When we were first figuring out our budget for the wedding, we first had to go through all the different vendors we wanted. DJ, florist, photographer, venue. Those were the easy ones. But then there were things like the videographer that I wasn’t entire sure I needed. I mean, how often would I really watch it? Would it seem redundant to have a videographer and a photographer?

Then I started talking to my friends and family. Surprisingly, my parents really wanted us to spend money on a videographer. They knew there would be so much about the day that we either wouldn’t remember or simply wouldn’t be around to experience because we’d be off taking photos. My dad will be the first to admit that his otherwise stellar memory is completely blank when it comes to his wedding day because there is just so much going on. It’s hard for things to sink in enough that you can remember what happened.

I also spoke to a friend of mine who got married a couple of years ago and she said the same thing. She said she would have loved to have had the toasts and speeches captured on camera because she doesn’t really remember what was said. I have always had a really horrible memory when it comes to details of what people say. As in, I can’t really play back dialogue or conversation. I can remember the gist of what people say and facts that people mention, but I am not an auditory learner. I have to have things written down and recorded or I will forget.

Then I started thinking about the blog. All my wonderful readers and faraway friends who wouldn’t be able to come to the wedding. Because we have friends and family from all over, there were many people who were not able to come. Knowing that we have video that we could share made me feel a little bit better when we we heard that someone couldn’t make it. Also, I have been blogging now for six years and I began to feel really strongly that I wanted to share this day not just with my immediate friends and family who are part of my day to day life, but also my more distant, adopted family. The diabetes and twentysomething communities are who have greatly shaped who I have become. I wouldn’t be the same without you, and it seemed quite fitting that I be able to share with you the biggest, most important day of my life.

Our videographer, Travis Shields, and his assistant did an amazing job capturing the day and created a wonderful three minute highlights video. Erik and I both prefer a more photo-journalistic take on videography, a little stylistic but not overly so. Erik and I met with two videographers on our trip to Portland last summer, and I knew right away that Travis was our guy. And I’m so glad we picked him!

It was so great to see everything from the outside perspective, though I have to admit, it is always strange to watch yourself! The song in the video, At Last by Etta James, was the song that I walked down the aisle to. I am a huge supporter of having a videographer and I cannot wait until the DVD with all the footage arrives.

So, with all the love and gratitude in the world, here is my wedding day. Hope you enjoy it!