Caroline & Jay’s Wedding – July 19th, 2024 - The Athearn

On July 19th, I had the honor of filming Caroline and Jay’s wedding—a celebration filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories. As a Northern Virginia wedding videographer, I’m passionate about capturing authentic moments that couples can relive for years to come. This wedding was the perfect example of why I love being a Virginia videographer and storyteller.

Bride getting ready at Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles captured by Virginia wedding videographe

Getting Ready at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles

The day began at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles, where both the bride and groom were preparing for their big day. When I first arrived, Caroline—the radiant bride—was a little tense, which is completely normal. As their wedding videographer, I know it’s important to keep the energy light. A few jokes later, she was laughing and much more relaxed.

That set the perfect mood for me to capture bridal details like the wedding invitations, rings, jewelry, dress, and veil. Once Caroline felt at ease, I moved into her bridal portraits. My approach as a wedding videographer is simple: I don’t tell couples to “smile at the camera.” Instead, I encourage them to enjoy the moment, which always leads to genuine laughter and natural emotion.

Caroline was a little concerned about the groom’s prep being captured, but I reassured her to trust me. After filming more than 300 weddings, I’ve learned how to balance the timing of the day. Once I finished with the bride, I went to the groom’s suite and quickly captured all of his essential details and moments. If you’re a bride or groom searching for a videographer near me, this is where experience makes all the difference.

( Even with a second videographer on the wedding day, I made it a priority to personally capture the groom’s prep. For me, it’s not just about coverage—it’s about making sure every detail and moment reflects the vision my couples entrusted me with.)

https://vimeo.com/1111452953

Without rushing the groom or adding any stress, I was able to capture all of his getting-ready shots in under two minutes! What I love most is seeing the shift—at first, he looked a little tense, but as soon as we started talking and he shook off the nerves, his whole mood changed, and that genuine happy smile came through.

(You can watch the full GoPro video here.)

Ceremony at Floris United Methodist Church

The wedding ceremony took place at the beautiful Floris United Methodist Church. Caroline and Jay exchanged heartfelt vows surrounded by family and friends. As a wedding videographer in Northern Virginia, these quiet, emotional moments are always some of my favorites to capture—moments that can’t be staged, only lived and remembered.

Reception at the Westfields Marriott

The celebration continued back at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles with a reception full of warmth and joy. During cocktail hour, Caroline’s mom requested drone footage of the venue. It was such a thoughtful idea, and those cinematic shots became a highlight of the final film. Drone video is one of the most powerful ways to showcase the beauty of a wedding venue, especially in Virginia.

Caroline and Jay’s first dance was magical, like a scene out of a movie. Their wedding speeches were heartfelt and emotional, giving me the perfect opportunity to capture genuine reactions from the bride, groom, and guests. Later in the evening, the sweet bar and cake cutting brought smiles to everyone, leading up to a stunning sparkler send-off that lit up the night sky.

One of the benefits of filming in 4K Ultra HD is that we can extract high-quality images directly from the footage. Just so you know, all the photos in this blog were captured straight from our wedding film.

Filmed and Edited by SVC FILMS

Why Hire a Wedding Videographer in Virginia?

Every couple deserves a wedding film that reflects their love story. Being a local wedding videographer that cover all the dmv area )virginia, Baltimore, Washington dc and Maryland allows me to create timeless keepsakes that go beyond photography. With video, you get to hear the vows, relive the laughter, and experience the emotions of the day all over again.

I’m Sony Velazquez, a professional wedding videographer.

Over the years, I’ve filmed hundreds of weddings, and each one is unique. I believe wedding films should feel authentic—not staged—so my approach is always relaxed, fun, and focused on letting couples be themselves. My goal is to capture not just the big moments, but also the small in-between ones: the laughter, the tears, and the details that make every story beautiful.

For me, being a Virginia wedding videographer isn’t just about creating films—it’s about giving couples a way to relive the joy of their wedding day for years to come.

If you’re a bride or groom searching for a wedding videographer near me in Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., or Maryland, I’d love to capture your wedding day with creativity and authenticity.

Below is Caroline & Jay’s wedding film—a timeless memory of a truly beautiful day

https://vimeo.com/1108744959

Wedding teaser

Wedding Vendor of the day:

Filmed and Edited by SVC FILMS @svcfilms

Photo: @barborajonesphotography

Planner & Coordinator: @the.ring.bearers

Makeup: @emilynicoleartistry

Hair: @shearstyle_byashley

Venue & Catering: @westfieldsmarriottva

Bride’s Dress, Veil, Jewelry, Shoes: @avalaurennebride

DJ: @ttrevents

Florals: @twinbrookweddingsandevents

Cake & Desserts: @wandascakes

Bridesmaids Dresses: @birdygrey

Invitations & Paper Goods: @shinewedding