Inspiration Board: Presenting Mandy and Scott Martinez
The Couple: Mandy and Scott Martinez
Editor’s Note: If this gorgeous bride looks familiar at all, it’s because she was our real bride model for our bridesmaid fashion feature at the Sacramento Zoo in the current issue of Real Weddings Magazine!
Wedding Date: September 6, 2009
Photography by Sarah Maren Photography
Tell us a little about you and your beloved: My husband always swore he would never meet his wife at a bar, boy was he wrong! We love living an active lifestyle, and are total partners in crime. We appreciate the good, the bad and everything in between, and challenge each other to keep life interesting. I was bored until I met Scott, he is my spice!
What was the most amazing part of your day? My dad loves his vintage hot rods, and what’s not to love about a suped up 1937 Ford Cabriolet Coupe with flames down the sides? That was my “horse and carriage” to the aisle. I am sort of a daddy’s girl and that moment sitting there waiting to drive up with my dad, we had a heart to heart that was priceless. He walked me down the aisle to “Every Little Thing She Does (Is Magic)” by The Police and when we pulled up everyone started cheering. I mean standing ovation and screaming! Then I saw my groom, it was just incredible, it moved my core.
What else would you like to share about your big day? Our wedding had a classic vintage theme with bright colors and a crystal chandelier at the reception site. Just one for impact, not too much. I think you can make the statement you want and set the mood within your budget by reasoning “less is more” because really, it is!
Ceremony and Reception Site: David Girard Vineyards
Photographer: Sarah Maren Photography
Cake: Divine Desserts
Flowers: Olivia Rose
Favors: Antique brass bells
Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal from The Bridal Box
Bridesmaid Dresses:Dessy from The Bridal Box
Hair: Christina Hamilton (Bridesmaid)
Makeup: Annie Limmond (Bridesmaid)
Invitations: Carlson Craft, Papyrus
DJ/Entertainment:Gary McCallister
Honeymoon location: Dominican Republic
Any other of your wedding vendor(s) you’d like to call out? My caterer, Bocca Catering… yummy!
First Dance Song: “By My Side” by Ben Harper
Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now? Sit back and enjoy the ride! Everyone says “don’t stress” but of course you are going to. Just try to let others help that want to help, you aren’t Superwoman. And make sure you pick a theme for your wedding, it makes ALL your other decisions easier; if it doesn’t fit the theme, it goes.
Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance? Not really, I loved it all!
Photos courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography.
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Be the next Real Weddings Magazine Cover Model!
Hey all you gorgeous Real Weddings Magazine brides!
Have you ever wanted to be on the cover of a magazine?
Well, here’s your chance!
Each issue of Real WeddingsMagazine features real local-area brides on its cover!
Hundreds of real brides enter, and ultimately three are chosen. Those three real brides get to participate in a day-long photo shoot where they get the chance to vogue it up in front of the camera.
All three of our real bride models will appear on one of our Real Weddings Magazine covers (like the Summer 2010 cover featured above with our cover brides Nicole, Sarah and Jillian) and then ultimately, one of our real bride models will be chosen as our cover model winner and appear on the cover of Real Weddings Magazine on her own (like the Fall 2010 cover featured below with our cover model winner Sarah).
So if you’re a local bride or a local just-married (cannot be married before January 1, 2010) and you’ve got cover aspirations, then you need to enter! Hurry, the deadline to get your entry in is August 15th, so get movin’ toots!
Need an entry form? Click here to download it now!
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 and are game to participate!
We cannot wait to see your entries so get them in soon!
Blog Post by Editor/Publisher Wendy Sipple.
Cover photos by True Love Photo, © Real Weddings Magazine. For additional cover model shoot photos and details, please see magazine.
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Real Weddings Partner Profiles: By The Gate Flowers
Welcome back to another installment of Real Weddings Magazine’s Partner Profiles!
This week, we highlight the very gracious and talented Jan Straub from By the Gate Flowers – one of Jan’s gorgeous bridal bouquets appears on the current issue of Real Weddings Magazine — it’s the one that Jillian (far right) is holding! Love it!
Take it away Miss Jan!
Photo by Dante Fontana, © Style Media Group.
By The Gate Flowers
What sets you apart from your competition? By The Gate Flowers is the 2009 Mountain Democrat Readers’ Choice award winner(editor’s note: and a perennial favorite in our Style Magazines’ Readers’ Choice Awards!). Artistic design,attention to details, and response to customers is foremost in mind. Designing flowers is an art form, similar to painting. A blank canvas transforms the beauty of nature and life. A wedding is truly the sustenance of life, adorned by the beauty of living nature.
If you weren’t in the wedding industry, what would you be doing? Painting nature and flowers.
Photo by Love at First Click, © Real Weddings Magazine.
Photo by True Love Photo, © Real Weddings Magazine.
Photo by True Love Photo, © Real Weddings Magazine.
Jan’s thoughts: Is there anything more exciting or joyous than a future bride planning her perfect wedding? That’s why I love my job, feeling confident that I will have a happy bride and groom who will have received more than imagined in flowers without worrying that it will all come together.
My relationship with the bride is personal, attentive, and open. I’m not satisfied until my mind’s eye matches the bride’s. No matter the vision, theme, budget or style, the flowers will be a work of art beyond what is expected. My bride’s are relaxed and can attend to other details, knowing that I will bring to life a perfect floral wedding event.
What is the best advice that you can give to brides and grooms getting married today? Planning your wedding is suppose to be fun; live it up. Fun is free!
Find out more about Jan and her team at By the Gate Flowers for yourself. Call them at 530-622-7834.
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Mini-Moon: Hotel Shangri-La, Santa Monica
After a $35-million, two-and-a-half year renovation, the Santa Monica legendary Hotel Shangri-La is back in business, and not a moment too soon.
Perfectly perched on humming Ocean Avenue, visitors get shopping and restaurants right at their doorstep and the beautiful SoCal beaches are just across PCH. It’s an ideal summer retreat for the couple in search of surf, sunshine and social time.
Recommended Resort: Hotel Shangri-La. Built in 1939, the modern, deco structure long drew Hollywood’s elite, providing them a seaside retreat to hide away from the masses. The gorgeous, streamline white structure has been lovingly preserved, and interior designer Marc Smith has given the inside an big upgrade, bringing back some of the ’30s glamour and mixing in some modern touches. Rooms are sleek, some boasting kitchens and Pacific views. The Dining Room, also overlooking the ocean and Palisades Park, serves up fresh fare with ingredients from the local Santa Monica Farmer’s Market.
Check In: 1301 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica. 877-999-1301, shangrila-hotel.com.
Check Out: For the month of August, take advantage of their Romantic Santa Monica Vacation package. This great deal includes two nights in a two-bedroom, Luxury Ocean View Suite, with an oversized ocean-view soaking tub, a bottle of Veuve Cliquot Champagne, bath products by Fresh, a bouquet of flowers, chocolates and breakfast in bed each day!
Don’t Miss: The pool scene. The Courtyard boasts the only 100 percent solar heated swimming pool in Los Angeles. DJ parties are held every Thursday through Sunday, attracting a good-looking, social crowd for dancing and cocktails through the evening. During the day, lounge back in one of their plush chairs, sip a cocktail and enjoy the amazing view. Life is good.
Want more honeymoon ideas? Check out our other Mini-Moon and Honeymoon Blog Posts!
Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.
Photos courtesy of Hotel Shangri-La.
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Girl Tested, Bride Approved: Braza
As a woman, you should always be prepared!
As a bride, you should be extra prepared!
Real Weddings Magazine has always encouraged brides to create a custom “wedding day emergency kit” for all of the unexpected challenges that could possibly arise on your wedding day. In the pages of Real Weddings Magazine, we have suggested the following items:
Well, we just added more to the list! Braza products are an essential addition to your wedding day emergency kit. Braza has thought of EVERYTHING… and I mean EVERYTHING!
The Braza product line includes a wide range of sweet little “helpers” to assist us girls with everyday fashion emergencies. Fashion dilemmas don’t stand a chance with Braza’s convenient, comfortable and discreet fixes.
Braza even has taken the guesswork out of creating your own emergency kit and offers complete kits for all sorts of different situations. They even have a “Bridesmaid’s Diva Kit” that would make a great bridesmaid gift (one that your besties can actually use after the wedding).
Even if you end up problem-free on your wedding day, these products will never go to waste. I keep a fashion emergency kit in my car and it has definitely come in handy. You never know when you might need some flash adhesive tape (or as my hubby calls it, “tata tape”)!
According to Braza’s company slogan, no need to worry about a thing, “Problem Solved!”
Check out all of Braza incredible products at www.brazabra.com
Blog Post by Aimee Carroll, resident Girl Tested, Bride Approved Columnist.
Photos courtesy of www.brazabra.com
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