Vendor Spotlight: { First Kiss Films }

It's very rare that we devote an entire blog post to a fellow wedding industry vendor (not because we don't love our vendors, but we work with so many that it's impossible to include everyone) but we will feature someone when we think they are revolutionizing the wedding industry. { First Kiss Films } has escalated your typical 'wedding video' to elegant lifestyle cinematography.

Brief background; they are a production company owned by award winning filmmaker Bridget Redmond. The company is based in Ottawa (lucky us!) specializing in producing fine art wedding and lifestyle films entirely on 16mm and Super 8mm film (real film!) on vintage cameras. Perfect for couples looking to capture a more heirloom, vintage and reminiscent feel for their wedding film.

Your wedding film is then edited and set to carefully selected music that perfectly complements the moments Bridget captures . Your final 5-15 minute film delivers an experience that transports you back to all the emotions you experienced providing an artful retelling of your wedding day. Bridget's eye for detail extends past the camera lens and to the final product. She delivers your wedding film in a chic DVD tin wrapped with a bow.

We have to take a moment to talk about Bridget herself. Your wedding film is only as beautiful as the artistic eyes behind that camera; and trust us, you are in good hands (or more accurately; eyes) with Bridget. We have worked with her side by side at many weddings as well as our Something White for Something Right gala this past November and she sees unique film opportunities in moments that you wouldn't think twice about. She is able to turn the chaos at the bride's house the morning of a wedding into a compilation of tears, laughter and precious tender moments between a bride, her maids and her parents. It will give you goosebumps.

Bridget explains her process; "To ensure your wedding film reflects your personality and tells your unique story, I enjoy meeting with the bride and groom before their big day in order to get to know them, their tastes and expectations. Meetings allow us to discuss the film, plan locations, talk about your specific requests and any must have shots you would like in the final edit. Each film is unique and the more I know about the couple, their family and wedding day details the better I can create a film that captures their unique story."

Now Bridget is applying her 15 years of filmmaking and photography experience to capture the beauty of once-in-a-lifetime moments. A graduate of both Film Studies and the Photographic Arts, her numerous award-winning films have been screened over 100 times at international film festivals and events on all five major continents. Her photography has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world and on numerous touring exhibits including Oprah's "Live Your Best Life" Tour. Whether she's working as Artistic Director of the Burundi Film Center, teaching 16mm filmmaking classes to women in Ottawa or cuddling up with her filmmaker husband to watch and discuss film, Bridget's passion for cinema touches almost every aspect of her life.

We can go on about { First Kiss Films } forever, but at this point we think it's best to let Bridget's work speak for itself. Click on the images below to be brought directly to the video's homepage. Or visit Bridget in person at Engage this February.

Tina & Bola's wedding at the Chateau Laurier

'Rock the Frock'