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Dec
31
Arab weddings are really in a league of their own when it comes to the list of dos and don’ts. And being a New York Arab Wedding Photographer for years, we’ve witnessed a huge number of Arab weddings here in New York and have covered quite plenty of them.
Just like, any other wedding, it’s never really possible to please everyone. However, if you just keep these important things in mind, you can guarantee to make your Arab wedding a memorable one—for all the good reasons!
Tulba
The “tulba” is essentially a formal asking of the hand. This event is more private, limited to the close relatives of the bride and groom. It occurs after both families have approved the couple’s decision to wed. At the tulba, the groom, alongside with his family members, ask the bride, with her family by her side, for her hand in marriage. The families then officially acknowledge that the two shall marry.
Engagement
Soon after the tulba, the couple becomes engaged. They become officially engaged once they have a small ceremony conducted by a priest. Following this, they have a reception type party with food, music, and dancing accompanied by all of their family, relatives, and friends!
Radwa
This event occurs usually a day or two before the wedding day. It is a small gathering between the close male relatives on both the groom and bride’s sides and it usually takes place at the bride’s family’s house. At this exchange, the men on the groom’s side make sure that the family of the bride are satisfied with the party. The male family members on the groom’s side also make sure to resolve any last minute issues before the wedding. After all of this, the eldest male on the groom’s side congratulates all of the male relatives on both sides.
Henna
This is a gathering between women on both sides of the family and it is held at the same time as the radwa. The party is traditionally put on by women on the groom’s side and takes place at the bride’s family’s house. First, the women on the groom’s side gather at the groom’s family’s house to set everything up. They knead dough in bowls to create henna. These bowls are decorated with flowers that adorn the henna which adds some color to the thick green substance. After this, the women fill small bags with candy, and then place the bags on trays, like party favors. Coin skirts and/or fans are also possible items that are passed out at the henna party.
Ferdah
The final celebration is the “ferdah.” This party is exclusive to only the closest family members/relatives on both the bride and groom’s side. It usually takes place at the bride’s family’s house. The bride’s family hosts the party and the groom’s side of the family traditionally brings fruits and nuts as a gift. It’s a smaller gathering, but still just as lively as the other parties during the engagement/wedding process.
All these traditions make for a meaningful Arab Wedding. And if you want to make this event all the more special and be able to relive it for the years to come, let our Arab Wedding photographers here at Saiaf Films cover you New York Arab wedding.
Jun
22
Having your wedding recorded onto a DVD to re-watch over and over again is a great investment and means that you’ll be able to see parts of your wedding day that you may haven’t been able to witness or remember. An Indian Wedding Videographer New York will be able to discuss how they can film your big day and what packages are available, based around your preferences and personal wedding budget.
However, if you’re unsure of what to ask your wedding videographer during your initial meeting, take advice from Saiaf Films, an Indian Wedding Videographer and photographer with passion for capturing wedding moments and turning them into beautiful wedding mementos.
Request to view a full length video of someone else’s wedding
This one is more like a request than a question—ask to see a full-length video of one of their recent weddings. All videographers show multiple short sample videos on their websites. They use them as little trailers to promote their film-making services. But, just like any film trailer, only the very best bits of the entire video are used. What you need to make sure, if you book this person to film your wedding, is whether the rest of your video will be the same quality as the stuff you see in their sample video.
How do you operate in a wedding?
You’ve seen a video you like on someone’s site. All the shots look perfect and you wonder how they got that unbelievable footage of the couple kissing, silhouetted against the setting sun. And so, you decided to book. Then, your wedding day came; you’re stuck for an hour with a videographer who keeps ordering you how and where to pose while they hover around you in various settings. When choosing a Bengali Wedding Videographer Scottsdale, ponder this: When I watch my wedding video, do I want to remember my wedding day? … Or remember posing for the video? Most likely, you’ll prefer the former.
Can I have a few contacts of your most recent clients?
Ask for references and read reviews and testimonials. In modern society where everything seems conveniently accessible online, customer reviews are the best way of gauging the reputation of a business. Read reviews about your Indian Wedding Videographer Phoenix in sites like weddingwire.com to gather helpful reviews from vendors’ clients.
If you’re thinking of hiring a Sikh Wedding Videographer Phoenix for your special day, make sure to keep these tips in mind when scouring the market for the most exceptional pro.
Jun
14
Hiring a professional Miami Arab Wedding Videographer and photographer doesn’t have to break the bank. However, in general, there is really no other way around it. Professional-grade wedding memories are expensive. If you’re fretting about how you’re going to pay for them, consider these tips for getting cheap (or at least, cheaper) professional wedding photography and videography and significantly saving money on your wedding.
Search for customizable packages
If you’re on a budget, a custom-made package allows you to pay for exactly what you need—whether that’s hours of coverage, extra sessions or access to digital photo files. For Saiaf Films, the build-your-own package helps any bridal couple use their budget in the most efficient way possible.
So how do you figure out what to prioritize without getting overwhelmed with the options? Talk about it with your Norfolk Virginia Muslim Wedding Photographer. They can help walk you through the things like whether you can realistically fit all your must-have shots in the minimum amount of coverage they offer or how many assistants make the most sense for the size of your wedding.
Tie the knot and party at the same venue
By hosting your wedding ceremony and reception at the same venue, you will have more time for taking portraits and bridal party photos, as well as shoot the footage you want, since you’ll eliminate the need to travel to several locations. If you follow this advice, you’ll actually end up saving in a few other ways too, like transportation, rentals and venue charges.
Get a referral from the photographer
If you’ve crunched in many places and still can’t afford the Tampa Florida Arab Wedding Photographer you really want, don’t give up just yet. The photographer you’re aiming to have can still be able to help you in other ways, like giving you a referral to someone within your budget who has similar photography or videography style. Saiaf Films, as well as the other pros in the industry, are always happy to refer their co-professionals to couples if their budget calls for a more affordable service. They can give you a few names of other photographers and videographers they have tag teamed with before who may not be as established yet, and charge less because they’re not as well known.
But before you sign any contract, meet with the shooter in person first—you want to be sure you’re comfortable with him or her as they are expected to work closely with you on the most parts of your wedding day.
Professional photo and video services aren’t cheap. But the good news is that your wedding day is probably going to be the highest point of your professional-service buying career. Even if you decide to do a pregnancy photo shoot, do annual family portraits or get your child photographed on his or her graduation, you won’t be spending as much as you do on your wedding day photography and videography.
Jul
03
Looking for experience and quality in a photographer and videographer is essential to preserving the memories of your wedding. We recommend looking at the body of work when it comes to the artist that covers your wedding and speaking to them about their experience. We recently got hired to cover a wedding in Long Island for a client that was looking for a Pakistani Wedding Photographer and when they came across our work and experience they felt very compelled to reach out and have a discussion about our services. What ended up happening? They fell in love with our approach, our involvement and our dedication to be involved in their entire wedding process. It is essential that you attach yourself to artists who care as much about your wedding as you do. We had a client back in 2016 looking for an Atlanta Iraqi Wedding Photographer and the same thing happened when they came across our work. They saw our dedication to the craft and our experience in multi-cultural weddings and felt very comfortable with us being part of their big day. We want you to have the best possible memories of your day and our photography and videography will lend a hand in helping you relive every minute of that day.
Jun
14
2017 has been an amazing year so far for our team here at Saiaf Films. We’ve had the great pleasure of covering some spectacular weddings. If you live in Arizona and are looking for a Phoenix Wedding Photographer or Phoenix Wedding Videographer then look to Saiaf Films to take care of your needs. We announced new lower pricing for Arizona clients and feel it will add great value to your memories. We offer drone photography, drone videography, premium wedding albums and full length films as well as highlights to our packages. When it comes to capturing your memories in a memorable way, we have you covered. Here at Saiaf Films, we specialize in world-class wedding photography and videography.
Jun
03
How To Have Happy Wedding Guests
Of course, the wedding is about the bride and groom and their beautiful union, but if you are planning a wedding- the following thought has probably crossed your mind, “Will my guests enjoy themselves at our wedding?” Our team at Saiaf Films has seen all types 
of different weddings. After years of observing these epic events, we have gathered a pretty decent knowledge of what it takes to have happy wedding guests. You can’t always please everyone, but these ideas can give you an idea of what makes guests happy or what can drive them crazy!
Appetizers & Drinks
It’s no secret that people enjoy good food when they attend a wedding. But sometimes, not everyone can hold off through the ceremony and formalities before dinner is served. If you want to have happy wedding guests, consider serving drinks and appetizers before the ceremony begins (aka: Cocktail Hour.) Who knows how many of them were in a rush to get ready or were too busy with excitement to eat beforehand. You don’t want your 
guests sitting around trying to enjoy the ceremony while they are getting lightheaded or frustrated from their hunger pains! Same goes for the drinkage. Keep your guests hydrated throughout the event- especially if you are having an outdoor wedding in the warmer months.
Time Limits
This can be difficult to follow sometimes, especially if you are caught up in the moment. But when things start to drag on past a certain time, you may start to lose the attention of your guests. This goes for ceremony time, speech time, etc. It helps to have a time limit anticipated ahead of time. Obviously, you don’t always know how long someone is planning their speech to be, but perhaps you can mention it ahead of time to everyone who plans to speak. Or designate someone to spread the word. It is also important to stay somewhat on schedule. There may be minor delays, but keeping on schedule will keep your guests entertained and knowing what to expect next.
Extra Details
- Friendly Staff: This goes for your servers, bartender, DJ, etc. There is nothing more awkward than a rude staff member at a wedding- and it can quickly take the excitement from a happy wedding guest. Consider designating someone who can keep an eye or an ear out for unhappy wedding staff.
- Space: It always helps to anticipate ample space for your event. If you are having a large wedding, be sure that your venue allows for room and comfort. Some people like their space and may get frustrated if they are crammed into a small area.
- Music: Always double check your wedding playlist or discuss the details with your DJ. You want to ensure that there will be music when needed and that it will keep the vibe of the wedding going throughout the night.
- Special Details: Guests love special details! Whether it is a firework send off, or an extra special performance or dance. Try to incorporate a few special details that will always stand out for your guests.
Having happy wedding guests will ensure that your wedding is a hit! Again, you may not be able to please everyone- but taking care of the few little things will guarantee that the majority enjoys your event. That means a more exciting and enjoyable wedding to remember for years to come!
Jun
01
Planning A Beautiful Multicultural Wedding
At Saiaf Films, our passion for beautiful multicultural wedding photography is pretty evident. After attending so many different types and styles, we know that it takes A LOT of work and a ton of planning to put together a gorgeous multicultural wedding. We understand how overwhelming it can be. Therefore, we would like to share a 
few tips for planning an especially beautiful multicultural wedding!
Incorporate Multicultural Wedding Decor: What can be more intriguing than a multicultural wedding that actually incorporates multicultural decor? Utilizing cultural elements in your wedding decor can help to set the tone and ambiance for your event. Take both cultures into consideration, then find a way to fuse them beautifully together. Perhaps your cultural partakes to a particular type of flower or bloom? Why not inject that culture into the floral arrangements? Or, consider what colors are popular in both cultures and tailor your accent colors to suit them. Vibrant and eye catching colors can be used throughout as well. Pillows or rugs are commonly traditional for multicultural weddings and they can create the perfect areas for your guests to sit and socialize during cocktail hour.
Reception & Entertainment: One of our team’s favorite parts about beautiful multicultural weddings are the 
entertainment! Performances and dancing are always common at these events. Consider including elements from both cultures. Mix it up with both styles of music and dance- that way both parties can enjoy the celebration. Plus, it will give both sides a chance to bond and try something new. Check out our film gallery from some beautiful multicultural wedding footage! We have captured so many stunning performances and the energy is unforgettable. It is a great way to get the crowd going and captivated while still showcasing and paying respect to your heritage.
Traditional Treats & Feasts: What better of a way to bring two cultures together? Treats and food! Why not treat your guests to an array of dishes from both cultures? It allows everyone to experience something that they wouldn’t normally get to, while still having the opportunity to enjoy your heritage. Whether it’s in the form of an appetizer or a dessert, your guests will be intrigued to see or try something new.
Want to check out some great visual inspiration for your beautiful multicultural wedding? Check out our galleries for some stunning examples of weddings we have captured!
May
25
Our Team of Mexican Wedding Videographers Capture Zaira and Emilio’s Scottsdale Wedding
When Zaira and Emilio first contacted us, they were in search of a Mexican wedding videographer to capture the essence of their beautiful Mexican wedding in Scottsdale, AZ. We were instantly intrigued by their passion and excitement for their upcoming event. Like Mexican weddings, our team of Mexican wedding videographers was 
anticipating a lively and very family oriented event. After much anticipation, their big day arrived and our Saiaf Films Mexican videographers were there to capture every stunning and beautiful detail on film.
At the start of the day, our female videographers spent time with Zaira as she prepared for her wedding. We were sure to capture all the special details including the makeup application, the adorable “Bride” robe that she wore, her gorgeous wedding jewelry and even the moments where her hair was styled. Meanwhile, our male wedding videographers spent time with Emilio while he got dressed and prepared. We cherish these moments because they were the perfect opportunity to enjoy how sweet and caring both Zaira and Emilio were.
Afterwards, our Mexican wedding videographers moved outside to the ceremony site. There, we were able to capture timeless footage of Zaira walking down the aisle towards Emilio. His smile when he sees her is unforgettable! And she looked simply stunning standing at the altar in her elegant wedding dress. Once it was time for the reception, our Mexican wedding videographers took their place in the reception area to film the exciting events of their reception.
During the reception, our team captured memorable film footage of the wedding decor, the cake and all the lively moments of Zaira and Emilio’s big day. The couple had selected an amazingly talented Mariachi band to perform- which kept the guests dancing and grooving throughout the night. We were sure to get the key moments such as the speeches, the garter and bouquet toss, the cake cutting and even the important dance moments. Even on video, it is impossible to deny the beauty and ambiance of Zaira and Emilio’s Mexican wedding.
As wedding videographers, it is our goal and passion to preserve all the special memories of a couple’s big day. We know that the bride and groom will always cherish the opportunity to go back and see the raw emotion that we have the ability to capture on film. Thank you Zaira and Emilio for selecting Saiaf Films as the Mexican wedding videographers for your gorgeous and unforgettable Scottsdale wedding.
May
06
Pro Tips For Epic Wedding Videography
Spring is here and wedding season is upon us! Our team at Saiaf Films is super busy and loving it! It’s around these times that we like to share some of our tips and ideas for achieving the best wedding memories possible. As wedding videographers, we have an enormous amount of experience in pinpointing the best moments to capture on film, but there are also some great ways that you can ensure your wedding videography experience is top notch! Here, our team shares their tips and ideas for guaranteeing a seamless and epic wedding videography experience.
Bridal Robe or Outfit
Your special day is going to be one of the most epic days of your life. One of the best parts of this day will be the moments where you are getting ready for your event. Not only is it important to capture these moments on film, but it will also be one of your most favorite memories to look back on. That being the case, it is important to feel as comfortable as you can while you are getting all dolled up. Having a pre-selected outfit or bridal robe will make this aspect so much more enjoyable. Consider choosing a robe or an outfit that is suiting to your theme. (Check out how awesome Rita looked in her wedding videography!) Plus, having your bridesmaids in similar gear will make the moment even more memorable! These little details make for epic wedding videography of the grand “getting ready” moments.
Try Not To Chew Gum!
We completely understand the desire for fresh breath on your big day- but a continuously moving jaw can be somewhat of an eyesore for epic wedding videography. You may not notice you are even doing it, but the video will certainly capture it. Consider other options like mints, breath spray or breath strips- and don’t be afraid to request the same from your bridal party!
Hair and Makeup
Your wedding day will be one of the most in depth days for hair and makeup that you have ever had. When it comes to epic wedding videography, it really helps to have natural lighting in the areas where you will be having your hair and makeup done. Natural sunlight allows the face to be illuminated in a way that artificial lighting does not. When your hair and makeup artist arrives, consider requesting that the work be performed near a window or area that allows natural lighting to flow in.
Capturing epic wedding videography is what we do best! Following our tips will guarantee even more stunning results. Want to check out some more wedding videography inspiration? Check out our film gallery here!
May
03
The Paseo: A Breathtaking Mesa Wedding Venue
It’s the day of your wedding. You have just 
finished getting ready with your closest friends and family in your own private bridal suite. The placement of your dress is perfect, your bouquet is in hand, it is nearly time to take your walk down the aisle. You are standing in front of an impressive and elegant set of doors that separate you from your guests and the beloved you are about to marry at your Mesa wedding. You hold your breath as the doors begin to open.
The Superstition Mountains create a striking backdrop on the horizon while the desert landscape creates an unforgettable ambiance. You feel the desert breeze as you begin to move forward. Your ceremony is held in a luscious and green oasis like area. Your guests admire the sweeping views of the Superstition as you pledge your love to one another. The wedding photos will be unforgettable- that’s why you chose this venue. Where are you? The Paseo, of course.
In this week’s Wedding Venue Spotlight, our team shares their account for The Paseo wedding venue in Mesa, AZ. You may have noticed, this isn’t the first time we have mentioned this breathtaking venue. Why? We LOVE it! (Check out our unbelievable wedding photos from Rita and Hosam’s Mesa wedding.) As Mesa wedding photographers, we cherish the opportunity to capture striking wedding photos. The Paseo never disappoints in this area. At the foot of the Superstition Mountains, this Mesa wedding venue offers Sonoran desert views along with the elegance of a grand scale venue.
But, it doesn’t stop there! The reception potential is just as picture perfect. You and your guests can enjoy an outdoor reception area that is ideal for dining or dancing under the desert stars. With bistro style lighting, you can achieve the perfect rustic feel. Prefer an indoor reception? The Paseo offers a striking 4000 sq ft pavilion that can be utilized 
as an indoor reception area. Gigantic sliding doors can be opened to allow the desert breeze to flow into your wedding celebration.
With an array of versatile wedding options, The Paseo is a perfect choice for those seeking a wedding location that is sure to leave you with awestruck guests and wedding photos that can be cherished forever. As a family owned and operated venue, they pride themselves on the beautiful wedding opportunities that they offer. With unique elegance, they have created a one of a kind location. Much like our team at Saiaf Films, their passion for unforgettable wedding memories are obvious! Want some more Paseo inspiration? Check out Rita and Hosam’s epic wedding or Suzanne and Jake’s Western Wedding!
