Vendors Unveiled: Ink and Paper Design

The invitation is really the moment when the scene starts to be set for your wedding. It is the first glimpse your guests get into the feel and vision of your event. Therefore, it is vital that you make sure that you use a designer that is passionate and cares about your wedding. With that, we introduce you to this week's featured vendor!



Name: Julia Contacessi

Website: http://www.inkandpaperdesign.com/

Where are you located, and what geographical area(s) do you service?
Located in Connecticut and service all of the US

How long have you been in business?
8 years in custom favors and stationery, 12 in graphic design

What drew you to stationery design as a profession?
With my graphic design background it was easy to fall into designing invitation and announcements for family and loved ones. Once I saw how excited I could make someone through my designs I was hooked. And, I also love paper!!!

What do you feel sets you apart as a stationery designer?
Caring over designs into all the pieces that we sell. You can select an invitation and find match thank you sticks along with mint or candle tins, even gift favor wraps.

What do you love most about your job?
Creating something special and personal to mark an event. It’s really a joy to visually put to paper someone’s tone and personally for their special occasion.

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
Fresh

Vendors Unveiled: Tania Sones Photography

We are so lucky to have such amazing talent in Connecticut, and one of the categories that we constantly find incredible wedding professionals is in photography. This week's featured vendor is a perfect example of this.

Name: Tania Sones

Website: http://www.taniasonesphotography.com/

Blog: http://www.taniasonesphotographyblog.com/

Where are you located, and what geographical area(s) do you service?

I am based out of central Connecticut, but have traveled along the east coast for events. I love to travel anywhere- send me to Hawaii if you must!

How long have you been in business?

4.5 years

What drew you to photography as a profession?

I traveled around the world years ago (as a consultant for a large company) and remember shooting a sunset in Washington, DC- with a beautiful oak tree in the background right across from the White House. Once those photos were developed (back in "film" days), I remember looking at that photo and just thinking that this is something I loved doing! Then, with the birth of my first son (years later)-- it sealed the deal. I knew this was exactly what I wanted to do!

What do you feel sets you apart as a photographer?

The photographer that you hire is the person that you trust to capture your moments as you've imagined. You need to feel comfortable with that person, and feel right away it will be a good relationship- it truly is a partnership. I set expectations with my clients so that they understand my style and my personality that would provide them the type of photos I deliver. This way, we develop a solid foundation, and they feel comfortable with me and the way I would be capturing their story. When I came up with the three words for my business logo, it needed to capture exactly what my clients would receive: Photos that were Simple. Elegant. Beautiful.

What do you love most about your job?

Besides being a mom, there's nothing else I want to do in life. (Hopefully that says it all!)

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?

Ambitious

Comment for a Cause: 3rd Quarter Recap

Wow, the 4th quarter snuck up on us so fast, we didn’t even have a chance to post our 3rd quarter recap in time! Less than three months left in the year – crazy! Admittedly, we did not blog as aggressively as we should have in 3rd quarter, so naturally our comment numbers are a little lower than in the first half of the year - only 8 (yikes!).

Since this is mostly our fault, we're going to up the amount to match our lowest donation to date, which was $20.00 in the 1st quarter. This will be donated to the Arbor Day Foundation.

Our featured charity for 4th quarter will be the American Cancer Society.

Vendors Unveiled: The Cake Boutique

The wedding cake provides you with a great opportunity to have the entire feeling of the event expressed in one single detail. So many elements of the cake come together to really display the personality of the bride and groom... the color, the design, the flavor and the shape. Today, we have an interview with one of Connecticut's premiere cake designers, The Cake Boutique in Wilton. Their creations are always beautiful and delicious. Take a moment to read about his imaginative and talented company!

Name: The Cake Boutique

Website: http://www.thecakeboutiquect.com/

Where are you located, and what geographical area(s) do you service?

We are located in Wilton, CT. We serve Fairfield, New Haven and Westchester Counties. We also serve New York City.

How long have you been in business?

5 years

What drew you to cake design as a profession?
Ever since we were children, we loved watching our mom bake cakes. We always helped her and our passion for cake decorating evolved. After college, we decided to go to The French Culinary Institute in NYC and we received our pastry degrees and have been making cakes ever since!

What do you feel sets you apart as a cake designer?

We are down to earth and we really listen to our customers. Also, our cakes taste extraordinarily delicious!

What do you love most about your job?

Making a beautiful and delicious product and making our customers happy.

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?

Passionate.

[image credit: Red Loft Studios]