When A Cowboy Western Gets Mixed with a Nigerian Dance Party

Hey Fans!

Some love stories unfold quietly and beautifully, like the opening of a favorite book — Ashley and Nial’s is one of those.

WATCH: Now We Get to Start a New Journey / Silver Ridge Ranch Banning Wedding

From a late-night DM to a life built on deep connection, cross-country moves, and the joyful chaos of parenthood, Ashley and Nial’s journey has always been rooted in partnership. Their wedding day at the rustic and serene Silver Ridge Ranch in Banning, CA, was more than just a celebration — it was a full-circle moment with their son by their side and family from across the country and around the world dancing under the California sky.

What struck us most as filmmakers was how comfortable and open Ashley and Nial are with each other. Whether sharing heartfelt vows, quiet glances during the first look, or a laugh during their choreographed line dance, their wedding was a reflection of their personalities: playful, supportive, and deeply loving.

We’re so honored to have captured this day and preserved all the moments that mattered — from the speeches that brought joyful tears to the surprise umbrella dance that lit up the reception floor. Ashley and Nial wanted a film that showed who they are — not just as a couple, but as a family. We hope this film brings them right back to that day every time they watch it.

Vendors:
Venue: Silver Ridge Ranch
Photography: Dreaming Tree
DJ: Taylor Made It Music
Catering: Russo’s Italian Kitchen
Dress: Della Curva
Alterations: The Scarlett Seam
Film by: FilmLife
Want a film like this? Click here to schedule a call!

When Two People with the Same Name Fall in Love

Hey Fans!

Winter has been weird this year in California, from cold spurts in the mid 30s to weeks of summer heat and wildfires. It’s been a good time to huddle away in the editing cave working on projects before the busyness of spring weddings arrives. And we’re happy to share our latest work of art with you!

WATCH: Chasing Our Dreams is What We Do Best / Serendipity Gardens Oak Glen Wedding / Morongo Casino Resort

What happens when you meet someone whose name sounds just like yours?

For Chace and Chase, an amazing adventure.

It all started when Chace, living in Texas at the time, joined her family for their annual trip to Carpinteria.  Chase had also joined many times over the years and finally worked up the courage to ask Chace out on a date.  She wasn’t so sure about the experience, but a little encouragement from her brother (and the promise of a free dinner) led her to a weekend that changed everything.  Their connection was instant, and after a few years, they were inseparable. ❤️

As their relationship deepened, Chase knew almost immediately that Chace was *the one*. Three weeks in, he told her at a red light, “I think I’m going to marry you one day.” Chace, still processing it all, just smiled, brushing it off. But she was already feeling the same way. Days full of laughter, spontaneous adventures, and quiet moments together led her to realize that he was her forever.

Fast forward to their wedding day at Serendipity Gardens in Oak Glen, CA,  filled with so many special moments — starting with their emotional first look, where Chace got to share a quiet, intimate moment with her dad and brothers before walking down the aisle. The joy of seeing each other for the first time, the excitement in their eyes — it was the beginning of a whole new chapter.

We got to be there for all of it — from the sweet moments with their nieces (who were adorable as the flower girls) playing in the pool to the quiet calm of their private first dance in the barn, punctuated throughout with regular jokes about their first names.

The day was filled with laughter, family, and so much love. And while they love to travel, cook together, and laugh at their own inside jokes, they both knew that their wedding day would be about more than just the celebration—it was about coming together, merging families, and creating a future full of memories.

Chase and Chace’s wedding wasn’t just about a beautiful day—it was about the foundation they’ve built over the years, the adventures they’ve had, and the ones still to come. We were honored to capture the start of their forever.

Please enjoy this beautiful, heartwarming wedding film at Serendipity Gardens in Oak Glen, CA and the Morongo Casino & Resort!

Our First Travel Film Shot Fully on an iPhone

Hey Fans!

2025 is officially here, and with it comes some much-needed downtime here at FilmLife. To be honest, the past few months have been an endless roller coaster of wedding shoots, client calls, and other activities. We decided to take a few days this month to wind down, relax, and sip some lovely drinks at the beach in Cancún.

Now normally our approach to travel is to bring our cameras and drone to capture the experience. It gives us a chance to preserve the memories of the trip as well as to experiment with different techniques before bringing them onto our weddings. We’ve shot Super8mm film, played with wide-screen anamorphic lenses, tried out DCI 4K format, and so much more.

This time around, we went a completely different direction, all based on the question: what if all we had was an iPhone? Could it ever look as good as a professional camera?

The results speak for themselves. Click below to watch our latest travel film, filmed entirely on the iPhone 16 Pro in Apple LOG.

WATCH: CANCÚN: Mexico Travel Film Shot on iPhone Apple LOG

Now my question to you is: what would you think of having your wedding film shot entirely on iPhone? Let us know in the comments below!

A High School Romance We'll Never Forget

Hey Fans!

December is a busy time for us - pounding the keyboard trying to finish edits, planning projects for the upcoming year, and trying to carve out time to visit with family and get a little recharge. It’s a lot to juggle, but the joy comes when we see another wedding film take shape and be ready to share with the world. Here’s a look at our latest one!

WATCH: Our Love Will Forever Illuminate Our Souls

There's nothing like a high school romance.

When Hannah met Chillin for the first time, sparks definitely flew - in the wrong way.  While Chillin thought Hannah was cute (if a little stuck up), Hannah was annoyed by Chillin trying to copy her chemistry tests and had little patience for him.  Nevertheless, Chillin liked the challenge and continued to ask for her number on the pretense of needing help with his homework.  Eventually Hannah was won over by Chillin's consistently funny sense of humor and went out on a first date.

Before they knew it, they had graduated high school, sharing the same home, and ready to have their first child Kalani.

As they got to know each other, Hannah saw Chillin's deeper, more mature side come through.  He consistently showed by his gentle actions, his hard-working spirit, and his sweet vulnerability, reassuring her that she would always be safe and cared for by him.  As for Chillin, he always believed in the idea of marrying once and making that marriage be a success no matter what, and that pushed him to keep growing and changing, giving up his party lifestyle and working on becoming the best version of himself.

Together, these two planned a wedding that perfectly reflected their personalities - a blend of laughter, Hawaiian traditions, gangster bravado, beautiful mountain greenery, heartfelt expressions of love, warm intimate interactions with family and friends, and a knock-your-socks off dance party enhanced by healthy doses of tequila.  Please enjoy this fun wedding film shot at Gold Mountain Manor in Big Bear City, and share with anyone who loves a good wedding film!

A Perfect Wedding to End 2024 On

Hey Fans!

Our year is slowly drawing to a close, and it’s almost time for us to hermit away for a bit in our editing cave and get to work on all of the amazing stories we were privileged to capture this year. But before we do, here’s a sneak peek at our final wedding of 2024.

WATCH: Let's Make the Leap Together / Millers Landing Lake Arrowhead Wedding

Laurie and Chad’s wedding was a rollicking good time. Everything about their party fit them perfectly - the relaxed denim and cowboy boots of the guys, the bright sunflower florals, the line dancing during the reception, the cool mountain air of Lake Arrowhead, and the playful freedom of the bride and groom during their romantics. We love when couples can let loose and be themselves in all their joy and humor, and we can’t wait to share more of this fun and spastic wedding day at Miller’s Landing in the future.

Back at Our Favorite Wedding Venue

Hey Fans!

It’s not often that we get to film at the same wedding venue more than once, but we love when we do. And especially so when it’s a venue only twenty minutes away from home and full of natural beauty, space, and variety. We’re talking of course about Serendipity Gardens in Oak Glen, and today’s wedding teaser features our return to this gorgeous Tuscan-themed property up in the mountains. Give it a watch below!

WATCH: I Cannot Wait to Add to Our Book of Memories / Serendipity Gardens Oak Glen Wedding

Ellie and Raul, you two are a perfect pair. Ever since you met eleven years ago, you both have connected to each other on the deepest level, filling your lives with conversations simple and profound. Your wedding matched your energy perfectly, filled with warm moments of connection with your family, embracing the beauty of the mountains of Oak Glen, and joyfully crammed with lots of dancing and boundless fun. We are so happy that you chose us as your photo/video team, and we hope you love this sneak peek of the love story to come! Congrats on your amazing wedding at Serendipity Gardens!

When Your Wedding Vows Come From Your Heart & Soul

Hey Fans!

It’s a happening week here for the FilmLife team - we booked a wedding for 2025 on Monday, delivered a wedding film to a couple on Tuesday, and today we get to share a teaser for our latest couple. Give it a watch below!

WATCH: Words Will Never Express How Much I Love You / Old Ranch Country Club Seal Beach Wedding

Rachel and Anthony’s wedding day was a whirlwind of activity (as most weddings are). But everything slowed down when it came time to share their vows. At that moment, the world focused on them alone and the amazingly vulnerability they shared as a couple. Rachel especially made it easy for everyone in attendance to understand why she loves Anthony and how much safety and calm he has brought to her life. We hope you enjoy this beautiful sneak peek of their wedding day filmed at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach, CA.

A Wedding Day High Above the City

Hey Fans!

When you decide to have your wedding on top of the tallest building in your city, it’s easy to be wowed by the views. But even more important than the cityscape below is the sweetness of the love between Jillian and Nicholas. Watch their wedding film below!

WATCH: You Make Me Feel Sparks and Shooting Stars / Pacific View Tower Club Oxnard Wedding

Jillian first caught Nicholas’ eye when he watched her perform a simple two-second SnapChat. And in that moment, he saw everything he needed to know - her dorky off-the-rails humor, her thoughtful and caring nature, and her fervent love of all things animal related. He quickly took the leap and asked her out on a casual date to Starbucks and Target, the first of many opportunities they had to build their connection. By the third date, Nick was already feeling perfectly natural in telling Jillian he loved her.

Now we’re happy to share their sweet and tasteful wedding day, filmed at the Pacific View Tower Club in Oxnard, CA.

A Romance Forged Through Fire

Hey Fans!

September is almost always a crazy month. More than any other time of the year, couples love to book their weddings right as the summer ends and fall begins to exert its pull. And this year we’re excited to start the month with a sneak peek at our latest couple’s love story - one with a lot of depth and dimension.

WATCH: I Can't Wait to Be Our Greatest Love Story / The Retreat By Wedgewood Weddings

Stephanie and Christopher are without a doubt one of the most soulful couples we’ve ever worked with. In their seventeen years together, they’ve learned to navigate all kinds of challenges - unexpected pregnancies, trauma healing, economic hardships, and raising autistic children. Through it all, they’ve built a powerful bond of love and communication that glues them to each other and their beautiful sons and daughters.

Now we’re privileged to share a sneak peek of the incredible story these two have forged through fire and flame, celebrated at The Retreat in Corona, CA.

A Love Story Forty Years Strong

Hey Fans!

Most of our films are about the start of marriage - a couple’s journey that have led them to making a commitment to spend the rest of their lives together. But today’s film takes us to a different part of the story. Instead of the beginning of marriage, we get to flash forward to forty years in the future and celebrate all that a life together as husband and wife creates. Give it a watch below!

WATCH: I've Loved You for 40 Years / Zachari Dunes Mandalay Beach Oxnard Wedding Anniversary

Tina and Carl first met at Builders Emporium in the early 80s. Back then, it was a rare thing to find someone from the UK living in California, and that quickly created a meaningful connection between them.  They spent time working together on different projects, feeling out each other’s personalities, and building a relaxed atmosphere.

In Carl’s words, he and Tina are “like chalk and cheese”: Tina’s family grew up middle class, while Carl was from a subdued upper-class background.  Tina had the typical school experience, while Carl was sent off to boarding school.  Rather than separate them, those differences made their lives richer and more beautiful. It wasn’t long before Carl proposed and they enjoyed a lovely wedding onboard the Queen Mary in 1983.

Their family quickly grew from there as they raised three boys, spending time playing sports and traveling to exotic places like Mexico and Hawaii. In the decades that followed, their family has expanded to six grandchildren and even a great-grandchild, who they love to dote on and play with.

Now these two get to celebrate forty years of love and life spent together at the beautiful Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach in Oxnard, CA. Enjoy following them on this 70s-infused party filled with dancing, sand, and Super8 goodness.

A Summer's Day Wedding in Oak Glen

Hey Fans!

This week has been a rollercoaster of fun. In one week we’ve delivered our longest wedding film ever, started work on our next project, and we get to share another beautiful sneak peek of a fantastic love story. Give it a watch below!

WATCH: OUR LOVE IS SIGNED, SEALED, AND DELIVERED / SERENDIPITY GARDENS OAK GLEN WEDDING

Andrea and Fernando’s wedding was all about connection - connection with each other, with their children, with their guests, and with the fun of celebrating a culmination of nine years together. In that time they became joint parents, overcame addiction, built their careers, and have traveled the world creating memories. We’re excited to share a brief look at how wonderful their wedding day at Serendipity Gardens was, and we can’t wait to share the full film with you in the coming months!

An Elegant Yet Playful Wedding In San Marcos, CA

Hey Fans!

Remember when we mentioned that our last wedding film was our longest ever?

Well we just topped it again. And it’s worth watching every minute.

WATCH: You Are My Beautiful Gem / Twin Oaks House & Garden Estate Wedding / San Marcos Wedding Film

Bri and Nat are the definition of college sweethearts - a slow burn of friendship built through months of rock climbing, hanging out at the beach, Yogurtland trips, and fraternity events. After their first group meetup, Nat immediately knew that Bri was the one for him. She checked all the boxes with her honesty, love of family, her spontaneous bursts of silly humor, and her industrious spirit. Bri slowly grew to think of Nat in different terms as she watched him hustle through life, never doing things halfway, and his creative nature that drove him to play with the world in new ways. It wasn’t long before Nat pulled a Disney-esque proposal on the beach and sealed the deal for their future life together.

As we got to know these two, we learned very quickly that their wedding day would be a blast. Both Bri and Nat wanted their film to be filled with as many fun, playful moments as possible, highlighting the silliness and joy of their relationship. Their college friends were among their biggest supporters and deserved to feature in the antics of the day. And ever the Disney fan, Bri specifically chose to include a number of “hidden Mickeys” throughout her decor for her guests to hunt down. At the same time, their story also needed to convey depth of emotion, both good and bad. Nat in particular longed to have his deceased parents feature in the memories of the day, and his sister’s speech carried beautiful expressions of the love and pride his mom and dad felt towards him. And Bri’s wedding vows were among the most touching and heartfelt we’ve filmed.

All of these elements combined with the gorgeous decor of Twin Oaks House & Gardens to create an amazing love story we are privileged to have shared in. Please enjoy this wonderful film, give it a like, and share with everyone who enjoys a good wedding film!

A Wine Country Wedding Full of Elegance

Hey Friends!

California is full of different environments for weddings - beaches, mountains, cities, deserts. One of our favorite locales is Temecula and all the lovely hills and vineyards that dot the landscape. Here’s a look at one of our latest weddings filmed there!

Alexandra and Timothy planned a beautiful occasion, full of elegant decor and natural greenery. Coupling that with a laid back personality and playful vibes with their guests made this day a joy to capture. Enjoy watching this sneak peek of their fun celebration at Galway Downs in Temecula, CA!

A Fun Mix of Country and Nigerian Traditions

Hey Fans!

April has been an unpredictable month of weather here in California, but fortunately the skies cleared and sun was shining for our latest wedding teaser! Give it a watch below.

WATCH: I'm So Excited to Share this Journey with You / Silver Ridge Ranch Wedding / Banning CA Wedding

Ashley and Nial created a beautiful celebration - one that embraced their unique backgrounds and blended them together into a beautiful tapestry. The day was full of fun and fervor, with Nigerian traditional dances bringing some extra spice and flavor to the country-themed venue and decor. And of course, who could forget the joy they had including their beautiful boy Ermias in the day's events. Enjoy watching this playful wedding teaser filmed at Silver Ridge Ranch in Banning, CA.

The Coolest Super8mm Wedding We've Ever Filmed

Hey Fans!

Are you ready for our longest, most retro-vibing wedding film we’ve ever made?

If so, then click play below!

WATCH: The Vibist Super8mm Wedding You'll Ever See / Homestead At Wilshire Ranch Wedding / Oak Glen Wedding

Savanna and Kris are awesome people.

Here’s why.

These two met shortly after high school while heavily involved in drugs. At first, all they wanted was a companion to get high with. Before they knew it, Savanna was pregnant at only 19 years old. They quickly realized they were in for a crazy ride ahead and made the decision to combat their addiction and embrace a drug-free life.

Flash forward eighteen years later, these two have built a beautiful life for themselves and their two kids. Their struggles made them strong, powerful people who embrace their quirks and aren’t afraid to get heavy in their emotions. We were thrilled when they reached out to us to create a film that highlighted all the memorable steps they’ve taken through life together.

Enjoy watching this super vibey film full of funky people, retro super8mm footage, and heartfelt emotions at The Homestead in Oak Glen, CA.

VENDORS FEATURED

PHOTOGRAPHER: Desert Born Studios

DJ: DJ Milo

Catering: Haverland Catering

Florist: Moonlight Floral

HAIR & Makeup: Ariel Lizarraga

Dress: Bridal Elegance Studio

VENUE: The Homestead at Wilshire Ranch

A Gorgeous Wedding in Corona, CA

Hey Fans!

We’re just a few days into spring, and the results are already exciting. Green hills, longer days, rising temperatures are all fantastic things to look forward to. And of course, with springtime also comes a return to weddings! Here’s a little glimpse at our first project of 2024.

WATCH: I Will Always Stand By You / The Retreat By Wedgewood Weddings / Corona Wedding Teaser

Introducing Mr & Mrs Cabezas! Tessa and Ramiro's wedding was a happy, chill affair nestled in the beautiful hills of Corona, CA. Enjoy watching this fun wedding day at The Retreat by Wedgewood Weddings!

Let's Get Married in the Rain

Hey FilmLife Fans!

What would you do if it rained at your outdoor wedding?

Cancel it?

Move it inside?

Or maybe like Geena and Mark, you'd embrace the rain and get wet?

That's just one of the things that happened in our latest wedding film!

WATCH: I'd Marry You Even in The Rain / Harvey House Idyllwild Pine Cove Wedding

Geena and Mark wanted something a little different with their wedding film.

No personal vows.

No reading of letters.

No extra details of their relationship.

For them, their wedding film needed to be about the day itself - how things looked and felt without the spoken word to communicate.  A film that was moody, focused on nature, and capturing a relaxed atmosphere with their loved ones.

This led to some different choices than we typically make.

First, we decided to lean fully into the music of the film as the driver of the story.  We spent hours combing through our music library for a track that captured that mix of moody calmness with a build towards celebration.

We also put more emphasis on capturing moments in a slower, more gentle aesthetic, letting moments linger and breathe.

And finally, we worked to design events in the day that highlighted the wildness and unpredictability of nature - shots of unexpected rainstorms, fog, trees, birds, and more.

The result is a gorgeous story that communicates through feeling the key elements that define Geena and Mark - their love of the outdoors, their playful relationship, and the calm intimacy their wedding evoked.

Please enjoy this beautiful wedding at the Harvey House in Idyllwild, CA.

VENDORS FEATURED

Coordinator + Florist

Mrs Brown’s Floral & Event Specialist

Photographer

MJ Maiden Photography

DJ

DJ Notorious

Bartender

The Thirsty Horse Mobile Bar

Catering

SOHO TACO

Rentals

Circa Rentals

Hair

Krystal Marquez

Makeup

Cinthya Event & Bridal MUA

Venue

Harvey House

When Your Private Vows Make You Cry

Hey FilmLife Fans!

2024 is here, and we are celebrating with our latest wedding film! Come give it a watch!

WATCH: You Are the Home I Always Wanted / Serendipity Gardens Oak Glen Wedding / Morongo Casino & Resort

When Ellie and Adrian first approached us about filming their wedding, they had three key criteria:

1. Make it fun

2. Make it emotional

3. Make it authentic

And right away we started working together to bring those ideas to reality.

First, we planned out activities that would create more spontaneous fun for them throughout the day. One of the big winners was featuring their adorable puppy Cooper in the wedding party. Another involved setting aside more time for their romantics to be playful and silly. And we looked at musical choices that leaned into their mutual taste for country.

Then we gave attention to the emotion of the day. In the months leading up to the wedding, we worked with Ellie and Adrian to write letters and vows that would elicit deep feelings from each other. We planned moments for the day that would let the couple absorb the experience, like a private first dance where they could reflect on everything the day meant for them. And we provided tips to their family and friends on how to give wedding speeches that would be truly heartfelt.

Last came the authenticity. We knew their film would need to lean into organic, candid moments that didn’t need to be cleaned up or made pretty. So we chose specifically to let moments like the private vows and Ellie’s first look with her parents to linger and dwell on their reactions in the moment.

To us, the result is a beautiful love letter between two tender-hearted people who embrace silliness and depth all at once.

Please enjoy this amazing film set at Morongo Casino and Serendipity Gardens in Oak Glen, CA.

Take Me Back to Margaritaville

Hey Fans!

Have we mentioned how much we love a good Palm Springs wedding? Here’s a perfect example.

WATCH: Our Love is Fiery / Margaritaville Palm Springs Weddding

Where else can you have an outdoor ceremony in the middle of November and not be freezing to death? And when you add in the beautiful desert surroundings, the cool 1960s aesthetics, and all the fun activities within arms reach, it makes perfect sense why Jenna & Jonathan drove all the way from Monterey to make this their destination wedding. Thank you for letting us share your experience with you!

A Wedding at a Classic Theater

Hi Fans!

We love adding local wedding venues to our history of experience. And this week we’ve added one more - the Fox Event Center in Redlands! Watch our teaser film below for a glimpse.

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Jennifer and Donny’s story has been carved in challenges. Their original plan to get married last year was quickly knocked off course by major health issues - cancer for Jennifer, brain surgery for Donny. But they kept pushing, kept persevering, and kept focused on making their special celebration a reality. Thank you for letting us share in your fun wedding at the Fox Event Center in Redlands, CA!