Archive for the ‘Advantage Bridal’ Category
Real Weddings Partner Profile: AdvantageBridal.com
Welcome back to another installment of Real Weddings Magazine’s Partner Profiles!
This week we highlight entrepreneur Sandy Keller, owner of Advantage Bridal. Sandy is an inspiration to all of us here at Real Weddings Magazine! Not only does she run a very successful online retail business, she has also founded 2B Restored, a charity that helps uninsured women who cannot afford breast reconstruction after a cancer diagnosis. What an amazing lady! Take it away, Sandy…
AdvantageBridal.com
Tell us a little about your company? Founded in 1992, we operated two bridal shops before moving to strictly online in 2004. We love being creative and designing unique items for our brides, including one-of-a-kind apparel items and personalized gifts only found on AdvantageBridal.com.
What sets you apart from your competition? Our huge selection of more than 22,000 items on our site, plus thousands of personalized wedding invitations and gifts available on our partner sites. We offer many exclusive items that are only sold on our site and are not available elsewhere.
Where do you find inspiration? Styles from the fashion industry both in the U.S. and abroad, and we receive many requests from our brides. We love making their dreams come true by creating new items upon request.
When you opened shop, what was your promise to your customers? Highly personalized service and the very best prices.
Do you have any hidden talents? Yes, I can remember all of my former car license plates, phone numbers and other useless information!
What trend do you see coming for weddings this year? More custom touches, with monograms and custom accessories.
Do you regularly blog? If so, what’s your blog site? Yes, site.advantagebridal.com/blog/
Do you Facebook? Yes, facebook.com/AdvantageBridal
Can you share a funny/embarrassing/touching story about one of your clients (you don’t have to include their name)? I once had an appointment with a bride, her sister and her mother so they could shop for some accessories. The bride had a headpiece and veil on, and was admiring herself in the mirror. Her sister asked about the significance of the veil over the bride’s face, and her mother replied, “It’s the symbol of virginity.” The bride quickly threw the veil back over her head and said, “Then I cannot wear it!” Her mother yelled, “What?” and the bride realized that she’d just revealed something of a very sensitive nature and turned beet red.
What’s your favorite local charity? 2B Restored, the charity I founded to help uninsured women who cannot afford breast reconstruction after a cancer diagnosis. Advantage Bridal carries a great line of pink ribbon apparel and accessories which help raise funds for my charity.
What is your favorite fun thing to do locally? My children, husband and I love participating in Mustang cruises and shows.
Do you have secret vice or indulgence? Yes What is it? Long, hot showers.
What are you most grateful for in life? My husband, children and the rest of my family.
If you were to plan your own wedding, or re-do your wedding, what elements would be most important to you? Photos and a video — I would splurge on those!
What advice would you can give to brides and grooms getting married today? Don’t sweat the small stuff. There’s no such thing as a stress-free perfect wedding. At the end of the day, you will be married and that is the prize…focus on that!
Anything else you’d like to share with Real Weddings Magazine’s brides? We are eager to hear from brides because we love helping them make their wedding dreams come true. Every bride is unique and her wedding is too. We appreciate the privilege of being a part of such an important occasion!
Find out more about Sandy Keller and her team at AdvantageBridal.com by visiting her Web site, Blog, and Facebook Page!
Photos courtesy of AdvantageBridal.com.
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Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!
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Real Weddings Magazine Cover Model Feature
Have you seen the full fashion layout in our new Winter/Spring 2012 issue of Real Weddings Magazine? We promised to post the full layout a few weeks ago, so here it is…and in the coming weeks, we’ll be posting even more shots from the shoot, so stay tuned!!
Don’t our gorgeous local real bride cover models, Missy, Crystal and Jessica look fabulous?!
This past September, these young women got to play dress up all day long as our Real Weddings team poked and prodded these girls at an all day photo shoot at the picturesque Delta King in Old Sacramento. Featuring local gowns, local floral designers, local hair and make-up teams and the uber-talented Thais Fleury Scheideman from Love at First Click Photography.
On Missy (left): dress from Dreamnette Bridal, headpiece by I Make Beautiful, jewelry by Carolee Jewelry, flowers by Bella Bouquet. On Crystal (middle): dress from Enchanted Bridal & Tuxedo Shoppe, headpiece by Emilliner, necklace (headband as necklace) by Erica Koesler available at Advantage Bridal, earrings by Carolee Jewelry, flowers by Ambience Floral Design. On Jessica (right): dress from Enchanted Bridal & Tuxedo Shoppe, headpiece by Bel Aire Bridal available at Advantage Bridal, jewelry by Carolee Jewelry, flowers by Visual Impact Design. For hair and make-up information and shopping details, please scroll down to the end of this post.
On Missy: dress from Always Elegant Bridal & Tuxedo, headband by Emilliner. For hair and make-up information and shopping details, please scroll down to the end of this post.
On Jessica: dress from Always Elegant Bridal & Tuxedo, earrings by Carolee Jewelry, flowers by Ambience Floral Design. For hair and make-up information and shopping details, please scroll down to the end of this post.
On Crystal: dress from Miosa Bride, headpiece by I Make Beautiful, earrings by Carolee Jewelry, flowers by Visual Impact Design. For hair and make-up information and shopping details, please scroll down to the end of this post.
On Missy: dress from Dreamnette Bridal, flowers by Bella Bouquet. For hair and make-up information and shopping details, please scroll down to the end of this post.
On Jessica: dress from Always Elegant Bridal & Tuxedo, earrings by Carolee Jewelry, flowers by Ambience Floral Design. For hair and make-up information and shopping details, please scroll down to the end of this post.
On Crystal: dress from Diamond Bridal Gallery, headpiece by Flourish, flowers by Blooms by Martha Andrews. For hair and make-up information and shopping details, please scroll down to the end of this post.
On Missy: dress from Enchanted Bridal & Tuxedo Shoppe, headpiece by Bel Aire Bridal available at Advantage Bridal, veil by Erica Koesler available at Advantage Bridal, earrings by Carolee Jewelry, flowers by By the Gate. For hair and make-up information and shopping details, please scroll down to the end of this post.
On Jessica: dress from Enchanted Bridal & Tuxedo Shoppe, headpiece by Bel Aire Bridal available at Advantage Bridal, jewelry by Carolee Jewelry, flowers by Blooms by Martha Andrews. For hair and make-up information and shopping details, please scroll down to the end of this post.
On Crystal: dress from Miosa Bride, headpiece by Erica Koesler available at Advantage Bridal, jewelry by Carolee Jewelry, flowers by Visual Impact Design. For hair and make-up information and shopping details, please scroll down to the end of this post.
On Missy: dress from Diamond Bridal Gallery, headpiece by Bel Aire Bridal available at Advantage Bridal, jewelry by Carolee Jewelry, shoes from DSW, flowers by Blooms by Martha Andrews. For hair and make-up information and shopping details, please scroll down to the end of this post.
On Jessica: dress from Miosa Bride, headpiece by I Make Beautiful. For hair and make-up information and shopping details, please scroll down to the end of this post.
On Missy: dress from Enchanted Bridal & Tuxedo Shoppe, headpiece by Flourish, jewelry by Carolee Jewelry, flowers by Ambience Floral Design. For hair and make-up information and shopping details, please scroll down to the end of this post.
On Missy: dress from Always Elegant Bridal & Tuxedo, headpiece and veil by Emilliner, earrings by Carolee Jewelry, shoes from DSW, flowers by Blooms by Martha Andrews. For hair and make-up information and shopping details, please scroll down to the end of this post.
On Crystal: dress from Miosa Bride, flowers by By the Gate. For hair and make-up information and shopping details, please scroll down to the end of this post.
On Jessica: dress from Dreamnette Bridal, headband and veil by Bel Aire Bridal available at Advantage Bridal, earrings by Carolee Jewelry, flowers by Bella Bouquet. For hair and make-up information and shopping details, please scroll down to the end of this post.
On Crystal: dress from Miosa Bride, headpiece by Flourish, flowers by By the Gate. For hair and make-up information and shopping details, please scroll down to the end of this post.
On Crystal: dress from Dreamnette Bridal, headpiece by Emilliner, jewelry by Carolee Jewelry, flowers by Ambience Floral Design. For hair and make-up information and shopping details, please scroll down to the end of this post.
On Jessica: dress from Always Elegant Bridal & Tuxedo, headpieces from Emilliner, flowers by By the Gate. For hair and make-up information and shopping details, please scroll down to the end of this post.
Photo top: On Crystal (left): dress from Dreamnette Bridal, headband and veil by Bel Aire Bridal available at Advantage Bridal, earrings by Carolee Jewelry, flowers by By the Gate. On Missy (middle): dress from Dreamnette Bridal, headband and veil by Bel Aire Bridal available at Advantage Bridal, earrings by Carolee Jewelry, flowers by Ambience Floral Design. On Jessica (right): dress from Diamond Bridal Gallery, veil by Erica Koesler available at Advantage Bridal, earrings by Carolee Jewelry, flowers by By the Gate.
On the Winter 2012 Cover (above left): On Crystal (left): dress from Enchanted Bridal & Tuxedo Shoppe, headpiece by I Make Beautiful, veil by Flourish, flowers by Bella Bouquet. On Missy (middle): dress from Diamond Bridal Gallery, headpiece by I Make Beautiful, jewelry by Carolee Jewelry, flowers by Ambience Floral Design. On Jessica (right): dress from Diamond Bridal Gallery, headpiece by Emilliner, flowers by Ambience Floral Design.
On the Spring 2012 Cover (above right): On Jessica: dress from Always Elegant Bridal & Tuxedo, headpieces by Emilliner, flowers by By the Gate.
For hair and make-up information and shopping details, please scroll down to the end of this post.
Thank you to all the vendors who contributed to our cover model contest shoot! The vendors who participated in our cover model finalist shoot include:
Photographed on location at:
The Delta King
1000 Front Street, Sacramento
916-444-8052, deltaking.com
Photography by:
Thais Fleury Scheideman from Love at First Click Photography
916-505-2329, lovefirstphoto.com
with special thanks to Beth Baugher, Stephanie Smith and Francisco Chavira
Dresses provided by:
Always Elegant Bridal & Tuxedo
530-755-4282, alwayselegantbridal.net
Diamond Bridal Gallery
916-521-9856, diamondbridalgallery.com
Dreamnette Bridal
916-780-4747, dreamnette.com
Enchanted Bridal & Tuxedo Shoppe
916-965-5683, enchantedbridalshoppe.com
Miosa Bride
916-443-1301, miosabride.com
Shoes provided by:
DSW Shoe Warehouse
Accessories provided by:
Advantage Bridal
877-933-7467, advantagebridal.com
Carolee Jewelry
800-227-6533, carolee.com
Emilliner
317-652-9499, emilliner.com
Flourish
916-212-5179, flourishdesigns.com
I Make Beautiful
916-532-9800, imakebeautiful.com
Hair and Make-up for Crystal by:
Aloha London and Claudette Bulaclac, VIP-CAT Academy
800-958-9964, vip-cat.com
Hair and Make-up for Jessica by:
Jamey Amin, Hair, Signature Stylist at Bella Capelli
530-344-0320, 530-368-3642, placervillesalon.com
Cait Herrera, Make-up
916-221-1589
Hair and Make-up for Missy by:
Laura Milo, Hair, Hair by Laura Milo
916-727-6456, hairbylauramilo.weebly.com
Jenifer Haupt, Make-up
Makeup by Jenifer Haupt/I Make Beautiful
916-532-9800, imakebeautiful.com
Flowers provided by:
Ambience Floral Design
916-786-6851, ambiencefloral.com
Bella Bouquet
530-647-2686, bellabouquet.net
Blooms by Martha Andrews
916-300-5948, bloomsbymarthaandrews.com
By the Gate
530-622-7834, bythegateflowers.com
Visual Impact Design
916-489-3746, visualimpact-design.com
Slippers for Crystal, Jessica and Missy provided by:
Bearpaw
Catering provided by:
Beth Sogaard Catering
866-441-BETH, chefbethcatering.com
For the Summer/Fall 2012 contest, if you’re a local bride or a local just-married (cannot be married before June 1, 2011) and you’ve got cover aspirations, then you need to enter! The deadline to get your entry in is February 6, 2012. Be sure to read all of the guidelines and rules for entry on the entry form to make sure that you qualify.
Need an entry form? Click here to download the PDF: COVER MODEL CONTEST-SF-2012
Or, you can email us at info@realweddingsmag.com and we’ll email you the entry form.
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.
Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!
Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!
Real Weddings Magazine Has a New Cover Model Winner!
That’s right folks, the Winter/Spring 2012 issue of Real Weddings Magazine arrives at our offices this week, but we’re just too giddy about our new issue to hold it back any longer!! So without further ado, may we present our new cover model winner along with our gorgeous cover model finalists!
Congratulations to Sacramento area real bride, Jessica Nomicos, for being chosen as our cover model winner!
On the Spring 2012 Cover (above): On Jessica: dress from Always Elegant Bridal & Tuxedo, headpieces by Emilliner, flowers by By the Gate. Hair by Jamey Amin and make-up by Caitlin Herrera For full credits, see bottom of post.
Jessica, along with her other real bride cover model finalists, Missy Espinoza and Crystal Goldberg, were chosen from hundreds of entries in our cover model contest. We’re thrilled to have her grace the cover of our Spring 2012 issue (above), and to have all three of these lovely ladies grace the cover of our Winter 2012 issue (shown below)!
On the Winter 2012 Cover (above): On Crystal (left): dress from Enchanted Bridal & Tuxedo Shoppe, headpiece by I Make Beautiful, veil by Flourish, flowers by Bella Bouquet. On Missy (middle): dress from Diamond Bridal Gallery, headpiece by I Make Beautiful, jewelry by Carolee Jewelry, flowers by Ambience Floral Design. On Jessica (right): dress from Diamond Bridal Gallery, headpiece by Emilliner, flowers by Ambience Floral Design.For hair and make-up credits, along with additional credits, please scroll to bottom of post.
Back in September, these young women got to play dress up all day long as our Real Weddings team poked and prodded these girls at an all day photo shoot at the picturesque Delta King in Old Sacramento. Featuring local gowns, local floral designers, local hair and make-up teams and the uber-talented Thais Fleury Scheideman from Love at First Click Photography.
We’ll share more photos from this shoot soon, we promise! But for now, we had to share these gorgeous covers with you!
Thank you to all the vendors who contributed to our cover model contest shoot — you’ll see the full layout in the magazine this week (and we’ll post it to our blog later this week, so stay tuned!)!
The vendors who participated in our cover model finalist shoot include:
Photographed on location at:
The Delta King
1000 Front Street, Sacramento
916-444-8052, deltaking.com
Photography by:
Thais Fleury Scheideman from Love at First Click Photography
916-505-2329, lovefirstphoto.com
with special thanks to Beth Baugher, Stephanie Smith and Francisco Chavira
Dresses provided by:
Always Elegant Bridal & Tuxedo
530-755-4282, alwayselegantbridal.net
Diamond Bridal Gallery
916-521-9856, diamondbridalgallery.com
Dreamnette Bridal
916-780-4747, dreamnette.com
Enchanted Bridal & Tuxedo Shoppe
916-965-5683, enchantedbridalshoppe.com
Miosa Bride
916-443-1301, miosabride.com
Shoes provided by:
DSW Shoe Warehouse
Accessories provided by:
Advantage Bridal
877-933-7467, advantagebridal.com
Carolee Jewelry
800-227-6533, carolee.com
Emilliner
317-652-9499, emilliner.com
Flourish
916-212-5179, flourishdesigns.com
I Make Beautiful
916-532-9800, imakebeautiful.com
Hair and Make-up for Crystal by:
Aloha London and Claudette Bulaclac, VIP-CAT Academy
800-958-9964, vip-cat.com
Hair and Make-up for Jessica by:
Jamey Amin, Hair, Signature Stylist at Bella Capelli
530-344-0320, 530-368-3642, placervillesalon.com
Cait Herrera, Make-up
916-221-1589
Hair and Make-up for Missy by:
Laura Milo, Hair, Hair by Laura Milo
916-727-6456, hairbylauramilo.weebly.com
Jenifer Haupt, Make-up
Makeup by Jenifer Haupt/I Make Beautiful
916-532-9800, imakebeautiful.com
Flowers provided by:
Ambience Floral Design
916-786-6851, ambiencefloral.com
Bella Bouquet
530-647-2686, bellabouquet.net
Blooms by Martha Andrews
916-300-5948, bloomsbymarthaandrews.com
By the Gate
530-622-7834, bythegateflowers.com
Visual Impact Design
916-489-3746, visualimpact-design.com
Slippers for Crystal, Jessica and Missy provided by:
Bearpaw
Catering provided by:
Beth Sogaard Catering
866-441-BETH, chefbethcatering.com
If you’d like to be part of our next cover model contest, for our Summer/Fall 2012 issue (out in May 2012), email us at info@realweddingsmag.com and we’ll email it to you when it’s available later this week.
Blog Post by Editor/Publisher Wendy Sipple.
Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!
Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!
New Giveaways on the Real Weddings Contest Page!
That’s right dear Real Weddings brides — we’ve got new goodies to give away!
CHECK OUT THE REAL WEDDINGS MAGAZINE CONTEST PAGE!
Not only do we get to work with the best wedding vendors in the Sacramento region and help you connect with them, but we’ve partnered with these fantastic vendors to give you the chance to win some bridal loot to help your wedding planning be even more fun!
The October and November 2011 Real Weddings Magazine Contest prize sponsors? Check out this fab list:
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Custom “Mrs.” Rhinestone Tank Top Advantage Bridal is your one-stop shop for wedding accessories! Bridal accessories, check. Favors, check. Bridal jewelry, check. Flowergirl dress, check. Bridal party gifts, check…and so much more! Visit their Web site to see all of their fabulous goodies!! Tank top value: $40.Prize Sponsor: Advantage Bridal, advantagebridal.com |
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Engagement Session Session includes one photographer shooting couple for one hour on location within 30 miles of Placerville. Please note that the session must be midweek late afternoon/evening session only. Couple will also receive a $150 credit toward prints or six high-resolution prints. Value $300.Prize Sponsor: Fisher Photography, jodiefisher.com |
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$150 Gift Certificate to Paul Martin’s American Bistro Time to meet the parents? Treat them to a delicious meal at Paul Martin’s American Bistro in Roseville. With a focus on great food utilizing fresh, local and peak of the season ingredients, Paul Martin’s American Bistro is certainly a place to impress the future in-laws! Value $150 — certificate cannot be used for gratuity and no cash back if full value isn’t fulfilled.Prize Sponsor: Paul Martin’s American Bistro, paulmartinsamericanbistro.com |
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The WED BOX The WED BOX by Caroline Long — this unique wedding planning kit has everything to help keep you on track as you plan for your big day. The stylish and sophisticated kit includes: The WED box with satin ribbon closure, 20 designer folders, 16-month customizable calendar, reminder stickers, budget planner, guest list work sheet, attendant work sheet, gift journal and so much more. Value: $75.Prize Sponsor: Caroline Long, carolinelongltd.com |
Please note that you should be a valid greater Sacramento bride-to-be to enter our contests!
Yeah, we really will be giving away all of this great stuff!!
So, what are you waiting for? Enter NOW (but please note, that you can only enter once per contest timeframe — for additional rules, please see our official rules).
Again, we’ll have new contests every other month, so Real Weddings brides be sure to check back in December to register for our Real Weddings Magazine’s December & January contests!
Blog post by Editor/Publisher Wendy Sipple.
Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!
Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!
New Giveaways on Real Weddings Magazine’s Contest Page!
That’s right dear Real Weddings brides — we’ve got new goodies to give away!
CHECK OUT THE REAL WEDDINGS MAGAZINE CONTEST PAGE!
Not only do we get to work with the best wedding vendors in the Sacramento region and help you connect with them, but we’ve partnered with these fantastic vendors to give you the chance to win some bridal loot to help your wedding planning be even more fun!
The July and August 2011 Real Weddings Magazine Contest prize sponsors? Check out this fab list:
|
Custom “Mrs.” Rhinestone Tank Top Advantage Bridal is your one-stop shop for wedding accessories! Bridal accessories, check. Favors, check. Bridal jewelry, check. Flowergirl dress, check. Bridal party gifts, check…and so much more! Visit their Web site to see all of their fabulous goodies!! Tank top value: $40. Prize Sponsor: Advantage Bridal, advantagebridal.com |
 |
Engagement Session Session includes one photographer shooting couple for two and 1/2 hours on location in the Greater Sacramento area (within 30 miles of downtown Sacramento). Please note that the session must be midweek late afternoon/evening session only. Value $450. Prize Sponsor: Grandeur Photography, grandeurphotography.com |
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Native American Exfoliation Facial Experience the Native American Exfoliation facial utilizing The Tiger’s Eye Skincare exclusive all natural Native American Clay. Your skin will positively glow! Value $90. Prize Sponsor: The Tiger’s Eye Skincare, tigerseyeskincare.com |
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$100 Gift Certificate Enjoy the culinary delights of Sequoia! Sequoia is more than just a restaurant. It’s a destination, a refuge from the ordinary, where anything is possible and every event makes cherished memories. Prize Sponsor: Sequoia Restaurant, sequoiaplacerville.com |
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River Romance Package Enjoy the majesty of The Delta King with this River Romance Package. This exquisite package includes a stateroom for two, $60 credit to Pilothouse Restaurant, 2 tickets and breakfast in the Pilothouse Restaurant the following morning. Some restrictions apply. Taxes included, gratuities not inlcuded. Value: $250. Prize Sponsor: The Delta King Hotel, deltaking.com |
Yeah, we really will be giving away all of this great stuff!!
So, what are you waiting for? Enter NOW (but please note, that you can only enter once per contest timeframe — for additional rules, please see our official rules).
Please note that you should be a valid greater Sacramento bride-to-be to enter our contests!
Again, we’ll have new contests every other month, so Real Weddings brides be sure to check back in September to register for our Real Weddings Magazine’s September & October contests!
Blog post by Editor/Publisher Wendy Sipple.
Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!
Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!
