We are happy to announce that Vanessa and Juan are the winners of our special Facebook Proposal Story contest! Their proposal is SO sweet and we are so excited to share it with all of you.

Vanessa writes…

It was our last year of college and midterm break was approaching. One week before, we were hanging out started talking about spring break. He asked, “Will you come to Florida with me if I promise to take you swimming with the dolphins?” (Keep in mind, swimming with dolphins is something I have been wanting to do since I was 5 years old!)  I looked up at him and said “Yes!” After that, my mind was wrapped around the idea of swimming with dolphins and nothing else.

We arrived at Discovery Cove and our journey began at 8am in the park.  The entire day we were free to go snorkeling in a tropical reef, explore aviary, relax in the serenity bay, and float in the wind-away river. It was awesome! I couldn’t wait to swim with the dolphins.

Juan had a little bit more on his mind. He was acting a little bit weird, but nothing so obvious enough to give away the big secret. His face just looked like he was thinking about something.

Finally by the late afternoon it was our time with the dolphins! We went to the dolphin pool and interacted with them, took pictures, rode them – it was fantastic!  My 5-year old dream came true! It was more than I could have ever imagined.

When our time was up, the trainer called us back and said that the photographers needed one more picture. They let me toss the dolphin a toy, and when the dolphin came back, he brought a buoy. If the staff hadn’t asked me to read it, I probably would have thrown it back into the water thinking it was his toy. I froze without speaking. The buoy read: “Will you marry me?”

I couldn’t believe it. The dolphin said yes before I did. I said, yes, with tears of course. It was an amazing feeling. The trainer took us to the sand where the ring was waiting. Juan took the ring, got down on one knee and told me how much he loved me and how he wanted to make this day even more special for me. He asked me to marry him. I pointed with a knot in my throat and said yes once again – this time on land.

It’s time for another you ask the questions, we give you the answers! Last week on our Facebook page, we asked for all your questions about candy buffet tables – a hot wedding trend of the season. Today, we are happy to feature Donna, owner of Chicago Wedding Candy Buffet, to answer all of your sweet and sugary questions!

What are your most popular candies this season?  What are the trends?

Our knack is pulling together a cohesive candy buffet that gives a wow factor while staying true to the event theme and coordinates with specified event colors.  Clients love our signature peanut butter cups, chocolate covered Double Stuf Oreo’s, custom fortune cookies, and yogurt diamond pretzels which are color coordinated to the events’ color(s) and are the most popular with our clients.  Interactive confections like candy necklaces and ring pops are always fun and inviting, but Pixy Stix, Gummy Bears, and Pop Rocks are high on the “required” list.  Old favorites like Bulls Eyes Caramel Creams and Bit-O-Honey seem to be trending now, as well as all sour varieties.

How do you determine the quantity of candy to use at each wedding’s candy buffet?

The guest count and amount the couple desires to provide for each guest determines how much candy will go into the buffet.  However, the rule of thumb is one-third to a half-pound of candy per person.

What techniques do you use when designing the display?

It’s all about functionality and flow for us.  You need to make it easy for the guests to fill up their goody bag.  It’s for the guests to enjoy, not be concerned about spilling or reaching in and/or over other jars.  A table packed with jars, use of extreme heights, and/or jars with small openings are not user friendly.  A poorly executed candy buffet can cause confusion and frustration, which will slow down the candy line from flowing smoothly.

How many varieties of candy do you recommend utilizing?

As many as it takes to please everyone’s sweet tooth!  We create each buffet with the perfect ratio of candy and chocolates.  We generally use up to 15 varieties and create 12 to 30 apothecary jars per event depending on the guest count.  Confections like chocolate and gummy treats come in so many shapes, flavors, and sizes – we might use 3 different flavors and/or shapes of gummy treats and 3 different types of chocolate in one buffet.  We have an upcoming wedding couple who have nicknames: lobster and penguin – so we will have both little red gummy lobsters and black & white gummy penguins – and their reception colors are black, white, and red – so PERFECT!!!

We’re no Neil or Buzz, but George Street Photo and Video has made its way into the final frontier. After careful planning and serious dedication we’ve done the unthinkable: George Street Photo and Video has shot the first two weddings on the moon!

Our couples were extremely patient in the planning, as we didn’t want there to be any risks, and the photos definitely came out for the better! The only snag to speak of was the effect the zero gravity had on the wedding dress, but in the end the train was held afloat the entire time and it looked amazing! Hopefully this is just the first in a series of couples looking to shoot on the moon; we found a fantastic quarry that serves as the perfect post-ceremony photo shoot location!

To your wedding and beyond!

NASA/courtesy of nasaimages.org

George Street has been chosen as the official photographer and videographer of WGN’s Royal Wedding.  Last week, we were invited to the studio during the morning newscast to meet the couples and we got to take a few shots too!

Place your vote for the winning couple at WGN’s Website.  The winning couple will be married on April 28 at Meyer’s Castle on live TV, with a free wedding from all of the wedding professionals that WGN has selected.

CDW came to the George Street headquarters today to film us for a case study. Check out these behind the scenes photos!

Perhaps you are wondering what type of quality you get for your money. How much experience do the photographers and videographers really have? What happens after the wedding is over? No need to worry; this is a huge decision for you, and your photos and video will be lasting memories, and you want them perfect, right?

When you sign with us, you know you are guaranteed a certified photojournalistic lead photographer for at least ten hours on your day. But, what exactly is a photojournalistic lead photographer? A lead photographer has experience with at least 25 weddings on their own as the only photographer, has at least 4 years of experience, and has gone through extensive interviews for professionalism. We not only check their edited photos, but look at the all the photos from the wedding, to make sure that each photo is of the upmost quality! Each lead photographer is incredibly skilled in capturing creative photos, and upholding our photojournalistic style. We work with photographers who are not only exceedingly talented in their field, but someone who we would want to be around! This is extremely important when you will be spending one of the most important days of your life with them.

Our lead videographers go through the same process. Each videographer has experience shooting at least 25 weddings as the lead videographer. They must provide us the raw footage of at least 3 weddings, and they, too, go through an extensive interview process. Of course both photographers and videographers also have technical elements needed such as using the top of the line equipment!

Throughout the whole process, you work with someone such as myself, a Wedding Coordinator, to guide you through the whole process. I can answer any questions or concerns about the timelines of the day; specific shots you want the photographer to take or help you with various elements of the day such as choosing great locations for photos!

After the Big Day is over starts the designing process! Every album is uniquely created by our album designer who flawlessly tells the story of your special day through your photos. Your albums are everlasting, and have the quality of more than a lifetime. Our video editors create incredible montages, with the highest resolution, and incredible sound. Both your albums and you videos will become items you treasure, and you will enjoy looking at time and again!

When you think about it, you sure get a lot for your money!

Indianapolis is such a gorgeous city! Since we’ve been to so many great locations so far in the Circle City, we thought we’d share our favorites!

Of course there are some amazing outdoor locations to swing by for some good group shots like the fountain made up of musical instruments, Monument Square in all it’s glory and awe inspiring stadium (um, go Colts?), but what about the places you go to for the reception or the ceremony itself!?

If you’re looking for a well-priced venue smack-dab in the middle of the city then look no further, the Hilton Indianapolis is here for you. Hilton’s are always reliable for any event large or small, and especially in this style-hybrid hotel. The lobby itself is a massive space outfitted for style while the reception room is a large, modern space so you’re not really stuck with one style and you have more variety in your photos! Plus, the Hilton Indianapolis is so close that you could pop over to all of the afore mentioned additional locations and still get to your reception before the soup gets cold. And did I mention they offer horse drawn carriages?

Of course if you’re looking for the most luxurious venue, that’s still in the heart of the city, the Conrad Hotel Indianapolis is our favorite place! Everywhere you turn there are crystal chandeliers, exquisite furnishings and decadent art pieces filling the space. Of course, our favorite part is the large number of fantastic photo opportunities that can range from a private session with just the Bride and Groom to the entire bridal party. Plus the staff is very helpful in making sure your Big Day goes off without a hitch!

And of course there is the Big Kahuna: the ceremony location. The Scottish Right Cathedral is beyond the classiest venue for a wedding ceremony as far as we’ve seen. With its girth alone, the Cathedral demands some serious attention, and that’s before you even walk inside. All four levels of the Cathedral have ornate wood carvings, giant stained glass windows and chandeliers galore. The Scottish Right Cathedral is definitely a sight to be seen and would be a venue to remember,

These are just some of our favorite venues in Indianapolis, but we know there are a lot more out there that you may enjoy, so feel free to ask your Wedding Coordinator what locations might work for your with your wedding plans. Or maybe you’ll show us a new gem that we’ll rave about to all of our new couples!