New to GHGH this year is another fabulous vendor, Thrilled For You Video Guestbook!  Jenny Lam, Chief Designer, and two co-founders started this company four years ago after leaving Microsoft. Jenny, what do you love about your work? We think that software is the new canvas of creating exciting things that can make people’s lives better, easier and more beautiful. We’re excited to be in the movement of creating beautiful digital goods. Thrilled For you Video Guestbook was a product idea that came from my own wedding in 2009. My husband and I wanted something to capture the intimate messages from guests that flew all the way around the world to be with us. We knew a traditional guestbook wasn’t going to cut it. So my 2 co-founders, coded the software that I designed and it debuted as a prototype at my wedding, Our guests recorded hundreds of video messages. Some sweet, funny, and silly. Guests loved it so we ended up launching it as a product after we got back from our honeymoon.   What drew you to GHGH? I attended Get Hitched, Give Hope as a bride in 2009. Loved the energy, the attention to detail, and the passion around the cause. It immediately resonated with our company values.   How are you participating in the event? We are donating 3 customized Video Guestbooks (software for the Mac, iPad, or iPhone). Thrilled For You video guestbook is kiosk software for Macs, and now for iPad2s and iPhones with front-facing cameras. Your wedding guests can record an unlimited number of personal video wishes. You can even incorporate the clips into your official wedding video.  Winner of the auction item can choose from a Mac App, iPad2 app or iPhone app.  We’ll also have a bistro table at the event where attendees can try out the guestbook for themselves.

 

What makes your business stand out? Too often technology feels so complicated and cold. We’re in the business of changing that by making technology feel handcrafted and special. We’d like to think of ourselves as artisan software makers.   If you could pass on your advice to an engaged couple, what three tips would you give? It’s probably the same ones you’ve heard before: focus on the stuff that is authentic to you as a couple, Quality over quantity, and SAVOR and capture all of it!!!   How can we stay in touch? www.thrilledforyou.com and www.jacksonfish.com (the parent company)

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  Another of our wonderful sponsors is .m.Glam Designs -- Muriel Kao has donated a fabulous item for the silent auction as well as gorgeous goodies for our Elite Swag Bags!!  .m.Glam will be donating an exquisite set of Crystal-draped Manzanita Tree Centerpieces to help make someone’s event that much more special and glamorous. As an added bonus, each individual who bids will receive a beautiful silver clutch which will be the same ones found in this year’s Elite Swag Bag.  Amazing -- thank you so much, Muriel!!   Here's a peek at these beauties...

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I would like to introduce you to Laurel McConnell, one of Get Hitched Give Hope's co-founders!  She is the gifted photographer behind Laurel McConnell Photography and is one of those people who is beautiful both inside and out.  We love Laurel at GHGH and are so blessed to have her on our team for this year's event!!!   [caption id="attachment_3040" align="aligncenter" width="179" caption="Photo by Barbie Hull"][/caption]   Laurel, how long have you been a photographer and what do you love most about it?   I have been a photographer, since 2001 - going on 11 years!  I love... the people. The love. The excitement. The emotions. The flowers. The fashion. The fun. And sometimes the cake.   [caption id="attachment_3041" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Photo by {Laurel McConnell Photography}"][/caption]   Why did you get involved with Get Hitched Give Hope?   I’m a co-founder ;) We wanted to create an opportunity for all types of wedding industry businesses to participate in a great cause, while giving brides and grooms something awesome in return!   [caption id="attachment_3042" align="aligncenter" width="224" caption="Photo by {Laurel McConnell Photography}"][/caption]   How are you helping out this year?   I am a board member, marketing-consultant-on-demand, and sponsor via an awesome auction item.  I will be auctioning off a two-hour engagement session on location complete with editing of the images.  Your 20 best images will be retouched and showcased in a sweet guest book with lots of room for your guests to write little love notes to you.  How cool is that?!   [caption id="attachment_3043" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Photo by {Laurel McConnell Photography}"][/caption]   What inspires you?   Fun people!!!! And great light, of course!   If you could pass on your advice to an engaged couple, what three tips would you give?   1. Allow more time than you’d think for photography, you might just have a blast exploring and hanging out with your main squeeze!  Let your photography time be an experience because this may be the only time you get to spend together before guests arrive and you’re pulled in 18 bajillion directions.   3. Choose a venue that has some great photo locations in the immediate vicinity. Changing locations multiple times wastes time that you could be spending having a ball and gives Trouble an opportunity to come over for a cocktail.   3. Hire a wedding planner and coordinator. They will be worth their weight in gold with the knowledge they bring and stress they extract!   [caption id="attachment_3044" align="aligncenter" width="222" caption="Photo by {Laurel McConnell Photography}"][/caption]   Thanks Laurel!  How can we stay in touch?   Website:  www.mcconnellphoto.com Facebook: facebook.com/LaurelMcConnellPhotography Twitter: @laurelmcconnell      

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We are super excited to have T. Anthony Jewelers as one of our event sponsors for the third year in a row!  They will be donating a gorgeous one-of-a-kind piece to the live auction at Get Hitched Give Hope plus they might have some bling for you to try on if you stop by their bistro table! Tyler Sholdt from T. Anthony Jewelers shared with me a little about his business and their stunning auction item for this year...     Tyler, tell me a little about your job and how you got started in jewelry design...   I design and create gorgeous jewelry!   I would consider myself a jewelry designer, diamond broker and depending on the client… a therapist.  Though I don’t have a degree in therapy or counseling, I do have the privilege of being one of the first people in the wedding industry that a couple visits before all of the fun starts.  I value people and I value marriage and I think that comes out in the way I work with my clients.   I’ve been involved in the jewelry industry for over 12 years and have been the owner of T. Anthony Jewelers for the past four years.   I absolutely love this industry and being able to use the talents I’ve been blessed with is truly an amazing opportunity.  Not only that but jewelry runs deep in my family’s blood.  My great-grandfather purchased a failing jewelry repair business in 1935 and turned it around to be one of the most prestigious jewelry repair shops in Washington.  The history of jewelry has been past down through generations and the passion still runs deep.   It sounds like you are really passionate about your work!  What do you love most about it?   I love meeting new people, creating relationships and designing them beautiful, one-of-a-kind jewelry that they will wear for a lifetime.     What drew you to Get Hitched Give Hope?   Right off the bat the GHGH team was sincere, warm, fun and good hearted.  Then I learned more about the event and what the money was going towards.  From there it was a no brainer and we’ve had a great relationship ever since.   What will you be donating to the Get Hitched Give Hope auction?   This year like the past two years, T. Anthony Jewelers will be donating to the live auction.  I will also have a fun selection of other jewels at my bistro table for people to try on.  The item up for auction this year will be a gorgeous pair of white pave diamond earrings with black diamond briolettes. These earrings are absolutely stunning!  The best part is that you can dress them up or wear them with a pair of jeans.     What inspires you?   Oh man!  I’m inspired by a lot of different things.  My amazing and talented wife, family, my ever-changing 10 month old son, the commitment of marriage, any type of art… you name it, modern architecture with clean lines and unique design, natural landscapes.  The list goes on.   What makes your business stand out?   I’m able to offer a ton of flexibility for clients who want to design a custom piece of jewelry.  Since I’m a one-man show, I’m the only one calling the shots.  You’re only ever dealing with me and you’ll never be passed along to another salesperson.  Even better than that, the final product and the cost of the final product will speak for itself!   If you could pass on your advice to an engaged couple, what three tips would you give?    1.  Enjoy the time you’re engaged!  Yes, it can be stressful at times but it can also be very bonding.  Make the best out of that rare time you have together. 2.  Get away.  Travel.  Explore the world. 3.  Kiss!  Be affectionate.  Especially in front of your kids (when the time comes). 4.  Bonus advice:  Learn your spouses love language.  Whether it’s buying them gifts, cleaning the house, positive and affirming words or just spending time with them.  Make the extra effort to continuously learn more about your spouse.   Thanks Tyler!  How can we keep in touch?   Website:  www.tanthonyjewelers.com Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/T-Anthony-Sholdt/108534137537 Twitter: @tanthonyjeweler    

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[caption id="attachment_2986" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Photo of Eliza by Persimmon Images"][/caption]   Eliza Truitt with Eliza Truitt Photography was one one of the original founders of Get Hitched Give Hope and we are so excited that she has continued to volunteer her time and services with GHGH over the years...plus she takes some pretty awesome photographs too!!! Check out what she is donating to the silent auction this year...   [caption id="attachment_2976" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Photo by Eliza Truitt"][/caption]     Eliza, tell us a little about what you do when you are not helping with GHGH...   I’m a wedding and portrait photographer and I’ve been doing it for 6 awesome years!   What makes your business stand out?   The things that drive my photography are emotion and moments happening between people. That’s what I hunt for and that’s what I like to photograph. I think clients choose me when they’re looking for someone who’s down to earth and who will work with them to make sure the process of taking wedding photos doesn’t interfere with their experience of the wedding day.   [caption id="attachment_2977" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Photo by Eliza Truitt"][/caption]   What are you donating to the Get Hitched Give Hope auction this year?   This year I’ll have a bistro table and I’m donating an awesome engagement session package that includes a cool photo sign-in guest book.    If you could pass on your advice to an engaged couple, what three tips would you give? 1) Enjoy the process 2) With each decision you make, keep your values in mind 3) Wedding planners are worth their weight in gold   [caption id="attachment_2978" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Photo by Eliza Truitt"][/caption]   Thanks Eliza!  How can we keep in touch?   Website: www.elizatruitt.com Blog: elizatruitt.wordpress.com Twitter: @elizatruitt Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ElizaTruittPhotography                  

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We are excited to welcome back Alexander and Jennifer Zinchuk with Zinchuk Films to Get Hitched Give Hope again this year!  They have an awesome donation that will be auctioned off at the big event on October 27th, keep reading to find out what it is!     What is Zinchuk Films all about?   We have been creating wedding films for 5 years—we have seen the industry change so much from documentary-style “videography” coverage to the new short-form cinematic wedding films. It has been an amazing experience to be a part of such an exciting industry during a time of change.  Today’s wedding films are a complete 180 from what you could find just 5 years ago!!   It is great to be able to tell the story of a wedding day – not necessarily a chronological documentary film (which can get long and boring) but to edit the events of a day down to the emotional core and create a really high-quality film that will be treasured long into the future.     What drew you to Get Hitched Give Hope?   Jennifer heard about Get Hitched Give Hope in 2009 and we were so excited to take part in 2010—she has had several family members affected by breast cancer.  It is so great to be able to join with others in the wedding industry to have fun and give back to such a great cause!   What will you featuring the auction this year at Get Hitched Give Hope?   We are donating our ‘Vintage Fusion’ wedding film package—an over $3,000 value!  It includes up to 8 hours of wedding day coverage on high definition film AND vintage Super 8 film.  We will edit the events of the wedding day into a cinematic film that lasts up to 15 minutes.  This is an exciting way to remember the sounds and moments that made the day really special.   You can see what we created for our 2010 silent auction winners here: http://zinchukvideo.com/blog/2011/08/29/taz-chanvatha-love-story/       What inspires you?   We love the community of cinematographers we have found through social networking—there are wedding filmmakers doing amazing things all over the world. We also watch a lot of movies and find inspiration in surprising places.  Most of all, our couples inspire us. After we shoot a wedding we reflect upon the day and there’s always something that really stands out about a couple and their wedding—it is that unique feeling that then inspires a couple’s wedding film.   How can we stay in touch with Zinchuk Films?   Website:  http://zinchukvideo.com Blog:  http://zinchukvideo.com/blog Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/ZinchukFilms Twitter:  http://twitter.com/ZinchukFilms

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Swink Style Bar has partnered with Get Hitched Give Hope for the last two years and we are thrilledto have them on board for this year!  Swink is the ultimate destination for any gal looking to get dolled up, whether for her wedding day, a night out on the town or "just because"!  I had the pleasure of chatting with co-owner Natalie Angelillo about the AWESOME package that they are donating this year and here is what she shared...     Natalie, what do you love most about your job?   I am lucky enough to co-own Swink and work with Jacquie Byrne my best friend and business partner everyday. We started Swink in November 2009.   There are so many things that I love about my work! However, I would have to say that it’s the transformative power of beauty that never ceases to surprise and delight me. Yes, its just hair, makeup or lashes but never underestimate the power of feeling good about how you look. I can’t tell you the number of stories we have about women coming in and in 30 minutes walking out feeling like they have a new lease on life.   What initially drew you to get involved with Get Hitched Give Hope?   First, I was compelled by the incredible dedication of the GHGH all volunteer staff. Jacquie and I have spent a lot of time volunteering for a variety of causes and know the time and energy it takes to make something like this happen. Cancer and cancer related causes have been a focus of ours since we opened. We have recently started the Swink Cares Foundation to bring specialized, complementary services to women and girls battling cancer.     I'm super excited about your auction item!  Can you give us a sneak peak at what it is?   We are donating a full set of eyelash extensions and a hairstyling party for 6!  It will be part of a live auction package.   Semi permanent lash extensions are a coveted beauty add-on for any bride. Long, gorgeous lashes – that require no mascara that might smudge or run with tears are a must have! They also last weeks and can be maintained with monthly fills which make them perfect for honeymoon travel. We have some of the best lash stylists in the industry and can customize the perfect look for any bride.   The hairstyling party for six should be a blast for any group of ladies – for a night on the town for a bachelorette party, a special thank you gift for the bridesmaids or a shower. Complementary champagne and lots of laughs will round out the event!     What makes Swink Style Bar stand out?   We are the first and only blow dry bar in Seattle but we are so much more. We are a “style” bar and are about all things beauty. We offer services that polish and perfect a woman’s natural beauty efficiently and for a great value! We also have a very well trained staff that are experts and often trainers in their own fields. I think clients choose us because we strive to be the best and care very much about our local community.   As a woman business owner, what inspires you?   Inspiration comes from so many places. For Jacquie and me its beauty and passion. We try to look for beauty in life’s details and follow our passions every day. Our staff and our clients inspire us daily. Our Swink Cares foundation was directly inspired by a very special client who’s love of beauty and courage in the face of a terminal illness made us want to bring our services to other girls and women who have more to worry about than a bad hair day.   Do you have any advice to pass along to engaged couples?   One piece of advice – after you are married, keep acting like you are just engaged.  :)   Thanks Natalie!  How can we stay in touch?   Website: www.swinkstylebar.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SwinkStyleBar Twitter: @swinkstylebar

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