Same Day Edit | Ashley & Noah | The Lodge at Sonoma. Sonoma, California

The challenge to create a same day edit is to find the initial spark to create the storyline and tell the story as it naturally unfolds throughout the day.
When Ashley and Noah told me they were reading their own vows, I knew immediately that they would be my anchor point throughout the film. For this couple from Hawaii, who enjoy good food and wine, the Lodge at Sonoma was the perfect setting for their destination wedding.  They got ready in charming cottages and held their outdoor ceremony on the lawn surrounded by exotic flowers. It was the perfect setting to gather their family and friends to proclaim their love.
Some of my favorite elements were the personalized hangers for Ashley's bridesmaids, as well as for both mothers. It was really eye-catching to film multiple custom made hangers rather than just one for the bride.

While the boys were dealing with their Handkerchiefs, the girls were busy toasting the soon-to-be-happy couple with their personalized  shot glasses.

The ink trees and the card placements were definitely another originality, that made the wedding unique and personal.

Their photo session at Train Town right across the Renaissance Hotel, was just plain fun and unexpected. We had great light, awesome rides, and beautiful eye candy. What else can you ask for more?

Jamie Chang of Mango Muse Events, their coordinator made sure everything went smoothly. Kevin with Denon and Doyle  had the crowed going.  Mauricio from Chrisman Studio was really a pleasure to work with. The guy is so talented. You can just tell from his demeanor and behavior throughout the day that they will have amazing pictures. I can't wait to see them myself. I hope we will get to work alongside soon.

Thank you to my team for helping throughout the day. I hope you will enjoy their film.

Ashley and Noah | Same Day Edit | The Lodge at Sonoma from Matthieu Meynier on Vimeo.

Erin & Jared | teaser Trailer | San Francisco Ferry Building

Jared and Erin had a fun wedding at the San Francisco Ferry Building and before you watch the teaser trailer, here is a bit of their story. SF Ferry Building was not their first choice as their original plan was to have the wedding reception at Golden Gate Club, and the ceremony at Chapel of Presidio.

However, two weeks prior to the event, they found out the weekend they had picked to say their "I do" happened to be the same weekend the City of San Francisco decided to destroy Doyle Drive. So with the idea of Bulldozers, wrecking ball and others cranes ruining the setting, they had to find another venue for both ceremony and reception. In ten days they turn their misfortune into a grand affair.

Their rehearsal dinner was held at the San Francisco Yacht Club. I met some of the funniest and some of the cleverest groomsmen. Their beautiful bridesmaids were a lot of fun to hang on with and I really felt being part of the gang.

On top of that,  Napata and The Chocolate Kisses rock the evening with great soul and R&B music. Their family and friends were elated and danced until the end wanted more.

Some of my favorite elements on that day were:

The button pin they had created for themselves and their friends in family for the rehearsal dinner. They all were unique with different sentences that described each member of their bridal party.

The hilarious best men speeches at the same dinner.

Their adorable Bulldog. She was so friendly and a key element to the day for one of my favorite shot.

The first look at Hotel Vitale with The Sf Ferry Building in the background, provided great emotion for Jared to see his beautiful wife in her wedding dress for the first time.

Napata and the kisses surprising the couple with an A cappella version of "Oh Happy Days" at the end of their ceremony

Congrats to the both of them, and enjoy their teaser trailer, a taste of what is to become their feautre film.

Erin and Jared | teaser | SF Ferry Building from Matthieu Meynier on Vimeo.

Reception Venue: San Francisco Ferry Building

Ceremony Venue: Calvary Presbyterian

Photographer: Lindsey Stafford

Makeup Artist: Sophia Coyne

Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Laura Morales McDonald

Cake Baker: Susie Cakes

DJ: Colin Guthrie

Band: Napata and the Chocolate Kisses

Another wonderful letter

I love my work, LOVE it. It's so rewarding to be there when 2 people say I do. You witness the most important of moment in their life and their love for each other. It's a milestone that I feel privilege to witness, 20 to 30 times a year. Each one is unique. Each story is different and my goal as a cinematographer is to be able to bring the day back to them, as authentic and candidly as possible.
So when I received the following email from Elisa and Michael, I felt like a million box!

hi Matthieu!

You have no idea how much times we watched it over and over again last night (or maybe you do)!

We love it!  It was really like re-living one of the happiest moment of our lives!  Thank you for capturing and putting it into a very personal and touching story.  Elisa and I wanted to properly write you a thank you email, but we watch the video till mid-night, and I have to go back to the lab and finish my work.  We still need to properly write you about how we felt about the video.  But for now, thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

Enjoy their story as much as I enjoyed seeing it unfloding.

Bonne journée.

Matthieu

Thank you to Jeremiah and Robb for doing such a great job on the day of, and a special thanks to Emma and Alfred Salom for referring me to Elisa and Michael. I love working with you guys, and hope we can do it again soon.

Photographer:

Alfred and Emma Salom 

Ceremony Location:

Bancroft Hotel

Caterer:

Hong Kong East Ocean Restaurant

Florist:

Virginia Ho, S&V Collections

DJ or Band:

ceremony: Frank Diaz, SF style string

reception: eone production

• 
  

Sarah and Michael |Vintners Inn, Sonoma | Highlight Film

Making a wedding film, takes every fiber of your body and soul. It is a draining process. You concentrate on the couple on their story and within 10 minutes you try to tell the most compelling story you can. It's not an easy process, and sometimes it takes days, even weeks to get you started. I've always think that strong beginning and strong ending were the key to a great film, as the beginning is the one to hook you into it, and the ending is what allows the film to really flourish.
In the case of Sarah and Michael, I felt that the best way to go at it was to start with Michael's vow, and finish with Sarah's vows. I felt they would carry their story well, and will help the audience understand who they were as individuals and a couple. I hope you will enjoy it, and as usual any feedback or comments is welcome. So without further ado I present to you Sarah and Michael's wedding film. Enjoy

music licensed through songfreedom.com and themusicbed.com

Fizz and Frills 2011 at Blu Bungalow

In August of 2011 Utterly Engaged, the first online wedding magazine , and Lovely Jubilee held the first ever Fizz and Frills - a wedding market for brides - at Blu Bungalow. It was a huge success, and I was lucky to be part of this great event.
In September of 2012, Lucia, Henny and Wilmarose are doing it again this time in So Cal area. So if you are interested in participating or coming to see what it is all about, here is a short film I put together for them. The idea behind it was to explain why Fizz and Frills, and how it is different from a regular wedding fair. I hope you will enjoy it, and we look forward to seeing you either as an exhibitor or a bride to this marvelous event.
Bonne journee a tous et toutes



You can find a list of all the sponsors right here: all our sponsors 
 And if you would like to participate , just follow this link 

Gwen and Jason | San Francisco City Club | Short Film

Where to start with Gwen and Jason wedding. To make a long story short, Jason and I go way back, in fact 1999 when I first came to SF. I met him through the intermediary of friends, and he helped me to settle down in San Francisco, even though he didn't know me much but felt he had to do this to help me find my roots. That's the kind of guy Jason is. Always will ing to help you, even if he has is own problem to deal with. He is definitely one of the most generous guy I have known.

We've always joked that when he get married, I would be his cinematogapher. But life took different turns and we lost sight for a while so when he contacted me to shoot his wedding I was a)stunned, b)happy. "I told you you would shoot my wedding. I'm a man of my words." he told me. And he is. So it's with great pleasure, and a bit of delay that I would like to introduce to you Gwen and Jason short film.

I hope you will enjoy it, and don't hesitate to leave a comment.. If you like what you see you can definitely post it on your Facebook page, and like us at www.facebook.com/likecinematt.

Merci et Happy Valentine's day!

Music licensed through themusicbed.com and songfreedom.com

Reception Venue: san francisco city club

Photographer: andy lo

Rentals: classic party rental

Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Lauren Geissler - Downey Street

Flowers & Decor: Jamie Reyes Floral

DJ: Ernesto Evangelista