For the month of May, it was time to feature a jeweler in our Vendor of the Month series. There are bigger jewelry stores and chains in the area, but I love supporting the family owned stores with fantastic personal service like you find Stevens Jewelers. Owner Eric Stevens is a third generation jeweler who has vast experience in both wholesale and retail jewelry. This experience has made his Riverdale St. store in West Springfield, Massachusetts a success for over 10 years now.
The staff at Stevens Jewelers is always very knowledgeable and extremely helpful in purchasing that perfect engagement ring, wedding band, or special wedding day gift for your soon to be husband or wife. They combine an honest approach with a vast selection of jewelry that has customers coming back year after year. Before I began filming weddings, I chose Stevens Jewelers for my wedding rings. And now, after seeing their work first hand each year, I still recommend Eric and his company time and time again. Every bride and groom that I cross paths with that uses Stevens Jewelers is thrilled with their experience. You can reach Steven Jewelers at their new and expanding website: stevensjewelers.com.
At a recent wedding at the Four Seasons in Boston, I worked alongside my vendor of the month, who is also one of the top makeup artists in the city. Although you would never know it from her down to earth personality, Dani Wagener is making a significant impact on women all over the world through her talent. And, now brides in Boston are reaping the benefits.
The goal of any bride is to look her absolute best on her wedding day and Dani can provide that for Massachusetts and New England-based brides. What makes her different? Her mastery of airbrush makeup, skincare, and false eyelashes is what separates her from others. In February, I watched Dani take our beautiful bride Emily and make her look simply stunning. You can see the end result of Emily’s makeup in the movie trailer that we created for her, or on Boston photographer Lisa Rigby’s blog. The thing I love about Dani is that she believes in not only making women beautiful, but also giving them the knowledge and know-how so they can make themselves beautiful. This “effect and empowerment” philosophy was what makes Dani unique.
Dani’s work speaks for itself and it has been trusted by numerous high-end clients. Her impressive list of celebrity clients include Vogue Editor Anna Wintour, Niki Taylor, Jenny McCarthy, Anita Baker, Daisy Fuentes, Oscar-winning director Katherine Bigelow, and Steven Tyler. Her work has also been featured in numerous magazines including InStyle, Allure and Boston Weddings.
The vendor of the month for March is not only one of the top DJs in the Boston area, but in all of Massachusetts. Greg Hodges of 5 Star Events is a vendor that has the three must haves of a good disc jockey – great Master of Ceremony abilities, the ability to read a room, and a commitment to his clients.
I got the opportunity to work alongside Greg just a few weeks ago at the Four Seasons in Boston. He set the mood right away as he introduced the wedding party with an energy-building pace that got the reception rocking with the entrance of the bride and groom. Early in the evening, we had a conversation of what type of crowd was in the ballroom that night. His music choices got people right out of their seats after dinner, and now I have a great dance section for my wedding film. Finally, it was easy to see the care he put into the couple and their wedding reception as his 4-page information sheet was extremely detailed and organized.
Greg has also earned the respect of a few of my cinematography colleagues as well. We have had conversations about who the top vendors are to work with at weddings and Greg’s 5 Star Events is right at the top of the list. Greg was also voted Boston’s #1 Disc Jockey by Boston’s A-List in 2011. In addition to their DJ services, Five Star Events offers uplighting services.
February’s vendor of the month can take an average looking venue and turn it into something magnificent. Who needs Hollywood when you have Jim Powers right here in Massachusetts. CJC Event Lighting has been in the wedding business since 1984 and their business specializes in lighting for events, especially weddings. Their experience has taken them all around New England in venues big, small and everything in between. Although weddings are their specialty, the experience of lighting trade shows, fashion shows and concerts only makes Jim Powers and his company more prepared for every situation.
When it comes to lighting, there are so many ways to improve the look of your venue. If you have watched shows like Platinum Weddings or My Fair Wedding, the mood lighting or color wash that changes the look of a room is accomplished through uplighting. CJC Event Lighting is providing brides and grooms the opportunity to include uplighting in the New England area and making reception rooms look spectacular. Simpler methods to enhance your venue are to use pin spot lighting or gobo projections. Pin spot lighting is a simple way to highlight one element of your reception like the cake or centerpiece on a table. Gobo projections are used to project a couple’s initials or an abstract texture pattern on a wall, ceiling or dance floor.
CJC Event Lighting can design a room that meets your needs and desires for your one and only big day. When designing this type of lighting at your wedding, you want a professional and Jim Powers is exactly that. In all the experiences I have had with Jim, he is cordial, personable, creative and professional. He’s one vendor I never worry about coming through with what is promised. Check out some of Jim’s lighting samples in the pictures below (click on the picture to see a larger version).
I used to wait until I worked with a vendor a few times before recommending them as a vendor of the month, but after working with Daria and Andy Bishop, it was clear that they needed to be highlighted sooner rather than later. Therefore, after spending one Sunday in August with Daria Bishop Photography, they get the nod as being not only one of the top photographers in New England, but January’s Vendor of the Month.
Why do they get the nod? The motto of their Vermont-based website says it all – “Fresh, Fun & Distinctive Wedding Photography”. The husband and wife team of Daria and Andy Bishop bring a fresh, easy-going personality to the wedding day and their couples reflect that personality. I think that was one of the main reasons we worked so well together – we attract similar couples.
On a hectic day (Hurricane Irene), they remained calm, flexible and creative. It was fun to share ideas which only enhanced both the pictures and the film. The fluidness of our day made it fell like we worked with Daria and Andy on a regular basis. On the technical side, Daria and Andy’s eye for details is impeccable, while their use of natural light is something that I truly appreciate. As we travel around New England in the coming years, I hope we have more weddings in Northern Vermont, or anywhere with Daria Bishop Photography. To see the photo slide show of the wedding at Stowe Mountain Lodge in Stowe, Vermont click here.
It was an easy choice for the first dress and attire honoree, as sisters Shirley & Christine at Bridal Heirlooms in South Hadley seem to be doing everything right for brides and their families. Great service, care and knowledge are three qualities that Bridal Heirlooms take pride in with every client and that is why they are the Vendor of the Month for December. I first met Shirley and Christine a few years back when I picked up a bridesmaid dress for my wife. My two-minute stop turned out to be a 30-minute conversation about weddings, dresses and business. During the visit, I was able to see them interact with a customer as well. Genuine. Personal. Friendly. Those are the words that come to mind watching them work with a potential bride.
Everyone bride that I have come in contact with that has worked with Bridal Heirlooms has nothing but good things to say about Shirley and Christine. This bridal boutique carries the top designers like Maggie Sottero, Watters, and Jasmine just to name a few. Bridal Heirlooms can help brides find a wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses, flower girl dresses, or a even a tuxedo for the groom. The bridal boutique was recently honored by the Knot Best of Weddings for 2011 for all of their hard work Whether you are getting married in South Hadley, or across the state in Boston, Bridal Heirlooms should be on your list your of places to shop. 
The vendor of the month is rated as the top resort in Massachusetts by resortsandlodges.com. The Cranwell Resort, Spa & Golf Club in Lenox, Massachusetts is right at the top of my list of favorite places to shoot a wedding year after year. The Cranwell, located in the beautiful Berkshire mountains of Massachusetts, offers an impeccable outdoor ceremony site that includes a gorgeous mountain backdrop and a stunning staircase to begin the bride’s walk down the aisle.
Every reception that I have attended at the Resort has run flawlessly, no matter if it was held inside the ballroom or outside in the tent. The ballroom boasts tall ceilings and beautiful design, which fits many different wedding sizes. The outdoor tent provides a second great option, as the Cranwell boasts one of the few sites where your reception can stay in the fresh air. And hats off to the Chef, as the sea bass is the best wedding dish I’ve tasted. The bridal suite is a generously-sized two-room layout that is ideal for a bride’s preparations. Photo options are unlimited with charming choices inside and gorgeous views and architecture outside which translates to stunning photos and a beautiful wedding film. The pictures below are courtesy of Derek Fowles Photography, recommended vendor of the Cranwell.
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It’s time to turn our focus on some of the vendors that provide the details of the wedding day. The florist I always turn to in the Western Massachusetts area is Durocher Florist and they are my vendor of the month for October. I trust them so much that I used them for my own wedding nine years ago, and they are still my ‘go to’ florist for special deliveries to my wife.
It all starts with wedding coordinator Heather Sullivan who is one of those people in the wedding business that “gets it”. I’ve seen roses, gerber daisies, orchids and hydrangeas all look fantastic in Heather’s amazing bouquets, boutonnieres, or table displays. Heather will make you feel comfortable from the first meeting right up to your wedding day. Durocher Florist is always dependable and on time with their wedding day flowers. Since going into business in 2005, I have never come across a late or incorrect delivery, or an unsatisfied bride who used Durocher as their florist.
Durocher Florist will always tell you to clip, clip, clip! Those wedding magazines may have a lot of information that does not pertain to you, but clipping out bouquets, flower girl ideas, boutonnieres, center pieces and other flower arrangements will help you create a vision for your wedding day. Look below for some samples of Durocher’s outstanding work.
With a sweet tooth like mine, there will not be a shortage of cake or dessert vendors on this blog. After tasting cakes and desserts of all kinds, when I think of the best, I think of Something Sweet by Michelle. Owner Michelle Bohigian has made several of my couple’s cakes over the past few years. The first time she made a cake for one of my couples, I never got a chance to sample it. It wasn’t until a tasting event the next year that I finally tasted a piece of Michelle’s heavenly creations. Since then, I haven’t missed dessert on a ‘Something Sweet’ wedding.
Working side by side with Michelle is Lindsey Kisiel who has helped Something Sweet become even more dynamic. Michelle and Lindsey come highly recommended by several of the top wedding venues in the area (Cranwell Resort, Spa & Golf Club and The Lord Thompson Manor), and she was recently picked as having one of the 50 most beautiful cakes in the America by Brides Magazine. It’s hard to distinguish with Michelle’s cakes if they look better, or taste better. With Something Sweet, you can get the simple cake, or an elegant look and elaborate detail without compromising the taste. Your cake will look great and taste even more amazing!
Michelle makes all of her cakes with fresh ingredients and her list of cake options includes a White Chocolate Cake, French Vanilla Cake, a Coconut Cream Cake and a Winter Spice Cake just to name a few. Based out of Worcester, Michelle designs and bakes cakes for weddings all over New England. Her designs are all original and she takes the time to work with each and every couple individually. Her friendly personality just compliments the equation. In addition to her cakes, Michelle can help with a variety of desserts including tarts, cheesecakes, and petit fours. Check out her award winning cake below and check out her website to learn even more about this elite wedding vendor.
Wedding photography is a vendor category that brides and grooms get to choose from a plethora of talented professionals. So, to stand out in the photography world is not an easy task. But, August’s Vendor of the Month is one that stands clear from the field. Robert Charles Photography of East Longmeadow has established itself as an elite wedding photography company not only in Massachusetts, but across New England.
Ed and Bob are the owners, but it is Bob and Leah who are the lead shooters that make the wedding magic happen. I’ve have the chance to team with each of them on numerous occasions over the past year and a half. I am always excited to here that Bob or Leah is shooting a potential wedding clients pictures, because I know that the day will be easy and fun. Recently, we had Stacy Palozie infectious smile with Christopher Smith’s relaxed personality for a wedding up at the Log Cabin with a spectacular sunset. We also had Laura McLean and Dave DeCandio with their fancy Rolls Royce in front of the Cranwell Resort Spa & Golf Club. I can tell you that our wedding films are always enhanced when we shoot side by side with Bob or Leah.
So why Robert Charles Photography for your wedding? Well, their work speaks for itself. Unbelievable images that always capture the emotion and essence of your day. What you don’t see in the photographs is the way Bob and his staff go about obtaining the photos. They are invisible! You barely ever see them during the ceremony and they’re just as discreet during the reception. Lastly, Bob has the most calming influence on the bride and everyone around her. I have never been at a wedding with Bob where the wedding party seemed stressed. Phenomenal pictures, an extremely unobtrusive approach and a calming personality. Those are three qualities that you will not find all together from one vendor very often, but Robert Charles Photography offers them each and every time.
Click on any photo to see a full-size version of the picture.
