Invitations by Tracey

We love Tracey of “Invitations by Tracey”. So we wanted to share with our couples and friends a few things about her in her own words:

How I got started: My father owned a printing company. One of my first memories of it was going in there and playing with the giant books of wedding invitations. When it came time to replace one of the books, he would bring the old ones home for me. While most children play store, or school, I was playing wedding invitation consultant.

I started working there right of out of high school in between college classes. I got started filing negatives, delivering giant boxes of printing to different places, getting lunch for my colleagues, and shipping things. I started at the bottom. I hated it then, and I did it for years! But now I look back and I appreciate my dad so much for starting me there.

"Invitations by Tracey - NJ Wedding Invitations"

I remember the first couple I met with. I was still in my teens! Immediately I was drawn to them. I loved getting to know them, hearing how they met. And I thought, this is what I want to do. Before I knew it, it was a full time job and I have been doing it ever since!

My favorite thing is asking these couples how they met. I have heard it all!

Some of the most unique invitations I have done: I absolutely love themed weddings. Some of the most unique themes I have done are Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Twilight themes.

For other occasions I specialize in dog theme invites. Puppy showers, puppy birthday parties, you name it I do it. My love of dogs always shows in these invites.

"Al Ojeda Photography - Invitations by Tracey"

My advice for couples tying the knot looking for invitations would be: Once you set your date and times, start looking and ordering. It is one thing you can do early on and one less thing to stress over.  Utilize your maids! That is what they are there for. Have a girls night, get some wine and take out, and have an envelope stuffing party! There are plenty of ways to make it fun so your maids won’t feel overwhelmed.

Invitations by Tracey is a division of S & M Press, Inc. S & M has been listed in the Inc 500. Certified dealer for Carlson Craft & Birchcraft. Winner of the Carlson Craft distinguished dealer award for ten years straight.

Invitations by Tracey – Your one stop shop for your printing needs – Business cards, letterheads, envelopes, brochures, folders, flyers, direct mailers and more.

Contact: 973.546.6111 – info@invitationsbytracey.com – website – twitterpinterest – facebook

"Al Ojeda Photography - Invitations by Tracey"

Tracey with Emily who is a member of Al Ojeda Photography’s family…

Al Ojeda Photography (photos) and DeeVa Beauty (make up) teamed up for this two pics of Tracey. Hair by Angela Serritella.

Pamper Yourself with a Glamour Photo Session

"Al Ojeda Photography - DeeVa Beauty - Glamour Photo Shoot"Book Your Appointment Today !!! For your convenience, two locations, North and Central Jersey.

For details, call Deirdre Mahon at 908.247.0244

Deirdre Mahon and why you need a Professional MUA

Our friend Deirdre Mahon, who runs DeeVa Beauty, explains why you need a professional make up artist for your wedding or special event…

"Deirdre Mahon - New Jersey Make Up Artist"

"Deirdre Mahon - New Jersey Make Up Artist"

Deirdre Mahon, Owner of DeeVa Beauty LLC – “Beautiful… Inside Out” – Conveniently located in Nutley, she covers North and Central Jersey and some closer areas of East PA – 908.247.0244 – website – facebook – blog – pinterest

We interviewed Deirdre… Click here to read it…

_________________________________________________________________________

At Al Ojeda Photography, we highly recommend using Deirdre’s services for any special occasion (engagement session, wedding, sweet sixteen, boudoir session, etc). She is super personable, super professional, uses quality products without breaking your bank account. Make sure you check her out.

Al & Ida

Deirdre Mahon & DeeVa Beauty

Had so much fun interviewing our good friend Deirdre of DeeVa Beauty!

What sets you apart from other makeup artists?
Well it starts with great customer service and follows thru to delivering to the client what she wants.
I pride myself on being reliable, professional and always returning emails and phone calls in a very timely manner. But I am also fun, I love to laugh and have fun.
I also care about my brides. It isn’t just them hiring me for their wedding day to show up and do their makeup. When they book with me I follow up with skincare tips and advice to get their skin in top shape for their big day. I offer advice as to the necessary things they should have with them on their day that because they have never done this before might not know about. I follow up on how to plan and be ready for their morning before hair and makeup arrives.
And of course, I ‘give back’. I am so passionate about helping the abused and abandoned animals in the world that with each and every makeup I do I pull a % out of it and I give to help the animals. It is my small way of making a difference.

"New Jersey Wedding Photographer" "DeeVa Beauty Photos"

Do you also offer hairstyling services?
Yes, I have several excellent stylists’ that can offer my brides whatever look they desire.
Depending on how they see themselves on their day I know which stylist to pair them with.

Do you travel to the client?
Yes, absolutely, we provide hair and makeup services in the comfort of the clients home or hotel.
However, I do have a home studio for anyone to come to me and get their hair and makeup done as well. And my home studio is where I do the bridal trials and private makeup lessons.
It is also where you can meet my 5 children, Deeva, Lily, Boo Boo, Ozzie and Juicy….my two dogs and three cats, all rescues.

Where are you located? and What areas do you serve?
I am located in Nutley and have a home studio for trials and lessons.
I travel throughout the North /Central areas of Jersey, and some parts of PA

Who is your ideal client?
In a nut shell my ideal client is ME, lol
I think that could be said for many business owners depending on the particular service they provide, that their ideal client is them.
I love glamour and love when a bride desires to walk down the aisle looking glamorous.
Classy…. yes, elegant…yes. It goes without saying that you should be classy and elegant.
But if I was walking down the aisle I would want everyone who gazed upon me to say ‘WOW’!!!
A girl that is kind and caring in spirit, down to earth and fun in character… but LOVES to be the center of attention and is a ‘girly girl’…that’s my ideal client.

Why are you passionate about what you do?
I am a huge supporter of the female race. There is an old Chinese saying “Women hold up half the sky”. I disagree. I believe we hold up at least ¾ of it. I think we ROCK!!…but in doing everything for everyone else we many times lose our selves. We don’t take care of ourselves, we are too hard on ourselves, and we never seem to take time out to be ‘girls’ and have fun. Many never ever learned how to apply makeup to bring out their outer beauty. Many knew how to but forgot or gave up. I LOVE showing women or young girls how to feel good about themselves. Whether that is helping a 16 year old learn the appropriate way to start wearing makeup, a mature woman that is divorced and getting back into the dating game, a woman who lost weight and is now celebrating and showing herself off in a boudoir shoot…or a bride that never wears makeup but longs to walk down the aisle and have everyone say “WOW”!!!
I personally believe that we all have a little ‘glamour diva’ inside us longing to come out and I try to find the balance between the beauty she consciously perceives of and the beauty she subconsciously longs to possess.

Can you give the brides out there one or two helpful tips?
Well the first thing that pops into my head is try to relax and enjoy the ride. I know everyone says it.
But they say it because it is true. You plan and dream about this day for so long and it comes and goes so quickly. It is a shame that you don’t enjoy the WHOLE process. This is your wedding, the day that means you show the world and all those close to you your love for another human being that you plan and vow to spend the rest of your life with. The whole process of this love should be enjoyed and fun. I’m so sad when I see stressed out brides and brides that are disorganized and late to their own day.
I strive to put my brides at ease and make it fun and relaxed. I check in with them the day before to make sure they know I am still alive and will be there for them so they don’t stay up all night wondering if their makeup artist is going to show up.
But if I had to give one or two beauty tips…it would be to exfoliate on a regular basis to avoid dry skin build up, stay out of the sun at least a week or two before your big day, again to avoid dry skin and burning/peeling. Drink tons of water to hydrate skin and flush your insides to avoid the breakouts, and lastly get your eyebrows professional done a few days before your day.

"Al Ojeda Photography" "DeeVa Beauty Make Up and Hair Services"

Deirdre Mahon, Owner of DeeVa Beauty LLC – “Beautiful… Inside Out” – Conveniently located in Nutley, she covers North and Central Jersey and some closer areas of East PA – 908.247.0244 – websitefacebookblogpinterest

_________________________________________________________________________

At Al Ojeda Photography, we highly recommend using Deirdre’s services for any special occasion (engagement session, wedding, sweet sixteen, boudoir session, etc). She is super personable, super professional and uses only quality products. Make sure you check her out.
Al & Ida