Get to Know… Edyta Szyszlo of Edyta Szyszlo Photography

In case you haven’t had the pleasure, this is your opportunity to get to know Edyta Szyszlo of Edyta Szyszlo Photography.  Edyta loves what she does and it’s so easy to tell because her work is just plain gorgeous. This year she was recognized as one of the Best West Coast Photographers of 2014 by Martha Stewart Weddings… does a higher honor even exist?  We think not.  But we do think you’ll love getting to know Edyta just as much as we have over the years.

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Name: Edyta Szyszlo

Company: Edyta Szyszlo Photography, LLC and co-owns Tomfoolery SF photobooth with her husband, Jared.

Started My Business: Been in business for almost 10 years!

Located: San Francisco

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Q: Which industry related tool can you not live without?

 A: Haha, obviously my cameras, however, a close second would be a calendar!

Q: When you’re not on site at an event, what can we find you doing?

A: I’m usually at my computer or at lifestyle/commercial photoshoots during the weekdays. But that’s a lame answer 🙂   I love exploring the outdoors and new neighborhood spots, socializing over a yummy meals, exercising, cuddling with my cats, drinking red wine, watering my plants, day-dreaming, picnicking, gawking over magazines and fooling around in our photobooth.

Edytas Cats

Edyta and Hubby

Q: At which venue are you dying to work?

A: I’m not really partial to just one place. I love anything with incredible natural light, dreamy lights or polished interior design. There are a few places in the Southern California area that I wish SF had! One on my list is Lombardi House.

Lombardi House

Lombardi House

Q: My go to snack is ________.

A:  Seasonable fruit and alike finger foods.

Q: What is/are your guilty pleasure(s)?

A: Celebrity magazines, although I never buy them. The Kardashians tv show (don’t judge me!). Cream cheese and anything with coconut.

Q: TV wise, what are you watching right now?

A: Just finished season 4 of Downton Abbey.

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Q: I can’t stand ________.

A: When there are a million phones taking pictures at a wedding ceremony, especially in the aisle.  Or when you’re reading your credit card over the phone the person is ‘uh huh-ing’ between every digit.

Q: What’s the last thing you purchased online?

A: Shoes. Leather Vans to be exact 🙂

vans

Q: Music wise, I am currently listening to ______.

A: folksy country with a mix of old school decade jams.

Q: Favorite thing I currently have hanging in my closet is ______

A: my flowy white tops and dresses…all of them.

Q: What’s your favorite restaurant in the Bay Area?

A: There are too many good ones!! I love Suppenkuche, Bar Agricole, The Corner Store, Central Kitchen, Bar Tartine, Fat Angel

Bar Agricole
The Patio at Bar Agricole

Q: Why are you most excited to be working with the Stacy McCain Event Planning team?

A: I love their structured yet easy-going nature. It’s so important to have a streamlined and efficient approach for planning an event if you want it to feel carefree. Stacy and her team are the perfect blend of elegance, top-notch service and casual attitude.  Their design sense is modern with a a soft hint of playful, making it a win-win combo.

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In case you missed it, be sure you Get to Know… Aaron Novak of Artisan Production

Get to Know… Aaron Novak of Artisan Production

Happy Summer, everyone!  This month we’re getting to know Aaron Novak of Artisan Production.  We love working with Aaron and his team, who create the most beautiful wedding videos for our clients.  And on a 10+ hour event day, he and his second shooter, Matt, are definitely a sight for sore eyes!  We hope you enjoy getting to know him as much as we have 🙂

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Name: Aaron Novak

Company: Artisan Production

Been in business for: Have been shooting weddings for 5 years.  Matt Hall has been with me for 3 years, and what makes it so dynamic is that we have been the best of friends for 20 years.

Aaron Novak and Matt Hall of Artisan Production

Aaron Novak and Matt Hall of Artisan Production

Located: Orange County, CA.

Q: Which industry related tool can you not live without?

 A: My camera, a Canon 7d: Im pretty much useless on the job without it.

Photo courtesy Wiki Media

Photo courtesy Wiki Media

Q: When you’re not on site at an event, what can we find you doing?

A: I am either editing at my office or spending quality time with my wife, Leslie, my 5 yr old daughter Lily, and 1yr son Wyatt.  Planning our next
vacation or weekend getaway is always top on our list.  Earlier this year, the four of us were able to travel to Europe throughout, France & Italy, for
5 weeks. We had the most amazing adventure together as a family.

fam photo

Q: At which venue are you dying to work?

A: I have been able to work at some pretty amazing venues throughout my career.  There’s no one particular venue that stands out, but if it is an
international location I am in!!

Q: My go to snack is ________.

A:  Coconut water and a bag of nuts?

Q: What is/are your guilty pleasure(s)?

A: Beer, I love it!! I’m really enjoying the IPAs right now.

ipa

Photo courtesy Lake Effect Brewing

Q: TV wise, what are you watching right now?

A: It feels like we are kinda hitting a dry spell right now, but I am enjoying “The Leftovers” on HBO and “Ray Donovan” on Showtime.

Q: I can’t stand ________.

A: Bad drivers, traffic, opinion based news, messy environments – I’ll keep it short.

Q: What’s the last thing you purchased online?

A: A hotel stay for a weekend getaway to La Quinta Resort and Club.

Photo courtesy Waldorf Astoria

Photo courtesy Waldorf Astoria

Q: Music wise, I am currently listening to ______.

A: It has been straight up electronic & dance beats; I made playlist, and it’s on repeat!

Q: Favorite thing I currently have hanging in my closet is ______

A: Being that it is summer, tank tops are in full effect.

Q: What’s your favorite restaurant in the Bay Area?

A: Bottega in Yountville.

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Q: What do you love most about working with the Stacy McCain Event Planning team?

A: I cannot speak more highly of Stacy and her amazing team, They are just so much fun to work with!  With all the prep and planning they do, every wedding has been beyond gorgeous and seamless. It is an honor to be a part of Stacy McCain’s events!

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In case you missed it, be sure you Get to Know… Gaby Feuersinger of Cake Coquette!

Get to Know… Gabrielle Feuersinger of Cake Coquette

This month we are getting to know the lovely Gabrielle (aka Gabby) of Cake Coquette.  Not only is Gabby a pure joy to work with, she is a true artist and pastry rockstar, presenting us with cake flavors such as Hazlenut Cake (lightly soaked in rum, then layered with thin ganache and hazelnut praline cream); Lemon Cake (soaked in a tart citrus syrup and layered with a smooth citrus creme); and Chocolate Coconut Cake (filled with layers of ganache, chocolate buttercream and toasted coconut cream).  YUM!  Now our stomachs are growling.  Read on to get to know a little more about Gabby.

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Name: Gabrielle Feuersinger

Company: Cake Coquette

Started My Business: in 2007

Located: 1501 Cortland Ave San Francisco, CA 94110

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Q: Which industry related tool can you not live without?

 A: The special smoothing and sculpting tools I use for icing buttercream and shaping cakes are my most essential tools.

Kitchen time

Q: When you’re not on site at an event, what can we find you doing?

A: Any moment not working I am spending time with my almost 3-year-old son and with my family; lately we are working in the garden.

Q: At which venue are you dying to work?

A: I can’t think of a venue that I am dying to work at, but I love when I get access to residential homes or venues of architectural significance that may not normally be open to the public.

Q: My go to snack is ________.

A:  I love all dark, wheat, seedy, nutty breads covered in jam.

Photo courtesy 10th Kitchen

Photo courtesy 10th Kitchen

Q: What is/are your guilty pleasure(s)?

A: This is not very exciting, but if I can get time to read this feels like a guilty pleasure….I’m on the second book of Game of Thrones.

Q: TV wise, what are you watching right now?

A: I watch Jimmy Fallon and Conan every night (from the night before). I just finished the first season of Game of Thrones and am starting to watch The Borghese.

Game-of-Thrones-Season-1

Q: I can’t stand ________.

A: people who are late.

Q: What’s the last thing you purchased online?

A: The most recent online purchase was from eBay, an unopened set of The Beatles figurines from the Yellow Submarine movie. They are for my son, who is obsessed with the Fab Four.

Photo courtesy Animation Magazine

Photo courtesy Animation Magazine

Q: Music wise, I am currently listening to ______.

A: The Beatles.

Q: Favorite thing I currently have hanging in my closet is ______

A: A new dress from this amazing store called MAC in Hayes valley.

Q: What’s your favorite restaurant in the Bay Area?

A: To pick a favorite restaurant is too hard, but I am always up for Gracias Madre.

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Q: Why are you most excited to be working with the Stacy McCain Event Planning team?

A: I love working with the Stacy McCain Event Planning Team because I know that everything about our event will be seamless and stunning. And that we might end up in Martha Stewart Weddings together!!

(So, we did actually end up in Martha Stewart Weddings together, which you can read about by following this link!)

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In case you missed it, be sure you Get to Know… Jillian Schiavi of Jilly Ink!

Get to Know… Trish Lee of Trish Lee San Francisco

Today, we are getting to know Trish Lee of Trish Lee San Francisco.  Trish’s collection of handcrafted wedding gowns (here in San Francisco!) are vintage inspired with a timeless design that shies away from the often mass produced trendy looks of today.  Abiding by the old-school mantra of great fit and quality fabric, Trish’s gowns are bespoke and unique to each and every bride.  Check out Trish’s Real Brides section on her website to see the ways in which Trish’s clients took inspiration from their heritage and passions to create the perfect dress and wedding day celebration.

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Name: Trish Lee

Company: Trish Lee San Francisco – Bespoke vintage-inspired wedding dresses and gowns for the discriminating bride

Started My Business: in 2012

Located: Mint Plaza

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Q: Which industry related tool can you not live without?

 A: Double sided tape.

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Q: When you’re not on site at an event, what can we find you doing?

A: Anything at Golden Gate Park or Tradition bar.

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Q: My go to snack is ________.

A:  Yogurt, berries, walnuts, honey.

Q: What is/are your guilty pleasure(s)?

A: A big bowl of ramen with all the trimmings.

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Q: TV wise, what are you watching right now?

A: HBO Girls and Looking.

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Q: I can’t stand ________.

A: Not standing for something.

Q: What’s the last thing you purchased online?

A: Face wash.

Q: Music wise, I am currently listening to ______.

A: San Francisco’s own: Tycho – the perfect melodic ambient electronic music for a long drive or to design wedding dresses, apparently!

Q: Favorite thing I currently have hanging in my closet is ______

A: My mother’s red coat. I don’t even wear it – it’s ill-fitting and the buttons are scuffed.  When my mother came to the San Francisco in the 70’s, she spent her last $50 on this double-breasted wool pea coat in poppy red, and I can’t throw it away.

Q: What’s your favorite restaurant in the Bay Area?

A: Heirloom Café, hands down.  Simple, great, unpretentious fare served in what feels like your grandma’s dining room – with the wine list of a Michelin restaurant to boot.

Photo courtesy Kaper Design

Photo courtesy Kaper Design


Q: Why are you most excited to be working with the Stacy McCain Event Planning team?

A:  They really understand people and relationships. In today’s crazy wedding world, that’s really something.

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In case you missed it, be sure you Get To Know… Jillian Schiavi of Jilly Ink!

Get to Know… Jillian Schiavi of jilly ink

This month we are getting to know Jillian Schiavi, recent full time(!!) calligrapher and Oakland resident.  We think Jillian’s work is stunning and can’t wait to begin working with her!  Whether or not she should have been born in France is still undecided, however we are certain that her interests and talents will allow her to thrive in the Bay Area.

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jillian schiavi

Name: Jillian Schiavi

Company: jilly ink

Started My Business: I started part-time in 2010 and made the leap to full-time last July, 2013

Located: Oakland, CA – just just relocated from Chicago, IL

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Q: Which industry related tool can you not live without?

 A: Yikes! Can I pick two? I’d be lost without my Copic Multiliner pens and my right angle ruler. Cutting paper for various projects and using pens that don’t bleed when the pencil markings underneath are erased are daily occurrences for me.

copic multiliner

Q: When you’re not on site at an event, what can we find you doing?

A: You can find me either biking around my new neighborhood, exploring all the local coffee shops, farmers markets, stores, taking breaks to read in the park next to Lake Merritt, practicing yoga, or meeting with friends for dinners and wine and great conversation.

Q: At which venue are you dying to work?

A: I love working with natural elements and transforming outdoor spaces, so moving out here opens up an entirely new world of possibilities for me. Muir Woods and anywhere in wine country would be so much fun to do work.

muir woods

Q: My go to snack is ________.

A:  A peanut butter Larabar and Arbonne chocolate protein shake – those tide me over in the middle of the afternoon when I’m wading through a pile of wedding envelopes or elbow-deep in a new series of illustrations.

larabar

Q: What is/are your guilty pleasure(s)?

A: Baked goods. Give me a delicious cinnamon scone, an almond croissant, or even a freshly baked crusty baguette and I’m in heaven. I swear I should have been born in France.

Q: TV wise, what are you watching right now?

A: House of Cards, Nashville, New Girl

house-of-cards-netflix-logo

Q: I can’t stand ________.

A: People who don’t follow through, and inauthenticity.

Q: What’s the last thing you purchased online?

A: Arbonne Re-Mineralizing Body Lotion and Whitelines A4 Squared Notebooks

Q: Music wise, I am currently listening to ______.

A: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. and Local Natives. Love!

Q: Favorite thing I currently have hanging in my closet is ______

A: My lululemon athletica Method Wrap – I used to work there, and snatched it up pronto. Things fly out of those stores, so you’ve gotta grab it right when you see it!

lululemon method wrap

Q: What’s your favorite restaurant in the Bay Area?

A: So far it’s a toss up between Delfina and Out the Door.

restaurant_otd

Q: Why are you most excited to be working with the Stacy McCain Event Planning team?

A: I’m thrilled to begin working with the team – it’s evident that the group is made up of organized, creative, fun and engaging ladies, and I can’t wait to collaborate!

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As an introduction gift to the Bay Area and California, Jillian is offering a 10% discount on all wedding lettering services through the end of May to all west coast couples.  Please contact Jillian for more information { jillian.schiavi@gmail.com }

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In case you missed it, be sure you Get to Know… Lindsay Jernegan of Frances Lane!