November 2015 at the Biltmore Montecito was the last wedding of the season for me yet it was a wedding with a lot of firsts. This was my first time filming a black tie wedding. It was also the first time I filmed a wedding with a well know celebrity in the family.  

Without being briefed on the couples celeb family guest list, I showed up to second shoot the bridal parties preparations. Right after being handed a camera a familiar face walks by me to help out the bride. I register who it is and carry on. It's not my first time working with 'celebrities' on 'set' so I take a breath, mentally note how cool this is, calmly start shooting and ask for direction from the lead videographer. 

No matter who is there, the day is reserved for the three biggest celebrities. Number one The Bride, celeb number Two The Couple, and last but not least celebrity number Three The Groom. The entire day is set up for the couple to feel grand, royal, important, supported, like they matter. Every service that goes into creating the day, from the flowers, table settings, to the food are there for the couple to feel comforted. Every service worker from the florist, wedding planner, caterer, event site manager, DJ, Photographer, to  Videographer they are there to make the couple feel special. 

I don't think I even shot the 'celebrity' once because there wasn't the right angle for them, and mostly because the focus is on the couple. It's about them. It's their wedding day. That is how I perform my trade every time, every wedding. Remembering what's important to Capture The Moment. 
-Melissa 

 I got the opportunity to shoot a wedding rehearsal dinner as the second videographer. I enjoy working with other videographers to learn new skills, techniques, perspectives and to gain more over all experience. 

I feel that even if you run your own company as the head boss, you should still be able to step out of that roll, to easily take on the roll of assistant. You gain great insight on how to work with other people as well as your own work style.
It was fun for me to work with the other videographer as it took me to a location I haven't filmed before; The Coral Casino.

Located across from Montecito's Four Seasons Biltmore, backing right up to the Pacific Ocean at butterfly beach is the private club. Accessible by guests staying at the Biltmore, exclusive members, and special occasion guests. It has quiet the view! 

I got to shoot with a Canon Mark II 7D with a 70-200 lens. This lends was able to provide a tight close up shot on the bride and groom's reactions to the toasts, while I was positioned back far enough as to not disturb any guests. 

It was a beautiful setting at a great club during sunset under a moon lit night.