North Star Films

01/08/2025

Video link: https://youtu.be/BT9S3-7GDps
Couple: Jennifer & Noah
Where: Lambert's Winery, Weston, WV
Favorite parts: For the mother/son dance, Noah decided to prank his mother. Before their chosen song (Mommas by The Swonn Brothers) played, the DJ started with Total Eclipse of the Heart. Carrie, the mother, though surprised, did not hesitate, and they both hammed it up. And then it happened again with the "Mama" portion of Bohemian Rhapsody. It was so fun and so memorable.
What to know: We've had a few weddings this year where a parent has hired us as a gift to their children. I find this really moving, and I think I become all the more emotionally invested in the film, realizing this isn't from me to them, but from parent to child.

01/05/2025

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97_DU2GpigQ
Couple: Sarah & Brody
Where: Valley View Farm Venue, Waynesburg, PA
Favorite parts: Sarah's sister refers to her as a "spitfire" in her reception speech. It was definitely fun to witness and capture Sarah's s***k and personality, and I think you'll see bits of that in the film. We also enjoyed the opportunity to have horses on the scene.
What to know: This venue is the closest we have filmed to my childhood home. For eight years, our school bus took us past this farm. It was a little surreal to be there all these years later as videographers.

9/21/25

11/25/2024

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV80NbtME5g
Couple: Elisabeth & Logan
Where: Shady Elms Farm, Hickory, PA
Favorite parts: Elisabeth's reaction to Logan's letter and Logan's unabashed dancing at the reception.
What to know: Erica, my sister and second shooter, got sick at the last minute. I've filmed weddings solo before but with lots of mental prep. In this instance, I just had to go on instinct. This is also my first film featuring an instrumental piece. I very much try to respond to what I see and feel, and this music just seemed to fit the poignancy of their tender, sweet letter readings.

August 30 2024

11/12/2024

One of my favorite parts of this process is creating a playlist of my couples’ favorite songs. Along with learning new music, I feel like I get to know them more, which helps me make the right video for them. I rarely post, but as I was making this playlist, it felt important to communicate, I am the Dunder Mifflin of wedding videographers. I don’t have great business or marketing skills, but I will give you all my time and care to do right by you.

11/07/2024

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTBmcHgzKmo
Couple: Jane & Colton
Where: The Terrace at Tibbs Run/WV Botanic Garden
Favorite parts: The sweet, authentic moments between Jane and Colton while they waited while others had their pictures taken, including the shot of Colton brushing Jane's hair back. I also really loved how Jane's passion for plants was incorporated into the reception area.
What to know: One of the speeches given in the video is from Jane's childhood babysitter. Jane was a babysitter to my youngest for several years, and I love thinking about legacy and how the good seeds planted in us go on to nurture others, and in this case, my son. I also see how much love is in Colton's heart for Jane and know that much of that love must have come from his father who passed away just a few months ago. Love lives on.

August 24, 2024

10/10/2024

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOu9PM-ATHk
Couple: Caroline & Drew
Where: Hotel Morgan, Morgantown, WV
Favorite parts: The kids. Between running down the aisle and leading up the reception dancing, these kids just brought so much energy. Carrie and her dad dancing was also really fun to witness.
What to know: When I got home from this wedding, the first thing I did was search for "smile" in my music subscription service. Every time Carrie and Drew make eye contact, they beam at each other. Fortunately, this song, "Smile" popped up, and it just set the tone for the whole video.

10/07/2024

A bat beget Covid beget virtual choir videos beget wedding films beget a drone license. I never ever would have imagined.

09/25/2024

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZwe1nxzL-4
https://youtu.be/OZwe1nxzL-4?si=Ndk8H0pKR3dJVd5o
Couple: Chanel & Hayden
Where: Spirit Hall, Pittsburgh, PA
Favorite parts: During the ceremony, when Chanel was halfway up the aisle, Hayden left his position to join her, and they proceeded to hug several family members before making their way to the front. In addition, there was the full throttled singing of Country Roads at the end of the reception. While each of these moments seem different from the other, the passion and heart is the connecting thread.
What to know: This was a very unique venue. The online description says it is a "WW2 social era" originally "designed to host family gatherings." I love color in videos, and the one wall was such a cool backdrop for many of the shots.

8.10.24

08/31/2024

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDBCGNsCYy0
Couple: Lana & Noah
Where: North Preston Farmer's Club
Favorite part: I think what stood out to me more than anything was the feeling of community. Family and church friends came together and provided decor, food, music, and more. Combining that with all the children who were present and even part of the ceremony, it very much felt like one big family.
What to know: Makenzie Falor and Jackie Ellis continue to be our biggest supporters. They saw Lana's engagement ring when Lana waited on them at Apple Annie's and sold us to her! :) Grateful to them and grateful to have been part of this day.

July 20, 2024

08/16/2024

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZYzU28vwtY
Couple: Emily & Alex
Where: Southepointe Golf Club, Canonsburg, PA
Favorite moment: There were so many great moments including the emotional reading during the ceremony, Emily driving the golf cart like a boss, and Alex playing up taking off Emily's garter; but I think what struck me the most was the moms singing to their children during the mother/daughter, mother/son dances.

08/11/2024

Most passionate singing of Country Roads I've ever experienced!

08/10/2024

My first trailer! Highlight film coming on Friday.

07/21/2024

07/04/2024

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKl-jRtp0RY
Couple: Jordana & Ryan
Where: Tuscan Ridge, Morgantown, WV
Favorite moment: Witnessing how much the two young girls were valued and integrated into the day - and that Jordana made it a point to include Cameron in her vows. I also loved that the couple had taken dance lessons in preparation for the first dance. They were awesome - and the mom's dancing was pretty on point as well!
What to know: This was our third Tuscan wedding. I was nervous that my films would start looking alike, but really, every couple is so distinct and brings their own vibe and feel. Witnessing each family and trying to understand them and make a video to reflect that is my favorite part of this whole process.

05/28/2024

This was our first city wedding. Though it rained, the shots outside were still just so beautiful. This one took me a while. Lots of spoken audio that I just didn't want to cut. I think we captured the couple perfectly though, and I'm happy to finally put this out into the universe.

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ6Sv8Sv-9o
Couple: Brice & Brett
Where: Heinz Chapel & Rivers Casino, Pittsburgh, PA
Favorite moment: The way Brice and Brett beamed at each other as she came down the aisle.
What to know: The groom's father passed away in 2013, but he was very much present throughout the day. In every letter and speech, he was referenced, and it made you feel like he was there rejoicing in the love his son had found.

05/08/2024

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxCVUCcnaP4
Couple: Emma & Tyler
Where: Tuscan Ridge, Morgantown, WV
Favorite moments: During the couple's first dance, the breaker went out, and the band lost power. For a moment, you felt awful for Emma and Tyler, but then quickly all of their family and friends started belting out the song, and it made for this incredible moment.
What to know: I hadn't done my own wedding since last September. I poured my heart into this, initially because I wanted to up my game this year, but in the end, because these are two of kindest people, and they deserve the best. Also, I want to give a shout out to Erica and Isaac for videoing with me. Collaborating with others is good; collaborating with family is everything.

10/29/2023

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_E3QbrODCg
Couple: Jackie & Ryan
Where: The Stables at Hartwood
Favorite moments: The mom's emotion and her breaking it down in her tennis shoes at the reception, the surprise entrance of the groom and friends in dinosaur costumes with the Jurassic Park theme song playing, and then this one moment where Jackie & Ryan just spontaneously started dancing. Every single time I see this clip, I light up. These two inject fun into everything, and it makes me want to do the same!
What to know: Jackie, like Makenzie, is also in the wedding business, and she has quickly become a friend. It adds pressure to the endeavor, but also makes the work all the more meaningful.

09/12/2023

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ug0jZA73uI
Couple: Makenzie & Tyler
Where: Buccia Winery
Favorite moments: Makenzie singing to Tyler, the emotional exchange between Makenzie and Jackie, plus all the moments that include Makenzie, Tyler, and their little boy, Brycen.
What to know: This is the first time I've made a wedding video for a friend. This is the first time I've made a video for an extremely talented, professional wedding photographer! No pressure there. Fortunately, the day provided tons of wonderful moments, spoken and unspoken, and I think you'll see the love between this couple and within this family. Many, many thanks to Makenzie who has been a rock of support in this wedding videography endeavor. I wish you and Tyler all the happiness in the world! Thank you for everything!

August 5, 2023Buccia Winery