More Videos

Ok so I've gotten a little flack for not posting any videos on this blog for a while, so I'm gonna hit you all with a double whammy today. Here are preceremony clips from the weddings of Nicole & Matthew and Erin & Brian. Hope you enjoy!

Nicole and Matthew, Denton MD from Melissa Costantino on Vimeo.

Erin and Brian, Wilmington DE from Melissa Costantino on Vimeo.

Tips from the Video Girl for Your First Dance

Lately I've been pondering the newer trend of taking dance lessons and having a routine for your first dance. In fact, my husband (then fiance) and I wanted to do just that....until we both procrastinated and got so busy with everything else and we scrapped the idea. I always regretted that we didn't have a choreographed routine to go along with the song we had chosen, which was "What a Difference a Day Made" by Dinah Washington.

But as I shoot more and more weddings and get to experience the first dance over and over again through my lens, I've come to a different conclusion. More often than not, I notice that the couple is concentrating more on the dance moves than the moment. Usually the guy is stiff and unrelaxed and the bride is feverishly staring into his eyes while nodding her head as she counts to the beat. It's not all the time, but when I do see it (close up I might add) I feel there is something missing. Some kind of enjoyment and relaxation that should come with dancing to that first song with the one you love.

So my advice is this: Unless you have a lot of time to take lessons and practice a choreographed dance so that you and your groom are comfortable enough to relax and actually look into each other's eyes and forget the crowd, then I don't recommend it!
Pick a song you both LOVE that allows you to kick off the party relaxed, smiling and just enjoying this new journey you are both embarking on together. That is what really entertains your guests. And, it looks great on video!

PS If you're worried about the dance not being exciting enough, then just take a lesson or two of spinning, dipping and a few basic steps. This will allow you to be comfortable enough to improvise where needed in the moment. I've never been to a wedding where the groom had spun the bride in her beautiful dress and the crowd not react in cheers!

Cute First Dance

Here are Chris and Goga in their first dance together as husband and wife. They are such a nice couple and I remember shooting them dancing thinking "This is one for the blog!'

They chose a very beautiful song, "Stand by Me"...you can tell they both love this classic!


Cute First Dance from Melissa Costantino on Vimeo.

Adam & Amanda Highlight

Here's a quick video highlight of Adam and Amanda's wedding....I used a song from their ceremony.  I added it as a special chapter on their DVD as well. Hope you all like it!


Love Song 4 Adam & Amanda from Melissa Costantino on Vimeo.

Cutest Little Flower Girl Dresses

I came across these silk flower girl dresses from Janie and Jack, one of my favorite places to shop for Anna and all the little people in our lives. They come in many colors for your flower girl(s) and don't forget to check out the adorable suits for little ring bearers too! These colors make me excited for spring and Easter time!

Anna: To Vegas and Beyond!

OK I just have to show off a little and be a proud parent on this blog entry :)

My Anna is in a MAGAZINE! The lovely, talented and GENUIS of a photographer Laura Novak used a pic of her for an article in a magazine that is featured at the Wedding and Portrait Photographers INTERNATIONAL Convention in Las Vegas...that means that photographers from ALL OVER THE WORLD are getting copies of this magazine. If you don't know Laura's work, she is highly regarded and sought after by photographers who want to learn her techniques and business practices, so they will be VERY interested in the article!

I have to thank my very good friends Ron and Bless Soliman from Litrato for finding the article while they are out there and immediately sending me a pic. And of course, a BIG shout out to Laura who captures hundreds of perfect pics of beautiful children each year and narrowed it all down to MY kid!!! :)

And, oh yeah, thanks to Aunt Helen for the Purple Uggs!

Angie & Joel Love Recap

One of my FAVORITE people that I met last year was Angie. She is a photojounalist and actually works for a sister paper of the News Journal where I used to work. It's hard for me to put into words to describe this couple and their wedding.... I have never in my life met a couple like Angie and Joel. Their wedding ceremony and reception were both full of such touching details...not to mention the family and guests who were so warm and interesting to be around. I put together a little one song recap so they can use it for their websites, ipod, whatever. This is a great addition to any wedding package, especially for couples who have family out of the country, or anyone who has a myspace, facebook, blog, etc...enjoy!



Angie & Joel Love Recap from Melissa Costantino on Vimeo.

2 Tickets to the Fun Show

January 18th is the WJBR Bridal Expo...all you newly engaged Brides and Grooms should come on out to see all of the vendors in person and gather all the information you can! There are soooo many decisions involved in your planning and it really helps to at least get out there and meet some of the vendors. My business thrives on personal relationships. I've spoken to a lot of wedding professionals that say "Thank God, I've never had to attend one of those bridal shows! I get my business from [referrals, online advertising, print ads, etc....]" But I LOVE seeing brides in person and talking with them. Even if I don't book with all of them, just getting to know them helps me understand the market and what brides are facing today....believe me, even though it's only been 2 years, the wedding industry has changed a lot since I walked down the aisle!

I invite you to stop on by...it's free to get in and is worth it if only to get free stuff and enter raffles to win cool things. I'll be in a booth with Litrato Photo...See you there!