Vendor Spotlight: Salon Maison

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SALON MAISON

At Salon Maison, we specialize in turning bridal beauty dreams into reality. With a dedicated team of skilled hairstylists and makeup artists, we curate personalized looks that enhance each bride's unique features. From classic elegance to contemporary chic, we bring out the best in every bride, ensuring they radiate confidence and beauty on their special day.

Q & A: 

 We’re dying to know – what made you dive into the world of weddings?
Entering the world of weddings was a natural progression for us, driven by a passion for making brides feel incredibly special on their big day. The transformative power of hair and makeup can boost confidence and enhance natural beauty, and being a part of such a significant moment in people's lives is incredibly rewarding.

Q & A: 

 We’re dying to know – what made you dive into the world of weddings?
Entering the world of weddings was a natural progression for us, driven by a passion for making brides feel incredibly special on their big day. The transformative power of hair and makeup can boost confidence and enhance natural beauty, and being a part of such a significant moment in people's lives is incredibly rewarding.

Tell us about how you started your business.
Our journey began with a vision of creating a space where brides could receive personalized and top-notch beauty services. We started small, building a talented team of hairstylists and makeup artists who shared our passion for creating stunning bridal looks. Word of mouth and a commitment to excellence helped us grow, establishing our business as a trusted name in the bridal beauty industry.

What's the secret sauce behind bringing that touch of elegance to your projects?
Our secret sauce lies in the perfect blend of creativity, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of each bride's vision. We take the time to listen and collaborate, ensuring that every hairstyle and makeup choice reflects the bride's personality and style. Our commitment to using high-quality products and staying in the loop with the latest trends ensures that our brides radiate elegance from the first look to the last dance.

Any wild, funny, or heartwarming tales from your wedding adventures?
Weddings are filled with memorable moments, and one that stands out is when we had the privilege of styling a bride who met her future spouse during a chance encounter at a hair salon. It was a beautiful full-circle moment, and being part of their wedding day was truly heartwarming.

Advice you want to give couples about the wedding planning process?
Our advice to couples is to prioritize self-care during the planning process. Planning a wedding can be stressful, and taking time for self-care, including a preview appointment for hair and makeup, can provide much-needed relaxation and help ensure a smooth and enjoyable wedding day.

What trends do you hope to see or want to see in 2024?
In 2024, we anticipate a rise in natural and bohemian-inspired looks, with brides opting for effortlessly chic hairstyles and soft, glowing makeup. Additionally, we expect to see a surge in sustainable and eco-friendly beauty practices, aligning with the growing trend of conscious consumerism.

Spill the tea – what's the next big thing in weddings that has you buzzing with excitement?
We're excited about the growing trend of intimate and destination weddings. These smaller gatherings allow for more personalized and unique experiences, and we love the opportunity to travel and create breathtaking looks in picturesque settings.

We love working with you, why do you love working with us?
Working with Elegant Affairs is a joy because of the shared commitment to excellence and creating unforgettable moments for our brides! Their attention to detail and dedication to providing a seamless wedding experience aligns perfectly with our values. We love working with them!

Anything else we must know about you?
We believe that every bride deserves to feel like the most beautiful version of herself on her wedding day. Our passion is not just about creating stunning looks but about making brides feel confident, empowered, and radiant as they embark on this beautiful journey of love and commitment.

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Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.

The Biggest Wedding Regrets and How to Avoid Them

Let’s face it – things happen. Life happens and some of these things are out of your control. And life doesn’t take a break, even for your wedding day. There are always going to be bumps along the wedding planning road, and even on your big day. But, there are ways you can recover and avoid these regrets entirely. Ensuring that you’ve planned every detail and double checked your timeline of events will help you avoid any major bumps, but there are still some hiccups that may happen. So, we’re talking about the biggest wedding regrets and what you can do to avoid them. 

Don’t Forget what is Truly Important 

We’ve all seen or heard of that show - Brideszilla. Sometimes, brides – even grooms can get a little out of control. Sometimes venting can turn into complaining and just may spiral out of control. Your wedding party is there to support you and you must remember that they are some of the most important people to you and your fiance. It is okay to vent, but don’t let your wedding party or loved ones become your wedding complaint box and work to remember what is truly important. Ask yourself your “why” and remember at the end of your wedding day, all that matters is that you are married and can embark on this new journey together as one. 

Don’t Forget about the Vendors 

Your vendors are at the heart of your wedding. They are the individuals that make your wedding day run smoothly. Yes, we may know some cool people that have talents, but at the end of the day they are not wedding professionals (unless they seriously work in the industry..) No matter what your budget is, you can find wedding vendors that can fit your needs and budget. You may have to get creative or rethink your experience, but they are the ones that drive your wedding day. 

Keep it Simple 

It is ONE day. There are only 24 hours in one day and you want to ensure that things aren’t getting complicated or planned out to the minute. Yes, you’ll want a general timeline for the day complete with all the details, but you don’t want to overcomplicate things. Be realistic about what you can achieve during the wedding day, don’t make huge expectations for yourself or your wedding party. 

It’s Okay to set Boundaries

Boundaries are hard, let alone setting boundaries with family. But, at the end of the day, this is the union between two people and two people alone. You need to set boundaries for advice and opinions throughout the wedding planning process. You don’t have to have all of your wedding parties and future mothers-in-law rate your wedding dresses from one to ten. You make the rules. You decide who attends vendor meetings with you; you decide you get to go to your cake or caterer tasting; you get to pick your wedding dress. If you’d prefer to do it alone, or just with your finances, then do it! Set the boundaries that work for you and keep your mind sound. 

Remember your Wedding License

We cannot stress this enough – you are not legally married until you sign and send your wedding license off. We’ve heard so many stories and witnessed couples who have forgotten to go to the courthouse in time or even forgot to mail their wedding license to the courthouse. Set out to get your wedding license a few days before, it’s best to call your local courthouse to learn about the timeline to visit. Sign your marriage license after your ceremony and be sure it gets mailed! Your officiant said they will mail it? Be sure to follow up the next week and ensure that it was sent. However, you chose to send it off – make sure it hits the post. One of the biggest regrets we’ve heard is learning that a couple found out they were not legally married for YEARS because the certificate never made it to the courthouse.  

Say Yes to Compromise

Compromise is a pillar of a healthy and happy marriage. This also includes compromise during the wedding planning process. There are two individuals involved in a marriage, therefore there are two individuals that should be at the forefront of planning. Be sure to include your partner in any and all decisions and compromise to make the day an affair that reflects both of you. There are so many ways to incorporate each others’ tastes and we can even help elevate your fiance’s favorite football team. But, your wedding day is a celebration of your love and union, so compromise, be kind to each other and work as a team to plan your wedding day. 

Don’t Book without a Budget

Repeat after me – I will not book a vendor or plan any details without setting a budget first. The BIGGEST mistake we’ve seen clients make is saying no to the budget or forgetting to make a budget all together. Your budget drives your wedding planning. Without it, not decisions should be made. Your budget needs to be set first as your begin the process. No decision should be made without consulting your budget and ensuring that you are able to make payments happen and select all of the other details. Your budget is your best friend and we don’t want to see any of our clients in debt, or stretched too thin, due to their lack of budgeting. 

We could go on for days about various regrets and how to avoid them - but we’d need a podcast for that. Although it may sound scary, regrets and unexpected things do occur. Not often, but they happen and we never want to see our couples experience these regrets throughout the planning process. As you begin planning, start with your budget first, set healthy and manageable boundaries with your loved ones, keep things simple and don’t overcomplicate the planning process, be real about your expectations and don’t forget to RELAX. 

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Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.

Vendor Spotlight: Courtney Bowlden

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Courtney Bowlden Photography

I'm a wedding and portrait photographer from the US living in Paris, France. I started my business in 2009 and have branched out into photography education and social media marketing as a way to help other photographers and businesses grow and flourish. I love helping others achieve their dreams with great headshots or branding material, education or one on one coaching. I love capturing memories but I also love helping other entrepreneurs achieve success in their businesses. This is how I would like to be remembered when I retire (which won't happen anytime soon).

 We’re dying to know – what made you dive into the world of weddings?
I was shadowing other photographers and kind of just fell in love with it. I loved capturing all the moments and being able to tell a story throughout the day with photographs.

Tell us about how you started your business?
I originally started taking photos of my kids because they were so wiggly and busy that a regular point and shoot camera wouldn't capture them. I had a couple gal friends who were photographers and they asked if I wanted to learn how to use the camera on manual instead of auto, so of course I said yes. I love learning new skills and always try to get better at anything I put my time and passion into. I think it was after shadowing another photographer for a year that I really thought I could make a living off it, so I continued taking classes and going to seminars and learning online. 15 years later, I am still learning and growing but also helping other photographers learn and grow their business as well. It's been an amazing adventure.

What's the secret sauce behind bringing that touch of elegance to your projects?
I think about what I would like when I get my photos taken. And it's always changing too, which is fun. I add things here and there, like notes or checking in on people to let them know I care. I love making people feel seen and heard, so having consultations beforehand to help get to know each other is really fun as well.

Any wild, funny, or heartwarming tales from your wedding adventures?
Ha! I have WAY too many, I could write a book. I don't even know where to begin to be honest. I think one of my first favorite wedding stories, which I tell all the time when talking to brides with long veils, is one that happened at Swiftwater Cellars. If you know where Swiftwater Cellars is, it's a very windy area. My beautiful bride had the most beautiful long veil in her hair. I had the couple positioned in front of this gorgeous wooden door (which has now been replaced) and the wind picked up just as I was taking the photos and just as the veil was lifted out of her hair. We were able to catch the veil before it blew away, but I also got her awesome reaction as well. Even though my editing skills are much better now and the photo is pretty old, I still love it so much. It's definitely a favorite of mine. And because of this event, I always tell my brides to add extra bobby-pins in their hair to secure the veil.

Advice you want to give couples about the wedding planning process?
Make sure you not only click with your vendors, but that you like their work as well. I hear so many sad stories of couples who hire someone because they liked their website or they had a referral from someone, but ended up not getting along with the vendor. It makes me sad to hear this because you spend your very special day with them. I think there is a lot of misconception about hiring someone around certain criteria like "they know my venue" or "they live close by to the venue" but really it should be that you love their work and you get along with them.

What trends do you hope to see or want to see in 2024?
I am really loving colorful weddings. I love classy weddings, but after 4 or 5 years of just white roses and green florals, I love seeing couple's bringing in pops of color and personal touches into their wedding details. I still love having dogs at weddings, or grandma's being the "flower girls." It's a great way to include grandparents. I love it!

Spill the tea – what's the next big thing in weddings that has you buzzing with excitement?
Oooh, I honestly don't know. What I really love seeing these days are smaller, more intimate weddings. Not making weddings another big college party, but really being intentional about who you invite to your wedding because their presence means something to the two of you.

 We love working with you, why do you love working with us?
What is there not to love?! Y'all are so dang fun, great communication through the whole process (and don't overload my email with things that don't pertain to me either). I love how fun you ladies are and love your vision. Really, the communication on the wedding day is just the best. I never feel like I am out of the loop and I always know what's going on. You ladies are so on top of it!

Anything else we must know about you?
I just love that I have been able to work with Elegant Affairs over the last few years!

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Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.