A Splash of Elegance

"Meet and Greet" Coffee Pre-Event with RemarriageWorks.com's Paula Bisacre

2012-01-25T06:00:00.001-05:00

Local California businesses- we would love to see you this weekend at two exciting "Meet and Greet" Coffee Pre-Events with RemarriageWorks.com's Paula Bisacre of Premier Remarriage Showcase for Encore Brides. Come meet Paula Bisacre and learn about the encore wedding and stepfamily market! For more information please visit the Remarriage Works blog: http://remarriageworks.com/_blog/Positively_Paula/post/.

January 28, 2012, 9:30-11 am - Morgan Run Resort and Club, 5690 Canca de Golf, Rancho Santa Fe, California.

January 29, 2012, 2:30-4 pm - Coto de Caza Golf and Racquet Club, 25291 Vista Del Verde, Coto de Caza, California.

January Is Thank You Note Month

2012-01-24T08:49:00.000-05:00

Did you know that January has been designated as thank you note month? What a great time to review some thank you etiquette. Whether you have received a wedding gift, birthday gift or a thinking of you gift, you will always want to send a handwritten thank you note.

What makes a great thank you? Make sure you use the person’s name (Aunt Susie, Uncle Joe), thank them specifically for the gift and tell them you intend to use it (Thank you for the beautiful wok we received as a wedding gift. We will have so much fun trying out new and fun oriental recipes, and will definitely invite you both over to sample some of our creations!), and then a lovely closing (It was great to see you both at the wedding. Thank you for sharing in our special day – see you soon!) Sign your name (Love, Michelle and Nick), and into the mailbox it goes!

So simple and it will just take a minute of your time, but will really make the gift giver excited to know how much you loved the gift.

Pen in hand, let’s write!

Vendor Spotlight: Officiant Diane Stanley

2012-01-19T06:00:00.001-05:00

This week we had a chance to chat with Officiant, Diane Stanley. For more information on her business or to have her officiate your wedding please contact Diane at eventplan4u@cox.net.

Tell me about your business.
My business was started after my retirement from the Circuit Court of Fairfax Count. I marry couples every day of the week. I meet many interesting people and have had some very unusual weddings. I married a couple dressed as penguins and had the pleasure of officiating for two Star Wars geeks.

What do you enjoy most when working with a bridal couple?
I enjoy getting to know the couple and what brought them together.

From where do you draw your inspiration?
I draw my inspiration from my heart and from my marriage of nearly 50 years.

What advice do you have for brides and grooms who are in the throes of planning their wedding?
Don't stress about the wedding, especially the small details. Focus on your marriage and the years ahead of you.

The little things that don't go exactly as you planned for the wedding will be the things you can laugh together about later.

Thanks Diane!

Follow Us on Pinterest!

2012-01-17T06:00:00.001-05:00

Have you been on Pinterest? We've recently started pinning and we'd love to have you follow our pins! You can find our page at http://pinterest.com/splashelegance/. Pinterest is a great way to find design and decor inspiration for your wedding or event- it allows you to create digital inspiration boards.

Happy Pinning!

Tyson's Wedding Networking Group

2012-01-12T12:11:00.000-05:00

This past Monday we had the opportunity to hear from Shelby Tuck-Horton, Maryland State Coordinator for the Association of Bridal Consultants at the Tyson's Wedding Networking Group. Shelby spoke to us on Raising the Bar in 2012 and setting goals in for our lives and our businesses. Thanks Shelby!

We also had the opportunity to tour the newly renovated Hilton McLean Tysons Corner. Over the past few years they have spent millions to make it one of the most beautiful wedding venues in the area. If you are looking to have a beautiful, ballroom wedding the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner should be on the top of your list! Contact us to take a tour of their beautiful venue!

Sandals Honeymoon Registry

2012-01-10T16:53:00.000-05:00

Sandals recently announced that they had launched a honeymoon registry so that friends and family could donate to the cost of your honeymoon. Honeymoon registries have been a huge trend over the past few years. With couples getting married later and already having a lot of the basics they need for their homes and people watching their dollars a little more closely, honeymoon registries are a great way to upgrade your honeymoon.

To book your luxury included vacation at Sandals, contact us through our contact page, call us at 703-888-8728 or email us at info@asplashofelegance.com and we will have our personal Sandals Representative call you directly to discuss your Sandals honeymoon or vacation!

Welcome to the Team Marisa Tierney

2012-01-05T16:01:00.000-05:00

We are pleased to welcome to the Splash team Marisa Tierney, our in house Calligrapher and Custom Invitation Artist!

Marisa Tierney is an experienced stationer and calligrapher. Born and raised in Washington, DC, she is well versed in all things etiquette and protocol. Marisa attended the the Corcoran College of Art Design, Rhode Island School of Design, and Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts. As a graphic designer, her many talents allow for truly custom creations for wedding ensembles and reception pieces. Marisa also creates coat of arms and original motifs for that special day and to be used again for thank you notes and at home cards. She is also a calligrapher and typographer. One could say that Marisa lives for letters. The written word and traditional styles of correspondence and hospitality are her specialty.

What to Look for When Hiring a Wedding Planner

2012-01-03T07:27:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year! Congratulations to you if you were engaged over the holidays! I know you want to run right out and tell the world (which you should do immediately), and you are going to want to begin planning right away, too. Please begin by signing up for our email newsletter to receive our top wedding tips before you do anything, as you will find those very helpful.

When you begin your quest to find just the right wedding planner for you, there are some considerations that you need to keep in mind. Of course you will want someone with experience – all brides ask that question; and, you will want your wedding planner’s personality to mesh with you and your fiancé’s personalities.

In addition, here are some other things to consider –

What are the wedding planner’s credentials? Is s/he accredited or certified through a wedding organization such as the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC), who also requires their members to keep up to date through continuing education?

Note: All Splash Consultants are certified through ABC, and I serve as the Virginia State Coordinator for ABC. Our Consultants are required to have 36 hours of continuing education every year. In addition, Splash has a monthly training session on current topics for the Splash Team.

Does the wedding planner have a real business or is s/he planning weddings as a hobby? While there are no State or Federal regulations for wedding planners, every wedding planner should be able to show you proof of a business license and at least one insurance policy. Many venues will not allow a wedding planner to work at their venue if s/he does not carry liability insurance, so make sure you ask your prospective planner!

Note: A Splash of Elegance Event Planning, Inc. maintains a business license in Fairfax County, carries a $2M Liability Insurance Policy and Errors & Omissions Insurance.

Kickbacks are very prevalent in the wedding industry. Does your prospective wedding planner accept kickbacks from other wedding vendors?

Note: A Splash of Elegance is held to the standard of excellence outlined by the Association of Bridal Consultants, and does NOT accept kickbacks from any of the wedding vendors with whom we work. It is our belief that your money is your money. It is our job to keep you within or under your budget, and any money we can save you by using our trusted professional vendors goes straight to your bottom line.

Who will step in on your wedding day if something happens to your planner and s/he is unable to work?

Note: A Splash of Elegance maintains a team of credentialed wedding planners. Our team meets on a monthly basis to discuss our weddings and how we can best serve our bridal couples. In addition, each Consultant maintains a Splash notebook for each couple – ask your Consultant to see your Splash “bible.”

Please call or e-mail us for your complimentary meeting and happy planning!

Victoria Wagner

President & CEO

A Splash of Elegance Event Planning, Inc.

703.888.8728

info@asplashofelegance.com

Through the Looking Glass

2011-12-31T11:53:00.001-05:00

It is December 31^st – before we look ahead to 2012, let us reflect and say thank you to our clients who have made Splash so successful. To you we say, thank you for being part of the Splash family, and we look forward to serving you again.

Stephanie and Dale; Kelly and Rich; Melanie and Justin; Dawn and Ron; Caryl and Matthew; Brandi and Justin; Amanda and Patrick; Maggie; Jenny and Joel; Mindi and Philip; JoAnn; Brooke and Travis; Katie and Derek; Tracy and Brian; Kimberly and Dale; Nicki and Evan; Denise; Kendra and Brent; Kacey and Eric; Christian and Chris; Whitney and Dennis; Marjorie and Chris; Lauren and Steve; Page and Daniel; St. Matthew’s University; Kelly and Kyle …

May the new year bring all your dreams and wishes –

The Splash Team

Victoria, Martha, Julie, Lynn, Nikki, Marisa, Casey and Katie

Etiquette 101: How to Properly Set a Table

2011-12-29T06:00:00.001-05:00

Photo Credit: Emily Post Institute

It never hurts to have a refresher course on the proper way to set a table. The above picture is for an informal, 3-course meal.

The dinner plate would go underneath the napkin which would be folded and placed on top. Silverware is placed in the order you will use it, salad fork and the dinner fork on the left with the cutting edge facing towards the plate, soup spoon, teaspoon then the knife.

The drinking glasses go to the right (as most people are right handed) above the knife and spoons.

A salad plate is place to the left of the forks. A bread plate is place directly above the forks with the knife at an angle and the blade facing down.

And lastly the coffee cup and saucer are placed to the right of the knives and spoons.

To make an appointment with our resident etiquette expert, Victoria Wagner, please contact us through our contact form, call us at 703-888-8728, or email us at info@asplashofelegance.com.

Mexico Destination Weddings

2011-12-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

If you are planning your honeymoon or wedding and haven't considered Mexico, we strongly encourage you to look into some of their beautiful cities, either for your honeymoon or destination wedding. Did you know that there are 34,000 destination weddings in Mexico every year?

Most Popular Mexico Wedding Destinations

Riviera Maya 23%

Cancun 20%

Los Cabos 14%

Playa Del Carmen 13%

Puerto Vallerta 8%

For more information on Mexican honeymoons and destination weddings please visit lovemexicoweddings.com or magicofmexico.com or give us a call at 703-888-8728 to discuss you upcoming wedding or honeymoon!

Receiving Line Etiquette

2011-12-22T06:00:00.001-05:00

Receiving lines are becoming less and less common at weddings as couples are opting for the more casual option of going from table to table at the reception to greet their guests. For the couple who does choose to do a receiving line, we wanted to share the proper standing order for a receiving line. No one can say it more succinctly than the doyenne of etiquette herself, Emily Post:

"Whoever is hosting the wedding is the first in line. Traditionally, that’s the bride’s mother, followed by her father, the groom’s mother and father, the bride, the groom, the maid or matron of honor, and one or two bridesmaids (they can take turns and share the duty). But if Aunt Martha and Uncle Fred are hosting, Aunt Martha starts the line. Fathers aren’t required to stand in line; they can circulate, with the groomsmen, among the guests. However if one father participates, the other should also. In a military wedding, it’s protocol for a groom in uniform to stand before his bride."

-Emily Post's Etiquette

Kim and Dale Sneak Peak

2011-12-19T12:34:00.000-05:00

Enjoy these photos we snapped at Kim and Dale's Fall wedding!

Lead Coordinator: Julie Daniel

Assistant Coordinator: Lynn Nelson

Ceremony Venue: Bethany United Methodist Church, Purcellville, VA

Reception Venue: Lost Creek Winery, Leesburg

Florist: Purcellville Flowers

Kelly and Kyle

2011-12-07T08:42:00.000-05:00

Enjoy these beautiful photos from Kelly and Kyle's waterfront wedding!

Lead Planner: Lynn Nelson

Assistant Planner: Julie Daniel

Photographer: Shoot Photo Inc

Florist: Great Falls Florist

Ceremony Venue: St. Mary's Catholic Church, Alexandria, Virginia

Reception Venue: Sequoia Restaurant, Washington, DC

New Bridal Consultant Katie Teague

2011-12-05T12:00:00.000-05:00

A Splash of Elegance is pleased to welcome Katie Teague to the Splash team!

As a lifelong resident of the Northern Virginia/DC area, Katie’s passion for event and wedding planning grew after taking several event planning classes at her alma mater, James Madison University. For three years, she dedicated herself to a student-run program board known for planning, marketing, promoting and executing large scale concerts, plus other cultural events and performances on campus featuring many prominent artists. She also had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in London, England where she had a Summer internship at a five-star hotel in the Events Department. It was during her internship when she realized she not only wanted to become a Special Events Coordinator but also a Bridal Consultant, as well. Due to her degree in Communication Studies, her internship abroad, and her three-year commitment to the University Program Board, she is able to bring her knowledge and experience in hospitality and customer service to her career. As a highly motivated event planner, marketer, and public relations representative, she does whatever she can to exceed clients’ expectations and gains a sense of fulfillment from achieving their goals.

Featured in Washingtonian Real Weddings Blog

2011-12-01T06:15:00.000-05:00

We are so honored to have Kendra and Brent's August wedding featured in Washingtonian's Real Weddings Blog! To catch to feature please visit Washingtonian's Real Weddings Blog.

Photography by Mandi White

Etsy Finds of the Week

2011-11-30T08:20:00.000-05:00

Our Etsy finds of the week are decorative tape. Etsy has a plethora of options to help you craft together your wedding or event and make it yours through your colors and style. Decorative tape can add a touch of whimsy or elegance to your event. Wrap it around the stems of your bouquets, around vases, etc... the options are limitless!

Soft Pink Cotton Lace Adhesive Tape

Eylet Lace Tape

Lace Tape

Wedding Idea of the Week: Unique Place Cards

2011-11-29T16:48:00.000-05:00

Wedding Idea of the Week: Use the colors of your wedding and the season your wedding is taking place in to create a unique place card! For this fall-themed table, we used gourds to hold the place cards. Contact us to start thinking of unique ideas for your wedding or event!

Airlie Bridal Show

2011-11-25T06:17:00.000-05:00

We wanted to share a few photos of a Fall themed table we designed at the Airlie Bridal Show. We chose soft tones of yellow, green and peach. Many thanks to Shelley's Floral Enterprise for the lovely gourd floral arrangements and Gala Cloths for the linens!

Photos: Robert Everton Photography

Now Booking for 2012

2011-11-23T20:17:00.000-05:00

A Splash of Elegance is now booking for weddings and events taking place in 2012 and 2013. To schedule a complimentary consultation please contact us via our contact form or email us at info@asplashofelegance.com or call us at 703-888-8728. We are excited to hear all about your vision for your wedding day, and how we can help you be a guest at your wedding!

Photo Courtesy Photography by Mandi White

Association of Bridal Consultants Annual Meeting 2011

2011-11-22T13:38:00.000-05:00

The team just returned from the 2011 Association of Bridal Consultants annual meeting which took place this year at the beautiful Tremont Grand Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. We had an absolute blast networking with fellow wedding planners and attending seminars taught by members of ABC.

Our Keynote speakers this year were the fabulous Diann Valentine:

and the always elegant Grace Ormonde:

We are looking forward to next year's conference in Denver, Colorado!

Wedding and Event Inspiration!

2011-11-21T19:10:00.000-05:00

We've just returned from the Association of Bridal Consultations annual conference and we wanted to share with you some photos that we snapped throughout the conference. When wedding planners plan a conference you know it is going to be beautiful! Enjoy these photos- we hope you find some inspiration for your next wedding or event!

Wedding Tip of the Week: Freeze Your Candles!

2011-11-14T20:51:00.000-05:00

Photo by Robert Everton Photography

Wedding tip of the week: freezing or refrigerating your candles before your wedding will make them burn slower and drip less! Transport them to your ceremony and reception in a cooler- that way your guests will be able to enjoy them longer and you will have less of a waxy mess to clean up!

Spotlight on Splash: Consultant Lynn Nelson

2011-11-04T08:42:00.000-04:00

What do you enjoy most when working with a bridal couple?
I enjoy hearing their story; who they are individually and as a couple, how they met and what their future plans are together.

From where do you draw your inspiration?
My inspiration comes from having a desire to serve. I want our couples to enjoy the process of the planning and not look back on it with regret. It’s a beautiful and exciting time in their lives and I come alongside of them and guide them, give them advice and execute those dreams to the smallest of details.

What advice do you have for brides and grooms who are in the throes of planning their wedding?
Trust a Professional Wedding Consultant with your dreams. I’ve been given my Professional status through the Association of Bridal Consultants, ABC, and am here to guide you in the process, including helping you stay within a budget. Our fee is absorbed in the savings we find for you, in the peace you receive in knowing we’re handling the details and in the enjoyment of your wedding day.

Sneak Peak: Kelly and Kyle

2011-11-02T08:46:00.001-04:00

We wanted to share a few of our non-professional photos that we snapped at Kelly and Kyle's beautiful waterfront wedding! We will post the photographer's professional photos as soon as we receive them.

Lead Planner: Lynn Nelson
Assistant Planner: Julie Daniel
Ceremony Venue: St. Mary's Church, Alexandria, Virginia.
Reception Venue: Sequoia Restaurant, Washington, DC
Florist: Great Falls Florist

Wedding Day Idea: Bring a Pretty Hanger!

2011-11-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

Your photo dress can make for a great photo op- but chances are it will come from the store with one of the cheap, plastic hangers. We recommend purchasing a cute hanger for your dress to hang on so that your photographer can snap a few cute photos! A quick Etsy search will yield you plenty of pretty finds!

Photos Courtesy Mandi White

Spotlight on Splash: Consultant Martha Wiles

2011-10-28T07:51:00.000-04:00

What do you enjoy most when working with a bridal couple?
Every couple has something different that I like the most. Brides and Grooms are a pleasure to meet and get to know and that is what I enjoy each and every time. But each bride and each groom always bring me creative ideas or dreams that I have the delight in helping become a reality for their wedding.

From where do you draw your inspiration?

My inspiration comes from decades of event and wedding experience and all the amazing sights and sounds I have had the privilege of seeing and hearing. It is always exciting to have in my mind the exact same thing a bride or groom wants and the knowledge to make it happen for them.

What advice do you have for brides and grooms who are in the throes of planning their wedding?
The most obvious way for a bride and groom to have their wedding experience all they want it want to be is to have a professional bridal consultant working for them to plan, prepare, produce and protect their theme, their budget, and their dream.

Bridal News: "How to Plan the Perfect Wedding" at Soliloquy Bridal Couture

2011-10-26T14:39:00.000-04:00

We are pleased to announce that A Splash of Elegance owner, Victoria Wagner will be speaking on "How to Plan the Perfect Wedding" on Monday, November 15 at 7:00pm. The Bridal Forum will be taking place at the newly opened Soliloquy Bridal Couture located in Herndon, Virginia. This is a free event you don't want to miss! For more information please visit http://www.soliloquybridal.com/#!events.

2011 Ceremony and Reception Trends

2011-10-24T12:02:00.000-04:00

More couples are choosing the same location to have their ceremony and reception, up almost 10% over 2010
Couples are choosing more unique locations for their wedding ceremonies ~ a courthouse, private residence, or wedding chapel
More couples are holding their wedding reception at a private residence or restaurant
Food stations are more in demand than ever before
While other dessert options are popping up, wedding cake is still most popular at 83% demand
Photo booths are the "in" rental
The couple is contributing more to ceremony and reception costs
Couples are looking for their venue closer to their wedding date
Couples are also inviting less guests ~ 144 compared to 152 in the 2010 study
Couples are getting married closer to home

Happy Planning,

Victoria Wagner

President/CEO

A Splash of Elegance Event Planning, Inc.

Vendor Spotlight: All About Honeymoons

2011-10-19T07:00:00.004-04:00

This week we had a chance to chat with Dana Franklin from All About Honeymoons & Destination Weddings. For more information on her business please visit www.danaf.allabouthoneymoons.com.

Tell me about your business.
All About Honeymoons and Destination Weddings of Northern VA is a full service travel agency specializing in romance travel for brides and grooms! We have been in business for over 4 years serving the DC area. Our services are complimentary and our goal is a custom-designed romantic travel experience for their "once in a lifetime" trip! Our commitment is to capture their vision, give attention to detail and provide personal travel consulting services.

What do you enjoy most when working with a bridal couple?
Getting to know a little about them, and then helping them obtain the honeymoon or destination wedding trip they have dreamed about! It's so fun to help make their special occasion so memorable!

From where do you draw your inspiration?
I guess my love of people, travel and desire to help people. God made an incredible world and I love helping couples discover it!

What advice do you have for brides and grooms who are in the throes of planning their wedding?
Several things:
• Start early and talk to others who have recently gotten married - learn from others mistakes or "I wish I would have..."
• Use professional wedding vendors that are experts in their areas - this will make your life so much easier
• Ask your wedding vendors to recommend other vendors
• Look for ways to make you wedding and honeymoon unique to you

Thanks Dana!

A Splash of Elegance and Remarriage Works Live on BlogTalkRadio!

2011-10-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

We are so please to announce that A Splash of Elegance consultant Martha Wiles, Remarriage Works founder Paula Bisacre and National Stepfamily Day founder, Christy Borgeld will be airing a live talk show straight from The Association of Bridal Consultants annual meeting, Be Charmed, Be Dazzled airing Monday, November 7, 2011 at 8:00pm. They will be discussing planning for a second wedding and marriage, and taking your questions live. For more information please visit BlogTalkRadio.

Bridal News: Airlie Bridal Show

2011-10-18T07:00:00.003-04:00

We hope to see you at the Airlie Fall Bridal Show! Stop by our booth and say hello!

Bridal News: Soliloquy Bridal Couture Grand Opening

2011-10-17T10:30:00.000-04:00

We are so excited for the grand opening of Soliloquy Bridal Couture, opening Saturday, October 22 in Herndon, Virginia! They will be open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, email opening@soliloquybridal.com to reserve a personal tour of their salon. For more information on the special day they have planned please visit their website at http://www.soliloquybridal.com/#!events.

Save the Date! 2012 Remarriage Showcase

2011-10-14T07:00:00.002-04:00

Save the date for the 2012 Remarriage Conferences!

January 28, 2012 - Morgan Run Resort & Club (Rancho Santa Fe, CA)
January 29, 2012 - Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club (Coto de Caza, CA)
March 10, 2012 - River Creek Club (Leesburg, VA)

For more information or to register please visit http://remarriageshowcase.com/index.html

Enjoy this clip of the 2011 conference:

Vendor Spotlight: I Do Photography

2011-10-13T07:00:00.001-04:00

This week we had a chance to talk with Susan and Randy Wyant of I Do Photography. For more information on their business please visit their website http://www.idophoto.com/. Thanks Susan and Randy!

Tell me about your business.
We are wedding and portrait photographers and we love people! Our photographs capture the moments of each couple's very special day. The albums we create are the first family heirloom for the bride and groom. We are a team of photographers so we can be in two places at once. The brides like that I can be with the 'girls' and provide the extra set of eyes to make sure they look fabulous. Or help calm them just before they go down the aisle. Our goal is provide excellent service, images and products that will preserve the moments of their wedding forever!

What do you enjoy most when working with a bridal couple?
Being a part of a wedding is an honor for us. Capturing the special glances and hugs as well as the big moments are so much fun. It is so exciting for us to see their expressions when they see their images for the first time - it just extends the love of the wedding day. Weddings are always happy times - what is there not to love?

From where do you draw your inspiration?
Each wedding is unique - each couple is unique. So we try to make their images reflect their personalities. We do an engagement session and that helps us to get to know them and their style. Viewing other artists also helps us keep a pulse on what is out there. But we retain our own style for what we do.

What advice do you have for brides and grooms who are in the throes of planning their wedding?
One of our grooms said it best when he asked, "if I do this, will I be married at the end of the day?". Just remember to keep that in mind - no matter what you are planning or how things are going, the goal is to be married at the end of the day! It is not just about the day, but the commitment to each other. And we highly recommend it - we just celebrated our 31st anniversary!

Etsy Find of the Week: Striped Straws

2011-10-12T07:00:00.000-04:00

I recently attended the wedding of a friend in Chicago and she had a fun "pop" bar where guests could mix their own sodas. I loved the striped straws she had so I knew to find them I had to look no further than Etsy.

Here are the straws from her wedding in her colors, coral and gray:

And here are a few shops that sell these festive straws on Etsy:

Windrosie

Hello Pretty Studio

Dime Store Buddy

I think they are a fun way to incorporate your wedding colors in a festive and whimsical way!

Happy Planning!

Julie Daniel, Splash Consultant

Lauren and Stephen Sneak Peek

2011-10-07T07:00:00.000-04:00

Here are a few of our non-professsional photos we snapped at Lauren and Stephen's wedding. It was a beautiful day and we were so lucky that the rain passed us by! Congrats Lauren and Stephen!

Lead Planner: Martha Wiles

Venue: Piedmont Club, Haymarket, Virginia

Invitation Ordering Guidelines

2011-10-05T07:00:00.000-04:00

Congrats you're engaged! Now what? Once you have your wedding date set and the venue nailed down, it's time to start thinking about your invitations.

Order your invitations at least 6 weeks before your intended mailing date, and mail your invitations 10-12 weeks before your wedding date. Send out save the dates as soon as you have your wedding date nailed down, unless it is closer than 12 weeks before the wedding, in which case you should skip the save the dates and just send invitations.

For all your wedding and event invitation and stationery needs, contact us to make an appointment to browse our collection. We carry all the major paper lines including Carlson Craft, Birchcraft, Envelopments and Chloe B.

Happy Planning!

Julie Daniel, Splash Consultant

Vendor Spotlight: Bridal Artistry

2011-10-03T07:00:00.001-04:00

This week we had a chance to talk with Barbara Hill of Bridal Artistry. For more information on Bridal Artistry, please visit www.bridalartistryDC.com. Thanks Barbara!

BRIDAL ARTISTRY is the DC area’s premier, multi-ethnic team of professional makeup artists and hairstylists. We come on-site as your own pro “beauty team” for the big day. Friendly, professional, excellent = our goal. We seek to work within each bride’s comfort zone to make the gorgeous look they dreamed happen for them. We have learned over our 10 years of growing in this business that if a bride feels “comfortable” in her look ~ she feels beautiful!

I shared a hotel elevator last month with a young man who was obviously a groomsman for another wedding that day. He asked, “What do you do with all that stuff?” Rather than state (what I thought was) the obvious, I replied: “We are female confidence builders!” That is what we love ~ seeing a woman’s attitude and self image improve as she sees how beautiful she really can be. At times it is nothing short of amazing to see the transformation, and it never gets routine. Serving the bride’s friends and family is great fun, too. As one 84 year old grandma wrote me later: “Your excellent job gave me the confidence to relax and have a wonderful time…”

SO WE MAKE BRIDES’ DREAMS COME TRUE, help women - of all ages – feel confident, and meet such interesting and wonderful people !

ADVICE FOR BRIDES: In today’s tough economy, it is especially tempting to think you will skip the professional makeup and even hairstyling. Remember, how you look in those photos lasts for a lifetime. So for a relatively small expense (in the total wedding budget), don’t skip looking polished and amazing the whole day long!

DIY BRIDES who love to do your own makeup: Check out photos taken of you with your friends. Do you like the way you look in pictures? Some products don’t photograph well, although they look great in person (i.e, mineral makeup). Also, you will be photographed from all angles, and small details will make a big difference in photos. Consider carefully…

Barbara Hill, owner & professional makeup artist

www.bridalartistryDC.com

Check us out on Facebook (Bridal Artistry DC)

Page and Daniel Sneak Peek

2011-09-29T07:00:00.001-04:00

Enjoy a few of our non-professional photos from this weekend's wedding. We will post professional photos of this beautiful wedding as soon as we receive them from the photographer!

Lead Planner: Lynn Nelson

Venue: Westwood Country Club, Vienna

Florals: Laura Warren

The Original Runner Company

2011-09-28T07:00:00.000-04:00

The Original Runner Co produces customized, beautiful non-skid fabric aisle runners. You can choose from one of their solid color or patterned runners or customize your own with your wedding colors, and design, logo or motif. We especially love them for outdoor weddings- they can really bring together all of the design elements of your big day!

Happy Planning!

Julie Daniel, Splash Consultant

Vendor Spotlight: Sugar Cookie Creations

2011-09-27T07:00:00.002-04:00

This week we had a chance to chat with Michelle Hawkins of Sugar Cookie Creations. For more information on her business please visit her website at sugarcookiecreations.com.

Tell me about your business.

Sugar Cookie Creations designs custom sugar cookies for all types of events. Each cookie is custom made and hand decorated. I do weddings, birthdays, showers, sports events, etc. I will accommodate your specific requests, or will design the perfect cookie for your occasion. I also ship cookies if your event is being held in another location. They make the perfect party favor for both kids and adults - you never outgrow cookies!

The goal is to have a cookie that looks as good as it tastes, and tastes as good as it looks!

What do you enjoy most when working with a bridal couple?

I enjoy working with bridal couples because their excitement is infectious! Some couples have clear ideas of what they would like, whereas others are looking for suggestions. Cookies can be used for wedding favors, place settings, or desserts. Each wedding is unique and there is a cookie waiting to be designed for each couple.

From where do you draw your inspiration?

Often I'm asked to replicate a design from the wedding invitation onto a cookie. I also take the color palate from the wedding and make custom designs using the wedding theme and colors. Learning more about the bride and groom, and things they like, will always yield new ideas.

What advice do you have for brides and grooms who are in the throes of planning their wedding?

My advice to brides and grooms planning their wedding is to be creative! Wedding favors don't have to be generic wedding designs. Let your favors show who you are. I have done alma mater logos when the bride and groom graduated from rival schools. I have made Greek and Italian flags when the bride was of Italian decent and the groom was Greek. I have done monograms on golf bag cookies for a couple taking a golfing honeymoon. Let your favors tell a bit of the story of how you arrived at this special day!

Thanks Michelle!

Kendra and Brent

2011-09-26T15:36:00.001-04:00

Enjoy these beautiful photos of Kendra and Brent's wedding taken by Mandi White!

Lead Planner: Lynn Nelson

Photographer: Mandi White

Venue: Thomas Birkby House, Leesburg, Virginia

Florals: Heavenly Hydrangeas

Christian and Chris Part 1 ~ Think Pink!

2011-09-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

Here are a few of our pictures from Christian and Chris' wedding. Professional photos will be posted soon!

Planner: Lynn Nelson

Venue: Knights of Columbus Hall, Manassas, VA

Decor: Capital Decor and Events

Details We Love: Beverage Stations

2011-09-13T08:00:00.001-04:00

Offer your guests some refreshment and showcase your wedding colors and style with a beverage station at your wedding or event. A great idea for an outdoor spring or summer wedding!

Source: Style Me Pretty

You can even hand out bottled water with personalized labels- put them in a galvanized metal bucket on ice- instant refreshment and a fun favor!

Happy Planning!
Julie Daniel, Splash Consultant

Details We Love: Bow Ties

2011-09-12T08:00:00.001-04:00

We love colorful bowties for grooms and groomsmen!

Source: Style Me Pretty

Source: Vineyard Vines

Happy Planning!

Julie Daniel, Splash Consultant

Vendor Spotlight: Musical DJ's

2011-09-07T19:54:00.000-04:00

This week we had a chance to chat with Dan LaMaestra of Musical DJ's. For more information on Musical DJ's check out their website at http://www.musicaldjs.com/.

Tell me about your business.
We are a small "boutique" music and lighting company with a focus on weddings and other private events. We offer DJ and MC services, various types of lighting options, and live music.
We are active members of ADJA (The American Disc Jockey Association), and attend regular meetings and seminars to stay on top of current trends. What sets us apart from other companies, is that we are working professional musicians as well.

A couple can hire my company to provide DJ, MC, lighting, and live music all in the same package from the same team! In addition, having pro musicians behind a DJ booth is a major bonus, as musical knowledge and skills come into play constantly when choosing and mixing music throughout an event.

What do you enjoy most when working with a bridal couple?
The excitement they feel, and the positive anticipation. I love to personalize the wedding as much as possible through music, timing, and MC duties, and really enjoy getting to know them and their story.

From where do you draw your inspiration?
Because I am also a pro musician, I am inspired by many entertainers, but when it comes to DJ and MC duties at a wedding, the most inspiring have to be great TV hosts, like Dick Clark, Billy Crystal, Johnny Carson, Ryan Seacrest, Nick Cannon, and many others. They make it all look so easy, but in fact, its harder than you think! They keep the attention where it needs to be, keep the pace, keep attention away from themselves, and maintain the appropriate tone of voice and inflection for whatever they need to communicate. Granted some of those on that list are comedians, and I am not that, but they still do a terrific job as MC's, and that is the part I am interested in. Musically, I have studied many great DJ artists, and I use any technique I can find and learn about to improve my ability to create seamless mixes for the dance floor.

What advice do you have for brides and grooms who are in the throes of planning their wedding?
Have fun, and enjoy the ride! every aspect of planning it will bring you closer together, and will be one of many memories for both of you. "..it's not the destination, but the journey to it...". In the case of a wedding day, we all know it actually IS the destination, but the journey towards creating that vision is also fun and exciting! Finally, I suggest that if you have hired pro vendors, once you arrive at your special day, trust them. They want your wedding to be the best one they have ever been to, and will use any latitude you grant them to give you memories to last a lifetime! Just relax, and enjoy it!

Thanks Dan!

Wedding Trends: Pinterest

2011-09-02T07:08:00.000-04:00

Have you checked out Pinterest? Pinterest is a fun new website that lets you create an online inspiration board for your wedding or event. When you find an image you like on any website, you click "Pin It" from your saved browser bookmarks and it is automatically added to your boards. How fun! Have you created any boards on Pinterest?

Happy Pinning!

Julie Daniel, Splash Consultant

Fun Favor: Flip Flops

2011-08-31T13:14:00.000-04:00

We love this idea of giving out flip flops as a favor at your wedding!

Source: Style Me Pretty

Source: Southern Living

Guests will love the relief from their dancing shoes by the end of the night!

Hot New Wedding Trend: Individual Desserts

2011-08-27T18:16:00.000-04:00

We love this fun new trend of individual desserts. They add a homemade touch to a wedding or event.

This Rainbow Cake In a Jar would be great for a child's birthday party:

Source

Ice cream on a stick:

Source

Buttery Blondies with Butterscotch Icing:

Source

Peach Cobbler:

Source

We think guest will love these individual desserts!

Happy Planning!

Wedding Day Disasters Solved: Stain Removal 101

2011-08-26T08:00:00.000-04:00

This is the second installment in our series of 'What Happens If' posts. Today we want to mention what to do if you accidentally get some common stains on your wedding dress on your big day.

Blood- the quickest way to remove blood from fabric is by applying the saliva of whoever's blood it is on the fabric. To remove the blood it has to be that same person's saliva.

Lipstick- chalk or baby powder will take the stain right out.

Red wine- alternate blotting the stain with a dry and wet white towel until the stain is gone.

Ink and oils/ grease should both come out with rubbing alcohol and chalk or baby powder.

Luckily for Splash brides we carry rubbing alcohol, baby powder and chalk with us to every wedding we work in our emergency kit. Unfortunately accidents do happen which is why as professional planners we are always prepared!

Out of the Box Escort Buttons & Cards

2011-08-25T22:33:00.000-04:00

We love these two ideas for escort cards... they are such a fun and unique approach to the standard fold-over white cards!

These pins are such a cute idea, not only do they tell guests their table number, but they also act as name tags!

Source

This is also one of the cheapest, cutest ideas we've seen for escort cards... free paint chips from your local paint store. Pick up a bunch in your various shades of your wedding colors and write guests names and table number with a pretty ink... voila!

Source

Kendra and Brent Sneak Peak

2011-08-19T07:00:00.001-04:00

Enjoy these photos we snapped at last weekend's beautiful wedding! Congrats Kendra and Brent!

Planner: Lynn Nelson

Florist: Heavenly Hydrangeas

Venue: The Thomas Birkby House

Pies: Mom's Apple Pie Bakery

Vendor Spotlight: The Farm at Broad Run

2011-08-17T08:19:00.000-04:00

This week we had a chance to talk to Michelle DeWitt at The Farm at Broad Run, a beautiful venue for your wedding or event. For more information on The Farm at Broad Run please visit their website at http://www.thefarmatbroadrun.com/.

Tell me about your business.
The Farm at Broad Run is a 52 acre working farm located in Haymarket, VA with a one-of-a kind beautifully landscaped outdoor pavilion suitable for all kinds of celebrations both large and small.

What do you enjoy most when working with a bridal couple?
I enjoy working with a couple who loves all that nature has to offer and inspire. At The Farm the landscape changes with every season, and the possibility of the celebration are endless. I love watching how each couple adds their own unique touches to make the day meaningful to them.

From where do you draw your inspiration?
I draw my inspiration from the joy of seeing others appreciate the beauty of the “Great Outdoors”, I love to be outside and create beautiful settings.

What advice do you have for brides and grooms who are in the throes of planning their wedding?
The best advice I could give is to try and relax and enjoy the planning process.......don’t forget “it’s supposed to be fun”, not painful. So set a budget, include a bit of flexibility, and focus on what you can do and not what you can’t. Remember no matter what you decide your friends and family are there to celebrate YOUR DAY!

Thanks Michelle!

Shop A Splash of Elegance: Hotel Room Blocks

2011-08-11T07:00:00.000-04:00

Chances are you will be having some guests coming from out of town for your big day. Setting up a hotel block for your wedding makes it super simple for your guests to pick accommodations that are convenient to your wedding venue and ensures that they will get a good rate on their room. Whether you are using A Splash of Elegance to plan your wedding or not, contact us to set up your hotel room block. We will work on your behalf to secure the lowest rate available for your guests. Once we reserve your block of rooms, how about putting together a fun welcome bag for your guests? In this post we talk about some fun ideas to put together a Virginia themed welcome bag for your guests.

Happy Planning!

Julie Daniel, Splash Consultant

Vendor Spotlight: Towner Jones Photography

2011-08-10T07:00:00.000-04:00

This week we had a chance to chat with Rose and Rob Jones of Towner Jones Photography. For more information on their business or to check out some of their beautiful photos, please visit their website or blog.

Tell me about your business.

Towner Jones Photography was established in 2007 as a full service wedding, portrait and event photography studio. We are a husband and wife team, with servant's hearts, dedicated to providing quality photography services to our clients.

What do you enjoy most when working with a bridal couple?

We love capturing the special moments from their day and helping to provide a relaxing atmosphere on their wedding day. We feel very humbled to be included in this intimate day in their relationship. We feel blessed by each and every client with whom we work and love it when (as has happened in a number of cases) clients become lasting friends.

From where do you draw your inspiration?

We draw inspiration from the beauty of a couple's unique story and the blessing their story of love can be to those around them. Marriage is a sacred convenant and a beautiful expression of love.

What advice do you have for brides and grooms who are in the throes of planning their wedding?
A bride and groom should enjoy every moment leading up to and during their wedding, as the day will never go perfectly but it is the beginning of their journey together. They should surround themselves with wedding pros who are genuinely there to serve them and help make the process as stressfree as possible, so that the couple, their families, and friends can enjoy the special day.

What Happens If.....It Is Pouring Down Rain on Your Wedding Day?

2011-08-09T07:00:00.001-04:00

We are excited to announce a new series of blog posts, What Happens If? In What Happens If, we want to address so common and not so common issues, mistakes and situations that may arise on your wedding day.

This week we want to talk about inclement weather on your big day. For every wedding we plan, we always prepare an Inclement Weather Plan. This is a Plan B which we can quickly execute in the event that the weather impedes with your Plan A. Even if your ceremony and reception are both indoors, it is always a good idea to write out and think through your Inclement Weather Plan, or IWP. For instance, your bridal party may need to be outside for a few seconds leaving the ceremony site to load up in the limo to head to the reception. If this was a Splash wedding, we would have several oversized golf umbrellas on hand to shield the bridal party as they load up. An IWP might list alternate exits that provide more cover to the bridal party that limits the time they need to be out in the rain.

When either ceremony or reception are taking place outside, it is absolutely necessary to prepare an IWP. Your IWP should be realistically executable in a short amount of time; preferably 15 minutes or less. If a few minutes before your ceremony start time, the skies open up on your beautiful beach wedding and it starts pouring down rain, you need to have a plan B in place. Depending on your venue, you could either move the entire ceremony inside, or move all your guests inside if it looks like the bad weather will be passing over shortly.

Whether you are getting married inside or outside, make sure you and your planner have a concrete Inclement Weather Plan in place to make sure your big day is chaos and confusion free!

Happy Planning!

Julie Daniel, Splash Consultant

A Few Favorite Etsy Shops

2011-08-08T19:04:00.000-04:00

Have you visited Etsy.com yet? Etsy is an online marketplace of hand made goods. You can find some beautiful and unique items for your wedding or event. Here are a few of our favorite Etsy shops and finds!

Blue Envelope

Blue envelope sells these fun mason jar and burlap wedding invitations.

Washi Tape

We love Washi Tape- buy a few rolls in your wedding colors to add some flair to your DIY wedding projects!

Pom Love

Poms are a huge wedding trend at the moment. Buy them on Etsy or make them yourself with this Martha Stewart Tutorial.

Animal place cards from Cuddle Creature.

Have you found any fun Etsy shops?

Shop A Splash of Elegance: Invitations and Stationery

2011-07-28T14:10:00.000-04:00

A Splash of Elegance is pleased to carry some of the top lines in the invitation industry including Envelopments, Birchcraft, Carlson Craft and Chloe B. Contact us to shop for invitations needs from save the dates and invitations for your wedding, holiday cards, wedding and baby shower invitations and social stationery.

A Splash of Elegance is now WeddingWire Rated for 2011

2011-07-26T14:36:00.000-04:00

Reston Virginia- July 11, 2011 - WeddingWire, the nation's leading wedding technology company, is pleased to announce that A Splash of Elegance is WeddingWire Rated 2011. WeddingWire Rated is an annual award program that distinguishes wedding vendors across the country for their excellence. Based on hundreds of thousands of recent wedding reviews, WeddingWire Rated is the most recognized and trusted brand among engaged couples looking to find the best local businesses for their wedding.

A Splash of Elegance has 10 reviews on WeddingWire. Reviews by our newlywed clients include detailed ratings and insightful descriptions about their experiences working with our business and staff. Our reviews provide transparency for potential clients, assisting them in making the most informed decisions for their big day.

"We are delighted to unveil the 5th annual WeddingWire Rated program," said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire, Inc. " A Splash of Elegance has made a commitment to capturing their clients experiences on the nation's leading wedding review site."

As the largest site for wedding reviews, WeddingWire empowers engaged couples with the most comprehensive and trusted review system available. The WeddingWire Rated program provides A Splash of Elegance with a simple platform to capture customer feedback from their wedding planning experience. Newly engaged couples can easily access all of the reviews for A Splash of Elegance on WeddingWire.com. We would like to thank our newlyweds for our WeddingWire Rated 2011 recognition.

For more information, please visit A Splash of Elegance on WeddingWire.

Vendor Spotlight: Jones Photography

2011-07-14T07:54:00.001-04:00

This week we had a chance to chat with Ron Jones from Jones Photography. For more information on Jones Photography please visit http://fairfaxweddings.net/.

Tell me about your business.
I consider my business a modern photography studio. What that means is that I'm not bogged down by lots of overhead and a big payroll, since my office and studio are located in my home. This allows me to spend more time with my family, while putting in the long hours necessary to run a successful business. My photography business is my full time job and is fully licensed and insured.

I specialize in working with brides and grooms who want everything to be the very best. They have high expectations. I'm used to meeting my client's expectations, if not exceeding them. I am also careful not to take away from the religious, as well as romantic, aspects of their day.

What do you enjoy most when working with a bridal couple?
It is all about capturing the excitement and love on their special day. When the married couple opens their wedding album, either for the first time or the 50th time, I desire them to instantly be returned to the sights, sounds, smells, and emotions from their wedding day.

As I photograph a couple's wedding day, I know that the images will be very important to not only them, but future generations who will look at their photos and see and feel both the excitement and love that took place on their special day.

From where do you draw your inspiration?
Many places, one of which is the bridal couple themselves. Some of my clients want hot, fun, crazy images while some want a more traditional look to their photos. And some want a mix of both. Of course I also attend industry conventions and seminars where I always try to stay on top of the latest trends and styles in wedding photography. Today's wedding photography is nothing like your mom's wedding photography.

What advice do you have for brides and grooms who are in the throes of planning their wedding?
Surround yourself with experienced professionals and you'll have a great day and great memories. Don't rely on friends or relatives to do a professional's job. It's not fair to them (let them enjoy the day, too!) and it's not fair to you (even though they mean well, there's a very good chance it won't be done the way it should have been done). First... hire a Consultant/Planner. I've been at so many weddings where a friend or relative was "the wedding planner" and things have gone astray. A Wedding Consultant will take care of all the little "things" that pop up on the wedding day before you or your guests even know about them. Think "Stress Free"!

"Experience" is a good thing when it comes to the professionals you surround yourself with on your wedding day. You should also surround yourself with people who love what they do. I love what I do and that love and enthusiasm results in photographs that are much "better" and more special to you. If your photographer is making your guests feel at ease and comfortable, that is sure to show up in their expressions, as captured in your photographs.

Thanks Ron!

Remarriage Showcase Video

2011-07-10T14:13:00.000-04:00

The Remarriage Showcase took place this May at River Creek Club in Leesburg, Virginia. Save the date for next year's showcase, March 10, 2012.

Hot New Wedding Trend: Food Trucks

2011-07-07T08:03:00.000-04:00

One of the latest crazes in the wedding industry is bringing in Food Trucks to cater at wedding receptions. These aren't your little hot dog carts you see all over DC, Food Trucks are gourmet kitchens on wheels that can drive to your event and provide the food for your guests for the evening. For a couple looking to have an out-of-the-box reception that guests will love and remember for years, this is it. Want to have a latin flair at your wedding? Check out District Taco, DC Empanadas or SOL Mexican Grill. For the best of the Chesapeake, try Feelin' Crabby or Red Hook Lobster Pound. Want something sweet? Try Solar Crepes or Pleasant Pops. For the full list of DC Food Trucks check out Food Truck Fiesta, an online resource that shows a real time map of where the DC Food Trucks are should you get a hankering for a taco or crepe and can't wait for your wedding.

District Taco Food Truck. Source.

Interested in having a Food Truck Wedding Reception or Event? We know some great DC, Maryland and Virginia venues that are very Food Truck friendly; email us at info@asplashofelegance.com to start planning your party!

Shop A Splash of Elegance: Kristina Eaton Headpieces

2011-07-06T07:05:00.001-04:00

Last week we highlighted a few of the beautiful Kristina Eaton veils we carry. Today we are so excited to show you a few beautiful Kristina Eaton Headpieces.

Vendor Spotlight: West Belmont Place

2011-07-05T21:31:00.001-04:00

This week we continue our series of vendor interviews with Sharon Meyers, Director of Catering Sales at West Belmont Place.

Tell me about your business.

West Belmont Place at the National Conference Center specializes in social events such as large weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, fundraising galas, birthday parties, anniversary parties, awards & recognition events, holiday parties and reunions. For weddings that require specialty cuisine, we do allow licensed caterers to provide the food. We can accommodate an intimate gathering of 100 guests or a large group of 500 to 1200 depending on the set up requirements. One of our best features is our wonderful courtyard patio to hold wedding ceremonies and special events. There is a double heart sculpture as a backdrop and a beautiful wooden Pergola.

What do you enjoy most when working with a bridal couple?

What I enjoy the most when working with a bridal couple is to really get to know them to create a very special and unique experience. I like to talk to them to find out what their vision is for the wedding ceremony and reception. It works well to incorporate their family traditions as much as possible throughout the event.

From where do you draw your inspiration?

I get my ideas from participating in local bridal shows, reading special event related publications, going to industry events such as ISES (International Special Events Society) and NACE
(National Association of Catering Executives) as well as attending hospitality specific conferences.

What advice do you have for brides and grooms who are in the throes of planning their wedding?

My advice to the bride and grooms who are in the middle of planning their special day is to enjoy the process! Don’t try to tackle all the details at once. Take it one step at a time.

Your day should be stress free and memorable. This gives you the time to spend with your friends and family while we execute all the fine details.

Thanks Sharon! For more information on West Belmont Place please visit their website at http://westbelmontplace.com/.

Shop A Splash of Elegance: Kristina Eaton Veils

2011-06-29T07:23:00.000-04:00

Did you know that we are the only vendor in the area to carry Kristina Eaton's beautiful lines of veils? Based out of Atlanta, Kristina Eaton handcrafts every veil she creates. Make an appointment today to see some of her gorgeous veils in person!

Kacey and EZ

2011-06-28T13:05:00.000-04:00

Enjoy these beautiful photos from Kacey and EZ's winter wedding!

Lead Planner: Lindsay Cameron

Photographer: Mary Kate McKenna Photography

Florals: Shelley's Floral Enterprise

DJ: Musical DJs

Ceremony/ Reception Venue: Alexandria Westin

Vendor Spotlight: Graceful Flowers by Patricia

2011-06-27T12:48:00.000-04:00

We are excited to announce a new series of vendor interviews on here on the blog. This week we had a chance to talk to Patricia Collet of Graceful Flowers by Patricia.

Tell me about your business.

I love beautiful things! So it follows that I love to make things beautiful from rooms to outfits to floral design. I started my studies in interior design then changed to floral design, who can resist the natural beauty of flowers! I studied through the Floral Design Institute then took advanced courses to become and FDI Certified Wedding Specialist.

I design a wedding like I would design a room taking everything into account from the bride’s gown to her venue to the look and feel she is going for. Every aspect of her wedding should flow and make visual sense. I take into account how the flowers will look the day of the wedding and in her pictures. Brides will look at their pictures for many years to come so visual presentation is very important.

You may wonder how I have the time to pay attention to all these details. The answer is simple, I take only one wedding a day. I am with the bride and groom from the first consultation to set-up to removal of any rental items. Since I am there the day of the wedding I make sure the floral design is exactly as the bride envisioned. I guess you could call me a boutique florist!

What do you enjoy most when working with a bridal couple?

I enjoy sharing the design process with the bridal couple and bringing their vision to life. I love handing the bride her bouquet so I can see the look on her face . I enjoy knowing that my beautiful floral designs will add to the bridal couples joy on their wedding day.

From where do you draw your inspiration?

I draw my inspiration from many areas. The brides gown, the venue and the time of the wedding sets the tone for the bride’s bouquet. An evening formal wedding with the bride wearing a ball gown will inspire a very different bouquet than an outdoor afternoon garden wedding with the bride in a casual flowing gown.

Once the level formality is established I have my brides look through books filled with bouquet ideas. Sometimes a bride will bring pictures of flowers she likes, this helps me see what she sees. Once all these design ideas are explored I listen to what the bride wants then I design her bouquet. The couple’s remaining wedding flowers flow from and coordinate with these design ideas.

I can also look at a gown and envision what type of bouquet would compliment it because of my training and experience.

The natural beauty and harmony found in nature is also a wonderful source of inspiration.

What advice to you have for brides and grooms who are in the throes of planning their wedding?

When planning your budget remember to keep your flowers in balance with the rest of your wedding. A beautiful venue, gorgeous wedding gown and sumptuous food all make for a wonderful wedding day. As guests enter your reception, flowers are one of the first things they notice so it’s important to have them enhance your vision. You don’t want your flowers to look like an afterthought! Since wedding consultants work with the bridal couple to help them establish a budget I believe they are an extremely valuable asset when planning a wedding.

Thanks Patricia! For more information please visit http://www.gracefulflowers.net/.

Wedding Dance Classes for Splash Couples

2011-06-23T07:27:00.000-04:00

If the thought of dancing with your new wife or husband in front of all your family and friends for your first dance as a couple at your wedding reception terrifies you (like it does me!), we wanted to make sure you knew about a fabulous opportunity. The Wedding Dance Specialists is a local company based here in the DC metropolitan area that has taught thousands of couples how to dance like a pro for their wedding reception. I had the opportunity to sit in on one of their classes and loved watching Deborah Joy in action, giving helpful tips like how to maneuver around the dance floor while wearing a ball gown. And what couple doesn't need a date night before the big day?

For more about The Wedding Dance Specialists and to see their list of upcoming classes, please visit their website by clicking here.

Happy Planning!

Julie Daniel, Splash Consultant

Amanda and Pat

2011-06-22T17:42:00.000-04:00

Amanda and Pat were married on a crisp fall day in the rolling hills of Loudoun County, Virginia. Enjoy these photos from Towner Jones Photography!

Lead Planner: Martha Wiles

Ceremony Venue: Zion Lutheran Church, Lovettsville, VA

Reception Venue: Notavina Vineyards, Purcellville, VA

Photographer: Towner Jones Photography

Florals: Handmade by the Bride

Venue Tour: Herrington on the Bay

2011-06-21T08:49:00.000-04:00

I recently had the opportunity to tour Herrington on the Bay, a beautiful waterfront venue on the Chesapeake Bay and I wanted to share a few photos with you. Herrington on the Bay offers two waterfront ceremony sites, pictured below, and three waterfront reception sites. Herrington on the Bay is under an hour from downtown DC making it an ideal location for the busy DC couple who would like to have a destination beach wedding without the hassle of travel.

Happy Planning!

Julie Daniel, Splash Consultant

Association of Bridal Consultants

2011-06-17T07:29:00.000-04:00

We are proud to be members of the Association of Bridal Consultants, the oldest and largest group of wedding professionals in the world. As members of ABC, we go through extensive training and agree to uphold their Code of Ethics.

Code of Ethics:
Members will...

Represent each client fairly and honestly, providing all agreed-to services in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
Establish reasonable, proper fees for services and provide written estimates to each client.
Use honest factual advertising.
Deal with employees fairly, in an unbiased manner.
Operate an establishment that is a credit to the Association and the community.
Disclose to clients any payment received from suppliers.

A Fantasy Wedding 2011 Vendors Kudos

2011-06-15T13:18:00.000-04:00

We wanted to give a huge THANK YOU to all the vendors who participated in A Fantasy Wedding 2011!

Pre-Marital Counseling: Melanie Miller-Cvilikas, LCSW

Bridal Hair and Makeup: You'nique Chic

Pre-wedding dressing area: Salon Nordine
Ceremony Music: Perfect Harmony

Ceremony Venue: Reston Town Center Pavilion

Ceremony Rentals: Brooke Rental Center

Reception Venue: Il Fornaio
Reception DJ: Music Unlimited

Photography: Jones Photography

Transportation: Shenandoah Carriages
Vendor Meet and Greet: PassionFish Restaurant
Wedding Bands: Midtown Jewelers

Florals: Graceful Flowers by Patricia

Floral Preservation: All Seasons Floral Preservation

Wedding Cake: Edibles Incredible

Cake Topper: Karen Jane Originals
Bridal Fashion Show: Ann Taylor
Bride and Groom teeth whitening: Smiles at Reston Town Center
Favors: Williams-Sonoma

Gift Certificates:
Appalachian Spring

Talbots
Stella and Dot

We'd also like to thank Reston Patch, ABC 7, NBC 4 and Reston Connection for their coverage of A Fantasy Wedding!

Brandi and Justin

2011-06-13T07:46:00.000-04:00

Brandi and Justin were married on a gorgeous fall day in Loudoun County, Virginia.

Ceremony Venue: Our Savior's Way Lutheran- Ashburn, Virginia

Reception Venue: Landsdowne Resort- Leesburg, Virginia

Photography: Sam Stroud Photography

Lead Planner: Martha Wiles

Florals: Loudoun County Brides and Bouquets

Interview with Bits of Bliss on Green Weddings

2011-06-10T07:33:00.002-04:00

A Splash of Elegance owner, Victoria Wagner was recently interviewed by Bits of Bliss, the blog of West Belmont Place.

Here is an excerpt from the interview, for the full interview please visit their blog by clicking here.

"As an eco-friendly venue, we were interested in interviewing a wedding planner with experience in coordinating green weddings – a lifestyle trend that has transferred over into events and weddings. We interviewed Victoria Wagner, owner and planner at A Splash of Elegance and President of the Virginia Association of Bridal Consultants about green weddings. Here’s what Victoria had to say about planning green weddings in the DC area:

What are the top trends in green weddings?

[Victoria]: Re- purposing wedding gowns is a huge trend right now. Brides are remaking their mother’s and grandmother’s dress to restore it and remake the dress with a modern flair. Brides are bringing designs to consignment shops and asking them to create their dress from several scraps of dresses. Boutiques are reselling couture designers gowns – which is less expensive and gives the dress a second life while keeping the designer label."

Stop by Bits of Bliss for the rest of the interview!

Splashing Our Clients with Customer Serivce

2011-06-09T07:03:00.000-04:00

Enjoy this quick video we filmed for the USA 9 website!

Whitney and Dennis

2011-06-06T15:52:00.001-04:00

We wanted to share a few pictures from Whitney and Dennis' beautiful wedding! Don't you love a tented wedding?

Planner: Lynn Nelson

Photographer: Be Photography

Venue: Private Residence

Florist: English Garden

Rentals (Tent, chairs): Brooke Rental Center

When a Wedding Planner is a Guest at a Wedding

2011-06-03T09:12:00.001-04:00

The other week I had the opportunity to attend the wedding of a family friend. It was the first wedding in a long time where I was just a guest and not working. Having several weddings under my belt now I was able to pick up on a few things that a normal guest would have not noticed.

The most important thing to catch my attention was the fact that the venue coordinator pulled the father of the bride aside on a couple of different occasions. I'm sure he was asking him questions related to the timeline of the day, such as "Are you ready for the cake to be cut, is it ok if we now start serving coffee, etc." I knew for a fact that the bride did not have a wedding planner, and you can be certain that if she did the venue coordinator would not have needed to pull the father of the bride away to ask him timeline related questions. If there had been a wedding planner, the venue coordinator would be coming to her to ask questions. The father of the bride was catching up with friends he had not seen in many years; the last thing he probably wanted to deal with was when the cake was being served.

Seeing this interaction made me realize one of the many reasons it's a good idea to hire a wedding planner. A planner acts as a buffer between the venue and the family so that the family can enjoy the wedding and all their guests!

Happy planning!

Julie Daniel, Splash Consultant

Mindi and Philip: A Fantasy Wedding 2011

2011-05-29T08:08:00.002-04:00

Enjoy these beautiful photos from Mindi and Philip's fantasy wedding yesterday!

Photography: Jones Photography

Florals: Graceful Flowers by Patricia

Ceremony Venue: Reston Town Center Pavilion

Reception Venue: Il Fornaio Restaurant

A Fantasy Wedding 2011 Vendor: You'Nique Chic

2011-05-25T07:43:00.000-04:00

Owners Cassie and Christine Hurd

A Splash of Elegance is pleased to announce that You'Nique Chic will be doing our Fantasy Wedding winner Mindi's hair and makeup this Saturday! Based out of Winchester, You'Nique Chic serves brides in their studio and on location. For more information on You'Nique Chic please visit http://www.youniquechic.net/.

For more information on A Fantasy Wedding please visit A Splash of Elegance or http://www.facebook.com/afantasywedding2011.

A Fantasy Wedding 2011 Vendor: Salon Nordine

2011-05-23T07:25:00.001-04:00

A Splash of Elegance is pleased to announce that Salon Nordine is a vendor for A Fantasy Wedding which is taking place this Saturday, May 28, 2011 at the Pavilion at Reston Town Center. Salon Nordine is generously offering up their gorgeous salon and spa for our bride Mindi and her bridesmaids to get ready in. To book your next spa day please visit http://www.salonnordine.com/ or call 703-427-6444.

For more information on A Fantasy Wedding please visit A Splash of Elegance or http://www.facebook.com/afantasywedding2011.

Hilton Garden Inn Open House

2011-05-20T07:59:00.000-04:00

Two members of the Splash team, Deb and Julie had the opportunity to visit the Hilton Garden Inn Fairfax the other week for their open house. Located in the heart of Fairfax, this is a must see venue for a bride who is looking for an elegant courtyard ceremony or reception space.

For more pictures of this lovely venue and contact information for their venue coordinator, Catherine Calvin, check out their blog at http://www.weddingsbycatherine.blogspot.com/.

A Fantasy Wedding 2011 Vendor: Perfect Harmony

2011-05-18T07:57:00.001-04:00

A Splash of Elegance is pleased to announce that Perfect Harmony will be a vendor for A Fantasy Wedding 2011! This string quartet, lead by Gretchen Heller, will be providing the ceremony music for this year’s Fantasy Wedding. Beautiful ceremony music in perfect harmony! For more information on Perfect Harmony contact Gretchen Heller at perfect_harmony04@hotmail.com or 240-912-7604.

Orange Wedding Tour

2011-05-16T08:00:00.002-04:00

A Splash of Elegance is pleased to be participating in the Orange Wedding Tour which is taking place this Tuesday and Wednesday May 17-18 in charming Orange, Virginia. From the press release "Over thirty Orange area wedding professionals are joining forces this May 17 and 18 to present the Orange Wedding Tour to leading wedding professionals from across Virginia. Designed with the goal of building awareness, as well as connecting influential wedding professionals to Orange County, the Orange Wedding Tour boasts two full days of wining and dining as attendees make their way through venues and bed and breakfasts throughout the county."

Two of our consultants will be partaking in this event- we are so excited to learn about all the fabulous wedding venues Virginia has to offer!

Remarriage Showcase This Saturday!

2011-05-12T12:22:00.000-04:00

Just a few more days until the Remarriage Showcase taking place this Saturday, May 14 at 10:00 am at the beautiful River Creek Club in Leesburg, Virginia! If you or someone you know if getting remarried, this is an opportunity you do not want to miss! Seating is limited so make sure and register to reserve your spot.

The schedule for the day is:
10:00-10:15 Registration and Check-In
10:15-10:30 Welcome
10:30-11:30 Champagne Brunch and Wedding Attire Fashion Show
11:30-12:00 Vendor Showcase and Breakout Sessions with Experts
12:00-12:45 Keynote Speaker, Paula Bisacre, Publisher, RemarriageWorks.com; Author, Journal for Stepmoms
12:45-1:10 Vendor Showcase and Breakout Sessions with Experts
1:10-1:40 Dessert and Fashions
1:40-2:00 Door Prize Drawings and Closing Remarks

For tickets please visit https://remarriageshowcase.com/secure/.

Happy Planning!

The Splash Team

A Fantasy Wedding 2011 Vendor: Stella & Dot

2011-05-10T08:02:00.000-04:00

A Splash of Elegance is pleased to announce that Stella and Dot will be a vendor for A Fantasy Wedding 2011! Susan Dooley, a stylist with Stella and Dot will be donating a $50 gift certificate so that our dear bride Mindi can adorn herself with some beautiful jewelry for her big day! For more information on Stella and Dot please visit Susan's website or contact her at 703-442-7352.

For more information on A Fantasy Wedding 2011, please visit http://www.asplashofelegance.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/afantasywedding2011.

Royal Wedding Trend Predictions

2011-05-03T08:00:00.002-04:00

The wedding of William and Kate this past Friday certainly will have an impact for years to come on the bridal industry here in the U.S. and around the world. Here are our predictions for trends in the bridal industry as a result of the Royal Wedding.

Headpieces
One of the most visually interesting parts of the wedding were the hats and fascinators donned by the female guests. The British certainly are experts when it comes to hats and we would not be surprised to see headpieces become more and more of a part of everyday and bridal fashion here in the United States. Jane Taylor is a popular English milliner whose designs were worn by many of the Royal Wedding guests. She has a bridal line of beautiful fascinators and birdcage headpieces:

Jane Taylor Millinery

We can also expect to see women wearing hats more and more at daytime weddings. What was your favorite hat or fascinator of the day?

Church Bells

The sound of the bells ringing in the air as Kate stepped out of her car added to the ambiance of the day. While brides before might not have even thought twice about having church bells at their ceremony, they now may be looking for a church that has bells..

Trees

We loved the look of the trees in Westminster Abbey; they can add so much color and visual interest in a room. We predict trees will become more and more popular in ceremony and reception decor. A fun idea would be to plant a tree that was used in a couple's wedding decor in the yard of their new home.

Lace and Sleeves

One of the most anticipated aspects of the wedding was Kate's wedding dress. We think it was breathtaking and knockoffs were surely being designing as soon as she stepped out of the car. While wedding dresses up until this point have had less and less fabric and have been showing more and more skin, designers will start producing more classic and timeless dresses that include lace and sleeves.

Classic Cars

One of the biggest surprises of the Royal Wedding was Will and Kate's exit in an antique Aston Martin. Couples may want something different than the normal limousine; a classic car is a fun and unique was to exit your reception.

What are your predictions for trends we can see in the bridal industry due to the Royal Wedding?

Julie Daniel, Splash Consultant

A Fantasy Wedding 2011 Vendor: Shenandoah Carriage Company

2011-04-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

A Splash of Elegance is pleased to announce that the Shenandoah Carriage Company is a vendor for A Fantasy Wedding 2011! Mindi and Philip will be transported through Reston Town Center in one of their genuine horse drawn carriages- what a treat for their special day!

For more information on A Fantasy Wedding 2011 please visit http://www.facebook.com/afantasywedding2011 or http://www.asplashofelegance.com/.