Mason Jar Films

Kate and Bill, Same Day Edit

2009-12-21T03:02:44-06:00

After years of being together, Kate and Bill made it official this past weekend in Waco.

Kate and Bill are the kind of couple that everybody wants to know - kind, generous, talented, sincere, and with model-worthy looks. At their rehearsal dinner, one toaster remarked, "surely all of these qualities cannot come together in one person, but with Kate and Bill, they do!"

They have a great story, too, meeting their freshman year at Baylor, and taking one "break" after Kate's graduation, long enough to know that being apart was not for them.

And that brought us to Saturday, a picture perfect December afternoon and evening in Waco in which 400 family and friends from as far away as Oregon converged in central Texas to celebrate, and celebrate they did, because whenever the Blind Date Band hits the stage, moving and shaking is not a choice!

While I went about filming, Chance and Taylor edited the video you see above and presented it to the couple before they departed. Kate's mother Rebecca told me, "How did you do it? Was it magic?" I said, "Kinda - it happened by Chance."

Kate and Bill, thanks for entrusting us in the telling of your story. You've inspired us greatly!

jones

Ceremony: First Baptist Waco
Reception: The Roosevelt Ballroom
Photographer: Marlo Collins
Wedding Day Consultant: Lois Ferguson
Catering: Blanek's
Reception Entertainment: The Blind Date Band
Rentals: Marquee Rents & Pendley Party Productions

Come, Ella, Come

2009-12-14T00:03:56-06:00

Ok, this is some new and exciting stuff!

Here at the Mason Jar, we're starting to document the first year of a babies' lives - not just taking cute shots, but tracking the experience of parenthood (and grandparenthood), too.

Over the next year, we will be following the soon-to-be-arriving Ella Harris. Ella comes from a very special family - Mandi (Edgerton) and Shaun Harris, whose wedding we shot 4 years back. We've formed a close knit bond with the Edgerton/Harris family, and are always delighted to spend time with them documenting their fascinating lives. They aren't afraid to wear their love for one another on their sleeves, and it makes for wonderful motion picture inspiration!

Sarah, Mandi's mother, also isn't afraid to throw a magnificent party. If you ever get invited to one, do yourself a favor and cancel all other plans you might have. Her ability to design and execute a theme are second to none, and it's a wonder she's not an internationally reknown event planner. Watch the video above - that's her doing - she never ceases to amaze.

She is the mastermind behind The Wild Onion Ranch, a premiere event location in Austin. If you are looking for an elegant and intimate location to have a corporate event, baby shower, wedding, or any other party, look no further than the venue featured in the video above!

But I digress. :-> Needless to say, we're very excited to be invited into these intimate times for this family, and we look forward to getting to know little Ella as she makes her grand entrance into this world in 2010!

See you on down that road,
jones

Evelyn and Bryan, Preview

2009-12-10T00:18:49-06:00

I've been awaiting Evelyn and Bryan's wedding for quite some time now.

I first talked to Evelyn's mother, Natalie, in regards to shooting her daughter Ellen's wedding in San Antonio - you should remember Ellen and Clay - fantastic couple with a wonderful story. I was thoroughly looking forward to meeting them this past May.

As fate would have it, one of my best friends was to be married the same day, and he requested that I be in his wedding party...in Lawrence, Kansas! You don't have to be from out of town to know that that's more than a hop, skip, and a jump from San Antonio. Fortunately, the Hoelscher's gave their blessing for me to be a few state's away while my trusty team (Kourtney and Chance) documented the event (and what a fantastic job they did!!!).

After editing Ellen and Clay's intro and watching Kourtney put together a fantastic documentary, I really fell in love with the Hoelscher's and Kimbrough's all the more, and I had never had a chance to meet them.

Fortunately, Evelyn was getting married a mere 6 months later in Dallas, and the family wanted us there to document this one, too. So, after nearly two years of phone calls and e-mails, I was finally able to meet the Hoelscher clan...and they didn't disappoint!

I knew that the Hoelschers and their friends love to dance, and the Signed, Sealed, and Delivered band gave them plenty of tunes to do just that - the good folks at Arlington Hall hated to kick everyone out at 1 a.m. because they were having too much of a good time.

We had to escape without being able to say goodbye with a long drive ahead of us, making it back to Waco about 3:30 a.m., eyelids heavy, hearts full.

Evelyn and Bryan, thanks for letting us peek into your lives for a day so that you can remember it for a lifetime!

jones

p.s. Check out some of these fantastic pics by their photographer, Greg Blomberg.

Rehearsal Dinner: Stoneleigh Hotel
Ceremony: Christ the King
Reception: Arlington Hall
Photography: Greg Blomberg
Event Planner: Kay Watson
Reception Band: Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Floral: Stacey Murdoch, The Wildflower
Baker: Frosted Art
Bridal Gown/Veil: Vera Wang, Warren Barron, Dallas
Makeup: Maitee Miles
Reception Lighting: Absolute DFW

Emily and Clay, Preview

2009-11-03T08:00:00-06:00

In September, I had the privilege to go to one of my favorite places on earth, the Napa Valley, to document the wedding of Emily and Clay on super8 film.

Emily and Clay were married at the intimate and luxurious Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford. If you're looking for a nice getaway, honeymoon, or place to enjoy a fantastic meal, you've got to check our Auberge. And if you're getting married, there's no better background for your ceremony - vineyards and blue sky as far as the eye can see.

The Davis family put on a wonderful, intimate occasion, full of exuberant dancing and heartfelt toasts. If I were a quicker draw, I might've caught Emily tossing her bouquet (accidentally) onto the roof of Auberge as she made her exit. :->

Emily & Clay (and Helen, Steve, Eric, and Morgan), thanks for having me out to document this special occasion. I look forward to putting the final product in your hands to share with family and friends on Thanksgiving.

jones

p.s. While in Napa, I recommend a few wineries, including William Cole and Spring Mountain. Thanks to my past wedding clients and San Franciscan jet setters Ashley and Vijai for these suggestions! And for a fantastic meal, don't miss Bouchon Bistro. You won't want to come home!

Gina and Derek, Images

2009-10-26T16:19:43-05:00

Gina and Derek were married last Saturday at Christ the King in Dallas with reception at the Tower Club. Kourtney and I had a blast documenting their event, from the getting ready moments early afteroon at the Adolphus to rocking to the grooves of Professor D 'till 1 a.m. at their reception.

Wedding Coordinator Kay Watson kept the trains running on time (as usual!) while our old pal Gary Donihoo of f8 Studio snapped away like the rock star he is.

Enjoy some of the still frames (from our footage), and stay tuned for more pieces of filmmaking in the near future!

Gina and Derek, thanks for having us along for the ride. Enjoy your little escape this week south of the border!

jones

Event Planner: Kay Watson
Rehearsal Dinner: Ozona Grill and Bar
Ceremony: Christ the King, Dallas
Reception: The Tower Club
Photographer: Gary Donihoo, f8 Studio
Floral: The Urban Blossom
Reception Entertainment: Professor D
Paper Items: Paper & Chocolate

Monica and Mike, Reception

2009-09-17T08:00:00-05:00

While Monica and Mike's reception had a lot of Italian and Latin flavor, this wedding did take place in Texas, and the Texas bbq theme dominated the reception.

You may notice that my shots of the chocolate fountains appear to be improperly white balanced. This is not the case - that is not chocolate. Instead, they were flowing with BBQ sauce! This made for easy dipping, but might've wreaked havoc on those who were hoping for a cocoa topping to their wedding cake!

Enjoy the clip from their reception.

Monica and Mike,many thanks for having us as a part of your celebration.

Cheers!
jones

Ceremony: Marty Leonard Chapel
Reception: Stonegate Mansion
Wedding Coordinator: Shari Johns, As you Wish Events
Photographer: Gary Donihoo, f8Studio
Emcee and lighting: Randal Stout

Monica and Mike, Ceremony

2009-09-15T08:00:00-05:00

Love love love the location for Monica and Mike's ceremony - the Marty Leonard Chapel in Fort Worth, designed by a disciple of Frank Lloyd Wright. With the glass walls allowing the chapel to fill with natural light, it's the perfect location for those who want a ceremony that practically decorates itself!

Monica's father sang the Ave Maria, which you hear underlying the ceremony - due to technical difficulties, he went acappella (perfect for an Italian wedding :->), and it couldn't have sounded better.

Check out the super8 shot at the end for their departure - it's the kind of shot that becomes iconic within a families history!

jones

Ceremony: Marty Leonard Chapel
Reception: Stonegate Mansion
Wedding Coordinator: Shari Johns, As you Wish Events
Photographer: Gary Donihoo, f8Studio
Emcee and lighting: Randal Stout

Monica and Mike, Bling and Things

2009-09-10T08:00:00-05:00

I have been waiting a long time to share with you 3 pieces from Monica and Mike's documentary. Being artists themselves (graphic designer and an architect - bet you can't guess which one is which), there was a consistent thread of artistry throughout the day.

In this clip, you see it in Mike's pre-ceremony gift to Monica. He designed the artwork and packaging himself. What woman wouldn't fall in love with a man that understands the value of an aesthetically pleasing presentation?

Watching this clip again, I am reminded of what a cool, calm, day in laid-back Fort Worth this was...there's just something special about that town.

Got a lot of super8 footage to show ya next week. Stay tuned.

jones

Ceremony: Marty Leonard Chapel
Reception: Stonegate Mansion
Wedding Coordinator: Shari Johns, As you Wish Events
Photographer: Gary Donihoo, f8Studio
Emcee and lighting: Randal Stout

Somesha and Olivier, Treme

2009-09-08T08:00:00-05:00

After a fantastic dinner catered by Joel's, Somesha and Olivier's guests were treated to a jazz set by the third brass band of the evening, Treme.

Named for the neighborhood out of which they were conceived, Treme has been a mainstay of the New Orleans music scene for many years with such notables as Kermit Ruffins playing through their ranks.

The guests boogeyed to their hearts' contentment to numerous upbeat jazz renditions, and this filmmaker struggled once again to separate himself from the seductive pull of the dance floor.

Shortly after drummer Lionel Batiste pounded out his last note, the bride and groom escaped into the night unannounced, seeking out more adventure.

Somesha and Olivier, thank you for having me along to document this wonderful experience. May your worst day in Paris be no less than your best day in New Orleans.

jones

2nd Line: New Wave Brass Band
Photographer: Chris Williams, Zoeica Images
Ceremony: St. Louis Cathedral
Reception: Restaurant Galvez
Catering: Joel's
Reception Entertainment #1: Storyville Stompers
Reception Entertainment #2: Pierre Pichon Trio
Reception Entertainment #3: John Boutte and Leroy Jones
Reception Entertainment #4: Treme Brass Band

Somesha and Olivier, 2nd Line

2009-09-03T08:00:00-05:00

2nd Line parades are a New Orleans tradition for many occasions, but especially in leading the bride, groom, and their guests from the ceremony to the reception location. With hankees and umbrellas, the attendees have authority over all vehicle traffic as they dance their way to food, music, and more dancing!!!

Filming the New Wave Brass Band was absolutely electrifying! Even when working a gig, there is no way to be surrounded by such musical gusto and not dance for a few measures!

jones