Saturday, January 28, 2012

WINE COUNTRY BRIDAL EXPO 2012

OF COURSE you attend Bridal Shows to reach out, flaunt your stuff + hope you find a couple awesome new Clients that love your work...but, another favorite part is seeing great, new inspirational Wedding ideas and getting to make a ton of really cool Vendor FRIENDS, too!
(sorry we didn't have more time to shoot -- we were SWAMPED!!)
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LOVED these elegant & fun designs by Calistoga Cakes!
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...Willow Tree Bakery had some totally wild designs we've never seen! LOVE it!
(is it obvious we don't get much time to eat at these things?! craving me some CAKE!!)
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BONUS!! One of the young ladies that booked with us today will be hosted by the Oakmont Golf Club - a Venue we've been hoping to shoot for years now! YAY!!!

And, while the crew at Planet Entertainment DJs admits they're not the most savey at the whole Social Networking thing - they've got upbeat, fun personality NAILED!! Hope to see you guys again SOON! As for me? Well...it's time to fall into bed - we have another full Wedding Event tomorrow!! xo

Friday, December 30, 2011

MENDOCINO, LAKE & SONOMA COUNTY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY : FABULOUS VENDORS WE LOVE

I know one of the most difficult things when planning a Wedding is exactly WHO TO HIRE!! You're spending a lot of money - you want it all to be just PERFECT!!

After doing this Wedding thing a few times now (hee hee), I'd like to offer up our services for those of you that might not be using a Coordinator & need a little assistance finding GREAT Vendors in our area! These are ALL Vendors we've worked with, trust & LOVE (in alphabetical order to be fair)!

My suggestion? Start with your Venue! Nail down your Date/Location - so, you can then figure out exactly who's gonna to be there working with you!

Please feel free to contact me for ANY further information re: our experiences with these Vendors (or others)!

FLORAL DESIGN :
Aimee Lomeli Designs : (Sonoma County)
FloraLisa : Lisa
Gina's Floral Enchantment : (Ukiah)
Grohe Florist : (Rohnert Park)
Mendocino Floral Design : Khamoor & Nancy (Mendocino)
W/E Flowers : Will (Ukiah)
Wine Country Flowers : Anita (Sonoma County)

CAKE ARTISTRY :
Patisserie Angelica : Condra (Sebastopol)
Rassasy Cakes : (Sonoma County)
Shani's Sweet Creations : Shani (Mendocino Coast)
Sweet Gluten Free : Jill (Sonoma)
Sweetie Pies : (Napa)
Your Sweet Expectations : Carolyn (Rohnert Park)

DJ :
A. Long Music : (Sonoma County)
AMS Entertainment : (Sebastopol)
Grand Slam DJs : Mike (Mendocino/Lake County)
JTs Mobile DJ Service : John (Ukiah)
Larry Thompson : (Ukiah) - larry4music@comcast.net ~ 707.391.7070
Perfect Day Events : Noel (Sonoma County)
Planet Entertainment : Ryan (Sonoma County)
Premier Productions : Clay (Sonoma County)
Vedolla Dance Productions : Eddie (Mendocino County)

CATERERS :
Assaggiare Mendocino : Julia (Fort Bragg)
Bella Cibo Catering : Tia (Ukiah Valley)
BBQ Smokehouse : (Sebastopol)
Chic Le Chef : Julie (Hidden Valley Lake)
Gerard's Paella : (Sonoma County)
John Ash & Co : (Santa Rosa)
Lombardi's : (Petaluma)
Melissa Smith Catering : (Hopland) ~ 707.744.1663
Ono'z : (Sonoma County) ~ 415.517.5795
Zack's Catering : (Ukiah)
The Zinful Chef : (Hopland)

BEAUTY :
Just Jenni Style : Jenni (Santa Rosa) ~ 707.284.5324
It's a Date at the Powder Room : (Santa Rosa)
Lauren Kelsay : (Windsor)
Mendocino Beauty : The Forest Studio - Amy Wall (Mendocino)
SKIN Day Spa : Erin (Ukiah) ~ 707.467.3834

I plan on expanding on this list as great Vendors come to mind...or we cross paths out in Wedding-land!! xo

Sunday, August 7, 2011

SANTA ROSA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER : HYATT VINEYARD CREEK

Niels & I can positively relate...you wait 7 long yrs for this day. You want EVERYTHING to be just perfect - but, in the end...all that REALLY matters is sharing it with the people that love you most - and knowing you're Marrying your very Best Friend...

Christina & Kyle did just that. Surrounded with all the people that love them the most. As I told the Bridal Party just following the Ceremony - you know you've picked all the right people to be up there with you when every single one of them tears up with emotion! xo

We were happy to be working with Hyatt Vineyard Creek again - an all-inclusive Venue that offers beautiful backdrops as well as superb cuisine. A full Team coordinates your entire day - and does AMAZING!

Christina also worked eloquently with Wine Country Bridal to create a dress that was uniquely her own! From the lengthened bodice to the finely detailed waist accent - It was GORGEOUS!!!

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As a dynamic Photographer, I'm always looking for somewhere to add a little 'oopmh' to some of my images throughout the day...but, sooo appreciate the emotion of candid perfection, as well! Practicing deep breathing during our final 30 mins before 'go-time', Christina's attentive Bridesmaids knew just how to keep the mood light!

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And suddenly - everyone gets to exhale...! "-)

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EVERYONE loves a Photo Booth - - one of the funnest additions to the Wedding market in a while! Niels tried to get me to take a turn - but, well...I prefer to be BEHIND the cameras! hee hee

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OOOhhh - found my 'oomph!' "-)

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You know how 'guy code' goes. You need to round up all your boys for a final shot to ring in the Grooms new Life...! Then, they TOSS YOU IN THE FOUNTAIN!!! OOPS!

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Here's to your amazing new life together - - and a friendship that will only grow deeper as your journey continues...trust me! CONGRATULATIONS, you guys & thank you so much for letting us capture your day!! xo
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Sunday, January 16, 2011

WINE COUNTRY BRIDAL EXPO 2011

What a fun & upbeat day! Expos can start out a bit hectic - with a mad-dash to get everything set up & ready on time...but, once the beautiful Brides begin floating in - what a blast!

An extra special THANK YOU to Dena @ Dandelion Floral! Knowing her floral arrangements always exceed expectation & simply take your breath away - I knew just who to contact when I wanted something a little amazing to pop in our Booth space.

You know you've got it right when other Florists are snapping shots to share with their own Brides! "-)
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We had the opportunity to chat with quite a few budding Photographers yesterday - as well as connect with some amazing Vendors in the area. Thanks for coming over, introducing yourselves & I can't wait to cross paths again out there! xo
 
© Larsen's Photography