Love & Joy Magazine

Issue 1

April 2020

love and joy Triumphant. Delightful. Timeless.

Venue / / Warehouse Winery | Hair Styling & Makeup Artistry / / TDT Beauty, LLC Design & Styling / / Brooke Wedding Designs | Photography / / Samantha Burke Cake / / Sugar Dust and Sprinkles | Suiting & Menswear / / Knights Chamber Clothiers Dress / / Posh Bridal | Officiant / / Liz Rae Weddings Stationery / / Meghan Rust Design | Videography / / Bokeh Photo and Design Models / / Samantha Lilliana & Kevin Buckhalton

This months Contributors

BG EVENTS & DESIGN WEE-WOO ENTERTAINMENT AND EVENTS BOOM ISLAND STRING QUARTET MAKEUP ARTISTRY WITH ASHLEY MARIE

BRIANNA RENEE

DJ WEEWOO

MARTHA MCDERMOT

ASHLEY ABRAHAM

contents 03

From the Founder

A quick note and thank you from the founder of TDT Beauty, LLC.

05

Ultimate Beauty Guide

A beauty timeline for the big day!

09

Celebrating Marriage through Music

A melodic message on music while in the middle of a pandemic

11

Woo Wedding tour '20-'21

A crazy unique DJ musical experience

13

Skincare Suggestions for Your Big Day

– Why Skin Prep Matters

Hear it from a Pro

17

Vendor Spotlight

Q&A with BG Events and Design

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FOUNDERS NOTE

love and joy

from the founder Congratulations on your engagement! We are thrilled

In this issue you will also dive a little deeper into

to be a part of your wedding planning process.

wedding planning during COVID-19 with our spotlight Q&A. You'll find a new way to celebrate your

Here at Love & Joy, we are dedicated to providing you

matrimony with music too!

with resources that will make your wedding preparation run as smoothly as possible. That's why we

We have poured our passion into making this magazine

have plenty of amazing advice to ensure that the

something that brings you hope & inspiration during

journey to your special day is as exciting and enjoyable

this time.

as the day you got engaged!

And, we hope that your engagement, marriage and life In this time, with so many things up in the air, it can be

is full of love and joy!

scary to plan your wedding. But, we are determined to keep your hopes high and your stress low!

With some sound advice from local vendors, a wedding day beauty guide, and some much needed skin care advice, we've got you covered in this issue.

TAMARA D. TILLERY CREATOR OF LOVE & JOY MAGAZINE FOUNDER OF TDT BEAUTY, LLC

Photographed by Kamrowski Photography Dress from Southernfriedchics.com

Love is the answer

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BEAUTY GUIDE

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Ultimate Beauty Guide PREPARING FOR THE BIG DAY

BY TAMARA D. TILLERY

Alright ladies, the countdown to the big day has

with a skin care specialist! They'll be able to provide

officially begun! Whether you have a year, 6

you with personalized recommendations on products

months or you are coming down to the last few

and treatments. Once you've got your products and

week before your wedding, it's time to bring your

treatments sorted out, get into a regular routine so

dream look to life. If you're not sure where you

your skin can start adjusting and benefiting as soon as

should even begin, here's a countdown to help

possible. Months in advance, you'll be more confident

guide you along the way!

in the appearance of your skin for the big day.

9-12 Months + 1.

Find Your Hair & Makeup Artist or Team

3.

Set Your Hair Length & Color Goals

If you want to grow your hair out, go shorter, get a

Do your research and look into a few artists or teams.

different color or add in some highlight dimensions,

Make sure you review their contract beforehand and

make sure you talk to your salon stylist as soon as

get an estimate or quote for your big day. Once you've

possible. Your stylist will help you come up with the

made your selection make sure to schedule a trial run

perfect game plan and arrange the proper

for 6-2 months prior to your wedding day.

appointments between now and your wedding day.

2.

Address Skin Issues & Start a Skin Sare Regime

4.

Test Major Hair Removal Procedures

Tackles your skin concerns: acne, scarring, redness,

Whether you are trying a bikini wax for the first time or

dryness, dullness...now is the time to create a skin care

thinking of laser hair removal, it's good to get an idea

regimen that addresses your skin issues. If you are

of how long it'll take to get used to these procedures

able, head to a dermatologist or book an appointment

and how long they'll last for. This will give you a proper plan for your final touch up time-frame.

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BEAUTY GUIDE

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6-9 Months +

2.

Do a Hair & Makeup Trial

Make sure your artist(s) have seen your inspiration

1.

Make your Bridal Beauty Look Selection

images before your trial. Listen to the professional advice that is given and give honest feedback. This will

You know all of those bridal looks you've been help ensure that you look is locked in with a solid plan archiving since you were 14? Well, it is finally time t o so that there is no confusion or changes on your big narrow down your options. If you don't have a day. collection you've been hoarding then Pinterest is about to become your new addiction. Create a board for

1-3 Months

makeup and a board for hair. Now is the time to explore and decide on your look.

1.

Final Hair Touch-ups

Give yourself a couple of weeks, or more, to get your 2.

Consider a Tan

hair trimmed and your color touched up. You want your

This is a great time to checkout a local tanning salon

hair to look natural and lived in for your wedding

or even give a go at self tanning. Start with a lighter

instead of freshly done.

shade for your first round and go from there till you

Prep Your Skin (All of it!)

have your perfect shade. A tanning specialist can help

2.

guide you with the do's and don'ts for maintaining your

Make sure you are exfoliating, toning and moisturizing

new bronzed look.

your body as well as your face. This will give you silky, touchable skin for your wedding day and honeymoon.

3.

Perfect Your Cut & Color

(WARNING: Don't exfoliate if you have a spray tan)

Now that you are closer to your hair length goal, stick to only trims to maintain the length for your wedding

1 Week prior

day. Also make sure you are getting your color fine tuned and start settling into a routine for maintenance.

1.

Go to Your Last Beauty Appointments

Get your last wax, spray tan and brow shaping at least

3-6 Months

3 days prior to your wedding. Make sure you stick to the same places and stylists you've been seeing. Now is

1.

Mind Your Diet

not the time to try anything new!

At this point you've probably picked your dress and had

Splurge on a Massage

it sized. With all the planning chaos that is happening

2.

in your world it's easy to fall off the bandwagon with

With all of the months or year(s) of planning and

your stress levels increased. Try to avoid over indulging

anticipation built up, you could use some TLC. Book an

in salty snacks, dairy, sugar. bread, and yes, booze.

appointment a day or two ahead of your wedding and

These foods can cause bloating and even breakouts.

take your maid of honor with you! You will be grateful

Keep it simple and drink plenty of water!

to have some of that tension melt away and to have a moment to reflect.

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BEAUTY GUIDE

Day Before

1.

Drink Plenty of Water

It's easy to get dehydrated when you're tying up all the loose ends for your wedding. Keep a bottle of water with you the whole day and make sure you drink at least 8 cups!

2.

Take a Relaxing Bath & Exfoliate

Right about now, you may be feeling like you haven't had any time to yourself. Between your bridal party arriving, meeting all your in-laws, and seeing old friends, you'll be in major communication overload!

Give yourself an hour or two on wedding eve and just relax!

(WARNING: Skip this step if you have a spray tan.

Shower and moisturize instead.)

3.

SLEEP

Ensure you get a full nights sleep before you say your "I Do's!" 6- 8 hours of solid sleep could make your big day so much easier.

Big Day

When you wake up, it will finally be your wedding day!

Savor the precious moments you'll experience today.

Be proud of all the hard work you've done.

Lastly, go make your fiancĂŠ speechless!

i fa b

t ry

i eg

Makeup by TDT Beauty, LLC Photographed by Marjorie Photography.

e l a

g n i n n

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Celebrating Marriage through Music (while in the middle of a pandemic)

By Martha McDermott, Boom Island String Quartet

I recently came across a video online of a small outdoor wedding. It was just the couple and their officiant. Social distancing protocol was followed, do not worry. A singer happened to be walking through the park and asked if he could sing for their first dance. It was such a special moment that they were able to share together. I realized that right now, we as musicians have the opportunity to be creative to help couples celebrate their marriage.

Music is such an important part of any ceremony, and without a global pandemic, it can be hard to know how to incorporate music. I want to share some tips for the couples who are planning to downsize their wedding, reschedule, or are using this time to just start the planning process. Whichever couple you are, chances are that a professional musician is not going to walk through your wedding ceremony, but that does not mean that music can’t be a part of your special day.

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CELEBRATING MARRIAGE THROUGH MUSIC

If you are a couple who is planning on downsizing your wedding to save the date, you do not have to settle for a Spotify playlist of Vitamin String Quartet. Check in with the musician or musicians that you have booked for your ceremony before cancelling. See if they have any existing recordings you could use or if they could record a special arrangement for you. I know that over here at Boom Island String Quartet, we have been able to make recordings despite being separated throughout the cities. A bonus of this is you will be able to look back on the music that was played just for the two of you for years to come, and, If you want to keep the spirit of the live performance, see if your musician can do a virtual performance as part of your ceremony.

If you are a couple who is looking to reschedule for late 2020 or 2021, follow up with your musicians and confirm their availability. If they are already booked for that date, ask for a referral to another performer or ensemble that would be a good fit for your ceremony. Not only will you have a warm handoff between ensembles, but it saves you time researching new vendors which can be overwhelming.

If you are planning your wedding and are just starting to look for ceremony musicians, it can be hard to know where to start. I recommend starting off by choosing which instruments you want featured in your ceremony. Often people can perform a variety of styles, so instruments are an easier place to start. A simple Google search or vendor listings on Forever Bride or The Bash (formerly GigMasters) are good places to start. Your ceremony location may also have a list of preferred vendors that they can offer you. Once you have an idea of a few groups or performers you want to work with, request a phone call or video meeting to get to know the ensemble and how they can meet your needs. It can also give you some confidence in your booking decision. Having frequent communication with your musicians can help empower you to select ceremony music that unique and suit your event perfectly.

I hope that wherever you are at in the wedding ceremony planning process, you feel empowered to make music a part of your special day. Please stay safe and healthy and best wishes to you in your wedding planning.

Martha is a violinist with Boom Island String Quartet. She has over 10 years of wedding music experience. She is currently spending her time hanging out with her cat, trying new recipes, and annoying her neighbors with her new electric guitar. booking@boomislandstringquartet.com www.boomislandstringquartet.com facebook.com/boomislandstringquartet instagram.com/boomislaodstrings

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WOO WEDDING TOUR '20-'21

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WOO WEDDING TOUR '20-'21

There is a love story that is told in every wedding. That story is so precious and unique that it must be showcased in a musical soundtrack for all your family and friends to truly experience. This is exactly what we at Wee Woo Entertainment & Events specialize in. Your wedding is not just a date, you aren’t just an invoice number, and it’s not everyday you get married. Rather than just getting you to select from music already in our copious playlists, we take the time to construct your wedding vision as we personalize and customize your wedding entertainment to your exact specifications. WEE will go at any measure to WOO you at your wedding.

Our response rate and communication is up to the second. We will never keep you waiting with any questions you may have.

Please follow us on Instagram: DJWeeWoo Book Now and join the Woo Wedding Tour!

ns o i t s ge g u s re a c n i y a Sk g d i b r u o y ers t r t a fo m e r a c in k s y wh

BY ASHLEY ABRAHAM OWNER OF MAKEUP ARTISTRY WITH ASHLEY MARIE & CONSULTANT FOR BEAUTYCOUNTER

Skincare, one of the most important ingredients to ensuring that your wedding photos will come back flawless, but sadly it is also one of the most commonly skipped steps when it comes to the wedding budget. Why is this? I am a firm believer that we have been conditioned to believe that the makeup artist we select can waive a magic brush, and through the power of airbrush and a little bit of photo-shop, all of the neglect we’ve put our skin through can easily be forgotten and fixed in a matter of moments. Guys, as a pro makeup artist, beauty connoisseur, and skincare enthusiast - I am here to tell you that the practices you put into place today will impact the success of your makeup application and longevity on wedding day. Let me elaborate a bit…

First, your makeup will only be as flawless as the skin you apply it to. I know what you’re thinking – through the power of color correction, facetune, and snapchat filters we can focus on pinning our favorite bridal beauty inspo and forgo the beauty routine. Here’s a fun fact, if you are not properly cleansing, moisturizing, and treating the skin, your makeup will result in looking more cake-y and unnatural as the makeup artist will need to use far more product than usually needed. Yeesh, who wants that when they walk down the aisle? I know I don’t… It is better to approach your wedding makeup from a foundational approach that begins with correcting the signs of aging, dehydration, and discoloration that we have acquired over the years through safe and appropriately selected skincare.

So that brings forth the question of when should you start your beauty regimen? My advice, as soon as humanly possible! Here’s why – historically speaking, it takes about 18-26 days for your skin to grow accustomed to a new skincare and begin to see

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SKINCARE SUGGESTIONS...

results due to the skin’s natural regeneration process. What better time to get into the healthy skincare habits than the months leading up to your big day? This gives your skin time to transform and reach its peak potential. Never, and I repeat never, start your skincare less than a month and a half before your big day. I tell all of my clients this because it takes just a few moments to cause a reaction to something new, and with stress and excitement leading up to the wedding day anyway, it is crucial to not introduce any new skincare that could have adverse reactions. The last thing you want is to walk down the aisle with dried skin due to a reaction to fragrance… While highly unlikely, I suggest we don’t risk it!

I know what you’re thinking: “Well, that’s great Ashley. I know that I have to select skincare that works for me, and I need to start now, but how do I know what to buy vs. what to avoid?” A simple rule of thumb is to avoid anything with sulfates, parabens, added fragrance, or proprietary ingredients. The reason I suggest this is because many cosmetic brands actually use chemicals and fillers to alter their formulations for a more pleasurable “sensory” experience – such as adding fragrances and other fillers. The kicker is that they may smell better than the ingredients that are “active ingredients” BUT fragrance is one of the most common irritants when it comes to skincare. Other fillers have also been linked to infertility, cancer, birth defects, and so many other health consequences… It is also a good idea to stay away from brands that make claims such as “Completely Natural” or “Organic” as many of these brands have been hiding under the green umbrella, and sneaking ingredients into their formulations by listing the “proprietary ingredients” as mentioned above. Fun fact: If an ingredient is “proprietary” the company actually does not legally have to disclose what is found within that “proprietary blend” – and I tell my

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clients while I love natural and homeopathic products, I wouldn’t feel comfortable learning that a key ingredient was something to the effect of poison ivy hidden under the “proprietary” umbrella, would you? I know, total exaggeration but just something to consider.

So what’s a girl to do? Well, I personally love Beautycounter. And I am here to give you just a bit of information about this brand. Full disclosure, yes I do sell Beautycounter as a consultant. But with that being said, I take special care to ensure that people understand I am a makeup artist that believes in Beautycounter, not a Beautycounter Consultant that dabbles in makeup artistry. I know that this is a silly distinction, but given the connotation of MLM brands, I want to ensure that my clients know I will only sell them products that I believe in and would personally use. This being said, I stumbled across Beautycounter for my personal use because I love a good brand that believes in the safety of their products, but also the safety of their consumers. As someone with sensitive skin, I carefully select products for personal use as there is a genuine fear that I will react to just about anything I touch – I mean hives, the whole she-bang. So when I stumbled across Beautycounter (as I am a strong supporter of Clinique skincare), I had my reservations. What I learned was that this brand works to fine-tune their own formulations using only the safest ingredients, but they also are working to change the narrative and legislation as it pertains to the self-care market.

Let me elaborate a bit, maybe you have heard of Beautycounter’s “Never List.” This is a list of over 1800+ ingredients that have been banned from any of our products as they have been loosely connected to cancer, infertility, birth defects, or other health consequences. This is huge, as the amount of ingredients that the US has banned is only in the low double digits. In addition to this, the US has not passed official legislation until recently since the 40s… That’s huge. With the uptick in the amount of

SKINCARE SUGGESTIONS...

brands and products in the consumer market, there is very little ruling that can assist in regulating what is, or is not, deemed as safe and what claims companies can make. So with that thought in mind, Beautycounter has taken to state and federal legislators to make their voice heard to protect the consumer.

with anti-aging power house results? Countertime will transform your skin with regard to youthfulness and luminosity and turn back time. Hoping to add supplemental treatment options to your current beauty routine? Counter+ is the way to go. Whatever your skincare needs are, I would be happy to chat with you directly and help you find the products that will address your specific needs.

 So why should you listen to me, and investigate Beautycounter for yourself? As I mentioned before, I love the products for personal use. They have made a tremendous difference in my skin, and I have not had a reaction to a single product that I’ve used. Because of that, I began to incorporate Beautycounter products into my professional kit to see what my clients thought, and the response was fantastic! In addition to personally not having any reactions, all of my clients have loved everything that I used on them and none have reacted to the products either which is amazing when you consider the hundreds of faces I am blessed to touch each bridal season. So, because of this success, I began selling these products as a consultant to share the success of the products with clients in the comfort of their homes, and the feedback has been phenomenal. So many of my clients say that their skin has not looked or felt better in years, and because their skin is back into peak shape, their makeup is not only applying better, but also performing better and lasting longer!

Email me directly at makeupartistrywithashleymarie@yahoo.com or shop with my link at www.beautycounter.com/ashleyabraham There is actually a skincare quiz that can also serve as a fantastic tool to help you sort out what products you need to make your bridal glow a success.

So that brings up the final question, how do you know what products to purchase for your specific needs? A great rule of thumb would be to identify your skin type, and then purchase the products from Beautycounter that deliver the best results within that line. Oily or acne prone? The Countercontrol line might be just what the doctor ordered. Dry or normal/dry? Countermatch with added treatments can offer a fantastic approach to age-prevention skincare or baseline skincare products. Looking for something a bit stronger

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SKINCARE SUGGESTIONS...

Makeup by TDT Beauty, LLC Photographed by Hello Dolly Photography Venue - The Little Log House Pioneer Village

Vendor Spotlight

BG Events and Design WITH BRIANNA RENEE

ABOUT BG EVENTS AND DESIGN: BG Events and Design was carefully created to showcase the beauty within each event. We have perfected how to blend modern, natural and minimalism together to create meaningful and beautiful events (serving greater MN and beyond). The memory you want to cherish for your lifetime or that event that everyone is talking about until the next year, those are the events I live for and love to create and design with your needs and wants in mind! I created this company because I am driven to making every single event (no matter the size), beautiful, unique and special so everyone attending leaves with all the “feels” and memories to last!

service event planning package (for clients that are so outside their comfort zone they want someone to take control and handle A to Z on planning, coordinating, design, etc…).

WHAT WEDDING PLANNING SERVICES DO YOU OFFER? We offer an “all you can eat” type of service buffet. We have everything from our basic day of coordinator package (for clients who just want me to handle the day of things) all the way to our full

WHAT SIZES OF WEDDINGS HAVE YOU COORDINATED IN THE PAST? We have coordinated around 200 person weddings but can handle the most intimate weddings to the biggest weddings. I have experience planning an event that was 5 days long for 800 people

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We also have the capacity to customize packages 100% for the client’s needs. If the client has a decor need only, or a bridal shower to coordinate or a milestone surprise birthday to nail, we can create a package that will fit exactly what they are needing us to handle.

Anything from Weddings, to Business, to Charity Events to “normal” and out of the ordinary, we can customize a package to fit their needs/wants keeping their budget in mind.

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in another state for a business so we can make it work.

WHAT ADDITIONAL TYPES OF EVENTS DO YOU SERVICE? Anything from weddings to business/charity events and everything in between. We can do bridal/baby showers, religious events (first communion, baptisms, etc…) milestone birthdays, retirement party, or anything you can consider an event we can service with planning, coordinating or decorating.

WILL YOU BE PRESENT ON MY WEDDING DAY? Yes, it is me and if I need an assistant then another person shows up with me.

IF YOU NEED TO REDUCE YOUR GUEST LIST DUE TO COVID-19, HOW DO YOU UNINVITE PEOPLE? This would be an individualized answer for each client as each wedding & family/friend situation will be different.

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

SHOULD I HAVE A PLAN B? I believe in always having a plan B but especially now with this year being so unknown with events, it's always good to think through this.

HOW DO I FIND VENDORS THAT ARE AVAILABLE? You use the collaboration of vendors that BG Events and Design put together there are 74 vendors on the list AND it's continuing to grow!

find a vendor to fill in the gaps.

When it comes to your wedding as a whole: Remember that regardless of when or how it happens, it’s important to remember what is truly important to you and your fiance.

Coming up with a Plan B, C, D (etc…) may not seem ideal but if you have the most important things to you in those new plans, it will be just as special as Plan A. If you are overwhelmed with what to do, how to do it, etc… REACH OUT to the professionals that are here to help you out! We are all in this together and we want to help out as much as we can!

WHAT IS WEDDING VENDORS AGAINST COVID-19?

BG Events and Design is putting together a collaboration of wedding vendors across MN and into Western WI that have availability in their schedule between now and the end of the year that could potentially help you pivot your wedding to a new plan if you are needing to reschedule your wedding due to the COVID19 situation that is plaguing our world. It is a group of vendors that are wanting to help out affected couples as much as we can.

HOW DO WE FIND OUT ABOUT THE VENDORS COLLABORATING IN THIS GROUP? You just need to email BG Events and Design and ask for the list, Bri the owner of BG Events and Design will email you the list for FREE! WHAT SUGGESTIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR COUPLES POSTPONING? When it comes to vendors: Talk to your vendors (actually talk to them) and try to reschedule all your current vendors. If you cannot reschedule them to your new date, talk to them about your options or their options as some have back up people to help out in the occurrence they cannot be a part of the rescheduled date.

If they don’t have other options, you can always look through the Wedding Vendors Against COVID19 list to see if you can

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bgeventsanddesign@gmail.com facebook.com/bgeventsanddesign instagram.com/bgeventsanddesign

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VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

Vendor Appreciation Beauty

Makeup Artistry with Ashley Marie Beautycounter Consultant www.makeupartistrywithashleymarie.com www.beautycounter.com/ashleyabraham TDT Beauty, LLC www.tdtbeauty.com Cake

Entertainment

Boom Island String Quartet www.boomislandstringquartet.com Wee-Woo Entertainment and Events www.facebook.com/djweewoo

Menswear

Sugardust & Sprinkles www.sugardustandsprinkles.com

Knights Chamber www.knightschamber.store

Nothing Bundt Cakes www.nothingbundtcakes.com

Milbern www.milbern.com

Dress

Officiant

Posh Bridal www.poshmn.com

Liz Rae Weddings www.lizraeweddings.com

Diamond Bride www.diamondbride.us

Ceremonies by Positively Charmed www.positivelycharmed.com

Photographers

Venues

Samantha Burke Photography www.sburkephotography.com

Warehouse Winery www.warehousewinery.com

Kamrowski Photography www.kamrowskiphotography.com

The Little Log House Pioneer Village www.littleloghouseshow.com

Marjorie Photography www.marjoriephotography.com Hello Dolly Photography www.hellodollyphotography.com Ben Saefke Photography www.bensaefkephoto.com

Planning

Videography

BG Events and Design www.facebook.com/bgeventsanddesign

Bokeh Photo and Design www.bokehpd.com

Brooke Wedding Designs www.brookeweddingdesigns.com

Wildwood Films www.wildwoodfilms.co

Stationery

Meghan Rust Design www.meghanrust.com Copper & Carbon www.copperandcarbon.com

Interested in being a contributor or a spotlight vendor?

Contact us as at info@thelovejoymag.com

Photographed by Ben Saefke Photography Hair & Makeup by TDT Beauty, LLC

Love and Joy Brought to you by TDT Beauty, LLC www.thelovejoymag.com ©2020. All Rights Reserved. Shakopee, MN. TDT BEAUTY, LLC.