Destination Wedding Videos

Estephanie+Thomas // Pageo Lavender Farms Wedding

11/21/2023

Pageo Lavender Farms. This venue will always be special to me. When I was first starting out as a wedding videographer in 2012 I shot a wedding at this venue and met a photographer who has since become a great friend in the industry. She got her wedding featured on a site called Style Me Pretty. and the wedding got a lot of publicity. The video I shot was also featured on the blog. It was my first sense of accomplishment in this industry. Fast forward several years later, the groom Thomas, reaches out to see if I am available to cover he and his fiance Estephanie's big day at Pageo. I jumped on the opportunity. It was as if I was visiting a lost friend, the property had changed in some ways but maintained the same charm I remembered from years past. I entered the bridal suite and noticed the room was empty. The bride was running a few minutes late. I took the opportunity to roam the venue and get some establishing shots. The bridal party arrived first and showed me to the details I needed to start my coverage. This detail box had some unique Items including the glass monogramed ring box I used to stage my ring shots. Its always fun to be surprised with unique details like this. While filming Estephanie had arrived and begun her makeup process. I grabbed some shots of her as well as her bridesmaids preparing for the day ahead. Estephanie was planning on using her mothers cathedral length vail, and her motherMaria, was busy steaming away making sure it would be perfect for her daughters big day. The photographer, Sierra, arrived and we began the process of capturing the brides getting ready. After a grand reveal to her bridesmaids, it was time to head to the church for the ceremony. Catholic ceremonies offer unique challenges as a videographer. Especially for a videographer who solo shoots all of his weddings. Catholic church's typically have built in audio systems, rules about how and where we can film, and often times uncooperative priests. Luckily for me the priest Luis, was excellent and super helpful. Estephanie made her way down the isle escorted by two honorary bridesmaids (her nieces) with her vial in tow. Her groom awaited at the top of the isle in awe. The ceremony was underway. For all the challenges a catholic mass may bring, one helpful quality it does offer is time. Ceremonies seem to be getting shorter and shorter, and with it comes the challenge of getting all the necessary shots in a short period of time. However there is no shortage of time with a catholic mass. As a videographer I am able to not only get the typical shots I need, but experiment with all kinds of different shot options. Having filmed many catholic weddings, I know what moments where I need to capture the action at the alter, and other moments when I can focus on guests or creative shots. Before too long the guests lined up to take communion letting me know the ceremony was coming to an end. The couple shared their first kiss and made there way to the back of the church while they waited for their guests to exit. When everyone was ready outside, the couple exited to a full mariachi band and their awaiting cheering guest. Estephanie and Thomas were officially married. I made the short drive back to Pageo and found the venue completely transformed by their coordinator Lexi and her team. I got to work capturing the reception while the guest began to trickle in. The reception was kicked off by the DJ Moses Martinez (the best last name if you ask me) and the couple shared their first dance. The first dance was followed by a special choreographed dance by the couple before the rest of the guest joined in. Pageo offers spaces for both the dancing types, as well as the more mingling types. Outside the couple was gifted a live painting by the wonderful artist Gwyneth Boon. This is a newer trend which I absolutely love. The chosen moment for this live painting was the couples first kiss and Gwyneth crushed it. Following the gifting it was time for the couple to head back inside and cut their cake. This was the last event on the timeline for me, but I hung around a bit longer in hopes of capturing the couple on the dance floor. Thomas and Estephanie gave me the content I needed and my night was done. Until next time Pageo!