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Nov
04
At Saiaf Films, our team has the advantage of traveling to any state our clients contact us from. Recently, we covered a beautiful Chicago wedding. Not only did we fall in love with the gorgeous scenery that Chicago offers, we also discovered the dynamic amount of Chicago wedding venues. From fabulous parks to elegant hotels, Chicago offers an enormous amount of world-class venue options. It was nearly impossible to narrow the list down to five, but here are our top picks for the best Chicago wedding venues.
Crystal Garden: Navy Pier
As a one-acre breathtaking botanical garden, the Crystal Garden is adorned with fountains, vibrant palm trees and luscious greenery. With sparkling lights and gorgeous views of the Chicago city skyline, Dock Street and Lake Michigan- your wedding photographers will have an enormous amount of footage. It thrives beneath an arched ceiling that offers the perfect amount of sunlight during a wedding ceremony. The best part- there is no rental fee to enjoy the Crystal Garden’s unique features. Instead, it only requires a food and beverage minimum.
Millennium Park: The Loop
With five amazing venues to choose from, Millennium Park is a great option for your Chicago wedding. Whether you are having a small gathering or a grand event, Millennium Park offers drawdropping views of the Chicago cityscape creating the perfect wedding photo backdrop. With a steel and glass ceiling, the architecture alone is visually appealing. It is conveniently located near downtown Chicago making it an ideal spot for a city based Chicago wedding.
The Westin Chicago: North Shore
Looking for the perfect combination of elegance and downtown style? The Westin Chicago North Shore offers that and more. With four ballrooms providing room for 50 to 1200 guests, The Westin Chicago is chock full of event space, leaving you plenty of room to plan the perfect Chicago wedding.
The Firehouse Chicago: Edgewater
Looking for a unique Chicago wedding venue location? Firehouse Chicago may just be what you are seeking. With a historic silver and tin ceiling, an original fire pole and antique lighting- the Firehouse Chicago is an intimate and wonderful option for a Chicago wedding. Even though it was built over a century ago, the Firehouse Chicago offers an array of green-minded wedding options for those who prefer a greener approach to their wedding event.
Pinstripes Northbrook: Northbrook
Perhaps you prefer your Chicago wedding venue to be incredibly fun-filled and exciting? If so, Pinstripes Northbrook may just be the best choice. Adorning a year-round patio and a delicious and high-end Italian-American bistro, Pinstripes Northbrook offers a variety of options that can be tailored to fit your needs accordingly. It also provides banquet rooms capable of housing 20-600 guests, bowling lanes and even bocce courts. For a fun, fully customizable Chicago wedding venue, Pinstripes Northbrook is a great choice!
So if a Chicago wedding is in your future, these great spots are an excellent choice for great views and breathtaking scenery for the perfect wedding day. Keep an eye out for our wonderful collection of Chicago weddings that our Saiaf Films team has had the pleasure of photographing.
Nov
02
So your big day arrives. Your makeup is perfect, and your hair is wonderfully in place. You look beautiful in your dress as you are on your way to taking your wedding portraits. But wait- you have no idea how to pose or what to do when you are finally in front of the camera. Don’t worry, our team at Saiaf Films has an extensive amount of experience as wedding photographers. Here, we share our 
tips and ideas to help calm your nerves about camera time on your wedding day!
Your Wedding Portraits
It’s okay to be nervous!
It’s one of the most important days of your life. You are more than entitled to be a little nervous. In fact, it’s expected! Instead of forcing yourself to smile the entire time- because you think you have to in front of the camera- just be yourself. Our wedding photographers love catching those key moments when you are being real. Whether your face is anxious as you wait to marry your beloved, or your eyes well up during a conversation with a loved one- those key, real, and moving moments are the best type to capture on film. So relax, don’t stress, enjoy your day and smile when you feel the need. Otherwise, raw emotions create gorgeous photos.
Aim to Flatter
When posing for formal photos, angles are key. A great idea for posing in your wedding photos is to stand at an angle. When it comes to taking the photos, remember: Take a deep breath, exhale, and then tilt your chin downwards while turning your gaze up. This helps to accentuate the great contours of your face. If you are choosing to pose with your bouquet, clutch it 
loosely with one hand, then allow the other to hand to hang naturally by your side. This gives a more relaxed and natural look.
The Bride & Groom
Get moving!
And no- we don’t mean dancing! (At least not yet.) When taking your wedding portraits together, consider taking a walk. Take one another’s hand and take a short stroll. Why? The momentum makes for amazing wedding photos! When you are walking, your dress is flowing, your hair is blowing and the movement alone creates a wonderful energy. Plus, it gives you a chance to breathe a little bit and realign your thoughts with your beloved.
Express your love.
Although it may feel awkward at first knowing you are being photographed, it is important to show your love. Kiss one another, hold each other’s hand- let your love show through. If it helps, ask your wedding photographer for a little bit of alone time beforehand. That may help to calm the nerves a bit and get in the mode of acting naturally. Keep in mind, it is your wedding day. You are about to marry the person of your dreams. Express that passion with each other as it creates dynamically wonderful wedding photos.
The Wedding Party
Have fun!
This is an EXTREMELY important tip to remember. Having fun while taking your wedding party photos can create memorable and exciting photos. If you are naturally having fun, that energy will show itself in the photos your wedding photographers capture. Laugh, be quirky, and be yourselves. Of course, uniform pictures look exquisite, but fun and carefree pictures convey the energy and excitement of your special day. So relax, and tell your bridal party to do the same.
Furniture or props
Utilizing surrounding furniture or props can also create an interesting and original dynamic to your wedding photos. With the use of furniture or a seating area of some sort, you can vary the height of the group. This can look more appealing than everyone standing in a standard lineup. If there are props available, use them! Adding them in can change up the vibe of the wedding photos a bit creating memorable photos to last a lifetime!
Remember, this is one of the best days of your life! Capturing it on film in your wedding photos will help those memories last forever. Here at Saiaf Films, we want to help you create those memorable wedding photos. If you need more tips or ideas to enhance your wedding photos, contact our team today!
Oct
30
Wedding Spotlight: Ahmed and Sara’s Muslim Wedding
Chicago Muslim Wedding Photographer / Muslim Wedding Photographer Posted by Saiaf Films
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Muslim Wedding at the Cedars in Phoenix, AZ
Ahmed and Sara are some of the most tender and compassionate 
human beings our team has encountered. As a Muslim couple from Iraq, it was their goal to have a very family oriented wedding. After seeing our website, they called us from out of state and recruited our team of wedding photographers to capture their special day on film. With friends and family flying in from all over the world, the beautiful couple expressed how important it was to have their guests included in the wedding portraits. Per their request, we tailored the photos to fit their wishes and captured an amazing amount of moments with their family and friends.
Pre-Ceremony Photo Shoot
Before their wedding at The Cedars in Phoenix, AZ, our team of wedding photographers took photos of Ahmed and Sara at a local industrial park. With tall glass buildings 
and luscious green grass at the forefront, this park created the perfect backdrop for breathtaking wedding portraits. With such a photogenic couple surrounded by beautiful scenery, we shot over 200 photos in the hour that we were at the park! When Sara looked through some of the pictures, she was in awe of our creative composition. One of our favorite photos from the pre- Muslim wedding shoot was captured right as the sun was setting behind Ahmed and Sara. This silhouetted image has become an iconic photo at the Saiaf Films studio- and is a favorite among all who see it.
Ceremony & Reception
When we arrived at The Cedars, the decor was breathtaking! With gorgeous candlelights radiating from the wedding hall, the room was adorned with wedding bouquets of white and purple flowers. There were tall crystal vases as centerpieces and an elegant ivory cake with delicate purple designs. Ahmed and Sara’s 120 person Iraqi Muslim wedding was an intimate gathering of loved ones. As promised, our focus for this night was to get an ample amount of photos with the Muslim wedding couple and their visitors who traveled from around the world.
The night was full of dancing and excitement as the couple and their family and friends had the time of their life. At dinner time, we were so humbled when Ahmed and his sister served us food before they sat down to eat. This was one of the kindest and most memorable gestures that we’ve ever received at a wedding. It truly demonstrated how thoughtful and kind hearted Ahmed, Sara and their family are. After a delicious dinner, the reception commenced with more energetic dancing to traditional Muslim wedding music and fun as the families enjoyed each other’s company.
Our Favorite Moment
At Saiaf Films, we cherish memorable moments. One of our favorite moments from this event happened later in the evening. On the dance floor, a song played that held a lot of meaning to Sara and her mother. They looked at each other, with tears in their eyes and gave one another the warmest and most sincerest of hugs. In our hearts we knew that this was symbolic of an old life ending, while a new one begins. At weddings, our team puts an enormous amount of focus on getting the best footage and always being one step ahead to get the best shot. Yet, it is moments like these that stop us in our tracks. They remind us that family is everything and that we should hold them close no matter how far away they are! Thank you Ahmed and Sara for sharing your special day with us.
Oct
28
Why Are Engagement Photos Important?
Engagement photos are a frequently overlooked aspect of planning your wedding. Many couples may feel that they unnecessary or not that important. However, they can be an exceptionally important tool in ensuring a better wedding experience. At Saiaf Films, our engagement photographers have had the pleasure of capturing countless couples before their wedding. Therefore, we know just how important and memorable these photo shoots can be!
Get comfortable!
During all of our engagement photo shoots, we have the opportunity to really get to know the couples we are photographing. It provides our wedding photographers time to observe how the two interact and how beautifully their love can be expressed through photos and film. While we have the pleasure of getting to know them, the couple also has the opportunity to get comfortable with the camera. A lot of times, it can be a couple’s first time taking pictures together. Instead of waiting to see how they fare on the day of the wedding, engagement photo shoots allow the couple to get familiar with the cameras that surround them. We notice that it adds a sense of confidence in front of the camera when it comes time for the wedding photographs.
Great photos!
It seems as if most people capture their photos via cell phone these days. Although these are ideal for adding a raw and personal touch, engagement photos are an opportunity to acquire real, professional and impressive photos of you and your beloved. Engagement photos give you the option to see yourself in different outfits in more comfortable or surreal settings. These types of photos are great to use on your wedding website, your Save-the-Dates or even your wedding invitations. Or perhaps you are super crafty and decide to use your engagement photos as part of your wedding favors?
And…It’s fun!
All of the engagement photo sessions we have photographed have been a blast! The couples are excited and constantly laughing, smiling or showing their love for each other. It builds a more intense bond. It is a great opportunity to spend a few hours dressing how you choose, in a beautiful setting with the one you love the most. Engagement photos are also a great opportunity to show another side of your relationship that many people don’t ever get to see. Whether you choose a theme or want to include some exciting props, an engagement photo shoot is a moment where you can have fun and enjoy being together- while being yourself.
If you and your fiance are debating on having engagement photos taken, take our advice- do it! After years of experience in the wedding photography scene, our team at Saiaf Films appreciates the advantages that come with an engagement photo shoot. Not sure where to begin? Contact our professional engagement photographers today! We are happy to guide you in your options for creating the best engagement photos possible!
Oct
26
Fr
om your first look to your big commitment, and all the way to your last wedding dance- your wedding day is to celebrate your love for one another. Of course, everyone enjoys the big party, but we also adore the elegant touches and intimate atmosphere that a romantic wedding brings about. People enjoy the kind of wedding that exhilarates romance. Check out our tips for upping the romance factor on your wedding day creating an ambiance your guests will never forget.
1. A Wow-Worthy Venue
Whether you choose a pretty garden, an iconic old church, a medieval styled castle or a picturesque landscape; a stunning venue is ideal for a romantic setting. Add some candles and surreal lighting and you are guaranteed to elicit some “oohs and ahhs” from your guests.
2. All The Lights
Lighting is perhaps one of the single most important element of a romantic wedding. The perfect lighting set up can transform the feel of a wedding instantly. Look at all of your options for lighting and carefully consider how to best light your space in order to create the perfect romantic wedding ambiance.
3. Scent Up Your Wedding
Adding a romantic smell to your wedding is a powerful way to evoke an emotional response from your guests. Many people don’t pay attention to smells as it can be slightly overlooked by the food, music and decorations. Utilizing a special wedding day scent throughout your wedding venue can add a great fragrance backdrop to your event. From lavender or verbena bouquets to lavender centerpieces, a special wedding smell will enhance the romantic effect for your wedding.
4. Fireworks, Sparklers or Lanterns
Organizing a sky lantern launch or a sparkler lineup post reception can be the perfect addition to spicing up the romance feel to your wedding. It will add an everlasting sparkle to your event and ensures you finish your night on a romantic note. Plus, why not share the firework in your belly feeling you felt when you met your other half?
5. Table Set-up
Believe it or not, table placement can play a big factor on the intimate atmosphere of your wedding reception. Placing the tables in a long dining setup can help amp up the close and familiar feel for your guests. Instead of the more formal round split apart seating, your guests will be in close range to one another providing the opportunity for more conversation.
If a romantic vibe is what you are seeking for your special day, these few key ideas will enhance that feeling throughout your ceremony and reception. Not quite sure where to start? Our team at Saiaf Films has been to plenty of romantically themed weddings! We are happy to share our ideas to enhance the romance of your big day.
Oct
23
Scott & Keiya’s Intimate Wedding: Boulder Resort in Carefree, Arizona
Scott and Keiya are some of the most delightful people our team has ever met. We had the pleasure of meeting them at the Bridal Expo in Phoenix. They expressed to us how happy they were to find a team of local wedding photographers and videographers that they could trust to capture the memories of their wedding day.
Pre-Ceremony Photoshoot
Before their wedding, we took photos of Scott by himself in front of the beautiful Arizona landscape. Afterwards, we took photos of Keiya in her room as she was getting ready for their event. We enjoyed getting to know each of them in their own setting before taking their wedding portraits together. Their love and intrigue for each other was so obvious when they were together.
We explored the resort with the couple and took advantage of all of the beautiful landscape that surrounded us. We had fun playing around with the different treasures that the resort gifted us. From the unique bridges and walkways, to the tall saguaros and serene lakes, the Boulders Resort provides endless photo possibilities. The desert backdrop complimented the Arizona wedding perfectly.
The Ceremony & Reception
Their peaceful and quaint wedding was amidst the mountains that surrounded the resort. The ceremony and reception consisted of their closest family and friends and carried an intimate and romantic vibe. The beautiful couple wanted our team to capture the intimacy of their wedding. This was easy and inspiring to do, as this was the smallest, most intimate wedding we had ever been to!
Their reception was decorated in a vintage wedding theme that was enhanced by the surrounding desert. The champagne accent color was complemented by the desert succulents scattered throughout the reception. Keiya wore a breathtaking and delightfully simple vintage wedding dress that flowed with the theme and vibe of their intimate wedding.
We felt so honored to be there with Scott and Keiya as they shared their special day with us. Some our favorite photos are the candid moments where they were looking into each other’s eyes and smiling. Their love was so apparent and easy to capture on film. Our team at Saiaf Films really enjoyed this couple and we will cherish the memories of their peaceful and beautiful intimate wedding for years to come!
Oct
21
Drone Photography Offers An Innovative Perspective to Your Wedding Photos!
Love is soaring to new heights this wedding season! Saiaf Films is proud to welcome the Inspire 1 to our team- and no, that’s not a code name for a new photographer! The Inspire 1 is a state of the art aerial drone that has the ability to capture innovative and unique shots of your wedding ceremony or reception. When it comes to drone photography and wedding photo potential, the sky is literally the limit!
Drones are becoming a new trend in wedding photography- at Saiaf Films, we have three! Drones are convenient and versatile for unique, bird’s eye view images. Perhaps you want an aerial shot of the ceremony layout? Maybe you want photos from above of your entire bridal party? Or how about an aerial view of the bride walking down the aisle? The Inspire 1 drone offers the capability of exactly that. The possibilities for amazing wedding photos are endless with drone photography!
With a variety of camera angles and a sleek aerodynamic design, the Inspire 1 drone even allows two of our wedding photographers to simultaneously operate its
functionality. While one team member is maneuvering the drone, another is able to control the integrated camera to capture 12-megapixel still photos. Is it possible for a moving aircraft to take still photos? Absolutely! The Inspire 1 has a 3-axis gimbal that keeps the camera steady, even as the drone makes a turn. The result- dynamic and unquestionably unique wedding photos.
Whether you choose to have an indoor wedding or an outdoor wedding, drone photography can be the extra touch to top off your already perfect wedding. Because of its unique nature and ability to capture one of a kind photos, we now offer aerial drone photography to all of our wedding packages. At Saiaf Films, we want all of the special newlyweds to have the opportunity to relive their memorable day from a different perspective- from above.
Interested in adding a special dynamic to your wedding photos? Feel free to contact our team at Saiaf Films for more information on just how spectacular drone photography can be. We are happy to guide you on your wedding photography options.
Oct
19
Wedding Venue: Superstition Manor in Mesa, Arizona
Picture this: it’s sunset on your wedding day. The Superstition Mountains and the Arizona desert create a peaceful and serene backdrop to your ceremony. Nearby, a tranquil and green oasis surrounds a waterfall creating a breathtaking a memorable spot for your wedding photographers to capture beautiful wedding portraits. The venue itself is accented with native stone, and the exterior and interior colors used throughout blend perfectly with the natural surroundings. The effect is a canvas of stone and perfectly decorated elegance. Where are you? The Superstition Manor, of course.
Venue Pricing
The Superstition Manor is a reasonably priced option for an extravagant and convenient wedding venue. They offer a variety of packages that can be tailored to fit your specific wedding day needs. From ceremony only packages to VIP all Inclusive options, the Superstition Manor offers budget adjustable choices that are viewable on their website.
Amenities
Amenities: Depending on which wedding package is decided upon, Superstition Manor offers an impressive list of amenities that can be utilized on your big day.
- Bride’s Room and a Groom’s Room
- Ceremony Yard
- Patio Bar
- Bristol Tables & Chairs
- White folding chairs
- Yard decorations
- Ceremony Sound System
- Cordless Microphones
- Aisle Runners available in Black or Red
- Banquet Tables & Chairs
- Upgraded Table Linen including: Table Cloth, Overlay or Runner, Napkin, Napkin ring, & Chair Sash
- House Centerpieces
- China set at tables
- Water, Lemonade & Soft Drinks
- Photo Booth
- Video Projection System
- 4 Bussers
- Security & Insurance
- DJ for up to $500/4 hours
- Onsite Wedding Coordinator
- Superstition Manor will impress you and your guests with its fine, mouth watering menu of exquisite cuisine that is elegantly presented.
What makes it special?
Superstition Manor is a highly sought after wedding venue location. It’s beauty is obvious of course, but what makes it really stand apart from other venues? The abundant and impressively positive reviews all seem to migrate around the hospitality and above-and-beyond attitude that the owners and staff provide to their guests. Countless couples rave about the extra measures and special details that the staff at Superstition Manor take in order to make each wedding perfect.
Both grandiose and intimate, the Superstition Manor is a beautiful wedding venue location in the East Valley. Our team at Saiaf Films has had the pleasure of capturing breathtaking wedding photos at this location and enjoyed the beauty that it offers.
Oct
16
Houssein and Halima’s Palestinian Wedding: Phoenix Airport Marriott
We have nothing but great things to say about Houssein and Halima! These two were an absolute joy to be around. No matter where they were, they would bring joy and humor into the room. Their lighthearted and entertaining nature was infectious and made the day a blast! Houssein collects bobble heads and Halima speaks three languages. So of course, they were an exciting pair. In fact, the even had two bobble heads made of themselves to use as a wedding cake topper! Their Palestinian-Arab wedding was a beautiful and exciting event to capture.
The Ceremony & Reception
Their ceremony and reception were both held at the gorgeous picturesque Phoenix Airport Marriott. It was a gigantic 600 person extravaganza! On this epic night, both our male photographer and female photographer captured the eventful evening. Before their Palestinian wedding commenced, they got into their Rolls-Royce and drove to a gorgeous nearby park. There, we captured a 
pre-wedding photo shoot. Their wedding attire was perfect and fit the theme of their day. One of our favorite moments was seeing how much Houssein made Halima laugh as they were spending quality time together by the lake at the park. Of course, one of our talented photographers captured these special and candid moments
When we arrived at the wedding hall, the bride and groom were greeted by family and friends. It was an amazing scene as everyone was clapping and welcoming the beautiful couple with song and dance during the Dabkeh. Of course, the dancing didn’t end there. In fact, it lasted all night long! The newlyweds and their friends and family really know how to have fun. It was a breathtaking scene at this Palestinian wedding when every person was on the dance floor at one time dancing to the enchanting traditional Arabic wedding music. It was a huge reunion of families coming together for a couple that brings life and excitement wherever they go.
It was captivating to capture the memorable moments of this beautiful couple’s big day. We had an amazing time taking their family photos and attending their Palestinian wedding extravaganza! We’d like to congratulate Houssein and Halima on the birth of their daughter and we wish them a wonderful future together.
