More.... "Vendors we Love"

Vendors we love is proud to be featuring Dan and Laura Forbes from Sounds of Distinction at http://www.danthedj.ca/

Here's our little interview with them:

1. Why do you love being a dj?

Why do we love being dj’s… who wouldn’t! We are always surrounded by amazing people at the happiest times of their lives, celebrating wedding, anniversaries, birthdays and pretty much any happy occasion. We get to make people happy and that can be so fun and satisfying at the same time. We both are huge music enthusiasts and at any event you will catch the two of us bopping and moving the whole night because we truly enjoy the music.


2. How did you get into this business?

It is a very long story but to give you the quick version, I have owned a construction company for the past 20 years, which is a completely different way of life. About 8 years ago, my brother in-law called me out of the blue telling me that he has double booked himself for a couple events in the up and coming months and he wanted me to help him out. I ,being game for anything in life agreed to help him out… not knowing that I would be teaching 1000 children how to do the birdie dance and the cha cha slide. I loved it. That winter time is my off season, so I helped him out with about 20 children’s shows. The next year I decided that I loved djing more then construction and really put my focus into growing and becoming a better dj. That year I probably did 100 more events. It was when I met my wife Laura that we began our own business and started into the adult market as well, first with corporate functions and adult parties. When we became great at what we did, we began hosting weddings. Since I began djing, we have done over 3,000 events and have loved every one. Weddings are now our specialty, but we still enjoy all types of events.



3. What is your favorite wedding that you have ever played at?


We had a couple who had booked their wedding at the Hockley Highlands Resort last year and 5 weeks before their wedding, that resort closed their doors with absolutely no warning. This couple was stuck with 5 weeks to plan and organize a whole new wedding. Every person who was involved with that wedding stepped up and beyond the call. A very close friend stepped up and catered the entire event, the groom’s aunts who lived over 8 hours away rented a truck and brought down everything in the world that could turn an arena’s community center into a magical ballroom. Every guest that had pulled together to make their wedding day amazing ended up making the best party that we have ever seen or been involved in. The couple could not have had a more memorable wedding in the world and we were so happy to be a part of it.



4. Where do you see your company going in the next five years?


I love our business right now being able to work with my wife and work along with so many wonderful people. In the next five years I would love to be able to no longer tell people that we are already booked. So my goal is to find and train another person who would perform at our level and treat our customers just like ourselves.


5. Why do we love you? What makes you special?

You love us because we are us. We both are caring people who live and breath this industry. We truly put our heart and soul into every event. When someone deals with us, they get both of us. I know that a lot of people have the stereo-typical Dj in mind, and we aren’t that, we are just a couple who love to please and have a great time doing that. We also love meeting other vendors who have the same manners about themselves and recommend them to everyone.We are one of the select, that have been fortunate enough to make DJ’ing/MC’ing a full timeBusiness, not just Saturday nights. We can’t wait to hear from you, and how we can make“Your Dream a Reality” Happy Planning!

–Dan and Laura Forbes



We do love Dan and Laura. They are really genuine, down to earth, caring people who haven't let their ego get the better of them. They have a beautiful new baby girl, and couldn't be more appreciate of life. We highly recommend this fantastic team!

Happy anniversary Jen and Mark!

Last February 24th, Jen and Mark celebrated their wedding, and I was honoured to photograph them. As an anniversary present (and on Valentine's day too) I wanted to revive this old post.
So...here it is. Congratulations on your first anniversary, Jen and Mark.

On a cold, bright sunny day, Jennifer and Mark said "I do". Who knew almost a year earlier, when I men them, that a wedding day in February would have such perfect winter weather.

Jen is a sweet, gorgeous woman, and Mark is a really funny, tall, and very handsom man.
It has been my pleasure getting to know them over the last year.

You may remember some of their engagement photos taken at the Milton government buildings, and you can find one image of them "making-out" under one of the engagement galleries on my website.

The reception in these photos was held at the Oakville Conference Centre.

Please enjoy the photos from their day:

Temptation....A cash deal?

I have been asked on numerous occasions if I would do "a cash deal" and I'm sure that many of you have thought about this course of action.

I wanted to start this post because I want people to understand why Jennifer Images does not do "cash deals".

In another forum where my fellow photographers converse, this issue was brought up and this is what another photographer had to say:

"A friend of ours out here in California had someone come to book him one and offered to pay cash to avoid tax. He refused and it was a good thing. Even though he was really getting married he was an undercover investigator for the tax board. When they found a photographer avoiding tax they would come and confiscate all their computers and records so they could determine if there were any other taxes they owed. AND they also went after the client to pay the tax."

Avoiding the taxes is a risky deal to make, especially for the vendor....so please, rethink about this subject before approaching a vendor with an offer for a "cash deal".

Thanks
Jen

_________________________
Jennifer Cavagna
Jennifer Images
http://www.jenniferimages.ca
info@jenniferimages.ca
http://www.jenniferimages.blogspot.com
Avtar by the talented Amber Richmond

No longer lend your strength, to that which you wish to be free from!

Vendors we Love!

This week I am truly honoured to feature one of my all time, favorite wedding vendors. This very nice man, is none other than the talented Jeremy Citron (officiant) from http://www.allyouneedislove.ca/

Here is what Jeremy had to say:

1. Why do you love being an officiant?

I love being an officiant at weddings because of the great people I get to meet and because it is such a privilege to be invited into people's lives at such a special time for them and their families and being able to share in their celebration. Plus weddings are so diverse these days that it is an ongoing journey of discovery.

2. How did you come to do this job?

I have been in ministry in one form or other for 21 years. Although weddings are just one aspect of this, they are certainly the most joyful occasions. With a background in comparative religions, it seemed like a natural extension of my work to offer my services to couples from multi-faith and different cultural backgrounds.

3. What is you all time favorite wedding?

I have thoroughly enjoyed every wedding with 2 or 3 possible exceptions. There are so many memorable ceremonies: the oldest couple I married who had a combined age of 168; hospital weddings; a few celebrity weddings, a simple wedding under the canopy of the Carolinan forest up on the escarpment. I think one of the neatest ones took place on a mock film set for a couple who worked in the movie industry. There were cameras, lights, a stage and backdrop, trailers for the "stars", a fake film director with a cigar and megaphone. The wedding began with the director calling "action" and apart from one or two pre-arranged interruptions as the procession unfolded, the wedding was conducted normally, only for the director to shout "cut" when the couple kissed. He called for more passion and then the cameras began to roll again. There were special movie posters printed and I got to see my name in print. That was a little different and a lot of fun.

4. Where do you see your company in the next 5 years?

Who knows? I would hope that wherever I am and whatever I am doing in 5 years time I am still enjoying my work as much as I am today and still feeling blessed to be sharing such great experiences with wonderful people.

5. What makes you special? Why do we love you?

I will have to leave this one for others to answer. However, I would say that each one of us is special, we are all unique -- all individuals with the potential to be creative, compassionate, and loving. When we make a real connection with others, we discover and add to the richness and beauty of life. Perhaps, this is where the grace of God or the mystery of the universe really lies (at least for me). And so, hopefully, if someone feels a connection with me through knowing me or my work, then we both grow as human beings and we leave this small part of the world a more blessed place. And that's what it's all about, don't you think?

We love Jeremy because he is a genuine, caring human being who respects all people regardless of religion, race, profession or any other differentiating factors. It is his level of respect for others that truly makes him a vendor that we love!

Winter Engagement Session

Last weekend,Sam and Jeff came out to Gariloch Gardens, here in Oakville, for their winter engagement session. We had tons of snow and the light was beautifully overcast. Fortunately for me, it wasn't too cold out either!

Please enjoy some of the photos from my latest engagement shoot:

Vendors We Love!!!

As promised, we are going to continue to bring you exceptional vendors that we love. Today we are featuring the lovely, romantic, Lisa Van Hattam of http://www.lisavanhattem.com/ Wedding dress designer extrordinare!

Lisa is a very talented, wedding dress designer and seamstress, specializing in bridal dresses.

To contact Lisa, you can reach her at:

info@lisavanhattem.com.
http://www.lisavanhattem.com/
905-690-4096

Here were Lisa's answers to our little interview:

1. Why do you love being a wedding dress designer and seamstress? I am a hopeless romantic at heart. I love the work involved, sewing is a huge passion for me, and I love the fine details like the beading and finishing. Deep down though it is the whole romantic aspect of a wedding and the gown that inspires me.

2. How did you get into this business? I went to school for fashion design and seemed to excel at the gown part of the program. After school I acquired a job with a bridal gown designer and the whole experience seemed to fit with my skills and personality. At the same time a lot of people I knew were getting married and were asking me to make their wedding gowns. It took off from there and I have stayed working on my own. I dabbled in a whole sale line of gowns for the first few years. It was exciting seeing my name on the tags of gowns in stores, but I missed dealing directly with the brides. I decided to just concentrate on custom wedding gowns and feel like it is my true calling.

3. What is your favorite dress that you've ever made? Hmmm....they are all like my children. I love them all for different reasons. It would be impossible to choose but I would have to say that I did love making my own wedding gown. Again, because of the romantic reasons behind it.

4. Where do you see your company going in the next five years. I am very happy with where my business is at right now. I don't take it for granted that I am doing what I love in a place that I love. I hope it grows and I continue to be successful, but if it stayed how it is now, I would still be happy.

5. Why do we love you? What makes you special? I guess I would have to ask my customers that..but from what they say it is that I listen and they feel like they are the only bride in the world when they are with me. I do believe a bride deserves to feel like a princess not just on her wedding day, but during the entire process of planning a wedding. Who wouldn't love that?

Why do we love Lisa? Because she is a sweetheart of a woman, who is driven by excellence and will succeed in everything she endevours. Her designs and dresses speak for themselves. If you are looking for something different, this is one amazing wedding vendor that won't let you down.