Real Weddings is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary and in honor of this milestone, we are checking back in with our beautiful cover models! We’ve been so lucky to work with over 60 local brides these past 10 years and we’re eager to see where they are now.

Lisa (right) graced our Winter/Spring 2009 cover shot at Granite Bay Golf Club by Sharpe Photographers (now known as The Red Sneaker Studio).

Where and when did you get married?

We got married on October 12, 2008 at the beautiful Gold Hill Winery in Coloma, CA. It was a gorgeous fall afternoon in the heart of Gold Country.

Any children (fur or human)?

We have 6-year-old twin boys! Colby and Carson are hilarious, a bit crazy, and completely awesome. I really don’t know what we did to deserve these two blessings in our lives. I couldn’t do this parenting thing without my husband. He’s the Daddy every kid (and Mom!) deserves.

What do you do for a living?

I’m a creative IT dork! I manage the IT Learning Solutions team for Adventist Health hospitals and clinics. We provide education and training for clinicians in our health system who document in electronic health records. I’m incredibly lucky to work with creative, talented, beautiful-hearted people that feel like extended family.

What do you enjoy doing with your family?

Our family might be just a little bit obsessed with sports. If we’re not playing something, we’re watching something. We love to travel and catch games in different cities. My husband and I have been working on our bucket list goal of visiting every NFL stadium. It’s such a fun way to see different parts of the country and meet all kinds of people!

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to yourself on your wedding day?

Make your wedding fun. It’s about you, your husband, and the people you want to be there to celebrate with you. Don’t get hung up on following wedding traditions if it’s not what you want. Forget the sit-down dinner; hire your favorite taco truck!

What is your favorite part of marriage?

My favorite part of marriage is feeling content. I love my life, I love my family, I love what I’ve done and I’m excited for whatever else comes my way. When you’re with someone who trusts you, respects you, and makes you feel so confident about yourself in every way possible, I think that’s a pretty special gift.

Lastly, how was your Cover Model experience?

This was one of the coolest experiences I have ever had! The dresses, the hair and makeup, the diva treatment, the fun of the photo shoot process….I remember collapsing into bed after the 12-ish hour day, exhausted, laughing, and thinking “Poor me, such a long day of feeling so pretty!” I had a blast with the other brides (Tania and Chanie) and we’ve stayed in touch over the years. All three of us have twins! Makes me wonder if Real Weddings Mag put something in the sparkling lemon water that day….?

The cover model contest photo shoot Real Weddings Magazine team members who produced this editorial feature include: Cathy Carmichael, Caitlin Herrera, Megan Moyer, Desiree Patterson, Kelley Saia, Gloria Schroeder, Wendy Sipple, Leah Sturgeon and Jenn Talley.

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:

VENUE

Granite Bay Golf Club

916-791-7578, granitebayclub.com

PHOTOGRAPHER

Sharpe Photographers (now known as The Red Sneaker Studio)

916-949-4748, theredsneakerstudio.com

GOWNS

Bridal Gallery

Bridal Mart

Diamond Bridal Gallery

916-521-9856, diamondbridalgallery.com

Dream Weddings

Dreamnette Bridal

Mellie’s Bridal Etc.

Miosa Bride

916-443-1301, miosabride.com

Flower Girl Dresses

Dreamnette Bridal

Lil’ Suckers

Starlight Starbright

HAIR & MAKEUP

For Chanie:

Image Provocateur and VIP-CAT Cosmetics

Raquel Siders

Jennifer Haupt

For Tania:

Head West Salon, Lauren Stickel (Hair)

Definition Beauty, Leslie Domingo and Wendi Labban (Make-up)

For Lisa:

Bellisimo on-location Bridal Hair and Makeup

Carol Cardinale-Ruiz

Marilyn Rodgers (Assistant)

559-641-7721, bellisimobrides.com

FLOWERS

Ambience Floral Design

916-786-6851, ambiencefloral.com

Blooms by Martha Andrews

916-300-5948, bloomsbymarthaandrews.com

Esther’s Floral Design

530-676-7080, esthersfloraldesigns.com

CAKE

Ingrid Fraser Elegant Cakes

209-267-0947, ingridscakes.com

Special thanks to our real bride models, Chanie, Tania and Lisa, and to all of the professionals who contributed to this feature!

Looking for more Cover Models? Check out the ongoing blog series here!

Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Associate Editor, Emily Peter.

Photos by Sharpe Photographerscopyright Real Weddings Magazine.

Lisa’s wedding photos by Bella Pictures.

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