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I know, how silly of me! I’m blogging about another blog post I did for someone else’s blog. 
But it’s a good one – all about How to Choose Your Wedding Photographer.
Please take a looksie! You might find your DJ or lighting services for your wedding while you’re there, too. ::grin::
I have to say, when you get a whole bunch of people with amazing creative skills a room to play with, what you get is nothing short of breathtaking. But when you do this at a wedding and event site as gorgeous as Casa Real is ALREADY, well, you get the idea.
Rentals by Hartmann Studios, design and florals by Nicole Ha
Casa Amore is the name of Casa Real’s exclusive vendor showcase, and I’m incredibly honored to have been asked to participate again this year. I love this venue – the food, the staff, the light – it’s a true gem for those wanting a winery experience so close to home.
Each year, they ask their favorite vendors to come and share ideas with their brides and grooms. Lighting, cakes, invitations and escort cards, florals, and even a band and a harpist put days of work into this one special event. As soon as I get my hands on the Grand List, I’ll post them here along with links to their sites. (NOTE: Yay to Casa Real, who just sent me the master list – scroll all the way down.)
Lighting and Gobo design (the patterns) by Fantasy Sound (exclusive ceiling partner - what an honor!), florals by the Flower House, linens by Wildflower Linen, favors and printing by Unveiled Bridal. Also in the Amber Room: Get Your DO Up, who also styled the wandering models for J'aime Bridal, Thomas Hughes Films, Officiant Patrick Doohan, and harpist Krista Strader. Katrina Rozelle showcased some of her stunning cakes, too.
Wanted to share with you some images I took that night in between chats with brides and grooms (and their dads and moms who may have come to scope things out and get vendor referrals). I was running late and didn’t get to capture as much as I wanted, but at least this will give you an idea of what greeted everyone that night!
Band represented by Amos Productions
Cakes, top three from left: Cake Delight, Jen's Cakes, Jen's Cakes. Bottom left: Jen's Cakes Bottom right: Cake Delight and below that, Jen's Cakes.
Top tablescape, draping and chandelier: Nicole Ha Design, Hartmann Studios, and Unveiled Bridal. Left side column: stationery by Cards De Luxe, lighting by Enhanced Lighting (another exclusive lighting partner), and rentals and linens by Pleasanton Rentals. Middle column: stationery and favors by Unveiled, tabletop design and rentals Nicole Ha Design and Hartmann Studios. Third row Cards De Luxe, with rentals and linens by Pleasanton Rentals. Bottom trio: invitation by Cards De Luxe, below that, flower design by the Flower House (rentals by Wildflower Linen), and appetizer station by Casa Real.
The Grand List:
ENTRANCE HALL & AMBER ROOM:
[Lighting/Exclusive Ceiling Partner] Fantasy Sound Event Services (website) http://www.fantasysound.com (phone) 800-660-3735
[Florals] The Flower House (website) http://www.theflowerhouse.com (phone) 925-960-1375
[Specialty Linens] Wildflower Linen (website) http://wildflowerlinens.com (phone) 415-282-7727
[Favors/Custom Printing] Unveiled Bridal (website) http://www.unveiledbridal.com (phone) 925-944-0132
[Bakery] Katrina Rozelle Pastries and Desserts (website) http://www.katrinarozelle.com (phone) 925-837-6337
[Harpist] Krista Strader (website) http://www.kristastrader.com (phone) 877-415-4277
[Non-Denominational Officiant] Patrick T. Doohan (phone) 510-581-8876
[Bridal Gowns] J’aime Bridal (website) http://www.jaimeweddings.com (phone) 925-846-8459
[Hair/Make-Up] Get Your Do Up! (website) http://www.getyourdoup.com (phone) 415-425-8259
[Videographer] Thomas Hughes Films (website) http://www.thomashughesvideo.com (phone) 925-586-8532
GRAND SALON FOYER & SUN GARDEN:
[Lighting/Exclusive Ceiling Partner & Rentals] Hartmann Studios (website) http://www.hartmannstudiosrentals.com (phone) 510-232-5030
[Florals/Event Design] Nicole Ha Design (website) http://www.nicoleha.com (phone) 408-421-0388
[Favors/Custom Printing] Unveiled Bridal (website) http://www.unveiledbridal.com (phone) 925-944-0132
[Bakery] Jen’s Cakes (website) http://www.jenscakes.com (phone) 408-293-2253
[Make-Up/Hair] Professional Makeup Artistry (website) http://www.professionalmakeupartistry.com (phone) 925-240-3360
GRAND SALON:
[Lighting/Exclusive Ceiling Partner & Rentals] Enhanced Lighting (website) http://www.enhancedlighting.com (phone) 415-656-1199
[Florals] Delford West Flowers (website) http://www.delfordwestflowers.com (phone) 925-606-8818
[Rentals] Pleasanton Rentals (website) http://www.pleasantonrentals.com (phone) 925-468-0624
[Custom Invitations & Stationery] Cards de Luxe (website) http://www.cardsdeluxe.com (phone) 415-806-8077
[Live Band] Amos Productions (website) http://www.amospro.com (phone) 800-693-5003
[Bakery] Cake Delight (website) http://www.cakedelight.com (phone) 925-373-7786
[Winery] Ruby Hill Winery (website) http://www.rubyhillwinery.net (phone) 925-931-WINE
[Boutique Hotel] Rose Hotel (website) http://www.rosehotel.net (phone) 800-843-9540
[Hotel] Courtyard by Marriott Livermore (website) http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/oaklm-courtyard-livermore/ (phone) 925-243-1000
Heck yes! Okay, granted, I’m a photographer. But the more I see, the more convinced I am that lighting is almost as important as those gorgeous floral arrangements you and your designer worked so darned hard on. And when it comes right down to it (ie brass tacks, mula, etc.), you get more value from lighting design than many of the other things you’ve budgeted.
Even if it’s just uplighting…
Credits for Image One:
Credits for Image Two: designed by Alyssia Jones, Casa Real and lighting by Fantasy Sound Event Services
Credits for Image Three: floral and lighting design by Kren of Bloomster’s.
Credits for Image Four: centerpiece by Nicole Ha, lighting by Fantasy Sound Event Services
How to bring depth and drama to any space
Nicole Ha and Crystal Lequang are on fire. When these two get together, and they bring in resources and talent such as Enhanced Lighting, Wildflower Linen and Unveiled for stationery and accessories…well, all you can do is be awed! The second vendor showcase area at the Palm was certainly a showstopper and highlighted other vendors in the area, such as Cake Delight and an Elegant Touch of Strings, Thomas Hughes Video, J’aime Bridal and stylist Armando with Get Your Do Up. And of course, the FOOD! Yum! Here’s a taste…
Preferred Vendors Amazae Special Events, Nicole Ha, Enhanced Lighting and more show off their talents at the Palm Event Center's Preferred Vendor Showcase
I love Palm Event Center. Love the vines, the barrels, the ambiance, the food. And I love that they love me right back!
I was honored to be part of their preferred vendor showcase, a closed show for brides and grooms scheduled to marry at either the Palm or their sister location, Casa Real. There were three separate areas designed and lit by different teams, specifically to provide inspiration and show off their talents.
The room I was in is the Estate Room, a room ripe for romantic lighting and candles. Fantasy Sound Event Services (lighting design), The Flower House (floral design) and Pleasanton Rentals (tables, linens, tablewear, drapes, etc.) worked together to create a beautiful ceremony site, with gauzy drapes that allowed the barrels to peek through without being too noticable. The “gobo” lighting pattern on the draping and floor really takes your breath away! Jinger from the Flower House also showcased flowers for two tablescapes, with beautiful linens and more from Pleasanton Rentals. Also with me in the room were Jen’s Cakes (have you had their red velvet cake? YUM!), Monina Wright Beauty for styling, and from the kitchen at Palm Event Center, a yummy Kobe Beef slider station, with chips and shakes. It’s a great way to have late night snacks during the dancing.
The Estate Room Vendors
More inspiration from the next room later! Have a great weekend!
Kerry is a goddess. Well, she is to me. She’s the one that introduced me in a roundabout way to Erin & Dom. That was after she told her brother about me, who was marrying Erin’s sister, and after she was in Molly & Robert’s wedding… I’m hoping someday Kerry will hire me, too!
So I realized after I finished Erin & Dom’s post production that I had a bit of time to make them a surprise slideshow. They’re all the way in Dallas now so it’s not like they can come here and see anything on our big screen, right? Then I thought – oh man, did i make a slideshow for her sister Kat and hubby Scott?! I was racing to get the post done before Christmas, and it was just before we headed to the east coast for two weeks…I bet I didn’t! Arg!
So I’m posting a surprise slideshow for the gorgeous Erin and her handsome Dom. And then, I’ll be making and posting one for the equally gorgeous Kat and her also very handsome Scott. :D But what can I post for Kerry? Hmmmm…
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I love my favorite venues. I love them because of great light and scenery. And the catering staff and those in charge treat every guest and every couple as almost part of the family. They go above and beyond in every way. I recommend venues because they’re amazing. I feature them in my studio sample albums and wall portraits and brochures and calendars. Those that don’t make the cut? Well, I don’t say anything bad but I also don’t really mention them.
I’m blessed to have many of these venues love me right back. They go out of their way to recommend me and others they’ve seen in action and whom they know will treat their brides and grooms beautifully. 
When wedding professionals recommend each other, it’s because they KNOW that the bride and groom will be surrounded by the best and that the chances for a great wedding and reception are high. A happy couple is one that has a smooth and on-time experience!
I ask every couple who meets with me – every single one – if they need any recommendations for vendors or, if they haven’t found the venue yet, the venues I love the most. It goes back to my earlier reason – a happy couple is one that’s very well taken care of all throughout the process. So if I know their cake is going to taste as great as it looks, well, their big smiles can only help my coverage.
There is a company that produces event brochures. A great deal for the venue it would appear at first mention, but one that has many negative consequences in the long run.
For those on the preferred list, they now have to PAY to be in the brochure. They must get at least the smallest ad or else they will NOT be listed in the brochure. The brochure that is given out to all prospective brides and grooms, both on paper and in electronic format. The brochure that is only good for one year. The brochure which features tiny ads for close to $1000 each.
So one day, you’re recommended because you’re good. The next, you can’t afford to be on their list.
It’s obvious why it’s bad for the vendors. But it’s even worse for the venue and for the brides and grooms who think they can trust the list. Here’s why – Gorgeous Venue decides to hire the brochure company, who then goes through the list to get “advertisers.” As those who can’t afford the brochure are dropped, only vendors who CAN afford it are listed. These are the big corporate style vendors who make millions by crankin’ them out with no thought to quality and service. Nickle and Dime, Inc.
And the boutiques like me who know the venue and the best light and time of day and those little nooks that other not-as-experienced photographers might overlook, well, we’re now not brought to the attention of potential clients anymore, unless we’re loved enough by the venue to be mentioned in person. And if that’s the case, if no one on the “list” in the brochure is a company or vendor the event staff loves, why bother with the brochure in the first place?
So bride and groom hire crappy vendors and the next thing you know, the Gorgeous Venue has a bunch of really awful reviews. Then no one wants to work there. Or get married there. Or pay to be on their list.
Not good all the way around.
One of my favorite wedding stylists works right next door to me. Not my amazing colorist Christy whom I’ve been going to for three years, but Karen, one of the fastest and dang good hair and makeup artist I’ve had the pleasure to know. Yeah, she’s next door to me in Salon Rache, how cool is that!
Erin's acting headshot and modeling portfolio example
Erin's casual first look, all about approachability! Is that a word?
She introduced me to Erin, a beautiful young woman who will be moving to LA soon and who needed actor headshots, plus a few samples to start her modeling portfolio. It was so much fun! Karen had her first look done within 15 minutes (yes, 15!) and at first, we did the “normal” backdrop/studio combo that every actor needs to have, somewhere. But then we busted out and went outside! To me, a studio can be confining.
Don’t get me wrong, I love having it, but it’s just not my thing. I’d rather shape and mold the light that’s there! It’s SO much fun for me to try to find amazing light rather than just recreate that light. But that’s me – I know a ton of folks that would say I’m a total silly for not loving studio lights.
Close up headshot of Erin
We found killer light, so much so that when it came time to do Erin’s second look, my self-proclaimed cabana boy and super-assistant Don V was having to do something I call “subtractive light” by blocking a bit of side light from her face and create a bit of shadow on her left side. What’dya think?
This winter, we had a HUGE number of albums in the production queue. So many in fact that some of my wonderfully patient couples understood that it would be summer before we could put our full attention on their wedding album retouching and design.
I’m super excited because we now have only a few left – I’ve been a busy girl! And although most of our albums ordered this year are a special Japanese papercraft album which is more like a matted album, I thought I’d share a page or two from some of our more recent flushmount storybook designs.
This one I finished last night and my couple is reviewing as we speak. I want to wait until they approve and then I want to post the whole darn thing. They’re SO cute and crazy in love and the little moments we caught from them so powerful.
from the wedding album for Lauren & Jeff, Casa Real
This one’s from a couple who wanted a very traditional look, almost to the point of looking like a matted album. My personal taste is a ton of color and lots of texture and surprising graphic elements, so I had to tone myself down a bit. It also features a cool shot of Peninsula Golf & Country Club, one of my favorite venues that their planner Kristina Taheri and lighting designer John Woods from Enhanced Lighting just made shine! Floral design was La Lavande and all the sparklies were from Classic Party Rentals. Such a cool place – and a wonderful and fun couple. We’ve just sent their album today to our bookbinder and I’m excited to see the final album!
A page from Cindy & Tim's album, Peninsula Golf & Country Club.
Next is from Amanda & Zech, who recently picked up their album. This layout’s one of the more serious moments in the whole day. Just imagine Zech’s brother halfway through the reception clamping a bowling ball and chain on Zech’s leg and making him do a lap around the Palm Event Center! I already miss these two.
A page from Amanda & Zech's album, Palm Event Center
Casa Real is one of my favorite places to wed, ever. The site is amazing, the light is gorgeous, the food is killer, the staff is friendly and fantastic. They just always go above and beyond there and it shows.
This year, the director of events Alyssia decided she wanted to really highlight the vendors Casa Real trusts the most with an elegant evening of wonderful wine and inspiration. I took so many photos that I’ll have to break it up in bits and pieces, so bear with me!
First, the Amber Room. This was the show stopper! Enhanced Lighting & Sound created a virtual carpet of light as the aisle, with Nicole Ha -designed florals and Hartmann Studios providing the incredible chairs, chandeliers and mirrors. In the corner, Krista Strader‘s harp drew you in to admire the candles and draping and pure elegance.
The following images represent stylist Armando Sarabia, dresses from J’aime Bridal, event stationery by Cards de Luxe, lighting by Enhanced Lighting & Sound, furniture/draping/mirrors/accessories from Hartmann Studios, and design by Nicole Ha…
Armando Sarabia and models in dresses from J'aime Bridal
Dress from J'aime Bridal, styling by Armando Sarabia
A carpet of lights for an aisle...
Decor from Hartmann Studio Rentals, design by Nicole Ha, dress from J'aime Bridal, styling by Armando Sarabia
Through the Casa Real Amber Room door...
Gorgeous table setting! Cards De Luxe and Nicole Ha
Now this is a well lighted room!
Design by Nicole Ha, decor by Hartmann Studios, lighting by Enhanced Lighting & Sound
More of the beautiful table...
The beautiful Nicole Ha!
I am SO not done. There are two other sections! More to come from Fantasy Sound, Delford West, Pleasanton Rentals…