We're thrilled to introduce you to another of our wonderful 2011 sponsors, Nancy Storment of Bella Bridesmaid, returning for her second year participating in GHGH! Nancy told us, "The Seattle Bella Bridesmaid store opened almost two years ago.  I opened the store with my friend, Meredith, shortly after my own wedding.  In searching for an alternative bridal gown for myself I found Bella Bridesmaid in San Francisco (the original store).  I immediately loved it and the gorgeous “un-bridesmaid-y” dresses.  I was surprised that there wasn’t already a Bella Bridesmaid in Seattle (there are 40 across the country) so I jumped at the chance to open a store here to help all those brides, who, like me, want beautiful dresses their bridesmaid might really wear again."

Nancy, what do you love about your work?

I love helping brides and bridesmaids find the perfect dress!  The look on their face when they find “the one” is priceless.  Plus, I LOVE weddings and talking with the brides about their plans.  So fun!   What drew you to Get Hitched, Give Hope?  It’s a great cause!   How are you participating in GHGH this year? We are donating gorgeous Nina wedding shoes to the live auction this year!

What makes your business stand out? Bella Bridesmaid stands out because we focus on bridesmaid dresses – chic, sassy, designer bridesmaid dresses.  We schedule one-on-one appointments with the bridal party in our intimate boutique and really listen to what the girls are looking for.  Plus, many of the designers we carry are exclusive to our store.   If you could pass on your advice to an engaged couple, what three tips would you give?  1.  Relax.  Wedding planning is supposed to be fun!  2.  Don’t sweat the small details, it always works out in the end.  3.  Love, love, love.   How can we stay in touch? www.bellabridesmaid.com www.facebook.com/bellabridesmaid www.twitter.com/bellabridesmaid  

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  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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  We are excited to introduce another of our wonderful sponsors,  A Princess Bride Couture Bridal Salon.  A Princess Bride caters to brides from all over the Northwest as well as the world to find them their dream gown for the biggest day of the their life!  They’ve been in business for 20 years, working with a passion for design and fashion, starting with veils designed and created by the owner, Kathy, which they still have in the store.  They have expanded to provide everything a bride would need for a gorgeous bridal gown, from accessories to alterations. What do you love about your work? Everyday we get to help women pick out the most important item she will ever wear. A wedding dress is so much more than that. It is a reflection of the couple, their personalities, who they are together and individiually, and it sets the tone for their entire big day. Being a part of something that special is amazing and fulfilling.   What drew you to Get Hitched, Give Hope? Everyone has their moments where they forget how lucky they are to be blessed with everything life has given them. Being able to give back in such a big way is something that each and every vendor should feel lucky to be a part of. Creating excitement for the charity, love for the brides and all others, and drive to make a change is such a huge thing and GHGH does it in such an amazing way!   How are you participating in GHGH this year? We will be donating a gorgeous Pronovias ball gown to be auctioned off at GHGH. Pronovias is an amazing bridal company with exquisite attention to detail and every dress makes a bride feel like a queen. It is truly a statement making gown. Being able to wear a Pronovias on your wedding day really is amazing. They fit so well, make you feel amazing, and give that kind of jaw dropping reaction every bride is looking for. It truly is simple elegance. We will also be donating coupons to the swag bags so brides can have a chance to save some extra money on the bridal gown purchase. We know that this purchase is one of the biggest purchases they may ever make and we like to make it just a little easier however we possibly can.

What inspires you? The brides we work with every day inspire all of us. Each and every story they have to tell is different and special in it’s own way and seeing all of the love in the world is inspiring. It makes us all want to help and give that bride that key piece of her wedding that makes it HERS.   Why do clients choose your services/products? We have been around for 20 years and pride ourselves in being experienced in all different facets of bridal planning. We can give opinions on vendors, venues, and more. We specialize in giving a complete bridal experience for each and every bride from her one-on-one consultation when she first comes into the store, to giving her a personalized timeline of her gown as well as her bridesmaids and anything else she may have ordered. We know that when you order a gown, it’s more than that. You will be spending the next 9 months to a year with us and we love creating and keeping strong friendships with each and every bride we have.   If you could pass on your advice to an engaged couple, what three tips would you give? 1. Remember that everything else is just “fluff”. The most important thing about that day is it’s about you and celebrating the love you share. No one will remember the chairs, but they will all remember the love you share. 2. Don’t put off the small stuff. When it builds up to the last minute, you will be too stressed during the final days to actually ENJOY them. 3. At the end of the every day, no matter how stressful, say I love you to each other.   Thank you!! How can we stay in touch? www.princessbridecouture.com www.princessbridecouture.blogspot.com www.twitter.com/princessbridewa www.facebook.com/A-Princess-Bride-Couture-Bridal-Salon

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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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  We are over the moon to have Herban Feast as a Sponsor in our live auction this year!!  They have donated an amazing $10,000 wedding package at their incredibly popular Sodo Park venue.  Thank you!!!  Their award-winning hospitality, ambiance, and cuisine can be yours if you're the lucky high bidder at our big event next Thursday, October 27!  Read up on all the details here and come ready to raise that bid number high!!

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  We know you've been dying to find out about all the gorgeous things that will be available for auction at our big event on October 27, and now you can read all about it here!!  We can't wait to see you there! Big thanks to Brittany O'Brien of Dolce Design for designing our beautiful catalog again this year!!

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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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  We're very pleased to introduce you to another returning GHGH sponsor, Jodell Egbert of Bella Umbrella!!  Jodell designs and sells pagoda fashion umbrellas. She has a collection of over 500 vintage umbrellas that she rents to brides all over the country for outdoor weddings and wedding photographs.  Bella Umbrella has been adorning fabulous weddings since 2002.

Photo Credit: Nickles Photography

  Jodell, what do you love about your work?  The thrill of the hunt for beautiful vintage pieces and the excitement of watching people fall in love with the umbrellas just as I have.   What drew you to Get Hitched, Give Hope?  A great cause and an opportunity to help people on such an important day for them.   How are you participating in GHGH this year?  We are donating a Signature Bella Pagoda which is my personal design inspired by 1950’s vintage umbrellas. Great prop for photos, protection from the sun or rain. And something practical and useful to have even after the big day! Beautiful!!   Thank you so much for being part of Get Hitched, Give Hope!  How can we stay in touch with you? www.bellaumbrella.com http://bellaumbrellas.blogspot.com/ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bella-Umbrella

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We are super excited to announce one of the awesome prizes that will be auctioned off  at Get Hitched Give Hope this year!  Meet Phebe Rossi, owner of Dolce Lou, is a gluten-free and allergen sensitive baker who creates scrumptious desserts. My tummy is rumbling just thinking of all the deliciousness...   Phebe, tell us about your business... I started baking professionally in February, but have been baking my entire life. I started baking gluten free initially for myself, and realized I was creating good food that happened to be gluten free. I love feeding people, and pleasantly surprising them with delicious allergen-sensitive goodies!   Making a connection to people through food is so personal, I love the joy I can bring couples with beautiful delicious sweets. I love the challenge of creating gluten free baked goods that everyone, not just the gluten sensitive love to eat. I love that surprise moment when I tell someone they just nibbled a gluten-free cake.   What can one lucky couple win from you this year at GHGH? This year, Dolce Lou is donating a Dessert Table to Get Hitched Give Hope. It includes up to 100 personal desserts for your special event, whether its your wedding, bridal shower, or party. The package also includes a dessert stand, delivery within Seattle and setup.     Anything else you would like to share with the world? There are three things no one should be without: chocolate, pistachios, and wine. Even better: having chocolate cake with pistachio buttercream and a glass of wine!   OMG that sounds AMAZING!  I absolutely love pistachio buttercream...feel free to make that for me anytime! Back to business, Phebe how can we connect with you? Website: www.dolcelou.com

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We are blessed to have SO many remarkable auction items for this year's Hitched Give Hope gala!  But how do we keep track of all of them??? We bring in the super organized Jennifer Taylor with Taylor'd Events by Jennifer as our Auction Coordinator!!! [caption id="attachment_2467" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Photo by La Vie Photography"][/caption]   Jennifer, tell us about your business... I own Taylor'd Events by Jennifer, a wedding and event planning company that specializes in winery weddings.  Six years ago I started Taylor'd Events by Jennifer with the goal of helping brides be better organized in planning their weddings.  I love the organization of planning an event, to make sure my clients enjoy the moments and joy of the big day while I focus on the details.   You have been on the team for several years.  Why did you get involved with Get Hitched Give Hope? As a daughter of a breast cancer survivor, Get Hitched Give Hope is an excellent opportunity to give back to a great cause and have a party while helping brides plan their weddings.   We heard you are auctioning off something at the Gala!  Please tell us about it... I will have an item in the Silent Auction and I have lots of exciting ideas but I don’t want to spill the beans yet...(Just between us it might revolve around wine.)   If you could pass on your advice to an engaged couple, what three tips would you give? 1.  Don’t plan anything the first month of your engagement – enjoy being engaged. 2.  Talk about money and who is paying for what. 3.  If you need to reduce cost, reduce your head count.   Thanks Jennifer!  How can we connect with you? Website Twitter @taylordevents Facebook

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