OK, the title is a little deceptive here. I know it sounds like I'm going to give a list of places. But what can I really suggest that every New Yorker doesn't already know? Times Square? Union Square? Grand Central? The Brooklyn Bridge? Sure, we've shot in all of these locations, and they look great. But so does the wall two blocks down the street from me next to the Chinese take-out place. And so too does the weekly street fair.

So I'm going to suggest something a little different. Instead of thinking about how a place looks for a wedding video, think about how you will feel at that location. Find a place that you enjoy being. Where you can be active and do something. Where you can be yourself, and where the bridal party will have some fun. I remember one couple who went to Times Square, only to realize that it was crowded and that they didn't like the attention. Did it come through on the video? Yep. We couldn't use a large portion of the footage, because they looked unhappy. Another couple shot at Battery Park. Unfortunately, it was an hour's drive each way between their ceremony and reception, so they were so stressed that they looked miserable. There's also the base of the Brooklyn Bridge on the Brooklyn side. It looks great, but there's often a wait for space, since there are usually 2 other bridal parties there at any time on a Saturday afternoon. Not to mention that some people don't like that there are 2 other bridal parties there, which some couples simply don't like.

Now I'm not saying not to shoot at any of the locations I've just mentioned. Times Square is hustling and bustling and it can be a lot of fun. The Brooklyn Bridge can be beautiful, and Battery Park has some great open space along the water. What I am suggesting is to think about how well the locations will fit into the day and whether they reflect the personalities involved. People being themselves tear through the veneer of the day, making a video that is personal. And in the end, the personality is everything.