Aga Rhodes | @agarhodes

Aga Rhodes (formerly Kaskiewicz) has been doing makeup for 20 years and working in all fields of the industry gave her a great understanding that it’s not just about applying the perfect shade of foundation or lipstick, but it’s also about how she makes her clients feel.

Having an art school background from her home country of Poland, and falling in love with color and texture, Aga, focused on Makeup Artistry. After working over for luxury salons and companies in Chicago over the years, Aga decided to freelance fulltime with Makeup by Aga, doing private services commercial, print, fashion and editorial, and Bridal by Aga. She brings effortless chic and red carpet glam to her clients.

Through the help of her mentors such as Michael DeVellis and James Vincent of The Powder Group and The Makeup Show, Aga started to get involved more in the artists community, help create a support for young artists, and became a national educator, where she shares her knowledge and unique approach to the beauty industry and business. She is also one of the educators on the newly launch Medix Beuaty App.

While working as an educator and with her local artist community, Aga also believes that an artist continues to learn themselves, she peruses continuing education classes and programs in the beauty industry throughout the year, which takes her to Los Angeles and New York. Aga also travels twice a year to work back stage during NYFW, but it’s also her work with private clients for consultations, beauty shopping and makeup lessons she finds rewarding. Some of Aga’s clients includes Lady Gaga, Joan Jett, Andrew Zimmern, Giuliana Rancic. Chicago celebrities, socialites and women power players. Aga’s work has also grazed the pages of Modern Luxury Weddings, CS, Michigan Ave magazines to name a few.

Aga also finds rewarding working with brides to help them create their real life fairytale weddings, from magical stylized photoshoots, which many can be found in national wedding focused magazines such as Vera Wang Wdding Style, Inside Weddings and Grace Ormonde. She has also had the pleasure to explore her creative side of makeup while working with two national NAHA nominated teams.

Through it all Aga stays her authentic, original self, doing everything with a purpose and even bigger dreams.

Collin Pierson

Collin is an international-award winning wedding bridal fashion & editorial photographer and educator based in Chicago, Illinois. Combining his unique past in photojournalism, sports, and fashion photography, he created a style that is both candid and dramatic. Collin is dedicated to a personalized approach with all of his clients; reflected in the images he captures of their life-defining moments. When he is not shooting, he is an educator to other photographers at workshops, conventions and conferences around the world.

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Joanne McDonough | @joannemcdonough

Joanne McDonough is the founder of Joya beauty and the seacoast’s premiere makeup artist and skin care therapist. Licensed in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts. Her artistic talent, diverse background and professional experience create a unique and simply beautiful style. Joya beauty’s intimate studio, located in Dover, New Hampshire, offers Joya clientele the opportunity to learn, relax and be pampered. Whether it’s for a skin care treatment, makeup application or lesson or a bridal consultation, Joanne has the innate skills and ability to bring out the natural beauty of each of her clients. Joanne also works as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society’s Look Good Feel Better program at Wentworth Douglas Hospital in Dover, New Hampshire, is a member of the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals Association and has achieved Professional certifications from many other related industry organizations. Joanne’s work has been seen on the cover of Grace Ormond’s Wedding Style and Marriage Magazine as well as in New Hampshire Wedding Magazine and she has provided makeup for wedding fashion events for such publications. www.joyabeauty.com

Michelle Durpetti | @eugeniaweston

Michelle Durpetti is a celebrated Wedding Planner and Restauranteur based in Chicago. Known for her exquisite events, Michelle is passionate about planning every detail of the wedding process with her esteemed clientele.

Michelle launched her company, Michelle Durpetti Events in 2008 where she’s planned over 300 weddings and events. Recognized for her outstanding level of service and pristine taste, Michelle has been featured in distinguished publications such as Inside Weddings, Style Me Pretty, Grace Ormonde, Modern Luxury Weddings, Strictly Weddings, Today’s Chicago Woman Magazine, and more.

She’s planned and designed some of Chicago’s most notable and celeb-studded events such as the Chicago Gateway Green’s Annual Green Tie Ball, the Fiera Italiana in conjunction with the annual Columbus Day Parade, for the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, and the Chicago Hunter Darby.

With over 10 years with MDE, Michelle is also a managing partner with her family’s hospitality group in Chicago. Awarded one of Partyslate’s Top 50 Party Planners in America, Michelle’s success has placed her as one of the world’s most influential wedding professionals. www.durpettievents.com

Tami Bernard | @itsmatin

Tami Bernard Nicholas, is a San Luis Obispo based professional makeup artist specializing in bridal makeup. She is known for her HD ~ 4K camera-ready looks for photo shoots, engagement photos and headshots, as well as, runway and editorial shoots. She is a versatile artist using both airbrush makeup and traditional makeup to achieve a fresh and radiant look. Her style has been described as “natural glamour” – bringing out the natural beauty of her brides while adding a touch of glamour for that special occasion.

Tami has been trained in Los Angeles, New York and New Orleans, and continues her education taking workshops and classes regularly, with some of the most respected and talented artists in the industry. Tami continues to keep up to date on all the newest techniques and trends in the Makeup Industry.

In addition to working on all of her weddings, in the wedding offseason Tami loves working runway shows and here are a few she has added to her resume. NY Men’s Fashion Week 2018 Spring, 2017 Lead Artist Jersey House Reality TV Pilot; Women’s Couture Fashionweek 2018 Spring, lead artist NY Couture Fashionweek 2019 Fall, Lead Artist NY Couture 2019 Spring, Lead Artist Social Fashionweek Los Angeles 2019 Fall, Lead Artist for 2019 Spring Paris Fashionweek , Lead Artist for LA Walk Fashionweek 2019, Lead Artist LA Fashionweek 2019 Nancy Vuu Designs.

Tami recently became published in Harpers Bazaar Magazine for designer Nancy Vuu; California Wedding Day Real Weddings Magazine 2018 December issue; California Wedding Day Magazine, January 2019 issue; Jolie En Style Magazine 2017 & 2018; I Fashion Magazine, 2018. Tami has had the pleasure of recently working with famous children’s photographer, Karolina Henke, with editorial shoots with celebrity children the Clements Twins, Ava & Leah and the Jellen sisters Sofia & Olivia. Tami was honored to be selected as a finalist in 2017 for California Wedding Day for two different counties in California, and has also be selected on the California Wedding Day Haute List now every issue since December 2017.

Lerin Johnson | @lerinjohnsonartistry

Needing to find a part-time job after high school, Lerin managed to talk herself into a position behind a beauty counter in her local department store with absolutely no makeup experience whatsoever. Though she had no idea what she was doing, others remarked that she had a natural ability when it came to apply makeup to others. It was then she realized her calling in life--to be a professional makeup artist!

Since then her path has led her from studying at the London Eyes Academy of Makeup, working at The prestigious Mario Tricoci salon, and working for other beauty giant such as Lancôme, MAC, and NARS. Though she has experience working in many different fields of the makeup industry—from commercial and print, to television and film—her true love is found in the world of bridal. She loves the journeys traveled with each bride from start to finish, as she collaborates with her clients to develop flawless and customized looks. In 2017 she proudly debuted her team of bridal hair and makeup artists: Lerin Johnson Bridal Beauty. IG: @lerinjohnsonartistry @lerinjohnsonbridalbeauty

Davina Arceneaux | @moisesartnyc

As Senior Catering Manager at The Langham, Chicago, Davina Arceneaux oversees the catering for social,corporate, and wedding-related events at the hotel. Arceneaux, an 18-year hospitality veteran, prepared for her career at Chicago State University, where she graduated with a degree in Hospitality Management in May 2000. After graduating, her genuine passion for the experiences food can offer guests led her to the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place for six years as Catering Manager. From there, Arceneaux honed her skills at the Conrad Chicago and the Hotel Arista in Naperville before joining the team at The Langham, Chicago in early 2015.

“I believe the experience with food and beverage should be one that captivates the senses and enhances the overall event,” says Arceneaux. “My philosophy is that food should be a conversation piece, and leave guests talking even after the event.”

This desire to create memorable moments for guests has led Arceneaux to receive over 15 awards and recognitions – both internally from management teams and from noted publications such as BRIDES Magazine, The Knot Magazine and Wedding Wire. Arceneaux is an active member in the Catering Executives Club of America and the Wedding International Professionals Association. She also annually attends the Engage! Luxury Wedding and Event Business Summit in an effort to continue education. Her distinct passion to connect with guests and make their event memorable has set her apart in the industry. “I like to treat my clients like they are guests in my own home,” explains Arceneaux. “I truly enjoy building relationships and being part of the most important day in someone’s life, like their wedding, or being part of a successful event that meets all of my corporate client’s expectations and goals.” When she’s not at The Langham, Chicago, Arceneaux spends her time baking, running, traveling and indulging in the illustrious Chicago food scene. She lives with her spouse in Plainfield, Illinois.