So, you want to know more about our real bride cover model finalists? Well, Real Weddings Magazine contributor, Kelley Saia, got to know these three lovely ladies, and in this blog series, we present a little bit more on our finalists. First up: Nicole Shafer.

Her Love Story:
Nicole and her fiancé, Jason, met at a Giants game. After a fun-filled day at the ballpark and a sweet Facebook message, they began dating. Jason proposed almost two years later in a beautiful hotel suite overlooking Lake Tahoe. The big day is approaching and will take place at the Grand Island Mansion.
Model Material:
We were, of course, taken by Nicole’s classic beauty, but it was her zest for love and romance that really caught our attention. Who better to grace the pages of Real Weddings Magazine than someone who truly believes in love and marriage? Her fiancé was not at all surprised that his girly-girl wanted to enter the contest. His words when she was selected as a finalist were: “I knew you would!” We love that!
Her Photo Shoot Experience:
Nicole says the entire process was great, but that the interview portion was the most difficult. She felt pressured to make a good impression in a short amount of time. Looks like she did just fine! The day of the shoot was her favorite (for obvious reasons). She especially enjoyed getting to try on dresses and different looks that she may not have necessarily picked for her own wedding day. She describes it as a full day of playing dress up.

—Kelley Saia

If you’d like to be part of our next cover model contest, for our Summer/Fall 2013 issue (out in May 2013), download the entry form here!

And, tune back in to our blog to see more from our cover model finalist blog series posting soon!

The cover model finalist contest photo shoot Real Weddings Magazine team members who produced this editorial feature include: Aimee Carroll, Morgan Casarez, Rhonda Lou Hayden, Jamila B. Khan, Desiree Patterson, Paris Ryan, Kelley Saia, Gloria Schroeder, Wendy Sipple, Leah Sturgeon and Megan Wiskus.

And, of course, thank you to all the vendors who contributed to our cover model contest shoot. The vendors who participated in our cover model finalist shoot include:
Photographed on location at:
Preston Castle
209-256-3623  |  prestoncastle.com
 
Photography by:
Kris Holland Photography
916-531-7341  |  krishollandphotography.com
with special thanks to Anne Williams
 
Hair and Make-up for Tosha by:
All Dolled Up
Melissa Oretta, Make-up
Lisa Sacco, Hair
530-888-1562  |  alldolleduphairandmakeup.com
 
Hair and Make-up for Heidi by:
Jamey Amin, Hair
530-368-3642
Cait Herrera, Make-up
916-221-1589
 
Hair and Make-up for Nicole by:
Nicole Richardson, Hair
916-220-4022
Jenifer Haupt, Make-up
Makeup by Jenifer Haupt/I Make Beautiful
916-532-9800  |  imakebeautiful.com
 
Dresses provided by:
Alma’s Bridal Boutique
916-434-8084  |  almasbridalboutique.com
 
Always Elegant Bridal & Tuxedo
530-755-4282  |  alwayselegantbridal.net
 
The Bridal Box
916-742-4638  |   thebridalbox.net
 
The Clothes Mine Bridal & Formalwear
209-267-0417  |  theclothesmine.com
 
De La Rosa’s Bridal & Tuxedos
916-983-3400  |  delarosasbridal.com
 
Dreamnette Bridal
916-780-4747  |   dreamnette.com
 
Enchanted Bridal & Tuxedo Shoppe
916-965-5683  |  enchantedbridalshoppe.com
 
Haven Bridal Mart
916-983-9146  |  bridalmegamall.com
 
It’s All About Me Bridal Boutique
916-985-3885  |  itsallaboutmebridal.com
 
Shoes provided by:
DSW Shoe Warehouse  |  dsw.com
 
Accessories provided by:
Advantage Bridal
877-933-7467  |  advantagebridal.com
 
HSN
800-284-5757  |  hsn.com
 
Jesse Ciani
916-685-3819  |  jesseciani.com
 
Louise Green Millinery
310-479-1881  |  louisegreen.com
 
Stella & Dot
Stacey Yow, Independent Stylist
408-315-0020  |  stelladot.com/staceyyow
 
Flowers provided by:
Ambience Floral Design
916-786-6851  |  ambiencefloral.com
 
Angie Zimmerman Designs
916-941-1171  |  angiezimmermandesigns.com
 
Beautiful by Nature Florist
916-821-6966  |  beautifulbynatureflorist.com
 
Blooms by Martha Andrews
916-300-5948  |  bloomsbymarthaandrews.com
 
Flourish
916-212-5179  |  flourishdesigns.com
 
Natural Flair Custom Floral Designs
530-677-0878  |  naturalflair.net
 
Petals & Plum
916-223-4959  |  petalsandplum.com
 
Verbena Flowers & Trimmings
916-933-3163  |  verbenaflorist.com
 
Visual Impact Design
916-489-3746  |  visualimpact-design.com
 
Furniture, vases and chandelier provided by:
The Find
916-798-4292  |  thefindrentals.com
 
Catering provided by:
Bocca Catering
916-834-3554  |  boccacatering.com
 
Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Social Media Maven, Aimee Carroll.
Photos by Kris Holland Photography, copyright Real Weddings Magazine.
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