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.

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

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Here are the details:

When: TODAY, Saturday, February 4, 2012

Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Location: Crown Plaza Hotel in Sacramento

Cost: General Admission is $12 at the door.

And, of course we’ll be there handing out complimentary copies of Real Weddings Magazine, our new wedding planning magazine The Bride’s Guide, along with our awesome (and reusable!) Real Weddings Magazine bags!

PLUS, ENTER TO WIN A $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO SERENITY SPA AT OUR BOOTH AT THIS EVENT!

Hope to see you there!

Photo courtesy of My Bridal Sale.

Here are the details:

When: TOMORROW, February 4, 2012

Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Location: Crown Plaza Hotel in Sacramento

Cost: General Admission is $12 at the door, $10 online, or FREE if you pre-register online as a Real Weddings Magazine guest! Note: Complimentary tickets must be obtained online only. Bride’s cannot obtain complimentary admission at the door.

To register: Please be our guest!

Simply go to MyBridalSaleFeb4.eventbrite.com and enter your discount code: RWMAGAZINE

And, of course we’ll be there handing out complimentary copies of Real Weddings Magazine, along with our awesome (and reusable!) Real Weddings Magazine bags!

PLUS, ENTER TO WIN A $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO SERENITY SPA AT OUR BOOTH AT THIS EVENT!

Hope to see you there!

Photo courtesy of My Bridal Sale.

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.

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

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

Event details:

When: Today, Sunday, January 29, 2012

Time: 3-6 p.m.

Where: NEW LOCATION:  Elk Grove Event Center. 8434 Bradshaw Road in Elk Grove

Cost: FREE admission, so just come on by!

What You’ll Experience: Start planning your stress free wedding at “the best little bridal show.”

For more information, log on to elkgrovebridalshow.com.

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 PAUL MARTIN’S AMERICAN 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:

 

Event details:

When: Sunday, January 29, 2012

Time: 3-6 p.m.

Where: NOTE THE NEW LOCATION:  Elk Grove Event Center. 8434 Bradshaw Road in Elk Grove

Cost: FREE admission, and be sure to pre-register for FREE pre-printed labels!

What You’ll Experience: Start planning your stress free wedding at “the best little bridal show.”

For more information, log on to elkgrovebridalshow.com.

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 PAUL MARTIN’S AMERICAN 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:

 

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.

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

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

This week we highlight the beautiful Fearon DeWeese of Fearon May Events and Engaged Now What?. Fearon is one busy girl! Not only does she run two great businesses, she’s the mastermind and coordinator behind the annual Lavish and Fabulous event! Take it away, Fearon…

Fearon May Events

Tell us a little about your company?  Fearon May Events is an event planning and wedding design company.

When did you establish your business?  May 2010 but I have been in the wedding industry for over 11 years.

What sets you apart from your competition?  We create weddings that are personal and designed to fit the bride and groom’s personality, interest and style.

Where do you find inspiration?  I love Pinterest and I also find inspiration, believe it or not, from wandering around Home Goods.

What trend do you see coming for weddings this year?  A big trend I see this year is creative menus. I think more brides and grooms are moving away from the traditional beef and chicken to food stations, tacos and hamburgers especially from food trucks. I also see a creativeness with desserts such as gourmet popsicles and pushup cake pops.

Do you regularly blog? If so, what’s your blog site?  I blog with really important stuff, not so much everyday. You can read my blog here.

Do you Facebook?  Yes, you can ”like” me on Facebook here.

What’s your favorite local restaurant?  I love Jack’s Urban Eats.

What’s your favorite local charity?  I am doing an event for 1st Touch Foundation & The Athlete’s Closet. It’s a great organization.

What is your favorite fun thing to do locally?  I love to get drinks with friends. I am a socialite and love to meet and mingle with other wedding professionals.

What are you most grateful for in life?  I am very grateful for a loving husband that is very supportive of everything that I do and is always there for me.

What advice would you can give to brides and grooms getting married today?  Get a videographer!!!! The day goes by so fast and at the end of the day all you have left are your wedding pictures. Most couples don’t think of a videographer as something they HAVE to have and decide not to have it. Every bride and groom that I know who did not have a videographer regret it so much. Pictures are wonderful but they only capture a moment. Video you actually get to hear the words, music and experience of you wedding day. Here your father’s speech, watch your first dance, and relive the event of your life over and over. My husband and I watch our wedding video every year on our anniversary.

Find out more about Fearon DeWeese, her businesses and upcoming events by visiting her Web site, Blog, and Facebook Page!

Photos Credits in order of appearance: ”Spanish Eyes” photos courtesy of Eye Connoisseur Photography, “All you need is Love” photos courtesy of Carmen Salazar Photography, “Urban Cowboy” photos courtesy of Christopher Kight Photographers, “Heavy Metal” photos courtesy of XSiGHT Photography & Video, “Moulin Rouge” photos courtesy of Sharpe Photographers, “Havana Nights” and “Walk Down the Aisle” photos courtesy of Shoop’s Photography.

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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.

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

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

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!

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

Your email: