sponsor spotlight: diamond rental and bbj linen

We are so looking forward to our luncheon tomorrow, and we are eagerly waiting to see the finished product of what Diamond Rental will be generously providing to make our event a beautiful one.  The linens at the event will be provided through Diamond Rental from their BBJ Line.  The following is a bit of background on BBJ Linen, followed by several lovely photos (credits at bottom of post).  Enjoy!

"Since 1983, BBJ Linen has been the leader and pioneer in linen rental for the event industry. BBJ Linen established the linen rental sector of the special event industry and continually strives to bring our clients the best products available nationwide. For many years, our talented designers and procurement teams have traveled the globe with a keen eye, choosing textiles and patterns that are unparalleled and unsurpassed in the industry. With an eye always to the future, we expand our product line to offer our clients the very best, the very unique, the very memorable in table fashion and décor. Along with a state of art communications center in our headquarters outside Chicago, we have sales representatives in most major US cities to assist you, making BBJ Linen the largest special event linen rental company in the United States. We are committed to providing the best products and services possible to any and every customer worldwide."

Image 1:  Event Planner / Debi Lilly  Styling / A Perfect Event   Photo Credit / Averyhouse

Image 2:  Event Planner / Debi Lilly  Styling / A Perfect Event

Image 3:  Event Planner / Debi Lilly  Styling / A Perfect Event

Image 4:  Event Planner / Parties Etc  Styling / Kehoe Design

Image 5:  Event Planner / Debi Lilly  Styling / A Perfect Event

sponsor spotlight: mayflowers

 
If you're not already excited about next week's luncheon, let's just say you're about to be.  Our floral sponsor for this event is Carolyn May of

Mayflowers Floral and Event Design.  

As you will see from the photos in this post, she is so good at what she does.  We can't wait to see what gorgeousness she creates for our spring soiree!  Without further ado, please enjoy a little introduction to Carolyn and her company:

"As a floral designer for almost twenty years, I use my sense of color, style and form, combined with my love of art, to create beautiful works of living art using blooms as my medium.  I love the way flowers transform a room.  I adore color, and my design philosophy is not just to match colors but to layer them. 

I cherish familiar traditions yet I love making new ones as well. Whether it’s a classic ballroom wedding or a modern museum party or a ranch-style shindig, I like helping couples realize their vision of their perfect day.  I delight in bringing together exquisite blossoms, beautiful textures and people in love as they start their new life together. 

Above all, I love being surrounded by family, friends and beauty in any form."

photos 1-2: green apple photography

photo 3: kate benson photography

“Art is the unceasing effort to compete with the beauty of flowers and never succeeding.”   

 –Marc Chagall

sponsor spotlight: rue de lis desserts

Would you do me a favor?  Check out this spotlight on Rue de Lis, creator of deliciousness and provider of the favors at our upcoming luncheon.  Yum!  Just one more reason to mark your calenders (as if you haven't already).

Enjoy!

"Rue de Lis, a home based dessert catering business, was started in 2011 by Hilary Cavanaugh. Hilary graduated from UVU's Culinary Arts program in 2008. She competed in many state and national level baking competitions from 2005-2008 and placed 4th in the SkillsUSA nation-wide all around baking competition. Hilary was also given the Junior Member of the year award by the ACF in 2007.

In the past Hilary has worked at several Utah bakeries, including Les Madeleine's, So Cupcake, and the Sweet Tooth Fairy. She competed with Sweet Tooth Fairy's owner on Cupcake Wars in 2012, where they won and returned for a second challenge.

Hilary is very passionate about baking and food, and spends her time continually learning and perfecting her techniques. She is so excited to have her own business now where she can be creative in her own way and work directly with customers.

Rue de Lis provides desserts for weddings, birthdays, corporate events and more. Her favorite events to work on are dessert bars where she can present a variety of treats that show the customer's personality."

sponsor spotlight: michelle leo events

We are so excited to announce that our presenter for our upcoming luncheon on Tuesday, April 29th is:

Michelle Cousins of Michelle Leo Events.  

The presentation topic will be:

"Attracting and Booking the Clients You Want."

Are you excited yet?  We sure hope you'll join us!  Please enjoy a little bio about Michelle and her company, complete with gorgeous images of her work.

 "I'm Michelle, I'm addicted to lip gloss, stylish file folders, cute purses, caramel macchiato, and shellac manicures. I'm also the owner of Michelle Leo Events, an award-winning event design and planning company offering clients a variety of services ranging from full-service event design & planning to partial planning & design and day-of coordination packages.  

I love providing my clients with fresh, unique, and creative designs all while ensuring their event encompasses everything that makes them unique and different. I strive to create stylish, beautiful and comfortable settings while finding a balance between budgets and expectations.   

Although Utah-based, I've executed events throughout Europe, New Zealand and the United States. My work has been recognized on local levels and has been featured on several national and international blogs. I am the three-time consecutive winner of Utah's Best of State Award in event planning services, and the recipient of Z Gallerie's 2013 Designer of the Year award." 

 

We are so excited for your presentation, Michelle!

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photo credits:

photos 1-2: Britt Chudleigh Photography

photos 3-4: Jacque Lynn Photography

sponsor spotlight: lindsey shaun photography

We are crazy elated that Mrs. Lindsey Shaun will be photographing our luncheon tomorrow.  This girl certainly is a talented little shutterbug, and she lights a fire in our wedding hearts.  And bonus?  She's a bona fide ball of hilarity.  Enjoy getting to know her in her own words!

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"It's hard to believe that I started shooting weddings when digital photography did NOT exist.  Not going to lie, makes me feel a little prehistoric.  However, as the digital world grew and changed (in good ways), I decided I would let my photography and creative eye evolve with it.

I have worked so incredibly hard at building my business.  At the time I started, the industry was packed with pompous old men.  Yes, I will say that.  I was hired by a bride to come and shoot all black and white photo-journalistic shots, while she hired another guy to do all of her "professional" color wedding photography.  He continually was turning his back on me, ignoring me, and shutting me out--I had to fight for my moment and for my shots.  This happened so often it became discouraging, but I didn't let that stop me.  Because for any of you that know me, you know that can't happen!  I stuck with it and found solace in the images I could create with a combination of my ideas, my camera and a beautiful bride... and slowly word of my work spread.

The industry today is an entirely different world.  Photographers talk, share, and are friends.  I admire how open people are with one another and sometimes find myself wondering if I seem like that old pompous photographer that is scared to share.  So, I then push myself again to be open.  I answer photographer's questions.  I offer mentoring sessions where photographers can have a look into my "life" and workflow as a photographer.  I am not afraid to ask questions myself, and most importantly I look at the industry openly (NOT closed).  We are all creatives here--brainstorming new ideas,  thinking of new trends, and branching out from ourselves.

I feel blessed to have come this far and built Lindsey Shaun Photography into what it is today.  I absolutely adore my brides.  I will forever and always melt over the images I shoot, and that continues to give me the drive to push myself, my thoughts and my creative boundaries--to show others how I view the world or how I would want things viewed.   I will never never stop learning, growing, and sharing."

Sponsor Spotlight: Blooms and Blossoms

Blooms and Blossoms is the floral sponsor for our upcoming event, and we can't wait to see what they come up with for the designs.  Enjoy this little bio about the company as well as the cute and talented owner, Mrs. Kelli Dabling!

My name is Kelli Dabling. I’m a small town girl from Providence, Utah and moved to SLC in 2003. A  few months later I began my amazing journey as the owner of Blooms and Blossoms.  I got married in September of 2011 (and as crazy as it might seem, designed my own wedding flowers). My husband and I just celebrated the 1 year birthday of our sweet baby boy.
 

I’ve had a love for flowers for as long as I can remember. I can distinctly remember the first bride who booked me as her florist. I was beyond excited and a little frightened that I had a very important task to perform on what could possibly be the most important day of someone’s life. I’ve come a long way from that first wedding and now instead of feeling frightened I get excited that I have the opportunity to design flowers for another special day.  

Most of my inspiration comes from nature and all the beautiful elements that I’m surrounded by each day.  Being in the floral design industry has allowed me to take on new creative challenges every day and I feel so lucky to have worked with so many amazing brides (and their grooms) and all the amazing vendors here in Utah!

Sponsor Spotlight: 2 Nerdy Accountants

We are excited about what is sure to be an excellent presentation from a reputable accounting company next Tuesday.  Enjoy getting to know the "two nerds" behind 2 Nerdy Accountants!




Colleen Fluckiger, MPrA CPA 

Colleen received a Masters of Professional Accountancy from the University of Utah and went on to be one of the few to pass the CPA exam in one sitting and on the first and only attempt.  She was a Staff Accountant at Deloitte & Touche for three and a half years, Senior Accountant at Tanner LC for two years, Senior Accountant at Osborne Robbins Buehler for 3 years and Partner at 2 Nerdy Accountants for 5 years now.  Colleen has extensive experience in Corporate and Individual tax but has also worked on most other entity types.  True to the profession, she is dedicated to honest and true representation in all that she does.


Donald Fluckiger, MBA

Donald received a Masters of Business Administration from Utah State University and is currently in the process of obtaining his CPA license.  He has worked for large and small sized companies as a Controller, including his own computer company in an ownership status.  The skills Donald has developed over the years involve the ability to customize many different accounting programs to suit different needs and quick and accurate bookkeeping results for improved decision-making.  Accounting runs through his blood as well and he is always found thinking of new and better ways to make accounting easier and more informative.
2 Nerdy Accountants was established because of our love and commitment to accounting and the desire to serve the aspiring entrepreneurs in the ever-changing roles they serve.  We are committed to providing cost effective solutions so business owners can focus on building and establishing their name and services.

Donald and Colleen come together to form an authoritative and educated team who can help you focus on your business and have information readily available to ensure you stay on top of the ever-changing economy.

sponsor spotlight: brown brothers catering

We are very excited to be working with Brown Brothers Catering for our luncheon next week.  The menu will not disappoint!  Enjoy getting to know about their company in this spotlight post.

 

Brown Brothers Catering has been serving Utah for eight years and over that time we've spent a lot of time and effort perfecting the quality of our food and service. We pride ourselves on our ability to serve brides and grooms of all budgets, styles, and tastes. Brown Brothers has seen a lot of growth as we have modernized our presentation and menus, and focused more on customization.

 

Our head chef, Tony Black, is known for his mouth-watering meats and famous spinach artichoke dip. He loves testing new ideas and recipes and enjoys making each wedding a unique experience.

 

 

Rachel Nasse-Heimer, our sales director, is a gifted event planner. She's been with us for over a year and does a fantastic job of bringing a bride's vision to reality.

 

 

We host monthly tastings at various locations, and would be delighted to see you there and enjoy the Brown Brothers' experience. We are excited to work with you!
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all images courtesy of alixann loosle photography

sponsor spotlight: memorial house

We are so thrilled to be hosting our next event at Memorial House.  Enjoy learning a bit more about this beautiful venue!

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Memorial House in Memory Grove Park is one of Salt Lake City’s most unique event venues.  It offers historic charm, unforgettable ambiance, and downtown elegance.  The building’s unique architecture offers beautiful wood floors, a dramatic arched ceiling, and charming French doors that open onto a patio overlooking Memory Grove Park.     

The building is owned by Salt Lake City, and operated by Utah Heritage Foundation, a statewide non-profit dedicated to protecting, preserving, and promoting Utah’s historic buildings.  Originally built in the 1890s as a storage shed and a barn, the building was converted into an event center in 1926 by the Gold Star Mothers who lost sons at war.  The Gold Star Mothers were also instrumental in creating Memory Grove Park in honor of those who have fought for our country in war.  In the early 1980s, the building was in disrepair and the Gold Star Mothers could no longer maintain the space.  The building went vacant for about 12 years until 1994 when the Utah Heritage Foundation came in and raised money in conjunction with the city to restore the space.  They have been proud stewards of Memorial House since that time and have successfully managed the building to become one of Salt Lake’s premier event venues.     

Memorial House will accommodate 150 for a seated dinner in the main hall and 300 for a reception style event.  Typically, the Memorial House hosts about 110 events per year with about 75% being weddings.  As part of the rental fee, clients are provided with a host to help make sure the event runs smoothly as well as a guard at the gate to Memory Grove Park to allow guests in for parking.  Memorial House works with a preferred list of caterers to offer a wide range of catering options.      

The rich history coupled with the beautiful park setting makes Memorial House one of Salt Lake City’s most unique venues for weddings, corporate events, and parties.  

spotlight: brandi webb of alexis june creative

There's a talented new stationer in town, and we wanted you all to have the chance to get to know Brandi Webb of Alexis June Creative. Take it away Brandi....

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www.alexisjune.com / 801.928.0655 / hello@alexisjune.com

Tell us a little about your company and how you got into your field of expertise:

I started my career as a journalist in the Air Force where I was also responsible for all of the layout, design and photography of the base newspaper. This sparked my creative interest and after being honorably discharged from the military I continued to work on my craft. My experience varies from corporate creative to small business design and my personal love custom stationery.

Alexis June Creative is named after my two daughters Kierstyn {Alexis} and Kaija {June}. AJC was launched with the idea that design should make a statement and be personalized to reflect the person or company for whom it was created. With 10+ years of experience as an art director and graphic designer, I am committed to making each project unforgettable. When it comes to your wedding invitation, baby announcement or corporate identity, no one should have to settle for a design they don’t truly love.

Tell us about your family.

I’m the oldest of five girls and my mom is very creative. Growing up, she always went all out in decorating and hosting the most amazing parties. She also paints and now has her own floral design business in Illinois. I’m married and have two beautiful daughters. Kierstyn is thirteen and wants to be a fashion designer and Kaija is three and in love with Justin Bieber. My husband, Ryan, who has his MBA from Notre Dame, owns his own recruiting and business consulting company. Together we live in the Avenues.

What are three things people would be surprised to know about you?

1) I was in the Air Force

2) I’m originally from a small farming town in Illinois

3) Obsessed with New York City

Favorites:

Restaurant: Mesa Grill. We lived in Las Vegas for five years and had the chance to dine at many of the award-winning restaurants, but the filet at Mesa Grill is the best I’ve ever had.

Movie: Footloose – the original. It’s a classic and I’ve passed my love of this movie onto my daughters. We watch it at least once a month.

Band: Rascal Flatts. I’ve seen them in concert several times and our wedding song was one of theirs – God Bless the Broken Road.

Vacation Destination: New York City. The sites and sounds suck me in and it’s always been my dream to live there. I’ve been to the city twice this year and I can’t wait until our next trip – fingers crossed it is January!

Season: Fall. And who doesn’t love sweater and boot season?

Quote: I’m a quote / inspiration lover so it’s hard to pick just one, but I would have to say one of my favorites is: “There are so many people out there who will tell you that you can’t. What you’ve got to do is turn around and say ‘watch me.’” –source unknown.

What are two words that describe you personally and professionally?

Two words that describe me personally and professionally are honest and driven. Growing up in the Midwest taught me these values and I find that people from Utah hold the same characteristics. I always try to represent this in my work and strive to deliver original and personalized designs to my clients.

As Thanksgiving is coming up, what are the five things for which you are most grateful?

1) God

2) My family

3) Our health

4) Creative talents

5) New opportunities. The past year has been an amazing ride and I look forward to all that 2012 will bring.

Any additional thoughts?

I feel like design balances out my busy life and gives me an outlet to learn and grow daily. When a project is complete, I can relax with my family and at the end of the day that is what is most important.

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Thanks a million for completing the spotlight, Brandi!

spotlight: becky reed of ravenberg photography

Before we get into today's post, we wanted to let everyone know that we recently received the (stellar!) photos from our September 13th luncheon and will be sharing those next week. Watch for that on Facebook and here the blog!

And now, we are excited to share with you our latest vendor spotlight featuring the oh-so-talented (and sweet to boot!) Becky Reed of Ravenberg Photography. Becky's work is gorgeous and let's be honest so is she. Enjoy!

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Tell us a little about Ravenberg Photography, its background, and its specialties.

Necessity is the mother of invention. When my husband (Jon) decided to go to law school and we needed a way help make ends meet. My parents encouraged me to finally venture out on my own, put my photo degree to work, and start a wedding photography business. Ravenberg Photography was born. I had seen other fellow students use “gimmicks” as a way to make a name for themselves. Others used film, cross processed images, ring lights and other things to set themselves apart as a photographer. I knew that the fastest way to success would be to find a way to make myself different. We saw a faux photo booth at a company party and it was a lot of fun. We did a studio photo booth for a few weddings and school events and everybody loved it. Many of my first weddings booked because of the photo booth. Since Jon has graduated from law school he no longer has the time to do studio photo booths with me so now I focus on weddings. I love weddings. The beautiful emotions of a wedding are so fulfilling to capture.

Tell us about your family.

I have a very artistic family. My sister is the owner of Cosmo Cricket and my mother is a woodcarver whose carvings have been cast in molds by a major manufacturer and are now selling across the country. I’m constantly stopping in craft stores and telling people my family made that! I feel like being an artist runs in my blood. Even now my daughter Mary, age 3, paints, sculpts and draws while I work in Photoshop. I have another little girl, Rachel and she is just the sweetest little baby you’ll ever meet. Lastly, there’s Jon—my very supportive husband.

What are two words that best describe you?

Two words that describe me are sweet and assertive. I like to be easy going, quiet and observant. On a bride’s wedding day, however, I bring my game face. There are times during a wedding when it is best to be sweet and relax and fade into the background as I photograph. Other times I need to be assertive and get large groups of people organized for photos.

What are your hobbies outside of photography?

We love to go fishing as a family. Mary is a pro at catching her own fish. Even at three she can cast a fishing line, although I usually duck and cover when she does. If it’s a Saturday that I’m not shooting, you can bet we will be spending part of the day trying to find a stream or lake so that we can go fishing.

Where is your favorite place you've ever visited and where is your dream vacation destination?

Jon and I lived in China our second year of marriage and I loved it. It was undoubtedly hard at times but it was the most fun year of my life. We had some disposable income and no children to worry about. We would decide an hour before buying tickets and wake up the next morning in Beijing or Qingdao. Traveling was a priority to us and we had other friends who felt the same. Jon’s language skills are amazing and mine where around that of a two year old child. Sometimes Jon would speak in difficult situations and sometimes he would let me. That’s because I would simply repeat what I wanted until somebody would do it for me—just like a two year old. If the right job opportunity were to come up we would both be over there in a heartbeat. We love it!

My dream vacation would be to go back to Asia. I would really like to visit Taiwan. That is where Jon served his mission and I love hearing his stories from there. He said it was just like China but much cleaner and with better food. I would love to go back there with him someday.

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I majored in photography because I was a lazy college student. Really, that is how it became my area of focus. I was an art major and I went on a study abroad to Australia and New Zealand. I took one roll of film, it took me less than one hour, and I received an A for the term. I was hooked. Taking photographs was so much easier than actually having to draw something!

Please tell us anything else you'd like to say!

I feel like wedding photography balances out my life. I’m a busy photographer but I’m also a busy mom. As a mom nothing ever seems to stay done or polished to a perfect shine. Photography allows me to reach some sort of perfection in my life. After I’m done shooting, I can stop and set photography aside to make mud pies with my three year old.

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Thanks for the spotlight, Becky!

Miss Autumn Buys

Miss Autumn Buys attends nearly every wedding type vendor event and is heavily involved in the industry with experience in several facets and disciplines. So we thought this would be a good place for us all to get to know her a bit and realize just how she is involved and what qualifies her to be part of our industry group. Without further adooooo ... here is her interview!

"I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t positively besotted by bridal. While my fellow toddlers were scratching out images of unicorns and ballerinas I was sketching Dupioni silk ball gowns and cathedral veils. I got my first bridal magazine for my sixth birthday and the obsession was solidified. Since that time I have enjoyed being involved in different facets of the industry, including several years as a bridal consultant (a lifelong dream come true), serving as an intern/contributor for Utah Bride and Groom under the enchanting Tessa Woolf and becoming a creative team member of Riehl Events. I currently work as public relations associate for advertising agency ThomasARTS, while continuing to be as involved as possible in this industry I love. The wedding industry is the true love of my life, and when I do eventually have a wedding of my own, my husband may just have to be happy taking second, or at least tying for first :)

I love to travel and see new places, I love shopping--especially when I am on a mission to find the impossibly perfect ensemble. I love organizing, creating, designing, remodeling, crafting and learning new things. However, there are few things I love more in the world than relaxing with a blanket, cookie dough and a witty television show.

I am the youngest of three children, none of us married. We are beginning to wonder if my involvement in the industry has jinxed us forever. In two words I would describe myself as passionate and precocious. I love breakfast foods, any meal that is syrup based is good with me. To me syrup is like a good accessory, it brings out the best in every plate. No surprise that my favorite movie is Father of the Bride, there hasn’t been another frontrunner since it debuted in 1991. My favorite book is Pride and Prejudice, although if forced to choose I think I would date Mr. Knightly before Mr. Darcy. But I am convinced they would be golfing pals.Pink is my favorite color, I love how it is so purely feminine, but also packs a powerful punch.

I am inspired professionally by the mere premise of a wedding--the idea that talented professionals, successful businesses, customized creativity, synchronized organization and inspiration are all brought together and coexist simply because two people fell in love. This completely charms and inspires me. Personally, I am inspired by the incredibly talented people around me, especially those in the wedding industry. I am in constant amazement at the things others are capable of, the things they create. It makes me eager to learn more, be better and love every second of the process. "

Photo: Courtesy of Cascio Photography!

Spotlight: Mollie of Polka Dots & Daisies

We are thrilled to have Mollie Sue Openshaw on the blog today! She is the fantastic designer behind Polka Dots & Daisies, a custom invitation and favor studio. We personally have found it quiet lovely to get to know some of the great vendors in our group and hope that you too are finding this interesting! Here is a a little about Mollie and her co ...

Q: Tell us a little bit about Polka Dots, how it got started, and its specialties:
A: Back when I got married in 2006, I spent countless hours searching for an invitation that said "wam, bam, pow, I'm getting married!" (not literally, of course, but I wanted something unique & bold). It seemed that the majority of wedding invites at that time were just plain and white or ivory-- which to me seemed a bit BORING. I decided to put my graphic design training to work in order to create something new & fresh to announce my wedding. As it turns out I loved designing invites so much, I just couldn't stop. A few months later Polka Dots & Daisies was born. My goal was to bring a little color & uniqueness to the invitation industry. Now, about 5 years later that is still what I aim to do. I love paper and how tangible a wedding invitation is-- it makes the whole wedding come to life & feel more real. I love creating brand new styles & designs to suit unique brides & their weddings.

Q: Outside of work, what are your hobbies, interests, and activities?
A: I'm not sure how to say it any other way than "I just like making things!" I love refinishing projects, painting, drawing, designing graphics, etc. I LOVE bargains & treasure hunting-- I go to yard sales every weekend! I also love snowboarding, wakeboarding, ballet, yoga, go-karting, and poetry. So pretty much extreme sports + artistic endeavors.

Q: Tell us about your family...
A: I have an awesome husband, who I adore. He is my BFF (haha) and he knows me better than anyone! Next month is our 5 year Anniversary and our presents to each other are his & hers off-road go-karts... romantic, I know! We have a darling baby boy who is 3 months old and we're pretty sure he's the cutest kid on the planet (of course).


Favorite food: Miso Salmon from the Cheesecake Factory

Favorite TV shows: Anything HGTV, Storage Wars, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (I love seeing their lifestyles & homes!), The Office (before Michael left, boohoo)

Favorite Color(s): Aqua, yellow, coral (in that order)

Favorite Quotes: "With our thoughts we make the world." - Buddha
"A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval." - Mark Twain
"Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it." - Bill Cosby

Q: What inspires you professionally? What inspires you personally?
A: I get inspired for invitation designs with the most random things. For instance when making dinner (which happens on occasion), I see a color combination in the ingredients and think "oohhh that would be an awesome color scheme for an invitation!" I also find a lot of inspiration from antique, vintage & retro styles. I love old things. Especially things from the 1920's & 1950's eras. It might sound cliche, but I also get a lot of design inspiration from nature-- after all, God is the greatest designer! On a personal level, I am inspired by my family of course. Particularly, by my son-- I want him to be proud of his mama, which drives me to be better, accomplish more and set a good example!

COMPANY INFO:
Polka Dots & Daisies
Custom Invitations + Favors
{801.995.5416}
polkadotsanddaisies.com
polkadotsanddaisies.blogspot.com

Thanks Mollie ... I cant help posting a recent fav polka invite ...

spotlight: tasha mitchell of cake-a-licious

Tasha Mitchell

Cake-A-Licious Site
801.938.2818

"I am Tasha Mitchell and own a small wedding cake company called Cake-A-Licious.  I started my company in 2009 and it has been an amazing experience!  I became interested in cake decorating a few years ago, took some classes here and there, and became obsessed with cake!  For every waking moment of my free time for months and months, all I would do was practice techniques, test recipes, and make a big, happy mess in my kitchen.  Once I decided this was what I wanted to make a new career out of, I began the process of building a bakery for my cake business in the unfinished basement of our home.  What I thought would take a couple months took well over a year and a half to complete the project, but it was so worth it and business has been better than I ever had imagined when I first started dreaming about it.  I love my job and love the people I get to work with!  I truly feel blessed every day.

Two words that describe me personally are lighthearted and eclectic.  Two words that describe me professionally are determined and focused.

I am the oldest of 9 kids and absolutely love my big family.  I grew up with a very unique childhood and got to live in some amazing places like Tonga, Australia, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.  No, we weren’t a military family.  My parents are just very adventurous!  We are all lucky enough now that even with many of us siblings married with families, we all currently live here in the Salt Lake area near each other, and we love being able to spend time together.  I have the best family and love them all dearly!

I have been married for 15 years to my wonderful husband, Shaun.   He is such an amazing partner in life and is my best friend.  He’s an incredibly talented artist and has filled our home with beautiful paintings and artwork.  He’s also an incredibly talented video gamer (wink wink to those wives who know what I’m talking about!)  We have 3 canine kids……..our boxer dogs.  They are spoiled rotten, loved beyond words, and worth every naughty thing they occasionally do.  When I’m not working on cakes, I’m throwing balls or toys for them in the backyard or snuggled up on the couch with all 3 of them curled up tightly next to me.  Life is good!  I also love gardening.  Well, let me clarify that.  I love planting flowers.  I’m not a fan of weeding, but it comes with the whole gardening thing so I try to find ways to enjoy it.  I also love running, walking my dogs, hanging with my wonderful family, and love my reality TV shows!  Admittedly, I’m kind of a reality TV junkie.  Every week, I have to watch my American Idol, Amazing Race, Top Chef, and the list goes on and on.   I’m not a big movie buff, but I could watch Gone with the Wind or The Sound of Music over and over and over again.

I am a huge animal lover and would love to someday open an animal rescue and sanctuary, maybe when I retire?!?!!  I’ve been a vegetarian since I was 16 years old and am passionate about animal rights and animal causes.  One of my favorite quotes comes from Gandhi--  “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

Some of my other favorite things in life are espresso, lavender, Michael Bublé, fuzzy slippers, scented candles, Maui, springtime, Sour Patch Kids, birds, and, watching tennis.

I get inspired by so many different things I see, especially for cake design.  I can roam the store aisles of scrapbooking paper and accessories for hours for ideas for color combos, patterns, and designs.  I sometimes find inspiration or ideas in the strangest places, like a piece of furniture in the background scene of a TV show or a fabric design on a woman’s blouse I see in line at the grocery store.  I have a little idea book I try to carry around with me to jot down those random ideas I want to remember before I forget.

I’m also professionally and personally inspired by my dad.  He’s run his own business for over 30 years and is the most ethical and honest businessman I’ve ever known….and I’m not just saying that because he’s my dad.  He’s taught me to treat all people with kindness, fairness, and respect when it comes to business and personal relationships, even if I’m not treated the same way back.  He’s an incredible inspiration in my life.  My mom is also a huge inspiration.  She’s truly the most selfless person I know and I can only aspire to be like her.  I have an amazing family who inspires me every day in many ways, both in my business and personal life.  What more can I ask for?

I love what I do.  I love that I’ve been able to turn my passion for making cakes into a thriving business.  I love the people I work with, both vendors and clients.  We have such talented and creative vendors here in the wedding industry in Utah, and I’m so excited to work with such a fantastic group of people!"

spotlight: britt chudleigh

Britt Chudleigh

Chudleigh Photography Site

Chudleigh Photography Blog

Please tell us about your company:

I am the primary photographer and owner of Chudleigh Weddings (my husband, Peter, is present at dual shooter weddings and is there for support when I'm up to my eyeballs).  I specialize in wedding photography that unifies the fashion, photojournalist and art worlds.  Really, they are all connected and so it feels instinctual to me to weave these elements into my work.

I find intense satisfaction from being still, quiet and observant enough to elicit natural photographs of my clients and their guests.  In order to truly catch moments of honesty and sincerity, people need to feel at ease around their photographer and many have told me how quickly they've become comfortable in my presence.  This makes my job so much easier.  I won't start shooting until I can tell my clients are themselves.  In my opinion, this is how true photojournalistic images are created.  However, aside from sincerity and stolen moments, there is another very important element present at weddings.  This is the element of art, creation, design....whatever you want to call it.  There is so much beauty, art and design present in a wedding.  This calls upon my instincts as an artist and as an editorial and fashion photographer.  The bride is undoubtedly wearing a gorgeous gown and has gone to great lengths to look amazing, the groom is looking as GQ as he ever will, the food and decor are beautiful and the guests are dolled up and ready to participate in all this beauty and emotion.  This simply must be capitalized upon so there will be moments I'll introduce skills, aesthetic influences and attitudes drawn from the fashion & art worlds.  The combination of these efforts produces authentic and simple, yet current and fashionable photography that I adore being a part of creating.

Appreciative of the qualities of both digital and film photography, I use a mixture of both mediums.  This allows me to reap the benefits of both worlds.



Outside of work, what are your hobbies, interests, and activities?

Although not every moment of my life is consumed by photography, almost every moment in touched in some way by my appreciation of art.  It hides in every corner of my life from a beautiful little breakfast to the way my shirt hangs on the back of my closet door as I dress.  From the snow falling in large flakes on my way to the post office to the sound of my kids singing and laughing in the back seat on the way home from school.  Music, food, visual arts, movement and dance, architecture, films, beauty in the world around us, beauty in human beings.  Art is such a vague and overused word but it truly is a guest in my life and I welcome it everywhere I go, in everything I do. 

Apart from my love of the arts, I also enjoy the outdoors and being athletic and active.  I love sports and games, have been know to be a bit of a gym rat and love taking off on a trail on a warm spring afternoon.  Very curious at heart and always willing to try something new, I'm drawn to anything that might teach me something new or inspire me.  I have the travel bug for sure and hope to be able to do more of it in the future.  I am very social but can also really appreciate time alone.  My free time in generally spent either doing something social, artistic or active........or taking a nap.  Totally love naps but they seem to be a rare delicacy these days.  I thank my Dad every day for teaching me to power nap....15 min and I'm a new woman.


Tell us a bit about your family:

I am very protective of my time with my family.  I have two children.  Hannah is 8.  Very lovely, stubborn, quiet, artistic and independent.  Don't even try to tell her how to do something......she's already 10 steps ahead of you.  Maybe 10 steps in the wrong direction but who cares.  She likes to dance to her own song.  I always say that I think I aged a decade during the first 3 years of her life as she was always up a tree, around the block or into some foreign substance that made my heart skip a beat, or two or three.  James is almost her total opposite.  Smart as a whip and completely left brained, he can rattle off the birthdays of everyone in our extended family and loves sticking to schedules.  James has always been my "easy child".  He follows directions and doesn't make waves.  Give him the formula and he'll follow it to perfection.  Of course I am in no way biased in saying these two little dears have amazing things to offer this world.

And then there is my Peter.  My husband for whom I am so grateful.  Strength when I'm insecure, sweet when I'm down, tough when I need a swift kick in the ass and just cute as hell.  I adore my family like a madwoman and owe my every happiness to them.


What are the two words that best describe you?

Hmmmm, seriously, two words?  I'm sure you can tell by now that being concise is not one of my talents.  Ummmm, I really strive for these two.  They are kind of the heartbeat of my life.  Authenticity & Openness.


What is your favorite...

Food:  I'm a sucker for beautiful pastries, cheeses and amazing produce... oh and let's not forget a rare fillet of beef with salt and pepper.

TV Show:  Barefoot Contessa.  Selling New York.  Anthony Bourdain. Thursday night NBC lineup. Seinfeld. CNN & MSNBC.  Martha Stewart.

Movie:  Nope.  Too hard.  List too long.  I LOVE movies.  Even bad movies.  Old, new, comedy, drama...love em all.  Except horror, unless I want to be pacing and jumpy for the following two weeks.

Book:  I'm big into self exploration and growth so a lot of those types of books.  I am a super slow reader but love the feel of paper between my fingers so I do love to read.  Too many to mention.  Same as movies.

Color:  Soft, muted colors generally speaking.  Food is a different story and is really the only place I love seeing vibrant hues.  Otherwise I'm all about the soft blues, creamy whites, desaturated yellows, warm grays.  Think East Coast beach.  That's me.

Quote:  Favorite all time quote and something I try to live up to every day:  

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.....live the life you have imagined."  

-Thoreau

What inspires you personally and/or professionally?

I'm inspired by passion, warmth, love and authenticity.  When I see something that has a being's passion behind it I am aware of whether or not it suits my personal tastes and may or may not like it but I am always interested in and can appreciate anything that means something to someone else.  Anything motivated by love or authenticity will always have my appreciation and attention.  Whether I'm being handed an artisanal cheese that is treated by it's maker like a newborn baby, watching an impassioned documentary, shown a test or drawing by one of my children with pride in their posture, or being asked to sign a petition by someone whose intent and love for the cause is so apparent I can see it in their eyes, I'm inspired.

spotlight: david perry

DAVID PERRY

http://www.davidperryfilms.com/

I'm David Perry from David Perry Films. Me in two words? Authentic and altruistic. I put others at ease because I'm accepting and committed to their best interests.

I've had a job since I was 12 years old. I'm determined and persistent. Having lived in France and Japan for three years, I've come to appreciate and respect that we all have different opinions and ways to do things. I play well with others because I'm optimistic and willing to defer ego for collective success. I'm extremely observant and pay attention to what others need.

I'm married to Danielle Maria Oram from Canada and we have two energetic sons, Drew (almost 4 yrs old) and Hudson (15 months). Danielle is kind and full of wisdom & understanding. Drew is super smart and loves cars. Hudson is easy going and happy as a lark.  We live in Daybreak and I love everything about families. One of the best ways I've found to strengthen families is to film weddings. I've specialized in LDS Temple wedding videos for the past ten years. I love it. I also produce films that help those without families which has taken me to Africa, Mexico, Guatemala and Ukraine. I donate my services four weeks each year for humanitarian work with an emphasis on the international orphan crisis and have been featured at the U.N. in NYC for the past three years. I've been fortunate enough to receive the WEVA International Community Service Award, "Best of State" for documentary films and five Telly Awards. I'd like to produce my next film on HIV orphans and the misconceptions surrounding them so let me know if you are interested in joining me. I need help with research, screen writing, filming, editing and PR.

I love continuing education, self improvement and helping our industry grow. In the past year, I've presented worldwide on "Creating Connections that Book Weddings" from Boston to Ukraine. You can see my TV segment called "Creating Connections" on BrideAccess.com (KUTV4) every Sunday at 9:30 am. I was recently named one of the "Top 25 Most Influential Event Filmmakers in the World" for the second year in a row by the 40,000 filmmakers who subscribe to EventDV Magazine.

I excel in an environment that includes interaction, variety and fun. You'll enjoy working with me.

Some of my favorite quotes are:

"The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white, neither need you do anything but be yourself"
-Lao Tzu

"A rising tide lifts all boats."
-JFK