Real Weddings Cover Model Finalist: Heidi Rounds-McKeen

Welcome back to our blog series to get to know the Real Weddings Magazine’s real bride cover model finalists. In this final installment, you get to know a little bit more about Heidi Rounds-McKeen. Heidi was so incredibly sweet and gracious throughout our entire shoot — she was simply a delight to work with! So without further ado, may we present our Real Weddings Magazine Cover Model Finalist, Heidi Rounds-McKeen!

Photo by Kris Holland Photography (c) Real Weddings Magazine.

Her Love Story:

Heidi and her husband, Joe, met as coworkers working at the same high school. Neither of them thought much of the other until they had to go on a school trip together, forcing them to get to know each other better. They quickly became inseparable.

Joe orchestrated the proposal at a family Christmas gathering. During a game of Scrabble, the family spelled out “Will You Marry Me” and Joe placed the final block, which was heart-shaped and had a question mark on it. She, of course, said, “Yes!”

Heidi describes her wedding day as the most amazing day of her life — one filled with love and personal touches. Each and every decoration was made by friends and family and was truly a DIY labor of love.

Model Material:

We thought Heidi’s unique look would be great for our shoot, but what sealed the deal was her beyond-sweet and down-to-earth personality. We loved chatting with her and thought she would really represent the “real” in Real Weddings. Turns out that husband Joe completely agreed and told Heidi that he thought she was a great example of a real bride. The couple also used this as an opportunity to reflect on their relationship and complete the cover model entry form questionnaire together.

Her Photo Shoot Experience:

Heidi jokes that at 5’4” she doesn’t plan to start a modeling career anytime soon, but being a model for a day was a lot of fun. She said that her Real Weddings Magazine cover model finalist experience gave her a whole new perspective on models, photographers, hair and make-up stylists, and everyone involved.

—Kelley Saia

Photo by Kris Holland Photography (c) Real Weddings Magazine.

If you’d like to be part of our next cover model contest, for our Summer/Fall 2013 issue (out in May 2013), download the entry form here! Hurry, the deadline is February 15, so get a move on!

And, click here to see the other posts in our cover model finalist blog series!

The cover model finalist contest photo shoot Real Weddings Magazine team members who produced this editorial feature include: Aimee Carroll, Morgan Casarez, Rhonda Lou Hayden, Jamila B. Khan, Desiree Patterson, Paris Ryan, Kelley Saia, Gloria Schroeder, Wendy Sipple, Leah Sturgeon and Megan Wiskus.

And, of course, thank you to all the vendors who contributed to our cover model contest shoot. The vendors who participated in our cover model finalist shoot include:

Photographed on location at:

Preston Castle

209-256-3623 | prestoncastle.com

Photography by:

Kris Holland Photography

916-531-7341 | krishollandphotography.com

with special thanks to Anne Williams

Hair and Make-up for Tosha by:

All Dolled Up

Melissa Oretta, Make-up

Lisa Sacco, Hair

530-888-1562 | alldolleduphairandmakeup.com