Bliss Collection Honors: Washingtonian Bride and Groom

The members of The Bliss Collection are always so proud when other hard working members are acknowledged for their excellence!

Washingtonian Bride and Groom has listed some of our beloved members in its latest issue! Why exactly is this an important honor?

Well…

According to wedding planner Myrna Hyman, “I found out that one finds themselves on this list based on votes from colleagues in the industry, which I think is pretty special.”

Miles Stiebel of MSE productions added ” MSE Productions is listed in the most recent 2012 Washingtonian Bride & Groom under Music & Entertainment.  MSE Productions has been recommended by the Washingtonian as “One of the Best” for over ten years.  This publication has become a fabulous resource for brides and grooms planning their wedding.”

So…which members of The Bliss Collection were listed?

Jessica Piscitelli (videography), Kristi Odom (photography), Myrna Hyman (wedding planner), Miles Stiebel (DJ services), Kelsey Thompson (photography, one to watch)

Congratulations, everyone!

More Bliss Collection Honors: Wedding Wire’s “Best Of” List

Great news, Bliss Collection members! Sooo many of us were listed on yet another prestigious list: Wedding Wire’s Best Of!

Susan Smith was listed under the category of Wedding Planners.

Myrna Hyman was listed under the category of Wedding Planners.

Kristi Odom was listed under the category of Photographers.

Kelsey Thompson was listed under the category of Photographers.

Jeanna Hilton of Stonewall Golf Club was listed under the category of Venues.

Miles Stiebel was listed under the category of Music and Entertainment.

Jessica Piscitelli was listed under the category of Videographer.

Congratulations to everyone! This is an awesome honor!

More Tuxedo Tips From Blush Bridal Boutique

Blush Bridal Boutique Has Tuxedos!

Boutiques Are Best!

I recently read a wedding blog that advised brides to avoid shopping in bridal boutiques if being semi-clothed in front of a stranger sounds stressful. The writer noted that it is way less mortifying to buy online or shop at the “warehouse” stores that just leave you alone to put on the gowns you wish to try.

I could not disagree more!

Allow me to explain.

When a bride shops at a bridal boutique, like Blush Bridal Boutique in Gainesville, she isn’t just shopping! She is consulting with a trained professional who understands what looks good on each different body type. The boutique experience goes something
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Jessica Pi Productions Customer Service

I don’t know what my competitor’s customer service is like, so I would hate to say, “this is what sets me apart.”  What I will say is that there are two areas in particular in which I think I have outstanding customer service – I take the time to listen, and I am a perfectionist.

I will start with listening.  We are a boutique video shop.  We are not creating cookie cutter videos.  We create a unique video based on the bride and groom’s unique vision – every time.

I talk to each bride and groom several times before their wedding day to find out what they want in the way of video coverage.  Not only do we discuss style likes and dislikes, but also preference for how we interact with guests and vendors – whether or not we will pose or in any other way dictate behavior or just stay completely out of the way and capture what happens from the background.  My associates take their cues from me and we always make sure that the bride and groom’s ideas about how we cover a wedding are heard.

Additionally, once editing begins, I ask a ton of questions.  What music do you want?  Do you want fast paced editing, slow and romantic, black and white, sepia, or everything as real as can be?  What parts do you know you want left in?  What parts do you really want cut?  We do the work, but you get to choose how we do it.

And that leads me to being a perfectionist.  I often wish I weren’t.  It would save me a lot of time.  But I thoroughly review every video that we produce, whether or not I am the editor.  I make sure each video tells a story, that every sequence makes sense, that each filter applied was well placed, and that the timing on every montage works with the rhythm of that song.  After the 40 or so hours myself or my other editor spend compiling the first version, I often spend several more hours going through and making sure every detail is just how I would want it if it were the video I was going to be watching for my anniversary ten years and twenty years in the future.

- Jessica Piscitelli

Jessica Pi Productions

For All Occasions Customer Service

Providing excellent Customer Service is my first priority at For All Occasions. I set myself apart because I take time to learn about my client’s needs and wants to assure them that they will have the best wedding; the one that they have dreamed about.  I am available to clients by email or phone, and I answer their requests rapidly.  Many of my brides and grooms have commented through the years, “Boy, an answer so quickly?!”

I try very hard to accommodate my client’s requests.  If they prefer to meet away from my home based studio, then I will travel to a mutually convenient location for our meetings. Our initial contact is through email usually, but then I offer a complimentary consultation so it allows us to meet and for each of us to learn about one another,  I feel very strongly about making the client feel special and treating them with respect, offering suggestions when asked, and always allowing them the opportunity to know that the wedding is theirs, and I am there for them to offer ideas and my expertise where needed.  I go above and beyond the service for which I have been hired ; giving my clients more than 100% of me, and am always striving to save them money where I can.

Not only do I take good care of  those clients who have placed their trust in me, but I have been known to offer help to those who don’t even hire me to help plan their wedding., or to those whom I have never met. It never hurts to give back to the community as in turn, one day, it may come back.  I recently got a call from a young groom needing help in finding an officiant on short notice.  He didn’t know where to turn.  I made a call for him, and in less than 5 minutes, he had an officiant and a place for a ceremony to take place.  It was my pleasure to help out in a difficult situation.

- Myrna Grossman

MallowDrama’s Take on Customer Service

We enjoy working with each couple to design a cake that uniquely reflects their style and taste, whether that is elegant and traditional or modern and over-the-top.  We bring artistry, know-how, and professionalism to the table.  We want the process of selecting a wedding and/or groom’s cake to be as stress-free and fun as possible for our clients.

With MallowDrama, clients receive personal attention from the chefs and cake designers from the initial inquiry.  We offer prospective wedding clients a private tasting and design consultation so they can see and taste examples of our work.  Often, couples may bring parents, a sibling or friend, or their wedding planner to offer their opinions, or break a tie when it comes to choosing the flavor of the cake.  While the couple and their guests sample various cakes, fillings, and frostings (which they have selected), we discuss possible designs.  During the tasting, we will create rough sketches of these ideas.  The proposal we present following the tasting references and includes a beautiful color sketch of the proposed design to ensure we are all on the same page.  Once a couple accepts our proposal, we are happy to work with them to modify design elements or the size of the cake as we get closer to the wedding day.  And on that day, we’ll deliver and set up your cake before your guests arrive for your ceremony.

Another aspect of our customer service is the quality of our cakes.  While we love to make breath-taking designs, we think it is important that the cakes taste as good as they look.  All of our cakes are made fresh to order; they are never frozen.  For the benefit of our customers and for the well-being of our community, we use mostly organic ingredients and strive to source fruits and other items locally.

-Mary Supley Foxworth