IrisD Bridal Blog

Starting from Mar, each month we are going to interview one of wedding professionals in the valley. Through these close-up interviews, brides can get to know these top vendors personally and professionally, know their backgrounds, and get insider tips. Wedding is a once a life event, choose your wedding professionals is an important step to make your day a successful and memorable one.

This month, we are featuring Laura Segall Photography who has been a professional photographer for over 10 years. She studied photography at the Rochester Institute of Technology and began her career as a photo journalist working for a number of newspapers around the country. She started freelance and wedding photography business in 2006.

IrisD Bridal: What is your specialty?

Laura Segall: I specialize in creating images that tell the story of your wedding. My goal is to capture the moments that will allow you to relive to your incredible day each time you look at your pictures.

IrisD Bridal: Tell us about one of your most memorable photo shoots you did.

Laura Segall: One of my most memorable weddings started out as a rainy gray morning in north Phoenix. As I was photographing the bride getting ready she kept looking out the window and getting more and more nervous about the weather. She was planning on riding her horse to the ceremony. We arrived at the wedding location in Cave Creek and the clouds parted just long enough for her to get her wish. The rain subsided and the sight of this bride riding horseback with a long flowing white dress in the wet desert was breathtaking.

IrisD Bridal: What is one tip you would like to give to brides about their wedding photography?
Laura Segall: Try not to stress out too much on your wedding day! This may seem obvious but the more relaxed and excited you are the better the pictures. Don’t sweat the small stuff, your wedding is going to be amazing not matter what happens. In the end it is all about you and your partner committing your life to each other.

IrisD Bridal: Besides wedding and engagement photos, do you also shoot other special occasions?
Laura Segall: In addition to weddings and engagements I also shoot family portraits, babies and special events such as birthday and anniversary parties. I am also a working photo journalist, my clients include Phoenix Magazine, The New York Times and USA Today to name a few.

If you are a bride looking for healthy, tasty appetizers,entries and desserts to serve in your weeding that are 100% dairy-free, soy-free, egg-free, gluten (wheat)-free and artificial ingredients-free, then Rhonda’s cookbook is for you! What makes this cookbook unique is the fact that each recipe tastes good and is accompanied by a beautiful photo as well as nutrition facts, which are very important for those who are challenged with diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, thyroid disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.

All these dishes are so tasty, you will be amazed that they are made without diary, soy, eggs and wheat. I had the privilege to taste the Apple Cinnamon Minis featured on Page.101 in the dessert section. These muffins are gluten-free, soy-free, vegan mini muffins made with raw agave syrup and fresh apples (no preservatives)!  It is so airy, so moist, full of flavors. I finished two in less than 2 mins. I am sure all these dishes will be enjoyed by all your wedding guests even though they may not have the same diet restrictions.

It took Rhonda 2 years to design, test and fine-tune all these receipes. She personally involved in the whole process from picking the raw ingredients, cooking to balancing the nutrition. She understands how difficult it is to enjoy a variety of dishes while having diet restriction on diary, soy, eggs and wheat. This book is a breakthrough, get it, read it, cook all of them, you will not be disappointed.

To purchase a copy or for more information, visit www.rhondascooking.com

Follow Rhonda on Twitter www.twitter.com/rhondascooking

Follow Rhonda on Facebook www.facebook.com/rhondascooking

Stacey found her perfect bridal wedding gown!

Bride, Stacey came into our local IrisD Bridal Phoenix bridal shop, looking for her dream dress.  After trying on a few styles, Stacey called in reinforcements…her bridesmaids. 

Bridesmaids and those closest to the bride can add so much to a bridal gown shopping experience.  You need to bring someone along that will be honest with you and also give you new insight and potentially get you to try on something you might not have even thought of. 

Thus the case with Stacey.  Her bridesmaids listened to her ideas, wants, and concerns and were honest about their feelings and ideas.  Stacey tried on a dress that she had overlooked and fell in love!  All the bridesmaids had goosebumps and the decision was unanimous…that is the dress!

When bridal wedding gown shopping, be open minded.  Take people you trust with you that will be honest with you but also value your wants and ideas.  You want to look flawless on your wedding day and what better way to start but with an unanimous decision for your attire!

Time is ticking on finding the perfect wedding venue. No one said this would be an easy task. On another thought, you really may have no clue what to do when it comes to scouting out a venue and figuring out the next steps. I’m here to tell you that this is your first step after the engagement because your entire wedding hinges on the location of your ceremony and reception (of course, this is easier when both at same location). The venue sets the tone and allows you to select colors, styles, and food choices that fit your preferences.

Close To Home

Choosing a venue close to home saves time and money. This allows you to closely monitor all the special details and take tours of the venue open houses. This is a great way to select local vendors and have a green, eco-friendly wedding. Arizona also provides gorgeous sunsets and many fine venues that range from reception only sites to full-service resorts. Some venues require your vendor choices be selected from a preapproved list. This may help you find ease at “shopping” at once but may limit your favorite photographer that you can’t live without.

Stateside Selections

In all its beautiful colors and landscape, Arizona does miss the unmistakable beachside views that you yearn to see in your pictures. You may find wish to for a beach wedding soaking up the rays on the beach. Take a weekend trip six months or more prior to wedding to meet with potential vendors. Contact area venues for their vendor recommendations as this will be a current referral (vendor lists are seldom updated online).

Tropical or International Calling Card

The economy is not the only factor driving this exciting romance getaway. Your friends and family play a large part in attendance on your day. Determine if your friends and family will need a passport and/or visa for your destination wedding. I strongly recommend using a travel planner for booking hotel and flights. The Swine Flu was a big roadblock for weddings and honeymooners in 2009 causing resort closures all over. Be prepared for any unexplained natural or biomedical disaster and renovations that may leave you stranded. Destination weddings can truly be a breathtaking and magical experience for you and your guests when planned out.

Copyright © 2009 – Valerie Bolitho. Valerie Bolitho is the owner of Blueprint Affairs, Wedding & Event Planning. As a wedding planner, she can assist with everything from day-of-event coordination to full wedding planning. With attention to detail and never settling for anything short of your vision, Blueprint Affairs strives for excellence and will truly make your event one to remember. At Blueprint Affairs, Your Vision is Our Blueprint. Visit them online at www.blueprintaffairs.com

Staying involved in the small details can be difficult. There are so many other things that you want to worry about such as where you get married and what food will be served. Working with a wedding planner will ensure that you have this detail completed on your checklist.

The most important thing to never forget on your day is the marriage license. This is a quick checklist to know what to do and where to go, which seems so stressful. For those of you new to this process, listen up because it’s actually quite simple.

Marriage License Process:

1. Determine if you want a Traditional or Covenant Marriage (see Covenant Marriage link below)
2. Gather proper identification for both parties such as driver’s license.
3. Both parties must be present at appointment. (see locations by county #5)
4. Both parties must be 18 yrs old or older (If younger, the minor is required to bring a parent/guardian along with minor’s birth certificate)
5. Bring fee in acceptable form designated by county.

Three Larger Counties

i.      Maricopa County

ii.      Pinal County

iii.      Pima County

1. Mail in your signed marriage license after your wedding ceremony (be sure to request 2 copies)
2. Wait 4-6 weeks to receive the official license from the state before changing your name.

Note: Marriage license is valid immediately and up to one year. No blood tests are required.

Other Links:

Covenant Marriage – What is it? Do I want this?

Marriage License Research

Written by: Valerie Bolitho | Blueprint Affairs || Wedding & Event Planning.  Call 623-215-8657 for a free initial consultation.  Check out our website for more planning tips at  www.blueprintaffairs.com www.blueprintaffairs.blogspot.com

Play up your best feature: Every girl has a self ranking list of body parts, from most favorite to least favorite. You should definitely keep that in mind when you shop for your wedding gown. For example, if you are proud of your back, get a wedding dress that exposes your beautiful back, if you are proud of your overall figure, try a mermaid shape dress.

Find a good role model: The models on wedding magazine may not always be a good source for your wedding day look inspirations, instead, find a friend or a celebrity that matches your personality, style and body figure. Try to draw inspiration from them, see what works on them, what doesn’t.

Develop your own sense of style and step up a notch: For the wedding attire, I always tell brides to challenge themselves to go beyond, just a little bit, what they can normally accept. However, it is still critical to stay within the boundary. For example, if a bride normally likes plain, simple dress, then for the wedding day, she may want to add some sparkles on the wedding gown or the wedding veil. However, a fully beaded gown or veils with tons of Swarovski crystals will not work for her.

Express yourself with wedding accessories: Wedding day is the day to jewel yourself up. Make sure tiara, necklace earring set and bracelet are all coordinated. They don’t need to be from the same set, but they do need to be the same material and color tone. Some brides also make sure the bridesmaids jewelry match to the bride jewelry. This is particularly a good idea if the bridesmaids dresses are coordinated with the bridal gown.

Let the real you shine through: Don’t freak over so-called imperfections. The hair on the side of your face or above your lip? Those five extra pounds? Trust me, no one will ever notice these things unless you make it obvious. Let the real you shine through, your personality, your joy, that’s what people will see. Remember: “Happiness is infectious”.