1. Don’t: Wing it. Unless you are a master at speaking on the spot and under pressure, we recommend a good amount of preparation before giving your speech to a room full of people. Write things down and practice in front of a mirror. No one wants to hear half of your speech filled with awkward “umms” and “uhhhs” because you’re thinking of it right then and there.

2. Do: Add some humor. No one says your speech has to be completely serious. Remember the reception is a celebration and a time to laugh and have fun. Adding some humor is a great way to capture everyone’s attention and make them want to listen to you. Trust me, it will keep the crowd interested!

Try to make it funny on purpose, not on accident like Michael from The Office…

3. Do: Tell a good story or two. It’s always good to share a funny story that really explains your relationship with the bride or groom. It’s always nice to hear a little bit about their past, and a funny story from when the couple first started dating is always a crowd pleaser.

4. Don’t: Tell their life story.  Taking 15 minutes to walk through the timeline of your friendship with the bride/groom is unnecessary and boring. Remember that not everyone understands your inside jokes and telling a bunch of them is kind of annoying. Just keep the insiders on the inside.

5. Don’t: Talk about exes. The bride and groom will be uncomfortable, their parents will be uncomfortable, and everyone else will probably think it’s just awkward. Seriously, even if you think it’s funny and no one will care, they will. So just don’t do it.

Don’t break up a marriage like Hugh Grant because you spilled a secret during your toast…

6. Don’t: Get too drunk! No one wants to see your lovely speech turn into a drunken performance. There’s nothing wrong with having a drink or two to loosen up or calm your nerves, just don’t overdo it, know your limit, and save the heavy drinking for after the speech. Because slurring your words, dropping the mic, and stumbling away isn’t cute or classy.

For example, don’t be like Steve Buscemi from the Wedding Singer…

7. Don’t: Talk forever. You will lose everyone’s attention. Keep in mind that what might be interesting for you and the bride and/or groom might not be interesting for everyone else. Keep it simple and sweet. Start by talking about how you know the couple, share a cute or funny story, talk about them falling in love, then finish by wishing them a lifetime of happiness.

8. Do: Send a a heart-felt wish to the couple. This is the most important part of your speech. Even if it is just a cliche love quote or poem you find on google, be sure say something that exemplifies the couples’ love for each other and that shows your happiness for them. The couple will love it and it will give the speech that “aww factor” that everyone enjoys.

Here’s a great example from Cameron Diaz…

Remember to just relax, be yourself, and have fun with it!

And there you go. You just gave the speech of a lifetime. Now go drink and celebrate!

Here’s an example of a groom’s speech that we LOVE! Not every groom does this (nor are you required) but props to Ned for creating a witty, funny and emotional surprise speech for his bride!

If you have a moment, we would really REALLY appreciate your vote and a quick recommendation! Creating a login is quick and easy (you can even login with Facebook) and EVERY vote counts!

Click here for the direct link to vote for us!

Some reasons you should vote for us:

1) We LOVE what we do and we show it in our work

2) We include candy and popcorn in our final wedding packages – the really good candy, too (how can you watch a movie without candy and popcorn?!?!)

3) We believe in Love and Joy and Happiness (and often use those words to make you giggle for the camera) hehe

4) We will pay you $5 per vote (okay, so maybe we won’t do that… but we will definitely give you a hug when we see you!)

5) We will appreciate you more than you know!!!!

Thanks again for the support. We wouldn’t be able to do what we love for a living without you.

Need more reasons to vote for us? Just watch some of our wedding films

Click here to watch our corporate films.

Corporate films give people a chance to meet you, know you, and get the feeling of what it would be like to work with you. By posting your video through a social media blast or on your website, you create a buzz that can significantly help with your branding and business growth.

I call it, “The Channel 4 Effect”. When I was a reporter and anchor at Ch. 4 (WDIV, Local 4) I was on-air everyday. People watched me deliver their traffic information while they got ready for work, brushed their teeth, and made lunch for their kids… They had the TV on while I gave them their sports highlights during family dinner or before they headed out to the bar for a night out… They saw me on commercials that popped up while they were watching their favorite NBC TV show while cuddled on the couch or playing with their pooch… They saw clips of my reports online through our station website or a Facebook post from their friends… They got the chance to know me. To this day, that has made people feel more comfortable just striking up a conversation with me at the gym, or the grocery store, or even when I’m out to dinner with friends – because seeing me on TV and online gave them a sense of who I am as a person and what my brand stood for. They know me.
Let people get to know you and your company, organization, or charity through the art of digital film.

Go ahead, introduce yourself and watch your business grow.

We are lucky enough to work with some of the best companies made up of genuinely great people.

Want proof?

A congrats is in order to our clients at Pulte Homes, based in Bloomfield Hills, for being voted one of ‘America’s Happiest Workplaces’. That honor should speak volumes about how happy we are to work with the wonderful people at Pulte.

Not only do they build beautiful and high quality homes… They build strong relationships with their clients and those that work with them.

Click here to read the MSN article on why they are one of the best places to work in America!

Here is one of the videos we made for Pulte, highlighting their beautiful South Lyon community – Pinehurst.

I used to visit them in studio from time to time after the Local 4 morning show, and go on the radio with my buddies to talk sports, pop culture and of course just laugh. A lot.

I ran into Mojo recently while working with my former colleague, Rhonda Walker, at her foundation event benefiting the Rhonda Walker Foundation – The Give & Get Fit Health Fair. Mojo has been such a huge supporter of our production company, Zara Creative, and mentioned that he would like us to cover their upcoming Rooftop Singles Mingle party (<--- click to sign up) in Downtown Detroit on August 17th.

So here we are… Zara Creative will be there to cover the fun on the rooftop of the Madison overlooking Comerica Park in the D. It’s going to be lots of fun, that’s for sure!

Also, I will be in studio with Mojo and the gang this week on Friday morning (August 10, 2012) around 8:45am. Tune in to listen… I’m sure it will be entertaining!

Here is the video from Rhonda Walker’s event, featuring Mojo:

Braylon started The Braylon Edwards Foundation in an effort to provide scholarships to youth in our community so that the importance of education is never forgotten.

We had the pleasure of working with Braylon and his team on two different occasions. Braylon held his 3rd Annual Celebrity Basketball Game and had the likes of Derrick Coleman (former NBA player), Marlin Jackson (NFLer), Roy Roundtree, Tim Hardaway Jr, Jordan Morgan, Alex Swieca (Michigan players), Mike Martin (NFL draftee), K9 (current welterweight world champion), Zach Novak and David Merritt (former basketball team captains), Stu Douglass, David Terrell (former Michigan players), Nic Harris (NFL Free Agent), Ralph Godbee (Detroit Police Chief), Dr. Darrius, Ryan Ermanni and Erin Nicole (media personalities), Rob Parker (sports commentator), Brain Olatunji (NHRA Funny Car Driver), Comedian CP (YouTube sensation).

Braylon even invited me (a Michigan State University alum) to play in the game! See, Wolverines and Spartans can play nice!

We also covered the 5th Annual Women Moving Forward & Reaching Back Brunch and Awards Ceremony, an event inspired by Braylon’s mother, Malesa Plater. The brunch was held at The Reserve in Birmingham, with World Champion athlete and former WNBA star, Marion Jones, as the keynote speaker. My former Local 4 colleague Paula Tutman served as the Master of Ceremonies during this fun, educational and celebratory event.

We love the work that Braylon does in the community and are proud to call him and his wonderful team friends of ours.

The Braylon Edwards Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing and meeting the needs of under-served youth in the concentrated area of education. The Foundation’s goal is to emphasize the importance of education by providing scholarships and incentives to youth who demonstrate strong commitment and effort to excel in academics, conduct and community volunteerism. The Foundation also supports and contributes to organization’s whose programming includes health and hunger prevention.

Public Relations for Braylon Edwards and The Braylon Edwards Foundation provided by Tatiana Grant of Infused PR.

Another thing I love about being born and raised in this area – the sports! Lions and Tigers and Wings, oh MI! (Pistons too, but I was going for the whole Yellow Brick Road thing there, lol)

We’ve got some awesome teams (even though some may be struggling at times) and we have some pretty sweet players. Players that make Detroit their home and take it upon themselves to give back to the fans that cheer them on.

The NFL Alumni Association is a great example of that. Led by Detroit native and former Lion, Ron Rice, the Alumni held a charity event at The Hamilton Room in Birmingham, to raise funds for the YMCA Strong Kids Campain. Former NFL players and members of the media served as celebrity bartenders, serving up cocktails for a cause.

It was a great event and we got a pretty fun video recap of it.

Make sure you check out the NFL Alumni Association’s next event!

If you’re in the market for looking for a new house, you’re in luck because we have some pretty talented clients that specialize in building absolutely stunning luxury homes. Encore Building Inc. is a builder that pays attention to the important features that make a house a home. We’re talking spacious rooms, a smart layout, beautiful craftsmanship and high end appliances that make life just a little bit better.

We love shooting videos and photos for Sebastian Testagrossa of Encore building… because it isn’t difficult to make these guys look good… they did all the work for us when they built the home.

Check out our virtual tours below and visit their website or Facebook page to see more.

Get in touch with realtor Randy Najjar for more information on these amazing luxury homes.

Yes, I know it’s May, not March… But we are going back to March 17, 2012 in this blog. Yes, that’s right… St. Patrick’s Day. Who doesn’t like St. Patrick’s Day? You get to wear a sweet color that not only represents Irish pride, it also represents my alma mater, the best school ever – Michigan State University – GO GREEN! I just got sidetracked… Sorry about that! Where was I? Oh yes, things we love about St. Patrick’s Day. Well, there’s green beer… people are totally nonjudgmental on this particular day when it comes to having a cocktail or two at 8 o’clock in the morning… You can typically play hooky and take the day off of work… Green donuts… Green bagels and cream cheese… Oh, leprechauns. Who doesn’t love leprechauns?!?!

What I love most about St. Patrick’s Day though, is that two of my very best friends in the world, got married and became husband and wife.

Jillian and Kevin are one of the best couples I know. They are good friends. Both of them. They will help you move into your first place or help you find your first job… They are always sure to get you a birthday gift (awesome birthday gifts by the way ) and they are always there to listen and give advice. Did I mention, they are a really good time? That too.

Photo credit: Dan Lippitt

I was lucky enough to be a part of their wedding in more ways than one. I wasn’t just working this wedding, I was in it. Bridesmaid/producer was my official title for this one. Our Zara Creative team was there every step of the way to capture just how amazing these two are. Good times in green. Good times in green.

Jillian and Kevin, I love you both sooooo very much. Thank you for letting me and our company be a part of your big day. The coolest part is that we get to celebrate your anniversary every year with green beer!!!!

Photo credit: Dan Lippitt

Here are two videos that we’ve produced so far from the wedding – The Trailer and Highlight Video. More is to come!

Jillian and Kevin had some pretty sweet vendors too. Check them out!

Photo credit: Dan Lippitt

Photography: Dan Lippitt of Dan Lippitt Photography

Wedding Planner: Ana Skidmore of Two Foot Creative

Cake: Nouveau, Ann Arbor

Florist: The Vines, Farmington

Hair and Makeup: The Makeup Loft, Plymouth

Venue: The Inn at St. John’s, Plymouth

Shannon called me one day and said that she wanted us to produce a Video Handshake for her business… We were pumped, because Shannon is a pretty awesome photographer. She has a great way of making people feel comfortable (which is key during those up close and personal photo shoots) and she knows how to capture the natural moments that often happen in between staging shots.

We made two videos for Shannon – One, to highlight CTL After Hours. That’s right, sexy Boudoir Sessions.

Here's a sneak peak…

The second video showcased her skills with couples getting married.

Cute, right?

She shoots it all, from the engagement session to the wedding… and then when you add in a little bundle of joy to your family, she can take the newborn and family photos.

Shannon, we had a blast putting these videos together for you. We’re so glad that you enjoy them and we can’t wait to work together again!