Sacramento Wedding Inspiration: Flower Girls {Get to Know Katie}

What was Katie’s favorite part of modeling? Meeting Tina the Horse, of course! Well, maybe she liked trying on all the dresses more, but meeting Tina was definitely a highlight of the day. We loved working with Katie because she was game for anything and wore her beautiful smile the entire day. Below you can watch her day-of interview, and read her full interview to see how she discovered our Cover Model Contest.

That’s it from our Flower Girls Cover Model Contest Photo Shoot! Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram so you never miss a post.

Why did you enter this contest?

I came across Real Weddings Magazine when I was looking online for actual, real weddings that took place at my wedding venue (Old Sugar Mill), so I could get ideas and find real vendors that I could actually use at my wedding. While perusing the website, I noticed the application for the cover model contest. I [thought] “hey, why not?” And went ahead and submitted my application. You’re only a bride once! I am so excited to marry my fiancé, and I am so excited to be a bride, so I figured it would be a lot of fun, but it would also allow me to [see] different dresses, hair, makeup, flowers, and styles that I could potentially use later for my own wedding. I also love creating new experiences, meeting new people and creating exciting memories.

What do you do for a living?

I am an attorney for the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). I advise and counsel staff on environmental laws and regulations, and I do administrative litigation on behalf of the State of California.

What do you do for fun?

In my free time, you can find me outside in the beautiful Sacramento weather walking my dog/fur-child/husky, Indy. He is the light of our lives! I also love my barre classes at Exercise Elevate, going to happy hour with my girlfriends, and trying out every new Sacramento restaurant with my fiancé, Matt. Matt and I are also season ticket holders for the Sacramento Kings and we love going to games, ringing our cowbells and cheering on our team! Matt and I also love to travel and are always planning our next adventure. During Bachelor/Bachelorette (the TV show) season, you can find me and several of my girlfriends every week in my living room, drinking wine, having girl talk and laughing hysterically over the crazy antics that show is up to that particular week.

Tell us your love story.

Matt and I met in December 2010 at a holiday party thrown by mutual friends. He caught my eye, but the timing wasn’t exactly right. We reconnected in June 2012 at a charity dodge ball tournament Matt organized for MetroEdge (the young professional wing of the Sacramento Metro Chamber) at the Boys & Girls Club of Sacramento. The time was right this time. Matt was playing in the dodge ball game, but I chose to watch with a good friend of mine. Later that evening, my friend and I were attending a live music show at the Sacramento Zoo, and decided to invite Matt to come along. Even though it was 107 degrees that day, Matt decided to join us outside at the zoo, we jammed to the No Doubt cover band (aptly named “No Duh”), I took charge and asked him to kiss me at the end of the night (he did), and the rest is absolute magical history.

I knew Matt was the one relatively early on in our relationship. First and foremost, Matt is kind. He has such a caring and compassionate heart. Matt is also hilariously funny, he makes me laugh every single day. Matt is incredibly intelligent, and challenges me to broaden my horizons and expand my point of view. Also, Matt is a total dreamboat. Matt is adventurous and spontaneous, and even when he is absolutely infuriating, I cannot imagine my life without him.

On a Wednesday evening in September 2017, after an incredible dinner and drinks out on the town, Matt proposed to me in front of Golden 1 Center, home to the Kings, where you can find the two of us during home games from October through April each year. He got down on his knee and had the sweetest speech prepared, and it was the perfect proposal for the two of us.

Tell us about your wedding day.

Matt and I are getting married at sunset at the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg. We are going for a “romantic fall” theme, and my colors are blush, mauve, gold, sage, and burgundy. I anticipate a lot of greenery, with color accents and lots of twinkle lights and candles. I definitely still have a lot to do! I am most excited about seeing Matt waiting at the end of the aisle, and becoming his wife. I am also excited about getting ready with my girls and having the best dance party with all my friends and family. I hope they come prepared in their dancing shoes and leave completely exhausted from all the merriment!

What did Matt say about you entering this contest? What did he say when you became a finalist? What did you think about yourself when you were selected?

In all honesty, Matt had a hard time understanding why a full day of trying on dresses, getting my hair and makeup done, and taking photos was something we brides consider THE MOST FUN THING. But, Matt’s the best so he was super supportive and so sweet. When I told him I was selected as a finalist he was not surprised. He was really excited for me and knew I would have a great time. While Matt was not surprised I was selected as a finalist, I certainly was surprised! I am sure there was a pool of gorgeous and intelligent women that entered the contest, so I felt very honored. I was excited and definitely a bit nervous!

Tell us about your cover model experience.

The entire day of the cover model photo shoot was an absolute dream. But, it almost didn’t happen! Within five minutes of arrival at our venue, the fire alarm went off, and the whole crew had to evacuate the building! Shortly thereafter, several firefighters showed up and we were advised that the photo shoot would not be occurring that day due to an electrical issue. I was in my car just ready to head home when Wendy called and said that the show could still go on. We were moved to a hotel suite and were a bit behind, but everybody kicked into high gear and we made it happen. The day moved so quickly and I was incredibly impressed with the whole team. These ladies and gentlemen were absolute professionals; it was amazing to see them in action. From the makeup artists, to the hair stylists, to the magazine team, the photographer, florists, videographer, and beyond, these people know how to put on a photo shoot! Getting to spend time with all these new people was awesome, and I think I came out of it with some new friends and the experience of a lifetime!

My favorite part of the day, aside from hanging out with the team, was getting to try on all the fabulous dresses and try out different looks with my hair, makeup, and accessories. It was so fun taking photos in styles that are completely different than what I will ultimately choose for my own wedding. I love everything about weddings – everything is so gorgeous!

Also, I would be remiss not to mention another favorite part of the day – meeting Tina, the horse! Tina was a gem, and a supermodel. I was lucky to get some photos with such a timeless beauty!