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Things We Love |
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Northern California’s wine region is ranked as one of the nation’s top five destination wedding locations. Robbin Montero unites the wedding, wine, and tourism industry of Northern Califorina.
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SANTA BARBARA has been called the American Riviera, and it only takes one drive through this stunning intimate city nestled between gentle cascading hills and the deep blue Pacific...
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 Any diamond will carry a romantic message to a beloved bride, but only one will set her heart on fire. A diamond that is so perfectly cut that it has all the classic elements of a diamond’s beauty—brilliance, dispersion and scintillation. A diamond that sparkles like a red-hot fire. A Hearts On Fire diamond.
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The enchantment of the Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez regions, unfolding their miraculous natural beauty, cast their spell on Jill la Fleur, The Wedding Planner.
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 Skip the never-ending search for the perfect favor and head straight to the valet! Surprise your guests with an old-fashioned donut cart stationed upon the exit.
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She left her heart in San Francisco. Melissa A. Panico, with MAP Events, swoons over the elegance and the urban Bay Bridge views.
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Jennifer Dunham Star was around the age of eleven or twelve when her parents purchased her first camera, Canon FT QL made in 1966. “That was before I was even born,” she said with a laugh. It may have been an old camera, but little did her parents know the new direction this gift would eventually take her: becoming one of the most creative photographers around, both for local and destination weddings, and beginning her own business, The Memory Journalists.
|  |  | There is more to Jennifer’s creative history, “I'm an abnormality or is it an anomaly?” she humorously shared during her interview with Your Wedding Day. She continued, “Either way, I'm kind of eccentric. I am blessed to be both left and right brained; an odd combo of creativity and analytical thinking.” She has even developed a name for this condition, “anally creative!”
Already, Jennifer has packed more into her life than most could pack into several lifetimes. “When growing up, I sang, danced, took photography classes, entered drawing competitions, read as many books as I could, and wrote poems and short stories.” If that wasn’t enough, she also loved math and science! Jennifer added, “I was either extremely well-rounded, or just a small town girl looking for something to do!” In college, she studied Computer Science and Mathematics, but her love for the Creative Arts never went away, and in fact, continued to be a primary passion.
Then, two life-altering events occurred, providing a further reminder of the importance of her passions, and even, her very life. “My reminder came in 2001 in the form of cancer, followed by a nasty car accident,” Jennifer shared with us.
But being one of the most positively optimistic people you will ever meet, Jennifer refers to this time as only a “rough patch,” a time she seized to be especially creative. “I love to journal, and I had this habit of carrying a small notebook so I could jot down my thoughts and whims as the moment struck me. During that time, I sat at a restaurant and took out my journal, and on this particular evening, I had planned to write out my answer to the question, “what would I do if I won the lottery?’"
Jennifer told us her comments to herself started out rather unordinary: “pay off bills, take care of my parents.” And, because her new-found wealth was unlimited (fictitious, unfortunately!), she also added traveling world-wide, and buying every pair of shoes there was to buy. But soon, her responses became thoughtful and introspective. “In the end,” she said, “my last line was ‘teach others about the passion of life.’”
This journal entry took her right back to the days of the old 1966 Canon FT QL, but, via her love of writing. “At first I thought I was meant to write passionate stories and soulful wisdom,” she said. It was when her boyfriend Cory (now husband Cory!) purchased a new camera for Jennifer that she remembered her love for photography as a young girl. By receiving this new camera, she was inspired to take “the leap.” Jennifer explains, “From that day forward, I realized that I could show others everyday passion by journalizing their memories through photographs. And so it began...The Memory Journalists.”
It can begin for you too! Jennifer’s passions include becoming friends with her brides and grooms, and because she also has a “Heritage Program,” whereby she photographs major life events in her couple’s post-wedding lives, you will naturally develop a friendship, experiencing your own history written through photographs by none other than, Jennifer of The Memory Journalists.
By Susan Hart Hellman, Executive Editor |
The Memory Journalists
Folsom
CA
Phone: (916)802-8004
National
Website
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Directions
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Tips |
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# 1 - LOUNGING ANYWHERE
Wonder what to do to a resort ballroom to make it more interesting and intimate? You can create individual lounge areas by renting tents of sheer flowing fabric and adding sofas and coffee tables with lots of candlelight in them. You’ve suddenly created that romantic lounge atmosphere in a standard ballroom and given it more intimacy. Your guests can move to different “rooms” during the cocktails hour or or they can dance the night away. Jill La Fleur, The Wedding Planner
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#16 COMFORTABLE RECEPTIONS
Reception spaces are taking on a comfort
theme nowadays. Rather than using cocktail tables alone, couples are
creating a lounge effect in their reception areas by adding cozy
furniture groupings of sofas and coffee tables, along with tenting and
draping, lamps and lanterns, lit up trees and dozens of candles. You
may want to hire a jazz quartet or flamenco trio to create a sultry
ambiance. Some couples are even hiring cigar rollers! You can also
use this set-up outdoors for a living room beneath the stars!
Jill La Fleur, The Wedding Planner
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#21 LA FLEUR TABLE
Cover your entire table top with a single bold color of petals. Not
just a scattering, but the entire top of the table with a thick layer
of petals! You can purchase them at a farmers market or order them
through your florist. Place your chargers, place settings, glassware
and centerpieces in a contrasting color and lots of candles directly
onto the petals for a stunning, romantic look!
Jill La Fleur, The Wedding Planner
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