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MAGAZINE FOR: MODELS | ACTORS/DIRECTORS | PHOTOGRAPHERS | DESIGNERS | MAKE-UP ARTISTS | MUSICIANS | ARTISTS | CHEFS/ HOSPITALITY | EVENT PLANNERS/ENTREPRENEURS
MELISSA PHILLIPS
INSIDE: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS & BIOGRAPHIES
HAZELTON PHOTOGRAPHY
AUGUST 2010
CONTENTS
PORTFOLIO FUSION MAGAZINE VOLUME 1
PUBLISHER
IDEAL PERSPECTIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
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CONTRIBUTORS
Melissa Phillips Jamie Lea Bates Caitlin Hazelton Corey & Ruth
ON THE BACK COVER A Wedding Story by Corey &
Ruth. Photo Credit: Hazelton Photography. IMAGES: Hazelton Photography | Duron Studios | Jennifer Kaye Photog-
raphy | Artisan Events | |Belvedere Banquets | Pret a Poser Photography
Copyright: ©2010 Portfolio Fusion Magazine and its respective copyright holders.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction, distribution, reposts and modification prohibited |Yeager Fotografix | EB Creative Photography |Jennifer Mordini | Michael
unless express written permission is granted by Portfolio Fusion Magazine and its Roberts Photography| |Image Studios | Steve Garrett | Yaromir Mlynski
respective copyright holders.
Dear Readers,
Beautiful weather is here, and the wedding season is
still on! Just in time for our event planner edition Volume
One, August 2010 launch. It is also the month that
marks history: Chelsea Clinton gets married!
Our event planner edition features professionals who
make it happen at wedding events. This edition is
packed with insights on event planning, inspirations,
tips, stories, and exclusive interviews with professional
event planner Melissa Phillips, wedding photographer
Caitlin Hazelton, and florist Jamie Lea Bates. Portfolio
Fusion Magazine is all about exposing aspiring and
professional talents while opening up opportunities for
them to network and advance in the industry of their
fields.
Our features include talents in Acting & Film Directing,
Modeling, Photography, Fashion Stylist, Designing,
Make-up Artistry, Music & Art, Culinary, Event Planning,
and Entrepreneurship.
Get Exposed!
Ruth Omanya
Event Coordinator and Owner, because she gave us incredible service, anticipated all
our needs and was always so patient and easy to work
with.” Melissa draws inspiration and energy from the
Simply Perfect by Melissa people she has met in her life and from her diverse
hobbies (adventure travel & eco-tourism, bungee &
base jumping, mountain climbing, sports, cooking/
M
baking and reading). She holds multiple degrees in
elissa Phillips is the founder and creative force (genius)
Education from Loyola University, Dominican Universi-
behind Simply Perfect by Melissa. Melissa is a unique
ty and National Louis University. Melissa credits her
combination of right brain and left-brain skill sets – she
early career as an educator as the reason she loves to
has a creative mind that manifests itself in tasteful, stylish, well-
share knowledge and for giving her unwavering
designed events that delight and wow clients, guests and vendors.
patience.
Her analytical and organizational skills are exactly what you need to
deliver an event that is on budget, run with efficiency and without Melissa has been creating simply perfect events for
stress. over 10 years. Melissa and her events have been
featured in numerous publications including Chicago
Melissa is known for her passion, great listening skills, industry
Style Weddings, CS Brides, Chicago Sun-
knowledge and for being a trusted and reliable partner in the process
Times, and The Daily Herald. Melissa is an active
of creating and delivering your event. Her satisfied clients often rave
member of the Association of Bridal Consultants.
about her - describing her as “the gem that we didn’t know about, but
IMAGE COURTESY OF MELISSA PHILIPS/NKE_9818
are so glad that we discovered her,
MELISSA PHILLIPS
SIMPLY PERFECT PORTFOLIO SPREAD
INTERVIEW WITH typical job, so having my family there to support me and work with my
crazy schedule has allowed me to do what I love and most importantly,
be successful at it!
MELISSA PHILLIPS
RUTH: How long have you been a planner and
what inspired you to become a planner?
Simply Perfect by Melissa event space and see what was created for
them<all of those moments make the job
RUTH: As a former teacher, and now a successful event planner, which of the the event. As a professional, I strive to be
the best at what it is I do.
two professions would you say you enjoy the most and why?
RUTH: Indulge me more on the creative force behind RUTH: As an educator and a planner, what advice or tips
simply perfect. can you share with readers about event planning?
MELISSA: I love coming up with new ideas and ways to MELISSA: Give yourself plenty of time- There is no need
present the more traditional components of an event. I to rush with your plans. When you budget the appropriate
spend a great deal of time reading blogs, looking through amount of time, you tend to make better choices, there are
all sort of magazines from bridal, interior design, enter- more options available to you, and you simply enjoy the
tainment, and/or furniture catalogues. Several times a process much more. Educate yourself- Do some research
week I type in various key words related to events and and learn what questions to ask, key qualities event pro-
search through Google images and flickr just to see what fessionals should possess, ask questions and look through
is happening. I keep inspiration books which I often refer portfolios, and check references. Be an educated planner
back to as I design events with my clients. That is defi- just as you would if you were making a home or car pur-
nitely my most favorite part of my job! chase.
RUTH: Does your event planning extend to other forms RUTH: From experience, what are some of the lessons,
of events or is it solely wedding planning? facts or observations you have made along the way in the
MELISSA: We do all sorts of special events- Bar/Bat Mitz- industry that you can share with readers?
vahs, non for profit events, showers, birthday parties,
anniversary parties<they are all different and I love be- Simply Perfect by Melissa
ing able to try new and different things with each that
may not fit with a wedding. Event Coordination Solutions
EVENT PLANNER | AUGUST 2010 | PORTFOLIOFUSIONMAGAZINE.COM 9
IMAGE BY MODERN IMAGE STUDIOS
MELISSA: This industry is constantly changing. Being suc- MELISSA: I was always encouraged to set goals and reach
cessful in the industry requires time and a commitment to for them. That means having a strong work ethic, a value in
stay well informed and connected. Balance<this profession education, and being an honest, ethical worker to achieve
requires a great deal of balance. Not just in balancing a my end result. I think it is very important as a parent to
work load, but in balancing a career, family, and personal practice what you encourage, and I am a very fortunate to
time. Achieving balance is not easy and something I always have parents who have done just that and have been suc-
work towards. It is very easy to sacrifice personal and/or cessful from it. I am extremely close with my family. Their
family time, but the challenging comes in maintaining a support and encouragement is what gives me strength dur-
good amount of all three. On a personal note, since I am ing stressful times and when I get a new challenge that
constantly coordinating events, attend them as a guest is a seems overwhelming. I have seen what they have achieved
challenge. I think I am the worst wedding or event guest and that provides me constant encouragement.
because I cannot just relax and enjoy the party<I am look-
EVENT
ing at the details. I also am the worst at RSVP’ing on time
for the events. It makes my friends and families laugh.
volved in more local non for profit work, as well as TEL: 312.576.7910 | FAX: 847.5431585
expand our special events division. The past 4 years
has brought me more than I ever thought<I cannot
wait to see what another 3 to 5 years will deliver us!
Do you Enjoy:
WWW.IDEALCOLLEGEPLACEMENTS.NET/APPLY
CAITLIN HAZELTON
A WIFE | A NEW MOM | PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
HAZELTON PHOTOGRAPHY
WWW.HAZELTONPHOTO.COM|630. 405.8105
GARDENS
I
guess it starts with Mike, my arrangements at a beautiful church I have learned so much along the way,
high school sweetheart (still and reception hall and then I cried from the designers I have worked with
together today), encouraging me with joy at how beautiful it looked! to all of the brides and grooms I have
to come work with him at a lo- That day I remember thinking this is helped. I continue to learn new things
cal flower shop when we were in high the most rewarding experience I everyday from the owners, designers,
school. It began as just a high school have had and I need to do it again. I interns and staff at Town and Country
job until I was given the opportunity began delivering weddings week- Gardens. I have all of my clients to
to deliver a wedding. I brought the end after weekend. I began to learn thank for inspiring me with new ideas
bride her wedding bouquet and she all of the design and coordination and visions that I help turn into reality.
cried with joy at how beautiful it was. that goes into wedding flowers with I have an amazing job and it is truly
Then I got to decorate and set up sev- the help of Lori, who was an rewarding everyday!
BUDGET
Create a budget for your wedding flowers.
Be realistic with your expectations, keep
your florist in the loop and be honest right
from the start about your budget. It is best
to inform the florist of your budget and
the things you need that are most im-
portant to you. Everyone has a different
vision for their special day and letting your IMAGE BY YEAGER FOTOGRAFIX
florist know yours will help them give you
everything you are looking for at the price
that is most comfortable for you. There are
a lot of options when it comes to flowers
and a good florist will give you ideas that
not only fit
In 2007 Jamie joined the Town and Country Gardens team and has con-
tinued to use her creativity coordinating events. “I believe listening and
understanding the vision of each client is the first step to creating unfor-
gettable floral décor.”
MOM +DAD=
Morning & Evening
ME!
Walks
Rolling on the grass
IMAGE BY HAZELTON PHOTOGRAPHY
Sniffing stuff
Basking in the sun
Sleeping all day
Barking at other dogs
Breezy car rides Oh
Hanging out with Charlie
yeah,
“Charlie”
is my boyfriend, I
think! He is always happy to see
me when I walk by his house. He is also
the only dog I get along with; at least Mom
and Dad think so.
Just Kidding…
M
My most embarrassing moment was when
y name is Cami! I’m 6 yrs
I got nervous and peed at a pet store when
old. Mommy and Daddy
shopping with Mom and Dad for the first
adopted me from a Rescue
time. Since then, I have never had any acci-
when I was 4 years old.
dents.
Yes, I know, I look like a puppy - I get
What I’m I afraid of? Thunderstorms! I
that a lot! Thanks for noticing! Okay,
shake and run to cuddle by Mommy for
let’s focus - there is more to me than
my looks < protection every time it storms.
–. Cami O’Donnell
STORY
MUST H
aving lost many of my
siblings & both my par-
ents, and my three sisters
CAPTURE WEDDING DAY in different corners of the world, I
DETAILS
did not really want a wedding at all.
I did not want to subject myself to an
emotional situation of not having my
own father give me away, or looking
around at the attendees on my wed-
11. Gift table ding day and realize that none of
12. Guests during cocktail hour
them were my close family mem-
13. Bride and groom’s arrival at
bers. So six years ago, my husband
reception
14. Cake cutting and I decided to get married in court
15. Best man toast to protect me from the heartache of
16. Maid of honor toast not having my family at our wed-
17. Bride & Groom Speeches ding. If one would have told me that
18. Father and Bride dance we would be having a wedding six
19. Mother and Groom dance
years later, I would have not be-
20. Bride and Groom dance
lieved it.
21. Guest on the dance floor
22. Flower girl and ring bearer
23. Bouquet toss
24. Fun moments
25. Details, details & more details
FAMILY
It was a great honor to have my aunt and
our close family friend Dr. Kang’ethe give me
away on behalf of my late parents.
Ruth Omanya
FRIENDSHIP
Corey O’Donnell
M
y bridesmaids were more than my
maids; they were new sisters I gained!
I was truly blessed that they were by
my side on our big day on behalf of my siblings who
couldn’t make it to the wedding!
– Ruth Omanya
VENUE
W
e chose Hotel Baker for our
wedding reception because we
knew we would get the simple
elegance and historic touch we wanted for our
wedding!
I
t’s a complete “double the fun” having both of your
best friends stand at your wedding as groomsmen!
-Corey O’Donnell
W
e chose Town & Country Gardens because they listened, cared,
and delivered our vision! We were amazed at how fresh the
flowers remained many days after the wedding! We received
countless compliments about the flowers from our wedding guests too! We
definitely made a wise choice by work with them!
ROOM
T
he waterfront room was amazing! It was elegant,
light & bright with amazing architectural details
throughout the room and, a beautiful view of a
waterfall feature on the Fox River! This room definitely
completed our vision for our wedding day!
T
his is probably the only place you will see
your wedding gifts neatly wrapped before
you unwrap them. Your guests take the time;
some may even spend money to have those gifts pro-
fessionally wrapped. Why not keep a memory of that
to cherish for years to come.
Ruth
O
ur photographer did an amazing
job of capturing every virtual
moment of the bouquet tossed!
It was amazing to see the facial reactions
on everyone involved on an image after
the fact. These are the types of moments
that happen in a split second that if you
don’t capture, you will never know, let
alone share the memory.
-Ruth
-Ruth
THE GROOM
-Ruth