Yes, we only use real brides AND grooms for our styled shoots, too! Allow us to introduce you to Kadra and Aaron from our Cultural Fusion styled shoot.

What made you want to model for this photo shoot?

This was something so different from anything else we have done before. It was a fun, new experience to do together and seemed like a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Tell us about your modeling experience. What was your favorite part of the day? How did you feel afterwards?

KR: The modeling experience was really fun and everyone was so nice. I loved having my hair and makeup done. It is also amazing to see how a photographer can create incredible shots with totally amateur models. He made us look so good.

AV: After the shoot I was exhausted from all the posing…it was like an ab workout.

How was modeling with your significant other?

It was fun and easy. We made each other laugh a lot.

What was your favorite part of the shoot? Did you relate to the concept/theme?

My favorite part was wearing the white pantsuit (with a cape!) even though it was very windy and cold outside for that part of the shoot. It was awesome because I have been teasing Aaron for months that I was going to wear a pantsuit to our wedding, but when I put it on he actually loved it!

Tell us about your love story. How did you meet? What was the proposal like?

We met at band camp the first week of high school and dated for just three years. A few years after college we spontaneously reconnected and fell in love again quickly.

When we graduated high school, I made Aaron a scrapbook of our time together. He kept it all those years and started adding to it once we got back together. The day he proposed, we went to my family’s cabin in Santa Cruz and he gave me the scrapbook. There was a blank page at the end for our engagement…which is when he pulled out a ring and got down on one knee.

Tell us about your wedding day.

We are getting married at my parent’s ranch in Lotus. It will be an outdoor ranch/backyard wedding with an elegant twist (no cowboy boots or antique furniture). The ceremony will be by the pond and reception around the barn and house where we have bocce ball, horseshoes, trees wrapped in twinkling lights and lots of room for dancing. Finally, to honor my Swedish heritage I am hanging Swedish paper stars!

If you could offer any advice to engaged couples what would it be?

The best advice I can give is to not try something so complicated that it ruins the fun of planning. I decided to have each bridesmaid wear a different shade of blue and let them find the dress themselves. It turned out to be very difficult and frustrating to get the colors to look good and coordinate everything.

THE DETAILS

VENUE 

The Willow Ballroom and Event Center

916-548-3511  |  thewillowballroom.com

PHOTOGRAPHER 

Vicens Forns Fine Art Photography

707-637-7803  |  vicensforns.com

DESIGN, STYLING, COORDINATION, PAPERIE, LOUNGE FLORAL DESIGN, SELECT RENTALS AND SELECT JEWELRY

Anaïs Event Planning & Design

415-275-4776  |  415-894-9254  |  anaisevents.com

STYLING, BOUQUETS, BOUTONNIERE AND TABLETOP FLORAL DESIGN    

Bloem Decor

916-447-2001  |  bloemdecor.com

CAKE DESIGN

Above & Beyond Cakes

916-672-2259  |  aboveandbeyondcakes.com

STYLED CUISINE

Bella Bru Café & Catering 

916-704-9749  |  916-212-7571  |  bellabrucafe.com

HAIR ARTIST

Lisa Harter Hair and Makeup Artist  |  Lisa Harter  

530-559-7292  |  lisamharter.com

MAKEUP ARTIST

The Makeover Mommy  |  Porsche Ray

928-442-6596  |  themakeovermommy.com

GOWNS

The Bridal Box

916-742-4638  |  thebridalbox.net

My Martha Design Boutique 

530-622-6009  |  mymarthadesign.com  

Second Summer Bride

916-330-4422  secondsummerbridesacramento.com

SHOES

DSW  |  dsw.com

AARON’S TUXEDO

Always Elegant Bridal & Tuxedo

530-755-4282  |  530-487-7110  |  alwayselegantbridal.net

JEWELRY, TIES AND AARON’S VELVET JACKET

Macy’s

Moka Davis, My Stylist@Macy’s Roseville Galleria  |  916-787-3310  |  macys.com/mystylist

JEWELRY

Deepa Gurnani  |  deepagurnani.com

FELICITY DINING CHAIRS AND FARMHOUSE TABLE RENTALS

Celebrations! Party Rentals & Tents

916-773-2133  |  916-562-2900  |  775-773-8900  |  celebrationspartyrentals.com

VIDEOGRAPHER 

JB Wedding Photography

916-220-0159  |  jbweddingphoto.com

Special thanks to our real couple models, Kadra & Aaron, and all of the professionals who contributed to this feature!

Click here to see more from out Cultural Fusion styled shoot.

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

Photos by Vicens Forns Fine Art Photography/copyright Real Weddings Magazine.

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