Chris and Toni Wheaton were among the first “wedding vendors” I met after starting my business and they are two of the sweetest, most supportive people in the industry. Not to mention incredibly talented filmmakers. They own Barton Creek Weddings, one of the area’s best videography studios, specializing in high end HD & 8mm wedding films. Read along to find out their thoughts on love, life, weddings and filmmaking! And, if you have the opportunity to talk to them, ask about their affinity for penguins. It’s a great story!
Chris + Toni Wheaton with Barton Creek Weddings
Location: Raleigh, NC
Email: info@bartoncreekweddings.com
Web Site: www.bartoncreekweddings.com
Phone: 919. 827.4452
Q. How long have you been filming weddings? How did you become interested in working in the wedding industry? Where did you get your training and/or experience?
A. I’ve [Toni] been filming weddings since January 2007. I always wanted to be in front of the camera until I got behind it and found my home. I came across Barton Creek Productions when I was researching vendors for our own wedding back in late 2006 and fell in love with wedding films. I met with the owner [at that time], who offered me a job/internship shooting and editing for him. After two wedding seasons, he offered Chris and me the weddings business. And Barton Creek Weddings was born!
Chris did an internship with the previous owner and I trained him as well. We’re continually learning and attending workshops for training to better ourselves and be the best we can be. We want to offer couples a film that they fall in love with and want to watch for a lifetime.
Q. What is the most rewarding part of what you do?
A. Besides the fact that we get to work together, getting a phone call or email from couples expressing their excitement and joy over their film.
Q. What unique quality do you possess that sets you apart from other videographers?
A. First and foremost we are filmmakers, not videographers. 😉 We are a husband and wife team and bring different creative qualities in shooting and working together. We go beyond the cheesy, boring “video” with nothing more than a montage of clips in motion set to music. We get to know our couples on a personal level; what makes them unique, how they met, their inside jokes and secrets that make them a team and we then interoperate their story into a custom and unique film, much like a movie.
Q. Finish this sentence: “I wish more brides/couples would…”
A. Take the time to educate themselves about wedding films and seriously consider getting one
Q. What is the best piece of advice you can offer to brides/couples for their wedding day?
A. Take a minute to yourselves, hold each other, look into each others eyes and remember that moment forever because the day goes by so fast
Q. What current wedding trend do you most like?
A. Photo booths!
Q. What inspires you?
A. We love “love”! We draw inspiration from our relationship, movies, family and friends’ relationships; we love to hear our couples love stories of how they met and fell in love. We both immediately visualize the story in our minds and work together to bring it to life.
Q. How do you keep each video fresh and exciting?
A. Every wedding has most of the same traditions, but each wedding is different because the bride and groom are different and unique. Because each couple’s story is different, each film is completely unique and different. Getting to know our couples on a personal basis also helps to build the relationship and enables us to create a custom film. Being young and in love also helps! 😉
Q. What is your favorite wedding memory? your most embarrassing wedding story?
A. Favorite: Our wedding, of course.
Embarrassing: We were doing a session with the bride and groom in a park after the wedding and Chris stepped up on a porch and his pants completely ripped in between his legs! Fortunately, we were almost finished for the day, so we were able to hide it and nobody knew but me. Now we both have an extra pair of pants in the car at all times.
If you could compile a WEDDING FAVES list, what would be your:
Q. Favorite wedding song?
A. “So High” by John Legend (it’s our song)
Q. Song NOT to include on a reception play list?
A. “Carolina Girls”
Q. Must-use flower?
A. Rose
Q. Menu item?
A. Shrimp cocktail
Q. Drink?
A. Lemonade on a hot day
Q. Besides taping weddings, what else do you do with your time?
A. Besides filming weddings, we love to go to the movies, go out to eat, [we love sushi], traveling, shopping, go on walks, just hang out with friends and each other.
Q. What are 3 things you can’t live without?
A. Toni: Chris, Starbucks, my pillow
Chris: Toni, physical activity, pizza
Q. Are there any other fun facts that we should know about you that would increase your “coolness quotient” even more?
A. Chris is an all-star athlete – he played soccer at NC State [said by Toni]
Toni was born in WV and made it out safe without marrying a family member 😉
See Barton Creek’s awesomeness for yourself! Check out this recent trailer:
Kristyn + Ronald :: Wedding Trailer from Barton Creek Weddings on Vimeo.
