Let’s Celebrate!

Congratulations to the Bliss Collection’s own Christi Lopez, owner of Bergeron’s Flowers, celebrating their 25th year in business! Christi is the third owner of Bergeron’s and she’s been the creative force behind their event and wedding success since 1997.

Christi got her start working with an interior designer in her home town, helping him turn simple local weddings into ‘grand affairs’. That’s where she learned how to understand a client’s vision, then take it up a notch to exceed their expectations. That’s still her business practice today. Read More

Chatting With Aimee Hardenbergh of True Wedding Events

I recently chatted with Bliss Collection member Aimee Hardenbergh of  True Wedding Events.

Aimee is a Professional Bridal Consultant based in the Northern Virginia and Washington DC area.

So far, Aimee’s summer has been quite busy and filled with memorable wedding moments. She shared a funny story which happened recently when she assisted with a local wedding.

“We had decorated a wagon for the adorable tiny ring bearer to ride in and be pulled down the aisle by the flower girl. He was just barely able to sit up on his own so we had placed a seat for him in the wagon to prop him up and keep him upright. He fell fast asleep right before it was time to go down the aisle and his head fell forward. We had to remove the seat and lay him flat down with the ring pillow on top of his little stomach. He looked dead. All of the guests just laughed as he was pulled down the aisle and he slept through the entire ceremony!”

Chatting With Marti Wright About Summer 2012 Bridal Beauty

Bliss Collection member Marti Wright of Tica Beauty and Cosmetics is having a fabulous summer wedding season! Her business specializes in bridal makeup, makeup lessons, and cosmetics sales and consultations.

Marti’s biggest challenge so far this summer was the Saturday after the big “derecho” storm.

Her bride was an hour late due to having no electricity and the timeline for getting ready had to stay the same. Luckily, only three ladies needed to have their makeup done for this event!

“Fall is really my favorite season for weddings. Brides seem to not worry as much about the weather and their makeup lasting all day,” added Marti.

Marti’s funniest situation while getting a bride ready for her big day was memorable. “I had a bride that was having ‘her moment’ with the hair stylist and I was doing her makeup when the chair slipped from under me! The photographer got the picture as I was falling (I did not get hurt). We all got a good laugh and the bride forgot about her hair issues for a moment,” Marti explained.

In terms of wedding day beauty, Marti says that the new trend for brides is “Lashes, lashes, lashes!”

Member Spotlight: Jessica Piscitelli of Jessica Pi Productions

Common Questions About Videography

I recently learned a little bit about videography from Bliss Collection member Jessica Piscitelli Robinson of Jessica Pi Productions.

Here is some basic information to help you decide whether you need a videographer for your big event!

Aren’t Professional Photographs Enough?

People come to life in video the way they cannot in other formats. There is no better way to capture the sights, sounds, and movement of your wedding than with video. Photography is an art form, and it captures one aspect of the day beautifully. But a video can show you how you walked down the aisle, how long the tears took to come down your father’s cheek when he kissed you goodbye, and what it sounded like when you were pronounced husband and wife for the first time.

Why Do I Need A Professional Videographer?

Just about everyone has a video camera these days. So why pay someone to shoot your wedding video? The answer is simple: quality. You will only have one wedding day. You will only have one chance to say your vows, dance with your parents, and cut the cake.

Not only do you want a professional microphone to make sure the audio quality for the vows is clear and crisp, but you also want the assurance that your videographer has done this before and knows how to capture the important moments without stepping on the toes of the other professionals you’ve hired.

In the end, you want a wedding video that you will want to watch over and over again—and not something you’re going to fast forward through to get to the good parts.

How Do I Choose A Videographer?

Like any other vendor for your wedding day, much of the choice is subjective. Do you like the person?  Do you like her work?  Does she suit your style?  There are, however, a few general questions you can ask to help you make your decision:

How much experience does she have? Live events move quickly and there are no second chances. Experienced videographers know how to avoid making grave mistakes.

What technology do they employ? There are a lot of great professional cameras and mics available. Primarily, you are looking for someone with up-to-date, broadcast quality equipment. You also want to make sure you receive your final product in the format you want, whether it is strictly DVD copies for family, or podcasts for your iPod.

Do you know your videographer? Sounds like a funny question, but a lot of video companies employ subcontractors. Make sure you are getting the videographer you think you are getting and that the portfolio samples you see are actually produced by the person who will be shooting your wedding.

How Much Experience Do You Have?

I’ve been shooting wedding videos for more than ten years. I have a degree in Film and TV Production from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and have worked with many great directors in New York City’s feature film industry. When I’m not videotaping weddings, I produce corporate videos for my company, Capture Video, Inc.

Will You Interfere With My Photographer?

A lot of brides are worried about their vendors getting along, particularly the photographer and videographer. I work side by side with the photographer and give them all the room they need to do their job. After all, video captures 30 frames in a second, so I have a lot more chances to capture the moment than the photographer.

Will Your Videotaping Be Obtrusive During The Wedding Day?

One of the comments I hear most from the bride and groom is that they didn’t even notice we were there. My crew and I try to capture the day’s events without interfering. We do not interview guests, use bright lights, or get in people’s faces. We take our cues from the bride and groom and their guests, being as involved as they want us to be.

Member Spotlight: Marti Wright

I got a chance to chat with one of our newest members this week, Marti Wright!

Marti is with Tica Beauty and Cosmetics.

What makes you unique and different from other vendors in your category?

20 years of experience, our Artists are focused on custumer service and are trained in the latest techniques while constantly educating themselves in the industries latest trends. Tica Beauty Cosmetics are glamorous wearable colors with the highest quality of formulations.

What is your favorite aspect of the wedding industry?

Making “Brides to be” look and feel beautiful on one of the most important days of their lives.

What is your favorite new trend (pertaining to your category) for spring 2012?

Bold bright lips, saturated shadows, and perfectly primed skin

What is the most important piece of advice you can offer to engaged couples who are planning a wedding?

To make sure to start looking for vendors a year or more before their wedding date!

Thanks, Marti!

Check out Tica Beauty at www.ticabeauty.com !

Member Spotlight: Myrna Hyman

Member Spotlight: Jeanna Hilton

I had a quick conversation with Jeanna Hilton of Stonewall Golf Club regarding her thoughts on the wedding industry.

What makes you unique and different from other vendors in your category?

We really try to be as flexible as possible and make the day what the bride and groom want and not what we as the venue want. And of course our view!

What is your favorite aspect of the wedding industry?

Selection of venue of course, it’s the biggest decision they make and can set the tone for the whole event!!

What is your favorite new trend (pertaining to your category) for spring 2012?

Healthier wedding eating and a more “farm to table “ approach to dinner.

What is the most important piece of advice you can offer to engaged couples who are planning a wedding?

Try and not get STRESSED. Wedding planning should not be stressful. Hire a planner and enjoy your day!! And make sure you eat the food you are spending so much money on!!

Thanks, Jeanna!

Welcome to new member, Aimee Hardenbergh!

Welcome to our new member, Aimee Hardenbergh of True Wedding Events!

Aimee will be a fabulous addition to our group.

True Wedding Events specializes in planning outdoor weddings, tented weddings, at home weddings and weddings held in unique venues.  They want your wedding to be a true event, not just another wedding!  As the wedding scene specialists in the Washington DC area, they work with you to make sure your wedding is a true reflection of  “Your Love…Your Story”.

True Wedding Events’ level of expertise in planning events that are unique and logistically challenging is unparalleled in the Washington DC and Virginia area. The owner (and new Bliss Collection member), Aimee Hardenbergh, was a special event coordinator in the meetings and conventions industry for almost 10 years organizing events for 3,000 people all over the country.

Aimee has a certificate in Event Management from the George Washington University School of Business, an undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, College Park and is a Professional Bridal Consultant™ and a member in good standing with the Association of Bridal Consultants.

A self-professed “venue junkie”, Aimee loves going beyond the ballroom to the great outdoors and making your wedding happen wherever you want! Aimee is a preferred planner with many unique venues. They recognize her level of experience and professionalism is what it takes to execute flawless weddings in tents and venues that may not have been originally designed for weddings but now host them.

True Wedding Events has an extremely talented wedding stylist that will help take your wedding from simply wonderful to simply fabulous! Dana Fitzgerald is a past Associate Weddings Editor Martha Stewart Weddings and Senior Lifestyle and Reception Editor at Modern Bride. Dana works exclusively with True Wedding Events in the Washington, DC area.

True Wedding Events offers a complimentary monthly wedding planning ezine called “On Location With Aimee” and a free report entitled “Top 10 Tips to Your Perfect Wedding Scene”. To get these free terrific planning tools, just click here! http://tinyurl.com/6snvzqu

Welcome to The Bliss Collection, Aimee!

Bliss Member Spotlight: Florist Christi Lopez

Bliss Collection member Christi Lopez of Bergerons Flowers is a creative force in the local wedding industry. I spoke to her about her take on current floral trends that brides and grooms are loving in 2012.

What is the most requested “look” for wedding bouquets/ boutonnieres?

There are several trends going on right now….
1) Feathers
2) Brooches
3) Succulents

What is the most exciting new trend for wedding bouquets/ boutonnieres?

An artistic approach to personalizing their bouquet, which usually means incorporating something of sentiment into their bouquet.

Are there any traditional flower trends that you think are “over” or that you are seeing too much of?

Too much “roundy-moundy”, hand-tied of monobotanical blooms. Although, I’ll admit I’ve enjoyed submerged flowers, but they really are overdone!

What is the most exciting new trend for wedding reception centerpieces and decorative flowers?

The most exciting trend is the eco-green look which mostly incorporates succulents into centerpieces. These are perfect for the fact that succulents can be enjoyed long after the wedding by the guests that take them home!

If a bride described herself as “simple, classic, on a budget,” what would you suggest for her spring 2012 wedding?

Branches, Branches, Branches! They continue to be versatile and a great starter to add-on blooms for any price-point.

If a bride described herself as “extravagant, youthful, whimsical and princess-like,” what would you suggest for her spring 2012 wedding?

Runway Romantic–peonies, garden roses, any color in the white and pink families, along with clouds of babies breath work to make a beautiful sea of princess wonder!

If a bride described herself as “quirky, uniquely different, totally original,” what would you suggest for her spring 2012 wedding?

This bride definitely will go for the elements that aren’t necessarily floral; brooches, feathers, or cotton and sticks. She will go for a bouquet that isn’t round, but is shaped beautifully to coordinate with her dress!

If a bride described herself as “the ultimate sophisticated glamour girl,” what would you suggest for her spring 2012 wedding?

These still are the glitz and glamour looks, but without being ostentatious.  Use metallics and crystals, but don’t go overboard to keep the Hollywood style but classic. Centerpieces will utilized mercury glass and hanging crystals.

What is the most unique wedding flower look you have ever masterminded?

Wow, this is a tough one. I feel like there is nothing new under the sun, but I feel like the details of the wedding are definitely part of what makes me sing! The underneath of the bouquet, a groom’s boutonniere, ring bearer’s boxes/pillows are all areas with little works of art can be made.

Have you ever worked with a bride who made a mistake in her initial flower choices? How did you assist her? Did you get her to change her flowers?

Yes, there have been many. But, if have to say, most brides that come to me, either entrust me to help them with their selections or have a definite look/style in mind that we hone to make theirs! Often brides may not know what they like, but they definitely know what the don’t like! It’s my job to work with them to figure out what really reflects their and their fiance’s style so the wedding day if a reflection of them and their new life together.

What are some unique trends for adding other decorative things to floral arrangements (fruits, vegetables, etc.)?

These items are included in earlier questions, but I do think that decorative wires, twines, ribbons are still a fabulous way to ehance designs along with lighting. Lighting can do wonders to add impact and a sense of elegance used in perfection at the reception site!

How did you get started as a wedding florist?

As a young girl, I helped an interior designer decorate at our family’s church. Weddings became this beautiful event after he added his finishing touches, as each bride realized their dreams come true. No ho-hum affair there!  After high school, while working my Mom and I started taking classes with the head designer from Blackistone’s Florist. Continuing to design and provide wedding flowers during college, I would head home from Pennsylvania on Friday and design, deliver and head back on Sunday. In 1997, purchasing Bergerons was the opportunity of a lifetime for me. Since then, I have been designing for my clientele in the Northern Virginia and Washington DC area. My design philosophy puts the highest value in beauty, both naturally and artistically. I truly believe that beauty is in the details.