About Us
DANA GEE | General Manager & Account Executive
How Would You Describe Yourself In A Nutshell?
I feel truly blessed working for the Wedding Planner & Guide and still being able to play the role of Mom and Wife. I enjoy being overly involved with my family, church and community. I have an awesome troop of 7th grade Girl Scouts, confirmation group, cub scouts, 4H…you name it! I am on the board for the Madison Chapter of the National Association of Wedding Professionals, and love the relationships we’ve built through that group! So always busy, but lovin’ every minute of it.
What One Word Best Describes You?
Is Nutball one word or two?
Favorite Wedding Memory:
There is a part in our wedding video as we were walking out of the church and my husband reaches for his dad’s hand and gives it a firm squeeze. I remember the first time I saw that, I could feel the love, and knew I picked a good family to join!
What is Your Favorite Movie and Why?
I still LOVE The Wizard of Oz. Something is just so magical going from black & white to vibrant colors and such imagination!
APRIL BRADY | Editor & Public Relations
How Would You Describe Yourself In A Nutshell?
When I’m not ‘wordsmithing’ or staying up-to-date on the latest wedding trends and fashions, you will find me reading a good book, researching foreign affairs, studying Iran, drinking tea, traveling internationally, attempting to cook, or leading fun high school youth group events at church.
What One Word Best Describes You?
Inquisitive?
Favorite Wedding Memory:
I’ve had the privilege to be involved with quite a few weddings. I just love the hope and excitement that abounds as family and best friends come together to celebrate the happiest day of a couple’s relationship!
What is Your Favorite Movie and Why?
It depends on the genre! However, if pressed, some favorites include Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Insider, Pride & Prejudice (BBC), The Godfather, Man on Fire, and Monsters, Inc. I like the classics!
KELLY WHALEN | Account Executive
How Would You Describe Yourself In A Nutshell?
My adventure with JOY Publications began nearly eighteen years ago when my husband and I moved back to Wisconsin after spending a few years in Chicago. I never planned on staying at JOY this long, but everyone there became my second family. Since the company is so family-friendly and allows me to work from my home, I was fortunate to be able to stay home with my daughter and have a great job! Recently, I have become more active with the National Association of Wedding Professionals and serve on the Madison chapter’s board with a fun and talented group of people!
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, which includes my wonderful husband of nearly 20 years, John, my beautiful daughter, Elizabeth, who is 14 (going on 44!), and our two playful cats. You can commonly find me cooking, going out with the girls and taking long walks.
What One Word Best Describes You?
Fun-loving
Favorite Wedding Memory:
Our wedding day was awesome – it was the best day of my life! However, the best part of getting married was when we moved in together after our honeymoon. We had been set up on a blind date and had never lived closer than 90 miles to each other. It felt so good when we finally settled into our home and neither one of us had to tearfully say goodbye each weekend.
What is Your Favorite Movie and Why?
Return to Me! It is so heart warming, funny and very touching. I still cry tears of sadness and joy every time I watch it. It’s a great date movie!
PAUL BRADY | Distribution Manager & Ad Coordinator
How Would You Describe Yourself In A Nutshell?
When I’m not out delivering Wedding Planner & Guides or collecting ad materials, I enjoy watching movies with my lovely wife Jennifer, playing Batman with my son Jack (age 6), or doing word puzzles with my daughter Emma (age 4).
What One Word Best Describes You?
Encouraging
Favorite Wedding Memory:
I have two. First, when my wife and I were married our recessional was the Star Wars Theme. The entire church erupted with cheers! Second, before my wife and I were engaged, we were at a wedding together. She caught the bouquet and I caught the garter!
What is Your Favorite Movie and Why?
For a big fan of movies that is just too tough a question. So I broke it down into categories:
Romance – Tangled and Dan in Real Life
Action – Raiders of the Lost Ark and Die-Hard
Drama – Crash and the original Rocky
Comedy – Old School and Anchorman
CANDY PARRELL | Office Manager & Accounting
How Would You Describe Yourself In A Nutshell?
I married my wonderful husband, Nate, 16 years ago. We share 4 children, our youngest at home is sixteen. We enjoy spending most of our time with our children. We will be planning two weddings in 2013. I joined the JOY Publications family in 2004.
What One Word Best Describes You?
Passionate
Favorite Wedding Memory:
I once attended a wedding where a couple created an anniversary box. They placed two wine glasses and a bottle of wine inside a box. Before the box was locked the bride and groom placed a letter to each other inside. Each year they open the box, read the letters, and share the wine. The box would be replaced with a new bottle of wine and letter for years of anniversary sharing.
What is Your Favorite Movie and Why?
P.S. I Love You is my favorite movie. To know a love this great is truly a gift from God.
JULIE HUSTAD | Graphic Design
How Would You Describe Yourself In A Nutshell?
I have been a Wisconsinite all my life and have been painting anything I can get my hands on since I could walk. I love to experiment with different mediums and have started finding ways to “sculpt” a canvas before I paint it. I love all things artistic and appreciate the skill and creativity in the things I cannot do (like dance) or have not tried.
I joined JOY in 1997 and worked in the office there for eight years before working freelance from home.
My now teenage daughter keeps my husband and I on our toes at all times. I do believe she in encouraging me to do new things, much as I hope I’m encouraging her to…sometimes not!
I am passionate about music and am the choir director at my church. I love animals. We have had two huskies, an Alaskan Malamute, a German Shepherd mix as well as guinea pigs and a turtle. My family jokes that I am not allowed to go to the Humane Society anymore as I will want to bring them ALL home!
What One Word Best Describes You?
Ummm. Let’s go with challenging.
Favorite Wedding Memory:
The fact that I married my husband and that he has stuck with me for 21 years now is all I need for a memory! I wish I had taken more time to create a theme or unified look in the decor and invites and throughout my wedding. There are so many more options and ideas out there now for creating a very cool and memorable wedding…maybe a renewal of vows is in my future!
What is Your Favorite Movie and Why?
I am a movie fanatic. We go the movies several times a month. I have many favorites! Monsters, Inc. is way up on the list (who knew happiness was more powerful than fear!), Inception (how cool would that really be?), The Bourne Trilogy movies (just gotta love it), The Pirates of the Caribbean movies (the soundtrack alone is almost as good as Mr. Depp), Dirty Dancing and The Breakfast Club (do I really need to explain?), and finally, Ghostbusters (for the best one-liners that can be used in everyday life!).
Photographs provided by Captured Moments Photography.
