Hurricane Wedding?
 

I'm scheduled to shoot a wedding on Sunday in NJ. The forecast is for a full force cat 1 or 2 hurricane on that day. The bride has not yet postponed. If she keeps it on, I'm wondering how to approach the shoot and the edit as I think it will certainly be a unique day. If the storm does not have a catasrophic impact (power goes out to the venue) the hurricane could present a fun theme to build on. Anyone else shooting in the hurricane path this weekend? I read of some other couples in the area already canceling.

Art

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

Wow! My guess is that the venue will cancel them even if they don't want to! But, maybe not... Not if the storm is less strong than they think.

Good luck -- yeah, definitely highlight the storm (obviously) and don't put your camera through anything too risky!

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

Hey Art,


I was looking forward to shooting a wedding this weekend up in Long Branch... Unfortunately the B&G had to cancel due to the mandatory evacuation.

I do agree that as long as you can stay safe and keep the gear safe, it'll make for some excitement come wedding day. I'm actually a little bummed that I wont get the opportunity.

Best of luck,
Steve

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

Tim's right, I bet. It will likely be cancelled whether or not she want to, unless you're far enough inland it's no threat. Are talking on the coast? Sounds insane, but as said you'd certainly have a unique video if it goes through.

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

Yeah - on the one hand I'm looking forward to shooting whatever the day may bring. On the other hand it could really be a bummer of a wedding if only a handful of guests show up. Losing power would kill the music (unless DJ has a generator) and that could really kill the day.

Art

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

I shooting tomorrow night, supposed to be just on the leading edge during my shoot. I'm nervous, my second shooter is being displaced and now I'm scrambling for a second shooter. I'm in as long as they are in.

Louis

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

I just read they are going to have mandatory evacuations for low lying areas of NYC, first time ever. Wow.

Someone seriously needs to start printing "I survived the 2011 NYC hurricane" T shirts, they will make a bundle.

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

One benefit of thinking that I had a wedding this weekend is having all of my batteries and lights ready for action... Best of luck to all of my fellow Jersey/NYC videog's who will be shooting this weekend.

Steve

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

Jeff great idea! That gave me another thought - make up "Hurricane Irene t-shirts for the bridal party. mmm. might still have time to do this....

Art

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

Maybe make up a honeymoon survival kit as a wedding present. Water, tinned food, blankets, torch, spare batteries, blankets, portable radio, fruit, more blankets etc.

Any stay safe everyone, don't take risks, watch the kids and elderly folk. Keep pets indoors and warm, they can freak out easily and permanently.

Cheers.

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

If you say "hurricane," most people think of wind. However, the most damaging component is water. Incredible amounts of rain, and a rising storm surge creates a deadly combination. I've lived through 3 hurricanes in my lifetime. Do not be in a low lying area when it hits, you could easily lose your life for nothing!

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

In 2004 three hurricanes came through here where I live. Plus all the other hurricanes I've been through living in Florida now for 56 years. They are nothing to joke about when they come through. There's wind, flooding, and they spawn tornadoes. And the electricity can be out for days and days.

Wedding in a hurricane? No way!!! NO JOKE. STAY SAFE. Plus, you don't want your equipment ruined either. Plus you don't want to be stranded. The wedding should be rescheduled.

Don't you have a clause in your contract for inclement weather and other things beyond your control?

There were blue tarps on roofs around here for years after the three hit whammy from Charlie, Francis, and Jeanne in 2004. When Jeanne came through Lakeland, there were more than a thousand trees downed on just one golf course owned by the City of Lakeland. There were thousands upon thousands of trees down, power lines down, power poles down, billboards down, roofs ripped off, the Clinic where I worked back then had five floors of water damage from the roof leaking. And insurance rates in Florida are through the roof still, and it's been years since we've had a hit.

Yeah, we have hurricane parties in Florida. Some are from idiots who don't know about hurricanes. Others are from those of us who do, but are trying to calm our fears.

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

We had a storm here recently at a festival that toke 5 lives and many injured, both my daughters where there and thank God they came out alright. Nobody knew the storm, that only lasted 30 minutes, was going to be so severe. If I knew a hurricane would be passing over, where you know in advance that it can take lives, and if I was doing a gig there, I would not be thinking about printed tshirts.
I honestly can't believe the bride is still thinking about putting all her guests at risk if you know a killer storm will hit that area.

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

This morning a group of us are sitting on go waiting to see if the wedding we are scheduled to shoot tomorrow in NYC is going to be rescheduled. My gut feeling is that we will not be driving to NYC today to get ready.

Luckily here in central NC we got a bit of wind and rain. Still waiting to hear from the rest of the family that lives much closer to the coast than I do.

Everyone stay safe.

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

my wedding last night went well. my second shooter bailed on me and in the rush to get out of there before the eye hit I left my h4n recorder behind. Other than that, it went smoothly and I think It'll make for a great video!

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

Hurricane wedding would be fun. Power goes out and they do the ceremony by candlelight. Of course, this is assuming you've got a decent low light camera. Very unique and not the same old cookie cutter wedding.

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

My "hurricane wedding" wasn't today -- it was in the lead-up yesterday, which, for Boston, was a tremendous rainstorm mid-afternoon. The bridal caravan was driving all around just hoping there'd be a let up (while I followed in my car, frantic, recharging batteries... you know the story).

This inspired a bolt of brilliance on the photographer's part. She marched us into a high-fashion furniture store (à la MAD MEN ilk) right there in downtown Boston and we were able to shoot away! The furniture store folks were very inviting (the place was empty).... and so we turned the pre-hurricane rainstorm into something very nice. (Bride on white retro couches, beds, etc etc)

It was also my first day with a DSLR in my hand on the scene - so the storm was all stormier for me!

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

What a super-cool idea for a bridal shoot, a high-end furniture store. Brilliant.

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

Yeah -- sure is! Here's a screenshot:

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

You'll make more sales with this:

I Survived the Hurricane Irene News Coverage

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

So what happened, Art?

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

Client called off wedding late on Saturday which was the only way to go as most of the state was shut down due to flooding or power outages. They rescheduled for yesterday ( monday!) They had about 100 of the planned 150 guest show. Not too bad considrering the circumstances. It turned out to be a great wedding!

Art

Re: Hurricane Wedding?
 

I had a wedding Saturday that couldn't cancel. The groom was from Australia as most of his family and friends flew in before the hurricane. My drive home at 11:30pm was a bit scary.