Here is our interview with uber talented Toronto Wedding Photographers, Daniela and Melanie of Pink Pearl Images.  We’ve included plenty of eye candy as well.  Their work is fabulous and they are both super sweetie pies! 

RFC: – Who is the creative talent behind Pink Pearl Images?

Daniela: I’m going to have to say that Melanie is the creative talent.

Melanie: Daniela is definitely the creative talent behind Pink Pearl Images.

 

RFC: – How do you describe your signature style?

Melanie: I am fascinated with candid images of people. There is honesty in people’s faces and interactions when they are unaware of the camera. The look a father gives his daughter right before they walk down the aisle tells a story about their relationship. My goal is to capture that relationship in a single image.

 

RFC: – Tell us what it would be like to have Pink Pearl Images as your wedding day photographers.

Melanie: I would describe the Pink Pearl Images experience as relaxing. We are both very easygoing people. We spend time getting to know our couples and what they are looking for in their images before the wedding. Having two photographers on the day also puts couples at ease. While Daniela is shooting one important moment, I am on the other side of the room shooting something different.

 

RFC: – Can you share some of your ultimate really cool locations for wedding day pictures?

Melanie: I agree with Daniela. One of my favourite wedding images was taken in a hotel parking lot.

RFC: – What are some of the trends you are starting to see for 2009/2010?

Melanie: I’ve noticed a big movement towards green weddings. We’ve seen couples choosing locally grown flowers in their décor, wedding invitations, place cards, and menus made of recycled paper, organic food, and environmentally friendly wedding favours like handmade soaps.

RFC: – Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Melanie: Fashion magazines like Vogue and In Style. I have binders full of ads that I have ripped out of magazines. It gives me a lot of ideas for interesting lighting and posing.

 

 

RFC: – Have there been any crazy situations that you had to handle? Tell us all the details….

Daniela: Shooting a wedding where the bride didn’t know that the groom smoked. He chose their wedding day right after the ceremony to light up a cigarette in front of her. She starting crying and freaked out. We had to crack a lot of jokes to get the bride to smile during the family formals.

Melanie: There was a 4 hour break between the wedding and reception. We were supposed to meet the bride and groom at a park after the bride had changed into her second gown. The bride called and told us that she was running an hour behind schedule. We met the groom at the park and took some awesome photos of him alone. The bride called us again and said that there was a huge delay, and that she couldn’t make it to the park. We zipped over to the hair salon with the groom and had two minutes to get some portraits of the bride and groom alone before we had to get to the reception.

 

RFC: – Most memorable moment?

Daniela: The most memorable moment for me was the look on a groom’s face when he saw his brother before the ceremony. His brother couldn’t afford to fly in for the wedding, and all the groomsmen pitched in to pay for his airfare as a surprise present for the groom. It was a very touching moment to witness.

Melanie: We had a really camera shy bride. During her portrait session I took an image of her and showed it to her on the LCD screen. When she saw how beautiful she looked in that image you could see her eyes light up. She became much more relaxed for the rest of the photos.

RFC: – Tell us something about you that people would be shocked to find out?

Daniela: I can sing opera and was a dancer for seven years.

Melanie: In grade seven I had a bet with a couple of friends to see who could go the longest without eating meat. I haven’t eaten meat since.

 

 

RFC: – What 3 things will we always find in your purse?

Daniela: My cell phone, gum, and hand lotion.

Melanie: My notebook, pens, and sunglasses.

RFC: – Favorite quote?

Daniela: “Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” Confucius

Melanie: “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

RFC: – Finish this sentence…. “No matter how much you paid me, I would never….”

Daniela: eat a raw tomato.

Melanie: go skydiving.

 

Thanks so much ladies!  Your work is absolutely beautiful and you capture your passion for details in every shot!  If you want to get in touch with Daniela and Melanie of Pink Pearl Images, you should visit their website, and make sure to check out their lovely blog filled with updated pretty pictures of their fantastic work.   

RFC:- Who is hello DJ?

HDJ:- hello DJ! is ME – Lisa Ng, a 28 year-old, married, special events DJ, actress, cartoon voice performer & freelance writer – born to my immigrant Chinese parents in Toronto. I was raised in Mississauga, attended an arts high school. I attended The University of Toronto and graduated with an Hon. BA in Political Science & Cinema Studies. I love to cook, dance, travel and eat. I currently reside on the Danforth in Downtown, Toronto.

RFC:- Describe to us what hello DJ! is all about…

HDJ:- We are fun, young, hip and predominantly female DJ company. hello DJ! is not your cheesy wedding DJ company, the show is not about us – it’s about you! 

RFC:- How long has hello DJ! been in business?

HDJ:- hello DJ! launched in June 2005, almost 4 years ago. Since our launch, our success has snowballed and we DJ more and more events every year. We pay for very little advertising and rely on great word-of-mouth from our past clients, vendors and venues we have worked with.

RFC:- Where do you see your business in 5 years?

HDJ:- We will probably still be a single operator DJ company. I truly believe in personalized service and excellent customer care. I love meeting my clients and letting them know that I will be the one DJ-ing their wedding. There is no ‘bait & switch’. I want to learn about their music tastes & artists that they enjoy and incorporate as much of that as I can, while reading the crowd. We try go above and beyond whenever we can. If I see the Mother of the Bride missing and speeches are about to start – we will go out of our way to go and find them, so they don’t miss anything important. As a woman who has gone through the wedding process, I try to think of things from the Bride’s perspective and what we can do for her to make this day perfect. I mean, I wouldn’t want to start my speech if my parents were missing and out of the room! However I will never make promises I can’t keep, expectations have to be realistic and managed properly. 

RFC:- Who is your ideal bride?

HDJ:- Fun, laid-back, open to lots of ideas with a great personality and sense of adventure. I love when I click with a client! You have to make sure that you and your DJ are a great fit. There are some clients I just have a great feeling about and you feel like you’ve known them forever. 

RFC:- What are some of the trends you are starting to see for 2009?

HDJ:-  Not wedding-related? The Herve Leger Bandage Dress by BCBG. I saw it on four different magazine covers this month. It’s like a tensor bandage for your entire body! How is that for a ‘body-shaper’ (literally). This trend is going to be HUGE! I would buy an original HL dress, but it would cost more than my wedding gown. I’ll wait for the knock-offs to start showing up at H&M and Zara.

Wedding related – less people are doing the garter toss these days. Some even omit the bouquet toss. People are no longer afraid of incorporating more fun & hip adult contemporary and indie rock into their Jazz & Dinner music mix. Picture more stuff by Feist, The Stars, Peter, Bjorn & John, Broken Social Scene, The Garden State Soundtrack, Gwen Stefani, Leona Lewis – there are no rules, it’s your day.

 

 

RFC:- What is your favourite first song?

HDJ:- ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ by Isreal Kamakawiwo’ole

RFC:- Is there any type of music you absolutely will not play?

RFC:- Have there been any crazy situations that you had to handle? Tell us all the details….

HDJ:- I try to roll with all the punches and handle crazy situations as they come!
 

RFC:- Most memorable moment? 

HDJ:- Marrying my high school sweetheart after almost 9 years of dating in 2007. 

 

RFC:- Tell us something that no one knows about you and would be shocked to find out? 

HDJ:- I was in a TV movie with Justin Timberlake and we had a scene together! It still airs on the Disney Channel.
 

RFC:- What 3 things will we always find in your purse? 

HDJ:- My flip phone! No Blackberry yet – I’m trying to put limits on how often I check my email. My Aveda SPF 15 lip balm – I love how it goes on so thick for those looong Canadian winters. My colourful Roxy wallet.
 

RFC:- Finish this sentence…. “No matter how much you paid me, I would never….”

Thank you so much Lisa! I absolutely love that version of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’.  Its got such beautiful energy, and I think it would make a great first song.  After meeting with you, it’s quite obvious you love what you do, and your passion shines through! Any couple would be very lucky to have you DJ their wedding!  If you would like to get in touch with Lisa Ng of hello DJ, you can email her or visit her website @ www.hellodj.ca.

RFC:- Tell us a little bit about Moments That Shine?

MTS:- We were created to help people think outside the box when planning.
When getting married, some fall into the wedding trap where everything
has to be like a family member’s nuptials or all their vendors have to
specialize in weddings only. Not the case and we’re here to help!

RFC:- How long have you been in business, and where are you located?

MTS:- Moments That Shine has been fully operational since July of 2006 after
a year of business research and planning. Our office is located in
Whitby, ON but we’re proud to offer services all across the globe! We
also have Event Planning experience in the corporate world reaching
back a few years.

RFC:- What other services do you provide?

MTS:- Besides planning and coordination? Isn’t that enough? Actually, it
isn’t for us. We also offer customers completely custom made
invitations (no two orders are the same!) as well as hand-crafted
jewellery for anyone looking for bling!

RFC:- Tell us what it would be like to have Susan Légaré as our wedding
planner…

MTS:- Details, spreadsheets and stress-free times. If those things interest
you, we’d be the perfect match. From the day the contract is signed,
an extensive spreadsheet is kept with all of your details of the day
so nothing gets lost. As for the stress-free portion, it’s almost like
you have a part-time therapist with me at the helm. If you’re having
troubles with certain aspects (or people!) of your day, I’m only too
happy to get in there and be a voice of reason … in a non-
confrontational way.

RFC:- Where do you get your inspiration from?

MTS:- Too many places to mention! I look at all of the common spots like
Wedding Bells, Martha, Colin Cowie, etc but I honestly have a better
time looking in non-wedding places. Grabbing ideas from everyday life
is the absolute best. I try to get into my clients’ personalities to
find things close to them. Whether it be a favourite nightclub or
rubber ducks, you should showcase what you love! I also love looking
to Australia for new ideas.

RFC:- How many people are part of your team? Do you have assistants that
work with you?

MTS:- I’m an office of one on most days but during events and big invitation
orders, I do have an incredible team of people who work alongside me.
My graphics artist at Deeya Design (www.deeyadesign.ca) is the brains
behind many complex designs as well as all of the company’s marketing
materials. During events, I have three assistants to choose from …
each with their own wonderful assets. I wouldn’t trade them for
anything.

RFC:- What is your favorite wedding theme right now?

MTS:- Fun. Sure, it’s not a typical theme per say but it should be. As much
as I love high style events, masquerades and/or photo booths, if you
and your guests aren’t having fun with it, it’s a waste of a theme.
Make sure you choose something your crowd is going to go crazy over.
This may be a Las Vegas theme with gambling, a Moroccan theme with
bright colours and incredible food or it just may be a stand-up
cocktail evening. Think about what will work for you!

RFC:- What will weddings be like in 2009?

MTS:- Moving forward, unless a lot of the wedding is planned and paid for
already, the biggest trend in event for 2009 & 2010 is the ‘scale
back’. Because of the economy, people simply aren’t able to splurge as
much as before. This means using the resources around you (maybe
someone’s backyard as your venue or your aunt to bake the cake),
making the guest list smaller and truly prioritizing on what you’ll be
spending on. I also think you’ll be seeing the continuing trend of
weekday weddings and/or evening cocktails as the reception.

RFC:- Favorite song for the first dance?

MTS:- I’m a self-proclaimed music snob. There are a few first dance songs
I’m sick of but I won’t say what they are because I believe everyone
has their own taste and I respect that. Without choosing my favourite
song as a first dance (because no one would know it), the best ones
are the ones where I see the emotion in the couples’ faces as soon as
the first note is played.

RFC:- Tell us about any mix-ups or things gone wrong at a wedding…

MTS:- I’ve had things from cakes shifting in transit to photographers not
doing their job. Everything is fixable though! That’s one of the
biggest reasons why you need to hire me for at least your day-of. That
way you won’t know about any problems … they will be taken care of
before you know it.

RFC:- What 3 items would we always find in your purse?

MTS:- At an event or in my every-day life?
At an event I don’t carry a purse but I have a heavy-duty emergency
kit. The three things in there I can’t live without are my Tide-To-Go
pen, my scissors and safety pins.
On a daily basis, that changes a bit. You won’t see me without my
iPhone, mints and Kleenex (all three also brought to events!).

RFC:- Favorite Movie?

MTS:- The Philadelphia Story. James Stewart, Katharine Hepburn and Cary
Grant. I could watch it 24/7.

RFC:- Business Mantra?

MTS:- Excellent customer service is the single most important part of your
experience with me. I make it a habit to save customers time, money
and stress.

RFC:- Tell us something most people don’t know about you, and would be
shocked to find out?

MTS:- Hmmm. Probably that I packed up everything from my home in B.C., flew
to Toronto and moved in with my husband after only four months of
knowing him.

RFC:- Where do you see your business in 5 years?

MTS:- I know we’ll be a premiere event planning company in the GTA (already
there!) but in the next five years, I would like that to spread across
Canada!

RFC:- Best part of your job?

MTS:- Seeing people truly touched.

RFC:- How do you think the wedding industry has changed since you’ve started?

MTS:- People are catching on that they don’t have to have cookie cutter
weddings and I couldn’t be happier!

RFC:- Finish this sentence… “No matter how much you paid me, I would
never….”

MTS:- Never say never. It will come back to bite you.

RFC:- Favorite Quote?

MTS:- “Every night I hang my head outside into the stars … it’s a wonder I
can even talk at all.” – Jim Cuddy

Thanks so much Susan!  Love the quote and of course the shoes too by the way! *Wink*
If you would like to get in contact with Susan of Moments That Shine, you can do so by phone @ 905.493.0909 (office) or 905.410.7580 (mobile). By email, and of course please visit her website and fantastic blog where you can get some amazing fresh-off-the-press wedding inspiration and insights.

 

RFC:- Tell us a little bit about Vivian’s Decorations and Design and what you do?

VDD:- Actually, I started out doing coordination, but then my creative side couldn’t be held back any longer, so it evolved into Vivian’s Decorations & Designs. I wanted to help brides who don’t necessarily have a kazillion dollars, but still want their wedding to be pretty, but not overdone. I do this because I like to do! One of my brides described me as…”She is a little bit more casual than most vendors, but we enjoyed it and made it feel like we were talking to a peer who was looking our for our best interests instead of a vendor who wanted us to sign a contract”. She described my style to a tee. I LOVED that!

RFC:- How long have you been in business, and where are you located?

VDD:- I started my business in 2005 with my older sister’s wedding. I don’t have a showroom yet, but I’m located in Mississauga, Ont.

RFC:- What other services do you provide?

VDD:- I do decor – head tables, cake tables, backdrops etc. I also provide linens, chair covers, centrepieces etc

RFC:- How many people are part of your team? Do you have assistants that work with you?

VDD:- I work with my lovely sisters! They have been a great help and my business wouldn’t be where it is without them. i heart them!

RFC:- What is your favorite wedding theme right now?

VDD:- I love to see damask at weddings. I think that’s it’s so elegant.

RFC:- Give us some of your ideas of wedding trends that will be hot for 2009?

VDD:- A lot of my brides are booking packages with shades of purple – aubergine & plum and shades of teal, turquoise and aqua. Chocolate is still popular as well.

RFC:- Tell us about any mixups or things gone wrong at a wedding…

VDD:- I’ve been fortunate to not have any serious mixups, but I once had a bride who canceled on me twice. They hired me, then said they weren’t getting married, then they were then they weren’t. all i got was an email that said ” we’re not getting married anymore. thanks”

RFC:- What 3 items would we always find in your purse?

VDD:- My blackberry, my lip gloss & chapstick

 

RFC:- Favorite Movie?

VDD:- What dreams may come

RFC:- Business Mantra?

VDD:- Simple, straight forward and with a smile.

RFC:- Tell us what you love the most about the wedding industry?

VDD:- I love the brides who really appreciate what we do. The ones who take the time and say “thank you, you made my experience and my day”

RFC:- Tell us something most people don’t know about you, and would be shocked to find out?

VDD:- ah…well…there’s so many things…LOL

RFC:- Where do you see your business in 5 years?

VDD:- I see it in a showroom doing weddings and corporate events.

Finish this sentence… “No matter how much you paid me, I would never….”

VDD:- “….sell my soul to the devil”

RFC:- Favorite Quote?

VDD:- “God doesn’t do things for fun” – My mom

RFC:- What can we look forward to seeing from you in ’09?

VDD:- Luxury Brown – upscale decor for the everyday bride! I wanted to bring a little bit of glam for the brides who want it, but don’t have the budget to go crazy with it.It will be all about beautiful fabrics – satins, taffetas, chiffons – feathers, “diamonds” and more!

 

Thanks so much Vivian!  We’re soo excited to see the new Luxury Brown Collection! To get in touch with Vivian to discuss decor ideas for your wedding, you may contact her by phone in the Greater Toronto area @ 416 315 0584 and Chicagoland – 1 866 518 8463.  Also, please visit Vivian’s website,  www.vdecordesigns.com or by email, v.decordesign@gmail.com.

How thrilled was I to see RFC was featured on the blog, Moments THAT Shine.  Susan Legare, The Event Consultant, Jewelry and Invitation guru was kind enough to include a post about RFC, and our Fabulous Free Fleurs contest!  Thank you Susan!  Look out for our interview with this multi-talented wedding wizard in the next few weeks! 

We have been receiving some really awesome entries to our Fabulous Free Fleurs Contest!  If you haven’t entered yet…. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?!!!  We’re still in the giving mood, but remember- The contest expires January 30th, 2009, so make sure to get those entries in!