EA Vendor Spotlight: Best Made Videos

Tell us about your business!
We are a wedding videography and corporate video production company serving the greater Pacific Northwest. We have been in business for 6 years and have shot 269 weddings to date.

Why did you want to get into the wedding industry?
I graduated from Gonzaga University with a degree in broadcast journalism and spent 8 years working in the television news industry before transitioning to running my own company. The funny thing is that we originally weren't going to do weddings at all. I booked a last min craigslist wedding when the bride's cousin told her 2 days before the wedding that he couldn't make it to film the event. I immediately noticed that people enjoying having me there (very different from my experience working with the public when I was in news) and I was immediately hooked! We now have a good mix of about 60% weddings and 40% corporate gigs which keeps us busy throughout the year.

What makes your company stand out?
We pride ourselves on the service we provide our clients. Response rate and quality of work are the two things I pride myself in the most. You will always get a response from me within a few minutes (unless I'm sleeping...which isn't often! lol)

Tell us about your personal style when it comes to your craft?
We have a documentary style of approach when it comes to our wedding videos, this allows us to truly showcase the couples' day and what is important to them. We provide our couples a pre-wedding questionnaire prior to their wedding day, which gives us guidance as to what to focus the most on in terms of aspects of the day. Although we capture detailed moments throughout the entire wedding day, this questionnaire lets us know what is important, and also what isn't as important to the couple when it comes to their wedding video, so we can handcraft a perfect tailored wedding video to each and every one of our couples. The highest compliment we receive from our couples is that "their wedding video FELT like their wedding day."

Favorite part of working with couples?
Definitely corresponding online via social media prior to the wedding and also sharing sneak peeks of our wedding videos in progress to our couples via Instagram. This allows our couples to follow our workflow from start to finish, and it also builds anticipating for their finally receiving their wedding video!! I try to be as accessible to my clients as possible, and sometimes sending a quick DM over Instagram is a lot easier than sending a detailed message, so any little bit helps.

Favorite part of wedding day?
As someone who wrote his own vows at his wedding, listening to and capturing any sort of personal vow at a wedding ceremony will always be my favorite. It gives more insights into the couple and their backstory along with what makes them tick. Also this gives us a lot of great content to use to edit the highlight videos. Fun wedding toasts work well also for entertaining highlight videos. Also as a videographer specifically, being able to capture and hang out during the "getting ready" portion of the day is extremely important. Not only does that give us a lot of good footage to use in the edited highlight video, but it also helps set a tone for the day. Everyone is able to get to know one another, family members, groomsmen, bridesmaids and everyone else, and it helps set everyone at ease for the rest of the big day!!

Advice to couples in selecting a vendor in your category?
Read reviews and check online presence. Also look for someone you want to build a rapport with. Wedding vendors who are truly invested in their couples and the wedding industry as a whole, want to be available to you every step of the way. As a videographer, we spend most, if not all of the day together alongside your wedding photographer, so it's good to find someone you want to spend time with. If you can, find people who like working with one another. Some of the strongest relationships I have are with other fellow wedding vendors. You want an army supporting you on your big day and it's good to find people who have been in the trenches with each other before!

How to Contact Best Made Videos®:
425-785-0718
reid@bestmadevideos.com
www.bestmadeweddingvideos.com
@bestmadevideos on Facebook, IG, Twitter, Pinterest

Vendor Spotlight: GameTruck

Looking for unique Entertainment for your guests, why not look at a GameTruck!

GameTruck Gig Harbor has been delivering excitment to your community since 2015. Our commitment to maintenance and reliability, including making sure our trailer has a backup generator, means that you can be confident your guests will have a great experience.

GameTruck Gig Harbor delivers the kind of Video Games your guests crave. The owner, James Seigal, personally oversees all aspects of his business and you may be lucky enough to see him at your party!

James has two major goals:

1. Make your event memorable
2. Make your event easy to host

James and his team will deliver a better experience because they are more engaged. Their level of commitment touches every aspect of your experience. Whether you are hosting a large event or a small one, the GameTruck Gig Harbor team is focused on working the details so you don't have to.

From the moment you first talk to James, or a national party planning specialist, we begin to plan. We start route planning to make sure your event can start on time. We have multiple party invitation options available so you can get your guests as excited as you are about your event. Our equipment is clean, up to date, and ready to play. Your biggest challenge is to relax and have fun while we entertain your guests.

What's more, every GameTruck business is part of a larger network of GameTruck businesses who help each other out and back each other up. No other system in the country has such a reliable team of committed owner operators. With GameTruck you know you are getting the best.

Why GameTruck?

Because you get more party with GameTruck!  With a GameTruck party you get:

• An experience your guests won't forget.
• An event that is easy to host!  We pull up, your guests play, and you relax.
• A GameCoach who previews and personalizes the game selection with you.
• Every popular platform from Nintendo, Playstation, and Xbox!
• No RAIN CANCELLATION! GameTruck is always comfortable and dry with our temperature controlled 32 foot GameTruck trailer that has 8 TV's (6 inside and 2 outside). Relax and play on our comfy 20' long custom couch or dance the party away with our covered outside screens.
• We carry all the latest titles for multiplayer fun for all ages. The majority of our game titles are rated E and T, but we have it all.
• Up to 25 gamers at once (32 gamers at once possible but not recommended).
• GameTruck Thank You cards w/envelopes (per request at the time of your party).
• Ask about our GameTruck merchandise available for purchase.
• NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED! Payment made on the day of your event.

Vendor Spotlight: Herban Feast

Herban Feast

Tell us about your company

Herban Feast Catering & Events is honored to be one of the region’s top choices for private and corporate events. Our commitment to create unforgettable experiences begins with our deep partnerships and ends with a common goal to exceed our clients’, and their guests’, expectations. Special attention to detail, seamless execution and stunning presentation, our experienced team of service staff and culinary professionals is dedicated to bringing your event vision to life.

What makes your company stand out?

We’re dedicated to consistently wowing our guests with seamless event execution, attentive, friendly service and innovative, delicious menus.  It’s an honor to be part of our clients’ special occasions, and our team works closely with them from start to finish to delight guests and create lasting memories.

Continually improving and growing our business for the past fifteen years, we are incredibly lucky to have curated deep partner relationships, procured four distinct venues – two indoor and two outdoor. Sodo Park – named one of America’s Best Venues by Brides Magazine, The Foundry, Froggsong Gardens and The Lodge at Fall City Farms, and added in-house floral and event styling services with the addition of Herban Bloom and Herban Design Studio.

Our amazing and award-winning catering team reflects our heritage with flavorful menus using locally-sourced ingredients and distinctive presentations for unforgettable culinary experiences.

What do you see at 2017 Wedding Trends for your vendor category?

• Comfort foods and spicy foods remain on-trend this year. And, locally-sourced ingredients are always a client favorite.

• Family-style menus are a top choice among clients! And, more recently, clients are requesting multi-course menus or hosting smaller events with lavish menus.

• Innovative dessert spreads, such as a small dessert bite paired with a beverage.

• hemed menus and events – Cuban and Havana Nights in particular have become popular!

Advice to couples in selecting a venue and/or caterer?

Ask lots of questions! Every venue and caterer is a little different and has different offerings. Before booking a venue, ask what your rental includes – such as on-site coordination, rental furniture and kitchen space. And before booking your caterer ask questions like do you employ service staff? Do you have a liquor license? Can you execute setup and breakdown?

It’s the details that create complexities, so understanding them when making your decision will influence your selection and make sure you’re prepared with all of the vendors and support you’ll need to enjoy the seamless execution of your event!

 Describe a memorable event your company has done

That’s a tough one because there is something memorable for us at every event! From the bride that made a fashionable entrance in a vintage car, to the unique wedding that celebrated the blending of two cultures, to the jaw-dropping floral displays we’ve seen, we’re honored to be a part of so many special celebrations.

Gigi Hickman Photography

Kate Price Photography

Kate Price Photography

Mark Malijan Photography

Love Song Photography

Nicole Barkis Photography

Red Fish Blue Fish Photography

Ryan Flynn Photography

Shannon Rosan Photography