New Review On Wedding Wire!

“We wish we could go higher than 5′s to rate Jen’s service! She and her  helped to make an already memorable day even more special. Her  nature made us forget she was even there. My husband said it best when he told her, “You’re the MVP of this wedding Jen…we don’t even know you are here!” Aside from my husband referring to another woman as the “MVP” on our wedding day, Jen Cassaro helped make our wedding day last a lifetime

-Colleen- wedding date 8/6/11

Read more reviews here:

http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/masterpiece-video-port-jervis/9fa66213c557b7a0.html

Sweet words from “The bride who did NOT want video”.

photo courtesy of Michael Bloom Photography

“Jen Cassaro is amazing!  I really thought that I did not want a videographer at my wedding.  I hated the feeling of me and my guests being followed by a video camera all night.  After meeting with several videographers and looking through many videos, I was becoming more and more certain that I did NOT want a videographer at my wedding.  None of the videos seemed to capture the emotion that I was looking for and the artistic vision and none of the videographers gave me the feeling that they knew what I wanted.  As soon as I spoke to Jen Cassaro for the first time, I knew that I was so wrong.  From the first email I received from her, I was put completely at ease. Not only did she have a way about her that was so easy to work with, but she understood my vision for a documentary to capture the story, not just a video of food or people dancing.   It only got better from there–when I first met Jen, she had this amazing energy and a smile that made me knew I had really made the right choice–and then seeing her interact with my photographers during our pre-wedding portraits-I knew that I had made the right decision.  She was able to help use her artistic eye to help them capture things that they did not see.  But after that–I never saw Jen again–while I didn’t think it was possible, she had managed to make herself invisible the entire wedding, while capturing every moment. 

photo courtesy of Michael Bloom Photography

I cannot wait to see the final product as I know it will be amazing.  I could not imagine a better videographer and highly recommend Jen Cassaro to any couple who is looking for someone to capture their love story.”

Thank you Jillian and Michael! It’s always nice to know that I go un-noticed at the reception!  Watch the blog for more to come about this fabulous wedding at the Glen Isle Harbour Club!

Seeing each other before the ceremony?

Ashley and Jay at their May wedding at Catlin Gardens

Attention brides and grooms who fear that seeing each other before the ceremony for a photo session will ruin “the moment” that you see each other down the aisle.
All 3 of my couples this past weekend saw each other prior to the ceremony and EVERY SINGLE GROOM still teared up as he watched his bride walked down the aisle!
So if your photographer suggests a pre-ceremony photo session in order for you to enjoy your full cocktail hour……give it some thought! Great idea.

-jen

Heard at this weekend’s wedding…..

The groom to me during the reception…..

“Jen, you’re like the MVP of today.”

Me…..”Thank you! What did I do?”

Groom…..”I haven’t even noticed you were here!”

WOW! One of the best compliments I could receive.  See people? Video doesn’t have to be obnoxious or intrusive.

Thanks Jeff and Colleen.

 

-jen

Feeling the love from Courtney and Matt!

Jen, thanks so much for the kind words about our wedding. his is the first I am seeing this post about our day! It was truly the best day of our lives. We were thrilled that you joined us for our big day, I can’t imagine how much we would have regretted it otherwise. Our families have loved watching the video (almost) as much as we have. It’s the best souvenir we could have asked for! Thank you for catching those moments that would have otherwise been forgotten!

Courtney & Matt

see a clip of Matt & Courtney’s wedding here Courtney and Matt at Sleepy Hollow Country Club

Allyson and Rob at Anthony’s Pier 9

I think that I was actually more nervous on Allyson’s wedding day than she was! After all, It was my first wedding of the season; I was shooting with a brand new camera; and training a new assistant.  Allyson was calm, cool, excited and just adorable.  She was more than ready to marry the man of her dreams (her words), and nothing could rattle her today!  Not even the thunder during their vows at their beautiful outddor ceremony at Anthony’s Pier 9.    She and Rob were announced as husband and wife just as the rain starting coming down.  They didn’t care a bit! They were ready to eat, drink, and party with their bridal party – a very close group of friends who already had the pleasure of having Allyson and Rob as members of their bridal parties.

    Before the ceremony, Allyson and Rob wanted to take some gritty, non-traditional bridal shots with their photographer Michael Bloom.  So despite being denied earlier permission to take some photos at the the shipyard on the Hudson, there we were, braving crossing freight trains and security guards to pose the bridal party on the railroad tracks and next to the rusty ship! As you can see, the risk was absolutely worth the reward!

(All photos courtesy of Michael Bloom.)

The party rocked with the energy of the DJs from Zolz Entertainment.  I’ve never seen a funnier game of musical chairs with the winning table receiving tickets to a Hudson Valley Renegades game.  A tradition with this group of friends is a rendition of “Shout” – complete with all of the guys, (and some ladies) on their backs, with their feet and hands in the air doing the turtle – HYSTERICAL!

Thanks for the invite to a great day Mr. and Mrs. Steinberg!

-jen

Venue: Anthony’s Pier 9

Photography: Michael Bloom

Entertainment: Zolz Entertainment

Flowers: James Murray Florist, Goshen, NY

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Crystal Vision Bridal, Wurtsboro, NY

Hair: Sara Dougherty/Stylist/ Sun Spa Salon Middletown, NY

Honeymoon: St. Lucia

Lovely words from Elizabeth and Paul!

Dear Jen,

Thank you so much for making our wedding day even more special. We believe you did an amazing job on our wedding video and are excited that we can watch it over and over again. Someday when Elizabeth and I have children and then become grandparents we can show them how crazy we once were. It is also amazing because we can always look back and see those

photos courtesy of Mark Greenstone/Majestic Studios

people we love that are not longer with us and remember what an important role they had in our wedding. Thank you again and we wish you the best of luck in the future.

Love,
Paul and Elizabeth

Mr. and Mrs. Panesa at Catlin Gardens

Read More About Elizabeth and Paul’s Spring wedding!http://masterpiecevideo.wordpress.com/2010/05/25/elizabeth-and-paul-at-catlin-gardens/

Welcome 2011 Brides and Grooms!

2011 is shaping up to be a busy year! Just wanted to say welcome to my newest couple Dawn and Shannon! Can’t wait for your August wedding at the beautiful Catlin Gardens. Now we just have to figure out how to incorporate their gorgeous poodle puppy into the ceremony!

-jen

Kind words from Courtney!

“Jen did an amazing job with our wedding video, by far the best wedding video i have ever seen! Not because it was mine but because of all the details she did within the video. I was a pretty easy going bride and basically left everything up to her and she went way beyond what i would of done. All of my family and friends were blown away with the video. Jen really put our personalities in the video and she picked the perfect songs for the video, ones i wouldn’t even think of. I recommend Masterpiece Video for anyone who is looking for a videographer.” 

Thanks Courtney! Your wedding was so sweet and I was priviledged to be a part of your day.

Read more reviews on Wedding Wire.

http://www.weddingwire.com/reviews/masterpiece-video-port-jervis/9fa66213c557b7a0.html

PHOTO COURTESY OF THOMAS DUNCAN

From Arizona with love . . . Amanda and Mark.

Amanda and Mark’s Highlights

I usually blog about a wedding well before I receive the thank you note in the mail. NOT this time!  Amanda and Mark are so on the ball that my thank you arrived last week with a kindly reminder to “please blog about our wedding”.

I cracked up laughing. Their October wedding in the Poconos was my last one of the year and the blog post just slipped my mind –  Sorry Mrs. Brown! It’s timely for me to chat about them this week though, as they are having their second wedding reception out in Arizona for all of their friends who couldn’t make it to PA for their church nuptials.  I KNOW that Amanda is so excited to wear her beautiful strapless gown again and I’m sure that Mark will beam at his bride the same as on their original wedding day.

Speaking of the original wedding day……WOW! If Mark and Amanda wanted the complete opposite weather of their Phoenix, Arizona home, they got it! Cool, crisp Fall air and clear skies made for the perfect backdrop for a traditional Pennsylvania wedding at Amanda’s hometown church.

Mark had tears in his eyes all day, like he couldn’t believe how lucky he was to be marrying Amanda. He also gets a bonus-Amanda’s daughter Vivian, who is just as vivacious as her mom. They had a lovely family ceremony on the altar where they gave Vivian a necklace symbolizing family unity. Mark later told me that it was one of his favorite parts of the day.

I had a complete blast working with photographer Kim Winey. On our way to Ehrhardt’s for the reception, we scoured the Pennsylvania country side looking for just the right dilapidated barn to take some pictures. Boy was that worth it! (Can’t get barns like THAT in Arizona Amanda!) A first for me, I was invited to stop at Amanda’s aunt’s house in-between the ceremony and reception for a mini-reception; complete with tons of homemade snacks and homemade wine! It’s a wonder we got the Ehrhardt’s on time!

Ehrhardt’s was just as beautiful with the lake behind us brimming with the reds and golds of late October. As usual, Diane Ehrhardt and her staff outdid themselves with the food and service. Diane was even accommodating when Amanda’s dad asked if he could be introduced into the hall carrying his old musket (as a joke!)

The newlyweds were introduced into the room to “Walking on Sunshine” and they were indeed!

Then they boogied down to the sounds of  the band “Groove Train”.

Wish I could be there with them this Saturday as they boogie down and celebrate with their Arizona friends and a DJ this time!

Alas, I’m just sending this highlight video instead. ENJOY!!!!

-Amanda and Mark’s Highlights

Erin and Danny at Patriot Hills

http://www.vimeo.com/16618223

Janine and Dylan at Tappan Hill

Janine & Dylan at Tappan Hill from jen cassaro on Vimeo.

Dramatic Fall wedding along the Hudson River at Tappan Hill Mansion. First time that I’ve ever filmed the father of the bride’s wedding first, then his daughter’s! I just LOVE the Bryan family!

Courtney and Matt at Sleepy Hollow Country Club

What a spectacular Fall day we had for Courtney and Matt’s Tarrytown wedding! Blue skies and orange leaves were the perfect backdrop for this city couple, who wanted their guests to feel like the Sleepy Hollow Country Club was their home for the day. Courtney’s words to me were “Like a  Gatsby-esque lawn party”.

The location was impressive. A beautiful mansion on the Hudson River with great columns, moldings, grand staircases, chandeliers; it evoked feelings of another era which Matt and Courtney completely embraced. Courtney’s Monique Lhullier dress fit her perfectly as did her fabulous Christian Louboutin shoes with the eye-popping red soles.

Matt stood waiting for his bride in his classic black tux and was blown away as she and her dad walked down the aisle at the Reformed Church of the Tarrytowns.  After the beautiful ceremony, the bride and groom left in a Rolls Royce to get back to “their ” mansion and take some fun and fabulous bridal party and family photos. My friends, photographers Ulysses and Jenni outdid themselves in finding stunning backdrops and locations for Courtney and Matt to pose for their formal pictures. Check out their blog!

On to the party….it was incredible! Matt & Courtney barely left the dance floor all night and just really had the time of their lives. They were last minute-video converts and I’m so glad that they invited me! ( and my camera).

Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Maron.

-jen

Catlin Gardens Inn opens today!

I’m so excited to be heading to Slate Hill today to help the Stack family celebrate the grand opening of their incredible new Catlin Gardens Inn! The hotel is spectacular and elegant and I can’t wait to have lunch at Jack’s Pub!

Congratulations to Jack, Jenn, John and Stephanie and their families and staff.  It is beautiful and you should all be so proud!

Debbie and Rob at Patriot Hills

Ceremony & Reception: The Clubhouse at Patriot Hills

Photographer: Lori O’Toole

Perfect day – perfect couple!

I first met Christine when she was the maid of honor in my famous wedding blogged as, “Most excited groom ever” (Also know as Kristy and Ron Ferrante).

Last Saturday was HER turn as the bride and Kristy’s turn as the maid of honor. She picked the most beautiful day of the Summer to have her outdoor tent ceremony on a friend’s lawn in Riverdale.

The highlight of the touching ceremony, for me, was the exit music, as the string quartet played Cold Play’s “La Viva Vida”.  It was just so unique and I’m sure that Christine and Michael were on such a high coming back down that aisle, that they didn’t even notice! 

Christine was so beautiful in her lace gown with a pretty taupe sash highlighting her tiny waist. She wore a cathedral veil and check out the gorgeous Kate Spade shoes!I had the chance for the first time to work with Westchester photographer Kelly Vasami. What a pleasure! We took the couple to the Riverdale Yacht Club for some breathtaking photos on the water. Oh, did I mention that a sailboat just happened to breeze by while we were there, adding a picture perfect backdrop to their professional stills.I haven’t even gotten to the best part yet…the party! What do you get when you combine 230 guests, big Irish families, bagpipers and the New York City Police Department? A fabulous night at the Westchester Rennaissance Hotel.

Christine and Michael added so many special touches to their day.  Christine surprised her husband with a groom’s cake..an exact replica of his NYPD badge in honor of his 20 years of service to the department.  The guests found their assigned tables with the help of table cards set in wine corks of bottles enjoyed by the bride and groom over the years. It was also Christine’s dad’s birthday and a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” was played by the NYPD bagpipers. Michael and his new bride took a turn on the dance floor to an Irish jig played the pipers  – they were so good it almost looked choreographed!(Christine, you can DANCE!)

I had so much fun at this wedding and I really felt like a part of the family. Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Dowd for inviting me!

-jen

GRAND wedding at the Grandview!

Everything about Christina and Nick’s wedding was GRAND!

 The guest list (over 350), the food (too much to mention), the bridal party (30),the venue(The Grandview) and most of all…..the RAIN! The weather let up only for the bride arriving at the church, then it never stopped. It put a halt to Nick’s only request for the day; a trip down the river from Kingston to Poughkeepsie on a small yacht with his new wife and their bridal party.

Althought the mode of transportation went from yacht to Rolls Royce, that didn’t dampen the spirits of these two, who were more than happy to get their party started a little earlier than planned! And what a party!

The Grandview went above and beyond in terms of the food and service.  They really made the guests forget about the downpour outside, and focus on the outpouring of love and friendship inside. I had the pleasure of working alongside Lori O’Toole who worked her photography magic in less than perfect conditions. It wasn’t hard – Christina was absolutely stunning in her custom fit Monique Lhuillier gown on her teeny tiny frame. She and Nick did not stop smiling all night.  Such a joy to work with such a natural couple.

A Greek band rocked the dance floor well into the night and the money was flying! Guests came from as far away as Cyprus to join the Kyriacu family as they celebrated the marriage of their only child, Christine. Alyssa and I were honored to join them from as far away as Port Jervis!

 BIG hugs and kisses to Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Krzywonos!

-jen

A Wedding in Trout Town USA

The only thing that I knew about Roscoe was that it was a big trout fishing town in the Spring, and it was home to the Roscoe diner. What I didn’t know was what a charming downtown they have, or how warm and inviting the hometown people are! I found out right away when I pulled into the Rockland House for Amy and Dan’s outdoor ceremony adjacent to the scenic golf course.

From the judge who performed the ceremony, to the fun bridal party, to the photographer Michael Bloom, every person was just easy-going and happy to be there.

Amy was radiant as she walked down the aisle with her dad to her new husband Dan. After the ceremony, we went right to the golf course to take some cool photos with the bride and groom and my newest photographer friend, the afore-mentioned Michael Bloom from Bethel. We had a blast shooting together and I think I”ll be seeing much more of his work floating around next year- he is a talent!

Inside the Rockland House, Amy had made sure that no detail was missed. Her special touches were everywhere. The biggest surprise was her gift of a groom’s cake to Dan, looking exactly like a drum with drumsticks on top. Very cool.

Now the food….WOW.  I’m used to regular “wedding portions” when I go to a catering facility. This was a true restaurant, with prime rib that was so big it hung over the sides of the plate! The staff was fantastic and passed out many “to go” boxes after dinner.

Bill and Debbie of Mystic Entertainment kept the party going while the bride and groom visited with their guests.  Amy and Dan were so happy that all of their family and friends were there to show their love and support, that I think they personally thanked everyone  in the room.

For me, the day didn’t feel like work- it felt like I was a part of the family. Thanks to the people of Roscoe and especially Mr. and Mrs. Dan Smith for that!

-love Jen

Jacob and Cathy’s Marist College wedding

I never knew what a great Hudson Valley backdrop to take wedding pictures Marist College is!

These two are so cute- especially lovin’ the “Romeo and Juliet” tune!

Ceremony: Marist College chapel

Reception: The Grandview

Photographer: Bill Shaw

entertainment: Larry Mulligan/MUCH MUSIC

I am in LOVE with Huguenot Street!

For their bridal party photos, Nora and RJ wanted a classic, yet urban backdrop to take some dramatic wedding pics after their ceremony.  We only had to venture a few blocks from their New Paltz church to the beautiful and historic stone houses of Huguenot Street.  Photographer Lori O’Toole got right to work, posing them in the empty streets, front porches, gardens, and 200 year-old windows.  On to Poughkeepsie for a more urban vibe…..the bride and groom were up for anything and Lori took that literally as she produced a tall stepladder out of her trunk and had them climb up to an old factory window downtown. ( I’ve seen  the shot and it was well worth the climb! )

The theme of the the day was nature; more specifically trees. Touches of green were everywhere; The bride’s bouquet, the flower girls bows, the bridesmaids shoes, the green grass-filled centerpieces at the reception and the lettering on the invitations.  Nora thought of every detail. Even the wedding cake rested on a slab of a tree and a carved tree trunk with Nora and RJ’s initials greeted the reception guests at the Poughkeepsie Grand.

DJ Stephanie and Jeff Padovani from the DJ Solution were more than up for the challenge of keeping 260 guests entertained and on their feet!  This group could dance! There was music for every taste: a Tarantella, traditional Armenian dance, hip hop, country; you name it – they danced! Nora and her dad were probably the most conspicuous dancers of the evening. I don’t recall either of them leaving the dance floor.

Nora and RJ read letters that they had written to each other, professing their love in front of their guests. The letters were funny and touching and really showed the evolution of the relationship of these high school sweethearts and self-proclaimed opposites.

Look for more of Nora’s talent and creativity soming soon in the form of a new logo and business card for me!  That RJ is one lucky guy!

Love to both-

Jen

Amanda and Chad at Perona Farms

First of all, any couple who gives out dog bones as wedding favors rates very highly with me! In every corner of their reception room, were photo reminders of  Amanda and Chad’s adorable St. Bernard puppy Lola. I say puppy because she is a baby, but Lola looks like she weighs over 150 pounds, so that is probably the reason that she was honored in pictures and not in person!

Now, back to Amanda and Chad……they were adorable themselves!

June 19th was a perfect day for their outside ceremony at Perona Farms in Andover, NJ. They got married in an apple orchard among the trees by the bride’s uncle Steve, who was ordained online and played every part of the “minister” decked out in a long robe and huge wooden cross. But contrary to the funny costume, the ceremony itself was completely serious and heartfelt. Chad and Amanda read each other the vows that they had written and sealed their marriage by pouring their individual vials of sand into one glass jar to symbolize their union.  One of the nicest touches of the service was when they each placed a letter they had written to their beloved in a jar, to be opened on their one year anniversary. So unique.

We were able to take some beautiful photos around the grounds with photographer Nicole Wagner; my favorite being the one of the bride and groom in front of the old barn, complete with the deer standing by as if we weren’t bothering him at all.

For the reception, I knew it was going to be a great party crowd when one of the groomsmen changed into his workboots for the introductions, and the bride dedicated the song “Baby Got Back” to her mother!  The DJs from Much Music did a great job of keeping the dance floor packed all night. At the end of the night, the bride and groom took a turn on the microphone to thank everyone for coming and supporting them.  What a tremendous day for Mr. and Mrs. Chad Snyder – love and happiness always.

-jen

NetworkedBlogs

Blog:

Masterpiece Video

Topics:

Follow my blog