bakersfield life magazine january 2012 vows special section

VowsBAKERSFIELD LIFE 2012

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VOWS

Ross Hoffmann and Kristen Cachola.

6� Bakersfield Life 2012 Vows

By Annie Stephens Photos by Mark Nessia

It’s always a special moment when a couple commits to spending the rest of their lives together. Every couple has their own story to share. Some may be spontaneous while others are well thought out, but either way, here are four different, exceptional tales.

Newly engaged Lupida Anzaldo, 21, and Chris Brown 23, have spent the last eight months side-by-side enjoying their unconventional lifestyle. This cowboy and country queen has participated in drag races, performed in rodeos and love to enjoy the outdoors together. It’s no surprise that Brown wasn’t very fancy when he decided to ask Anzaldo the big question.

“He was actually wanting to ask me on Christmas. He wanted to talk to me about it first, so I wouldn’t be too shocked, and also because he said he didn’t have the ring yet. I said, ‘Well the ring doesn’t matter to me,’ and he just got nervous and quiet and just asked on the spot. It was kind of our own little goofy, dorky way,” Anzaldo said.

It was clear that there wasn’t too much preparation by Brown when it came to asking Anzaldo for her hand in marriage.

“I just kind of flew by the seat of my pants,” Brown said. Brown and Anzaldo later decided to go a more sentimental route by

passing on a ring that use to belong to Brown’s mother, Kathy Kouklis. The ring consists of an aquamarine, which is Kouklis’ birthstone.

Proposalis as unique as each couple

A

Continued on page 8

Bakersfield Life 2012 Vows� 7

While some proposals have no ma-jor preparation, others often take careful and strategic planning.

This was the case with Kristen Cachola, 26, when her fiancé, Ross Hoffmann, 27, attempted to surprise her while she was on her way to work. Cachola, who works in Sacramento, typically takes a plane from Bakers-field to Sacramento. But on the night of Oct.17, Cachola found out that her flight was going to cause her to be late for work. Hoffmann insisted she take his truck and drive the four hours.

“I had just checked into the hotel and I texted him to let him know I got there safely, and then he called. He was kind of in a panic and was saying that he really needed me to go down to the truck and check one of the truck pockets because he thought he left one of his work keys for his company car,” Cachola said.

After searching the pouch behind the passenger seat for anything that felt like possible keys, she was adament that they were nowhere to be found. Hoff-mann tried to get her to keep looking, hoping that she would actually stumble across a small box holding an engage-ment ring. After Cachola insisted that the keys were not in the truck, Hoff-mann suddenly appeared from the dark. What Cachola didn’t know is that when she left for Sacramento, Hoffmann quickly went to her mother to ask for her blessing to marry Cachola. After the approval, Hoffmann drove to Sacra-mento arriving at the hotel only minutes after Cachola.

“I could just see a shadow and it’s this huge guy walking toward me, then it’s him. I’m like, ‘What are you do-ing here?’ He had gone into the truck and he pulled out something from the pouch. He grabs the box and it wasn’t until he opened it that I realized what was happening,” Cachola said.

Hoffmann had initially thought of a few other ideas on how he was going to propose, but after thinking it over, he didn’t want to do anything that would give it away. Lupida Anzaldo and

Chris Brown

Continued from page 7


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“I really just wanted to do some-thing that would surprise her. I wanted her to be caught off-guard. I talked with my Dad about it, and we came up with a plan one day to do this,” Hoffmann said.

Unlike Cachola and Hoffmann, some couples know the proposal is coming, but want to fi nd the perfect time to ask.

For Keeley Bennette, 20, once she found out her fi ancé, Corbin Maricich, 23, had gone to her father to ask for her hand in marriage, she knew there had to be a proposal coming soon. The two even went together to pick out the perfect ring, but now Bennette had to play the waiting game.

“I came home from work, and I was in my work clothes. He said, ‘Go upstairs and change, we’re going to Corbin Maricich and

Keeley BennetteContinued on page 10


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carve pumpkins and you’re going to get stuff all over it,’” Bennette said.

After Maricich carved a “K and C For-ever” in his pumpkin, Bennette joked,

“You’re just going to be lame like that?” Maricich then left the room to get the ring.

Maricich said, “I came back and said, ‘Are you ready to spend the rest of your life with me?’”

Bennette, who had been anxiously waiting for this moment to happen, was completely caught off-guard.

“He’s such a romantic. He knew if he would have put roses up the stairway or something like that I would had known right away, so he had to do something that I wouldn’t expect,” Bennette said.

For Ashley Dessy, 24, and John Krafthefer, 27, this self-proclaimed “goofy” couple not only has love for each other, but also numerous outdoor activities

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like riding quads, skiing, snowboarding, bike ridding and ziplining. But when it came to proposing, Krafthefer went to Dessy’s trusty

pals for advice. “I had talked with her friends. I threw around some ideas and

some of the ideas I had were shot down,” Krafthefer said.After getting advice, Krafthefer planned the perfect evening. It

all started on the evening of Aug. 12, with Dessy who was ready for dinner earlier than expected.

“I was ready at about 7 p.m. and was like, ‘Let’s go!’ I didn’t want to waste time. He said, “No, we’ve got to wait, but he couldn’t give an excuse why,” Dessy said.

What Dessy didn’t know was that Krafthefer had a rented a limo that would be arriving at 7:20 p.m. Not only did Krafthefer rent a limo that drove them to dinner at Sorella Italian Restaurant, but he had also hired a photographer to capture the proposal, and had a custom cake that said, “Will You Marry Me?,” which was brought out after their meal.

Needless to say, Dessy said yes, and is now preparing her up-coming yacht wedding in Newport Beach.

Every wedding proposal is special and unique just like the couples themselves.

No matter what background these couples have or how they were proposed to, they all look forward to saying, “I do,” in 2012.

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The proposalReaders share that moment that takes most by surprise and becomes a lifetime memory

VOWS

How do you celebrate com-pleting your fi rst triathlon? By proposing.

Our daughter’s boyfriend, Sean, had told us of his intention to propose to our daugh-ter, Cassie, the night before her older sister’s wedding. Granted, this was not the opportune time to put the idea of yet another upcoming wedding into our heads, but we forgave him, realizing he had grabbed a rare opportunity to speak to us alone.

Sean planned to make his proposal after completing his fi rst Ironman triathlon on Nov. 20, in Tempe, Ariz. We were slightly skepti-cal about our daughter’s proposal coming from a guy who was going to be exhausted and sweaty, but we thought, “Hey! It’s his business how he goes about asking Cassie to marry him, not ours.” So we kept our mouths shut and helped him set up an elaborate plan to carry it out, including a series of lies we had to tell Cassie in order to explain her par-

ents’ and sisters’ wishes to attend this event.After 13 grueling hours of swimming,

biking and running, Sean came into the fi nish line, completely drained, but still able to stop where Cassie and her entourage were waiting to cheer him on, and get down on his knee (she thought he was cramping!) and ask her to marry him. That moment was so precious as Cassie realized (along with the roaring crowd) what was happening and cried with surprise and happiness. Our big bonus was capturing the entire proposal on video, which, yes, we have all watched with joy too many times already!

— Jill Miller

Sometimes the straightfor-ward approach works best

When I met Steve, he was separated from his wife and later went to marriage counsel-ing with his pastor, who happened to be my dad! A year later, both he and his wife decid-

ed the marriage wasn’t working and divorced. After his divorce was fi nalized and while on a date, Steve blurted out, “You are going to marry me, aren’t you?” Not the type of pro-posal I expected, but it worked! Three months later, we were married and 36 years later have fi ve children and fi ve grandchildren.

— Debi Benson

A fairy tale proposalChristopher and I have known one an-

other since kindergarten. I always considered him my high school sweetheart because that’s when we fell in love. We went our separate ways soon after graduation; he went into the Marine Corp. We both married other people, however, we never forgot about one another.

A few years ago, we reconnected and have been together ever since. He has a 4-year-old son and a 2-and-a-half-year-old daughter. I have a 5-year-old son and together we have a 5-month-old son. His parents took


us, and all of the kids to Disneyland in July. During the fireworks show outside of Sleep-ing Beauty’s castle, with our then 3-week-old son sleeping in his Snugli, Chris asked me if I knew how much he loved me, I nodded yes and as soon as I answered, he pulled out the ring. I immediately began to cry! He’s always been my prince charming; even after all of those years so far away. We can’t imagine a life apart.

— Annie Black

He proposed with a paper cigar band

Saying it was the best he could do, he slipped a yellow paper cigar band on my fin-ger. I was surprised. After enduring weeks of endless jokes, I found myself in the parking lot of Wickersham Jewelers. Then with the most beautiful words ever uttered, he replaced the cigar band with a gorgeous diamond and platinum forever ring. Today, that cigar band has a place of honor in our home. Sometimes the best proposals are the simplest ones. For some, the proposal isn’t about where or when it happens. What matters is the heart behind the happening.

— Bob and Nancy Venable

It was so loud she couldn’t hear the question, but said yes none-the-less

On Oct. 15, 2010, my now-husband Chris surprised me with tickets to see Blake Shelton at the Fox Theater that night. In the middle of the show, I turned to find Chris on one knee in the aisle, holding up a beautiful diamond ring. It was so loud; I didn’t even hear him ask the all-important question: “Will you marry me?” In shock and with plenty of tears, I accepted the ring. We were both rewarded with slaps on the back and free beers from fellow concert-goers who witnessed our special moment!

— Kristin Karlsson

Several ‘fake’ proposals leading to the real thing

My fiancé, Nick and I have been together for six years. During the first couple of years he would tease me by fake proposing and then I would just laugh it off. One day in July 2009, I went to his house following my class at a local college. I asked if he wanted to go to my house. He said sure, but he had to get dressed. After a few minutes, we were on our way. We had to walk past Standard Middle School — the place where we had met. When we got to the school he stopped, saying he

was tired. I didn’t think anything of it, and then he was giving me a weird look and then he said: “Sam, will you marry me?” I asked him: “You’re kidding right?” He said no. I started to cry and said yes.

— Samantha Leon

The best birthday present ever

Wes and I had worked together in the same place for almost 11 years. He was a single dad and I was a single mom. During the last year, we started talking more and joking around. I thought he liked me, but I wasn’t sure, so after thinking many months, I decided to take the first step and text him. I said, “This is my phone number, just in case ... Lucy.” After that, we were on the phone every day and he asked me out. Since the first date, we knew we were in love.

After a month of officially dating, Wes asked me to move in with him and I said no. I didn’t want to live with someone without a commitment. I never want my daughter to see me go from one relationship to another. Then two months later on my birthday at the casino where we both work, the manager gave me a cake in front of all the costumers. At the same time, a lady with a huge flower arrangement showed up and gave me a card that said, “Ev-ery Lucy has a Charlie Brown … I want to be your Charlie Brown for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?” I accepted and when I

started crying, everybody in the card room was clapping and very happy for us. When we got off from work that day, he asked me if I wanted to get married the same day, so we did, and that was the most beautiful birthday present I ever had.

— Lucia Olmos Clevenger

One unforgettable gradua-tion

On May 21, 2010, I graduated from Taft College. As I walked across the stage, I heard my name being called from the crowd. As I looked up, I saw huge hot pink signs that read: “Jenn Lujan, Will You Marry Me?” My heart dropped and my eyes teared up as I ran across the field toward the hot pink signs. Andy Cemo, now my amazing fiancé, ran down the stadium and met me on the field where he dropped to one knee and proposed. We will be married on Sept. 22, 2012 after I graduate from dental hygiene school.

—Jennifer Lujan

30 years later … still mar-ried after a spontaneous trip to Vegas

It was Saturday, Jan. 31, 1981, and as I folded laundry in our one-room apartment, I asked Greg, “What would you like to do today?” He very casually replied, “We could go to Las Vegas and get married.” I stopped mid-fold and asked if he was serious. “Sure, why wait? We don’t have anything better to do.”

So, while I packed a suitcase, he went to see a jeweler about rings. Shortly after midnight, we were married. Thirty years have passed, and we are still very much in love, and on occasion, still that spontaneous.

— Sandy Moffett

A big city proposalWe’d been in a minor car accident just

before his college graduation and I had lost my voice due to a seat belt injury. After graduation, we enjoyed four days of Frank-lin antique car touring in Yosemite, sans my voice. On the trip home, I awoke to notice we weren’t in the right place. Later we pulled up to the W Hotel in San Francisco (where he had mailed our clothes in advance) and after a seven-course French meal, the limo driver took us to city hall square. Amidst the architecture and moonlight on the courthouse steps, he asked me, on his knee, to be his wife. The joke these days is that I finally shut up long enough for him to ask!

— Tamara Clark


By Gene Garaygordobil

One of the latest trends in wedding photography comes with the development of photo booths, and Natalie Green of Kiss Me Photo Booth said business is booming, especially at weddings.

She also runs NYFotography, a more traditional wedding photog-raphy studio in Bakersfi eld, said that customers often select the photo booth as part of a package for her wedding photo business.

But an increasing number of people are opting just for the photo booth.

“Sometimes people get real nervous in front of a camera,” she said. “But most people won’t hesitate to jump into a photo booth and have fun.”

Even then, Natalie or her husband, Ryan Green, will accompany the booth to weddings and other events to help people work the very simple touch screen, and to sometimes help lighten the mood of those using the booth.

Ryan, a Bakersfi eld chiropractor, built both of the couple’s photo

booths, one red and the other black, are both available for rental. They are planning on building another one that’s brown, to provide more options to those with different color schemes.

“We want to provide something as original as our couples are,” Natalie said. “We also include props, and some more specifi c for themed weddings.”

Guests are encouraged to use the booth, which doesn’t cost them anything, and the three-photo strips can be used instead of wedding favors, she said. Photos print out in eight seconds, and can be custom-ized with written messages.

VOWS

Local photo booth business booming as more brides book for wedding fun

Smile!

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Owners Ryan and Natalie Green ham it up at Kiss Me Photo Booth

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For $849 for three hours, you can take unlimited photos, and the bride and groom will get a full set of all photos taken during the event included in the price.

Photos can also be uploaded to Facebook, where they can be shared and tagged to others.

The booth has been quite popular, as Natalie said she booked five weddings before her first booth was completed. She books wed-dings across California, with 75 percent of those coming outside Bakersfield. She also books events in Las Vegas.

With business thriving, Natalie and Ryan have moved both photo businesses into a downtown studio from their original home-based office.

Friend Kimberley Sturges also occupies space in the large studio, running her own business, In Writing Design, with custom-made, pocket-fold invitations.

“I was doing it for about eight months from home, and decided to join Natalie,” Sturges said. “We wanted to make it easy for brides, a one-stop shop.”

“You are not working with a bunch of vendors,” Natalie said, “just us.”

Sturges uses Green’s photos for the pocket-fold invitations.“You send it to your guest like a regular invitation, but these

have a postage ready postcard, that allows the guest to RSVP,” she said. “It sets a tone for the wedding, and it keeps things organized, so you don’t lose anything.”

Sturges said the business sort of “fell on her lap,” after she cre-ated one for a friend.

“I did one for my best friend’s wedding, and it kind of went from there,” she said.

For more information on the following businesses, stop by 2100 19th St. in Bakersfield

Kiss Me Photo Booth can be reached online at kissmephotobooth.com or by phone at 661-864-7700.

NYFotography can be reached at nyfotography.com or 661-549-9108.

In Writing Design can be reached at inwritingdesignco.com or 661-932-8113.

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VOWS

The Lady DJ’s top 10 wedding reception playlist

Dance to the musicContributed by Pam Milton

Pam Milton, aka The Lady DJ, plays such a variety of music at receptions. For this type of event, there needs to be a mix of popular cur-rent hits as well as classics, oldies and country due to the age range of the guests. Milton believes that every bride and groom wants to see their guests having a good time whether it be to a current hip-hop song or a big band song from the ’40s. What matters most is the emotion created from the music. 1. “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller Orchestra

One reason I enjoy this one is that it was such a popular song during World War II, and to see the people from that generation on the dance fl oor danc-ing to a song they grew up with is priceless for the wedding couple and their family. I really believe that people will dance if the DJ plays “their” music that brings back memories for them. It is very easy to play this song followed by

2. “Party Rock Anthem” by LFMAO This song has such great energy — great dance

song. Love to watch the crowd dance to this song. I think this song has a fantastic intro — very easy to mix into. This reminds me of the days of vinyl.

3. “Remember When” by Alan JacksonThere are songs for garter toss, songs for bouquet

toss both of which are for single guests. This song is for the married guests. This is a great love song that really represents marriage. This song honors both the ups and downs of a long union together.

4. “Thriller” by Michael JacksonIt is so fun to see the different ages on the dance

fl oor doing the “Thriller” dance. MJ is still on of the top 10 artists requested at receptions. I just crack up when a little 8-year-old asks me for Michael Jackson.

5. “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond It is impossible to play this song without the crowd

singing along — So good, so good.” Some of my fa-vorite memories of playing this song have been at the many Basque wedding receptions.

6. “Hey, Soul Sister” by Train This song is so upbeat, easy to dance to and has

Pam Milton

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clean lyrics for all ages. This song has been very popular for all the girls to dance to — just a happy song!

7. “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey This is a classic that most everyone knows the words to and loves

to sing along to. It is great to see their friends and families with their arms around each other singing, “Hold on to that feelin’…” What a great memory!

8. “Love Shack” by The B-52’s There was a lot of great music released in the ’80s — this is one of

the most requested. When I play this song, I remember watching MTV and how popular it was.

9. “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People This song sticks in my head just like “It’s a Small World” from

a trip to Disneyland. I normally never play the same song twice at a reception — this is taboo. This song has been requested, and I have played it as much as four times during the night. This song has an almost addictive beat to it and has led to some very interesting discus-sions over the actual “lyrics” of this song.

10. “At Last” by Etta James A timeless, beautiful song. This has been the single most requested

first dance song that I have ever done in my 29 years in this business. It is interesting to see how this song became really popular again when the “Father of the Bride” movies came out. Etta’s unique voice makes this song such a great classic.


VOWS

Making it theirsCouples leaving ‘personal stamps ’ on their big day

By Ann McCright

From the get-go, there was something really special about the warm, early fall evening under the stars that was taking place outside a ranch house, north of Bakersfi eld. The son and daughter of my longtime friends were getting married. The families and bridal couple were determined to “wow” their guests. And they succeeded.

In recent years, that has been the trend in weddings — couples placing their personal stamp on ceremonies and receptions that they hope will leave their guests awestruck. Wedding planners who staff booths at my Ultimate Bridal Events report that for some couples, the sky is the limit. For others, cre-ativity has accomplished the same thing, for

much less money.My friends’ wedding a couple of months

ago brought together — in a spectacular fashion — many of the wedding trends I have been writing about for the past couple of years.

The outdoor setting was the home of a family friend, who had a reputation for throw-ing parties, and who had long ago converted a barn and some outbuildings into entertain-ment spaces. As a result, the palate already existed for my friends’ unique wedding.

Chairs were set up in an adjacent pasture for guests. An arbor was erected as a back-drop for the couple to exchange vows. And with a silent cue, “When You Wish Upon a Star,” the signature song from the classic Dis-ney movie “Pinocchio,” fi lled the air. As if by


magic, the “princess” bride arrived in a horse-drawn carriage, disembarked and walked down the aisle on the arm of her father.

After the couple exchanged vows, which they had written themselves, the wedding party and various family members were handed over to a photographer, while guests nibbled on a buffet of hors d’oeuvres and sipped drinks from an open bar.

As the sun began setting, the wedding party and guests moved to an expansive front yard, where a concert stage dwarfed nearly 40 decorated dining tables. After enjoying a sit-down dinner that featured a variety of salads, meats, fish and vegetables, the eye-popping entertainment began.

A crew of workers had spent two days setting up the stage and lighting, which

had arrived in three semi-truck tractor rigs. Blending the excitement of a concert and a wedding, a tribute Journey band, Midnight Run, rocked the night away and brought everyone to their feet.

All in all, it was quite a production. More than just the music, the entire evening required precise orchestration. It required the organization and skills of experienced wed-ding planners, caterers, lighting and sound companies, and entertainers. And, of course, it required the unique vision of the bride and groom.

Pam Milton, Bakersfield’s The Lady DJ, has been spinning music at local weddings for nearly 30 years. She said she has learned a lot from “her brides,” as she has witnessed trends come and go and then return. As an

example, she noted that 30 years ago, most weddings featured a “money dance.” Now they are rarely included. Most weddings today feature father-daughter and mother-son dances.

As to the music, Milton said many couples are now favoring “retro” music, hir-ing “tribute” bands, such as Midnight Run, which features the sounds of a ’70s group comprised of former members of Santana.

“Frequently, couples will give (musicians) their special songs to play. Maybe they will be from when they first met,” said Jill Egland, whose trio, Banshee in the Kitchen, plays mostly Celtic music. “Most of the time the couple is looking for a mood — romance and timelessness.”

When Milton first entered the business, DJs were just beginning to be used and a woman DJ was rare. But over the years, they have gained favor and now team up with live bands. DJs often perform during breaks taken by a live band, or to finish up a long evening of dancing.

Egland said Banshee in the Kitchen is not usually hired for dances. Rather the trio per-forms during the ceremony and immediately afterward while photographs of the bridal

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Continued on page 20

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party are being taken. “People understand technology. So that’s why they use a DJ,”

said Egland. “However, the reason they use us is they love the romance of the harp, the flute and hammer dulcimer. It harkens back to a more romantic time.”

And then there is light! Lighting and sound companies are brought in to complete the picture — to tie the entertainment, décor and “mood” together.

Mark Perry of Freestyle Event Services works with bridal couples, families, entertainers and planners to create the mood and tie a “virtual” bow around a wedding.

“A lot of brides are ‘shooting their budgets’ with sound, video and lighting,” said Perry. “That doesn’t mean they are spending more than they want to. Instead, they are directing their money to décor, particularly lighting. In Kern County, a lot of the brides are young. They are switching from using polished MCs to DJs and to some degree live bands,” he said.

Kirk Milton’s Innovative Concert Lighting in Bakersfield also handles a lot of local weddings. Milton said an increasing number of couples are choosing between “paper decorations” and lighting. For example, pin spot lighting may be used to illuminate reception tables, eliminating paper or floral decorations.

Lighting is being used to flood trees and walls, often changing in color with the tempo of the wedding and reception, or to align with a bride’s colors.



“Lighting can tie ev-erything together,” Milton said. “At the beginning of an event, amber lighting may be used. As the evening progresses, we may switch to a more soothing lavender or indigo, a sunset look.”

“Over the years, it seems that the trend is to the bigger, wilder, crazier,” said Milton, noting that the lighting often is choreographed with the music being played.

Perry agreed, noting that couples are looking for “walk-in value. They want guests to gasp when they walk into the ballroom or tent.”

But no matter how much a couple may pay, or what special effects are used, DJ Pam Milton said she advises couples that their “wedding should be what they want it to be. It should have their personal mark.”

— Ann McCright of the McCright Agency is the organizer of the Jan. 8 Ultimate Bridal Event at Bakersfield’s Rabobank Con-vention Center. Visit ultimatebridalevent.com to register online for the event and prizes.

Ann McCright


VOWS


Watching a wedding fi lm from Couture Motion takes you away from whatever you were doing just moments before, and pulls you into the emotion and experiences shared by the happy couple on-screen.

To say it’s like no other wedding video you’ve ever seen is an understatement. The highlight fi lm is more like an extended Hollywood feature fi lm trailer, leaving you wanting to run out to watch the entire motion picture.

And that’s exactly what Megan and Ian Swanson want you to feel. They recreate the wedding day for not only the couple, but for everyone who watches. The fi lm serves to tell

the journey the couple went through, including the love story leading up to that special day, as well as moments of the wed-ding itself.

Megan and Ian have a very interesting story, themselves.They met as high schoolers acting in community theater in

Bakersfi eld, despite the fact Megan went to school at Stock-dale High, and Ian attended West High.

Both attended Cal State Fullerton, where Megan got her bachelor’s in fi ne arts in musical theater, and Ian received his bachelor’s degree in directing. Then, Ian went on to Columbia University in New York where he received his master’s in fi lm. Meanwhile, Megan was acting on a national tour.

While both lived in New York City, Megan developed a love of photography, and Ian followed his passion for fi lmmak-ing. During that time, Ian landed a job fi lming a wedding.

“I thought it was an interesting way to create art, while providing value for people,” he said.

Soon, the couple began to fi lm together, fi nding it a good way to merge their passions.

“We create pieces of art that matter to people,” Ian said, sitting at his desk in his downtown Bakersfi eld offi ce.

“We sought to create a fi lm for each couple, really to recre-

Local couple uses feature fi lm-style to tell wedding love stories

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ate the experience for them, while telling the story the couple went through, and allowing them to relive it,” he said.

They are quick to point out they are not videographers.

“We consider ourselves filmmakers,” Megan said.

Ian said they treat each job as if they are creating a film.

Wedding films should be watched and cherished for years to come. The wedding films they create do just that.

In addition to the highlight and feature films, they also offer other films to add to your collection such as the love story, the interview featurette, the full ceremony fea-turette, save the date films, thank you films and many more.

“One of our most popular and signature film elements are our interviews,” Megan said. “We sit the couple down individually and interview them about their relationship milestones. With these memorable stories of how the couple met, fell in love, and got engaged, we interweave the interviews with the material we film on the wedding day, in order to provide a prologue of sorts to the

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wedding films.”“We also offer a love story, which is a more elaborate set of

interviews intermixed with footage of the couple enjoying a slice of life Saturday together,” she said. “This love story is filmed and delivered before the wedding and often shown during the rehearsal dinner or right before the couple’s grand entrance. That way, you can get everyone invested in the couple’s special day,” Megan said.

The Swansons only do 15 to 20 wedding films a year, because sometimes the relationship with their clients can last for a year or more. And 90 percent of the time, it’s just the two of them who will be filming a wedding, although sometimes a third shooter is involved.

Their clientele ranges from small intimate weddings to huge affairs, such as one the couple shot in New York at a private estate castle.

“We go all over the place, and do all levels of events,” Megan said. “We stylize to each couple.”

When the Swansons started their business in October 2009, they started to focus on weddings, but have also done small family docu-mentaries, and have slowly broadened out to other things, Ian said.

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ness, Ian said as far as clientele goes, it’s not strictly Bakersfield.“We just did one in Mexico,” he said. The couple has filmed

many in Central California, New York City and even Minneapolis. As a matter of fact, Couture Motion did only one wedding in Ba-kersfield in 2011.

Couture Motion also offers wedding photography.“We have hybrid packages for our clients, so that they can get

photos and video from our company,” Megan said. “It has become increasingly more popular with our clients.”

Despite their feature-film caliber wedding films, the couple actu-ally has a low-key, style blend of documentary and narrative film.

“Our main focus is the experience,” Megan said. “We don’t want to get in the way of the couple on that special day.

“We don’t carry a whole bunch of equipment and lights,” she said. “And sometimes, they actually forget we are there.”

Megan said they are not limited to weddings, and will basically do any kind of film.

“We recently went out to South Dakota to film a family that just began saying, “I love you,” to each other. Apparently, they had never said it before.”

Those kinds of stories make it necessary for the Swansons to become intimate with their clients.

“That way, we walk away being friends,” Ian said. “That’s be-cause they trust us with telling their story.”

— For more information on Couture Motion and its wedding films, contact Megan and Ian Swanson by email at [email protected] or call 818-235-4585 or 818-235-3958. Also, be sure to visit couturemotion.com.


VOWS

‘Fairy godmother’ has made a difference for local brides with her day-of business

Wedding trends

Compiled by Gene Garaygordobil Photos by Jessica Frey

When it comes to weddings, every couple wants something different. While some may not strive to carry out the trends in this in-dustry, others do. For those who can’t decide whether they should have their wedding outdoors or what food to serve, that’s where a special day-of coordinator falls into place.

Being the busy “fairy godmother” that she is, Colleen Bauer took time from a big Las Vegas wedding to discuss wedding trends she’s seen while running Fairy Godmother, where she’s a wedding day-of coordinator.

Bauer called from the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas as she was getting ready for a wed-ding, which included 150 guests and a bride she’s worked with for a year.

Her wedding coordinating business is a part-time job because her full-time profession is as deposit relationship manager/vice presi-dent for Rabobank where she works with high-network customers from Bakersfi eld to Fresno — among many other duties, she said.

Working on weekends means that it doesn’t interfere with her career. It’s some-thing she loves to do, and she didn’t want to give it up, Bauer said. So that’s why she chose the day-of coordinator idea.

“You are not going to all the wedding-related appointments, but you are there for the entire wedding, which are mostly on weekends,” she said. “We orchestrate and as-sist, so the bride and her mom can step back and relax on that very important day.”

Prior to creating her wedding coordinat-ing business she started two years ago, she did party and event planning for eight years.

Her fi rst year with Fairy Godmother, she did 23 weddings. She doubled that the following year. Her business includes seven people, four wedding coordinators and three assistants. All weddings get a coordinator and

Neutral colors are making a comeback in weddings.


an assistant.And she never gets bored because every

wedding is different.“We always do a follow-up with the bride

to fi nd out their experience,” she said. “It’s a fun business.”

Bauer admitted she did her homework

before jumping into the day-of coordinating business, including calling the local bridal association, researching bigger metro areas and checking the competition. Every detail was taken into account, even the name and marketing merchandise, like the little fairy on her business cards.

“During our events, they may not remem-ber our names, but they are always looking for the ‘fairy godmother,’” she said.

Here are some trends that she has noticed during the past several months:

More moms are hiring wedding co-ordinators/planners

“That’s because moms don’t want to work at their daughters’ weddings,” she said. “Many times, moms end up doing all the work. And someone has to be in charge of the wedding, so that’s us.”

In some cases, Bauer doesn’t meet the bride until the day of the wedding because she is just working with the mom.

“Our last three appointments have been with a mom,” she said. “They want to have fun and enjoy the wedding, not work it.”

Changing of rooms“They are getting married in one area,

moving guests to another area for cocktails,

music and hors d’oeuvres, then move to the reception site for dinner,” she said. “Then everyone moves to a club room that changes the feeling, with a dance fl oor, music and the cake.”

Bauer said it makes it more interesting for guests. Sometimes, it is just changing rooms at the same overall location.

One wedding she worked on started at the church, went to a home’s front patio, then to the back yard and fi nally to a game room, which became the club room. “It’s pretty cool,” she said.

More brides are going with lace“This is something I am real excited

about. For years, brides dresses have been sleeveless. Now, there is a lot of lace coming back, including lace bolero jackets.

Retro weddingsBrides are going for that retro-style 1950s

look, with pillbox hats, shorter wedding dresses. “It’s more of a vintage look, and some even theme weddings around that retro style.

Family-style food serviceThis involves long family-style tables and

dinners with food in the middle, much like a


More brides are choosing lace.


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Basque restaurant, which makes for a more inviting setting.

“It is more family-friendly, yet it can still be pretty and elegant,” Bauer said. “It has a different feel to it.”

Goodnight stationsThese are popping up because there

are big lulls of time in which guests don’t eat. Dinner is usually served at 6 p.m., and besides a bit of cake, there is nothing more for the wedding, which sometimes end at 11 or 12 at night, Bauer said.

“Some weddings bring in snacks around 9 or 9:30 p.m.,” she said. “One bride I am working with is planning a to-go bag, with a little dessert to go.”

Themed weddings“These are things that they are into,” she

said. One bride really liked rock and roll, an-other had a black and white theme, through-out the entire wedding.

Grooms are more involved “More grooms are coming to meetings,

involved in color selection and cake test-ing. Vendors have done a good job making

grooms comfortable coming to appoint-ments.”

Brides feel better because it’s nice to have a partner through the entire process. But Bauer tries to coach brides not to disclose every detail and to keep it simple.

“When guys are involved, they are not just a guest at their own wedding.”

Most grooms feel strongly about things that are important and exciting to them, she added.

What the groom is wearing“I’m seeing more suits and less tuxes,”

Bauer said. “Fancy ties, with colored sus-penders.”

Two wedding dresses“We are seeing the bride start out with

a fancy ball-type gown, then changing into more of a cocktail-style wedding dress, which is easier to dance in,” Bauer said.

“You see a lot of that on TV, it hasn’t caught on in Bakersfi eld,” she said. “I’ve had one in Vegas, I have a second bride doing it. It’s usually more comfortable for the bride, and it is something different for the guests, too.”


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More outdoor weddings“In Bakersfi eld, we have great weather most of the year,” Bauer

said. “So we have outdoor weddings in May and June, and they are really huge in late September, lots in October and some in Novem-ber.”

Neutral colors “With spring coming up, a lot of brides are choosing colors that

are neutrals, making a statement with taupe, champagne and moss green.”

Outdoor weddings are popular, especially in the fall.


The latest in catering


The traditional, tiered wedding cake has taken on a new form. When it comes to wed-ding sweets, the latest fads are mini desserts, which are expected to remain throughout 2012, said Tami Root, owner and operator of Pop! Goes the Pastry.

“I’ve heard that the trend is largely due to calorie count and affordability,” said Root about the reduced size of cake portions. “The marvelous thing about cupcakes, cake balls and pops is that they are also really cute! And women like cute desserts!”

After working for many years in the corporate environment, Root was ready to try something new. Inspired by a good friend

who challenged her to utilize her baking talent, Root made her fi rst batch of cake balls and gave a batch to a few friends who then shared them with three or four friends. Her business has just grown from there.

Often times, these sweet treats are set up late in the evening as a “goodbye” table that also includes milkshakes, gourmet coffee drinks, doughnuts and milk.

The latest wedding catering trends are

as vast as many other trends that brides and grooms are setting, said Lili Marsh, of Signa-ture Weddings and Events.

One of the major trends in wedding food is comfort food: gourmet macaroni and cheese, bisque shooters and mini meatloaf sliders are becoming staple fare at receptions, Marsh said.

A noticeable trend are hors d’oeuvres, which Gayla Warren, who works for Moss-man’s Coffee Shops and Catering Co., said

It’s all about dessert tables and comfort food

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Women like cute desserts, like cake pops.

VOWS

The Big 3 of Mossman Catering: Gayla Warren, Rick Mossman and ShannonBenton, pose in the cafe, where most of their wedding and other catering food is created.

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she’s seen more and more of being offered at weddings. “We’ve seen quite a few cheese displays this year,” Warren said.This provides a way to feed guests while they wait for the bride

and groom to show up to the reception.Another catering trend that continues to be popular is the use of

upscale plastic china, which is cheaper than real china, and is dispos-able, said Shannon Benton, another employee at Mossman’s who handles catering.

The upscale silverware can easily cut through a 12-ounce New York steak, Benton said. “The only problem we have is that people want to keep them and take them home.”

More folks are opting for less plate service and more fancy, up-scale buffets.

Mossman’s has catered events up to 2,000 people. At a Mossman catered event, there are six workers, cutting fresh tri-tip.

“Caterers are more involved now than ever,” said Rick Mossman, owner of Mossman’s. “We did a meal for the school district for 1,700 people and they all got their food within 17 minutes.”

Started by his grandfather, Mossman’s has been run by three generations.

“What’s unique about us is that we don’t have menus, we start with a blank piece of paper,” he said. “We fi nd out what our custom-er’s needs are.”

Some customers seek more organic food choices or local grow-ers, from wine to carrots, he said. There’s lots of homey food, such as individual pot roasts.

“We also have seen a lot of stuffed chicken breast, Chateau Bri-gnon, tri-tip and chicken crepes,” Benton said.

Mossman said he has seen an increase in customers “extending the party,” for relatives who are still in town the morning after the wedding.

“They’ll get breakfast for 30, with eggs and bacon,” he said.Benton books the events, while Warren is the face that makes con-

tact. And Rick tries to be at every event, which is sometimes impossible.During busy times, the company can book 24 parties in three or

four days. The company doesn’t require a deposit, and sends bills at the end of the month. “Our customers are not buying food, they are buying trust,” Mossman said. “And in more than 40 years, we have never had anyone not pay their bill.”

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Gourmet mac and cheese


VOWS

The bridal body workoutDesigned to make you look beautiful and feel fabulous in your wedding dress

Compiled by Hillary Haenes Photos by Henry A. Barrios

Instructor infoWhat started as an instructor position

21 years ago has led Leigh Pozas to now owning the local Total Woman Training Centers. This training studio offers more than a large co-ed gym does, but it caters to women. There is group exercise with more than 75 classes available, as well as private and semi-private training programs.

Pozas, 50, does it all, and with enthu-siasm to boot. She operates her centers and teaches Gravity, a program that works every part of the body while simultane-ously working the core and cardiovascular system, several times a day. She also leads

run camps that are open for both men and women and are designed to combine the cardiovascular benefi ts of walking or run-ning with fun body weight and resistance exercises. Through the years, Pozas has trained hundreds of people who have never run before to compete in the Volkslauf Mud Run.

With such a busy schedule, Bakersfi eld Life was fortunate to get Pozas to take time to provide a full-body exercise plan for brides to use that will get them in shape for their wedding day.

Say: ‘I can,’ ‘I will,’ and ‘I do.’ It’s a great workout for everyone, not

just the bride wanting to look amazing in her wedding dress. Ladies, get your entire wedding party involved!

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Leigh Pozas


The ideal time to get started is now.

If your wedding is within the next few months, there is no time to waste. If you have a longer engagement, then great, but why wait? The sooner you get started, the faster you’ll see the results. You want to feel strong, confident and fit on your wed-ding day. Let your wedding be the begin-ning of a long and healthy life together.

You’ll need: A big stability ball, an exercise band or Theraband and a pair of hand weights — three relatively inexpen-sive items that can be purchased at any sporting goods store. Make the workout fun with good music!

This workout can be done at home with the listed equipment or at most gyms. To prevent distractions and give an environ-ment of more motivation, it is preferable to go to a gym or somewhere other than home.

Trainer tip: Pozas suggests turning off your phone and concentrating on the workout so that you can make the most of this time.

The bridal body workout planIt’s designed for every level and should

be done two to four times per week, on alternating days. Either let the body rest a day in between; or stick to cardiovascular activities (i.e. walking, jogging, aerobics, dancing, cycling, spinning, swimming, etc.) and stretching. The workout consists of 15 exercises that alternate cardiovascular exercises with strength and core training. The idea is to work in intervals, thus keep-ing the heart rate up and burning calories.

How it worksThe workout is designed to take 15,

30, 45 or 60 minutes based on fitness level, available time and desired results. The first exercise is designed to raise the heart rate and get you warmed up. Pozas suggests adding five to 10 minutes of a moderate cardiovascular warm-up such as walking, slow jogging or even dancing.15-minute workout; do each exercise for one minute30-minute workout; increase each exercise time to two minute intervals, or do each exercise for one minute then repeat the entire series*45-minute workout; do each exercise for one minute and repeat series three times*60-minute workout; increase each exer-cise time to two-minute intervals and do the entire series twice*• *If doing the series more than once, leave out exercise 15 until the last set.• To intensify and increase any of these workouts, add more cardio for three min-utes after every third exercise.

1. Wall marches With your hands pressed against a wall, lean into the wall and rapidly alternate high knee lifts. This can be done as a march, or a quicker paced running march.

The exercises

2. Squats: Keep your heels on the floor at all times and sit back as if to sit in a chair. Your knees should stay behind your toes and the weight of your body into your heels. You should be able to lift your toes throughout the move. Do four full range squats, counting to four as you go up and down, then stay low into the squat and do four quick short range squats or pulses, and then do four jump squats. The intensity of these may vary according to fitness level. Start out with very small jumps and increase jump height gradually over time. Repeat cycle for one or two minutes.

3. Biceps/lateral raises: With your feet in a split stance and knees slightly bent, hold weights at your side. With palms facing up and the elbows staying at your side, bend your elbows bringing up your arms. Be sure to keep your elbows stationary and close to your body and only use your biceps, do not move through the shoulders. As you lower the weights, let your legs drop down into a lunge. (Lunges are optional and may be left out.) As your arms bend back up, rise up out of the lunge. Do four bicep curls.

Then with your arms out at your side and palms facing down, bring your arms out straight to the side, no higher than shoulder level and slowly lower them. Do these 4 times and alternate the two for the desired time, one or two minutes.



5. Side steps: Place band around your ankles. Keep tension on the band at all times and take four steps to the right, then four steps to the left, followed by four alternating side steps in place. Keep knees slightly bent at all times. Hand weights may be held to increase intensity. Continue this pattern for one or two min-utes. For more cardio, increase the speed.

6. Push-ups/planks/moving push-ups: Place hands so that when in the lowest position of the push-up, your elbows make a 90-degree angle. Tighten your abs as tight as possible, drawing your belly button toward your spine then keeping your head in line with your body, bend your arms and lower into a push-up as far as you can without arching your back, then push back up. Repeat four times; hold the plank for a slow count of eight. For added intensity, walk your hands and feet to the right four times and back to the left four times. Repeat sequence for one or two minutes. This ex-ercise can be done against a wall, on a table or counter top or on the floor. The lower the angle, the more difficult the exercise is to do.


4. Hamstring bridges/roll out: Lie on your back and place your heels on the top center of the ball, then raise your body into a bridge. Hold this bridge with your abdominals and gluteal muscles as tight as possible. Lift your hips toward the ceiling. If you feel secure and ready for a challenge, extend your legs out and roll the ball out and in, keeping your buttocks up and your abdominals tight throughout.


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7. Single leg deadlift/bent over row: Hold a hand weight in one hand, down by your side. As you lean forward and your leg raises up behind you, let your arm straight down. While in the position with your leg raised, bend your arm, bringing the weight up to approximately your chest. Lower the weight and then lower your leg as you stand back up straight. Repeat this move for one or two minutes. (You may hold onto a chair for balance.)



8. Hamstring curls/glute lift: Place band around your ankles. If neces-sary, you can hold onto something for balance. If you can do it without holding on, it is good for balance. Keeping ten-sion on the band; bend your knee and bring your heel up toward your ham-strings, then slowly lower. Be sure and keep your knees together as you bend your knee. Repeat this four times. Next, extend your leg straight back, contract-ing the gluteal muscles (buttocks). Try not to lean forward, instead let your buttocks contract and do all the work. Alternate four of each side for one or two minutes.

9. Roll outs/planks: Get on your knees with your elbows on the ball. Keeping your body straight, let your forearms roll the ball out, then using your abs, roll the ball back in. This is a difficult exercise, so start with a small roll out, then increase as you are ready. Do four roll outs, then stay out on the last one and try to lift the knees off the ground and hold a plank. Count to eight, then repeat the roll outs. Alternate the roll outs with planks for one or two minutes.

10. Alternate biceps curls: Hold the band with one palm down and the other up. Extend your arm with the palm down, bend your elbow on the arm with the palm up, thus do-ing a bicep curl. Keep pushing down with your extended arm to increase resistance. Repeat eight times, then switch to your other arm. Repeat each eight times for one or two minutes.



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12. Crunches: Sit on the ball and walk your feet out, rolling your back down the ball until the small of your back is comfortably supported by the ball. Lay back and put your arms behind your head. Contract the abdominals and crunch forward. Crunch to the middle four times, right four times, middle again four times, then left four times. Repeat one or two minutes.

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11. Static lunges/walking lunges/jump lunges: Stand-ing in place, step forward with your right leg, then drop straight down, come back up and step back, repeat on left. Alternate four times. Now do the same lunge, but instead of stepping back, step forward each time. Do four

forward walking lunges. For increased cardiovascular work and intensity, stay in place and do fourjump alternating lunges (If you are not ready for the jump lunges, then alternate lunges to the side.) Repeat this series for one or two minutes.


14. Seated ab work: Sit on a chair or bench, lean slightly back and lift your feet off the floor. Pull your knees toward your chest and extend them out. Repeat

four times, then alternate your legs doing the same motion four times. Repeat. (This can also be done with the band around the feet.)

15. Cool down stretch: At the end of the work-out, finish with stretches. Spend about five to eight minutes stretching your body. Hold each stretch for five to ten seconds and never bounce through a stretch.Take a deep breath and reach for the sky. Place one palm behind your head, between your shoulder blades and stretch the triceps (the back of the arm). Switch to stretch other arm.Bend over and reach for the floor, letting the back of your legs stretch out. Lie on your back and lift one leg up and pull toward your body. Then place the ankle of your extended leg just above the knee on your other leg. Pull the bent legs in, then extend the free leg. Repeat on the other side.Lie on your side and pull one foot toward your buttocks to stretch the front of your leg. Repeat on other side. Stretch and take deep breaths for as long as you like. Then congratulate yourself and know that on your wed-ding day, you will be the best that you can be!


13. Tricep kickbacks/over-head press: Lean your body slightly forward from your hips. Extend your arms out behind your body, parallel to the floor. Without moving from your shoulder, bend your elbows, bringing the weights toward your shoulder. Again, without moving the shoulder, kick back the weight by extending the arms. Repeat this four times. Take your arms, bent out at a 90-degree angle. Push the weights toward the ceiling and return to the 90-degree angle. Do this exercise four times, then repeat each set of four for one or two minutes. The model: Melissa Delis, 35, is a mom of four children and a licensed marriage

and family therapist who has been going to Total Woman for several years.


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