Posts Tagged ‘Real Weddings Magazine Partner Profiles’

Welcome back to another installment of Real Weddings Magazine’s Partner Profiles!

This week, we highlight one of the coolest and funniest (not to mention knowledgeable!) women we know…Darcie Swedelson from A Dazzling Day by Darcie. Take it away Miss Darcie!

A Dazzling Day…by Darcie, Wedding Planner

Specialty? The Dazzle in the details of planning the personality of a couple new beginnings

When did you establish your business? Long, long ago in my mind… I knew I wanted to plan events, and holidays were a way to achieve that even at a young age…so I evolved into a walking party with a plan!

What sets you apart from your competition? The personality is always the biggest difference… but experience in an industry with the lessons of the behind the scenes experience.

Where do you find inspiration? in colors and textures. Nature is my favorite and flowers are the jewels of my imagination.

When you opened shop, what was your promise to your customers? Imagination in details, details and clean laundry.

Do you have any hidden talents? No, they are all pretty much exposed to the world!… no secrets here.

What color(s) gives you the most joy?  Purple has always been my favorite color…even when I was in my teens… SO glad it is the new, trendy color this season for weddings!

What song is the soundtrack to your business day (or at least to how you feel right now)? TOO many… but I love Beyonce and Boogie Shoes by KC and the Sunshine band!

Cake, Cupcakes or Cookies?  all of the above I do not discriminate against sweets…

What is your favorite flower? I love every flower… but my longest favorite is the gladiola. They bring back a lot of childhood memories.

Do you regularly blog? What’s your blog site?  NOT yet.. shhhhhh.

Where is your favorite place to travel?  Everywhere… I love to get in and go. Then I can’t wait to get home!

If you weren’t in the wedding industry, what would you be doing?  Well, I owned a florist…and I owned a wedding publication. So even selling advertising and being a florist, I still worked with wedding pros and brides. It certainly would not be a CHEF!

What three things are you most grateful for in life?  Learning to be thankful at a very young age. Learning to love myself finally. And, of course the people that love me!

If you were to plan your own wedding, or re-do your wedding, what element would be most important to you? ME! and GLEN!

What is the best advice you can give to brides and grooms getting married today? Plan your priorities together… not on the spot with a wedding professional!

Find out more about Darcie for yourself. Call her at 530-676-3796 or visit her Web site at adazzlingday.com. Also, check out her profile on Real Weddings Magazine!

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Welcome back to another installment of Real Weddings Magazine’s Partner Profiles!

This week, we highlight one very cool chic, Jackie Willard from Jacqueline Photography. Over the past few years, we’ve been lucky enough to feature some of this extremely talented photographer’s work in the pages of Real Weddings Magazine! And now, you’ll get to know her and her work a little bit better too. Take it away Miss Jackie!

Jacqueline Photography

When did you establish your business?  2006

What sets you apart from your competition?  My friendly and goofy personality and my modern style.

Where do you find inspiration?  From love. I love photographing couples in love, they inspire me to capture their emotions in a natural, romantic way.

When you opened shop, what was your promise to your customers?  Quality and a friendly experience

Do you have any hidden talents?  Well if I told you it wouldn’t be hidden anymore.

What color gives you the most joy?  Blue

What song is the soundtrack to your business day (or at least to how you feel right now)?  Jack Johnson “Better Together”

Cake, Cupcakes or Cookies?  Cookies for sure!

What is your favorite flower?  Hibiscus

Do you regularly blog? If so, what’s your blog site? I try to blog as much as possible. www.jacquelinephotographyblog.net

Where is your favorite place to travel? Anywhere away from home!  But if I had to choose I’d say either Lake Tahoe for snowboarding or Hawaii

What’s your favorite local restaurant?  Cheesecake Factory…cheesecake makes everything better!

What’s your favorite local charity?  SPCA, I have the biggest soft spot for animals and would adopt them all if my husband would let me!

If you weren’t in the wedding industry, what would you be doing?  Most likely something that has to do with savings animals.

What three things are you most grateful for in life?  My family, my husband and my friends. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am today.

If you were to plan your own wedding, or re-do your wedding, what element would be most important to you?  The photography OF COURSE!

What is the best advice you can give to brides and grooms getting married today?  The day is all about you, so don’t let anyone discourage you from doing what you want and don’t be afraid to steer away from tradition and incorporate your own personality into your wedding.

Anything else you’d like to share with Real Weddings Magazine’s brides?  Hire a professional photographer! You may have friends who are amateurs that offer to photograph your wedding, but please do yourself a favor and hire a professional. You will be so glad you did!

Find out more about Jackie and Jacqueline Photography for yourself. Call her at 916-390-2228 or visit her Web site at jacquelinephotography.net. Also, check out her profile on Real Weddings Magazine!

And, be sure to check out her currently featured real weddings from Real Weddings Magazine:

Jennifer & James – from the Summer/Fall 2010 Real Weddings Magazine

Danielle & Jesse – from the Summer/Fall 2010 Real Weddings Magazine

And even more can be found at Real Weddings Magazine’s Web site!

All photos by Jacqueline Photography.

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Welcome back to another installment of Real Weddings Magazine’s Partner Profiles!

This week, we have feature Kevin & Kami Arnold from Arnolds for Awards.  (And they’re not just for awards you know! Have you seen the cool stuff that they have? If you’re in need of favors or gifts for your attendants, Arnolds for Awards can help!)  Take it away guys!

Arnolds for Awards

Tell us a little about your company?  We are a family owned and operated business located in the foothills of the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains.

When did you establish your business?  1970

What sets you apart from your competition?  Arnolds for Awards prides itself on providing the best customer service. We realize every project has a deadline and while a lot of them seem to have unrealistic timelines, we do whatever we can to meet and hopefully exceed all expectations the client may have.

Where do you find inspiration?  We find inspiration from our clients on a daily basis. Everyone that walks through our door is coming in for a positive reason. Whether they are rewarding someone for doing something well, beginning a new chapter of their life or welcoming a new life to their family.

When you opened shop, what was your promise to your customers?  Provide a superior product at a reasonable price and deliver on time.

Do you have any hidden talents?  Arnolds for Awards has many hidden talents;  ee can personalize just about anything…from a stainless steel flask to the most delicate crystal flute in our facility. We also offer the large quantity creative event favors for weddings, retirements and anniversary party attendees for any budget and theme.

What trend do you see coming in 2010?  On a business level, I see the trend of streamlining being an overall theme. Business owners are developing their marketing plans and sticking to them.  As for weddings, I think the theme is going to be “biggest bang for your buck.” For years this industry has been about indulgence and while a wedding day is still one of the most important days of the couple lives together, it will also be one of realistic means. Brides and grooms are very well educated when it comes to wedding plans and I think, just like a small business owners facing the challenging economy, they may approach their event as a “Need versus a Want” mentality. Couples are going to be more streamlined and methodical about the planning and expenses for their special day.

Do you regularly blog? What’s your blog site?  We don’t regularly blog, but we would like to.

What’s your favorite local restaurant?  Café Luna in Placerville. It is quaint and friendly and the menu changes monthly. Café Luna offers a great value to the customers. Wino Wednesday is the best.

What’s your favorite local charity or charities?  Marshall Foundation, El Dorado County Western Slope Boys and Girls Club and Rubicon Trail Foundation

What is your favorite fun thing to do locally?  Jeeping and camping in the Sierra during the summer. We are very lucky to have such a beautiful place right in our back yard.

What are you most grateful for in life?  Health and Happiness. As we get older, it becomes more apparent that health and true happiness are things that we never put too much thought into. Then again, maybe it is wisdom that is something that we should be most grateful for…

If you were to plan your own wedding, or re-do your wedding, what elements would be most important to you?  In retrospect, if I were to do it all over again, the most important element would be the people attending the wedding. I would make sure that the most important people in my life were there. Next on the list would be thanking those that participated; attendants, family, and those other individual that made the special day “Our Day.”

What advice would you can give to brides and grooms getting married today?  Breathe. This day does not define who you are. Be realistic and open to alternatives should any last minute changes need to be made.

Anything else you’d like to share with Real Weddings Magazine’s brides?  Your wedding day should be enjoyable to you especially as well as your guests, don’t get so caught up in the details. If something doesn’t go exactly the way you had pictured in your mind, don’t let it ruin your special day.

Find out more about Arnolds for Awards for yourself. Visit them at 3971 Durock Road in Shingle Springs, or call them at 530-677-0623 or visit their Web site at arnoldsawards.com.

Photo of Kevin and Kami by Dante Fontana, copyright Style Media Group.

Product photos courtesy of Arnolds for Awards.

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Welcome back to another installment of Real Weddings Magazine’s Partner Profiles!

This week, we have feature the talented Carol Cardinale-Ruiz of Bellissimo On Location Bridal Hair and Make Up. Take it away Carol!

Bellissimo On location Bridal Hair and Make Up

Tell us a little about your company?  Bellissimo is a group of award-winning hair and make up artists. Together we have won over 125 national and international awards. We specialize in creating looks that are unique and specific for our brides’ needs. We work throughout California.

When did you establish your business?  We established our business in 1999.

What sets you apart from your competition?  Bellissimo strives to create and keep up with the current trends through advanced education, product and trend release shows as well as continual international training. We are always looking for new talent and striving to be the best. Our work is soft not harsh. We listen to our bride and try to connect with her specific style. We do not have a problem listening. That is the key to a successful consultation.

Where do you find inspiration?  Industry shows, trend releases as well as many connections withfriends in the Fashion Industry. Also, I love the looks of Claire Pettibone, a former hair client.

When you opened shop, what was your promise to your customers?  To always meet their needs through a successful consultation!

Do you have any hidden talents?  We love to create AVANTE GUARDE LOOKS!!

What trend do you see coming in 2010?  Very classic Silver Screen with a softer bend. Also Asian-inspired looks.

Photo courtesy of Camie Lynn Photography.

Photo courtesy of Michael Kitada.

Photo courtesy of Preciado Photography.

Do you regularly blog?  If so, what’s your blog site?   Yes, check out:  onlocationbrides.blogspot.com

What’s your favorite local restaurant?  Zocalo

What’s your favorite local charity?  Hand4Hope, hands4hopeyouth.org

What is your favorite fun thing to do locally?  Go to see the Sacramento Ballet.

Do you have secret vice or indulgence?  What is it?  Creating wild and crazy looks and having photographer friends shoot them. I call these sanity shoots!

What are you most grateful for in life?  My children and the ability to work in a field I love. My passion is creating a beautiful total look! All women are beautiful. It is my job to bring out the best! And create a look that is uniquely them. I love my job!

If you were to plan your own wedding, or re-do your wedding, what elements would be most important to you?  I feel the bride’s look is the most important thing — all eyes are on her! Hair and make up is the service the bride spends the least on, she should NEVER bargain hunt! She will look at her pictures for the rest of her life. Does she want to see a less than perfect look? I think not. Carefully choose your stylist — make sure they are calm. Is their work soft? Do you have examples to choose from? This is very important. All else will fall into place if you look good!

What advice would you can give to brides and grooms getting married today?  Enjoy your planning! Do not let it be for anyone but you! It is your day. Your family and friends love you, whatever you do, if you are happy with the results everyone else will be as well.

 Find out more about Carol at Bellissimo’s Web site!

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Welcome back to another installment of Real Weddings Magazine’s Partner Profiles!

This week, we have feature David and Christie Posey from Lexigraphics Photography. Not only is this couple extremely talented, they’re also two of the most respectful and kind people I know. Now, you can get to know them!  Take it away guys!

Lexigraphics Photography

Specialty?   Wedding Photography

When did you establish your business?  2000

What sets you apart from your competition?  We are a husband and wife team, married 40 years (but we’re not that old!). So it’s not just one photographer and an assistant (“second shooter”) but a real synergy of soul-mates who have worked together on literally hundreds of weddings. Our experience, not only in photography, but in love and marriage give us an edge, an eye for what matters and a feel for romance. We take an unobtrusive approach. We do not become part of the wedding by injecting ourselves into every scene.

Where do you find inspiration?  You might expect us to say “other photographers,” and that’s true to some extent. But real inspiration comes from our couples when they describe their hopes and dreams for their wedding. We don’t use a “cookie-cutter” approach; we aim to fashion our wedding coverage to fit the unique needs of each couple.

When you opened shop, what was your promise to your customers?  To tell the story of their wedding in great images, and do it unobtrusively but completely.

Do you have any hidden talents?  Christie is a seamstress, a designer, a great cook and has a host of other talents. She has repaired torn wedding dresses, calmed the nerves of brides, entertained children, pinned boutonnieres on groomsmen, cleaned stains from clothes, fixed fallen cakes. She’s really amazing.

Facebook, Myspace, LinkedIn or Twitter?  Facebook.

Do you regularly blog? If so, what’s your blog site?   www.davidandchristie.com

Where is your favorite place to travel?   To Connecticut, to see our four grandkids.

What’s your favorite local restaurant?  Centro in midtown Sacramento.

What’s your favorite local charity?Susan G. Komen for the Cure

If you weren’t in the wedding industry, what would you be doing?  Graphic design, teaching.

What three things are you most grateful for in life?  Grandkids, grandkids, grandkids!

If you were to plan your own wedding, or re-do your wedding, what element would be most important to you?  The people — the wedding party and family.

What is the best advice you can give to brides and grooms getting married today?  As important as the wedding day is, remember that the real significance of the day is that you are getting married. Try to relax in the knowledge that no matter what happens during the wedding, at the end of the day, you’ll be husband and wife. That’s what really matters. Choose vendors that make you the point, not themselves. Photographers, videographers, DJs and everyone else involved should be focused on one thing: making your day the best day of your life.

Anything else you’d like to share with Real Weddings Magazine’s brides?  It’s about you, not us.

To find out more about Lexigraphics Photography, visit Lexigraphics online and don’t miss David & Christie’s Blog.

And check out Lexigraphics’ online profile on Real Weddings Magazine’s Web site and be sure to check out their other featured real weddings from Real Weddings Magazine:

Erin & Tim - from the Winter/Spring 2010 Real Weddings Magazine

Erin & Thomas - from the Winter/Spring 2010 Real Weddings Magazine

Alexandra & Jordan – from the Summer/Fall 2009 Real Weddings Magazine

Phuong & Wa La from the Winter/Spring 2009 Real Weddings Magazine

Kara & Robert from the Winter/Spring 2009 Real Weddings Magazine

And more at Real Weddings Magazine’s Web site!

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