Memories by Mark: 2012

Thursday, November 8, 2012

The Wedding of Sandra & Jeremy

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Wow, this is a busy week as the late fall wedding season is in full swing. This week, we had the honor of photographing the wedding of Sandra and Jeremy at the beautiful Harbor Ridge Country Club near Palm City. Sandra looked radiant in her gown as she made her dramatic entrance into the outside gazebo from the 2nd floor stairway off the balcony at the dining room. It was as if it was a movie with Sandra's father meeting her at the bottom of the stairs and taking her to her awaiting groom. The ceremony was held at the gazebo at Harbor Ridge which overlooks the St. Lucie River. After the ceremony, the guests were ushered upstairs for cocktails while we captured some great fun photos with the bridal party. They were a great to work with and later on we captured some additional romantics photos of the bride and groom that were stunning.

After photos, the couple was introduced into the main ballroom for their 1st dance, toast, and then a delicious dinner prepared by the award winning staff at Harbor Ridge. After dinner, the DJ got the dance floor hopping with some great music. Then, it was time to cut the cake, throw the bouquet, and drift off to dancing under the moonlit skies on the back balcony before saying good night to everyone. Sandra and Jeremy were a great, fun couple to work with and we wish them all of the love and happiness life has to offer.

Since 1985 Memories by Mark has been providing award winning photography, videography, photo booth rentals, and event up lighting. We have a package to fit every budget and every circumstance. Don't trust your memories on an unknown, unlicensed, uninsured photographer that had a cheap price on Craig's List!
You do not have a second chance to get your wedding memories captured correctly nor is a family friend or relative that has a camera qualified to shoot your wedding. It really makes no sense to spend thousands of dollars on a wedding and then not photograph and/or videotape the event correctly. You cannot compare the price of photography to a cake or limo as those are just a one time, one use portion of your wedding. Your photos and videos will last a lifetime so call us today at (772) 466-5747 to find out how affordable our rates are to have a lifetime of....Memories......by Mark!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

The Bat Mitzvah of Maya Jenkins

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This was a very busy weekend for us with three weddings and this event, the Bat Mitzvah of Maya Jenkins. This was a huge multi-day event that took the efforts of a lot of people to succeed . We started off by attending the Friday night religious services at the Temple in which Maya and her family lit the traditional candle during the service. Afterwards, Maya and her family went to the Temple social hall for a meal with friends and family from all over the world. Maya has relatives from France, England and several other countries all of whom came to Vero Beach to witness her Bat Mitzvah. On early Saturday morning, it was back to the Temple again for the Saturday religious services and luncheon afterwards in the Temple social hall before everyone went back home to get a few moments rest before the massive evening party at The Moorings Country Club.

As night fell, the colored lights (provided by Memories by Mark) began to shine throughout The Moorings as the guests made their way to the party. The adults enjoyed cocktails in the Captains Room the kids were treated to their own unique experience at Club Maya. A huge section of the Moorings was transformed into a kids dreamland with billiards, cotton candy, a photo booth, basketball hoops, temporary tattoos,a tiki bar, and a lounge complete with hundreds of balloons. After an hour or so, everyone was invited into the main dining room where Maya and her family were introduced to the hundreds of her friends and family. The evening continued with separate buffets for the kids and adults and then it was pure partying all the way until the midnight hour. At midnight, everyone was invited outside to participate in a Chinese lantern ceremony where dozens of Chinese lanterns floated up into the sky and over the river. This was an awesome event that I can't even begin to describe in this short space. Needless to say, this was a perfect event and Maya's mother, Bronia, deserves all of the credit for putting it all together. Well done Bronia!

You do not have a second chance to get your children's Mitzvah's memories captured correctly nor is a family friend or relative that has a camera qualified to shoot your event. It really makes no sense to spend thousands of dollars on a Mitzvah and then not photograph and/or videotape the event correctly. You cannot compare the price of photography to a cake, limo, DJ, or others as those are just a one time, one use portion of your event. Your photos and videos will last a lifetime so call us today at (772) 466-5747 to find out how affordable our rates are to have a lifetime of....Memories......by Mark!

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Thursday, October 25, 2012

The Wedding of Michelle & Paul

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Our weekend continued on Saturday with the wedding of Michelle & Paul. This event was slightly different in that the couple got married in a private ceremony on 10-11-2012 at River Ranch and then held their reception a week later at The St. Lucie West Elks Lodge. The day started at the bride's house to get photos of everyone getting ready, including their "daughter" Mimi , who is a basset hound. Mimi wore a purple dress to the reception and was the hit of the evening. After we left the house, we went to a nearby country club for photos of the bride and groom and their families and then it was off to the reception. The Elks lodge was transformed into a beautiful venue complete with pipe and drape and up lighting. Their guests had already arrived while we were taking photos and were enjoying the sounds from DJ Lou from Paragon Entertainment. I've know Lou for too many years and he is one of the best in the business. After all, I hired him to play at my daughter's wedding! The bride and groom were introduced into the reception followed by Mimi to the sounds of "Who let the dogs out". The crowd went wild when Mimi entered and she was howling up a storm. The bride and groom then had their 1st dance followed by the toast. Then dinner was served and the crowd was getting warmed up to let loose on the dance floor to the sounds of DJ Lou who didn't disappoint them. Man, was the dance floor packed (as well as the bar) and everyone had a great time. So much of a good time that the reception was extended an extra hour as everyone just wasn't ready to go home yet. It was a pleasure working for Michelle and Paul and I could tell they were meant for each other. In life, sometimes you have to kiss a few frogs before you find your price and no doubt Michelle found hers. I wish them continued love and happiness for a lifetime.
Since 1985 Memories by Mark has been providing award winning photography, videography, photo booth rentals, and event up lighting. We have a package to fit every budget and every circumstance. Don't trust your memories on an unknown, unlicensed, uninsured photographer that had a cheap price on Craig's List!

You do not have a second chance to get your wedding memories captured correctly nor is a family friend or relative that has a camera qualified to shoot your wedding. It really makes no sense to spend thousands of dollars on a wedding and then not photograph and/or videotape the event correctly. You cannot compare the price of photography to a cake or limo as those are just a one time, one use portion of your wedding. Your photos and videos will last a lifetime so call us today at (772) 466-5747 to find out how affordable our rates are to have a lifetime of....Memories......by Mark!

www.memoriesbymark.com

Monday, October 22, 2012

The Wedding of Nina & Michael

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This week we had a busy weekend with the usual photo booth rentals and event up lighting and the Friday wedding of Nina & Michael. We started the day earlier decorating Indian Riverside Park with beautiful colbalt blue event up lighting for their reception. As many of you know, event up lighting is all the rage right now and it can turn any room into a sea of color.

After we setup all of the lighting, it was off to the Hutchinson Island Marriott Hotel in Jensen Beach for the wedding. The bride was getting ready up on the 8th floor in front of a beautiful backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. Nina looked gorgeous in her gown as well as did her bridesmaids. After alternating between floors getting photos of Nina and then photos of Michael (he got the downstairs room to get ready in, too bad) we went down to the beach where Weddings by Rachael did a fantastic job decorating the beach (and reception) with chairs, flowers, the arch and the sound system. Rachael always says it's important to have a sound system on the beach otherwise your guests can't hear anything! Nina was escorted onto the beach by her sons to a waiting Michael. Wow, talk about a beautiful scene. Nina and her gown, the ocean in the background, and sunny skies all of which made for a spectacular ceremony. After the bride and groom exchanged vows, they performed a seashell ceremony where all of the guests were given a shell when they came on the beach and then they all threw them into the ocean as a tribute to the new husband and wife. We continued with family and romantic photos on the beach and then it was off to the reception at Indian Riverside Park.

Memories by Mark has photographed more than 100 weddings at the park since its opening and we know all of the great photo spots. We took Nina and Michael for some additional romantic photos while some of the crowd cheered them on from the 2nd floor balcony that overlooks the Indian River. After we were done, it was upstairs for their grand entrance into the reception. After the usual intros and 1st dances, the maid of honor and best man gave their heartfelt toasts to the bride and groom. Then dinner was served and after a while, the crowd grew restless and couldn't wait to hit the dance floor. I'll tell you this was a big dancing crowd and the dance floor was packed all night long while the DJ cranked out all of their favorite hits. Later, it was time for cake, garter, and bouquet followed by more dancing before then night ended. This was a great wedding and a really fun crowd. I hope we see more of these folks in the future as I'm sure we'll be hired to photograph one of their friend's wedding.

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Saturday, September 29, 2012

The Mitzvahs of Laurel & Greyson

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This was a fun week for us as we had the honor of providing photos, video, and the photo booth for the double Bar/Bat Mitzvah of Laurel & Greyson Abrams. It's been a long time since I was involved with a double Mitzvah (the last was for two boys) and I knew I had my work cut out ahead of me. The day started bright and early at 8:30 am at the Temple Beth Israel in St. Lucie West. The families arrived early for pre ceremony photos of Laurel and Greyson, with each other, their families, and of course with the Torah.
The Temple began to fill with worshipers and it was time for this brother and sister to lead them in their traditional Saturday services. I was impressed how well Laurel and Greyson spoke Hebrew and their command of the language. It's not easy to speak Hebrew to begin

with, let alone being a 13 year old leading your church in prayer in front of all your friends from school and family but they did it and did it well. After services were completed, a small luncheon was held at the Temple for church members and then it was off to the reception at PGA Country Club. Louise Johnson and all of her staff did a great job a preparing the room at PGA and of course, the photo booth kept everyone entertained until the event kicked off with the introductions of Laurel and Greyson to an awaiting crowd of fans.

The dance floor was packed as DJ Josh played the latest hits starting of with the tradition Jewish dance, the Horah! Laurel and Greyson were seated into chairs and hoisted into the air, spinning and turning while trying to maintain balance and not fall out of the chairs. After a short while, it was time to eat with a great buffet prepared by the great chefs at PGA. Later it was time for the traditional candle lighting ceremony followed by more dancing and photo booth fun before the afternoon ended with goodbyes and farewells. It was a great day and I'm sure Laurel and Greyson's were exhausted from the entire week of Holy Days at the Temple and preparing for their Mitzvahs. They were a great couple of kids and I'll remember them fondly.

Since 1985 Memories by Mark has been providing award winning photography, videography, photo booth rentals, and event up lighting. We have a package to fit every budget and every circumstance. We are one of the few photographers in the area that specialize in Bar/Bat Mitzvahs.
Don't trust your memories on an unknown, unlicensed, uninsured photographer that had a cheap price on Craig's List! You do not have a second chance to get your Mitzvah memories captured correctly nor is a family friend or relative that has a camera qualified to shoot your wedding. It really makes no sense to spend thousands of dollars on a wedding and then not photograph and/or videotape the event correctly. Your photos and videos will last a lifetime so call us today at (772) 466-5747 to find out how affordable our rates are to have a lifetime of....Memories......by Mark!

www.memoriesbymark.com

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Kiera's Sweet 16

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Last weekend was another busy weekend for us as we had a double Bar/Bat Mitzvah, an uplighting job for a reception, and a photo booth rental for the Sweet 16th birthday of Kiera. The Sweet 16 party was held at the Ft.Pierce Riverwalk Center and the room was beautifully decorated in a sea of black and pink. The party began around 7:00 pm and the birthday girl arrive a little later on to about 100 of her friends and family. The photo booth was the hit of the night as the kids came in different groups all night long. The DJ played all of the current favorites and a slide show of Kiera's childhood. Interesting enough while there were all of the kids inside, there were only a few cars in the parking lot as most 16 and 17 year old kids today don't drive yet. Quite a change from when I was that age. The night ended with a special Chinese lantern ceremony with Kiera's lighting the lantern and then the wind carried it out to sea! These kids were very well behaved, well dressed, and a great crowd to work with.

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Sunday, September 16, 2012

Heathcote Botanical Gardens

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One of the best kept secrets in the wedding business for great photos is the Heathcote Botanical Gardens in Ft. Pierce. Many of you have probably driven right by this garden and never even knew it existed. That's not the case of this week's wedding between Heather and Joe. Heather knew of the garden because of a field trip her class took when she was a little girl and then forgot all about it until the day she called Memories by Mark looking for a photographer for her wedding. We had recently shot another one of her friend's wedding and according to her, we were the ONLY people she ever wanted to photograph her wedding. After we spoke, I suggested the Heathcote Botanical Garden as a venue for her ceremony which would be close to her reception at Gator Trace Country Club. Heather loved the idea and so it was to be.

The day of her wedding arrived and all of her guests were seated out on the lawn under the big cypress tree. Heather looked radiant as she walked down the aisle and exchanged vows with Joe. Afterwards, it was off to a trip around the gardens for some great photos of the bride and groom. After a short while it was off to Gator Trace for her reception.

Since 1985 Memories by Mark has been providing award winning photography, videography, photo booth rentals, and event up lighting. We have a package to fit every budget and every circumstance. Don't trust your memories on an unknown, unlicensed, uninsured photographer that had a cheap price on Craig's List!

You do not have a second chance to get your wedding memories captured correctly nor is a family friend or relative that has a camera

qualified to shoot your wedding. It really makes no sense to spend thousands of dollars on a wedding and then not photograph and/or videotape the event correctly. You cannot compare the price of photography to a cake or limo as those are just a one time, one use portion of your wedding. Your photos and videos will last a lifetime so call us today at (772) 466-5747 to find out how affordable our rates are to have a lifetime of....Memories......by Mark!

www.memoriesbymark.com

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

The Wedding of Stephanie & Christian

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This week we had the honor of providing the photo services and DJ services for the wedding of Stephanie & Christian. As most of my many followers already know, Memories by Mark provides DJ services for weddings and parties as a natural extension of the services we have provided for over 25 years. Believe me, I have heard every DJ in the area and I have leaned a great deal to understand what music and actions work and which flop. That's the beauty of being a photographer turned DJ. Other DJ's only hear themselves and don't see how other DJ's work. Additionally, working as a DJ four nights a week performing trivia gives you a great insight on how to entertain people.

The day began at Stephanie's house in White City as Suzanne arrived at the house to take the pre-ceremony photos while I was at The Truth Church in Ft. Pierce setting up the sound and lighting systems. Dark and threatening skies began to roll in just before the ceremony and Stephanie was able to get inside the church before the heavy rains began. It was a moving ceremony that concluded with unity sand before it was sealed with a kiss. Then after the photos inside the church with friends and family it was off to the reception held at the church social hall next door.

The reception venue was decorated beautifully with chair covers and unique driftwood centerpieces on each table and the buffet station looked yummy. Next, DJ Mark introduced the bridal party before ramping it up for the entrance of the bride and groom followed by parents dances, the toast and blessing of the meal, and the opening of the buffet line. After a quick dinner, the partying began with a host of classic rock and roll music followed by more crowd favorites. The dance floor was packed almost all night, except for the cake cutting, and bouquet and garter toss. The party continued until past 10:00 pm as the bride and groom had their last dance before the night ended. After all, it was a "school night" and everyone had to get the kids (or themselves) home to bed for school or work in the morning. It was a great wedding and we had a lot of fun providing the photos, music and lighting for this event. God bless you both!

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Saturday, August 18, 2012

The Bar Mitzvah of Adam Steinfeld

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This weekend we were proud to be a part of the Bar Mitzvah team for Adam Steinfeld. As many of my long time followers already know, Memories by Mark has photographed more Bar/Bat Mitzvahs that any other studio on the Treasure Coast, starting with my first Mitzvah in 1990 in Sunrise, FL. I have always lived in heavily populated Jewish areas all along the East Coast and am proud of the reputation I have with the many of the Temples in our area. It takes years of skill and understanding to correctly photograph a Mitzvah and it is not something that a novice of a relative can successfully do.

This week I was at Temple Beth Shalom in Vero Beach for the Bar Mitzvah of Adam Steinfeld. I have photographed more than a dozen Mitzvah's from this Temple and recognized many of my previous families during today's service. The morning starting at 8:30 am at the Temple for photos with the family and of course the most important photograph, Adam hold the Torah in front of the Ark!

After photos it was time to get down to business as Adam led the congregation in their traditional Saturday worship service. Rabbi Michael Birnholz and Cantor Dannah Rubinstein perform a wonderful service and today was no exception. It takes years of practice to learn Hebrew and be able to speak it and even more courage to speak a new language in front of all of the friends and family, not the mention the entire congregation. Well, Adam pulled it off without any problems as he spoke fluently and carried himself with poise and confidence. After the religious ceremony, it was off to the Temple's social hall for a quick after ceremony lunch and then home for a much deserved break and rest for the afternoon.

Later that night, the festivities started all over again with the celebration party. Adam's father Richard decided that instead of a big party at a country club that he would host a pool party at him beautiful home in Vero Beach. The party kicked off about 6:00 pm with adults enjoying food and drink inside while the kids had a DJ and snow cone machine out poolside. Everyone had a great time as the kids were in the pool most of the night horsing around including a limbo line straight into the pool while the adults enjoyed a quieter evening socializing with friends, eating, drinking, and smoking cigars out on the patio overlooking the lake. Rich's house had great sound proofing as once that door closed to the pool area, you couldn't hear the DJ and screaming kids. That's a beautiful thing! The evening ended around 10:30 pm as the kids were worn out (as well as their parents) and started to head back home. It was really a nice night, all about the kids as everyone could be casual and the kids had plenty to keep them busy. It was a pleasure working this Mitzvah and I know I'll see many of the parents again for their child's Mitzvah in the future.

Since 1985 Memories by Mark has been providing award winning photography, videography, photo booth rentals, and event up lighting. We have a package to fit every budget and every circumstance. Don't trust your memories on an unknown, unlicensed, uninsured photographer that had a cheap price on Craig's List! You do not have a second chance to get your Mitzvah memories captured correctly nor is a family friend or relative that has a camera qualified to shoot your wedding. It really makes no sense to spend thousands of dollars on a Mitzvah and then not photograph and/or videotape the event correctly. You cannot compare the price of photography to a cake or limo as those are just a one time, one use portion of your event. Your photos and videos will last a lifetime so call us today at (772) 466-5747 to find out how affordable our rates are to have a lifetime of....Memories......by Mark!

www.memoriesbymark.com