Chicago Wedding Films

Over 200 attend the Chicago Launch Party of Wish Upon A Wedding

March 24, 2010 was the official launch of the Chicago Chapter of Wish Upon A Wedding.  The launch party was held at Ravenswood Event Center in Chicago.  There were over 200 wedding professionals in attendance!   It was a wonderful evening networking with friends knowing that that the Chicago wedding community was coming together to support a wonderful cause!

What is Wish Upon A Wedding?

Mission

Wish Upon a Wedding is dedicated to granting weddings and/or civil union ceremonies at destinations across the United States to couples who are facing terminal illness.

Vision

By giving the gift of a dream wedding, we are able to grant some of the most intimate and heartfelt wishes of these people’s lives, and help them share this important day with close family members. 

Chicago traffic can be slow-moving, but time flew as I carpooled with (see above photo) Rev. Phil Landers of I Do Weddings, Tamara Sims of Something 2 Dance 2 DJ, and Mary Gearhart of Bartlett Hills Country Club.  I also ran into to many more wedding friends.  Special thanks to all the vendors who provided complimentary appetizers, drinks, etc.  The Shutterbooth was also a fun activity.   The Chicago chapter president, Ali Philips of Engaging Events by Ali, did a wonderful job of talking about the event and assembling a team of helpers - many of whom were Association of Bridal Consultant (ABC) members. 

If you would like to get involved, please visit www.WishUponAWedding.org

Wow! Over 200 Chicagoland wedding professionals came out on a Wednesday night in support of Wish Upon A Wedding.

Kris Malandruccolo attends a two-day Jeff Wright Workshop in Chicago

The Illinois Videographers Association brought in Jeff Wright from Blue Skies Cinema in California, to hold a two-day workshop in Chicago on July 20-21, 2009

There we are on the left in front of the Bean in Millenium Park, downtown Chicago.   I attended this workshop along with 30+ other videographers (some who flew in from others states).

Even though I'm a 20 year veteran in the video industry, I never pass up a chance to keep on learning -especially from someone like Jeff Wright who has won 15 WEVA CE Awards and is a well-respected videographer in the industry.   Not only is Jeff a very talented videographer, but more importantly, he's a decent, likeable all-around great guy! 

DAY ONE:  Our first day was held at the Bartlett Hills Country Club in Bartlett, IL.  I was able to leverage some networking connections, so I must give a huge thank you to Mary Gearhart, catering manager, for allowing to use their banquet room and adjoining patio to re-enact some wedding day activities.  The BHCC is a fabulous facility!  I've filmed several weddings there and a bride has so much to take advantage of all in one location!

Jeff is in blue, and standing in as the bride is Jennifer who just so happens to be married to our IVA President, Keith Anderson (standing next to the bride, above).  Jennifer did a fabulous job and turned alot of heads (see photos below).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY TWO:  We spent two hours in the classroom before heading to downtown Chicago.   We took alot of footage of our bride strolling up and down Michigan Ave. and all around Millenium Park.   By changing up the shutter speed & iris, we were able to get some cool shots.  The best for last:  Jen playing in the water in the middle of the water walls.

If you would like to schedule your "bridal elegance" video, please call me at 630-876-9604.  Please visit my website to learn more.  Are you game to have some fun in the water at Millenium Park?

 

 

Tips for Chicago Brides: Bridal Attire Shopping & Win a Wedding Gown!

Tips for Brides:  Bridal Attire Shopping & Win a Free Gown:  Enter here with the drawing to be held on July 30, 2009

The following information is courtesy of Jane Skarosi, the owner of the Bridal Mansion of Lisle in Lisle, IL.   Jane is both a Master Bridal Consultant (for her Weddings by Jane consulting business) and a Master Wedding Vendor (for her wedding gown business) through the Association of Bridal Consultants.

Budgeting:  Bridal Gowns can range from less than $400 to over $3000.  The National and Chicagoland average for a wedding gown is $850.00  Additional expenses include alterations and accessories.

Decision:  For your best shopping experience, we suggest you bring only your mother or trusted friend, someone whose opinion you value and is supportive of you.  For the best shopping experience, leave small children at home.

Ordering:  In general, Manufacturers require 5 to 8 months to fill a dress order.  Bridal gowns usually take the full 20 to 32 weeks, with bridesmaid dresses taking about 12 to 16 weeks.  Most brides order their bridal gowns 6 months to a year in advance of their wedding date.

Jane can give your more detailed information, and speak with you further about styles, sizing, fitting, alterations, steaming, headpieces, etc! 

Win a free gown:  Courtesy of the Bridal Mansion of Lisle and the Wedding Guide Chicago magazine, you can enter to win a free bridal gown!  The drawing will be held on July 30, 2009.

I have known Jane for over 10 years.  We have worked together and we are fellow members in the Illinois Chapter of the Association Bridal Consultants.   I am very comfortable recommending Jane as a bridal consultant and as a wedding gown specialist.  We've had several conversations where she has shared personal stories of going the extra mile for her clients.   Please do not hesitate to contact Jane at 630-852-1956 (Bridal Mansion of Lisle) or at 630-292-1181 (Weddings by Jane).   When you contact Jane, be sure and tell her "Kris of Elegant Videos by Kris recommended you."

Here's a picture I took of Jane Skaraosi (with my iphone) at the March 2009 ABC Meeting held at The Drake Hotel in Chicago, IL.

Tips for Brides: Unique & Affordable Wedding & Bridal Party Gifts that get you Cookin'

 Tips for Brides:  Unique & Affordable Wedding & Bridal Party Gifts that get you Cookin'

Many brides like to give out personalized gifts to their bridal party.  Here's a new twist on an old favorite:   A personalized Cookbook!!! 

(To order this cookbook, contact Kris at 630-876-9604 or visit ElegantStorybooksByKris.com)

 A Bridal Party Gift:  Ask your bridal party members, grandparents, parents, the new in-laws, etc. to send you their favorite recipes.  Ask if they can include a photo too.   You can then create the cookbook online, order copies and give them out as gifts.   This cookbook will be so meaningful because it has recipes from all the people so near and dear to you!   Everytime they make a recipe from the cookbook, they will think of you!   This is a gift they will use and keep FORVER!

A Wedding Gift:   Bridesmaids and others can take this same idea and surprise the bride with her "first cookbook" made up of recipes from these same special people!    You can even make a "wedding gift basket" by including the cookbook with the ingredients to make her first meal as a married woman!  With the popularity of cooking shows, this is sure to be a big hit!!

This cookbook is so affordable!  It's only $24.95 (but for 4 days only, 2/23-2/26/09, they are selling for $14.95 each!).   As your personal publishing consultant, I am ready to help you get started!!

Read the details below:

The New Heritage Makers Cookbook is here. And to celebrate, we are having a big preview sale! You customize the cook book with your favorite recipes and photos!

For 4 days only, (Monday, February 23 – Thursday, February 26, 2009) you can get 4 cookbooks for $59.95. That’s JUST $15 for each cookbook!

That’s huge savings because the normal retail price for this product when it officially debuts on March 3rd will be $24.95. So you have the chance to save $39 by being one of the first to get your publishing credits in your Heritage Studio Account! You'll have a whole year to create & complete your cookbook, but I bet you'll want to give one to your sister, mom, grandma, in-laws, or friends well before next February!

Have you seen our new cook book? It's awesome! Check out this flyer for more information:http://support.heritagemakers.com/comm/promo/2009/cookbook/CookbookPresale09Flyer.pdf

Cookbook features:
-21 pages and can go up to 50 pages ($1/page for extra pages).
-Spiral bound and the front cover is a trifold that folds out!
-Size is about 7.5"x9.5"(portrait style)
-There will be some great templates in the Heritage Makers template gallery starting March 3rd (these templates are 100% editable so you an put as many recipes or pictures as you want on a page)- or you can completely design your own! You can even enter your design into our cookbook design contest and win free books!

This SPECIAL offer is ONLY available through ME and for FOUR days only! (Feb. 23-26, 2009). This is a GREAT time to buy for MOTHER'S DAY gifts or to plan for FAMILY REUNION COOKBOOKS this summer!

This design was intended for cookbooks but you could use it for so much more! Not only a cookbook but a . . .
Day planner
Address book
A class year book-which is a great ideas since the front cover opens up triple the normal size and it provides blank space for year book signings!
I am sure the ideas are endless, please send me yours!

EVERYONE will love them and they are SO affordable! ORDER NOW! Contact Kris today at 630-876-9604 or Kris@ElegantStorybooksByKris.com and I'll help you get started.

 

 

 

The Wedding of Scott & Stephanie (8-23-08) by Elegant Videos by Kris

Wedding Professionals at Scott & Stephanie's Wedding on August 23, 2008:

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO HAVE A WEDDING:   Videographer:  Kris Malandruccolo, Elegant Videos by Kris (watch their hip-hop first dance video below);  Ceremony & Reception Location:  Chicago History Museum;  Photographer:  photos courtesy of Dean Thorsen, Thorsen Photography;  DJ Entertainment:  Jon Hood, Fig Media; Wedding Consultant:  Susan Jablonski, Pomme Production;  Florist:  Kara Superfine, Botanicals;  Cake:  Toni Maries Sweets & Savories; Tuxedo Rental:   Men's Wearhouse; Make-up:  Sonia Roselli; Caterer:  Kelly Cavanaugh & Melissa Ariston, Blue Plate;  Hair: Cathy Bastoni, Beauty on Call;  String Trio: Artistrings;  Photobooth:  Photobooth Scrapbooks;  Hotel:  The James; Transportation:  Chicago United Limo;  Valet:  5 Star Valet; Dog Walker:  Dave Vedder, Babysitter:  Melissa Lishutz (plus Cold Stone Creamery, Hot Dog Vendor)

How cute is this?  They had their dogs as the "ring bearers".   This was a very retro Chicago wedding.  Aside from the unique location, they had dessert stations including Cold Stone Creamery and old-fashioned desserts that are hard to find.  There was even a hot dog vendor set up next to the old-fashioned photo-booth.   Best of all, they did the coolest hip-hop first dance (watch video below).

This was a special wedding for me as I previously videotaped the groom's brother's wedding back in November 2003 (the couple was interviewed - along with me - in the U.S. News & World Report magazine article, A Match Made on DVD).   Rachel & Jordan now have an almost 3 year old girl.  It was so good to see the families again! 

The night before, I videotaped their rehearsal dinner at Carnivale.

 

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Trash the Dress video session offered by Chicagoland's Elegant Videos by Kris

Kris Malandruccolo, owner of Elegant Videos by Kris, is now offering a "Trash the Dress" video session.   Photographers (this bride's photo was shot by Susan Stripling) have started offering this, but naturally in 2007, a video is a must-have companion.

This new service is a way to have fun in your wedding dress after the big day! You probably paid "big bucks" for your dress.   Don't box it up until you have one more day of fun in it!  We don't really have to "trash" your dress, but we can film you all over the Chicagoland area with you having fun in your dress.  We can showcase you in your dress against the great Chicago landmarks.   How would you like to play in the fountain at Buckingham Fountain? ride the Navy Pier ferris wheel? walk the North Street beach? ride a city bus? stand under a bridge? ride a riverboat? stand in a traffic island? roll in the grass with the Chicago skyline behind you?  Want to raise some eyebrows? I could on....We could even get the groom involved too.  We can schedule this for the day after the wedding - before the groom returns his tux.  Dont' have the nerve to wear your actual wedding dress?  You can pick up a second hand dress at a thrift store, goodwill store, etc.

You can see several examples of these photos here at a website, appropriately titled, Trash the Dress.  Now imagine those still photos coming to life with movement, music, laughter and lots of emotion - that's right, only VIDEO captures that!

Channel 7 ABC News in Chicago did a feature newstory on the 10 pm news on September 24.  It was funny how they only showcased photography, yet the news is "video" - we saw "video" of this.  Read the news story here

Call 630-876-9604 now to schedule your "Trash the Dress" session and receive a free video iPod CD file of this session.  To learn more, visit Elegant Videos by Kris.

You can also create a storybook of this fun day!

North Shore Style Weddings magazine features video article by Kris Malandruccolo

North Shore Style Weddings magazine (July 2007) features the article "Questions To Ask When Looking for a Professional Videographer" written by Kris Malandruccolo, owner of Elegant Videos by Kris.

This two-page article I wrote is featured in the July 2007 issue (page 24).   This is a supplement to Chicago Brides Magazine.  Chicago Bride sponsors The Navy Pier Bridal Fashion Show & Expo at Navy Pier's Crystal Garden.  This event will be held Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007.  For more information, please visit here

 

Elegant Videos by Kris exhibits at Double Tree Chicago Bridal Showcase

Kris & Bob at the Elegant Videos by Kris & Elegant Storybooks by Kris vendor display.

(click on the photo to the left to see the entire list of wedding vendors who exhibited at the Double-Tree Hotel & Conference Center Chicago North Shore in Skokie, Illinois.

On Sunday, August 19, I participated in the Double-Tree Bridal Showcase.  My husband, Bob (who is also my second camera operator) helped out as well.   As you can tell from the above list, there were plenty of wedding professionals for the brides to check out.   It was great to see Yakov who owns Photography by Yakov.  Our booths were nearby, and we did a wedding together in March. 

Here I am with KC of Spinnin' Discs who runs a premiere mobile entertainment & rent-a-band live entertainment service.  We have a mutual friend, Andy Ebon, in Las Vegas so it was nice to finally meet up.  Andy spoke on blogging at the 2007 AFWPI Conference.  It really is a small world.   I don't do many bridal shows, but I like them not only for the opportunity to meet new brides, but for the vendor networking that goes on as well.    This was a well-run bridal showcase with plenty of staff on hand to assist the couples, and plenty of food and drink for the couples to enjoy.  Everyone who participated donated at least a gift or gift certificate worth $50.  The big give-away was a honeymoon.   My compliments to Meredith Carreira, Double-Tree catering manager, who helped put this together!

Kris Malandruccolo wins 2 Hermes Creative Awards

                           

Kris Malandruccolo is winner of two 2007 Hermes Creative Awards.

In the "Video" category, I won for the "Lebowsky Wedding".   I videotaped Kristen & Isaac's wedding in June 2006.  This is one of over a dozen video awards I have received over the years.

In the "Writing" category, I won for my EventDV magazine article "Keeping It Reel With Preston Bailey" which was in the May 2007 issue.  Read the article here.  I am honored that this is my third writing award for the third consecutive year.  Previously, I won a 2005 MarCom Creative Award and a 2006 Communicator Award for my Reel Deal column.

The Hermes Award is an international competition for creative professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of traditional and emerging media.  Hermes Creative Awards recognize outstanding work in the industry while promoting the philanthropic nature of marketing and communication professionals.

Meet the author of "Wedding Toasts Made Easy"

I first met Tom Haibeck, author of "Wedding Toasts Made Easy" at last year's AFWPI Conference in San Antonio (we were both speakers again this year).  Anytime I meet someone who has written a book on weddings, I always ask if they wrote about video and what they said about it . 

Last year, Tom invited me to review his book. Tom is from Vancouver, Canada where "MC's" are very standard at weddings, not so here in the United States.   I made a few suggestions which I was happy to see in his new version.  I recommended using a picture on the cover because it makes you be more personable to your readers, and to include a mention of WEVA - which he did on page 62.  Tom writes "To find a video pro in your area, check out WEVA.com (The Wedding & Event Videographers Association International).   I feel I did my job as the WEVA Public Relations Chairperson:)

Last year's book:        The new version:

                             

Would you agree the new book cover is better?

Tom is looking for video samples of both good and bad speeches for his website.

This book retails for $9.95

This would make a great "thank you" gift to give to couples who sign with you.  Let's face it, good toasts make for a good wedding video!