Santa Cruz Sentinel
Bridal Expo 2007
January 28, 2007
From "I Do" to "Woohoo!"
Weddings today range from traditional to exotic
By Karen Kefauver
Do you crave chocolate cupcakes, an orange bridal dress and table centerpieces with purple grapes? If so, you can make it happen. Perhaps you prefer a three-tiered wedding cake, a white dress and pink roses on the table? No problem. Today, brides and grooms frequently stray from tradition, though many still opt for the classic white wedding. When it comes to weddings trends, industry professionals believe that one recent development may be here to stay: couples are increasingly customizing all aspects of their special day to reflect their personalities and to celebrate their unique union.
"For about 10 years, weddings were all pretty much the same," recalled Allison Smith Van Every, a wedding planner based in Santa Cruz who started her business, Allison Weddings, (www.allisonweddings.com) 14 years ago. "That has changed dramatically," she said. "People have become more creative. Now, weddings are personalized with signature colors, ethnic flare and music they love."
Whether you are planning an intimate intimate barefoot beach wedding or a 300-guest formal affair in a church, there are always multiple elements to consider and plan in advance. Establish a budget and consider hiring a wedding planner to help you either on the day of the event or throughout the process. Your "to-do" list will include the guest list, the invitations, bridal registry, venues for the ceremony and reception, in addition to clothing, catering, cake, photography, music and flowers. Since there is a lot of planning involved in smooth preparation for your wedding, talk to the experts who will be attending the Cocoanut Grove Bridal Expo on January 28 in Santa Cruz. Whether you are engaged, planning for your future or helping with the wedding, keep reading to learn the latest trends and helpful tips from experienced wedding photographers, bridal shops, florists, cake-makers and more.
Karen Kefauver is a freelance writer based in Santa Cruz. She got engaged to Norman Field while writing stories for the Bridal Expo.
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The Picture Perfect Wedding
The pros share their tips!
How many times have you heard a friend complain, "I look awful in that picture!" Probably too many times to count. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to avoid the bad shots and achieve the look you want in more photos. Well ahead of the big event, choose a talented photographer you like and one whose camera skills will keep you relaxed and confident. To add polish to your pictures, have your hair and makeup done professionally at a place like Heat Salon or Farmacy in downtown Santa Cruz or Skin Essence Day Spa in Scotts Valley. You will have an added glow in the photos! Wedding photographers and videographers feel privileged to share the joy of the wedding day. Regardless of whether they are shooting film, digital or video, they aim to capture those precious moments without being intrusive. Their ultimate goal is to produce a collection of photos or a video that will provide a lifetime of cherished memories for the bridal couple, their family and friends.
Since photos are so important, finding the right photographer requires some research and planning. To select the ideal photographer, visit their websites to view their portfolios and meet in person to see if there is a good rapport. Generally, photographers and videographers schedule their clients a year to 18 months in advance of the wedding date, although some have taken assignments up to just a few weeks ahead of the event. Here, a handful of talented photographers and videographers from Santa Cruz County say why they love their jobs, discuss their different photographic styles and suggest how couples can choose the right pro for the occasion.
"It's a beautiful experience to witness a wedding. They are the most powerful forms of celebration in our culture," said videographer Marigold Fine of Full Circle Video Productions (www.fullcirclevideo.com). "People are usually at their best and open-hearted and loving," said Fine, who started her company in 1984 and also produces documentary and educational videos. "Visually, weddings are a lovely experience to record," she said. (See Fine's tips in "For the Best Video"). "We are there to record what happens," said Karen Covello (www.covellocovello.com) "not to create something. As much as possible we blend in with the situation." With her husband, Jon Covello, the pair is celebrating their 30th year in the photography business, Covello and Covello. "The best wedding photographers have high quality work and are well established, " said Covello. "Weddings go quickly and you need someone really accomplished," she said. "It takes a good eye to take photos. Printing is also important. We do all our work in-house."
"I really enjoy being there on that special day," said photographer Mike Danen of Mike Danen Photography. With nearly a decade of experience in photography and video, plus a background in graphic design, Danen (www.mikedanen.com). creates custom packages that are based on a photojournalist style. "I allow the day to unfold naturally instead of a lot of posing," he explained. "I use natural light instead of a flash. I aim for natural images. Many images look candid. Of course, we still have traditional portraits, but I try to make the vast majority tell the story of the day."
"Everyone does something different," said Rebecca Stark of wedding photography. "That makes it fun for me." The founder of Rebecca Stark Photography, (www.rebeccastarkphotography.com) has 15 years' experience in photography, and began to focus on weddings in 2000. "I love weddings because each one is unique. The personality of the couple comes out through the ceremony," Stark said. "People tell me they see a lot of passion between the couples in my pictures. I am happy when people look at an image and say, 'They look so in love.'"
"It is an absolute passion to capture the special moments at weddings," said Craig Smith, (www.thephotoman.com) who started shooting weddings in 2001, but launched his photography career 30 years ago. "It's exciting to photograph such a day of love," said the veteran photographer. With an extensive background photographing sports, Smith noted similarities: "Just like in sports, at weddings, you are given a small window of opportunity to capture the moment: a kiss, a tear, a smile… I think it is really important to get as many really good people shots as possible, grandma and grandpa, and children laughing. It's important your photographer is organized and has a smooth flow," said Smith. The key to success? "Your photographer should be able to handle lastminute changes and requests and stay calm." (For tips from all the photographers, see "For the Best Photographs"). >>
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Wedding Wisdom
How to personalize your wedding
"When it comes to wedding planning, there is never a dull moment," said Allison Smith Van Every. During her 14 years coordinating weddings, the founder of Allison Weddings (www.allisonweddings.com) noted, "This industry is always different, exciting and changing." That means lots of decisions to make. Wedding planner Heidi Hughett of Couture Celebrations (www.couturecelebrations.com) advises her clients to list their "musthaves" alongside their "wants" for the wedding, then helps them balance the two within their budgets. Wedding industry insiders participating at the Cocoanut Grove Bridal Expo share their advice, below, on venues, music, dresses, flowers and cakes.
Location, location, location
Outside? Inside? Both? What suits your style best? Some venues offer everything in one stop. "One reason we book so many weddings is because we offer inclusive packages," said Shannon Norfleet of Chaminade, (www.chaminade.com). "Brides can have a stress-free event. They can eat, drink, dance and not worry about a thing!" said Norfleet, who takes bookings up to two years in advance and has couples from Japan, Australia, Germany as well as locally who take advantage of the 300 acres, ocean view and hotel rooms.
Kennolyn Camp (www.kennolyn.com) also offers full wedding services - catering, beverages, wait staff, wedding coordinator, linens, heat lamps and the property. "We are open May through October for weddings," said event manager Seema Patel of Kennolyn Camp. "We can take up to 300 people. We offer exclusive use of our estate for the entire day. It overlooks Monterey Bay and is nestled in redwoods."
The Shadowbrook Restaurant (www.shadowbrook-capitola.com) in Capitola is another popular destination wedding spot. "The great thing about a wedding at the Shadowbrook is the exclusive use of the restaurant. We are famous as a romantic place. Our gardens are perfect for pictures," said Meira Rivera, noting the restaurant is now celebrating its 60th year.
The Sound of Music
Do you want a mellow solo guitarist, a live band or deejay?
"We are constantly helping clients decide what they want," said Jack Crawford, a senior deejay and manager at Music Now DJs (www.musicnowdj.com).
Established in 1987 and owned by Rob DeHart,, Music Now requires their deejays to have special wedding training. "We are service-oriented," said Crawford. "There is more to it than just music. There's articulation on the microphone, the presence, dress and grooming for the deejay."
For Sound in Motion (www.simdjs.com), the internet has taken an important role. "We have a complete online suite of planning tools for our brides and grooms," said Adrian Cavlan, known as DJ Adrian from his days at the Blue Lagoon. "Weddings are 70 percent of our business, though we also do corporate events and sports including the San Francisco 49ers and San Jose Sharks," said Cavlan, whose business partner is "King Raffi" Nalvarian.
"There are a variety of options for your music and entertainment," said Ed Lane of Waterbird Entertainment (www.waterbirdentertainment.com). A musician since 1978, Lane offers rental equipment including tables, chairs, linens, beverage center and poker tables for a casino night. "We are basically an agency plus a party supply store. We book select bands and entertainment - deejay, band, clown or musician, plus a dance floor and lighting."
The Dress
"Sometimes you know after one dress, sometimes it takes 10 to 15," said Lisa Cecchettini of Bridal Veil Fashions, (www.bridalveilfashions.com) about the all-important gown. "We are seeing more elegance now. Beading and embroidery are huge," said Cecchetinni, whose familyowned business has thrived for 45 years. "When a bride walks into our store, she walks in our family. We take the bride under our wing. You have to have an eye for a figure, fabric, and intuition. My job is complete when the bride feels beautiful." "We make it relaxed, fun and exciting to try on dresses," said Tracey Herredia, owner of A Bridal Boutique. "We offer bridal gowns and wedding party dresses, tuxedoes. Our customer service sets us apart," said Herredia. She said frills, strapless gowns, classic lace,beading and colors other than white are popular. "It's a modern approach to a classic dress," she said of the 2007 styles.
Flowers
The wedding flowers and cake can reflect personal flair. With over 30 years experience and doing about 150 weddings a year Lezlie Johnson of Boulder Creek Flowers and Design (www.bouldercreekflowers.com), a floral shop and wholesaler, suggests that a bride come prepared with photos of colors and styles she likes and a budget. Mini calla lilies, roses and orchids are popular she said. "I find people more open-minded, willing to try something and make it their own," she said.
"My favorite work is doing weddings," said Linda Arietta of Country Essences Flowers (www.countryessencesflowers.com). "It is a joyful time. Brides are also going for little surprises in design, like grass or fruit or grapes," said Arietta, who mostly uses flowers that she grows on 25 acres. "There is a great abundance and my customers get lots of flowers for their money."
Cakes
With Santa Cruz's ideal beach location, local bakeries say ocean themes are hot. "We do a lot of seashell cakes," said Beth Paiva, manager of Beckmann's Old World Bakery, (www.beckmannsbakery.com), which is now in its 21st year. "We are open to any sort of design for cakes," said Paiva who has been seeing many cakes with red and black decorations.
"We did a sandcastle cake," said Edith Meyer of Edith Meyer Wedding Cakes, (www.edithmeyer.com). Meyer specializes in making cakes with organic ingredients and working with local farmers. "There is a vast difference in quality of cakes," she said. We make our cakes really personal. Every single one is different." The most important thing is the flavor said Meyer because "It is the last thing at the reception and you want your guests to leave with a great taste."
Karen Kefauver is a freelance writer based in Santa Cruz. She got engaged to Norman Field while writing stories for the Bridal Expo. Contact her at www.karenkefauver.com
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