Their Big Day on the Big Screen

Watching a stranger’s wedding isn’t an invitation that most people would have trouble declining, but True Artists Studio doesn’t make ordinary wedding videos.

On May 3, Shane Pergrem and his crew at True Artists Studio hosted the annual Cincinnati Wedding Film Festival at the Kenwood Theatre. 

"It was just a different feel than a regular wedding video," says Christina Huetter, one of the brides featured at the event. 

"Our video was definitely more like a story and about the people in it. It wasn’t a film of an assembly of events," adds her husband, Scott.

Each video was around 10 minutes long and covered the entire day – from the arrival and preparation of the wedding party to the ceremony to the reception.  

The videos by True Artists Studio were excellent, made for a movie theater as the editing and camerawork are far above the traditional, stationary camera pointed at the couple as they exchange vows.

"Shane was so personal," says Amanda Fitzpatrick, who was married in 2015. "My brother was away in the Marines at the time and Shane worked to get a surprise audio message from him. He really found out a lot about us, about our family, about our venue and he put together an awesome video for us."

Outside of the main events, the films capture the behind-the-scenes aspect of the couples’ special day like best wishes from wedding guests and include small moments that help tie the feeling of the day together.

"She said my dress would stretch throughout the day and I said ‘Thank God!’ " confided one bride to her bridesmaids as she squeezed into her gown.

"Our video was extremely intimate," says Christina Huetter. "We got to speak to each other through the camera before the ceremony to tell each other how we feel. Our children one day will get to see how much love we had for each other on that day."

Though many of these messages to their future spouses were moving and tearful, one groom’s message sparked laughter when he confessed to the camera that he was excited for the wedding, but "really excited" about leaving for their tropical vacation the next day.

Most of the theater was filled with couples whose wedding stories were featured, but there were also soon-to-be brides who were shopping for a videographer.

"I liked how you got to see the personality of each couple," says Sarah Grau, who will be married in January. "When you watch it, you can see the good relationship the videographer had with the couples and how comfortable they were."

"At the time, I don’t think I ever really noticed that they were there," says Brian Fitzpatrick. "Shane followed us around and took lots of footage without ever getting in the way or taking center stage. He did a fantastic job."

"He even made us a blooper reel at the end!" says Amanda Fitzpatrick.

Laughter, tears and smiles filled the theater as the couples relived their own moments and were introduced to other people’s wedding stories. 

"It was more like a gift to each other than a video," says Christina Huetter.

True Artists Studio is located at 3047 Madison Road, Suite 206-B, Cincinnati, OH 45209. For more information, call 859.305.1547 or visit trueartistsstudio.net.