Today, we highlight the fabulously talented Shellie Kennedy, from Capture Photography.  When you see Shellie’s work, it’s easy to see why her brides rave about her!  Plus, we also love her for her calming presence, her gracious nature and her contagious laughter! Take it away Shellie! 

That’s Shellie on the left pictured with her assistant.

Capture Photography

Tell us a little about your company?  We LOVE LOVE. We love to see it happen and capture it for you to look at over and over again forever. We are different from your average wedding photog. There is never the stuffy wedding portrait. We are all about having fun and romance. Gotta have that sexy wedding day romance. :)  

Where do you find inspiration?  I find it in whatever makes me tear up. I cry at weddings, I’ll admit it. I do it all the time! But I know if it is impacting me, it’s something you are going to want to cherish forever. I work EXTRA hard to make sure what I get into the lens is EXACTLY the way that moment feels. It usually makes my brides cry again on the other end. That’s the good stuff.  

When you opened shop, what was your promise to your customers?  It’s the same today — great photography you won’t find anywhere else.  

Do you have any hidden talents?  I am a little bit whiskey tango (red-neck) not that that is a talent, but it comes into play at very odd times.  

What trend have you seen more of lately?  Hot new little hair pieces replace veils. Cute Cute.  

Do you regularly blog? If so, what’s your blog site?  OOhhhhh Yeah….. wecapturelife.com/blog.  Also, check out our Facebook page at  facebook.com/wecapturelife.  

What’s your favorite local restaurant?  The Melting Pot (but we mostly eat A LOT of Mr Pickles (try the Mr Pickles on Dutch Crunch). YUMMO.  

What’s your favorite local charity?  Anything my church is doin, (Captial Christian Center).  

What is your favorite fun thing to do locally?Kayak on Lake Natoma with the Hubs.  

What are you most grateful for in life?  My hubby and son and God’s grace and redemption.  

If you were to plan your own wedding, or re-do your wedding, what elements would be most important to you?  Wouldn’t change a thing.  

What advice would you can give to brides and grooms getting married today?  Premarital counseling. Find a church, talk to a lot of couples who have been married for a LONG time. Heed their good advice early on.  It’s tough sometimes, but it is good all the time. Join a young married’s class like Threshold at Capital Christian Center. (Find out more on Capital Christian’s Web site.)  

Find out more about Shellie and Capture Photography by visiting her Web site, Capture’s blog and Capture’s Facebook page.  

Photos courtesy of Capture Photography. 

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Today, we highlight Katie Edwards of Ambience Floral Design. We’ve had the great fortune of working with Katie on several of our photo shoots, and her work is always tremendously creative and top-notch!  Take it away Katie!

Ambience Floral Design

Specialty?  Super-fresh flowers, super-fresh design, super-fabulous service!

When did you establish your business?  2002

What sets you apart from your competition?  Our clients tell us that we are easy to do business with, that we understand their vision even when they don’t and that our flowers last for a very long time.

Where do you find inspiration?  Everywhere! In a torn pair of jeans, in the shimmer of a bird’s feather, in the colors and textures and forms everywhere in nature, in metal, in glass in the soil. It’s all about being open.

When you opened shop, what was your promise to your customers?  Great service! To listen, to see their vision, to deliver as promised…and then some.

What song is the soundtrack to your business day (or at least to how you feel right now)?  Good Day Sunshine ~ The Beatles

Wine, Champagne, Beer or Cocktail?  Wine with dinner, champagne because I love the bubbles, beer with Mexican food, and cocktails with friends. Why choose just one??

What is your favorite flower?  People ask me that all the time. If I can only choose one, it’s columbine.

Do you regularly blog?  What’s your blog site?  I blog 2-4 times per month at ambiencefloral.com/blog.html

Photos above by Sarah Maren Photographers/Real Weddings Magazine.

Where is your favorite place to travel?  Any beach or ocean

If you weren’t in the wedding industry, what would you be doing?  I would love to study marine biology.

What three things are you most grateful for in life?  My precious son, my precious family and my precious friends.

Photos above by True Love Photo/Real Weddings Magazine.

If you were to plan your own wedding, or re-do your wedding, what element would be most important to you?  The guest list.

What is the best advice you can give to brides and grooms getting married today?  Don’t worry about what anyone else wants you to do. This is your day. Do it your way and enjoy every minute.

Anything else you’d like to share with Real Weddings Magazine’s brides?  Set a date several days or a week before your wedding to be DONE with the busy work and planning. Be relaxed and take the time to enjoy your wedding week and wedding day.

Find out more about Katie and her team at Ambience Floral Design on her Web site or by calling her at 916-786-6851.  

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Today, we highlight Nina Vigil, one of the members of the talented Camelllia String Quartet. Take it away Nina!

Camellia String Quartet

Tell us a little about your company?  We’ve been playing for weddings and events since 1980, starting with four women. Two have retired, so now we have two gentlemen with us.

When did you establish your business?  We began as a fundraising group for the Camellia Symphony. Then we were asked to play for other events and eventually evolved to the group we have now.

What sets you apart from your competition?  We give great service, are very accommodating and have a wide repertoire.

Where do you find inspiration?  Watching people who do something well that they enjoy doing.

Do you have any hidden talents?  We all play in other types of musical groups–mostly classical music or church.

Do you regularly blog? What’s your blog site?  No. No blog at this time.

What’s your favorite local restaurant?  Florez’s Bar & Grill.

What are you most grateful for in life?  My faith and my family.

If you were to plan your own wedding, or re-do your wedding, what elements would be most important to you?  To be married by a priest, live music and good food!

What advice would you can give to brides and grooms getting married today?  Invest in pre-marraige counseling especially about finances and children.

Anything else you’d like to share with Real Weddings Magazine’s brides?  Enjoy the day. Remember that whatever happens, the most important part of the day is that you are married.

Find out more about Camellia String Quartet by visiting their Web site!

Photo by Huy Phan Photography, courtesy of Camellia String Quartet.

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Sequoia

Specialty?  Creating happy memories for my clients and their guests.When did you establish your business?   The Bee House was built in 1853. It became the Bee-Bennett House when Judge Bennett remodeled it into a huge Victorian mansion in 1889. Sequoia was established in 2002, but I have been coordinating weddings for 20 years in the Placerville area and here at Sequoia for the past five years.

What sets you apart from your competition?  Apart from my 20 years experience, I know what brides hope for and I do everything I can to help them attain their dreams. Based on the time I spend here, Sequoia is my second home. I know every nook and cranny. I have coordinated over 300 weddings, receptions and events here. The elegantly restored Victorian style mansion has a timeless atmosphere that truly does complement every bride.

Where do you find inspiration?  Every couple that walks in the door has a story about how they met and what inspires them. That in itself inspires me to bring their special qualities out in them and to make their dreams come to life on their special day — with the help of my vendors and staff, of course. Sequoia knows how to make everyone feel welcome and I know every couple deserves that. Their wedding day should be the happiest and most memorable day of their lives.

When you opened shop, what was your promise to your customers?  At Sequoia we care about each couple as if they were our own family. We strive to give that little extra customer service so the bride and groom can rest easy. Our promise is to provide excellent value and the highest level of service. Sequoia couples should have no worries but to simply enjoy each other and their guests. Sequoia is “More than Just a Restaurant.”

Do you have any hidden talents?  I used to be a wedding singer. Don’t tell anyone!

What color(s) gives you the most joy?  This month Bright Yellow * The most joyful colors are always changing, creating joy by following the seasons and the trends.

What song is the soundtrack to your business day (or at least to how you feel right now)?  “As I Am” by Alicia Keys

What is your favorite flower?  I love those stunning turquoise blue orchids that pop up now and again in a bouquet. I think orchids are a flower that offers such an amazing array of colors.

Do you regularly blog?  What’s your blog site. sequoiaplacerville.com. Sequoia is working on a new Blog that will be finished soon. Sequoiaweddings.com. Until that’s ready you can find me on Facebook.

What’s your favorite local restaurant?  Sequoia  

What’s your favorite local charity?  Boys and Girls Club and supporting our troops!What is your favorite fun thing to do locally?  Hiking along the rivers, disc golf, shopping and restaurant hopping.

Do you have secret vice or indulgence? What is it?  Singing in the shower…I installed speakers.

What are you most grateful for in life?  My family, friends and my health.

If you were to plan your own wedding, or re-do your wedding, what elements would be most important to you?  I would keep it small and plan for perfection by hiring other vendors to help me. Then whatever happens on that day is part of my adventure — I would plan to enjoy myself and my husband every moment and not worry about the details….not for one second.

What advice would you can give to brides and grooms getting married today?  Advice that I can give a couple is that the wedding day is about creating a moment in time to share all the love between each other and with the most important people in their life.

Find out more about Tawnia and the folks at Sequoia online or by calling them at 530-622-5222.

Photo of Sequoia courtesy of Sequoia. All other photos by Studio 3 Weddings.

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Today, we highlight the uber-chic and fabulously wonderful Aimee Wendell of 2Chic Events & Design. Aimee has such an gifted eye for detail — her beautiful work speaks for itself!

Take it away Aimee! 

2Chic Events & Design

Tell us a little about your company?  2Chic is a Sacramento-based wedding planning and design company. We offer a wide variety of wedding planning services ranging from a la carte items {to give you that little boost you need} to full-service wedding planning and design.

When did you establish your business?  We have over 15 years of experience planning events, and our company was established in 2008.

What sets you apart from your competition?  The thing that really sets us apart from out competition is our accessibility to our clients. We are very hands-on and spend a lot of time getting to know our couples. That, along with our organizational and design skills, really set us apart. We not only like things pretty, but also organized and on time.

Where do you find inspiration?  I find my inspiration in my couples. I like for each wedding to be unique, truly personalized and unlike anything else that has ever been seen. I do keep up on trends and what’s current by researching the web and magazines {like a maniac} but when it comes down to it, I work off of a visual that I create based on my couple’s personalities, color scheme and the overall feeling that they are going for.

When you opened shop, what was your promise to your customers?  The first line of my company mission statement, which is a very personal statement of mine, is this: “I want to make every couple feel like my only couple.” At times is gets tough, but I almost always answer my phone when clients call. I respond to emails within 24 hours at most, and I typically go above and beyond what I promise my clients. I also work very hard to present my clients with realistic solutions. What they envision might not be feasible for their budget or might look flat out tacky. I’m pretty honest if I think something won’t work – but there’s always a solution that is a great compromise!

Do you have any hidden talents?  Ha ha! Yes, I can safely carry the top tier of a wedding cake through a dance floor filled with 150 drunk people, in high heels. Now that’s talent!  (Editor’s note — yeah, we agree — that’s a huge talent!)

What trend do you see coming in weddings?  Well, at the beginning of the year, we were seeing a lot of purples and some teals – really rich jewel tones but I am seeing a sudden turn towards lace, ivory and white palettes with accents of a deep color, like aubergine. I think that the romantic feel is coming back strong and is going to be huge 2011.

Do you regularly blog? What’s your blog site?  I am a blogging fool! My blog site can be found at sacramentoweddingplanning.com/blog

What’s your favorite local restaurant?  I love Bandera and also have a soft spot for Scott’s Seafood. They both have great wine lists and, to be quite honest, I love a good steak now and then and they both hit the spot for that craving!

What’s your favorite local charity?  I’m a big supporter of all charities for the children. I regularly donate to St. Jude’s and also donated to the St. Baldrick’s event this year in support of Real Weddings’own Wendy Sipple (Editor’s note — thank you thank you thank you!).  I’m currently growing some seriously long hair so that I can donate to Locks of Love myself.

What is your favorite fun thing to do locally?  We are lake lovers. We spend about 1-2 afternoons a week on our boat at the lake in the summer. I love to wakeboard, too {although I’m not going to lie and say my skills would impress anyone!}.

Do you have secret vice or indulgence? What is it?  Shoes, MAC makeup and chocolate. I’m pretty sure I could survive on an island with just those three things!

What are you most grateful for in life?  My family, for sure. I also feel very blessed to have such a successful business. My parents instilled an incredible work ethic in me, and I am constantly working towards improving myself and my business. I’m thankful for that drive inside me!

If you were to plan your own wedding, or re-do your wedding, what elements would be most important to you?  I’d kiss my husband for longer and have more private moments of our own. The rest is just all fun. Those moments are the memories that last forever.

What advice would you can give to brides and grooms getting married today?  1. Have a plan – a real, true solid plan that includes a budget, a timeline and list of priorities. 2. Don’t EVER let it be about what anyone else thinks is right for you on your wedding day just to avoid conflict. This is about you and no one else. 3. Enjoy it. Make time in the planning process to have fun. Make your food tasting a date – get dressed up and bring a bottle of wine. And on the day of the wedding, steal away moments together to really feel the emotions of the day and the true meaning of it all.

Anything else you’d like to share with Real Weddings Magazine’s brides?  Oh gosh, I could go on forever! I’ll leave off with a few quick tips: Don’t skimp on photography and videography. It’s all you have when the wedding is over. And, lastly, make sure to take a honeymoon. Post-wedding depression really does exist! The best way to avoid it is to come off of the “wedding day high” very slowly during your honeymoon.

To find out more about Aimee and 2Chic Events & Design, visit her Web site or call her at 916-390-7586.

Photo of Aimee courtesy of Allison Stahl Photography and wedding photos courtesy of Stout Photography.

Visit Real Weddings Magazine * Visit Style Media Group * Contact Real Weddings Sacramento Magazine * Visit 2ClicksToSave

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Today, we highlight the crazily-talented Travis Hoehne of Travis Hoehne Photography. Not only is he a fabulous photographer, but he’s really funny and just an all-around nice guy!

Take it away Travis!

Travis Hoehne Photography

Tell us a little about your company?   I started my company about four years ago and have been loving it ever since!  I specialize in “fun, fashion forward photojournalism” which is just a fancy way of saying I like to rock the socks off of each wedding I do.  I have traveled all over the world shooting weddings and there’s pretty much no place on earth I won’t travel to, well except Bakersfield ;)  I absolutely love what I do and hopefully that shows in my work.

What sets you apart from your competition?   Well, I don’t really view other photographers as “competition,” they are more like colleagues.  There are a ton of photographers out there today, and I think my clients are looking for more than just a photographer – they are looking for a great experience and photos that match that experience.  They don’t just want to have their picture taken, they want to make memories and have a kick ass time doing it.  I think I provide that service for them.

Where do you find inspiration?  Lots of magazines, movies, my crazy brain and the couple themselves.  I try to play off the couple and have them play off of me as best I can.

When you opened shop, what was your promise to your customers?   Honesty!

Do you have any hidden talents?   YES, but they are hidden.

What trend do you see coming?   Bow ties and big hair.

Do you regularly blog? If so, what’s your blog site?  Yes, I try to.  http://travishoehne.blogspot.com

What’s your favorite local restaurant?  Yeah, picking just one is not going to happen.  Mikuni, Crush 29, Fat’s, Chicago Fire Pizza, Chipotle, My friend Jason’s grandma’s pancakes (I know, not a restaurant, but good Lord they are amazing!), samples at Costco, and lastly Restaurant de Hoehne aka my wife’s home cook’n!!! 

What’s your favorite local charity?   Twin Lakes Food Bank

What is your favorite fun thing to do locally?  Play’n with my kids…they are the coolest kids on the planet.  

Do you have a secret vice or indulgence? What is it?  It wouldn’t be much of a secret if I told you what it was now would it, but no, I don’t.

What are you most grateful for in life?   My faith and my family.

If you were to plan your own wedding, or re-do your wedding, what elements would be most important to you?  PHOTOS!!!  Not because I am a photographer, but because let’s just say our wedding photos don’t really fit our style.  I got married before I was a photographer so we didn’t realize how important your wedding photos really are.  I wish I would have put way more of our budget into our photos, because they are the only thing we have left!

What advice would you can give to brides and grooms getting married today?  MAKE SURE YOU HIRE A PHOTOGRAPHER THAT YOU LOVE!!!  Both in their style and personality.  And for goodness sakes have fun on your wedding day.  Oh, and do a first look, seriously, do a first look!!!

Anything else you’d like to share with Real Weddings Magazine’s brides?  Please buy really cool shoes, preferably not white ones!

To find out more about Travis Hoehne Photography, visit Travis Hoehne online and don’t miss Travis’s blog!

Photos courtesy of Travis Hoehne Photography.

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Today, we highlight the delightfully wonderful Carissa Jones from Sugar and Spice Specialty Desserts. Frankly, the word YUM just doesn’t quite cover it with Carissa’s creations — they’re just aren’t enough superlatives available to use to accurately reflect the tastiness of her desserts. From wedding cakes to dessert bars, Carissa’s desserts are delish!

Take it away Carissa!

Sugar and Spice Specialty Desserts

Tell us a little about your company?  Dessert is the last, best, and frequently most talked about part of the meal, why not make it a WOW!? We love making dessert bars that work as a centerpiece for events ranging from weddings to corporate. We not only design a beautiful display that coordinates with your event, but we also make everything from scratch and based on the flavors and desserts that YOU like… no menu here, just lots of creativity and flexibility!

When did you establish your business?  We started out extremely slowly, in 2005, and after a couple of mis-starts we started picking up steam in 2008 with the creation of our Web site. (Keep an eye on us… we’ve got all sorts of excitement on the horizon!)

What sets you apart from your competition?  Yes, we make cakes (wedding, birthday, sculpted and otherwise), but what we REALLY LOVE to make are all things mini. That is a huge differentiating factor, but another one is that our founder Carissa Jones didn’t start as a cake decorator (even though she’s amazing with the frosting!), she started out as a pastry chef. Everything is about the flavor… and not necessarily her favorites, it’s all about YOU and YOUR favorites!

Where do you find inspiration?  EVERYWHERE! We know, everyone says this, but we always ask our clients to bring in paint swatches, pictures of their venue, invitations, logos or other details that can help provide inspiration. We also find it’s important to talk to our clients. You never know where inspiration may come from and we’ve had some fun results based on a off hand comment. (A perfect example is a client who loves sorbet and all things from their childhood. One of the desserts we’ll be serving at their wedding will be lemon-blueberry push-up pops. How cool is that!)

When you opened shop, what was your promise to your customers?  … and it still is! “Desserts as unique and special as you and your event.”

Do you have any hidden talents?  hmmm, I’m a wiz at research. Any topic!

Photo by True Love Photo.

What trend do you see more and more of? ummm, dessert bars! (of course!) In all seriousness, my clients are just discovering that they don’t have to have a cake to make their event amazing. Trends in cakes, fondant is out. Buttercream is queen! Fondant decorations are still being used, but more as accents.

Do you regularly blog? What’s your blog site?  You betcha! Blogging is like an ongoing conversation with our clients. We’re able to update the blog so much more than the site, and it’s a more comfortable, and at times, more personal view into the business. Find our blog through our Web site: SugarAndSpice.me.

Photo by StellaSweet Photography.

What’s your favorite local restaurant?  Sequoia in Placerville. The wine selection is great and the food is solid with crazy (dramatic!) old school menu options like Steak Dianne!

What’s your favorite local charity?  Jr. Chef Central

What is your favorite fun thing to do locally?  Kayaking on Lake Natoma, wine tasting with my husband… El Dorado Foothills, Amador, Napa, Santa Barbara… we love it all

Do you have secret vice or indulgence? What is it?  ooohhh, sigh, cheese. Heaven on earth is made of gone off milk and bugs. I love it, cow, goat, sheep, water buffalo, it’s all good… even when it’s bad, it’s still good. Runny, bleu, hard… mmmmm, give me a good French loaf and a bottle of wine and don’t ask to share.

What are you most grateful for in life?  My family (and this absolutely includes my husband!). I work long hours, nights, weekends and holidays and not only do the just roll with it, but they are always supportive and encouraging. Actually, my Dad and husband can’t wait to quit their day jobs and come work for me! (Can you say delivery driver, counter help and dishwasher?)

If you were to plan your own wedding, or re-do your wedding, what elements would be most important to you?  I was an “encore” bride just a couple of years agoand for us (and we’d do it again!) it was all about the food and wine. That being said, I did an event last year with Anna Hernandez of Whitebird Ceremonial Dove Releases and I SOOOO wish we’d incorporated the doves into our ceremony. It was so moving I almost cried… that hasn’t happened since the last amazing piece of cheese I ate!

What advice would you can give to brides and grooms getting married today?  Sort out your priorities and pare down your guest list. You can do amazing, crazy details when you have 50 guests that just are out of the question when you have 150.

Anything else you’d like to share with Real Weddings Magazine’s brides?  A new trend that I’m seeing that is helpful in keeping your vision on track (and defining your style) is to create an inspiration board. It’s a great way to have pictures of what you like in one place so your vendors can get an immediate feel for your vision and aesthetic.

Above photos by Sarah Maren Photography. Dessert signs by Stephanie J Designs .

Find out more about Carissa on her Web site: SugarAndSpice.me. Call her at 916-952-5253.

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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!

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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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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This week, we highlight the incomparable Sarah Maren Whitehead from Sarah Maren Photography. We’ve been fortunate to work with this amazingly talented woman and her team on several occasions, and she always makes it seem more like a day of fun, than a day of work and that, in and of itself, is a gift! 

And, congrats to Sarah and her wonderful husband Dustin on the arrival of their newest little one, Ben. He joins big sister Lauren in the Whitehead household!  The little guy arrived just last week! We cannot wait to see photos of little baby Ben!

Want to know more about Lauren and Ben’s mommy? Read on…

Sarah Maren Photography

Specialty:  Weddings and Portraits with style

When did you establish your business? Shot my first wedding at 18 in 1997, went full time in 2005.

What sets you apart from your competition?  I have REALLY cute hair… really… it’s taken almost 30 years to find the right hairstyle… and now I have! It makes me a better photographer!

Where do you find inspiration?  Everywhere! I actually find more inspiration from art forms other than photography. Having a degree in Art History, I’ve had to look at A LOT of art over the years and I find so much energy and inspiration from the art that is out there. I’m also deeply inspired by my couples and their own personal love stories. I’ve never had two that were exactly the same, which is why we’ve never photographed one couple like another. It’s different and beautiful in a new way every time.

When you opened shop, what was your promise to your customers?  To be there as a witness. That to me is the most important part of my job, to witness something so profound as two people merging their lives in front of their family and friends. The images we create with our clients become their memories, and that has always had a very profound effect on the way I photograph a wedding.

Do you have any hidden talents?  I LOVE to cook! My family are often guinea pigs, but hearing my three year old say, “Mama! You make the best dinners ever!” makes me feel like a good mom. :)

What color(s) gives you the most joy?  Pinks and purples are the colors I tend to personally gravitate toward… they just speak to me.

What song is the soundtrack to your business day (or at least to how you feel right now)?  “Don’t Stop Thinkin’ About Tomorrow” by Fleetwood Mac. Seriously, sometimes it is REALLY easy to get caught up on everything that is happening AT THIS SECOND, but tomorrow is another day and you have to keep focused on the good stuff, not the rubbish.

Cake, Cupcakes or Cookies?  Cupcakes for sure! I mean, I have a TATTOO of a cupcake on my foot for the love!

Facebook, Myspace, LinkedIn or Twitter?  Facebook and Twitter. I have accounts for Myspace and Linkedin, I just never use them. I prefer the ease of FB and Twitter. :)

What is your favorite flower?  I love dahlias and gladiolas.

Do you regularly blog? What’s your blog site?  My website (sarahmaren.com) IS a blog! To me it makes more sense as a photographer to show my clients what we JUST shot instead of something we shot months or years ago. My photography evolves all the time, and I love having my clients participate in that evolution as it’s happening.

Where is your favorite place to travel?  My sister and I went to NYC for the first time last year for a shoot and I LOVED IT! I honestly miss a city I spent 3 nights in. But there is just something so magic about New York. I can’t wait to get back.

What’s your favorite local restaurant?  We adore Crush 29 in Roseville. Their mushroom risotto is something I have dreams about!

What’s your favorite local charity?  We are big supporters of the arts programs in our local schools. We do everything we can to support an ongoing art education for children. I mean, where would I be if I hadn’t had access to a camera and teachers who were excited about my drive to create images?

If you weren’t in the wedding industry, what would you be doing?  I would probably be a fine art photographer or teacher of some kind. When I was in college the whole goal I had for myself was to teach Intro to Art classes at Jr. College. I think it’s something I still might end up doing someday.

What three things are you most grateful for in life?  My wonderful, amazing and so handsome husband Dustin, our wonderful little family we have made, and the ability to do what I love EVERY SINGLE DAY!

If you were to plan your own wedding, or re-do your wedding, what element would be most important to you? Obviously, it would be the photography. We didn’t have the best experience with our wedding photographer and it totally changed the way I work a wedding, the product I deliver to my client and the experience I want them to have. I want our clients to feel like their friends Sarah and Dustin are coming to their wedding, not their photographers who don’t care about them.

What is the best advice you can give to brides and grooms getting married today?  Spend your money where it MATTERS! No one will have that favor you put on their plates in 10 years, but they will have that picture of you on your wedding day.

Anything else you’d like to share with Real Weddings Magazine’s brides?  Remember to HAVE FUN on your wedding day! Surround yourself with vendors you love, and really take your wedding in. I remember standing in the middle of our wedding and thinking WOW! We did this! This is our wedding. Make sure you have a moment where you can just take it all in!

Find out more about Sarah for yourself. Call her at 916-335-4358 or visit her Web site at sarahmaren.com. Also, check out her profile on Real Weddings Magazine!

And, be sure to check out her featured real weddings on our web site and in the most recent issue of Real Weddings Magazine!

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