The Couple:  Alicia and Tyler Thomson

Wedding Date:  October 17, 2009

Photography by Jodi Yorston Photography

Tell us a little about you and your beloved:  My husband and I went to high school together but never hung out. We started hanging out through a mutual friend after high school and things just started going from there.

I went away to school for a year but came back after not liking the school. Our relationship started to get stronger from there, and we dated for about  five and a half years. Long story short, he asked me to marry him, and we got married a year later!

We have been together for about seven years now, and I couldn’t imagine my life any different. I found my best friend, my soul mate, the person who completely understands me and loves me for me, and I love him for him. We can be completely goofy or out of control together and feel like we don’t have a care in the world. Life is good.

What was the most amazing part of your day?  I would say the most amazing part of the day was just seeing all the people who came out to celebrate our wedding. It was so great seeing people that we haven’t seen for a while and quickly catching up and dancing the night away with all of our family and friends. Of course it was awesome when we said “I do” as well.

What else would you like to share about your big day?  A funny thing happened during our ceremony. My husband and I were going through all the typical ceremony things and in the middle of it all, he leaned over and kissed me, before we were pronounced husband and wife.

I replied with “You’re not supposed to kiss me yet!” to which he replied “I don’t care!” It had everyone laughing and it eased my nerves as we were standing there in front of everyone going through the rest of the ceremony. I will never forget that!

Ceremony Site:  The Old Sugar Mill

Reception Venue:  The Old Sugar Mill

Photographer: Jodi Yorston Photography

Videographer:  My family

Cake:  We had a chocolate fountain that we coordinated through our caterer in lieu of a cake.

Flowers:  The Right Touch Florist

Favors:  We had frosted Chinese take out boxes empty with a candy bar for people to fill them with whichever candy they desired.

Wedding Dress:  PW Jitters

Bridesmaid Dresses:  PW Jitters

Hair:  Image Provocateur

Makeup:  Image Provocateur

Invitations:  DIY

DJ/Entertainment:  Sound Image Entertainment

Honeymoon location:  We went to Disneyland to just relax after the wedding, but we are planning our real honeymoon now which is a three week trip to Europe.

First Dance Song:  “Then” by Brad Paisley

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now?  I would say to not sweat the small stuff. You think it is so important when you are in the moment trying to get everything done, but, really, no one notices. Everyone is just so happy to be celebrating your day, no one cares (or knows) that the napkins are one shade lighter than you wanted them to be.

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance?  I would probably have gotten a professional videographer. Don’t get me wrong, my family did an awesome job capturing the moments for us, but I still have not put them all together to have an actual DVD of the day. They are just clips sitting on my computer. I just wish it was all done for me already.

Photos courtesy of  Jodi Yorston Photography

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Congratulations to Featured Real Wedding couple Kristina & Justin Ewen who were married on April 16, 2010 at Newcastle Wedding Gardens and Historic Red Horse Barn.

Click here to read their story, see their slideshow of photos from Siegel’s Portrait Design, meet their wedding dream team and more!

Photo courtesy of Siegel’s Portrait Design.

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Congratulations to Featured Real Wedding couple Juanita & Kevin Stone who were married on April 24, 2010 at Le Rivage.

Click here to read their story, see their slideshow of photos from True Love Photo, meet their wedding dream team and more!

Photo courtesy of True Love Photo.

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On the Winter 2011 Cover of Real Weddings Magazine: On Shelbie: dress from Miosa Bride, hat from Louise Green Millinery, flowers by Visual Impact Design.

Congratulations to Sacramento area real bride, Shelbie Brassfield, for being chosen as our cover model winner!

Shelbie, along with her other real bride cover model finalists, Terra Galvez and Elizabeth Burdick, were chosen from hundreds of entries in our cover model contest. We’re thrilled to have her grace the cover of our Winter 2011 issue!

Back in September, we put these girls through their paces at an all day photo shoot at the beautiful Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort. Featuring local gowns, local floral designers, local hair and make-up teams and the utterly fantastic local photographer Andrea Price from Andrea’s Images Photography, our cover model photo shoot truly was exhilarating!  Frankly almost too exhilarating because all of the photos were so fantastic, it was hard to narrow it down to the ones we’d feature in the magazine, and then ultimately, which ones we’d feature on the covers.

We’ll share the Spring 2011 cover — which will feature all three of our cover model finalists — with you soon along with more photos from the shoot. But for now, you’ll just have to be satisfied with these images of our beautiful cover model finalists Shelbie, Elizabeth and Terra!

On Shelbie (left):  dress from Miosa Bride, necklace by Erica Koesler available at Advantage Bridal, flowers by Amore Flowers by Katie.  On Elizabeth (middle): dress from Miosa Bride, necklace by Tiffany & Co., flowers by Visual Impact Design.  On Terra (right): dress from Dreamnette Bridal, necklace and earrings by Tiffany & Co., flowers by Amore Flowers by Katie.

On Terra (left): dress from The Bridal Box. On Elizabeth (middle): dress from Dreamnette Bridal, earrings by Adorn Me. On Shelbie (right): dress from The Bridal Box.

On Terra (left): dress from Miosa Bride, flowers by Visual Impact Design. On Elizabeth (middle): dress from Always Elegant Bridal & Tuxedo, flowers by Blooms by Martha Andrews, necklace and earrings by Tiffany & Co.. On Shelbie (right): dress from Always Elegant Bridal & Tuxedo, flowers by Ambience Floral Design.

And I would be completely remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to thank not only our cover model finalists and my amazing Real Weddings Team who helped to produce this piece (Aimee, Sheree, Desiree, Gloria, Nicole, Leah and Megan), but also all of the incredibly gracious and talented vendors who participated in this shoot. Photo shoots are not easy and it takes a boatload of resources to pull them off, and we are incredibly grateful to all of the vendors who helped us with this feature!

Photographed on location at:
Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort
50 Trimont Lane, Truckee
866-966-5615
northstarattahoe.com
mynorthstarwedding.com

Photography by:
Andrea’s Images Photography
916-225-3395, andreasimages.com
with special thanks to Beth Baugher

Dresses provided by:
Always Elegant Bridal & Tuxedo
530-755-4282, alwayselegantbridal.net

The Bridal Box
916-961-1500, thebridalbox.net

Dreamnette Bridal
916-780-4747, dreamnette.com

Miosa Bride
916-443-1301, miosabride.com

Accessories provided by:
Adorn Me
916-532-9800, adornmebeauty.com

Advantage Bridal
877-933-7467, advantagebridal.com

Louise Green Millinery
888-321-HATS (4287), louisegreen.com

Stella & Dot
800-920-5893, stelladot.com

Tiffany & Co.
916-872-2129, tiffany.com

Hair and Make-up for Terra by:
Jenifer Haupt and Arrvada
Image Provocateur and VIP-CAT Academy
916-474-5578, imageprov.com

Hair and Make-up for Elizabeth by:
Fay Linson, Hair
Eva Molina, Make-up
Dynamic Images Salon & Day Spa
530-622-5436, dynamicimagesonline.com

Hair and Make-up for Shelbie by:
Samantha Garcia and Jennifer Gouge
Nevaeh Boutique, Spa & Salon
916-786-5888, nevaeh.com

Flowers provided by:
Ambience Floral Design
916-786-6851, ambiencefloral.com

Amore Flowers by Katie
916-770-6680, amoreflowersbykatie.com

Blooms by Martha Andrews
916-300-5948, bloomsbymarthaandrews.com

Visual Impact Design
916-489-3746, visualimpact-design.com

Slippers provided by:
Bearpaw Shoes
bearpawshoes.com

Collars and Leashes for the French Bulldogs provided:
sBarkles
916-984-0102, sbarkles.com

Additional Accessories for the French Bulldogs provided by:
The Doggie Bag
916-786-9663, thedoggiebag.com

We’ll explain the French Bulldogs, too, soon — you’ll see them in the magazine…gorgeous little Frenchies — Penny and Deegan! You’ll die when you see them…so cute and great little models, too!

Blog Post by Editor/Publisher Wendy Sipple.

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This week, we highlight the exceptionally gorgeous and crazy talented Raquel Siders from Image Provocateur and VIP-CAT Academy. We’ve had the privilege of working with Raquel, Arrvada and Jenifer from Image Provocateur and VIP-CAT Academy on several of our photo shoots, and they’re truly gifted artists. They always seem to know exactly what we’re wanting for our shoots – we think they’re mind-readers!  They’re also just pretty damn cool chicks! 

Here’s a little bit more about Raquel! 

Image Provocateur & VIP-CAT Academy

Tell us a little about your company?  Image Provocateur is the Bridal and Hair Specialists needed for every perfect wedding. Our brides receive full hair, makeup, false lashes and our unique three step water proofing system on location. Our Artists are specially trained to achieve the perfect look every time. 

When did you establish your business? VIP-CAT was launched in 2004, specializing in Bridal Hair & Makeup on Location. In 2007 VIP-CAT expanded into Image Provocateur a full-service Salon, keeping our main focus on our brides. 

What sets you apart from your competition?  All of our Makeup Artists are trained by myself, using my Copywrited Curriculum and the skills and techniques I have developed and implemented into VIP-CAT Academy. We are always striving to be the best, as perfection is our standard while staying on top of current styles and trends. 

Where do you find inspiration?  I have loved makeup and beauty since I can remember! As a young child I fell in love with makeup and art –  that love blossomed into working with brides and getting a chance to share their day and help make it special. 

When you opened shop, what was your promise to your customers? That we would bring out their inner beauty and create the flawless, perfect look they always wanted for their wedding day. And since our makeup and hair lasts up to 12 hours, they would not have to worry about anything but walking down the aisle. Let our professional makeup artists and hair specialists ease your mind. You have worried about everything else… leave your hair and makeup to us. 

Do you have any hidden talents?I have taken my creativity in makeup and I have started designing clothing. This year will see the launch of my clothing line, Black Cat Threads. This line is made from provocatively refurbished rock t’s and lingerie. It’s the way I am going green, with an edge! 

Hair and Make-up for Real Weddings Cover Model Sarah by Image Provocateur and VIP-CAT Academy. Dress from Diamond Bridal Gallery. Photo by True Love Photo. On location at The Citizen Hotel.

Hair and Make-up for Real Weddings Cover Model Sarah by Image Provocateur and VIP-CAT Academy. Dress from Miosa. Photo by True Love Photo. On location at The Citizen Hotel.

 Hair and Make-up for Real Weddings Cover Model Sarah by Image Provocateur and VIP-CAT Academy. Dress from Dreamnette Bridal. Flowers by Camino Flower Shop. Photo by True Love Photo. On location at The Citizen Hotel. 

Do you regularly blog? What’s your blog site?  Yes, our blog is updated every few days and can be viewed at: http://arrvadaimageprov.blogspot.com/ 

What’s your favorite local restaurant?  Wasabi on Greenback in Citrus Heights. I love their Fair Oaks Roll and the Lion King. 

What’s your favorite local charity?  I strongly support WEAVE. As a woman and a mother of a young woman, women escaping a violent environment hits close to home, and you can’t go wrong in supporting your gender and community. 

What is your favorite fun thing to do locally?  Well I have two. One, thrift store hunting for cool rock t’s & lingerie to convert into dresses for my clothing line. Two, heading out to Folsom at Negro Bar to be chased by the crazy ducks! 

Do you have secret vice or indulgence? What is it?  My secret indulgence isn’t too secret! I love wedding cake! Probably the real reason I got into the bridal industry! Love me some frosting! 

What are you most grateful for in life?  My family, especially my beautiful daughter Laurren and the chance to do what I love every day. 

What advice would you can give to brides and grooms getting married today?  Remember, this is a special day, enjoy it. It doesn’t matter if the sun isn’t shining, or the birds aren’t singing. What matters is you are going to have amazing hair and makeup and no one is going to look at anyone else! Enjoy your moment, you deserve to look like the Diva you are. 

Anything else you’d like to share with Real Weddings Magazine’s brides?  You are all beautiful and I am privileged to be able to work with so many of you on your special day. 

Find out more about Raquel and her team at Image Provocateur and VIP-CAT Academy for yourself. Call them at 916-474-5578. Also, check out their profile on Real Weddings Magazine! 

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There is nothing like having your own personal hair and make-up team (just ask our cover model finalists!), and for your wedding day, we think it’s one of the essentials so that you can picture perfect.

We recently asked hair and make-up pro Raquel Siders from Image Provocateur and VIP-Cat Make-up Academy (she was on the hair and make-up team for this issue’s Real Weddings Magazine cover model winner Kimmi — pictures featured here),to offer up some advice on finding the right make-up artist for your big day! Here’s her advice:

“If you are planning on hiring a professional make-up artist on your wedding day, find an artist you are comfortable with, one who listens to your needs and one who offers constructive advice. Look at portfolios if available and do a trial run so you can see how you will look on your wedding day.

At the time of the trial run try and have your hair done in the way you’ll be wearing it on your wedding day as different hairstyles influence the way your make-up should be done.

When you decide on the lipstick, lip pencil and perhaps gloss and powder you will be wearing the day of your wedding, ask the make-up artist if it is possible to purchase those particular products for the day of your wedding as touch ups in those particular areas will be required.

If you have a particular color you want to wear on your lips, bring it to the trial run and see if it works with the overall look.

Some make-up artists will ask the bride and the bridal party to bring their own mascara. This is for sanitary reasons only! It is always a good idea to take this precaution.

Make sure when doing your trial run to view make-up in different lights if that is possible because on your wedding day, you’ll be having photos taken in multiple areas. It is ideal to apply make-up in a room with natural light.

And finally, if you feel comfortable with your make-up at the end of your trial run, you should try to book the artist immediately because if you are marrying during a busy season your make-up artist probably won’t be able to hold the date without a commitment.”

Thanks Raquel!

Stay tuned to Real Weddings Magazine for more guest bloggers with expert tips!

For more information on Raquel and her team at Image Provocateur and VIP-Cat Make-up Academy, visit their Blog, Web site or call them at 916-474-5578.

Real Weddings Magazine Winter/Spring 2010 Cover Model Finalist photo shoot photography by Jodi Yorston Photography. For additional credits on dresses and flowers, please see page 60.

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

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At our photo shoots, we get to play dress up with so many gorgeous gowns all from local area boutiques. I know, it’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it!

One gown that we were absolutely gaga about at the photo shoot for our current issue was this sassy layered Agnes gown from Dreamnette Bridal.

Our cover model winner Kimmi Armstrong (whose makeup was impeccably done by Image Provocateur) had just the right attitude to pull off this dress, which, incidentally, fit her beautifully! We paired it with a beautiful bouquet from Visual Impact Design. And, when we found this amazing red wall at the Cosmo Cafe, we were positively giddy with excitement! Jodi Yorston captured it all on film (well, I guess not really film, but saying an SD card just doesn’t have the same punch, now does it?!).

Check out more dazzling dresses at Dreamnette Bridalat 1850 Douglas Boulevard in Roseville. 916-780-4747, www.dreamnette.com.

Blog Post by Real Weddings Editor/Publisher Wendy Sipple

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.”

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.