The Couple:  Jamie and Nick Esposito

Wedding Date:  May 20, 2011

Photography by The Goodness Photo & Design

Tell us a little about you and your beloved:  We have been dating for eight wonderful years and it has been the best eight years anyone could ask for. We have the cutest chihuahua named Tank. We love to be adventurous, we love to travel and experience new foods and wine. We also enjoy having friends and family at the house for bbqs and parties.

What was the most amazing part of your day?  The most amazing part of our day was looking around and having all of our closest friends and family all in one room. Our friends and family had waited a long time for this day and you could really feel the love in the air. Everyone was so happy and supportive of us on our big day; it was absolutely amazing.

What else would you like to share about your big day?  Nick and I wrote our own vows and it made the ceremony so special and intimate. There was not a dry eye during the entire ceremony including both Nick and myself.

Ceremony Site & Reception Venue & Caterer:  Brookside Golf & Country Club

Photographer:  The Goodness Photo & Design

Cake:  One of our favorite parts of the wedding was our cannoli cake. Nick is Italian and we wanted to do something different that we had never seen before. Giovanni Toccagino from Palermo Ristorante spent hours hand stuffing more than 150 cannolis for our cannoli tiered wedding cake. It was truly one-of-a-kind and looked absolutely amazing!

Flowers:  We had Amy Erman from Elk Grove High School FFA Floriculture do our flowers and she made all my dreams come true. My bouquet was gorgeous and was just what I had dreamed of! It was filled with dark red peonies, roses, tulips and callas.

Favors:  Elite DJ Entertainment came and set up a photo booth during the reception. This was by far the biggest hit from our wedding. It was so funny to see our friends and family dress up with props and have a great time taking phtotos. Each guest got to take their photos home and we have a scrapbook of all the photos from the evening.

Wedding Dress:  La Soie Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses:  Nordstrom

Hair:  My MOH, Megan Bollinger, did my hair and Rebecca Kelley did the bridesmaids hair.

Makeup:  Spotlight Makeup Artistry

Invitations:  The Goodness Photo & Design

DJ/Entertainment/Band:  Fretty’s DJ Service & Limousine Service

Photo Booth:  Elite DJ Entertainment

Honeymoon location:  The Royal Cancun in Cancun, Mexico

Any other of your wedding vendor(s) you’d like to call out?  Giorgi Khokhobashvili played the violin during the ceremony and cocktail hour. I walked down the aisle to an instrumental version of “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton and it was perfect. Nick would always play this song for me as I got ready to go out, so it meant a lot to walk down the aisle to it and it was something we had never heard before.

First Dance Song:  “Faithfully” by Journey. All of the guests were standing up and our bridal party began to sing the song and hold the votive candles in the air. Before we knew it everyone was singing along as we danced. We wish we could repeat this moment over and over again.

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now?  Enjoy every moment of the planning process because it goes by so fast. Also, take some time during the reception to really have a special moment with your spouse. The day goes by in an instant so enjoy every minute of the day and experience.

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance?  I would have hired a videographer. I wish I could watch the ceremony and first dance, etc. over and over because it all happened so fast. After the wedding Nick and I were wanting to relive every moment and by having a video we would be able to do that much easier.

Photos courtesy of The Goodness Photo & Design.

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The Couple:  Erika Tungland and Ryan Taylor

Wedding Date:  October 16, 2010

Photography by 555 Photography

Tell us a little about you and your beloved:  We met working at Borders Bookstore. Years later, we are still happily together, with two dogs and a cat!

What was the most amazing part of your day?  Everything was so perfect. But I would have to say the food was my favorite.

Ceremony Site & Reception Venue:  V. Sattui Winery

Photographer:  555 Photography

Wedding Planner:  Little Blue Box Weddings

Caterer:  Alex’s Catering

Cake:  Inticing Creations

Flowers:  Valley Flora

Favors:  Etsy

Wedding Dress & Bridesmaid Dresses:  Miosa Bride

Hair & Makeup:  Sweetie Face Makeup

Invitations:  Fine Stationery

DJ/Entertainment:  Denon and Doyle

Band:  Terrence Brewer Trio

Honeymoon location:  Maui

Any other of your wedding vendor(s) you’d like to call out?  Rev. Blane Ellsworth was an amazing officiant.

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now?  If someone tells you no, find someone who will work with you to create what is perfect for you.

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance?  No.

Photos courtesy of 555 Photography.

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The Couple:  Celia and Max Feldman

Wedding Date:  July 24, 2010

Photography by H & Co. Photographers

Tell us a little about you and your beloved:  How we met: I was single and my roommate was trying to find me a boyfriend. She told me about a guy named Max in her business class that I would have a lot in common with. I shied away after she told me that he was the sign language president of the college, even though I was pretty into sign language myself. He stopped by our work one day to say hi to her and she introduced me. I thought he was pretty cute, so I told her that we should all go out one night.

A few weeks later, we met up with Max at a local bar. I was very nervous, but I thought we got along pretty well. After that night I told my roommate to give Max my number, but she never did. A year passed and we both lived our separate lives. I ran into Max a few times here and there, but nothing ever happened until one night when I went out on the town with a friend. I accidently bumped into a guy in one of the crowded bars and he said, “What are you just going to walk right past me?” I looked up and realized it was the guy I met a year ago, Max. In that moment something clicked and we knew we were meant to be in that place at that time. From then on we were inseparable…and still are.

Our engagement story: Max and I moved to the Sacramento area. One weekend we planned to go to back to Monterey because we missed the ocean air and our old friends. The plan was to stay with our old roommate for the whole weekend, but Max kept bringing up staying in a hotel room. I didn’t think it was necessary because I wanted to save money.

Little did I know, Max had a plan. Throughout our day in Monterey, we went to all of our favorite tourist spots: Downtown Alvarado St., Fisherman’s Warf, Del Monte Beach. We even bought matching Monterey sweatshirts to signify how touristy we were. We went for a walk on our favorite beach, (the one where we had our first real kiss and the one we lived right next to before away) and decided to sit down to take it all in. We were taking pictures of everything that surrounded us, because somehow we both knew that this day was special. Max asked me to take a picture of him gazing out into the ocean. So, I went far behind him and did as he asked. When I told him to turn around he was starting to get up, but he stayed on one knee. He then told me to come closer and as I did I saw that he had written, “Will u marry me” in the sand. We both started crying and I of course said yes! One year later, we got married on the very same beach.

What was the most amazing part of your day?  Having our wonderful friends and family surrounding us. We had visitors from all over… California, Florida, Oregon, Nevada, Canada and even Greece.

What else would you like to share about your big day?  I loved every minute of my wedding day. Getting ready in our fancy room, taking pictures with my ladies (while they tried to hide the fact that my little flower girl ripped her dress), waiting in the bathroom at the venue so my husband wouldn’t see me before the ceremony, walking down the isle and locking eyes with the love of my life, dancing to “Brown-eyed Girl,” and of course my infamous keg stand.

Ceremony Site:  Del Monte Beach

Reception Venue:  Del Monte Beach House

Photographer:  H & Co. Photographers

Caterer:  Monterey Beach Party

Cake:  Rosine’s

Flowers:  Pacific Grove Florist

Favors:  Carousel Candies

Wedding Dress & Bridesmaid Dresses:  David’s Bridal

Hair & Makeup:  Kim Larson

Invitations:  Wedding Paper Divas

DJ/Entertainment/Band:  Kelley Conover

Honeymoon location:  Dreams Los Cabos

First Dance Song:  “The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now? Don’t stress out. Keep in mind that that not everything will turn out exactly the way it was supposed to, but that’s okay…embrace it.

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance?  The only thing I would change is that I wish the night had lasted longer. I could have danced about five more hours.

Photos courtesy of H & Co. Photographers.

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The Couple:  Nancy and Nick Sears

Wedding Date:  May 7, 2011

Photography by Jocelyn McGregor Photography

Tell us a little about you and your beloved:  Nick’s point of view: Well, it just so happens that both of my brother’s mothers-in-law work with Nancy. Nancy’s work decided to have a Christmas party at the home of one of  mothers-in-law. Seeing as they were doing that, my brother and his father-in-law asked if I wanted to go bowling with them. I arrived at the house and before I left I saw a great set of legs enter the house. When we returned from bowling, I was able to catch a few glimpses of Nancy and ended up asking my sister-in-law to see if they could get her number for me, and that’s how it all began.

Nancy’s point of view: I went to my co-worker’s house for a Christmas party. It was really entertaining until I saw my, now, brother-in-law, staring at me from across the room. It was a little uncomfortable for the fact that I thought he was my co-worker’s daughter’s husband, and also thought Nick was married as well. After he got a hold of my phone number and we started talking, I couldn’t tell which guy it was from the party. But when I saw him waiting outside of my work for our first date with a bouquet of flowers, I was glad —  he was lean, tall, single and handsome. Then I said to myself, I am not gonna let him go! And the rest is history.

What was the most amazing part of your day?  When we were holding hands at the altar!

What else would you like to share about your big day?  Everyone really enjoyed the wedding and have said that it was a very relaxing and fun setting!

Ceremony & Reception Site:  Carriage House Gardens

Photographer:  Jocelyn McGregor Photography

Caterer:  Taqueria Espinoza

Cake:  Ettore’s

Flowers:  My friend, Jennifer Lee

Favors:  Innova Discs – Sam Ferrans (mini disc golf discs)

Wedding Dress:  David’s Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses:  Chosen by bridesmaid after given the color

Hair:  Lily at Regis Salon

Invitations:  Gina DeCosta

DJ/Entertainment/Band:  DJ Jukey Jukes

Honeymoon location:  We have yet to go, but are planning on Monterey/Carmel, Hearst Castle, Disneyland… coastal trip.

Any other of your weddingvendor(s) you’d like to call out?  Bridesmaids’ Gifts: Etsy – Lisa Arney (handmade jewelery pouches), Betty Sears – (hand made crocheted rose pins). Groomsmen Gifts: DGA (Disc Golf Association) – Derek Kotval. Engagement Portrait Painting: Aman Smith. Decorations: La Mariposa Imports – Ray – papel picado. Cake Topper: Woodland Manufacturing – custom metal cake topper.

First Dance Song:  ”Better Together” by Jack Johnson

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now?  Don’t stress! Everything will turn out just fine in the end! If you don’t want to take advice from anyone, don’t. Do it the way that will make you happy, not to make others happy! It’s your day, not anyone else’s. Don’t feel obligated to accommodate everyone’s opinions. In the end, they are there to be happy for you!

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance?  Invited more people had we had the financial ability to do so.

Photos courtesy of Jocelyn McGregor Photography.

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Photos by Sarah Maren Photographers. Shot on location at Old Sugar Mill. Please see Summer/Fall 2009 issue for credit details.

Tonight’s Event Details:

When: Friday, January 20, 2012

Time: 6 – 9 p.m.

Where: Carvalho Family Winery at Old Sugar Mill at 35265 Willow Avenue in Clarksburg

Cost: $10, please RSVP to marnie@carvalhowines.com or call her at 916-275-8719; or you can contact one of their preferred partners for complimentary VIP admission. Here’s a link to their preferred partner list.  YOU CAN STILL COME EVEN IF YOU DON’T RSVP !

What You’ll Experience: Meet more than 30 top wedding professionals. See floral arrangements, table displays and lighting examples. Talk to event coordinators, DJs and photographers. Enjoy food and wine tastings and beautiful music and prize giveaways!

And, of course we’ll be there handing out complimentary copies of Real Weddings Magazine along with our newest wedding publication, Real Weddings Magazine‘s The Bride’s Guide! Also, we always have our awesome (and reusable!) Real Weddings Magazine bags to help you carry all of your goodies!

PLUS, ENTER TO WIN A $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO FAT’S ASIA BISTRO AT OUR BOOTH AT THIS EVENT!

Be sure to tell them you found out about the event from Real Weddings Magazine!

Hope to see you there!

Blog Post by Editor/Publisher Wendy Sipple.

Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!

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Your email:

 

Photos by Sarah Maren Photographers. Shot on location at Old Sugar Mill. Please see Summer/Fall 2009 issue for credit details.

Event details:

When: Tomorrow evening, Friday, January 20, 2012

Time: 6 – 9 p.m.

Where: Carvalho Family Winery at Old Sugar Mill at 35265 Willow Avenue in Clarksburg

Cost: $10, please RSVP to marnie@carvalhowines.com or call her at 916-275-8719; or you can contact one of their preferred partners for complimentary VIP admission. Here’s a link to their preferred partner list.

What You’ll Experience: Meet more than 30 top wedding professionals. See floral arrangements, table displays and lighting examples. Talk to event coordinators, DJs and photographers. Enjoy food and wine tastings and beautiful music and prize giveaways!

And, of course we’ll be there handing out complimentary copies of Real Weddings Magazine along with our newest wedding publication, Real Weddings Magazine‘s The Bride’s Guide! Also, we always have our awesome (and reusable!) Real Weddings Magazine bags to help you carry all of your goodies!

PLUS, ENTER TO WIN A $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO FAT’S ASIA BISTRO AT OUR BOOTH AT THIS EVENT!

Be sure to tell them you found out about the event from Real Weddings Magazine!

Hope to see you there!

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!

Your email:

 

Photos by Sarah Maren Photographers. Shot on location at Old Sugar Mill. Please see Summer/Fall 2009 issue for credit details.

Here are the details for this exclusive event:

When: Friday, January 20, 2012

Time: 6 – 9 p.m.

Where: Carvalho Family Winery at Old Sugar Mill at 35265 Willow Avenue in Clarksburg

Cost: $10, please RSVP to marnie@carvalhowines.com or call her at 916-275-8719; or you can contact one of their preferred partners for complimentary VIP admission. Here’s a link to their preferred partner list.

What You’ll Experience: Meet more than 30 top wedding professionals. See floral arrangements, table displays and lighting examples. Talk to event coordinators, DJs and photographers. Enjoy food and wine tastings and beautiful music and prize giveaways!

And, of course we’ll be there handing out complimentary copies of Real Weddings Magazine along with our newest wedding publication, Real Weddings Magazine‘s The Bride’s Guide! Also, we always have our awesome (and reusable!) Real Weddings Magazine bags to help you carry all of your goodies!

PLUS, ENTER TO WIN A $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO FAT’S ASIA BISTRO AT OUR BOOTH AT THIS EVENT!

Be sure to tell them you found out about the event from Real Weddings Magazine!

Hope to see you there!

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!

The Couple:  Nicole and John Santos

Wedding Date:  June 25, 2011

Photography by Justin Buettner Photography

Tell us a little about you and your beloved:  John and I met in Thornton, California, at a Portuguese Bull Fight in October of 2009. From that moment on it was love at first sight. We now go to the bull fights in Thornton every year, kind of a reminder of how we met and fell in love. We now own a dairy and work with each other everyday — I wouldn’t change it for the world!!

What else would you like to share about your big day?  Our wedding day was the happiest day of our lives, we enjoyed seeing all of our family and friends dancing and having a great time right along with us. I also enjoyed seeing our whole year of planning come together as beautifully as it did.

Ceremony Site:  Saint Christopher’s Catholic Church

Reception Venue:  Our Lady Of Fatima Portugese Hall

Photographer & Videographer:  Justin Buettner Photography

Caterer:  Rayna’s Gourmet Catering and the meat was done by my friend, John Baranek.

Cake:  M & W Dutch American Bakery

Flowers:  The Flower Shop

Favors:  We had cookies with our pictures on them from The Cookie Jar.

Wedding Dress & Bridesmaid Dresses & Invitations:  David’s Bridal

Hair & Make-up:  Tammy Carter at First Impressions

DJ/Entertainment/Band:  Juke Box Music and The Jay Rollers Band

Honeymoon location:  Sandals Resort in Saint Lucia

First Dance Song:  ”Amazed” by Lonestar

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now?  Just remember that this is you and your husband-to-be’s day, people always have input —  some good, some bad. Don’t stress yourself out over the little things, because in the end you will enjoy every minute of your wedding day.

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance?  The only thing different I would have done was have our wedding in a colder month —  it was so hot in June for the dresses I picked out for my poor bridesmaids. Everything else was perfect!!

Photos courtesy of Justin Buettner Photography.

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The Couple:  Seija K. Murphy and Craig D. Zimmerman

Wedding Date:  May 21, 2011

Photography by Siegel’s Portrait Design

Tell us a little about you and your beloved:  Seija: I grew up in Saudi Arabia, the child of a pilot and a housewife. I have one older sister who was born with mental disabilities. My father worked for the oil company ARAMCO until 2003 when he retired and moved to Oregon with my mother. I lived in the Middle East for the first part of my life and then having attended boarding high-school in Pebble Beach, I stayed in California to finish university at UCLA.

As an undergrad I studied psychology with the intent of working to support individuals with disabilities. It took the better part of the next three years (2006 – 2009) after graduating for my life to gather momentum; not only in my work interest, but my personal life as well. I struggled with alcoholism and when I began on the road of recovery in 2008 my life changed drastically.

I never had much of a life, because I was very afraid to pursue it. I was very insecure and had been in a tumultuous relationship for almost nine years. I knew that I had more to offer and took a chance on changing my life to fulfill my purpose. I was making great strides to better my life and change my situation when I met Craig at work in November of 2009.

At the time I knew that I loved being a recovered person, I had a passion to support others, and I trusted that God would take care of me no matter what. I learned throughout the next year and a half (Jan 2010 – May 2011) that indeed God would take care of me. Coming from a life of fear to a life where I was encouraged to pursue my interests and supported by an incredibly loving man was a miracle for me.

We both work at a non-profit providing vocational support to individuals with disabilities. I am pursuing a career as a marriage and family therapist. Along with a passion for psychology I have learned that I love music (both creating it and listening to it), I love art, and my close friends are treasures.

Craig : I was born and raised right here is Sacramento. I am the youngest child, and have an older sister — Renee’ — who is six years older than me. My upbringing was pretty boring compared to Seija’s due to the fact that I lived in the same home for 24 years, rarely strayed from California, and never had been in a serious long term relationship. All kidding aside, as a child, I was happy. I went to good public schools, had (and still have) the best parents in the world, and was very busy with sports.

Later in life, I went to Sacramento State University where I got a B.A. in sociology as well as picked up a nasty habit called alcoholism. By 2009, I was a mess and began to live a life without alcohol. I was working full time by then, bought a home, and I met Seija through work. After that, well, I lived happily ever after.

What was the most amazing part of your day?  The most amazing part of the day were the ” I will’s ” (we said “I will” vs. “I do”) at the ceremony, the speeches that were given during the reception, and the picture slide show that Nick (Craig’s brother-in-law) put together for us (pictures of us separately as children, growing up with our families and together as adults)… even though Craig would make a reference to the wedding night as the best part of the day!

What else would you like to share about your big day?  Before walking down the aisle, it was important for me (Seija) to take some quiet time to reflect on the past year. We worked so hard to make the wedding happen, and I had to go through some family issues to get here, but it was so worth it.

I lived with Craig’s parents for the five months preceding the wedding. We respected our parents wishes not to move into together before we were married and although it was difficult not to live together it was definitely worth it. So, on our wedding day right before the ceremony I sat alone and reflected in gratitude.

Also, Craig and I made sure that during the reception we stayed by each other’s side and held hands as often as we could. We also tried to make sure that we thanked all of our guests for making the trip: personally by going around to tables and publicly by saying thank you over the microphone after the speeches were given.

Ceremony & Reception Site:  Carvalho Family Winery at Old Sugar Mill

Photographer:  Siegel’s Portrait Design

Caterer:  Jackson Catering & Events

Cake:  Shelton’s Wedding Cake Design

Flowers:  Garden Wishes

Favors:  We made them! Personally recorded CDs of music from our band The Two Steps

Wedding Dress & Bridesmaid Dresses:  David’s Bridal

Hair & Makeup:  Terri Wangler from Space 07 Salon. She’s absolutely one of the most wonderful people I know.

Invitations:  Wedding Paper Divas

DJ/Entertainment/Band:  Extreme Productions Entertainment

Honeymoon location:  Orlando, Florida

First Dance Song:  ”I Won’t Let Go” by Rascal Flatts

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now?  I would suggest to give yourself at least a year. Pay attention to each other’s needs and wants for the day. Craig didn’t have many opinions, so the things that he wanted to have (black and white table cloths for a supper club feel, vanilla cake on the top tier for our one year anniversary, and no roast beef) I was happy to honor.

Keep in mind the budget. We didn’t have a fixed budget at the beginning, so when Craig’s mom took over the planning we had spent a little bit that was unnecessary. Thankfully she got us back on track!

If you have the chance to do premarital counseling I would suggest to do it! We learned a lot and our pastor counseled us very wisely.

Lastly, get registered on the The Knot and follow the timeline suggestions on the To-Do list. That Web site saved us so much time and effort!

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance?  No! It was a perfect day!

Photos courtesy of Siegel’s Portrait Design.

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This week we highlight the amazing team of Hui and Wen at 555 Photography! These besties sure know how capture the individuality of each person they photograph. What an incredible talent! Take it away guys…

555 Photography

Tell us a little about your company?  555 Photography is Hui and Wen. We focus on providing beautiful wedding images that tell your unique story. 555 Photography was founded by best friends that just happened to share the same “555” street address in different cities.

When did you establish your business?  2009

What sets you apart from your competition?  Each client is unique. We spend time understanding our clients’ stories before the cameras start clicking. We make sure to get to know them so that we capture their special day in the most meaningful and memorable way.

Where do you find inspiration?  We get inspiration from our clients’ stories, from living in the beautiful bay area, from family and friends and from everyday life.

Do you regularly blog? If so, what’s your blog site?  Yes, 555photography.com/blog

What’s your favorite local restaurant?  Little Star Pizza

What’s your favorite local charity?  HandsOnBayArea.org

What is your favorite fun thing to do locally?  Walk around the city and take photos of all the interesting things that make San Francisco unique.

Do you have secret vice or indulgence? What is it?  Law & Order rerun marathons!

What are you most grateful for in life?  Being able to use my passion for art to help clients capture their memories.

If you were to plan your own wedding, or re-do your wedding, what elements would be most important to you?  Definitely photography! The photos are going to last a lifetime.

What advice would you can give to brides and grooms getting married today?  Make sure you have fun! It is your day after all.

Find out more about 555 Photography, and Hui and Wen by visiting their Web site, Blog, and Facebook Page!

Photos courtesy of 555 Photography.

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