Spring is such a welcomed sight after months of bitter cold. Enjoying the sunshine, warming temperatures and budding blooms gets our spirits up and smiles shining! So when we teamed up with Meagan Lucy Photographers, A Daydream Wedding and Grand Reserve Inn to create a Spring-inspired shoot to show off some modern greenery trends, we immediately shook off the scarves and put on the strappy heels! All the contributing talent from the creative team and our very own gorgeous SPARKLE bride Danielle made this shoot unforgettable. Grand Reserve Inn is a new venue located in Plymouth, CA – the heart of Shenandoah Valley Wine country. With it’s Mediterranean feel and textured elements, Stephanie Webber, Owner and Lead Wedding Planner for A Daydream Wedding, created a modern fusion of natural leafy foliage balanced with sleek geometric shapes and backdrops. Adding pops of purple in various shades also gave the event design a modern flair. Below are highlight photo and video by Meagan Lucy Photographers. For more photos, check out our Pinterest page. Enjoy!

Behind the Scenes

Here are some behind-the-scenes photos of the shoot preparation. So much detail and time goes into planning a styled shoot. We always like to show a bit of what goes on before the cameras roll. Stephanie Webber of A Daydream Wedding, ensures all the details, layout and rentals from El Dorado Party Rentals are just right. (Bottom L) Chef Paul of Paul Michael Signature Catering works with his culinary team to add final touches to the special menu he created for this shoot. (Bottom M) Larcom’s Lighting added ambiance to the Grand Reseerve Inn by stringing heritage lights and adding uplighting against the textured stone walls. (Bottom R) Lea Beuhler of BGorgeous adds a polished look to SPARKLE Model (and Bride!) Danielle.

SPARKLE Gowns and Looks

SPARKLE bride Danielle’s smile lit up the venue and her charm showed throughout the final photos. Lea Buehler of BGorgeous make-up and hair, created a soft enhanced natural look for Danielle, accentuating her long lush lashes and dewy skin. For Danielle, our SPARKLE Style Team selected a couple of dress styles which includes our Ejeria strapless lace gown paired with a tulle skirt from our I DO! Separates Collection. She can wear curvy contouring Ejeria on it’s own or with the tulle skirt giving it a ballgown-effect while still showing off her curves. Our other SPARKLE gown featured is Georgina, a billowy, super-soft taffeta skirt with a dainty lace illusion blouse and three-quarter lace sleeves.

Final Details and Decor

Adding the 2018 color of the year, Stephanie used shades of purple too accentuate the modern greenery and textured surfaces. Frank Vilt of Frank Vilt’s Cakes created a marbled tiered cake topped off with a geometric glass terrarium containing pretty purple florals and scrumptious cupcakes. The detailed table settings are surrounded by florals and greenery by Rosea Flower Boutique. We love how the lush garland drapes over the edge of the tables giving the layout a touch of whimsy.

Participating Vendors
Planning/Design: A Daydream Wedding
Wedding Gowns: Sparkle Bridal Couture
Photography: Meagan Lucy Photographers
Venue: Grand Reserve Inn
MUAH: BGorgeous Make-up and Hair
Cake/Cupcakes: Frank Vilt’s Cakes
Party Rentals: El Dorado Hills Party Rentals
Florals: Rosae Flower Boutique
Catering: Paul Michael Signature Catering
Lighting: Larcom’s Lighting
Backdrops, Signs, and Stationery: A Daydream Wedding

FOR MORE PHOTOS, DETAILS AND DRESSES, VISIT OUR PINTEREST PAGE

SPARKLE BRIDES AND FRIENDS REMEMBER LOVED ONES PASSED

Since opening SPARKLE, I always had a vision of having a Dia de Los Muertos installation in our window. Bright colored flowers, our lace gowns and family photos of our brides’ loved ones showcased throughout the display. Dia de los Muertos may seem like an odd visual pairing for a bridal salon (especially one called SPARKLE), but it actually coincides with what our SPARKLE team does and believes in for our brides. Weddings are one of the most important life moments a bride and her family will ever experience. Weddings are all about celebrating life’s moments with family and friends. And at SPARKLE we cherish and celebrate that everyday with our brides. We get to be a part of all the excitement during the wedding planning – choosing their SPARKLE gown, helping mom look gorgeous, fun plans for the girl’s night out…but we also are a part of sadness or struggles too. For some of our brides, parents have passed away before or soon after the big day, illnesses have resurfaced or family stresses take over. The good times and the bad times are what we share with our brides and it’s what makes us love and appreciate them and life. The tradition of Dia de los Muertos embodies this sentiment. That instead of focusing on the melancholy longing for our loved one passed, we will celebrate their spirit and the joy, lessons and memories they gave us. Their vitality lives on in each of us they touched and brings hope to all who knew them. This is why with the help of the amazingly talented Jennifer Ruiz of Lovely Paper Flowers, we are celebrating the life of our loved ones passed by having a Dia de los Muertos-inspired design in our October window. Jennifer took on this challenge open-arms and gave it all the love and respect is deserves. We are so grateful for her creativity and for taking on such a heartfelt project. Christina Best Thomas of Christina Best Photography, not only captured all the details, but she also contributed a photo of her own grandparents. We’re lucky to share in several life moments with Christina – she and her partner Anne are both SPARKLE brides and will be celebrating their wedding Spring 2018, and we’ve seen her photography business flourish, so we are fortunate to have her partner with us on this window display. Life takes many twists and turns, but by celebrating ALL of life’s biggest moments, we can learn to find joy and love in even the saddest moments of them all. If you would like to contribute a photo of your passed loved one, feel free to stop by and drop it off, we will put it in a frame and place it in our window display. We’d love to honor and celebrate your family and friends.

Cheers,

Sandra Gonzalez

 JENNIFER RUIZ
ARTIST
LOVELY PAPER FLOWERS

CHRISTINA BEST THOMAS

Owner, Photographer

CHRISTINA BEST PHOTOGRAPHY

Christina has been a wedding photographer since 2015 and was inspired to pursue wedding photography full time when gay marriage was legalized, because love is for everyone! She’s had a camera at her side since 2005. From 2005 to 2015, she studied photography at Sacramento State, and ran a copy center. So as a result, she loves photos and prints! In 2007 she studied abroad and brought her camera with her to England, Scotland, and Italy. Chasing light and being on a big adventure got her hooked on documenting life and it’s beautiful moments.  Capturing all the fun and details is a blast, but her most favorite part is documenting love stories.  “It’s so fun to get to know couples and capture all their love and commitment to each other.” Right away, she notices the way couples interact with one another and make each other smile and laugh.

When she’s not photographing, Christina’s planting flowers or succulents, swimming (she’s a total water baby and loves the water!), or listening to Kendrick Lamar’s “Loyalty”. She’s also planning her Spring 2018 wedding and having lots of fun with that! “I’m so

excited to meet fellow SPARKLE brides. I’m not only a wedding photographer, but got THE DRESS at SPARKLE, which I will wear in April next year when I marry my love! I would LOVE to connect! Especially if you have any questions about photography, want to talk dresses or details or need a photographer!”

Christina’s Pro Advice:

Summer Hair Saves for Fall & Winter Bridal Beauties

Deep Conditioning Treatments. Use them. You will see an incredible improvement in your hair health. High quality treatments make a real difference because of the integrity of the proteins and moisture elements introduced to your hair. Let your towel dried hair soak for five minutes with any protein mask and endlessly for any moisture mask. Use a shampoo cap while soaking to open cuticle for maximum penetration and best results.

PROTECT FROM SUN

Aveda Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment
and Dry Remedy Moisturizing Mask

Use a sunscreen for your hair. We use sunscreen on our face, our décolleté, our neck… why not our hair? Protect your color and your scalp from being ravaged
by the sun by using an easy spray on UV protectant.

PROTECT FROM Heat
Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil

Blow dryers, flat irons, curling wands, oh my! A heat protectant is a MUST, especially when using a heat source directly on your precious strands. A protective barrier between your hair and your heat styler of choice will be the make or break between dry, brittle broken hair and healthy, shiny hair. Apply when hair is wet from mid-strands to ends and style as usual. The Aveda Smooth Infusion Style Prep also doubles as a 12 hour humidity defense while you’re out there frolicking in the elements. This product is an all time Strands Salon favorite.

CONDITION
Aveda Smooth Infusion StylePrep

Last but not least, leave in conditioners are not to be passed over. Leave in conditioners are vital because of the longevity of the contact with your hair. Left on to continue it’s good work, these products come in an array of forms such as creams, serums and sprays.

PRESERVE
Aveda Color Conserve Daily Color Protect

A personal favorite is the Aveda Color Conserve Daily Color Protect. Rich in nourishing oils and conditioning ingredients, this creamy serum serves to condition and soften the hair throughout the day and also includes wintergreen as a natural UV protectant for your color. Thanks Aveda for this awesome product!

Brides and Maidens, use these tips and products to arrive safely and beautifully to your wedding hair appointment. Your locks will love you and your stylist will thank you.

If you’d like to book any wedding services or ask any questions about your hair, please stop in at Strands Salon and Spa, Tessa will be happy to chat with you and answer any questions you have about your hair and how to get ready for your Fall/Winter wedding!

Cheers!

Tessa Matsis Smith
Strands Salon and Spa
3271 Folsom Blvd
Sacramento 95816
916-216-0781

SEPTEMBER 2017 WINDOW DISPLAY
Goodbye Summer Hello Fall… even though Fall officially starts this month, we are still soaking up vibrant greenery in our Glam Garden themed September 2017 window display created by Carla Anglada, Chief Designer of Danielle Roe Events. It’s gorgeous inspiration for our Spring/Summer 2018 brides too! When it comes to our window displays, we always want decor that is unique, ahead-of-the-“ahem”-curve and fresh. Well, we think Carla, Danielle and her team kicked it up a notch! The combination of natural elements, drapery sheers, copper accent pieces and soft colored glassware all blend into a fantastical sight. To capture it all, we teamed up with Morgan Alanna of Morgan Alanna Photography to capture the behind-the-sparkle moments of how the display was produced. Meet our decor partners and learn more about their passion for weddings and what inspires them.

DANIELLE ROE
FOUNDER
DANIELLE ROE EVENTS

Danielle Roe Events will be celebrating 2 years in business the end of this year. Danielle got her start working in the corporate world in the Public Relations field, planning corporate events and parties for clients and representing them to the media. When it comes to couples and clients she works with she enjoys seeing their connection with each other and to work with couples who are truly in love- it makes the day that much more special!

While she has done some pretty incredible events, including associate producing a handful of national events for the Tony-Award winning play, Hamilton, her favorite moment has been thanks to one of her awesome grooms. It was a wedding that DRE did in Napa this year, the groom was just in awe of the whole day and teared up every time he saw his new wife or spoke about her. So incredibly sweet!

Carla Anglada
CHIEF DESIGNER
DANIELLE ROE EVENTS

Watching Carla’s vision formulate step-by-step was like seeing an artist’s painting come to life. As the Chief Designer of our September 2017 window, Carla brainstormed ideas and upon finalizing the concept, she took the idea and ran with it. Coordinating with other creatives and the SPARKLE team, she brought together all elements of the Glam Garden using wooden halo cutouts delicately wrapped in fresh greenery, soft airy sheers draped over a backdrop to a sweet tablescape. As Chief Designer, Carla works with clients to bring together their ideas and execute them to perfection.

Danielle Roe Events Pro-Tip
find someone that fits with your personality.  While we all have packages that we offer, chat with your potential planner and make sure that they really understand what your working style and communication needs are. Your planner should always be willing to be flexible, within reason, to your needs and accommodate your production needs.

MORGAN ALANNA
PHOTOGRAPHER
MORGAN ALANNA photography

Morgan Alanna Pro-Tip

Interview them, and don’t be afraid to shop around! Your style should be highlighted by the photography! If your photographer has a super bright “catalog-look,” but you are a more Boho-hippie kinda gal, then you will probably hate the photos! No matter how talented the photographer is!

August 2017 Window Display
Our August 2017 window, designed by Marjorie Perez of Something Planned Events is inspired by the warmth of summer and aspirations of the perfect wedding. Dream catcher-inspired mobiles using intricate laces and motifs of sand, florals and weathered decor creates a relaxed  scene. The custom canopy gives off a boho vibe for outdoor events. Special thanks to Justin Buettner Photography for the photos.

MARJORIE PEREZ
SOMETHING PLANNED EVENTS

Marjorie Perez was in high school when she started creating memorable experiences. Later as a full-time Legislative Assistant she had the urge to p lan events. Now over the past 20 years, she has coordinated everything from weddings to Quinceaneras to baby showers.  And she has received past Professional of the Year and President’s Awards from the Association of Wedding Professionals International.

What she loves about planning are the initial stages of learning what a couple would like.  But the biggest reward Marjorie says is the end of the night, “when it has all come together and the couple’s dream has come true, but most of all they have truly enjoyed their big day.”

Marjorie finds inspiration in all things, from everyday items to nature. And even though she could go anywhere in the world, her favorite place to be is with her family, including her three children who are also part of Something Planned Events. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family, relaxing and cooking.