How did you get into the wedding photography business?

The first wedding I photographed was my dad and step moms wedding and it grew from there.

Describe what your company does?

I really try to capture the unique things about each couple and their day, I do this by getting to know them and building a friendship.

What do brides like most about your company?

I think that brides are most happy with how smoothly everything goes on the wedding day, we stay patient and are there for them to get the portraits that they really want. 

What is your favorite thing about being in the wedding industry?

I LOVE WEDDINGS!!!  I love the excitement of a wedding day, seeing the love between the couple, the emotion, having fun,just being at the wedding and seeing the dress, the details,and all of the thought that was put into the day, and getting images that WOW me and I know will WOW them.

What is the most memorable moment you have seen at a wedding?

I can’t think of the “most” memorable moment ever.  As I think of the different weddings that I have photographed, there are things that I remember from each one.  I think what sticks out most in my mind are the traditions, whether they are family traditions, religious, or cultural.  Also emotion is very memorable to me.

What is your contact information if brides have more questions?

Name-Kelly Friend Marvin
Email-friendphotography@yahoo.com
Phone-(319)929-4119
Website-www.friendphotography.net

How did you get into the wedding business?
• I’ve been a travel consultant for over 10 years and have always specialized in honeymoons. Due to the growing demand in the industry, I have also become a certified Destination Wedding Specialist.

Describe what your company does?
• The Travel Center is able to assist with all aspects of travel. We personally tailor each trip for each client. We’re able to confirm air tickets, transportation, hotel/resort/cruise accommodations, and any special requests that the client may have to make their trip memorable.

What do brides like most about your company?
• The Travel Center has partnered with Honeymoon Wishes, a honeymoon registry for brides/grooms, and exclusively offers their registry to our clientele.

What is your favorite thing about being in the wedding industry?
• Sharing such a memorable moment with the brides/grooms as they plan their dream honeymoon/destination wedding and start their life together as husband and wife.

What is the most memorable moment you have seen at a wedding?
• Receiving pictures from the brides/grooms after their trip and seeing how happy they are on their honeymoon/destination wedding.

What is your contact information if brides have more questions?
-Annette Modlin, Certified Honeymoon/Destination Wedding Specialist
-Amodlin@ttcdsm.com
-Office (515) 287-3170 or Toll-free (800) 383-4444
-The Travel Center, 5805 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321
-www.ttcdsm.com

WHAT TYPES OF RENTAL ITEMS DOES YOUR COMPANY OFFER ?     

 At Des Moines Rental we offer bridal-party-event items ranging from ceremony decoration to reception decoration and dining. These include a wide variety of candelabras candles and candle lighters, wedding arches, kneeling benches and guest book stands. We have decorative columns, balustrades, water fountains, multiple piece colonnades, plant stands, and fabric backdrops. Tables, chairs, linens, table skirting, table centerpiece items, as well as a full line of china, flatware and stemware and banquet food serving equipment. Go on-line to www.desmoinesrental.com for a more complete inventory.
  
WHAT MAKES YOUR BUSINESS STAND OUT FROM OTHER RENTAL SERVICE COMPANIES?  

  We have been in the wedding rental market for many years, we have seen many changes, and we strive to stay on top of latest trends. We also field hundreds of requests per week from brides countrywide, and we make the effort to help our clients find items that we may not currently stock. Information is an important service we provide. Give us a call or stop by to see our personalized service for yourself. 

WHAT SPECIAL SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?  

 We don’t think of our services as wedding planners or decorators, rather partners with supplies. We have equipment and ideas to help you plan and customize a more affordable event without the professional up charge. 

WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU GIVE A BRIDE WHEN SHE IS LOOKING FOR RENTAL ITEMS? 

  I recommend to brides to think of their wedding not only in terms of how it might look and feel to her guests, but rather think in terms of a wedding she would herself like to attend. Is formal and perfect more important than relaxed and fun, and can you incorporate both?  

 WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT WORKING WITH BRIDES? 

I get a great feeling when I am able to provide a bride with an item or service that helps create her vision of her special day, even if it takes a referral to another dealer or market. I like to give at least something to each bride that visits our showroom. 
 

WHAT IS YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION ?
 
Scott Mc Donald
scott@desmoinesrental.com
4711 University Ave
Des Moines, Iowa 50311
www.desmoinsrental.com

How did you get into the photography business?
In late 1977 I started taking pictures as a hobby.  In 1978 I started selling my work and have ever since.  I went to photography school in 1980 and graduated in 1981.  I have been doing photography ever since.
What type of photography do you specialize in?
I enjoy weddings.  It takes a specal personality to work weddings.  It seems I have that personality.  I also do sports, senoirs, family portriats, and pets.

What makes you stand out from the other wedding photographers?
I am a great value with a degree in photography and also in business management while I have almost 30 years experience in photography.

What special services do you offer?
I offer the digital negatives and rights to make your own prints as a high value item to all my brides.

What other hobbies do you enjoy?
Photographing nature.

Contact Information:

- Name  Charles Minson
- Email  cminson77@peoplepc.com
- Telephone  515-988-0100
- Address  P. O. Box 245  Norwalk, IA 50211-0245
- Website  MinsonPhoto.com

How did you get into the wedding business?
My business began as a home based car audio company, also dubbed Sound Extremes over a decade ago.  I quickly realized that business was strong only in the summer months, and decided to start a DJ service so I could deal with music throughout the year.  I started the DJ aspect of my company back in 1997, every year I gaining more knowledge and experience along with a new equipment footprint.  Once I had a great amount of knowledge as to what makes for a successful wedding, I created my website, and business picked up so quickly that we expanded to 3 mobile units within 6 months.

Describe what your company does?
Sound Extremes caters to the specific needs and requirements of each client.  We offer several different sound and lighting packages to let our customers choose only what they need for their specific occasion(s).  We bring a positive attitude and a friendly smile to every show, and work with our clients throughout the night to make sure each event goes as smoothly as possible.  We get involved on the microphone when needed, but not too much to be annoying.  We like to think we just do it better than other companies and receive comments to the like.

What do brides like most about your company?
Our brides compliment our music selection the most, and often tell us we play exactly the right thing at the right time.  We often receive guests compliments on our techniques as well as our playlists, especially during dinner. Our grooms usually like the audio system the best, but I think that’s a guy thing.  And the parents seem to always mention how friendly we are with them and the guests.  I really don’t know if I can pinpoint a specific thing that people like best about our company, I just know we just have great customer satisfaction.

What is your favorite thing about being in the wedding industry?
My favorite part about being in this business is the social interaction with groups of people.  I enjoy knowing that I help in creating a memorable day for my clients and their guests.  Also, being a DJ allows me to spend more time with my kids, and being able to set my own schedule.

What is the most memorable moment you have seen at a wedding?
The most memorable thing I’ve seen at a wedding has to be when a brides brother became so intoxicated, he was running around wearing nothing but his underwear and I believe one sock.  It didn’t last too long, someone took him home early.

Contact information

Sound Extremes
Shannon Miller
sound_extremes@hotmail.com
641-891-6590
P.O. Box 961
Monroe  IA  50170
www.soundextremes-dj.com

How did you get into the wedding business?
We are all members of the Des Moines Symphony and have known each other for many years.  We formed a string quartet because we wanted to have the opportunity to just do some playing for fun.  String quartet music is different than symphony music in that it is chamber music and allows each player to be more of a soloist.  Our initial intention was just to play for ourselves for enjoyment.  After meeting a few times, we were asked to play for a wedding and decided that we liked the idea of being able to play for other people in addition to playing just for ourselves.  We still meet for fun when we can work it into our schedules.

Describe what your company does?
As far as the business goes, we furnish music for weddings and background music for other events.  In addition to wedding ceremonies, we have done the music for wedding cocktail hours and dinners, funerals, and for receptions and dinners for other types of events.

What do brides like most about your company?
Our professionalism, our wide variety of music availability, and our performance quality.

What is your favorite thing about being in the wedding industry?
Being able to play music that we enjoy and have other people enjoy it.

What is the most memorable moment you have seen at a wedding?
One wedding couple met in Casablanca.  Because of that they asked if we could play “As Time Goes By” for their first dance and we were able to accommodate them.

What is your contact information if brides have more questions?
–Group Name:  42nd Street Quartet

–Contact Name:  Jackie Stanek

–Email:  jwstanek@aol.com

–Telephone:  515-255-2988

–Website:  http://fssq.tripod.com

Tell us more about your business and how you got started in it?
Denny Quick, owner of Axis Salon, has been in the hair industry for over 25 years, owning his own salon for almost 20 years.  He has traveled the world with the industries top Designers such as Irvin Rusk, Vidal Sassoon, and Martin Parsons.  Our current location has been on Ingersoll since 2000.

How far in advance should brides book with you?
Typically we would like the bride to book a least six months in advance.  When scheduling the wedding day, we will also schedule an appointment about 2 weeks in advance to do a consultation and a practice run through.  This would also be a good time for the brides to get in for a last minute cut and color prior to the big day.

Do you offer any special services?
Not only do we offer hair services, but we also offer facial waxing, manicures, pedicures and massages.  Our wedding parties can make the day more memorable by either bringing in food and beverages or we can take care of all of it for them.  This way they can kick back, relax and prepare for the long awaited day.

What do you like best about working with brides?
This is her special day.  She has spent months, if not years, preparing for this day and it’s nice to be able to let her relax before the event begins.  Nothing is better than making someone look absolutely beautiful and to see the smiles on everyone’s faces as they leave the salon.  Being at the salon is the beginning of the most special day in her life.  We want the memories to start here.

What makes you hair salon stand out from the rest of the salons?
Axis Salon is a small but professional salon with an urban feel.  Our designers strive to be the best while continuing to educate themselves daily.  The staff works together as a team to make everyone feel as if they are part of our extended family.  We don’t see people as clients, we see each as an individual with their own individual needs.

What is your contact information if brides have any questions.

-Name           Beth Torstenson
-Email            axishairsalon@mchsi.com
-Telephone    (515) 277 6560
-Address        3800 Ingersoll Ave  Des Moines, IA  50312
-Website         axishair.com

Leslie Cowger of LC Photography informs Des Moines Wedding News about the joy she has for wedding photography.

What type of photography do you specialize in?

I Photograph mainly weddings, but I pretty much photograph anything under the sun. I love working with Children they are such a joy but there’s something about weddings that captivate me. Maybe it’s because I always loved fairy tales and many times that what weddings seem like. The Bride and Groom are so happy and they both just beam it’s hard for it not to rub off on others around them, who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?

What makes your photography business stand out from the rest of the wedding photographers?

I was once a bride and I know how crazy the whole process can get. I remember getting my photos back from my wedding day (before I was a wedding photographer) and being less than thrilled I spent a lot of money and got 100 photos. My thought was ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I really don’t think that anyone’s wedding day can be summed up in a total of 100 photos, In an album I understand but I wanted to remember every detail and it just wasn’t captured for me. I really think that this has helped me as a wedding photographer I try and get EVERYTHING possible!! From the tiny details to the big and obvious.

In your opinion what are the 3 top places in Des Moines to take wedding pictures?

I love taking photos at places that are unique and special to the couple, The place they meet or where the Groom proposed. But if the Bride and Groom have no clue what so ever I would have to say some of my top places would be pretty much anywhere Downtown, a Park (Greenwood Park & The Rose Garden are great examples of just one great park). There are some amazing places in and around Des Moines and I love finding them.

What special services do you offer?

With every wedding package I offer you get an engagement session and signature frame as my gift to the Bride and Groom. The Engagement session is a great way to get to know each other and give the couple a little taste of how I work. We always have a lot of fun. In my higher packages I offer a Flush mount “Custom desgin Magazine style Album.” That is beautiful and a very popular trend that I don’t think will be going away anytime soon.

What is the most memorable moment you have seen while taking pictures at a wedding?

I find that there are memorable moments at every wedding that I photograph. The moments that I always seem to remember are the moments when the Bride and Groom completely forget everyone is watching them. The way the look at each other and interact with each other melts my heart. I feel so honored to be apart of my clients special day.

What is your contact information if brides have more questions?

-Name    Leslie Cowger
-Email     Leslie@LCPhotoGallery.com
-Telephone     515-240-3209
-Address       PO Box 4517 Urbandale IA 50323

-Website    http://www.lcphotogallery.com

Dan Hobson with SeaMaster Cruises tells us why brides like working with his company.
How did you get into the wedding business?

Cruising was my hobby.  I needed to change professions so I turned my hobby into my business.

Describe what your company does?

I help people find the best cruise for them.  Each cruise line and ship has a personality and the customer needs to fit into that personality profile.  I help them identify the trip, handle all the paper work and help them identify their options on making the cruise the best vacation possible.

What do brides like most about your company?

I not only handle all the details but the couple can register with SeaMaster Cruises.  A card is provided for each invitation informing the guests of the registration.  All money given to the couple for the honeymoon is applied to the selected cruise, lowering the cost to the couple.

What is your favorite thing about being in the wedding industry?

The joy a couple brings to life after they complete the cruise.

What is the most memorable moment you have seen at a wedding?

When my daughter got married last August we had the ceremony on a beautiful beach.  The service was accented by wind surfers and a lovely sunny day.

What is your contact information if brides have more questions?

-Name  Dan Hobson
-Email dhobson@seamastercruises.com
-Telephone 515-988-7605
-Address 3839 Merle Hay Rd #200, Des Moines, IA 50310
-Website www.cruisesbyhobson.com

How did you get into the wedding business?

I began working with Complete Music as a DJ in May, 1985, after working several years in radio.  We’re a franchise based in Omaha, so after a few years I got the chance to manage the Des Moines office.  My wife Deb and I bought the business in 1990, and added videography services last year.  I’ve worked the business full time for 20 years!

Describe what your company does brides and grooms?

We work very hard to make sure we follow the plans our bride and groom have for the night…and to make sure everyone has a fun time!  We have an extensive planner sheet they fill out and get back to us.  I assign a DJ based on their personality preference, music styles, and size of event.  The DJ then reconfirm details with them the week of the event, either in person or with a phone call.  We coordinate everything with them at the reception, from lining up the wedding party for introductions to doing a special “send off” song at the end of the night.

How many events can Complete Music do at time?

Complete Music is the largest service in central Iowa and we’re able to do up to ten events at once, and have back-up DJs and equipment.   We’ve done nearly 2000 wedding dances just this century alone…and some weekends do more wedding dances than many DJs do in a whole year!

What do brides like most about your company?
Technology has made it very easy for anyone to buy an IPod and sound system, download free music–and call themselves a DJ.  It’s not quite that easy, especially if you want someone who understands all the nuances of a wedding dance!    In fact, over 80% of your wedding guests remember your entertainment more than anything else about your wedding day (that can be either good or bad).  Our clients appreciate our experience, personalized service, and knowing we’ll still be in business when their wedding day arrives.  If you’d like to have some more specific comments, contact us for some recent references.  We’ll give you their feedback, wedding dates and phone numbers.

What is your favorite thing about being in the wedding industry?

Dealing with clients at a happy and exciting time in their lives.

What is the most memorable moment you have seen at a wedding?

There have been a LOT.  One would be the time I played an older slow song, then had a couple tell me that was the first time they’d danced together in 35 years. It felt special to be part of that.

How can brides contact you?

-Name  Tim & Deb Grover
-Email   cmdm@cmusic.ocm
-Telephone  515.266.1355
-Address   P O Box 57012, Des Moines, IA  50317
-Website   www.cmdesmoines.com