Archive for the ‘Shoop’s Photography’ Category

The Couple:  Amanda Nicole Kaiser and Neil Taylor McMahon Johnston

Wedding Date:  June 9, 2012

Photography by Shoop’s Photography

Tell us a little about you and your beloved:  Neil and I met 4 years ago. We started dating November 14, 2008. After dating for a mere 3 months, we took a leap of faith and moved to San Jose together for a job opportunity Neil received. When we moved neither of us knew anyone in San Jose and we were both in new jobs. This was when we got really close as a couple.

On November 14, 2010, Neil proposed to me after taking me to a rooftop dinner in downtown San Jose. We always knew we wanted a summer wedding, but the upcoming summer was too soon to plan a wedding and we both had a lot going on at the end of the year. So we set the date as the following June. Planning the venue was one of the first obstacles we had as it had a lot to do with the remaining wedding budget. When my father offered his house as an option we were very excited. Its such a beautiful old home and the grounds are perfect for hosting large parties. Once we had that solidified everything else just fell into place.

What was the most amazing part of your day?  One super cool part of the day was when Neil and I were trying to light the unity candles and the gusts of wind were not cooperating at all. Our friends and family in the wedding party could sense our frustration. They gathered around us in a huge circle and guarded us against the wind. It was barely enough of a barrier but we were able to have all three candles lit for a moment. That was all that mattered to us and it was so awesome for everyone to jump in and help out like that.

Ceremony Site & Reception Venue:  Private Residence

Photographer:  Shoop’s Photography

Caterer:  Aroma Catering

Cake:  The Cake Lady

Flowers:  The florals were all done by my step-mom she ordered some fresh online and had them delivered the day of including bouquet flowers and cake flowers. She also saved us a lot of money by using some nice silk flowers that were mixed in.

Favors:  We did little candle and match sets for everyone. Sand candles and glass jars were from the dollar tree along with the multi colored ribbon on the outside. The monogrammed match sets were ordered from Exclusively Weddings we used them for some of the bridal party gifts as well. Loved that site good prices and cute gift ideas.

Wedding Dress:  Dana’s Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses:  Alfred Angelo

Hair & Makeup:  Ashlyn Taylor from Madame Me Makeup & Hair 

Invitations:  Wedding Paper Divas

DJ/Entertainment/Band:  DJ Drew Corrales

Honeymoon location:  Las Vegas. We stayed at the Venetian. It was so much fun Neil had never been and we wanted something fun and simple. We wanted to save money for the home we hope to soon purchase rather then having an extravagant honeymoon.

First Dance Song:  “Back at one” by Brian McKnight

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now?  Plan sooner then later. Nothing can be planned “too far in advance” try to remain calm when dealing with your spouse. It’s stressful for both parties and families involved. Most of all keep in mind the end result of the day is all that matters don’t sweat the small things it will ruin your special day.

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance?  Nothing!

Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Social Media Maven, Aimee Carroll.

Photos courtesy of and copyright Shoop’s Photography.

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

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The Couple:  Brittany Gregory and Jordan Banning

Wedding Date:  May 27, 2012

Photography by Shoop’s Photography

Tell us a little about you and your beloved:  Jordan and I are high school sweethearts. We have been together for 11 years! We grew up and still live in Folsom. Jordan is the head JV coach at Folsom High School, I am a real estate agent. It is a little cliché, but it’s perfect for us. We are so blessed.

What was the most amazing part of your day?  The whole day was AMAZING!! Having my mom walk me down the aisle and having my grandfather marry us will remain one of the most special moments in our lives.

Also, walking into the reception together for the first time and seeing all of our close family and friends in one room, there to celebrate with us, was definitely a feeling we will remember forever.

What else would you like to share about your big day?  Our wedding turned out better than we could have ever imagined. We enjoyed every part of it! We are so grateful to everyone who was there to support us.

Ceremony Site & Reception Venue & Caterer & Cake:  Wine & Roses Hotel.Restaurant.Spa

Photographer:  Shoop’s Photography

Flowers:  Bride’s Mom, Grandma and Friends

Favors:  Groom’s Mom and Aunt

Wedding Dress:  La Soie Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses:  De La Rosa’s Bridal & Tuxedos

Hair:  Jillian Davis

Makeup:  DIY

Invitations:  DIY

DJ/Entertainment/Band:  DJ Alazzawi from 102.5 Events

Photo Booth:  PhotoBash

Honeymoon location:  Honua Kai Resort Maui, HI

First Dance Song:  “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys. 

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now?  Two words…Photo Booth! We are so glad we decided to get one. It was so much fun for everyone. After the wedding was over, Jordan and I were dying of laughter looking at the pictures. A little wine, a few costumes and a camera makes for some pretty hilarious pictures.

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance?  Nothing. Honestly! It was a perfect and magical day.

Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Social Media Maven, Aimee Carroll.

Photos courtesy of and copyright Shoop’s Photography.

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

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

We are thrilled and honored to once again partner with the Lavish & Fabulous event at Arden Hills Resort Club & Spa to bring you, our dear brides, the most inspirational jaw-dropping wedding designs.

This uber-cool event, presented by Fearon May Events and Arden Hills Resort Club & Spa in association with Real Weddings Magazine, is designed to showcase some of the best wedding professionals in the area through themed vignette rooms with sumptuous table top designs and decor, all to inspire the lavish and fabulous in you! And, the event certainly lived up to its name…we’ve got the pictures to prove it!

So without further ado, we present the third of seven in our Real Weddings Eye Candy Blog series highlighting Lavish & Fabulous! Ooh la la!

Vignette: Diamonds and Pearls

Participating Vendors:

Creative Designer, Draping, Centerpiece and Props: Fearon May Events

Place Settings: Celebrations! Event Rentals & Tents

Lighting: BP Productions

Linens: Mimi & Co.

Paperie: Honey Paperie

Cake Floral and Bouquet: Bloomers Floral Design

Catering: Beth Sogaard Catering and Zocolo

Cake: Village Cake Shoppe

Designer Gown: Miosa Couture

Hair and Make-Up: Salon Cabochon

Photography By:  Shoop’s Photography

Inspired by what you see Real Weddings brides? Mark your calendars for the 2012 Lavish & Fabulous event happening on October 25, 2012. Stay tuned for more details to come!

Photos courtesy of Shoop’s Photography/Lavish & Fabulous.

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

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

Another Featured Real Wedding from the Summer/Fall 2012 issue of Real Weddings Magazine loaded to the Real Weddings Magazine Web site…presenting Featured Real Wedding Couple Marissa & Brian Gelfuso.

Congratulations to Featured Real Wedding Couple Marissa & Brian Gelfuso who were married on September 3, 2011 at Northstar California Resort.

Click here to read their story, see their slideshow of photos from Shoop’s Photographers, meet their entire wedding dream team and more!

Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Editor/Publisher Wendy Sipple.

Photos courtesy of Shoop’s Photography.

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

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

The Couple:  Kelly and John Holden

Wedding Date:  August 13, 2011

Photography by Shoops Photography

Tell us a little about you and your beloved:  We went on a blind date on August 13, 2006 and haven’t stopped dating since that first date. We knew we had met our perfect partner and friend for life. We support each other in life and business and everything in between. Kelly is a commercial transportation insurance broker and part-time massage therapist in Folsom and John is self-employed and owns Holden Sheetmetal Custom Car Restoration in Shingle Springs. We recently moved to property in Placerville which is close to quadding, camping and rafting. We truly represent the statement, “they are perfect for each other…they have so much fun.”

What was the most amazing part of your day?  Coming home to be with each other. We just moved in together for the first time just four weeks before the wedding. Living on acres takes work and we both like the effort it takes to make a house a home.

What else would you like to share about your big day?  Our day was special in that we got married at a special friend’s estate. The fact that we had 125 close family and friends there to share it with us, in 106 degree heat, was amazing. The day was perfect in every way.

Ceremony Site & Reception Venue:  Private Home

Photographer:  Shoop’s Photography

Caterer:  Family friend

Cake:  Family friend

Flowers:  We went to the flower mart and then all handmade by Jaimie Bailey.

Favors:  Palm Tree favors assembled with a picture taken by our amazing photographer from our engagement shoot.

Wedding Dress:  House of Brides

Bridesmaid Dresses:  BCBG

Hair:  Lynn McShane-Freeman

Makeup:  Rachelle Ruggles

Invitations:  Andrea Jones

DJ/Entertainment/Band:  Robert Vela

Honeymoon location:  Lake Tahoe and Los Angeles

Any other of your wedding vendor(s) you’d like to call out?  Ted our amazing bartender for keeping everyone happy in the heat.

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now?  Take your time and go with your heart — you will change your mind a dozen times. Let friends help — they want to and you will need it. Have fun with it. We had nine classic cars at our wedding, all cars John had restored. It was like a car show and wedding. People wore flip flops and Hawaiian shirts,which tied into our theme. People told us that our wedding was the most fun wedding they had been to in years!

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance?  Nothing. The day was perfect — too short, but perfect.

Photos courtesy of Shoop’s Photography.

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

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!