PaulSchrank

Hello, I just posted a great wedding video from Azul Sensatori. I liked it so much I put the video on our homepage. The resort is great and one of the prettiest and most private resorts here that I shoot at. Enjoy the video: http://playaweddings.blogspot.com/2011/06/azul-sensatori-february-2011.html Paul Schrank PlayaWeddings

Hi, I just posted a video of a Persian Wedding at Grand Velas here: http://playaweddings.blogspot.com/2011/06/persian-wedding-grand-velas-playa-del.html Paul Schrank PlayaWeddings

Charlie and Maria married us and I've shot several videos of their wedding. They are the best, here is one of their weddings with BDWFer MarieSam: http://www.vimeo.com/6241482

The beach south of the ruins is fantastic, we got married there. You can also get there from Tulum by taking the road to the beach and turning left. If you turn right on the beach road and go south towards Punta Allen there are many, many hidden beaches and interesting spots. Apparently there is a hidden cenote that is open to all, but I haven't tried it yet. A local guide will help immensely and the drive would be worth it.

Our currents come from Africa through the Carribean. They go into the Gulf and not from the Gulf.

I just picked up a Canon Vixia camera. After a couple weddings using this as my third camera, I'm very impressed with the picture. I think it's the best I've seen for the price (~$500). The more expensive cameras in the Vixia line have a bigger chip and are worth the extra cost. The chip used is the same technology used in the Canon 5DMII, the current gold standard for HD video.

I am a Videographer, here are the questions to ask. What kind of cameras do they use? - 3-chip Standard Definition (worst, not worth it) - 1-chip AVCHD High Definition (better) - 3-chip HDV High Definition (good) - HD DSLR like the Canon 7D or 5DMII (best available) ask for model numbers to verify it by looking them up on Amazon. What do they deliver on? - Standard Definition DVD - High Definition Blu-Ray many vendors shoot with HD cameras but edit and/or deliver in Standard Definition on DVD. If it's not Blu-Ray it's not High Definition. The High Definition workflow takes new equipment and software and can be costly, whereas HD cameras are cheap and allow them to put HD in their marketing info without the investment. What do they do for audio? - On-Camera Mics (worst, not worth it) - Lapel Mics (good) - Direct feed from the sound system (best) a good videographer will use a combination of the above and record several audio tracks at once. What do they do for camera stabilization? - Handheld (worst) - Monopod (better) - Tripod (best) - Steadicam (pricey) again a good videographer will use a combination of the above. Given the recent leaps in HD technology, I think it would be a waste of money to pay for a Standard Definition video. Insist on HD cameras and Blu-Ray. If you don't want to pay for professional HD video, it would be better to invest in an HD camcorder and a tripod. See my post in the DIY forum for more info: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...ssional-52891/

Here's a video we did there a few years ago: Sheila & Uri Wedding Day Edit on Vimeo

The only reason the sandbags exist at resorts is because they didn't build correctly. When the resorts clear the trees and mangroves to build right up to the water they, destroy the root structure that holds the beach together and resists erosion. When the roots disappear they need to put the whales in the water to protect the beach. It makes me a little mad. The bags are permanent and not seasonal. We shoot weddings up and down the coast here. I'll start making mental notes of the sandbag-whale-free resorts so we can compile a list in this thread.

I posted this in the DIY Forum. I'm reposting here. I think the most important thing is to have a steady, wide shot with clear sound. You can use photos for close-ups. Two cameras is better, best is to hire a professional to be sure all of this is done well with creativity. -------------- Get two cameras and two tripods. Set up one camera in front of the speaker (assuming the resort is providing a sound system) on a tripod. Pick an angle where you can see the bride and groom and the minister and make the shot as wide as possible to include the guests. The sound is very important so be sure it is clear and loud in front of the speaker. Be aware of the wind and try to block the wind from the microphone on the camera. Put the second camera on the tripod and extend only one leg. Hold the tripod above where the legs meet and below the tripod head. Your hand should fit comfortably in this space. The tripod leg will provide a counterweight to the camera and your hand position will eliminate a lot of the handheld camera shake. This is the same principle as a Steadicam. When you lift the leg off the floor you can glide around. When you put the leg down and the floor and stay in one spot it steadies the camera. The best way to avoid camera shake is not to touch the camera, so hold the tripod, not the camera. Before the ceremony starts, start both cameras at the same time and slate them by standing in front of them and clapping. It's OK if you don't do this but DO NOT STOP RECORDING on either camera once you start them. All of this will help synch the shots in editing. Let the camera on the tripod in front of the speaker record one steady shot with good sound. Give the other camera to someone else who can move around and get close ups and interesting angles. The tripod/steadicam technique will help immensely. it would be good for this person to practice it and adjust the tripod for comfort and balance before the ceremony starts. I recommend AVCHD cameras. They are inexpensive ($500-$1000) and shoot in HD. Do your best to find HD cameras, the quality difference is huge. Canon has the best picture for the price when it comes to video. Everyone should have a decent video of their ceremony. Of course a professional will do it best, but with these simple steps your home video will be much better.

There's a horse ranch just south of Playa and Xcaret. I forget the name but they have a new beach club called Blue Venado there. You can have the whole wedding there and arrive on horseback. You could also do a TTD there with horseback riding, they have a fantastic beach. Here's the website for the beach club: Beach Club & Sport Center | Blue Venado | Riviera Maya

The biggest difference is that Makekal (formely Shangri-La Caribe) is in Playa del Carmen and you can walk to from the hotel to anything in town. Ceiba del Mar is a half hour (at least) away, near Puerto Morelos. You can't really walk to anything from there.

No, it's a huge party week in Playa del Carmen. The only time when they don't sell alcohol is during election days, which can be random. A tourist has no problem drinking any day of the year because these restrictions are ignored for the tourist-centric resorts and bar/restaurants. It will be busy however, Mexico heads to the beach during Semana Santa.

You won't have a problem with blowing sand but the breeze can be quite cold at night during the winter months. I wouldn't recommend it in January or February.

Get two cameras and two tripods. Set up one camera in front of the speaker (assuming the resort is providing a sound system) on a tripod. Pick an angle where you can see the bride and groom and the minister and make the shot as wide as possible to include the guests. The sound is very important so be sure it is clear and loud in front of the speaker. Be aware of the wind and try to block the wind from the microphone on the camera. Put the second camera on the tripod and extend only one leg. Hold the tripod above where the legs meet and below the tripod head. Your hand should fit comfortably in this space. The tripod leg will provide a counterweight to the camera and your hand position will eliminate a lot of the handheld camera shake. This is the same principle as a Steadicam. When you lift the leg off the floor you can glide around. When you put the leg down and the floor and stay in one spot it steadies the camera. The best way to avoid camera shake is not to touch the camera, so hold the tripod, not the camera. Before the ceremony starts, start both cameras at the same time and slate them by standing in front of them and clapping. It's OK if you don't do this but DO NOT STOP RECORDING on either camera once you start them. All of this will help synch the shots in editing. Let the camera on the tripod in front of the speaker record one steady shot with good sound. Give the other camera to someone else who can move around and get close ups and interesting angles. The tripod/steadicam technique will help immensely. it would be good for this person to practice it and adjust the tripod for comfort and balance before the ceremony starts. I recommend AVCHD cameras. They are inexpensive ($500-$1000) and shoot in HD. Do your best to find HD cameras, the quality difference is huge. Canon has the best picture for the price when it comes to video. Everyone should have a decent video of their ceremony. Of course a professional will do it best, but with these simple steps your home video will be much better.

As far as an actual booth that spits out a strip of four photos, like this: Denver Photo Booth :: The Premier Photo Booth Experience No, not in PDC that I know of. If it existed I would know because I go to about 6 weddings a month here. My friends at Stak Photography Duo in NYC do something like that without the booth: The Swan Club NY Wedding Photography Photobooth | STAK Photographer Duo - New York and Destination Wedding Photography It looks like they set up an area with a backdrop and lighting and invite the guests to step in for some shots. I was thinking this a great idea, especially if it's combined with video comments. Taking a polaroid and putting them in a book with comments has been popular for several years now, and I've seen it down here. Polaroid has stopped production so the film is very rare and not available here. I did see someone try to use a point and shoot camera with a small printer that prints from the card in the camera. But it was too complicated and didn't get used. If you do this you need a person to stand there all night and take and print pictures for people.

I'd like to say something in defense of Vanessa. I've worked with her several times and she's a great person. Very sincere and humble. Many of us are running small businesses by ourselves. Handling all the booking, accounting, R&D, shooting, editing, shipping... everything. I shouldn't speak for Vanessa regarding your wedding, but I can understand how a mistake like this can happen. It nearly happened to us a couple weeks ago when one bride called on the phone in the morning to book the same date that another bride was emailing to book in the afternoon. I had been emailing with the afternoon bride for several weeks and we were both sure that I would be shooting her wedding, but an older lead popped up with the morning phone call and booked the date from under her. It happens, and with a small one or two person business where artists have to also be accountants and office managers, sometimes wires get crossed. I think it shows some integrity on Vanessa's part to say "I'm sorry I double booked and I can't shoot your wedding." There are many who would prefer to keep the revenue and send an associate to shoot your wedding.

I bought an awesome yukelele size guitar for about $20 here. It stays in tune and plays great. I got it at Sorriana in the Centro Maya Mall. When you walk in the store you will find it in the Electronics section on the right. They had more when I bought it. Tell any cab driver "Sorriana Centro Maya" and you will have no problem getting there and back.

Seems to me that AeroMexico followed protocol to a tee and resolved the situation quickly and without drama. Bravo to AeroMexico and the officials at the Mexico City Airport.

We live by the Azul Fives and I would not count on the place opening. There is a big fight over who owns the property going on and I don't think it will get resolved. Karisma is simply managing the hotel at the Fives and they are waiting for the ownership issue to be resolved. I haven't ben to Azul Sensatori but I have shot videos at Azul Beach and it is one of my favorites. It's a great location for your wedding. Beware of the $500 outside vendor fee imposed by Karisma at their hotels, although they do have a list of approved vendors that the fee is waived for.

Here's some advice for DIY videos. Multiple cameras is a great idea, by all means get a tripod. Put one camera on a tripod and put it next to the speaker (if there is a microphone system) or as close to the minister as you can without being intrusive if there is no microphone. Then with the other cameras give them to people who will get close ups and different interesting shots Don't forget to turn around and shoot all the guests. It's very difficult to watch a lot of handheld footage so you will want to cut to the tripod camera often. It will also help if you point all the cameras at each other before the ceremony to synch them up later (make a loud clap when you do this for an audio synch point as well). Then DO NO STOP filming with the cameras until the ceremony is over. This will make editing much easier later but it is not essential. Watch the wind, do what you can to block the wind from the microphone on the tripod camera. You will see the built in mic on the camera. Use the speaker to block the wind if possible. I have fashioned wind blocks from the wedding programs. Wind noise will wipe out all of the sound and render it unwatchable, so be aware. Oddly enough I've found that wind noise is canceled out when the camera is pointed directly into the wind, but don't try this without headphones in the camera to monitor the sound. Trust me, having one camera on a tripod, getting one steady shot of everything and recording good sound will make the difference between something you watch once or twice and something you watch over and over. Lastly, don't underestimate the amount of time it takes to edit this together. It's been a year and a half and I still haven't finished our own wedding video.

I would be very surprised if the filters were on the lens. Nobody uses lens filters anymore because this stuff is so easy to do in Photoshop. The only filters used are UV and polarizing filters for bright sun. Filters that produce these special effects either don't exist or are obsolete.

The Moon Palace has a restrictive policy on outside vendors. My understanding is that you cannot bring in any outside vendors. This policy is sometimes relaxed and people have brought a photographer or hired a local and claimed they were just a guest. Be clear about this policy with your wedding planner before you make a lot of plans or put any deposits down.

I know Kiko. I've done several weddings with him. he's good and very sincere.

October, November and early December are the best for weather. The ocean is still warm but the temperature drops. It's also low season before Dec. 15th so many prices are lower. January and February can get cold at night so do an indoor reception, not a beach reception. We always get a cold spell here that freaks the tourists out every year during this time. I think it's the most unpredictable. March and April are really busy but the weather is good and May is great for weddings, June is good too but getting warm in the daytime, the nights are perfect. July and August are too hot.