Real Weddings Sacramento Magazine

We've Moved Our Blog!

2010-01-09T18:26:00.001-08:00

Hey gang -- thank you for following us on Blogger!

But, we've now moved the blog over to:

http://blog.realweddingsmag.com/

Please check us out there for more tips, trends and inspiration from the folks at Real Weddings Magazine!

Thanks!

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Dazzling Dresses

2010-01-07T15:48:00.001-08:00

Hello Real Weddings Magazine Brides!

Here’s another amazing dress we plucked right off the runway. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we were inspired by the dramatic dose of romantic red in this particular style.

From Alfred Angelo, this satin with re-embroidered lace design is accented with metallics, crystal beading, sequins and rhinestones. Optional elements include a modestly piece and spaghetti straps. The dress is available in white or ivory and the trim comes in 55 colors to match your theme or personal style!

Find this and other Alfred Angelo dresses at their boutique in Roseville at 1208 Galleria Boulevard. 916-797-1919, http://www.alfredangelo.com/.

About Alfred Angelo
The family-owned Alfred Angelo is the world’s leading maker of wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses. For 75 years, they have been dressing brides and the members of their wedding party in elegant and affordable gowns by premier designer Michael Shettel.

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

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Inspiration Board: Presenting Esther Leung and Abe Lo

2010-01-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

The Couple: Esther Leung & Abe Lo

Wedding Date: August 8, 2009

Photography by: Lexigraphics Photography

Tell us a little about you and your beloved:
It all started at Sts. Peter and Paul School in San Francisco, where we met in fifth grade. Placed in a group together, we became friends. However, we lost touch in high school but reunited in college. We have been together ever since.

What was the most amazing part of your day?
In Chinese culture, the groom and his groomsmen would arrive at the bride's house to pick up the bride and the bridesmaids before the ceremony. To enter the house, the groom and groomsmen must complete a variety of task determined by the bridesmaids. One of my favorite tasks was when they had to sing and dance to one of my childhood's favorite songs.

What else would you like to share about your big day?
Walking down the aisle felt like a dream, I was surrounded by flowers, and I could not see any other faces but my husband's. My day began and ended with the biggest smile on my face.

Ceremony: San Francisco City Hall

Reception Venue: Marriott

Photographer: Lexigraphics Photography

Cake: Copenhegan, Designed by our Florist, Mints Design

Flowers: Mints Design

Favors: homemade chocolate with toffee

Wedding Dress: From Forget-Me-Knots

Bridesmaid Dresses: BCBG

Hair: Rene Belle from Didi Salon

Makeup: Jacque Berg

Invitations: Honey & Bloom

DJ/Entertainment: Impact Sounds

Honeymoon location: Paris, France

Any other vendor you'd like to call out? Concept Designer: Gloria Wong Designs

First Dance Song: "You Are My Lady" by Freddie Jackson

Want more Real Weddings? We're serving them up for you at http://www.realweddingsmag.com/!

Photos courtesy of Lexigraphics Photography.

About Lexigraphics (in their own words)
From where we sit, you are one-of-a kind, and our aim in photographing your wedding will be to produce images that are as unique as you are. It's all about you; we are there for you, to capture your memories, to record your dreams for you to enjoy for years to come.

As for us, we bring many years of experience to your wedding. We started Lexigraphics eight years ago, but Christie and I have been married for many more. You are not just "having a wedding," you are getting married. Our aim is simple: to capture all the joy and happiness of this most important day. We like to say we photograph every wedding as if it was our own daughter's wedding, because we do, whether you purchase our smallest package or our largest one.

To find out more about Lexigraphics, visit Lexigraphics Photography on the web and don't miss Lexigraphics' Blog!

And check out their online profile on Real Weddings Magazine's Web site and be sure to check out their other featured real weddings from Real Weddings Magazine:

Erin & Tim - from the Winter/Spring 2010 Real Weddings Magazine

Erin & Thomas - from the Winter/Spring 2010 Real Weddings Magazine

Alexandra & Jordan - from the Summer/Fall 2009 Real Weddings Magazine

Kara & Robbie - from the Winter/Spring 2009 Real Weddings Magazine

Phuong & Wa La - Online Exclusive - from the Winter/Spring 2009 Real Weddings Magazine

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Platinum Weddings...New Episodes Start Tonight!

2010-01-03T12:00:00.000-08:00

Spare No Expense! Platinum Weddings Returns with a new season!

Jewel encrusted wedding bouquet? $500

Professional sitar player? $2,000

45 cascading floral arrangements? $37,000

An opportunity for our readers to get ideas for their weddings without breaking their budget? Priceless

That pretty much sums up the perks of WE tv’s popular reality show Platinum Weddings, airing new episodes starting tonight.

Can we say extravagant? Of course, but these grand affairs are also super entertaining.

I was checking out a repeat from last year on a couple that threw a lavish Indian ceremony and reception. There were some pretty great ideas in there, even if the sum of the parts equaled the down payment on a loft in New York. But price tag aside, there are plenty of reasons to watch, from the beautiful table settings, to the gorgeous locales, to the stunning dresses. Check it out and get inspired!

New episodes at 9 p.m. PST/8 p.m. CST starting tonight, January 3 on WE tv. Check your cable provider for local channel information. You can also visit the Web site for info on the couples and their vendors. http://www.wetv.com/.

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

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Hot Trend: Tiffany & Co. Zodiac Charms by Paloma Picasso

2010-01-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

As we celebrate 2010, Tiffany & Co. introduces a new collection from favorite jewelry designer Paloma Picasso. Inspired by the animals of the Chinese zodiac, she offers 12 beautiful charms, one for each year cycle of the horoscope.

“The Chinese zodiac is a wonderful birthday tradition,” said the designer. “We all have a curiosity about the zodiac and whether it influences our lives.”

Paloma’s Chinese Zodiac captures the vitality of each animal — and the human personality it represents – the inquisitive monkey, restless tiger, self-assured rooster, quick-witted horse, passionate dragon, resolute ox, sensitive rabbit, sensual snake, determined ram, loyal dog, patient pig and tenacious rat.

Beautifully handcrafted and innately charming, these 18K gold pieces would make delightfully personalized gift for each of your bridesmaids. To figure out her zodiac sign by year, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_zodiac.

Pictured is the Tiger Charm Pendant, photo courtesy of Tiffany & Co.

Learn more about these and other Paloma Picasso charms at Tiffany & Co. in the Roseville Galleria, 1151 Galleria Boulevard. 916-872-2129. http://www.tiffany.com/.

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

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Want more Real Weddings? We're serving them up for you at http://www.realweddingsmag.com/!

Go to Disneyland for Free!

2010-01-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

So many of our real weddings couples go to Disneyland on their honeymoons. So we thought you'd love to hear about a promotion that is just starting today!

Beginning January 1, 2010, when you sign up at Disney to volunteer a day of service with a participating organization (and your service is completed and verified) you'll get one day admission to a Walt Disney World® or Disneyland® theme park, FREE!

The goal is to inspire one million people to volunteer a day of service.

Note that volunteer opportunities are handled through HandsOn Network, so you'll want to also visit their Web site for more information on the volunteer organizations included their network.

Sign up at the Give A Day, Get a Disney Day now by clicking here!

Disney Fine Print: You must sign up through the Disney site to volunteer and complete your service at an eligible volunteer opportunity in the fifty US states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or Canada to receive a ticket. Ticket quantities for this program are limited. You must be at least 18 to sign up. Children must be at least 6 to participate in the program.

Program begins January 1, 2010 and continues until tickets are distributed or until December 15, 2010, whichever occurs first. You may only sign up a maximum of 8 members of your household.

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Want more Real Weddings? We're serving them up for you at http://www.realweddingsmag.com/!

Dazzling Dresses

2009-12-31T08:00:00.000-08:00

Hello Real Weddings Magazine Brides!

Let’s get ready to kick off the New Year with our first installment of Dazzling Dresses!

Throughout the year, we’ll be posting our favorite dress styles from our favorite designers, from beautiful bridal gowns to bridesmaid dresses to mother-of-the-bride offerings, all from local bridal boutiques!

We’re hoping you’ll get inspired and find the dress of your dreams in plenty of time for your big day!

Let’s get the fashion show started with this stunner from Diamond Bridal Gallery in Granite Bay…

Style: Salome. A gorgeous gown in garza by Spanish designer Two by Rosa Clará.

Try it on for yourself at Diamond Bridal Gallery, 6963 Douglas Boulevard in Granite Bay. 916-521-9856, http://www.diamondbridalgallery.com/.

About Diamond Bridal Gallery
Diamond Bridal Gallery is proud to present magnificent selection of American and European designers bridal gowns and evening wear. The salon received perfect feedback on every one of its fashion shows so you can depend on their expertise and reputation.

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

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Inspiration Board: Presenting Jennifer Beck & Steven Gary, Jr.

2009-12-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

The Couple: Jennifer Beck & Steven Gary, Jr.

Wedding Date: May 17, 2009

Photography by: True Love Photo

What was the most amazing part of your day?
The photography definitely.

We spent about two hours before the ceremony whisking around the city of Davis and on the UC Davis campus taking all kinds of spontaneous, alternative photos.

Beth [Baugher] of True Love Photo is a WAY FUN person and so creative. We love her eye for very unique, colorful, and FUN shots. Any jitters we had completely dissolved as we spent so much time laughing and goofing around. The most unique and memorable photo moment was when a cycling team rode by and we took photos in the middle of the street with them. Colorful, crazy, and absolutely unforgettable. Everything was perfect.

The other thing that we remember most were the COLORS. The flowers were stunning in orange and purple, and my bouquet was a DREAM. The cupcake display was beautiful as we chose a variety of yummy fancy cupcakes.

What else would you like to share about your big day?
Our ceremony was performed by one of my best friends, Lisa Croll DiDio, a minister and priestess, who also happens to be a novelist and helped us sharpen our self-written ceremony. We included a traditional Scottish hand-fasting, having our wrists bound by ivy. The ceremony had an earth-centered spiritual flavor and included a poem by Hafiz.

I'm an artist so I made our wedding favors, ceramic magnets which I carved with images and words expressing our day.

Venue - Home & Garden of Sanford & Myrna Beck (bride's parents) in Davis

Photographer - True Love Photo

Cake - Cupcakes by Cupcake Craving

Flowers - Strelitzia Florist

Wedding Dress - Britt Steele Fashion Gallery

Bridesmaid Dresses - (none) our flower girl and ringbearer chose their own clothing

DJ - We didn't have a DJ but I spent HOURS compiling a wedding playlist of our favorite music, trying to keep it a bit different but still neutral. My entrance song was "Honeysuckle" by folksinger Joules Graves.

Honeymoon location - Nevada City

Hair - Sheri & Teri of HAIR

Makeup - Image Provocateur

Awesome lace-up bride's moccasins - Medieval Moccasins (highly recommend these as an alternative to traditional shoes plus they're just so darn fun)

First Dance Song - no dancing :) just socializing and keeping it informal.

Want more? Check out the couple's slideshow on True Love Photo's web site.

Want more Real Weddings? We're serving them up for you at http://www.realweddingsmag.com/!

Photos courtesy of True Love Photo.

About True Love Photo (in her own words)
I am the best! kidding!

My name is Beth Baugher, a Sacramento native, been in the business for 17 years. I started at the bottom, the absolute bottom, the 'taco bell' of photography doing 100 photos a day in stores like Rite Aid and Long's.

I had a beach background and a camera so old it practically let out a puff of smoke when I hit the trigger.

I would literally be in the shopping cart area or in the medicine aisle knocking over the fast actin' tanactin.

One crying two year old after the next. Tough gig!!

It has been all up hill from there.

I worked at a one hour photo/studio lab, glamour shots, kiddy sports photography, many many years in high school photography, for a big local studio, and now finally for myself. I LOVE IT!!

I feel SO blessed to be able to make a living doing something I absolutely LOVE.

Oh the stories I could tell...I have literally shot 350-400 weddings! So I feel I can call myself a 'seasoned pro.' Able to really work quickly and direct well when needed.

I am good with natural light and posing and portraits, but my FAVORITE part of being a wedding photographer is capturing emotions. I love to tell a story.

I think of your grandchildren and perhaps great great grandchildren having a glimpse into your love story, their family history through viewing your wedding photos.

Check out True Love Photo on the web and don't miss Beth's Blog!

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Say Cheese! – Reception Photo Booths

2009-12-29T08:00:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy of Profinish Design.

Here’s a wedding trend that’s guaranteed to generate smiles from ear to ear.

Setting up a photo booth at a reception is not only a unique way to keep your friends and family entertained in between drinks, dinner and dancing, but one that’s sure to create lasting memories as well.

“They are fun, nostalgic, and a great way to help guests ‘kill time’ while the couple is taking photos after the wedding with the photographer,” says John Vu of Profinish Design in Sacramento. “They help with creating a fun atmosphere and help guest warm up to the occasion.”

Many brides and grooms are choosing photo booths over traditional party favors, making customized printouts so their guests can take home a visual keepsake from the event.

“Something magical happens when people get in the booth and close the curtain,” says Chris Terry of Encore Entertainment in Sacramento. “At every event I see the same thing, early on many guests are serious, they haven’t started loosening up, and then they get into the booth to take some pictures. They always come out of the booth laughing. When you throw in props like funky hats, boas, fedoras, and a cane, things really come alive.”

Photo courtesy of Encore Photo Booths.

The Encore Web site allows guests to order reprints and enlargements of photos from the event, including print customization and incorporating wedding theme and colors. “We try to make the print a piece of art that’s appealing to the eye so you just don’t have photos but a cool look that takes the guests back to the special day,” Chris says. “The bride a groom also get a USB Thumb Drive at the end of the event containing all of the photos and prints taken.”

John at Profinish notes that there are more options than just the commercial booths you see at arcades or malls. “There are many different kinds, from a photo kiosk (a stand with a camera and backdrop), to a curtain booth (table clothes and laptop), to full-fledged photo booths (like the ones I have manufactured) that are light weight and take better quality photos,” he says. “I like to educate people about this as much as I can, considering that the term ‘photo booth’ could be a broad commodity. It’s almost kind of like finding the right photographer these days, with quality of photo prints, booth, service, etc.”

Some booths also offer the added benefit of viewing the photos in a real-time slideshow. “We just finished installing 32” LCD monitors on all of our booths,” says Chris at Encore. “After about a half hour of taking pictures the slideshow will begin and a crowd usually gathers as the guests enjoy hilarious pictures their friends have taken through the event.”

Needless to say, if you’re in search of cool favors and some more fun for your guests at your wedding reception, have one of these qualified local photo booth providers hook you up and get ready for the memories to start flashing by.

Profinish Design
John Vu
http://www.profinishdesign.com/
916-760-1499

Encore Entertainment
Chris Terry
http://www.go-encore.com/
916-248-8445

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

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For the Love of Etsy

2009-12-28T08:25:00.000-08:00

You might be like, “Etsy, what the heck is that?”

Etsy is actually an online source for handmade gifts, posted by a variety of artistic vendors from across the country. Think of it as a really cool crafts fair on the Web. I’ve been going here for unique gifts for several years, but it wasn’t until recently when I made a handmade bow tie purchase that I realized what a great hub this site can be for wedding stuff.

I’m sure many of you would like to make your own wedding favors or cake toppers, and if you have the time and the talent, go for it! For others, it’s not always easy to squeeze a hot glue gun into the schedule. So, before you employ your mom or bridesmaids on putting together little projects, check out Etsy and see what other creative folks have to offer. Here are some of my favorites by their seller name:

MeandMatilda
Perfect for the outfitting the groom and his guys, this purveyor of custom neckties, bow ties and bridal accessories offers a wide range of fashionable damask, polka dots, stripes, solids and more. “Classic style with a modern twist so everyone can journey in style.”

JustToppers
Here’s the icing on the cake. Just Toppers provides personal and unique selection of custom cake toppers, including monograms and other popular wedding themes.

BridalBlissDesigns
A wedding gown and bridesmaid dress designer who specializes in “custom design reproduction” with quality fabrics and materials, like chiffon, taffeta and organza depending on the style of the dress.

TrialByCupcakes
Does wedding invitation calligraphy and makes beautiful hand drawn wedding invitation maps to order.

JessicasDesignShop
Creator of unique and visually interesting wedding announcements, invitations, place cards and more.

BridalEmUnique
Jewelry designer making one-of-a-kind handcrafted pieces with crocheted elements, gemstones and sterling and gold-filled finding.

HeKnowsMyName
Offers an assortment of veils, headbands, flowers and other hair accessories.

PetereneDesign
Fabulous custom garters so cool you might not want your groom to toss.

Find these sellers and MANY more at http://www.etsy.com/.

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

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Good Philosophy

2009-12-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

What do you give the bride who has everything (or the registry to prove she soon will)?

Over here at Real Weddings Magazine, we're huge fans of philosophy products, so what about one of their wedding-inspired offerings?

The always cute and creative bath and beauty line has four gift ideas that are sure to put a smile on your bride's face this holiday season:

The Bride - Falling in Love Shower Set - $40
This sweet shower gel and spray will have you falling head over heels.

The Bride - Skincare Set - $48 (pictured at the top of this blog)
The beautiful box holds five pieces in three of philosophy’s best selling products – grace, hope and purity.

Tying The Knot - $100 (not pictured)
This nine piece set includes everything a bride would need for her big day, including hope in a jar, purity made simple and amazing grace eau de toilette.

The Wedding Party – $30
A delightful trio of shower gels in appropriately named wedding cake, bridal bouquet and bubbly.
Find philosophy products at Sephora at Arden Fair Mall, 1689 Arden Way in Sacramento; or Sephora at Westfield Galleria at Roseville, 1151 Galleria Boulevard in Roseville.

Or, check out philosophy's Web site: http://www.philosophy.com/.

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of philosophy.

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Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

Wishing all of you who celebrate Christmas, a very happy and joyful Holiday!

We're taking the day off of blogging...we'll be back shortly with more tips, trends and fun stuff!

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Wish Upon a Wedding...Granting Wedding Wishes!

2009-12-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of the holiday season, here is a new non-profit organization with an inspiring mission.

Wish Upon a Wedding is dedicated to granting weddings and civil union ceremonies at destinations across the United States to couples facing life-threatening illnesses. The organization will begin accepting applications for Wedding Wishes in mid-January 2010.

Founded by wedding planner, Liz Guthrie of San Jose Wedding Consultants, with the hope that no couple should ever be denied the chance to marry the one they love, Wish Upon a Wedding is the only organization of its kind in existence today.

By calling on a regional database of wedding vendors known as "Wish Granters," the organization will be able to grant five types of weddings (from simple to more elaborate), some in as quickly as 48 hours. How quickly the services are granted, and how detailed the weddings are, depends upon the Wish Recipient's health condition.

"Many couples cannot afford to get married, due to overwhelming medical bills, particularly those who have been battling life threatening conditions, sometimes for many years," says Guthrie. "Often a person is too sick to even leave their hospital bed, or they may be in hospice care," explains Guthrie, "If their last wishes include marrying their partner who stood by them through their most difficult times, we want to help make that dream come true. What better way to celebrate love than with their closest friends and family, in one of life's most significant ceremonies?"

Four chapters will be ready to grant wishes in early 2010, in the following locations: San Francisco, New York, Chicago and Orlando.

Industry leaders who have joined the cause so far, by leading chapters across the country, include renowned wedding planners Sasha Souza (Founding President), Samantha Goldberg, Elisa Delgardio, and Kevin Covey, and author Sharon Naylor.

The official Web site launches January 15, 2010. For more information visit the Wish Upon A Wedding Facebook Fan Page or follow Wish Upon a Wedding on Twitter.

Photo courtesy of Mark Stagi, Stagi Imagery.

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Get Inspired! Introducing the Real Weddings Magazine Inspiration Boards

2009-12-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

Hello dear Real Weddings Magazine Brides!

You've told us over and over and over again, how very much you are inspired by the real weddings that we feature in the print magazine and on our Web site: www.realweddingsmag.com/.

In our quest to constantly inspire you, and to help you plan the wedding of your dreams, we're so excited to announce our Real Weddings Magazine Inspiration Boards!

Each week, we hope to present you with a new set of Inspiration Boards — with photos, details and fun from each couple's wedding!

So without further ado, may we present...Sara & Steven Schelk, Real Weddings Magazine Inspiration Boards!

The Couple: Sara and Steven Schelk

Wedding Date: April 25, 2009

Photography by: Justin Buettner Photography

What was the most amazing part of your day?
Everything was so amazing it's too hard to choose!

Of course I would have to start with the ceremony first, the part where we became husband and wife in front of our closest friends and family. But, along with that I would say seeing everything come together. It was important to me to plan my own wedding and have everything look exactly the way I imagined. So much so that I woke up very early the day of the wedding to be there and to decorate (with the help of my friends and family) prior to getting ready. I had so much fun planning the wedding and could not have hoped for better results. It was beautiful :)

What else would you like to share about your big day?
I spent a long time thinking about what I should use as a wedding favor. There are so many wonderful things out there, but I really wanted to choose something I knew people would actually use.

I had been to several weddings where I witnessed the wedding favors literally being thrown away, which is heart breaking when you consider all the money and thought that goes into the favors.

So after months of thinking about it, I decided to order champagne glasses, have them engraved with our names and wedding date, and tie a ribbon around each one that read "thank you."

I realized later that this choice of favor killed two birds with one stone as I didn't then have to supply champagne glasses for the toast.

I received a lot of compliments on these favors, and our guests tell me all the time they use them!

Venue: The Patrick K. Willis Estate, located in Los Lagos, previously the summer home of Eddie Murphy

Photographer: Justin Buettner Photography

Caterer: Romano's Macaroni Grill

Cake: Ricks Dessert Diner

Flowers: Purchased the day prior at Flora Fresh and arranged by my aunt Monica Barnhill and my mother Sharon Svee

Wedding Dress: David's Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses: David's Bridal

DJ/Entertainment: David Schmidt, DJ Schmidty for Beat Chef Productions

Hair: Heather Williams with Brockway Hair Salon and Jene' Console with Console Beauty Service

Make-up: Jene' Console with Console Beauty Service

Linens/Tables: Celebrations! Elegant Party Rentals

Flower Headbands: Bebe

Honeymoon Location: South Lake Tahoe

Want more Real Weddings? We're serving them up for you at http://www.realweddingsmag.com/!

Photos courtesy of Justin Buettner Photography.

About Justin Buetter Photography
Justin Buettner gradated from Loyola Marymount University with a BA in film production and a minor in Animation and Business Administration. He has gone on to serve as the director of photography on more than 20 independent films working with some of the industry's finest young talent.

In 2000 he became the Head of Graphics for Jewelry.com. Justin started their digital studio photographing and creating a digital catalogue of over 10,000 unique images before the company was sold in 2001. He then went on to serve as a motion capture editor at House of Moves working on special effects for film and video games.

After relocating to the Sacramento area, Justin started his own business and has specialized in portraiture and wedding photography. Over the last five years Justin Buettner has photographed over 130 weddings and numerous other events. Although his professional experience began in Los Angeles, Justin grew up in Grass Valley located just north of Sacramento.

Check out Justin's profile on Real Weddings Magazine!

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Get Wedding Dress Ready By Training for a Marathon (And Raising Money at the Same Time!)

2009-12-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

When was the last time you did something amazing – like run or walk a marathon?

The American Heart Association’s Start! Training program, locally sponsored by Mercy, offers you an opportunity to do something amazing for yourself and for others.

Start! Training provides personalized training to prepare you to run or walk a full or half marathon. It is designed for people of all ages and from all walks of life, including beginners who have never participated in a marathon.

As a member of the team you will learn to take charge of your health and protect yourself and your loved ones from heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases—the No. 1 and most costly killer in the United States. At the same time you’ll get the chance to do something good for others and save lives by raising funds to help find ways to better understand, prevent, treat and cure these diseases.

Start! Training has inspired thousands of heart survivors and their friends and family to take charge of their own life while saving others. If you had the power to do something amazing and to save a life, wouldn’t you?

Join a 2010 information session near you to learn how you can Start! Training for an adventure of a lifetime.

WHEN/WHERE:

Saturday, January 9, 9am

Maidu Community Center, 1550 Maidu Drive, Roseville

Tuesday, January 12, 6pm

Mercy San Juan Medical Center, Lukens Auditorium, 6501 Coyle Ave.

Wednesday, January 13, 6pm

American Heart Association Office, 2007 O Street, Sacramento

Saturday, January 16, 9am

Mercy General Hospital, Main Auditorium, 4001 J St. Sacramento

Wednesday, January 20, 6pm

The Running Zone, 8470 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove

Saturday, January 23, Info Session 8:30 a.m.; Kickoff 10:00 a.m.

Broadstone Racquet Club, 820 Halidon Way, Folsom

For more information, visit http://www.sacramentostarttraining.org/ or call 916-446-6505.

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Dynamite Weddings Presents the Bridal Mixer

2009-12-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

Your beloved popped the question, and you said "Yes!" You're now officially engaged!

But now what? Do you have any idea where to start? Or better yet, do you have any idea of what a wedding really costs?

To help, our friends at Dynamite Weddings presents the Bridal Mixer!

Come learn and mingle in a casual, intimate environment with experts on hand to answer all these pressing questions. This informal but educational evening will be something you won't want to miss.

Here's the 411:

When: January 7, 2010

Time: 5:30pm to 8:00pm

Where: The Citizen Hotel's 7th Floor Terrace, 926 J Street in Sacramento

Pre-registering is not required, but is encouraged! And, you save a little money too...by pre-registering, your name will be on "The List" at the door (cover charge of $10 at the door if not pre-registered).

Click here to register now!

And, we'll be there handing out the current issue of Real Weddings Magazine, and our cover model contest entry forms!

Don't miss your opportunity to check out this gorgeous wedding venue, meet with some pretty cool wedding vendors and get started planning the wedding of your dreams!

About Dynamite Weddings:
Dynamite Weddings is a premium informational resource, providing useful, innovative content from the authority on weddings: industry professionals and brides! Check out our DAILY changing Tips and Trends (aka TNT)! Check out the hand selected Dynamite Experts who are anxious to make your wedding day vision a reality! Visit http://www.dynamiteweddings.com/ today!

Keep On File

2009-12-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

Busy brides must manage a long list of last minute details as they countdown the days to their wedding. Flowers…check. Pick-up dress….check. Favors...check. Manicure…check. My poor sister-in-law, she had so many things creep up on her at the end that she almost missed her rehearsal dinner completely. Unacceptable!

It’s safe to say that brides have a lot on their plate, and things may not always go as smoothly as they would like. That said, I’m going to suggest adding one more tiny thing to that to-do list, something I like to call the 911 Beauty Kit.

Sure, you’ll have your hair done the morning of, your make-up beautifully applied, your dress steamed to perfection. But, even the most prepared brides confront unexpected hurdles to making it down the aisle in flawless condition. So, over the next few weeks, I’m going to introduce a few products that should be packed and ready should you encounter a beauty mishap.

#1 THE FILE
Your manicure is sensational, why take the chance of an unsightly chip? Be sure to pack the exact shade of nail polish in your kit along with a small file, like the new Matchbox File from Tweezerman. Twelve of these little guys come adorably packaged in a small matchbox-style case. They’re cute, compact and convenient…perfect on the go. Pack them for your honeymoon and open in case of an emergency.

Find them at Target, target.com.

Blog Post by Always A Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Honeymoon Destination: Cieba del Mar

2009-12-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

Ah, the honeymoon! We all know that the honeymoon is meant to give you and your beloved a much needed vacation after the big day.

In our current issue of Real Weddings Magazine, we present honeymoon ideas for every season.

One of the locales we mention in that piece for a fall honeymoon is Puerto Morales and in particular Cieba del Mar resort. But let's be honest, Mexico can be a good honeymoon option nearly all year round!

And, good news from the travel desk: our friends at Cieba del Mar just let us know about about a special package that they're offering. It's the single best can’t-miss, no-catch deal we’ve heard of for 2010 honeymooners: the Wellness Spa Getaway.

Starting at $1,680 USD ($840 per person), plus 12% taxes and a 5% service charge based on double occupancy for a four-day/three-night stay between Jan 1- Dec 22, 2010, this amazing package provides guests with unlimited spa treatments at the holistic Spa at Ceiba del Mar, a top-notch, Zen-like spa with a progressive approach to healing the mind, body and spirit. In addition to a comprehensive menu of treatments, Spa-goers will enjoy use of a fully-equipped gym and several humid areas. Additional perks of this package include:

Ocean-view accommodation in a luxury suite appointed with terrace or hammock and spacious living areas, state-of-the-art technology, including free in-room wireless, indigenous art, fine linens, organic bath amenities, a separate bathtub and shower, an in-morning coffee service and nightly turndown service with artisan gift.
A refreshing, welcome champagne cocktail upon arrival.
A Vital Energy Flow Analysis with Bio-Tensor from the spa.
A custom-created gift of signature blended oils.
Complimentary use of water, bicycles, kayaks and snorkeling equipment.

There is a little fine print...this deal is not offered in conjunction with weddings or combinable with other specials.

For more information about Ceiba del Mar Beach and Spa Resort, visit their Web site: http://www.ceibadelmar.com/.

Blog Post by Our Go-To-Travel Girl Jenn Thornton.

Are You Kidding Me?!

2009-12-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

Her past blogs have included: Mini Indulgences, Invitation Inspiration, and Cupcakes.

Here, she blogs about desserts with a sense of humor!

Dessert is already the most fun course of any meal…why not continue with the fun and have a cake with its own sense of humor? Below are a couple of fun ideas I’ve either made in the past year or have popped up repeatedly and have proven to be crowd favorites.

Carrot cake…in the shape of a carrot! Get Out Of Town! This is probably the funniest cake I made all year. We were going for realism, but, even before I made it, the idea alone made me giggle!
Peanut Butter and Jelly…this has taken several forms. The PB&J Sandwich: white cake layered with peanut butter buttercream and strawberry jam. Not your Mom’s PB&J, but it’s pretty dang tasty and your guests are going to laugh when they hear the flavor!
S’mores…as cake! Chocolate Cake with graham crackers baked in and topped with marshmallow fluff. Yes, I have had clients who don’t like frosting. This is a great option and just before serving the tops of the marshmallow can be burned so you get that fresh from the campfire feeling.
Chocolate Chip Cookies…nope, not the Toll House variety. This one is made with white cake that has mini chocolate chips baked into it, and then it’s filled and frosted with a brown sugar buttercream. I’m telling you, that buttercream tastes just like cookie dough…totally irresistible.
Malted Milkshake…who says that malted milk balls have to stay on the candy station? This cake is made up of alternating layers of vanilla cake and chocolate ganache, and then is frosted with malted buttercream and decorated with crushed malt balls. An easy wedding translation would be to bake the malt balls into the cake or to nestle the pieces into the ganache. Either way… YUM!

Ok, love these ideas Carissa!!! How fun!

About Sugar and Spice and...
Sugar and Spice and... creates desserts as unique and special as you and your event. They believe you CAN have you cake and eat it too, but you can also have mousse, pies and tarts, crème brûlée, or éclairs! Special events are just that, SPECIAL and nothing says PARTY like those sweet little bites at the end of the party.

Be sure to check out Sugar and Spice and...'s Web site: http://www.sugarandspice.me/ and Carissa's blog: http://sugarandspiceand.blogspot.com/

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists, www.memoryjournalists.com.

Make Scents

2009-12-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite gifts for brides-to-be (and a unique give idea for your bridesmaids or your groom!).

Sarah Horowitz Parfums, creator of sensational scents for major retailers like Barneys New York, offers a custom fragrance service she calls “Online Journey.”

Here’s how it works:

You visit their Web site at http://www.sarahhorowitz.com/ and click on “Online Journeys.”

Once there, you will be prompted to fill out a questionnaire, asking you to reveal your favorites, like time of day, color and season. From these answers, one of their professional Perfumers will personally blend a fragrance designed especially for you.

I had one of these done once and it was not only fun but also thrilling to wear a scent designed just for me, as none of the fragrances are pre-blended or duplicated from pre-existing concoctions. They keep your recipe on file so you can later enjoy perfume oil, eau de parfum, shower gel, body lotion or massage oil, or for your groom, aftershave lotion.

Take the “journey” before your wedding and create a signature scent for your special day, or give them to your girls as bridesmaid gifts. If you don’t have time to fill out the questionnaire, Sarah also offers a whole line of products available at Hues Hair & Skin in Rocklin and Scruples in South Lake Tahoe.

For more information, visit http://www.sarahhorowitz.com/.

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Get Into the Holiday Spirit with a Vintage Christmas Faire

2009-12-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

It's time to get in the holiday spirit -- and to help get you in the mood is the Vintage Christmas Faire in the Historic “Red Horse Barn” in Newcastle (at Newcastle Wedding Gardens)!

Everyone is invited to experience truly unique gifts, music, food, trees and wine tasting…Saturday, December 19 from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m at the Historic Red Horse Barn, 950 Taylor Road in Newcastle.

Some of businesses and exciting things you'll experience at this holiday event:

Wine Tasting by Casque Wines…
The Winemaker will be here to sign bottles for your gift giving

Live Music by Billy Bensing & Kellie Garmire
Enchanting Guitar & Mandolin Duo-CD’s & Guitar Lesson Gift Certificates

Queen Bead
Wearable Art from the Heart

Visual Impact Floral Design
Fresh Wreaths, Earrings & Lovely Gifts with an English Flair

Rejuvenate Day Spa
Complimentary Mini Chair Massages…Gift Certificates & Soy Candles

Fresh Cut Christmas Trees & Mandarins
Plus Unique Gifts From Foothill Feed & Gift

Felted Fleury
Exquisitely Handfelted Wool Hats ~ Heirloom Quality

Harvey Issac Design
Handcrafted Jewelry Featuring Gemstones, Crystals & Silver

Old Soul Studios
Repurposed Treasures & One of a Kind Winter & Holiday Gifts

Gourdian Art
Engraved & Dyed Gourds…Vintage Appeal Santas to Snowmen

Dawn’s Design
Sparkling Handmade Earrings & Necklaces

Tré Events
Delicious Cuisine from Chef Chris Jackson!
Turkey Legs, Potato & Corn Chowder, Smoked Turkey & Almond
Croissants with Cranberries, Cookies, English Toffee, Hot Cider, Wine, Beer & Coffee

The cost is $1 admission or a can of food for their local food basket.

For more, visit: http://www.newcastleweddinggardens.com/.

Hey There, Cupcake!

2009-12-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

Her blogs always make us wanting something sweet, imagine that!?!

Her past blogs have included: Mini Indulgences and Invitation Inspiration.

Here, she blogs about one of our favorite things: CUPCAKES!

The cupcake trend has been around for a couple of years now, but here a couple of fun tips to play with if you are considering having them at your wedding.

Display them in a tower. This provides you with the height and general shape of a wedding cake and will add drama to your cupcake table.
Use a little color coordinated ribbon to decorate your cupcake stand.
Ask your baker to make you a “cutting cake”. The cake cutting tradition is charming and so photographic. Just before the cutting, have the banquet captain or your wedding planner transfer the cutting cake from the top of the cupcake tower onto a plate. This will keep your from stretching and possibly getting your party clothes in the frosting.
Two words: Cupcake Liners! There are so many amazing cupcake papers available now. Bakers use to be limited to the basic white, but now there are tons of fun options that can incorporate your wedding theme.
Consider your cupcake flavors. How will your guests know what they are getting? Ask your stationer to create a menu card to frame for the table or small tags that will identify each flavor. Ask your baker for suggestions too. White cake with strawberry buttercream? Add a fresh berry to the top. Chocolate cake filled with raspberry jam? A fresh raspberry would be the perfect garnish.

Don't Sink In The Grass Again!

2009-12-12T10:32:00.000-08:00

We were just on our friend Kendra Pfeiffer's blog (wedding planner extraordinaire of Pfeiffer Event Planning) and stumbled upon this really really cool product on one of her posts (she's graciously letting us post it to our site).

The product that Kendra discovered is called SoleMates! If you've ever worn heels and walked across grass, you know that your heel sinks into the grass. So incredibly frustrating! You know what I'm talking about!

I haven't been able to try the product out for myself, but I definitely will!

Check out SoleMate's web site: http://www.thesolemates.com/ for more information about this unique product!

About Pfeiffer Event Planning
Pfeiffer Event Planning provides professional coordinating for amazing weddings, parties and special events. We help to make your special day a perfect reflection of your style and taste, while minimizing your stress in planning. We spend time to find out what you envision your day to be; no dream too vast, every detail vital, to make it uniquely yours. We strive to match you with vendors that will exceed your expectations while working within your budget.

Check out Kendra's web site: http://www.sacramentoweddingplanner.com/; and her blog: www.sacramentoweddingplanner.com/blog

Photo courtesy of SoleMates.

Invitation Inspiration

2009-12-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

Recently, we asked pastry chef, baker and dessert-maker extraordinaire Carissa Jones of Sugar and Spice and... to be a guest blogger on our site and to share some of her knowledge and ideas with our brides. Her first guest blogged was about Mini Indulgences. Here, she blogs about "Invitation Inspiration:"

"The wedding checklist can be overwhelming. So many decisions can contribute to the look and feel of your wedding day, but once you choose a beautiful invitation it can be used to help you make others. Below are a few tips on creative ways to use your invitation selection to ease the decision making process.

An invitation not only serves as an announcement of your big day, it is the first glimpse your guests will have of the mood or style of your event. Is it going to be casual, formal, traditional or modern?
Incorporate a graphic or font into your menu cards, table numbers, place cards and programs -- and then to your cake. Work with your stationer to create something unique that will allow you to share your vision with your guests.
Use a specific graphic on your invite to decorate the cake. Choosing a wedding cake design can be overwhelming, but if you use your invitation as inspiration you will not only get a unique centerpiece for your wedding, your baker will easily be able to suggest decoration options.

We Love A Sale!

2009-12-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

You know we're suckers for a sale!

We just heard from our friend Bree at Always Elegant Bridal and Tuxedo about their holiday bridal gown sale throughout the month of December...here are the details:

Save 15% when you order your Wedding Gown at Always Elegant Bridal and Tuxedo in the month of December.

Designers include: Anjolique, Jasmine, Joli, La Sposa, Mon Cheri, Moonlight and Sophia Tolli.

And...they also have a sample sale going on -- up to 50% off selected gowns!

For more, visit: http://www.alwayselegantbridal.net/

Divine Honeymoon Destination – St Regis Punta Mita Resort

2009-12-09T09:58:00.000-08:00

So, I just got back from a long weekend getaway so wonderful and romantic I had to share with you all while it was still fresh on my mind. My quick escape took me to the lovely St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, nestled in a private, gated community about 50 minutes north of the Puerto Vallarta International airport along the beautiful Riviera Nayarit.

When talking to brides in search of a perfect honeymoon locale, Mexico often goes to the top of the list for three reasons: hospitality, weather and convenience. Sure enough, it was a short three-hour flight from Northern California and another short drive in a luxury SUV to this exclusive resort.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the exceptionally warm staff and treated to a sunset champagne ceremony where a sword is used to slice off the top of the bottle. After sipping bubbles and enjoying an incredible ocean view, we were escorted to our room, a spacious tile-floored private villa with a HUGE bathroom with a tub, indoor and outdoor shower. Our butler, a great guy by name of Joachim, gave us the rundown of the resort and took care of every little detail during our stay. My personal favorite? The morning wake-up call that came with tea or coffee and tiny Madeline cookies. Gosh, I miss those Madelines.

The resort offers three dining locations, from the Mexican-influenced Las Marietas where we enjoyed breakfast every morning, to the California-inspired Sea Breeze, to the formal Carolinas. Or, you can order in like we did the first night and experience a private dinner on your the patio. The Raméde Spa, exclusive to St. Regis, offered a relaxing outdoor environment, plenty of amenities and a truly relaxing custom massage treatment option. Additionally, there are two pools, beach access, tennis club, golf courses, an exercise room and much more.

I can’t recommend this place enough for honeymoon bliss. I didn’t even have to tie the knot to fall head over heals in love!

For more information, visit stregis.com/puntamita.

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Mini Indulgences

2009-12-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

Photo by Diana Kay Photography

We recently asked pastry chef, baker and dessert-maker extraordinaire Carissa Jones of Sugar and Spice and... to be a guest blogger on our site and to share some of her knowledge and ideas with our brides. She graciously agreed and here's her first entry...yum!

According to Paula Frank, editor of Baking Management, there is a growing trend toward “mini indulgences” and traditional flavors with an “innovative twist”.

This is a great trend to consider as you plan your wedding desserts. Work with your baker to develop a menu that will work for you and your guests. Below are a few points to discuss and consider as you develop the perfect ending for your special day.

Consider a small “cutting cake.” It’s a beautiful nod to tradition and will not only be a sweet focal point to a dessert bar, but it will also allow your photographer the chance to capture that sweet tradition of cutting the cake together as a couple.
Small bites can offer a little something for everyone.
I usually recommend 3-4 small bites per person, but depending on the dessert selections you may be able to scale this down to 2-3. (A chocolate mousse shot glass is going to be more satisfying than a single cookie or tartlet.)
This is a great opportunity to have dessert options for anyone in your wedding party who may have allergies to specific foods.
Think about your family’s traditions. Does Grandma make an amazing pecan pie, does Mom make yellow cake with chocolate frosting for everyone’s birthday, does your sweetie LOVE peanut butter? All of these are possible sources of inspiration for your wedding desserts. Nostalgia is never underrated!
Incorporate your wedding colors! Depending on your wedding colors, nature offers a great variety of fruits that can be used to add pops of your wedding colors to your desserts. In the absence of a specific color, talk to your baker about using colored chocolate decorations to achieve the impact of color with an edible garnish.

Photo by Jordan’s Photographic Designs.

Calling Real Local Brides! It's Our Cover Model Contest!

2009-12-05T10:57:00.001-08:00

Hello all you beautiful brides!

Have you ever wanted to be in the pages of a magazine?

Well, then you need to enter our cover model contest!

Each issue, hundreds of local area brides enter to be one of our three cover model finalists.

Are you interested in entering? If so, click here to download our entry form -- hurry, we need to have all entries need to be in by February 1, 2010!

If you're going to enter...one word of advice, show us your personality on the answers to the questions -- we love working with brides who have a lot of spunk, personality, humor and who are just darned cool girls. Be sure that your answers really reflect who you are! Oh, and don't forget to include photos that really show your personality coming through as well!

Also, be sure to read all of the rules to make sure that you're eligible to enter.

For more about Real Weddings Magazine, log on to http://www.realweddingsmag.com/.

Winter 2010 Cover of Real Weddings Magazine featuring cover model winner Kimmi Armstrong. Photo by Jodi Yorston Photography, dress from The Bridal Box, flowers by Botanica Floral Designs, hair and make-up by Image Provocateur/VIP-CAT Academy.

Check out some of our previous covers:

Fall 2009 Cover
Featuring Cover Model Finalists Autumn (gown from Always Elegant Bridal Boutique, Flowers by Flourish), Theresa (gown from Always Elegant Bridal Boutique, Flowers by Ambience Floral Design) and Emily (gown from Miosa, Flowers by Camino Flower Shop)

Photo by Sarah Maren Photography.

For additional credits, please see magazine.

Summer 2009 Cover
Featuring Cover Model Winner Emily Ferrari (gown from Miosa, headpiece by Alice Hart).
Photo by Sarah Maren Photography.

For additional credits, please see magazine.

Spring 2009 Cover
Featuring Cover Model Winner Lisa Curtis (gown from Bridal Mart, flowers by Ambience Floral Designs).
Photo by Sharpe Photographers.

For additional credits, please see magazine.

Winter 2009 Cover
Featuring Cover Model Finalists Chanie (gown from Diamond Bridal Gallery), Tania (gown from Diamond Bridal Gallery) and Lisa (gown from Diamond Bridal Gallery).
Photo by Sharpe Photographers.

For additional credits, please see magazine.

To see digital editions of these issues, log on to Real Weddings Magazine and click on the tab "In The Magazine.

Underneath It All

2009-12-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

The perfect wedding gown is more than just style, shade and subtle details…a good fit is essential for turning a beautiful dress into your beautiful dress.

Understanding the importance of getting it right the first time, we talked to an expert on the subject, Jeanne Garman of A Fitting Tailor in Roseville, and learned what’s underneath the dress can make all the difference.

“When you get your wedding dress from your bridal shop and set up your fitting remember one thing: it is what’s on the inside that counts. Undergarments are one of the most important tools to give you the right look for your dress.

If you are unsure if you are going to wear a bra or not with your dress, I always suggest brides bring one anyway. Sometimes bras look best with your body type and will save you time on fittings.

Always bring the garments you plan to wear with your dress to your fitting. This will give your alteration’s specialist the opportunity to give you the best fit in your dress. Sometimes, bras or bra pads fill out your dress or give you the right amount of lift you need to achieve the desired look.

If you want a flat tummy and do not want to wear panty hose, then Spanx or any type of tummy control garment will do the trick. I have found with many a-line dresses the best Spanx to get is one that fits high up on the waist. Many attach to your bra so they do not roll down.

It is a bride’s biggest day, and you want to look your best. So do not forget your dress will look its best when worn from the inside out.”

Good information -- thanks Jeanne!

About A Fitting Tailor:

Offering expert alterations and custom tailoring for men and women for over 20 years, A Fitting Tailor provides everything from simple pant hems to formal evening wear alterations. Brides are welcome and grooms are encouraged to bring their suits or tuxes for a handsome custom look. Check out their Web site at: http://www.afittingtailor.com/.

Blog Post by Always A Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photo above of cover model winner Kimmi Armstrong by Jodi Yorston Photography, dress from Dreamnette Bridal, flowers by Botanica Floral Designs, hair and make-up by Image Provocateur/VIP-CAT Academy.

I Feel Pretty, Oh So Pretty!

2009-12-04T11:46:00.000-08:00

My friend Wendy Stedeford is an amazing acupuncturist, not to mention just a cool gal!

I recently discovered her blog, and she graciously agreed to let me steal this entry for our blog!

"Everyone wants to feel pretty (or handsome) right? It’s said that life is easier for the beautiful. Well, here’s a 5 minute, one step spruce up for becoming more beautiful from the inside out.

There is, actually, one specific acupuncture point we sometimes call the point of facial beauty. It’s the point located in the web of the hand between your thumb and index finger. If you hold your left thumb along your left index finger you create a line. Follow this line with your right index fingertip going toward your heart. At the end of the line, slip your right index fingertip off toward your left index finger side of the line. Feel for the slight dip and you’ve found the point. If it’s tender, you’re at the right spot.

This is the fourth point on the large intestine meridian. This line of energy ends at the face. By stimulating large intestine 4 you activate the energy along the length of the meridian. By increasing the blood and qi of the meridian, everything associated with that meridian benefits. That includes not only your face but your hand, elbow, shoulder, neck, upper jaw, sinuses, nose and of course, your large intestine.

Before trying this course of acupressure take a minute to look at yourself in the mirror. Look at yourself overall then look at the details. Make sure you can list at least 4 things you like about your face. Then choose 2 or 3 or 4 things you would like to improve. For two weeks commit to looking into a mirror as little as possible. Take 5 minutes morning and evening everyday for two weeks to rub this spot on both hands. After two weeks go back and check on the things you wanted to change. Acupressure usually doesn’t change things as quickly as acupuncture but change they will.

Not only should you see an overall improvement in the tone and appearance of your face but you might also see change in headache frequency, upper jaw issues, large intestine issues, pain, or hand, arm, elbow or shoulder issues too. It’s a “handy” point to know."

How cool is that? Thanks Wendy!

So take a break from your wedding planning, my beautiful brides and check out Wendy's blog for yourself -- it's filled with all kinds of interesting and useful stuff for your well-being: wstedeford.wordpress.com or log on to her Web site: wendystedeford.net.

Mixing It Up – Signature Wedding Cocktails

2009-12-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

A few years ago, a friend asked me to design a cocktail for her wedding reception. I was beyond honored, but understandably a bit anxious about the task at hand. Of course a million questions ran through my head. Could I possibly create one signature drink that would perfectly represent this couple? What would I coin this concoction? Would it even taste good?

Fortunately, it all worked out in the end and the glasses were held high on their wedding day. Truth be told, you don’t need a bartender or cocktail connoisseur to create a memorable drink. All you need is good taste and a little imagination. Here are some tips:

• Start with the ingredients. What do you and your partner enjoy in a cocktail? Think about the alcohol and mixers that make you happy. It’s your signature drink afterall.

• Consider color. Is it important that your cocktail match your wedding theme? If so, choose your alcohol, mixers and garnishes around a particular hue.

• Stay seasonal. Indoor or outdoor? Summer or winter? Keep these details in mind when choosing spirits.

• How does your cocktail pair with your wedding cake? Try to pick flavors that complement the other sweets at your table. For example, a bit of Grand Marnier sounds delightful with chocolate, and a splash of espresso liquor could be heavenly with vanilla.

• Glassware. Here’s a great opportunity to combine your toast with a guest favor…have your glasses personalized for the special day and invite your revelers to take them home.

• Come up with a catchy name and consider putting the recipe on the table for your guests to enjoy on future occasions.

Oh, and keep in mind that it doesn't have to be a cocktail that includes alcohol -- one of our featured real weddings couples in the current issue (Stevie & Blake) chose to have a signature "lemonade" to serve to their guests.

Cheers!

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Fun Gift for Your Bridesmaids

2009-12-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

Your bridesmaids have got your back! They've always been there -- through good times and bad, sickness and health, and the entire engagement!

So, you want to treat them to a little something something to show your thanks!

You don't have to spend a fortune to show your appreciation. We recently discovered a fab gift idea from Favors by Lisa (www.favorsbylisa.com): the "Build a Perfect Bridesmaids Necklace & Bracelet" Collection. Necklaces are $14 each and the bracelets are $8 each (frankly at that price, you can get one for yourself too -- hey, it's hard planning a wedding, so a little treat for yourself is in order too!).

Don't stress thinking that this is a DIY project -- we know you already have many things on your "to-do" list. Favors by Lisa (www.favorsbylisa.com) builds the necklaces and bracelets specifically for you (right here in the U.S.) based on custom options that you choose, such as color of the glass pearl and ribbon colors. Pearl colors include beige, creme, pink, pewter, silver and white; and satin ribbon options include black, celadon, creme, mint, navy, pink, royal blue and white. And then each of the necklaces and bracelets arrives ready to give in a lovely organza bag.

So get your creativity going, and treat your girls to something special.

For more gift ideas for your bridesmaids, your groom and the groomsmen (not to mention some ideas for your groom to select for you), pick up the newest issue of Real Weddings Magazine!

Style Media Group's Editorial Policy

2009-12-01T08:00:00.001-08:00

Recently the FTC has changed/updated its regulations regarding advertiser sponsored content, particularly advertiser sponsored content on blogs.

These new regulations give us the opportunity to reiterate our editorial policy as it applies to our magazines, our Web sites and our blogs. Let me just simply state this:

From day one when we launched our company, we have always held ourselves to the highest possible editorial standards. While we love our advertisers and couldn't do what we do without the support of our advertisers, we've always made it clear that just because someone advertises with us, it doesn't guarantee that they'll be featured in our editorial; and just because we feature a business in our editorial, it doesn't mean we're going to force that business to buy an ad. It's the way it is in our magazines and the way it is on our Web sites and blogs. There is no quid pro quo. It's that simple.

Our editorial team writes on products, services and stories that we think our readers will find interesting, entertaining and helpful. Sometimes we utilize resources for this editorial -- sometimes they happen to be advertisers and sometimes they are not. But I can ensure you that if we use an advertiser in our editorial, it's because we feel that they're the right resource to use. We do not let anyone "buy" our editorial in our magazines, our Web sites and blogs.

If you have any questions at all about this policy, you are welcome to email me directly: wendy(at)stylemg.com.

Blog Post by Publisher/Editor Wendy Sipple.

Five Mistakes to Avoid On Your Big Day

2009-12-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

We recently asked Wedding Planning Pro Lora Ward from A Day To Remember Wedding and Event Planners to be a guest blogger on our site and to share some of her knowledge with our brides.

She recently blogged for us about Five Mistakes to Avoid During the Wedding Planning Process.

For this entry, she shares tips to make your special day even more spectacular:

1. Keep to the schedule – being unorganized will cause stress and delays. I say this all the time… “There is never enough time on wedding day.” Start early in the day, be organized, have all your personal items together, i.e. jewelry, shoes, garter, emergency kit, wedding purse packed, marriage license, rings. Make a list, fill a box or bag. Tell your maid of honor (MOH) or mom all that is in the bag so that somebody knows, and you don’t have to be interrupted when something is needed.

2. Photography hogs – again…back to the schedule. Guests who have to wait and wait and wait, until the reception starts with the bride and groom due to the picture session, is the most irritating aspect of a wedding. I hear it all the time. Talk to your photographer in advance to request that he/she take no more than 45 minutes for post wedding photos. Strongly request that all family members included in these pictures remain close by after the ceremony. Let your bridal party members know what’s going on, so they don’t wander off. After the photos, you’ll more than likely need to take a restroom break or time to freshen up a bit. A cocktail “hour” should be just that… no more than an hour.

3. Who’s responsible at the end of the night? – In advance, figure out who will be responsible (and sober) to hand-carry all the wedding gifts out to the car (you’ll need more than one car). Who will be responsible for the gift cards (very important!) Who will find and collect the personal items, such as the toasting goblets, cake knife/lifter, guest book, your veil that you left somewhere, extra wedding cake (and the list can go on and on). If you provided the alcohol, who will connect with the caterer to collect the unopened bottles or cases of wine. You’ll need a separate car for the alcohol, perhaps.

4. Neglecting to thank your guests – these people have travelled, given up hours, purchased a gift and want to witness and celebrate your nuptials. Take the time to acknowledge your guests (as well as your parents and bridal party members) by giving a brief speech after your Grand Entrance. Either the bride or groom can muster the nerve to make a public statement, such as “Thank you for coming; it means a lot to us that all our closest friends and family are here today.” Then, do your best to work the room by visiting tables (try to stay together), and enjoy the dance floor with your guests, too.

5. Losing sight of the importance to the day – yes, it’s a very exciting day, you have lots of things to get done beforehand, and the event is a non-stop whirlwind, but take a moment (if not two!) and look into your sweetie’s eyes. Slip away to hold onto each other, take a breath, and acknowledge each other and your newly married status. This is a beautiful day…not a “show,” but the beginning of your married life together.

About A Day To Remember Wedding and Event Planners:
A Day to Remember Wedding and Event Planners believes planning the wedding of your dreams should be just like falling in love… joyful and effortless!

Your wedding will have a myriad of details that a professional consultant and wedding planner will have the experience to deal with, and the knowledge to implement. A Day to Remember Wedding and Event Planners listen to your wishes and concerns, offering guidance and providing peace of mind.

Based in Sacramento, California, A Day to Remember Wedding and Event Planners have 25 years experience coordinating and planning special events in the Northern California area, including the Greater Sacramento area, Napa Valley, Sierra Foothills/Gold Country and Lake Tahoe and are available for travel to your destination. They are here to help you plan and coordinate a worry-free wedding that will be memorable, exciting, unique and romantic.

Be sure to check out A Day to Remember Wedding and Event Planners' Web site: www.adaytorememberca.com/ and Lora's blog: www.adaytorememberca.com/blog

Photo above of Jessica & Steven Luttrell (by Lily Rose Photography), one of our featured real weddings in the current issue of Real Weddings Magazine. Lora Ward from A Day to Remember Wedding and Event Planners worked with Jessica & Steven to achieve their perfect day. To read more about Jessica & Steven's wedding and to view more photos from their wedding, pick up a copy of the current issue or click here.

Hot Trend...Brown, the new black?

2009-11-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

Here’s a color that I love to see at fall or winter weddings. Brown sometimes gets a bad rap for being drab or muddy, but I totally disagree.

I think certain shades of this misunderstood color can be elegant and rich and add a touch of sophistication. Much like a black and white wedding, a brown theme pops against bright winter white and creamy ivory.

Or, if you are in search of a burst of color, brown nicely complements popular hues like pink, pale blue, orange and red. Think how gorgeous a bouquet of pink flowers would look next to a chocolate color bridesmaid dress.

Incorporate brown into your wedding invites with a deep shade for your envelopes and font color, or tie up a traditional white or ivory card with a brown ribbon.

Rather than go with all brown linens, introduce the shade in small ways, like with napkin rings, chargers and placecards.

Brown also pairs well with metallics, like silver and gold. If you really want to sweeten things up, put little hot cocoa power in chic canisters or personally wrapped chocolate bars on the tables as party favors to tie everything together.

And don’t forget the devil’s food cake! Add some warm candlelight and you have all the ingredients for a cozy romantic event.

I particularly like how Jessica & Keith Gilbert (one of this issue's Feature Real Weddings) incorporated brown into their event: Bridesmaids' skirts (love the pairing with the ivory cardigans), their brown accented cake, and Jessica's peek-a-boo brown shoes! Subtle and elegant!

To see more of Jessica & Keith's wedding photos, check out the current issue of Real Weddings Magazine, or see their wedding on our Web site.

Photos of Jessica & Keith's wedding by Sarah Maren Photography, http://www.sarahmaren.com/.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Cause Worthy

2009-11-29T08:00:00.000-08:00

Here’s a cool way to cross a few tasks of your “to-do” list and help a great charity in the process. Two philanthropic organizations, the I Do Foundation and JustGive recently teamed up to better serve the charitable wedding sector.

"The I Do Foundation has always envisioned a world where charitable giving was a more integral part of many life events," says Executive Director Grant La Rouche. "With our new home at JustGive, we are well positioned to build on our success with weddings for other areas of charitable giving."

Here’s how it works: First, you register your wedding via http://www.idofoundation.org/. From there you can link your registry to any of the retail partners aligned with the program, like Target, Mikasa or any stores connected to WeddingChannel.com. From your personal Web page, your guests will be able to make purchases like a traditional registry, but a small percentage of the sales will go to a charity of your choosing. It’s that easy.

Both programs also provide a service for couples seeking to make a donation in their guests’ honor. This is also a wonderful opportunity to make memorial to a family member or friend, or celebrate your local community with a contribution to a worthy cause.

Visit them online to learn more about the participating charities and vendors. http://www.idofoundation.com/ or http://www.justgive.org/.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

The Recent Serrano Bridal Show

2009-11-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

We recently had the opportunity to participate in the Serrano Bridal Show at Serrano Country Club. It was a wonderful event put together by Cherhonda, Roxie and their team at Been There Done That Productions on November 15th.

The talented Mike Jensen of Jensen Wedding Films captured the day on film -- click here to check it out!

Be sure to mark your calendars for BTDT's Folsom Bridal Show coming up on April 25, 2010 at Lake Natoma Inn. For more information, log on to their web site: www.folsombridalshow.com.

And, be sure to check out our Planning Tools Web page and our Bridal Events Calendar in our print magazine for even more upcoming bridal shows!

Five Mistakes to Avoid During the Wedding Planning Process

2009-11-27T10:23:00.000-08:00

We recently asked Wedding Planning Pro Lora Ward from A Day To Remember Wedding and Event Planners for some tips to help brides achieve a more blissful wedding planning process – and, she's graciously agreed to be a guest blogger on our site!

So here's her first entry: Five Mistakes to Avoid During the Wedding Planning Process:

1. Wedding Gown Delivery Date – don’t give your exact wedding date to the bridal gown salon. Request (insist) that your gown be delivered at least two weeks prior to your actual wedding date. Mistakes in ordering, delivery problems or alterations could take longer than expected. Peace of mind is everything!

2. A “friend of a friend” – don’t get swayed by a good pitch or a price that’s too good to be true. Hire a professional vendor (whether it’s a photographer, caterer, florist or DJ), as they are prepared and can handle any unusual situation and have experience “walking the walk.” You cannot repeat your wedding day so don’t set yourself up for possible failure and regret.

3. The “B” word (Budget) – weddings, like home construction, almost always cost more than you originally planned. If you have an absolute set amount, research every expense in advance, don’t wait until the moment of hiring as you’ll be up against the wall, then. Track every dime, and keep the head count manageable.

4. Hair and make-up scheduling – like the first doctor appointment of the morning, if it runs late, you’ll spend hours trying to catch up to run on schedule. Set the appointment with your stylist/artist far earlier in the day than you think; communicate with the stylist/artist exactly what services are needed and don’t throw in any last minute services… you’ll run late!

5. Private/Professional Planner vs. Facility Coordinator – don’t assume the person who walks the floor at your event is also your personal wedding planner. While he/she can be and often are very helpful to you, he/she works for “the house.” They will take great care of the staff, the meal service and other details of the facility (and are often taking care of those same details in another part of the building for a second event). Services you’ll need throughout the planning of your wedding (sometimes a year long process) needs more than just the facility coordinator. Remember, a successful wedding depends on excellent planning.

About A Day To Remember Wedding and Event Planners:
A Day to Remember Wedding and Event Planners believes planning the wedding of your dreams should be just like falling in love… joyful and effortless!

Your wedding will have a myriad of details that a professional consultant and wedding planner will have the experience to deal with, and the knowledge to implement. A Day to Remember Wedding and Event Planners listen to your wishes and concerns, offering guidance and providing peace of mind.

Based in Sacramento, California, A Day to Remember Wedding and Event Planners have 25 years experience coordinating and planning special events in the Northern California area, including the Greater Sacramento area, Napa Valley, Sierra Foothills/Gold Country and Lake Tahoe and are available for travel to your destination. They are here to help you plan and coordinate a worry-free wedding that will be memorable, exciting, unique and romantic.

Be sure to check out A Day to Remember Wedding and Event Planners' Web site: http://www.adaytorememberca.com/ and Lora's blog: www.adaytorememberca.com/blog

Photo above of cover model finalist Theresa Garcia by Jodi Yorston Photography, dress by Alfred Angelo, flowers by Ambience Floral Design and hair/make-up by Nevaeh Boutique, Spa, Salon. Shot on location at Cosmo Cafe.

WOOHOO! The new issue of Real Weddings Magazine has arrived!

2009-11-25T15:15:00.001-08:00

We're so incredibly excited to announce the arrival of our newest issue, Real Weddings... Sacramento to the Sierra, Winter 2010! Our team worked really hard on this issue (we actually equate it to giving birth!) and we hope that you, our darling brides, will really like it and find inspiration in the pages of Real Weddings Magazine.

This issue features our cover model winner, Kimmi Armstrong!

In addition to Kimmi, this issue features our other stunning cover model finalists, real brides Kate Adams and Theresa Garcia (all three of these women will appear together on our Spring 2010 issue which will come out at the end of February 2010).

These young women allowed us to poke and prod them and get them all guzzied up for our photo shoot this past September at our photo shoot at Cosmo Cafe, Esquire Grill and Spataro. Gorgeous young women, talented hair and make-up teams, beautiful dresses from local area bridal boutiques, fabulous flowers, cool locations and, of course, the talented Jodi Yorston of Jodi Yorston Photography all came together on a perfect fall day! (We hope to have some more photos from the shoot loaded to our Web site in the next couple of weeks, so be sure to check back!)

Yes, it's true, we put real brides on the covers of our magazines! Each issue, hundreds of local area brides enter to be one of our three cover model finalists. Are you interested in entering? If so, click here to download our entry form. One word of advice, show us your personality on the answers to the questions -- we love working with brides who have a lot of spunk, personality, humor and who are just darned cool girls. Be sure that your answers really reflect who you are! Also, be sure to read all of the rules to make sure that you're eligible to enter.

Thanks so much to all of the vendors who participated in our cover model photo shoot:

Photographed on location at:
Cosmo Cafe, Esquire Grill and Spataro Restaurant and Bar, Part of the
Paragary Restaurant Group
Cosmo Cafe
10th & K, Sacramento
916-446-9800
Esquire Grill
13th & K, Sacramento
916-448-8900
Spataro Restaurant and Bar
14th & L, Sacramento
916-440-8888
paragarys.com

Photography by:
Jodi Yorston Photography
916-747-7049
byjyp.com

Jewelry provided by:
Jazzy Jewelz by Nancy
6545 Chesbro Circle
Rancho Murieta
916-300-5458
jazzyjewelzbynancy.com

Dresses provided by:
Alfred Angelo
1208 Galleria Boulevard
Roseville
917-797-1919, 775-826-7300
alfredangelo.com

Always Elegant Bridal Boutique
229 Clark Avenue
Yuba City
530-755-4282
alwayselegantbridal.net

The Bridal Box
8546 Madison Avenue
Fair Oaks
916-961-1500
thebridalbox.net

Diamond Bridal Gallery
6963 Douglas Boulevard
Granite Bay
916-521-9856
diamondbridalgallery.com

Dreamnette Bridal
1850 Douglas Boulevard, Suite 988
Roseville
916-780-4747
dreamnette.com

Miosa Bride
1125 J Street
Sacramento
916-443-1301
miosabride.com

Hats and Headpieces
provided by:
Advantage Bridal
310-371-2060
advantagebridal.com

Gena Conti Millinery
734-284-3417
genaconti.com

Hair and Make-up for
Kimmi by:
Image Provocateur and
VIP-CAT Academy
232 Vernon Street
Roseville
916-474-5578
vip-cat.com

Hair and Make-up for
Kate by:
Fay Linson, Hair
Shari Whisler, Make-up
Dynamic Images Salon & Day Spa
611 Placerville Drive
Placerville
530-622-5436
dynamicimagesonline.com

Hair and Make-up for
Theresa by:
Jennifer Gouge, Hair
Taryn Passifione, Make-up
Nevaeh Boutique, Spa, Salon
9205 Sierra College Boulevard
Roseville
916-786-5888
nevaeh.com

Flowers provided by:
Ambience Floral Design
7251 Galilee Road, Suite 115
Roseville
916-786-6851
ambiencefloral.com

Botanica Floral Designs
Serving the Sacramento Area
916-673-8650
botanicafloraldesigns.com

Flourish
1913 Capitol Avenue, Suite B
Sacramento
916-212-5179
flourishdesigns.com

Visual Impact Design
2443 Maryal Drive
Sacramento
916-489-3746
visualimpact-design.com

Pick up a copy of the Winter 2010 issue of Real Weddings Magazine today!

Blog post by Wendy Sipple, Editor/Publisher.

Time to Pamper!

2009-11-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

Many brides are ditching the traditional “night-out” bachelorette parties and booking mini-escapes with the girls.

Lucky for us, Tahoe makes for a great weekend getaway, both because of its stunning beauty and overall convenience. One of my favorite retreats in Tahoe is the Trilogy Spa in Squaw Valley. This sprawling, 4,000-square-foot retreat makes the perfect venue for a day of relaxation and pampering.

Trilogy offers special packages tailored to wedding parties with customized treatments, goodie bags, tropical snacks and plenty of Champagne. Some of the spa’s most luxurious services include a Lomi Pohaku Stone Massage, the DRENCH Cascading Vichy Rainbar, an Awapuhi White Ginger Body Treatment and SOAK Moana Plunge Tub with Maile Floral Melt.

If you and your girls choose to rent a house for the weekend, Trilogy can also arrange for an in-home spa party, so you never need to leave the comforts of your accommodations to enjoy a day of bliss.

To speak with a spa manager, call 530-584-6125. Trilogy Spa is located in The Village at Squaw Valley, 1850 Village South Road, Olympic Valley. trilogyspa.com.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Delta King's Bridal Open House

2009-11-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

We were honored recently to be part of another bridal open house at the Delta King.

Unfortunately, I couldn't be there myself, so I asked Catering & Wedding Sales Manager Jenny Johnson to sum up the day, and here's what she had to say:

"You would have LOVED the fashion show!!! Seniya with the Diamond Bridal Gallery is a rock star! Her models and dresses were beautiful and Image Provocateur did an
amazing job on their hair and makeup. Lora Ward from A Day to Remember Wedding and Event Planning gave a wonderful speech on "How to Organize a Fairly Flawless Wedding Day." All the vendors did a great job, and I'm really appreciative to have their support, especially Sound
Image Entertainment, Mimi & Co. , River City Cake Company, Diamond Bridal
Gallery, A Day to Remember Wedding and Event Planning, JnJ Treasures and Eye
Connoisseur."

Delta King's next bridal open house won't be until June 2010 -- be sure to watch our Web sites (realweddingsmag.com and deltaking.com) for more details!

Blog post by Wendy Sipple, Publisher/Editor.

Good Grooming...One for the Guys

2009-11-15T09:50:00.000-08:00

For guys with style, putting a wedding ensemble together doesn’t always start at the tux rental shop.

A trend we're seeing is that more and more grooms are stepping out of the traditional template and suiting up their own handsome tailored threads.

From made-to-measure suits to colorful pocket squares, dapper dudes are stepping it up and looking sharp (afterall, it’s their big day too).

So, where does the fashionable gent go for a winning look? Retailers like Julius in Sacramento (juliusclothing.net) and Patrick James in Sacramento (patrickjames.com), along with custom clothier like Navin's (navins.net), have excellent track records outfitting grooms in quality suits and ties.

Another shopping resource grooms are taking full advantage of is the wonderful Web.

Online stores like Fine and Dandy Shop (fineanddandyshop.com) carry a variety of slick accessories, like ties, bowties, ascots and handkerchiefs, at reasonable prices. Plus, they also blog, offering fantastic tips on dressing and current trends, recently posted a lookbook for visual reference.

Fine and dandy, indeed.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist, Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of Fine and Dandy Shop.

We've been blogged!!

2009-11-14T08:47:00.001-08:00

Ok, we're such suckers -- we LOVE being blogged!!!

My friends Brandon and Kami from Sound Image Entertainment just emailed me to let me know about a wedding that they just posed to their blog...and it mentions Real Weddings Magazine!! Love that!

So I ventured over to their blog and got to check out their clients Tyler and Alicia's wedding, shot by the talented Jodi Yorston (who just shot our cover model finalists shoot for our next issue of Real Weddings Magazine) at the Carvalho's Family Winery at Old Sugar Mill.

We love this location -- it was the locale for our cover model finalist photo shoot for the current issue. And, it's close to my heart because I did my "trash the dress" shoot with Sarah Maren Photography at this location too!

Brandon and Kami are wonderful people, amazing wedding professionals -- thanks for sharing Tyler and Alicia's wedding with us -- it looks like it was a lot of fun! I loved the songs that they chose for their wedding, particularly the theme from St. Elmo's Fire. Congrats to you Tyler and Alicia on your wedding!

To learn more about Brandon and Kami and Sound Image Entertainment, check out their Web site: http://www.soundimagedjs.com/.

Blog post by Wendy Sipple, Publisher/Editor.

Ready for My Close-up!

2009-11-09T09:04:00.000-08:00

If there’s one thing we hear over and over from our brides featured in our Real Weddings, it’s that they regret not having used a videographer. They love their still photos from their wedding photographers, but as they reflect back on their wedding day, they say that it went by so quickly and now is such a blur.

Finding a good (and reliable!) videographer can be tricky business -- and, you may be tempted into having a friend or family member act as your videographer. But in the end, will you be happy with the results?

We asked Eric Leas from Acti-Video what he's experienced over his nearly 20 years as a videographer in the Sacramento area. Here's what he had to say on the subject:

"A friend or relative might be able to videotape your wedding, but most likely, if they don't do it professionally, they won't have the same tools a professional possesses to do the job properly, and it will really show in the results.

I have had many, many couples call and show me footage from their wedding that a friend or a family member who claimed to be 'pretty good with a camera,' asking me for help to fix it or to help present it in a more professional manner. Unfortunately, the footage is just terrible and I cannot fix it for them.

The reality is that there is no replacement and no 'do overs' -- if only these couples had hired a professional in the first place, it would have saved them heartache, bad memories and in some instances cost!"

Of course, we recommend hiring a professional videographer to capture your big day (so that you can share it with your grandchildren 50 years from now!). To find the right one for you, Eric recommends checking out several videographers' Web sites, and then meeting with your chosen few. He equates finding the right videographer to matching the right director with the right movie…requires talent, vision and a good relationship between collaborators.

Check out this recent wedding video clip that Eric and his team at Acti-Video produced:

About Acti-Video Productions:

Acti-Video Productions has been serving our area for nearly 15 years, covering not only Sacramento proper, but wedding destinations as far as San Francisco, Napa and Tahoe. These guys know their stuff, getting all your most precious moments on high-definition cameras with authenticity and care, forever captured on DVD or Blu-ray. They offer a variety of packages and plenty of extras, including the “First Dance Romance” Video Edit, “Original Love Story” Video Edit, and "Wedding Day Replay," to name a few.

Visit their Web site at acti-video.com, or call them at 916-788-1690.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid columnist Darren Elms.

Honeymoon Destination Idea

2009-11-04T07:38:00.000-08:00

Divine Destination...Taha’a

One of the best-kept secrets in French Polynesia is a small island just a couple hours by plane from the main hub of Tahiti. Taha’a, known as the Vanilla Island, truly captures the essence of the South Pacific experience – beauty, romance, tranquility and an exploration of all five senses.

After arriving in Tahiti, you’ll take a short plane ride to the island of Raiatea and a boat cruiser to the Relais & Chateaux Le Taha’a Island Resort and Spa, a private oasis just off the main island of Taha’a. Everything you’ve heard about French Polynesia comes vividly to life at this tropical paradise – warm waters in every shade of blue, white sand beaches, delicious cuisine full of local flavors, and finest the hospitality and service you can imagine. The resort offers day trips to the main island, where you can explore wild botanical gardens, fragrant vanilla plantations and black pearl farms. But, nothing beats the seductive starry walks back to your over water bungalow with the moon shimmering on the Pacific. Needless to say, I was totally bewitched by the charms of Taha’a. Book this amazing getaway for your honeymoon and prepare to fall under its spell.

For more information, visit http://www.letahaa.com/.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist, Darren Elms

The Wedding Class Bridal Event

2009-11-02T08:10:00.000-08:00

We recently hosted our third bridal event, The Wedding Class at Whitney Oaks Golf Club.

Thank you to all of our participating vendors!

Acti-Video
916-788-1690
http://www.acti-video.com/

Andrea’s Images
916-225-3395
http://www.andreasimages.com/

D Elaine Photography
530-676-0708
http://www.d-web.com/

Dreamnette
916-780-4747
http://www.dreamnette.com/

Dynamite Weddings
916-802-8004
http://www.dynamiteweddings.com/

Exquisite Events & Entertainment
916-925-7888
http://www.exquisitedjs.com/

Granite Bay Floral
916-676-2716
http://www.granitebayfloral.com/

Jaclyn Photography
916-769-2224
http://www.jaclynphotography.com/

Jazzy Jewelz by Nancy
916-354-8680
http://www.jazzyjewelzbynancy.com/

Mimi & Co.
916-525-1235
http://www.mimiandcompany.com/

Siegel’s Portrait Design
916-772-7533
http://www.siegelsportraits.com/

Stephanie J Designs
916-257-1641
http://www.stephaniejdesigns.com/

Sweet Cakes by Rebecca
916-370-7760
http://www.sweetcakesbyrebecca.com/

The Makeup Artist Academy
916-941-0399
http://www.themakeupartistacademy.net/

Whitney Oaks Golf Club
916-632-8333 Ext. 20
http://www.whitneyoaksgolf.com/

And thanks to all who gave us goodies for our special Wedding Class Wag bags!

• Thank you cards provided by www.weddingpaperdivas.com/events
• Beauty products provided by www.lbel.com
• VIP shopping pass provided by www.premiumoutlets.com/folsom
• Chapstick and $5 off coupon provided by www.missnowmrs.com
• Petal cones provided by www.favorsbylisa.com
• Bookmarks favors and band-aid favors provided by www.weddingish.com
• Eyelashes provided by www.themakeupartistacademy.net
• "Will you be my bridesmaid" cards provided by www.stephaniejdesigns.com
• Bride license plate frames, Bride-to-be buttons and a special offer provided by www.thebridalbox.net
• Wedding DVD provided by www.acti-video.com
• Wedding stickers provided by www.delainephotography.com
• Magnets provided by www.jazzyjewelzbynancy.com
• Cupcakes provided by www.sweetcakesbyrebecca.com
• Long stemmed roses provided by www.granitebayfloral.com
• Wedding planning binder and Real Weddings Magazine provided by www.realweddingsmag.com

Watch our Web site for shows coming up in 2010!

A Little Help for the Rehearsal Dinner

2009-10-26T07:35:00.000-07:00

Today's bride takes much of the responsibility on herself when planning her dream day; choosing a groom, a ring, a dress, a photographer, attendants...and the list goes on. And although traditionally the groom's responsibility, choosing a venue for the rehearsal dinner may require the bride's planning and input as well.

Endless Web searches and flipping through thumbnail-sized photos in directories may not do rehearsal dinner locales justice, and an in-person evaluation is usually in order. A great way to visit a ton of possible venues and contribute to a good cause is to participate in the latest craze social dining, a local "Grub Crawl," which is a walking tour of participating restaurants where you receive small plates, or tastes of specialty menu items, desserts, and wine or spirits. I recently attended "The Big Nosh" in Sacramento's midtown, benefiting Jewish Family Services and several community partners. My husband and I visited 25 different Sacramento area eateries and munched on tasty fare for an entire afternoon. Crawls take you on a culinary tour of some of the best eateries in town, and normally last 3-5 hours.

For brides and grooms, the variation of casual to fine dining accommodates any rehearsal dinner budget, and you're able to try a variety of different foods. The best thing about joining one of these tours is, of course, the food, but also being able to see numerous venues in one day. And brides, don't fret about eating at every stop and still fitting into your wedding gown, all of the walking between locations balances out the calories...I hope! It's also a great activity to do as a couple. So much of planning falls on the bride's already-burdened shoulders, these Grub Crawls gives you as a couple the opportunity to spend a day together and share some wedding planning responsibilities. So, spend an afternoon with your love, eating and drinking, contribute to a worthy cause and mark some items off of your wedding planning checklist!

For information on local crawls, visit crawltix.com or grubcrawlusa.com.

Blog post by Jenn Talley, Managing Editor

Hot Trend: Peacock Accents

2009-09-22T20:45:00.001-07:00

We're working on the real weddings for our next issue, and we're seeing some gorgeous things! We're so excited about some of them that we cannot contain our excitment.

One trend I'm seeing a bit more of: Peacock Accents. Colorful, elegant, yet somewhat whimsical. Love it. And it certainly makes a statement!

Check out these inspirational ideas: flowers from Ambience (ambiencefloral.com) and invitations from Stephanie J Designs (stephaniejdesigns.com).

Photo above by Lisa Richmond Photography (lisarichmond.com).

It's All About...

2009-09-11T08:40:00.000-07:00

We love these!

Our friend Angel at The Bridal Box carries them, and she gave them to us to give out at our recent Wedding Class! Our brides were crazy about them!

Tickled Pink!

2009-09-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Still loading photos to our Style Files (check them out for yourself!) and there are just so many delightful artists out there! Lucky you, you beautiful brides!

And, I've been in a pink mood lately so imagine my glee with these fabulously pink bridal bouquets from my friend Martha (Blooms by Martha Andrews)...enjoy!

Photo above by Image Outfitters.

Photo above by Anne Andrews.

Photo above by The Memory Journalists.

Photo above by The Memory Journalists.

Another Hot Trend

2009-09-09T13:50:00.000-07:00

Hey my beautiful brides -- you ladies are so creative and cool!

I'm working on the real weddings for our next issue and a trend I'm seeing more and more that I simply LOVE are colored shoes!

More and more brides are adding a little something something by adding a little color on their tootsies! Love it!

Photo by Sarah Maren Photography.

Diamond Bridal Gallery fulfills a Christmas Wish

2009-09-04T05:55:00.000-07:00

This past December, one of our local radio stations had a “17 Days of Christmas" campaign, to help out people facing the difficult economy.

It was wonderful news for engaged couple Shawn Owen and Nicole Janson, from Colfax, California, set to marry on September 19, 2009. After calling in and describing their need for help in preparing for their upcoming wedding, Diamond Bridal Gallery stepped up to make their wish come true.

Diamond Bridal Gallery donated an all-inclusive bridal package to the bride -- this included an exquisite gown, full fitting service (Nicole had the gown fitted in January) and custom alteration package.

How incredibly cool is that?

Check out Diamond Bridal for yourself!

Diamond Bridal Gallery
6963 Douglas Blvd.
Granite Bay,, CA 95746
916-521-9856
http://www.diamondbridalgallery.com/

More Style Files — Inspirational Photos

2009-09-03T08:22:00.000-07:00

Hello my beautiful brides -- I'm in the process of uploading more photos in our Style Files online inspirational guide, and as I'm going through the photos, I'm just so impressed with the creativity and talents of our local wedding vendors!! So I just had to share a few on our blog...

Check out these fab photos (photos by Sarah Maren Photography)!

Flowers above by Flourish

Flowers above by Flourish

Flowers above by Ambience Floral Design

Flowers above by Flourish

Flowers above by Camino Flower Shop

Flowers above by Ambience Floral Design

Flowers above by Camino Flower Shop

Flowers above by Ambience Floral Design

Flowers above by Camino Flower Shop

Flowers above by Flourish

Lakeside Luxury Benefit Event

2009-09-03T07:10:00.000-07:00

A Special Blog Post from our Friends at Memory Journalists and Dynamite Weddings.

As we start to wrap up this fleeting summer season, let's take advantage of a picturesque summer evening on a serene mountain lake to enjoy splendid weather, fine food, great wine, some music you can groove to and give back to a notable cause here in our community.

Come to Lakeside Luxury, a charity event at Ice Lakes Lodge in Soda Springs, CA for Saturday, Sept. 19th, 4-9 p.m. Proceeds from the event will go to Shriners Hospital for Children, Sacramento. We are anxious to share the amazing lakeside views at Ice Lakes Lodge, complemented by an evening filled with elegant wines, delicious food, an eclectic silent auction, great music and dancing. This event is hosted by The Memory Journalists and Exquisite Events & Entertainment with sponsorship by Style Media Group.

This event will benefit children in need of services that only an amazing hospital like Shriners can offer: "Children up to the age of 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate are eligible for admission and receive all care in a family-centered environment at no financial obligation to patients or families." While many acknowledge such outstanding places exist, most don't understand the importance of such a first rate hospital unless they are in a situation that forces them to utilize such services. Let's make sure that this generosity continues to support children and families in need.

Ice Lakes Lodge has been generous enough to offer a discount on rooms for this event, available at $139 + tax. There are only 34 rooms available so be sure to contact Linda today for your room at 530.426.3871, mentioning Lakeside Luxury. We also have Lakeside Luxury special transportation rates available from Luxury Limousines of Sacramento. They are offering their party bus with a pick up near Highway 80 with a rate of $67/person. There's enough room for 25 people. Get your friends together and contact me via email or phone (916.212.0665) to reserve your seat on the bus today!

For ticket information, visit LakesideLuxury.blogspot.com.

Check out the amazing attached invitation, created by the creative Stephanie Cooley of Stephanie J Designs!

If you can't make the event, but would like to make a donation to the event, please send your donation to: The Memory Journalists, ATTN: Lakeside Luxury Event, P.O. Box 6960, Folsom, CA 95763 or contact me via phone or email to coordinate.

Thanks for your support!

Nicole Jackson
916-212-0665 or info@memoryjournalists.com

Girls Night Out!

2009-08-25T10:07:00.000-07:00

If you are a bride to be… listen up! You are invited to a Girls Night Out Party in Roseville…

Tomorrow at Alfred Angelo’s, a leading maker of elegant wedding dresses, you and your bevy of bridesmaids can enjoy a night of pampering including complimentary beauty services and spa treatments.

That’s right, all completely free! The first 50 shoppers will also receive a free gift bag.

And as a part of their wedding bash promotion; all your bridesmaids can receive $20 off their dresses through August 30.

But already have all your dresses? You should still make an appearance.

Professional stylists, consultants and wedding experts will be on hand to answer all your questions and qualm any fears about your big day… while you snack on treats from local caterers. Now that makes us at Style wish we had a bride in the office. So don’t miss out, head out to be pampered tomorrow night!

WHAT: Girls Night Out
WHEN: Wednesday, August 26, 6 to 8 p.m.
WHERE: 1208 Galleria Blvd., Roseville, CA
PHONE: 916-797-1919

Blog post by Chloe Daley, Style Intern.

Our Beautiful Cover Model Finalist Amelia Ties the Knot

2009-08-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

Since we launched Real Weddings Sacramento Magazine, we've been fortunate to meet so many amazing brides, and we're lucky enough to spend one crazy day each issue with three of them as they model for our magazine.

On the cover of our current issue, we feature three gorgeous brides: Emily, Autumn and Amelia.

Our beautiful Amelia recently married the man of her dreams, Tyson, in a breathtaking locale. She was kind enough to share some details of her special day and her photographer, Dev Khalsa Photography (devkhalsaphotography.com) generously shared some of the stunning photos.

In her own words, here's more on Amelia's special day:

When?
June 27, 2009 at 5 p.m.

Where?
Beautiful Sun Valley, Idaho

What was the most special thing about the day?
That I got to say I DO to my soul-mate! But if you're looking for another answer...I have to say that during our ceremony, on the blessing part, an unexpected wind that lasted for about 10 seconds left all of us with serious goose-bumps...yes, truly a magical moment. Seeing our parents interacting with each other, both families getting to know each other for first time (!) and having our closest friends with us for a couple of days were the most amazing things!

Anything funny or unexpected on the big day?
My now brother-in law, Todd, in the middle of the ceremony when they asked for the RING, he acted like he forgot it...or that it was lost (!!!)...and then said something like, "Well, I needed to lighten up the moment." Hahahahaa! Or, when I started crying, and my maid of honor, Claudia, couldn't find a tissue, and instead handed me a piece of paper she had in the middle of her boobs! Hahahahaha...hilarious! Everyone laughed a lot at both scenarios! Both moms speaking to each other in different languages and still understanding each other? Yes, probably counts also as one of the funniest things that day!

And on the serious side, seeing Tyson at the end of the aisle and how he started to cry when he saw me for first time as a Bride was truly priceless...and the happiest moment of my life I had enjoyed (yet!)! (He saw the magazine [the cover of Real Weddings Sacramento Magazine which Amelia graces!] the day after our wedding, and didn't looked my way when I was coming over the ceremony site, just right before I was getting closer, he turned my way.)

Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Hawaii: Oahu & Kauai (l-o-v-e it!)

Congrats to Amelia and Tyson!

Learn more about Real Weddings Sacramento Magazine at: http://www.realweddingsmag.com

Real Weddings Sacramento to the Sierra Magazine, produced by Sierrastyle Weddings, LLC - a division of Style Media Group (formerly Sierrastyle Publishing) - is the premier wedding planning resource for today's brides and grooms! We're dedicated to offering brides and grooms a world class publication that presents the very best in the wedding industry - from real Sacramento weddings featuring local Sacramento-area resources, our cover model contest featuring beautiful wedding dresses from area boutiques to unique honeymoon ideas and our inspirational style files wedding planning resource guide with sumptuous wedding cakes, gorgeous bridal gowns, exquisite wedding flowers, fabulous favors and interesting invitations, along with our comprehensive wedding vendor lists (from Sacramento wedding venues, Sacramento wedding photographers, Sacramento entertainment/djs, floral designers to officiants, bridal gown boutiques, and wedding planners), Real Weddings Sacramento Magazine has it all - from Sacramento to the Sierra (yep, that means Sacramento, Roseville, Folsom, Lake Tahoe, Placerville, El Dorado Hills, Granite Bay, Rocklin and everything in between and beyond)! Let the wedding planning begin!

59 Strangers and a Proposal

2009-08-17T14:13:00.000-07:00

I’ve heard of some crazy proposals, but never one that required the perfect cooperation of 59 strangers.

Jake Bronstein made a new world record when he started a whisper chain that successfully passed through a room of 59 strangers and ended with his girlfriend Kristina Hodge.

The exact message was, “Kristina, will you marry me?”

Perhaps it was key that the whisper chain proposal took place at a World Record Appreciation Society event in New York. I have a feeling the result would not have been the same in a crowded bar. But all the same, still quite a feat.

Watch the video to see the crowd’s reaction as they heard the message and Hodge’s shocked reaction at the end when she received the proposal on stage.

Blog post by Chloe Daley, Style Intern.

Local Sacramento Wedding Vendor in Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine

2009-07-28T06:49:00.000-07:00

Stop the presses!

Okay, just kidding, this is the Web… so it doesn’t really apply.

But what does apply to all you brides-to-be, or anyone planning a special event, is Slip of Elegance Chaircovers – a Cameron Park based business that’s been serving the Sacramento and surrounding areas since 1997!

Check out the Summer 2009 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine (page 64), on newsstands now, to see Slip of Elegance featured as the lead expert in the “Q & A” section.

Owner Darcie Swedelson explains how to make simple chairs and tables look more elegant by adding decorative sashes to chair covers and/or table linens.

Slip of Elegance Chaircovers, a family-owned business, prides itself for its wide inventory of custom-made table linens, chair covers and sashes that come in a great variety of colors and fabrics. It offers a unique and personal approach to turning any event into an elegant and unforgettable one for its clients.

To see the beautifully embellished table décor (and more) that’s causing all the buzz, visit www.slipofelegance.com!

Congrats Darcie -- we're really psyched for you!

Blog post by Kristine Guerra, Style Intern and Desiree Patterson, Style Editor.

Cool Trend: Dessert Bars!

2009-07-27T18:13:00.001-07:00

Another very cool trend I'm seeing more and more of is the dessert bar!

To tell you more, I went right to an expert...Carissa Jones from Sugar and Spice and...

Here's what she had to say about this trend:

"Dessert bars are gaining in popularity! A small wedding cake surrounded by bite sized desserts is not only dramatic, but is a wonderful surprise for your guests.

There are so many fun approaches to this dessert option: desserts can be tied in with the colors of the wedding or they can be eclectic where they are a beautiful assembly of the couple's favorite desserts or they can focus on one favorite ingredient... say, chocolate!

Dessert bars also can provide your guests with little nibbles throughout the evening of dancing and, when paired up with pretty take home boxes, can double as favors. My favorite dessert bar features fruit desserts and then finishes off with cookies or truffles, perfect for filling pretty glycine bags or pairing with ice cold glasses of milk as a midnight snack!

As a general rule, I encourage my couples to, at least, have a 6" cake (I call it a cutting cake) for the cake cutting and feeding each other part of the evening. It's tradition, it's charming, and it's super photographic!

Another trend I'm seeing is some of my clients are still ordering the full on monster wedding cake, and they are also having 2-4 individual desserts, enough for one or two pieces per guest. And, they are also pairing these desserts with their coffee stations or port and cigar stations."

Very cool lady -- thank you for giving our readers the 411 on this trend!

To find out more about Carissa and Sugar and Spice and... visit her Web site: http://www.sugarandspice.me/w/

Photo of a Sugar and Spice and...dessert bar by The Memory Journalists, www.memoryjournalists.com.

Learn more about Real Weddings Sacramento Magazine at: http://www.realweddingsmag.com

Real Weddings Sacramento to the Sierra Magazine, produced by Sierrastyle Weddings, LLC - a division of Style Media Group (formerly Sierrastyle Publishing) - is the premier wedding planning resource for today's brides and grooms! We're dedicated to offering brides and grooms a world class publication that presents the very best in the wedding industry - from real Sacramento weddings featuring local Sacramento-area resources, our cover model contest featuring beautiful wedding dresses from area boutiques to unique honeymoon ideas and our inspirational style files wedding planning resource guide with sumptuous wedding cakes, gorgeous bridal gowns, exquisite wedding flowers, fabulous favors and interesting invitations, along with our comprehensive wedding vendor lists (from Sacramento wedding venues, Sacramento wedding photographers, Sacramento entertainment/djs, floral designers to officiants, bridal gown boutiques, and wedding planners), Real Weddings Sacramento Magazine has it all - from Sacramento to the Sierra (yep, that means Sacramento, Roseville, Folsom, Lake Tahoe, Placerville, El Dorado Hills, Granite Bay, Rocklin and everything in between and beyond)! Let the wedding planning begin!

What an Entrance!

2009-07-24T08:22:00.000-07:00

What an entrance! Wouldn't work for all couples but boy what a fun way to start the big day!

Enjoy!

Salsa for Your First Dance?

2009-07-24T06:43:00.000-07:00

Want to impress your family and friends with a fabulous first dance at your wedding? May we suggest a little Latin number?!

Or perhaps you'd just like to do a little salsa-ing with your chosen one?

Dance the night away at Borders Books (Rocky Ridge) in Roseville! I know, it sounds kind of kooky to be dancing at Borders, but hey, after you learn a few moves, step it up and take home a book on the origins of salsa dancing for inspiration.

Borders Books will offer a free initial lesson with dance instructors Nichelle Galloway and Wayne Dickey on Friday, August 28 from 7- 8 p.m.; and open practice runs from 8-9 p.m. There will also be a demonstration of Rueda, a style of salsa dancing, by Baila Rueda Conmigo Dance Club!

Salsa will continue through the next fourth Friday, making for some great memories and sizzling summer nights. Want to learn more about this hot new program? Call 916-276-3322 and get ready for some fun!

Blog post by Victoria Pelham, Style Intern.

A Trend I'm LOVING!

2009-07-19T09:59:00.001-07:00

Birdcage veils!

Right now, our team is going through some of the submissions for our featured real weddings for the next issue of the magazine and I'm seeing more and more birdcage veils! I LOVE THEM!

While they bring in a certain nostaligic feel, they are contemporary, alluring and just down right sexy!

I would love to see this trend last for a while!

Photo courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography, www.sarahmaren.com.

Two by Rosa Clara Trunk Show at Diamond Bridal Gallery

2009-07-15T11:54:00.000-07:00

We love sales and trunk shows!!! Our friend Seniya at Diamond Bridal just sent us this information, so check it out!

Incredible savings for every bride are available at Diamond Bridal Gallery's Two by Rosa Clara Trunk Show this weekend, July 17-19.

Two by Rosa Clara dresses also come with a special offer as a gift to you, you gorgeous brides: when you purchase one of these gowns, Diamond Bridal Gallery will throw in the veil for FREE -- yes, you read that right, for free (it's a value up to $150).

But wait, there's more (yes, we sound like an infomercial here, but seriously, we love gifts with purchase and even more...so keep reading!). If you purchase a dress at this trunk show, you'll get 15% off the gown itself, 30% off wedding invitations and 15% off each bridesmaid dress (see store for specific details on these offers).

Stop in to Diamond Bridal Gallery this weekend!

Diamond Bridal Gallery

6963 Douglas Boulevard

Granite Bay

916-521-9856

http://www.diamondbridalgallery.com/

Blog post written by Alexa Hess.

I'm such a sucker!

2009-07-15T08:42:00.001-07:00

Watching Leigh and Nick get married on the Today Show right now and I'm crying! I always cry at weddings no matter who it is!!!

So beautiful, so emotional and so sweet!

Congrats!!

P.S. I promise to have more blogs for you soon!

Photo Booths Rock!

2009-06-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

I am seeing more and more couples renting photo booths, and I have to admit that I love this trend. Every couple that I've run into who had one at their reception just raves about it!

Photo booths remind me of when I was a kid -- there's such a feeling of nostalgia around them for me.

But what's great for couples is the fun and whimsy they can bring to their reception!

At the recent Delta King show, I got to see my friend John (owner of Profinish Design Photo Booths), and you should have seen all the brides and guests flocking to his space because they wanted to try on the array of fun and funky hats that John brings for guests to play with in the photo booth!

Frankly, I want to have a party just so that I can bring in a photo booth!

If you're interested in getting a photo booth, check out:

Profinish Designs Photo Booths: www.profinishdesign.com

Picture Perfect Photo Booth Rental: www.pictureperfectbooth.com

Diamond Bridal Sample Sale starting June 22!

2009-06-14T20:55:00.000-07:00

Alright girls...we love sample sales!

And, there's one coming up at Diamond Bridal Gallery!

My friend Seniya from Diamond Bridal Gallery recently sent me this information on their End of Season Sample Sale:

Fabulous gowns
At 50%-60% off retail

June 22-July 22, 2009
Gown starting at $299.00 and up

Pronovias
La Sposa
Blue by Enzoani
Oksana Couture
Hanna Hartnell
Jasmine
and more!!

Seniya suggests coming early for best selection!

Call them today to set up an appointment:

Diamond Bridal Gallery
6963 Douglas Blvd.
Granite Bay
916-521-9856
http://www.diamondbridalgallery.com/

Oh, and be sure to check out their upcoming trunk shows and events on their Web site:
http://diamondbridalgallery.com/events.html

Delta King's First Annual Bridal D'Elegance

2009-06-11T07:43:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I was honored to be invited to be a part of Delta King's First Annual Bridal D'Elegance and what a wonderful affair it was!

With wonderful wedding professionals such as The Memory Journalists (www.memoryjournalists.com/), Sound Image Entertainment (www.soundimagedjs.com/), Profinish Design (www.profinishdesign.com/), Diamond Bridal Gallery (www.diamondbridalgallery.com/), Visual Impact Design (www.visualimpact-design.com/), A Day to Remember (www.adaytorememberca.com/), A&A Music Events (www.aamusicevents.com/), Mimi & Co. Couture Linens (www.mimiandcompany.com/), About Time Limousine, Tower of Chocolate, Forever Inspired, Eye Connoiseur, Relles Florist, Bella Bloom, J&J Treasures, Bella Donna Bridal, Cupcake Craving, River City Cakes and Encore Entertainment among others, all showcased in the beautiful Delta King (www.deltaking.com/), the event was a great way for brides (and we saw some grooms too!) to see this inviting and unique wedding venue and chat with wedding professionals in an intimate and relaxed (and gorgeous -- have you seen the views from Delta King lately? If you haven't, you should take a trip down and have dinner in their Pilothouse restaurant -- the food is fantastic!)setting.

Tami and Jenny and their entire team kept the champagne flowing -- and the food samplings were quite yummy (I couldn't stop nibbling on the bruschetta!).

Photo courtesy of Encore Photo Booths.

Congratulations on a great event Tami, Jenny and everyone at Delta King! We look forward to being a part of next year's event!

Want to see more photos? Check out my friend Jen's (from The Memory Journalists, (www.memoryjournalists.com/) blog: www.memoryjournalists.blogspot.com/2009/06/delta-kings-bridal-d-elegance-open.html

Photo above of Wendy and Real Weddings Magazine by The Memory Journalists (www.memoryjournalists.com) -- thanks Jen and Nicole!!!

Summer Sale at Dreamnette Bridal

2009-06-09T09:05:00.000-07:00

We love sales! And, when it's one of our friends having a sale, all the more fun!

I just heard from Jeanette Miller -- she's the owner of Dreamnette Bridal in Roseville -- and she's clearing out some of her inventory to make room for the new arrivals!

If you haven't checked out Dreamnette's new boutique yet, now is your chance. Jeanette's collection of dresses includes cocktail, bridesmaids, mother of the bride and of course gorgeous and unique (not to mention affordable!) wedding gowns. In fact, we've featured many of her gowns in the pages of our Real Weddings Magazine!

Don't take it from me -- go see Jeanette's collection for yourself.

Dreamnette Bridal is located at:
1850 Douglas Blvd., Suite 988
Roseville

You can either stop in during her regular hours, or make an appointment by calling 916-780-4747.

Dreamnette can be found online at www.dreamnettebridal.com.

Photos by Image Smith.

Honeymoon Books!

2009-06-08T17:14:00.001-07:00

So while all of your time has been spent planning your wedding, there is something to look forward to beyond the wedding...of course your wonderful life to come with your new spouse, but more urgently, a little R&R on your honeymoon!

Since your head has been caught up in wedding magazines (like Real Weddings Magazine!) and on blogs and Web sites, we thought we'd come to the rescue with some reading suggestions for when you're sipping a yummy frothy cocktail with your enamored by your side.

For those historical fiction lovers:
Mistress of the Revolution by Catherine Delors (catherinedelors.com/mistress.htm/)

The Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir (http://www.alisonweir.org.uk/)

For those mystery/psychological thriller lovers:
The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly (http://www.michaelconnelly.com/)
Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child (http://www.leechild.com/)

For those needing something a little more "deep":
Brooklyn by Colm Toibin (www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colm_T%C3%B3ib%C3%ADn)

The Invisible Wall by Harry Bernstein (www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Bernstein).

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay (www.sarahskey.com/article-22049887.html)

For those needing a big-laugh-out-loud-in-the-middle-of the airport read:
Anything from Laurie Notaro -- I've read every one of her books and everytime, she makes me guffaw. Love her! (http://www.laurienotaro.com/).

And for those that just want a wonderfully delicious saucy bit of chick-lit:
Since You're Leaving Anyway, Take Out the Trash by Dixie Cash (http://www.dixiecashauthor.com/)
Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot (www.megcabot.com/size12/size12isnotfat.php)
Scott on the Rocks by Brenda Janowitz (http://www.brendajanowitz.com/)

And this one might fall under historical novel and chick lit -- it's delightful:

Confessions of a Jane Austin Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler (http://janeaustenaddict.com/)

Do you have reading suggestions for our brides? If so, drop me a quick email and I'll put them all together for our next Honeymoon books blog!

And, remember, we won't judge you by the books that you're reading! We honestly don't care what you're reading (truly, we're not book snobs – we appreciate the written word in all forms! And come on – do you really think we'd be reading Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment after college? Not a chance!), we just love that you're reading! Enjoy!

Makeup that lasts all day!

2009-06-04T16:00:00.000-07:00

While I firmly believe in having a professional do your hair and make-up for your wedding day, I do understand that some of you, my beautiful brides, may want to do it yourself or simply don't have the money.

I recently came across a product that you might want to try. It's Illuminare Cosmetics' Ultimate All Day Foundation. Providing a matte, but not drying finish, the foundation will not rub off on your beautiful wedding dress or when you're hugging and kissing all of your guests on your wedding day!

Illuminare is actually a local company — headquartered in El Dorado Hills — and they're making quite a name for themselves in the beauty industry with their wonderful line of cosmetics.

If you're hesitant to buy a full size product, they do offer trial size versions through their Web site: www.illuminarecosmetics.com.

If you'd like to try their products in person, they're carried locally throughout the Sacramento Area -- check out their Retailer Outlet section of their Web site:

Retailer Locations.

We've Been Blogged...Again!

2009-06-03T20:41:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of meeting Peter Merry last night at an AFWPi event -- what a nice guy!

We featured Peter's book The Best Wedding Reception...Ever! in our Winter/Spring 2009 issue in our For Your Review section.

Well, when I saw Peter last night he showed me his blog and voila, there we were! Check it out!

Click here to see Peter's Blog!

Thanks for the nice coverage Peter!

Style Files — Inspirational Photos

2009-06-01T22:14:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I'm sitting here trying to load a bunch of photos to our online Style Files — our online wedding planning resource guide from Sacramento to the Sierra. And I gotta tell you, there are some pretty talented people out there.

In fact, in our current issue, we worked with three amazingly creative local floral designers: Ambience Floral Design (www.ambiencefloraldesign.com), Camino Flower Shop (www.caminoflowershop.net) and Flourish (www.flourishdesigns.com).

We challenged them to come up with designs to complement the gowns and the looks we were striving for and boy did these wonderful ladies rise to that challenge.

Check out our current issue to see more of their handiwork but to pique your interest, here are a few favorites from these dynamos!

Above: From Flourish (www.flourishdesigns.com)
Photo by Sarah Maren Photography (www.sarahmaren.com)

Above: From Ambience Floral Design (www.ambiencefloraldesign.com)
Photo by Sarah Maren Photography (www.sarahmaren.com)

Above: Camino Flower Shop (www.caminoflowershop.net)
Photo by Sarah Maren Photography (www.sarahmaren.com)

And, be sure to check out these vendors' Web sites; and for more inspirational photos, check out our Style Files (being updated now!) at Real Weddings Magazine/Style Files.

More blogging soon, I promise!

We've Been Blogged

2009-06-01T22:04:00.000-07:00

How cool is this?!

Kate & Kenneth Miller's Wedding post on Weddingbee

We love it!

Thanks Kate! And we're excited to see your business grow!

The New Issue Arrives TODAY!

2009-05-19T07:11:00.001-07:00

Okay ladies -- I'm so sorry that I haven't been blogging lately. It's because I've been putting the finishing touches on our next issue, and if I may brag just a little bit, it's one of our best yet!

This past March, we had an amazing photo shoot with our gorgeous cover model finalists, Autumn, Amelia and Emily. These real brides are stunning and what spectacular models they were!

We scoured the Sacramento area for unique and interesting gowns — in fact we had more than 50 gowns at our shoot. Of course we didn't use every one of them, but we came close! This issue, the beautiful gowns came from The Bridal Box (www.thebridalbox.net), Diamond Bridal Gallery (www.diamondbridalgallery.com), Dreamnette Bridal (www.dreamnette.com), Miosa Bride (www.miosabride.com) and Always Elegant Bridal Boutique (www.alwayselegantbridal.net).

While we had great gowns, we also really wanted to add some color and whimsy by pairing the gowns with some fabulous hats, headpieces, veils and headbands — some that you might not necessarily think of as "wedding." Can I just tell you how fun these pieces were? They were a huge hit! The pieces came from Advantage Bridal (www.advantagebridal.com), Alice Hart Couture Millinery (www.alicehart.com), Granville Millinery Company (www.granvillemillinerycompany.com), Hair Comes the Bride (www.haircomesthebride.com), Tina Kite Millinery Company (www.tinakite.com) and Jazzy Jewelz by Nancy (www.jazzyjewelzbynancy.com).

Each finalist had their very own professional hair and make-up team for the day. I always say, "Never underestimate the power of great hair and make-up." If I can stress one thing to brides, always get your hair and make-up professionally done for your wedding day! These professionals are trained to highlight your natural beauty, and it ALWAYS shines through in the photos. Autumn's team: Rhianna Baldwin, Maye Le and Ghazaleah Parsa from SOFIE! SOFIE! Salon & Spa (www.sofiesofie.com). Ameilia's team: Image Provocateur and VIP-CAT Academy (www.imageprov.com). Emily's team: Andrea Newberry Jones and Stacy Humbird from Elements Hair Salon (530-626-6430).

It wouldn't be a wedding photo shoot without the flowers. Once again, our floral designers stepped up to the plate and created some of the most unique, creative and beautiful bouquets I've ever seen! Our floral designers for the shoot: Ambience Floral Design (www.ambiencefloral.com), Camino Flower Shop (www.caminoflowershop.net) and Flourish (www.flourishdesigns.com).

Now for the bling...oh yeah, we love sparkly things. Hey, we're girls! The more bling the better, wouldn't you agree? Bling was provided by Jazzy Jewelz by Nancy (www.jazzyjewelzbynancy.com) and Michael Greene & Co. (www.michaelgreene.com).

Location, location, location! What a cool location for our shoot. One of the challenges for our photo shoot is that we want to have so many little nooks and crannies available so that with each different look for our finalist, we can shoot her in a different location within the shoot location. We were definitely able to achieve that at Carvalho Family Winery at Old Sugar Mill (www.carvalhowines.com), wouldn't you agree?

And of course, what would the shoot be with out the photography? The exceptionally talented team at Sarah Maren Photography (www.sarahmaren.com) did the honors with this issue and the results are nothing short of spectacular (I really have to go find my thesaurus so that I can come up with more superlatives as they are all warranted here!). I couldn't be more thrilled!

But wait, there's more! That's right — this issue is packed with sooooo much more! Honeymoon ideas, tips and trends, 25 inspirational real weddings (not to mention the six appearing on our Web site that I'm uploading NOW!) and of course our Style Files Wedding Planning Resource Guide. We packed our Style Files with some pretty cool flowers, yummy cakes, elegant invitations — all from local wedding planning professionals! — and so much more, including our local wedding vendor lists! Phew, I'm exhausted!

Anyway, we really hope you like this issue! One of the best compliments we can get regarding our magazine is when we hear back from you, telling us how helpful you found our magazine in helping you plan your dream wedding day!

Enjoy!

Fab Lashes for your Wedding Day!

2009-05-12T21:46:00.001-07:00

Okay girls -- have you ever wanted really fabulous long, thick and full lashes that don't immediately wash off (or come off when you get a little teary eyed)? You know, results that you just cannot get out of a mascara tube?

Well, I've found some pretty fantastic lash extensions, and I was lucky enough to try them firsthand -- talk about about a gorgeous doe-eyed look!

The extensions are applied over and are perfectly blended with your regular lashes, so the look is incredibly natural. The extensions will not harm your natural lashes. They're quite comfortable, and I have to admit that they're pretty darned cool to wear! Your eyes immediately become the focus and enhance your natural beauty that much more. (Is it vain of me to admit that when I had them, I constantly wanted to catch glances of my lashes whenever I had an opportunity to peek at them -- driving in the car, walking past a mirror. Yeah, it's true.)

You have to check them out for yourself just to see how fantastic they truly are.

They last about two months with a retouch needed about every three weeks, and the initial price is $150.00 for a full set and retouch is $75.00.

They're available at TTE Skin Care in Folsom.

TTE Skin Care
8016 Folsom-Auburn Rd.
Folsom, CA 95630
916-988-4973
www.tigerseyeskincare.com

Expert Advice from DJs!

2009-04-01T19:30:00.000-07:00

Ok, so your reception is truly a party to celebrate your big day! So you have to make it unique, fun and most of all, it should reflect your personal style.

We recently asked some of our extremely talented DJ friends (who are truly your personal entertainment directors for the event!) some tips on how to make your reception creative and fun. Here's what they had to say:

Tip #1: Add some spice with a custom introduction!
A customized introduction of your wedding party is a sure way to get the party started. Ask you entertainer to work with you on collecting information about the members of the wedding party so that he or she can present them to your guests. Don't be afraid to include a funny story, nicknames, or how you met them. Feel free to add in custom music requests for each person that fits what is being said but keep it up-beat. If you're not sure what to play, ask your entertainer to give you suggestions on what would fit the introduction. How you start your perfect wedding reception is going to tell the guests what they will be in store for later, so make it the best you can.

--Michael Anderson
Wedding Entertainment Director

Creative Memories Entertainment (http://www.creativememoriesdj.com/)

Tip #2: Involve your wedding guests!

Find a way for your DJ and emcee to involve your wedding guests in the celebration. Guests may become bored if only the bride and groom are the focus of all the attention. At Behind the Scene Sounds we celebrate marriage. By doing this married guest can relive their wedding day. Our current way in which we celebrate marriage is our Kissing Game. We ask the bride and groom to pick six fun married couples, and we assign a kiss to each couple. To let everyone know a kiss is about to happen, we play the song "Kiss" by Prince. This idea has been incredibly successful. Some of the kisses we pick are, The First Date Kiss, The Morning Breath Kiss and The Passionate Kiss. Each participant receives a customized Love Song CD. The kissing couples almost always ham it up or make a romantic statement about their love.

-- Derwin & Elizabeth Terry

Behind the Scene Sounds (http://www.btssound.com/)

Tip #3: Consider the biggest regrets from couples planning their wedding (top five)
-"I wish I had hired a videographer"
-"I wish I would have hired a professional DJ/emcee"
-"Having friends and family 'work' the wedding may turn out to be more 'work' for you"
-"I wish I would have hired an event planner/designer so I could have enjoyed myself"
-"Spend your time wisely and pick and choose your battles/efforts. Be realistic. Be optimistic but be flexible when things don't go according to plan. Have a plan b (and c)."

-- Matt Brys

Extreme Productions Entertainment (http://www.extremeprodjs.com/)

The Bottom Line: Utilize the pros to help you get the very best reception for your special day.

Bridal Show Tips

2009-03-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

Hello my beautiful brides!

We love meeting many of you at the bridal shows that we attend, and we love the feedback that you give us about the magazine, that it's really helpful to you as you plan your wedding. That's what we're here for!

With that in mind, at recent bridal shows that we've been a part of, we've noticed that some of you haven't been coming as prepared as you should.

Bridal shows should be not only fun and inspiring, but you should be getting useful information from the vendors to help you plan your dream wedding.

So to help you be better prepared, we've put together a handy little list of tips so that you can get the most out of the experience:

1. Don't go it alone -- bring a bridesmaid, your mom or a friend (or dare we suggest, your fiance?). It will be helpful (and more fun!) to have their input and advice.

2. Bring labels -- many vendors offer prizes and contests, and additionally, you may want to request more information from the vendors attending the show. By bringing pre-printed labels, you will save time and the hassle of having to complete this information booth after booth. Information that you might want to include: your name, address, phone, email, fiance's name and when you're getting married.

3. Bring a notebook -- no matter how good your memory is, you'll want to take some notes on vendors and ideas that catch your eye.

4. Bring a sturdy tote bag -- you'll be picking up business cards, brochures, etc...and, don't forget really comfortable shoes!

Enjoy!

Wine & Roses' A Decadent Affair

2009-03-29T15:49:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, I had the privilege of being a part of Wine & Roses' bridal event, A Decadent Affair.

Wine & Roses (http://www.winerose.com/) is one of the most beautiful wedding venues in the Sacramento area. In fact, XSiGHT Photography (http://www.xsightusa.com/) shot our cover model photo shoot for our second issue at this gorgeous location, and we were certainly spoiled. Not only did Wine & Roses provide an idyllic background for our gorgeous cover model finalists, but the team at Wine & Roses couldn't have been more gracious and helpful.

Back to A Decadent Affair last weekend...What a wonderful event! With top wedding professionals including The Memory Journalists (http://www.memoryjournalists.com/), Flourish (http://www.flourishdesigns.com/), Bella Vita Invitations (http://www.bellavitainvitations.com/) and many others, the event provided brides with many different ideas to make their wedding truly spectacular.

Thank you so much to the team at Wine & Roses for letting us be a part of your event!

Dreamnette Bridal Opens in Roseville

2009-01-27T12:28:00.000-08:00

Congrats to my friend Jeanette Miller on opening her new bridal gown store, Dreamnette Bridal, in Roseville!

Located at 1850 Douglas Blvd., Suite 988 in Roseville (next to Guzzetta & Co. in the TJ Maxx Shopping center), Dreamnette Bridal carries a large selection of gorgeous wedding gowns.

We've featured many of Jeanette's gowns in our magazine for our cover model photo shoots (including these from our Winter/Spring 2008 issue that XSiGHT shot on location at Wine & Roses).

Be sure to stop in and see Jeanette's beautiful new store!

Dreamnette Bridal

1850 Douglas Blvd., Suite 988

Roseville

916-780-4747, dreamnette@yahoo.com

http://www.dreamnette.net/

Her hours are:

Monday, Tuesday: 11-6

Wednesday: 11-7

Thursday, Friday 11-6

Saturday: 10-5

Sunday closed

Speaking of Cover Models...

2008-12-19T10:07:00.000-08:00

Congrats to our cover model finalist (from our Winter/Spring 2008 issue) Leah Purnell and her husband Ryan on the new addition to their family! Beautiful little Miss Addyson Lynn Purnell arrived on December 15th at 11:59pm. She weighed in at 7lbs 8oz and measured 22inches long.

What a wonderful blessing this holiday season!!!

Do you want to be a cover model?

2008-12-15T10:22:00.001-08:00

Have you ever dreamt about being in a magazine? Are you recently engaged or a newlywed in the Sacramento area? Well, now is your chance at an opportunity to get all guzzied up for a magazine photo shoot.

With each issue of Real Weddings Magazine, hundreds of young women enter and from these entries, we pick three finalists. These three young women get to play "model" for the day -- we bring in dresses from local area bridal boutiques, flowers from local area designers, hair and make-up teams for each of the three girls; and spend a whole day shooting with a top wedding photographer at a local wedding venue. The end result is a glorious fashion feature in Real Weddings Magazine, and ultimately one of the three women gets to grace our cover as our cover model winner.

Does this sound like something you'd like to be a part of? Well then, you need to complete our Real Weddings Magazine Cover Model entry form, and get it in to us by February 15, 2009. Be sure to read all of the rules to make sure that you qualify; and don't forget to send us your photos!

Here's the entry form:

REAL WEDDINGS MAGAZINE COVER MODEL ENTRY FORM

Also, ladies, just a little tip -- the most important thing to us is personality -- we need to see your personality come through with your answers (and typically, short one-sentence answers don't give us much idea about your personality). So don't be afraid to let your personality shine through and let us know who you really are!

So come on! Enter now!

If you have any questions, you can email me at wendy@sierrastyle.com.

My next blog entry will be about our three gorgeous cover model finalists Chanie, Tania and Lisa, who grace our current issue of Real Weddings Magazine. Now, I have to get back to work...until next time, my dear brides.

Now, the rest of the story!

2008-12-14T20:09:00.000-08:00

Ok, now that you've heard my crazy wonderful wedding story, I have to admit something: while I had a blissful wedding day, the one item that I always wished I had, was the traditional gown. I loved that my husband was so thoughtful to buy me a gorgeous ivory silk suit for my wedding day, but I never got to experience the wedding gown.

When I told my girlfriend Sarah Maren (yes, of Sarah Maren Photography, sarahmaren.com -- fabulous new Web site by the way!) about my wedding story, she suggested a "Trash the Dress" photo shoot. After many months of trying to grow my hair out just a little longer (I loved my snazzy short 'do, but I really wanted to be able to have some fab hair goodies to go with the wedding dress -- yes, I know I'm vain, but hey, if I'm only getting one chance to do this, I wanted to make it just right), the timing was just right. So in mid-October, I got all guzzied up as a bride once again, but this time in a fabulous wedding gown.

The location was quite cool indeed, Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg (oldsugarmill.com). We got to shoot in the warehouse -- an industrial space with plenty of interesting photographic details.

The dress was from Miosa (miosabride.com); and fit like a dream. When I went to try on gowns at Miosa, Sanea brought this gown in and I just laughed, thinking it was WAY too small. Amazingly it fit, and fit pretty darned good! I know it sounds a little cliche, but I felt like a princess in that gown -- it was THE gown.

My hair and make-up was done by the amazingly talented Raquel at Image Provocateur in Roseville (vip-cat.com). Talk about feeling glamorous! Yowza!

The flowers...in a word, stunning! Shannon from Flourish (flourishdesigns.com) made the one of the most unique bouquets I've ever seen --exceptionally creative and distinctively beautiful!

And, lastly, I got the oh so fab hair accessories to go in my (finally!) longer hair! Sarah and I were feeling a very "Sex in the City" vibe, and the accessories that I got from Hair Comes The Bride (haircomesthebride.com) completely fit that bill! The birdcage veil felt very Grace Kelly-ish (why aren't more brides wearing these these days -- they're very classic and quite elegant!) but when I put the monstrous flower on the side of my head, I instantly was channelling my inner Sarah Jessica Parker (think her Vogue wedding photo shoot from the movie).

Sarah, along with her husband Dustin (sarahmaren.com), was amazing and so fun to work with! Frankly there aren't enough superlatives to describe just how amazing these two are -- they directed me in just the right way to get the best possible shots. I had so much fun and felt so glamorous -- I felt like the quintessential bride. I cannot thank you guys -- and everyone else who contributed to my special day -- enough for everything!

For me, this photo shoot was the culmination of my wedding dream, nearly eight years after Terry and I got married, proving that it's never too late!

If you'd like to check out our photo shoot, check out the uber-cool slide show that Sarah put together on her blog:

sarahmaren.com/slideshows/post-wedding-bridals/wendy-post-wedding-bridal-session

Ok, truly, that's enough about me! Let's get started on your bridal journey!