it may be good idea to revaluate what vendor you are foregoing, and what you may need to compensate for the absence of one of more professionals.

If you decide to have your wedding at your house because you have a beautiful garden and  have always dreamed of getting married there; that’s terrific, but since you are not going to have it at a professional venue, you may want to consider hiring a wedding planner. If you decide to go the ipod way, which I am not advocating, you may want to consider looking for an MC.

Also bare in mind that some professionals are irreplaceable. So if you decide to go the DIY way, my advice is that you first learn the value of each service, and by value, I don’t mean price, but what they bring to the table, and what your wedding will be, with and without them, so that you can make an informed decision of what you can and cannot do.

And remember the most important thing of all: Enjoy your wedding.

This is a video of an indian wedding shot at The Shadowbrook in New Jersey. Ram and Richa were a beautiful couple easy to work with. This was a very dynamic indian wedding where the fun never stopped. The ceremony, as all indian weddings we have been, was absolutely magnificent. The combination of dresses was doubtfully a colorful spectacle provided to the event. The indian food provided at the Shadowbrook was exquisite and a high quality service.

This is a very small sample using a romantic introduction, parts of the ceremony and a musical finale using a combination of video and photos.

You may also CLICK HERE to watch a bigger size of this video in our Facebook page

This past Friday, I had the honor of shooting Sara and Craig’s wedding in Crotons NY. This beautiful couple opened the doors of their house, where I was able to take some intimate photos of the girls getting ready. As a photographer, I feel very well capturing the excitement of the people in a event like a wedding. I was very comfortable working in Sara and Craig’s wedding. The whole court was very easy to guide and despite of the cold, they were willing to take some pictures in the beautiful patio at Villa Barone.

I could say that I enjoyed every moment of the wedding. Taking pictures at Sara’s house. Working with her, her parents, siblings, and delightful bride’s maids.

The ceremony was very emotional and very well done. Finally, the reception. They couldn’t select a better venue, really. It was not only a very beautiful place, but the service, I say is one of the best I have seen in all the years I have been working as an event photographer.

Below there’s a link of all the good moments I captured on Sara & Craig’s wedding.

Click here to see a Slide-Show of Sara and Craig Winter Wedding

Sara and Craig have two beautiful baby girls. Anytime, there are babies in the house, I can’t resist, but taking lots of pictures of them.

Sara looked beautiful in her white wedding dress.

Did I already say I can’t resist taking pictures of their babies? They are simply lovely.

I love these pictures of the first dance. Their love really shows.

Click here to see a Slide-Show of Sara and Craig Winter Wedding