Vendor Spotlight

OOH La-La, Tuxedos!

 

 

Sandra & Dwight Hailstock

I have been blessed to know some professionals in this business that will lend a hand without you even asking.  Sandra and Dwight Hailstock, owners of  The Formal Touch are two such people.  When I arrived in Charlotte some 8 years ago, I met Sandra and Dwight and they were so nice to me.  They offered their studio as a place that I could advertise.   They are always there if you need them.  This same altruistic attitude is shown in the excellent service offered to their customers.  Your experience with The Formal Touch will be one that is enjoyable and informative in a warm and friendly environment where service is first.

 

Meet Sandra and Dwight and Enjoy Beauty!

 

RJD:  How long have you been in the formal wear business and why do you love it so much?  

TFT:  We will celebrate 10 years in the formal wear business on August 2, 2009.  We love it so much because it is such an honor to be a small part of such a special day in someone’s life.  We enjoy working with the bride and groom to get just the look they are hoping for with the coordination of colors and style.

 

RJD:  What is your favorite style of tuxedo and why?

TFT:  Well, the style is different from the groom to the groomsmen because typically we are trying to make the groom stand out with his coat style, while with the groomsmen, we are trying to show color with the vest and tie.  Based on those reasons, our favorite tuxedo for a groom would be the Trilogy II by Oscar de la Renta and the one button Notch Tuxedo for the groomsmen.

 

 

 

 

RJD:  What wedding experience touched you the most? 

TFT:  Probably when Chancellor Adams was the ring bearer in a wedding that we provided tuxedos for.  As you know, his mother was shot while pregnant with him and subsequently died and he sustained some challenges in life.  He was such a delight when he was in the store for his fitting and he would have been such a joy to his mother had she lived.

 

RJD:  In this economy, how do you work with budget conscious brides?

TFT:  We have the ability to give them options because we have so many styles of tuxedos and accessories.  They can choose a more expensive tuxedo but choose to select a less expensive style of shoe or vice versa to keep the cost down.  We also offer a ring bearer special which helps to keep the cost down for any children in the wedding.

 

RJD:  What do you feel is your best contribution to your couples?

TFT:  We sincerely hope that our best contribution is to provide the very best not just in selection but most importantly, EXCELLENT SERVICE and the confidence that they can count on us to come through for them even when their guys don’t quite do what they’re asked to do.

Vendor Spotlight

Tommy McCart

Gracious, humble, and extremely talented.  These are words that describe Tommy of  Tommy McCart Photography.  His style of photography is fresh and original exhibiting a photojournalistic styling that enables his clients to relive their special day over and over again.  What a pleasure it has been to work with Tommy and to know him as the kind and truly caring professional that he is. 

 

 

Meet Tommy McCart and Enjoy Beauty!

 

RJD:  What made you become a photographer?

Tommy:  I always had a love for photography. I was given a camera  as a Christmas
gift at the age of 8 from my parents.  As a child I used to set up scenes with
my toys and photograph them.  It was so silly.  I later realized that I loved
photographing people, capturing their emotions, etc.  After that I was
hooked and I have never let my passion die!

 

 

  

RJD:  What is your favorite style of photography and why?

Tommy:  My favorite style of photography is what I call natural photography.  It is
telling a story with images.  It captures my client’s special day in their
style, while telling their story.  I love when  my clients tell me that they had no
idea that I had captured all of those special moments.  They didn’t  even remember me being in the room.   I was totally unobtrusive!

 

RJD:  What wedding experience touched you the most?

Tommy:  I  had a bride about a year ago that had  survived brain cancer. The bride and
her mother were wonderful, strong people. They looked at life in a whole new
light and her wedding so embraced that! It was a wonderful celebration and
I felt honored to be there to capture such a wonderful time in all of their
lives!

 

RJD:  In this economy how do you work  with budget conscious brides?

Tommy:  In today’s economy , couples are still getting married, they are just on
smaller budgets.  We custom create wedding packages to work with many budgets.  We are a team of four photographers willing to work with you and address your particular needs!

 

 

RJD:  What do you feel is your best contribution to your couples? 

Tommy:  My photography is of course my best contribution to my clients’ special day.  But beyond that I feel that our customer service ranks really high.  This shows  in our level of service and excellence in photography.  This is what I have been told by my wonderful clients.  Their needs and vision for their day is our first priority!  I approach each and every wedding as if it were my first.  With each wedding I demonstrate the same drive and creative determination that I have shown in every wedding that I’ve done before.