Company Name: Katy Gray Photography (Dylan List member)

Name: Katy Gray

Location: Jackson Hole, WY

Tell us a little about what you do.

I am a fine art and wedding photographer based in Jackson Hole, WY but I’ll go anywhere to shoot your wedding!

How long have you been in business?

About  4 or 5 years.  I started out just doing a few little ones and elopements but last summer things really took off and this summer is looking huge as well!

What inspired you to start your business/studio?

Actually it was my own wedding photos!  I had graduated from MSU with my BA in photography in 2004 but didn’t really know what I wanted to do with it until I saw the photos we got from Jonathan Adams after our wedding.  He was kind enough to let me tag along and second shoot with him at a few of his events and give me a great critique at the end of the season.  I booked a few little elopements and intimate ceremonies, shot for a few friends and then things just started snowballing.

What is your favorite thing about your business/studio?

I love that I capture irreplaceable moments for people.  The cake gets eaten, favors get taken, flowers dry up, the dress gets put away, but the photos will be there forever.  When your grandkids and great grandkids want to hear about your wedding, out comes the photo album.  I love being a little piece of all of these family histories.  It’s quite an honor!

Was there a defining moment when you knew you picked the right career path?

Shooting Jenny & Ryan’s wedding – our sunset session out in the field.  I looked at the back of my camera a few times and was literally hopping with excitement.  In my opinion, if your job makes you hop, you’re onto something.

When you built your business what style would you say you built it around? (i.e. classic, modern, vintage)

I shoot in a bit of a modern style – edgy compositions and funky perspectives – but then I process in more of a dreamy vintage look.  So modern vintage with a bit of funk?  And I love odd juxtapositions – a bride in a gas station, or the groom out walking his dog before the ceremony, things like that.  I like to make people do a double take.

When working with people how do you help bring the vision for the event to life?

I photograph the couple’s vision – I try to shoot every detail I can get and use items from the wedding to shoot the bride’s accessories and dress – like hanging a dress on a set of antlers for a ranch wedding, or shooting the rings on a record album for a reception with a vintage record player.

Where do you go for inspiration? (i.e. blogs, magazines)

I stalk an embarrassing number of blogs.  My absolute favorite wedding photographers are Sean Flanigan, Olivia Leigh, Anna Kuperburg and Amelia Lyon – I’m always turning to them for inspiration.  I also subscribe to a LOT of style blogs – Lucy Dylan, of course!!, Style Me Pretty, Design*Sponge, The Bride’s Café, Wedding Chicks, & Grey Likes Weddings are my favorites.

Is there anything else you want people to know about you and your business/studio?

I love taking pictures, I love weddings, and I will work my butt off to help make your wedding day the best day it can be!  Plus I’m pretty funny in person.  And brides have said I’m a good ‘calmer-downer’.  I often have gum.

Company Name: Bliss Event Planning (Dylan List member)

Name: Marcie Gaukrodger

Location: We’re based out of Whistler, Canada, but we work anywhere a couple asks us to.

Tell us a little about what you do.

Bliss Event Planning is a boutique full service event and design company that creates highly unique events. Planning events is what we get out of bed for. Quite simply, we love it. It’s our job to remove all pressures, stresses and worries that may be a burden to our clients. When we accomplish this while executing their vision of a perfect event, we feel we have succeeded.

How long have you been in business?

3 years, with many more to come!

What inspired you to start your business/studio?

Two reasons. First, I was working in the industry for another company and got laid off when the company shut down. I had a choice of working for someone else or going at it on my own. I come from a family of entrepreneurs and I guess you can say it’s in my blood. Secondly, I had learned a lot from that company, both good and bad. There were things I would have changed, but I couldn’t because it wasn’t mine. I hated that feeling. So my choice was made and that year, Bliss opened its doors. It’s an incredible feeling building your own company based on your vision and I’m very proud of what we’ve done so far.

What is your favorite thing about your business/studio?

This is a difficult question because I truly love all aspects of planning from meeting each couple to bringing their vision to life. I guess if I had to boil it down to one thing, it would be getting to be a part of such a remarkably intimate moment in each couple’s life. Designing and planning the pieces of a day that they will remember for the rest of their lives; it’s an honor that is too big for words.

Was there a defining moment when you knew you picked the right career path?

I knew I was on the right path when I started going on-site for the event company I last worked for. I had started off behind the scenes and enjoyed it, but the real thrill came from seeing all the planned pieces meld into one another creating this fantastic synergy. I was hooked!

When you built your business what style would you say you built it around? (i.e. classic, modern, vintage)

My business has been built around the couple, not my specific style. My background is diverse; I studied interior and industrial design and have designed many events ranging from edgy to contemporary, vintage to classic, the predictable and the unpredictable. Regardless of the couple’s chosen style, the applied fundamentals of design are always the same. We approach each couple with a very open mind.

When working with people how do you help bring the vision for the event to life?

Our underlying process is the same, but our approach varies with each couple because every couple is unique. But generally, I ask a lot (and I mean a lot) of questions. And then I listen to what’s in their answers as well as what isn’t. I’ve found you can learn a lot that way. Some couple’s know exactly what they want from the start and others only know what they don’t want.

Where do you go for inspiration? (i.e. blogs, magazines)

There isn’t really just one source. I have my favorite blogs, magazines, authors and artists but I believe that design and beauty surrounds us in everything we see each day. Often the inspiration for something comes from the most unexpected places. That’s one of the reasons why I fell in love with design many years ago.

Is there anything else you want people to know about you and your business/studio?

There’s no shortage of personality at Bliss. We love what we do and even the long days of planning, pre-production and set-up haven’t ever really felt like work. Getting married should be one of the best experiences of your life from the “Yes, I will marry you!” to the “I do.”

At Bliss we have fun. We smile. We laugh.

Photos courtesy of Anastasia Photography.

If you missed it yesterday make sure you check out Dejane and Erik’s Real South African Wedding!

Company Name: cloud 9 Weddings & Papers (Dylan List member)

Name: Ann Marlin

Location: Denver, Colorado

Tell us a little about what you do.

cloud 9 Weddings & Papers is Denver’s premier wedding and stationary company.

How long have you been in business?

I joined Nancy Chase Weddings and Celebrations in 2002 and purchased the business in 2005.  At the same time I also purchased Pampered Papers and am so excited to announce cloud 9, the joining of my two favorite things; weddings and fine papers.

What inspired you to start your business/studio?

I have always had a passion for planning events and was fortunate enough to join the Nancy Chase Weddings and Celebrations team in 2002.  Working with Nancy and getting to know the industry only deepened my desire to make this a lifelong career and buy the business.

What is your favorite thing about your business/studio?

Getting to know a  couple and their history, family, traditions and translating their wedding dreams into reality and of course coupling that with stunning save the dates, invitations and accessories!

Was there a defining moment when you knew you picked the right career path?

I am lucky to be able to say that I look forward to going into work taking on the tasks and challenges ahead…I am excited about my job every day.  I work with wonderful brides, families, vendors and fabulous paper on a daily basis.

When you built your business what style would you say you built it around? (i.e. classic, modern, vintage)

I would say that we have a more classic style.  We definitely pull in vintage and modern elements throughout the details but overall we have a very elegant, romantic and classical feel to the business that bring in the couples relationship for a truly unique experience.

When working with people how do you help bring the vision for the event to life?

We take great pride in keeping each wedding and event unique.  We pull as much information from the bride and groom as possible – their favorite things, their style, their likes/dislikes and especially their vision for the day.  No two couples are alike and no two weddings should be alike.  We start with the bride and grooms priorities for the day, and focus on the details from there.

Where do you go for inspiration? (i.e. blogs, magazines)

We read all of the industry magazines including Martha Stewart Weddings, Grace Ormond, Real Simple Weddings and love to search blogs and wedding related websites.  Décor magazines and invitation/paper trends serve as great inspiration as well.

Photo courtesy of Frances Photography

The Dylan List is LIVE! It’s an international list of some of Lucy Dylan Weddings favorite wedding vendors. Make sure you are check out The Dylan List to find some of the best vendors in the business. If you are interested in becoming a part of The Dylan List email me at info{at}lucydylanweddings.com.

It has just come to my attention that Google Reader has not been updating in the last few weeks. We’ve been working on it diligently and we will get it fixed ASAP. So, for all of my faithful RSS subscribers hang in there. I really appreciate you following the blog everyday. Below are the posts you might have missed.

Real Wedding: Robert & Shantell

Bridal Shower Food

I’ll be shaking a few things up in the next few weeks. Earth day is just a few days away (April 22) so this week will be dedicated to eco-friendly alternatives for your wedding day. I’ve been working on some fun projects and can’t wait to share with you!

Happy Monday!

Name: Christina Holt

Location: Cape Town / South Africa

Company Name: Wedding Concepts

Tell us a little about what you do.

I own and manage South Africa’s premier wedding coordination & management agency Wedding Concepts with a wonderful team of 9 – specializing in exclusive destination “designer” weddings to Cape Town. We assist couples who reside overseas to create their stylish wedding by thinking of and coordinating literally every detail you can think of.

Our sister company Travel Concepts is the boutique style travel arm taking care of wedding guest travel from accommodation around the wedding venue to full itineraries across Southern Africa – as well as  honeymoons. We tailor highly personal journeys African journeys with a keen eye for stylish yet authentic travel experiences.

How long have you been in business?

I started my business Wedding Concepts in 2004 when I moved from the UK to Cape Town. My international career however has always been in the hospitality and event management industry – it’s a passion.

What inspired you to start your business/studio?

A very simple (and quite romantic ) story – when still living in Germany and holidaying in South Africa,  I met my British husband Richard in Cape Town and we decided to get married on the very wine estate where we met. I was the classic overseas bride who needed planning assistance on the ground. This is how I met my previous business partner, who I then started Wedding Concepts with. I now actually own the business with my husband and things have literally come full circle . We met in Cape Town, got married here, moved here and now run the business together. The huge global destination wedding trend has of course helped in creating our offer to this scenic part of the world.

What is your favorite thing about your business/studio?

My business at large gives me a great sense of pride – for having established a successful brand together with fabulously devoted team – based on a simple idea, vision and lots of hard work. We also occupy a stylish space that showcases our work and is simply inspiring to work in. My main passion lies in connecting with people from across the globe and working in a truly multicultural industry….plus I get to market South Africa to the world – one of the most beautiful places for a destination wedding.

Was there a defining moment when you knew you picked the right career path?

My career has never been totally straight forward – it is when I listened to my instinct that I was successful. Specifically that was a moment when I woke up after my first night in Africa 10 years ago – saw the beauty of this country and new it would change my life. Very clichéd – but  ever since then I knew I had to live & work here in the Cape. When you are changing your life from the place of “just knowing” – that’s when it works. And it did!

When you built your business what style would you say you built it around? (i.e. classic, modern, vintage)

Wedding Concepts stands for professionalism, sophistication and style with a sense for fun & trends . We interpret wedding visions across many different designs and client personalities. Internally we merge different backgrounds in our multi cultural team and have a real understanding of international design trends. Being a “people business” means that highly personal communication is of course a given.

When working with people how do you help bring the vision for the event to life?

We look for indicators not only in their personalities and personal preferences of our clients: are they fun loving people who love the outdoors – global travelers who reside in 5* luxury – unfussy clients who want a party – interior designers with a lifelong wedding vision etc. Of course we also ask for guidance as to what / how they enjoy, read, eat, celebrate, travel etc. Personal conversations and many, many emails usually paint a brilliant picture!
We then carefully match personalities and the vision of the day to a handpicked group of top service providers. I am also a strong believer in bringing the right personalities together during the months of planning – it is in fact vital!

Where do you go for inspiration? (i.e. blogs, magazines)

More often than not we look for inspiration internally in our “creative team brainstormings”. Thanks to so many creative minds in our business and our industry, we have actually become trendsetters in our field which is such a big part of our success.

Of course personally the smallest “every day” things can inspire me - a napkin fold in a local bistro, an antique vase, a market with seasonal flowers, a friend’s new chaiselounge, a boutique hotel…inspiration can come in unexpected ways.

Is there anything else you want people to know about you and your business/studio?

To all brides out there – think outside the box, consider a destination wedding to South Africa. We are setting international trends here – so dare to experience it for yourself and check out our real life weddings for inspiration.

You can check out more of Wedding Concepts work by visiting their website and their Real Wedding featured here. Also make sure you check out Travel Concepts.

This is one of the most frequent questions I hear from brides. Should I hire a make-up artist? Well… now your wedding day questions are answered! Our friends over at Cloud 9 asked their “go-to” make-up expert Carissa Passerella with Carissa Beauty all of your burning wedding day questions.

Head over to Cloud 9’s blog to read the entire article on Ask the Expert… Carissa Passerella. Make sure you check out Carissa’s blog Hooked on Beauty for all of the latest trends.

TGIF!