Edibles Incredible

A Splash of Elegance is pleased to announce that Edibles Incredible will be providing one of their award-winning wedding cakes for A Fantasy Wedding 2011! Edibles Incredible is a premier Northern Virginia bakery and dessert shop with locations in Reston and Brambleton Town Centers. For over 10 years owners Alan Furman and Robyn Hanna have created one-of-a-kind desserts. We are so excited that one lucky couple and their guests will get the chance to have one of their gorgeous cakes to savor at their reception! Stop in to one of their stores and have a cupcake (or two!).

Registration for A Fantasy Wedding 2011 begins January 1st! For more information, please visit www.asplashofelegance.com or fan us on Facebook.

Ten Thank You Note Do's and Don'ts

Is there a statute of limitations on thank you notes? Well, according to Emily Post, you’re not off the hook if you haven’t sent your thank you notes – sending a note for a gift is still a must no matter how long it’s been. So what is the protocol? Contrary to popular myth couples don’t have a grace period of a year in which to send their thanks; it’s more like three months. Ideally, a note should be written the day the gift is received if at all possible. The memory of the pleasure of opening the gift is still fresh in your mind if you write it right away making composing the note all the more easier. Plus who wants to return from the honeymoon and face a mound of thank you notes still waiting for you!

Anna Post in her Wedding Parties book offers the following Ten Thank You Note Do’s and Don’ts to help you appropriately express your gratitude for the generosity shown you as a new couple:

• Do personalize your notes, making reference to the person as well as the gift.
• Do be enthusiastic, though you don’t need to gush. Avoid saying that a gift is the most beautiful you’ve ever seen, unless you really mean it.
• Don’t send form letters or cards with printed messages and just your signature.
• Don’t use email or post generic thank-you messages on your Web site in lieu of personal notes.
• Don’t mention that you plan to return or exchange a gift or express dissatisfaction in any way.
• Do mention what use you’ll make of money gifts. (Referring to the amount is optional.)
• Don’t use lateness as an excuse not to write. If you’re still sending notes after your first anniversary, keep writing.
• Do remember that a gift should be acknowledged with the same courtesy and generosity in which it was given.
• Do promptly acknowledge the receipt of shipped gifts (so the sender knows it arrived safely) by mailing a note right away, or by calling and following up with a written note shortly thereafter.
• Don’t include wedding photos or use photo cards if this means delaying sending the notes while you wait for the photos.

It really doesn’t matter if the bride or groom writes the note, it just matters that it gets written. Regardless of who writes, both of you should be mentioned as appreciating the gift. Either or both can sign the note or one can sign for both – all those options are appropriate.

Try not to think of the task as just so much “homework” or a perfunctory courtesy: a handwritten note and the time you take to pause for a moment and put down your thanks on paper demonstrates your appreciation just as much as the words you choose to write. In a world of email and online registries, such a gesture goes a long, long way!

Deb Merriner, Splash Consultant

Envelopments

A Splash of Elegance is exited to announce that we are now an authorized dealer of Envelopments Stationery!  Take a moment to check out envelopments.com to get a glimpse of the variety of paper products they carry.  Make an appointment to come browse through our Envelopments design library, as merely looking at a website cannot do justice to the hundreds of combinations you can make with their products.  From a beach wedding to a 5-course dinner at the Ritz, Envelopments has the style and color to compliment your wedding or event.  There is nothing that can compare to holding the paper in your hand, so call us today to make an appointment to check out the Envelopments line!

Bridal Silhouette

I received a phone call from a friend several years ago whose daughter wanted to wear my friend's wedding gown but it needed to be redesigned and fitted to her body measurements. In redesigning a wedding gown, my first concern is the condition of the gown and then the vision of the bride for her dream wedding dress. I listen to the bride, draw sketches, sew samples and then get started. I not only bring my many years of designing and tailoring clothes for men, women and children to the workroom, but also my knowledge of fabrics and restoration. When I delivered this brides gown, she handed me her mother's head piece and veil as my next project, and my business, Bridal Silhouette, was born! I loved every minute of the process, handling the beautiful, vintage fabric and lace and gently working with the bride to create her vision and seeing it come to life.

In addition to designing and re-tailoring wedding gowns and veils, I also create Ring Bearer pillows out of vintage handkerchiefs and recreate vintage wedding gowns into christening gowns, baby bonnets and Christmas tree skirts for heirloom gifts.

I'm a representative for Kristina Eaton custom veils and I also rent a full line of tuxedo's and accessories for the groom. I'm a one stop shop!!

Please visit my website; www.bridalsilhouette.com, for more information and pictures.

Lynn Nelson

The Gracious Stepparent’s Ten Commandments

Martha Woodham in her book, Wedding Etiquette for Divorced Families offers some good advice regarding the stepparents’ roles in wedding planning/execution. Recognizing that there can be some rather “ sticky” situations that a bride and groom may have to contend with, she advises talking to parents and stepparents beforehand and letting them know your expectations are for them to put aside any animosities for the wedding and events surrounding it. The following “ ten commandments” written by her may come in handy for this purpose.

The Gracious Stepparent’s Ten Commandments
Or
How to Earn the Undying Loyalty of Your Family

1. Insist that you and your spouse contribute financially to the wedding, especially if he is the father of the bride.

2. Do not expect any control over the wedding planning.

3. Do not pout when your lovingly-given advice is ignored. In fact, don’ t give any unless asked!

4. Do offer your assistance to the bride and her mother in running errands or handling mundane talks.

5. Do not fret when your spouse is asked to pose for family photographs that include his or her ex.

6. Do not insist on standing in the receiving line, even if you should.

7. Do not insist that your children be part of the wedding ceremony, even when they should be.

8. Do host a party of the couple, but do not upstage festivities hosted by the father or mother.

9. Do not insist that your name be on the invitations, even when it should be.

10. Do not try to upstage the parents in any way by dressing or acting to draw attention to yourself .

There are a lot of logistics when blending two families, but not to worry, we are always here for our brides to help them through the etiquette of blending families on their wedding day. Just give us a call!


Happy Planning,

Deb Merriner

Splash Consultant

Skin Care With A Perfection Guarantee

There are not many things that a professional wedding planner can guarantee a bride for her wedding day. We cannot control the weather, late vendors or unruly guests, (we do however know how to handle these disappointments) but there is one thing we do guarantee, our favorite skin care line from Arbonne International.

One of our favorite brides met with us just weeks before her college graduation and her wedding. Both events had created a little bit of stress for her and her eczema was in full bloom. Immediately, we knew what to do: Get the Arbonne Baby Care! After a shower with the hair and body wash, some slathering with the petroleum free baby oil and applying the herbal diaper rash cream to the more troubled spots, our bride was 99% better the next day. We can't give Arbonne all the credit, a little Tender, Loving, Care (TLC) from her wedding planners was calming to her fragile nerves!

We trust Arbonne with our skin and hair and believe in the Arbonne difference of Pure, Safe, Beneficial! 100% money back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied after using the product 30 days. 100% vegan; botanically based; pH balanced; dermatology recommended; absolutely no artificial fragrances or dyes; never any animal products or by products; never, ever, ever tested on animals; and completely free of mineral oil! All packaging is made from recycled material. Formulated in Switzerland. Manufactured in the USA.

From the excellent ABC Arbonne Baby Care for all sensitive skin to our world class NutriminC RE9 Anti Aging Skin Care System, Arbonne International has developed awesome skin care and hair care products that we proudly offer all our brides.

Contact Splash for more information about how to have the best skin - from head to toe - for your wedding day and beyond!

Happy Planning! Martha Wiles, Splash Consultant

Welcoming the Mason Inn

Splash is excited to note the opening of the The Mason Inn Conference Center and Hotel nestled in a wooded setting on the campus of George Mason University. We were privileged to attend the Grand Opening celebrated last month at a gala event showcasing this beautiful venue which promises to be “aesthetically pleasing and conducive for creating lasting memories for not just weddings and special events but for any special occasion.”

This full service hotel and conference center offers 148 beds on seven floors, two ballrooms and a host of other amenities including an unsurpassed dining experience at their Boxwoods restaurant. They’ve made a commitment to using the freshest ingredients, sourced locally and seasonally and their wine list features local Virginia sustainable wines. The center also offers all the amenities of the Mason campus, The Patriot Center, Center for the Arts and The Recreation and Athletic Complex with easily accessible complimentary shuttle service around campus and to and from the Vienna Metro stop. Furthermore, we love the fact that the center is certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) at the silver level, incorporating sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.

Visit them at http://www.acc-masoninnandconferencecenter.com or, better yet, in person at 4352 Mason Pond Drive at the Corner of Ox and Braddock Roads in Fairfax.


Happy Planning-


Deb Merriner, Splash Consultant

River Creek Club Open House

Open House - Attention, all engaged couples and venue seekers -- We wanted to let you know about an open house that is coming up at River Creek Club in Leesburg. River Creek is a beautiful venue for your next wedding or event, and this is the perfect time to preview this gorgeous venue!


River Creek Club Bridal Open House
Sunday, November 7th, 2010
11:00am Tour of the Facility
Cocktails, Hors d'oeuvres and dinner fare immediately following tour.

Enter for a change to win a night for two at The Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA!

For more information, contact Aley Montel at alejandra.montel@ourclub.com or 703-779-2022

Capital Decor and Events

 The other week a few of the Splash Consultants had the opportunity to take a tour of Capital Decor and Events in Beltesville, MD.  To be able to tour their showroom was a one-of-a-kind experience, and I am so glad that I had to chance to peak into their world!


Capital Decor and Events specializes in event design - you can approach them with an idea or a theme for an event and they will design it better than you could have ever imagined.  We were able to snap a few photos of their showroom so we wanted to share them with you.

You can create your own banquet seating at your event.  Don't you love this chandelier- who knew you could rent something like this for the night?

 

 These were mock tables set up for an actual wedding- the bride had just been there to give her approval.  The tables were out of this world - pictures could not do them justice.  They were absolutely gorgeous.

 

 

They used a few different tables - my favorite was the squared mirrored one.

 

How cool - clear plastic chiavari chairs!

 Can you guess what these squares are?  Samples of aisle runners!  How beautiful would those be down an aisle?

 

 They have every decor item imaginable for your event.

 

If you - or they can dream it, they can build it in-house.

 

This is the warehouse which holds all their past projects and all of their materials that they use regularly.

These tables are sunken in in the middle so that you can place flowers in them - that way you can talk to the guests across the table without flowers getting in the way!

Stainless steel tables are very trendy right now:

 

Mirrored tables:

 These clear tables are great - they have filled them with floating candles and even fish!

 Can you guess what this is?

 

That would be a tree. 

 

It is hard to tell what these are, but they are every lighting fixture imaginable.  

The possibilities are endless to what they can create - it can almost be overwhelming.  If in addition to the planning and coordination of your wedding or event, you choose to enlist Capital Decor and Events for event design, we will be there with you navigating the many, many options you have to pulling together a beautiful event!

Happy Planning-

Julie Daniel, Splash Consultant

Six Things To Throw Instead of Rice

I honestly have never been to a wedding where rice was thrown; I think that rice as the item to be tossed is a tradition that is on it's way out due to a few factors.  Some venues do not allow rice to be thrown due to the myth that rice can be harmful to birds (which has been largely debunked).  Hard rice on a flat surface can be very dangerous as it is very easy to slip on, and you certainly don't want Grandma breaking a hip at your wedding.  Also, brides these days are looking for something unique or that fits the theme of their wedding.

Here are six ideas for items to be thrown at your wedding as an alternative to rice:

• Lavender buds are the hot ticket to be thrown and a plethora of ways to purchase them can easily be found through a google search. 
• Bubbles can be a fun alternative for all guests young and old, but be careful, we heard one story a bubble popping on the photographer's lens and all the pictures from then on being blurry.  
• Sparklers are a festive idea but one that you need to be careful with.  Many localities require you to notify the local fire department if you will be using sparklers and may even require that a fireman be present.  Check with your venue before planning to use sparklers.
• Birdseed became a popular item to throw after the rice rumor and I'm sure the neighboring birds would be very appreciative.
• Dried Leaves would be lovely at a fall wedding.
• Butterflies, while popular a few years ago, have fallen out of favor because many of the butterflies don't survive, which puts a damper on the fun of the moment.  Consider having white doves released by a professional -- what a beautiful picture at a very special moment.

Happy Planning-

Julie Daniel, Splash Consultant

To Change Names or Not

There are many reasons why you might want to change your name, and just as many why you might not.  Whatever your decision, make it with your groom, perhaps by seriously considering the following suggestions offered by Judith Sherven and James Sniechowski in their book The Smart Couple’s Guide to the Wedding of Your Dreams.   

•    Write your name in each of the possible forms you are considering – taking the groom’s name, creating a new name from both of yours, hyphenating your names, changing the groom’s name to the bride’s and keeping the bride’s name.

•    Say each of these out loud

•    Delete any that are out of the question for you.

•    Jointly discuss the remaining options.   Talk about all of the names’ ramifications – their effects on your families and friends, your work life, your children’s last names(s), what each choice means to you, as well as anything else that the names could affect.

•    Now which name(s) make you feel most at home, most comfortable, and proudest?

There is no need to make a final decision right away.  The important thing is to mull your options over until both of you feel empowered by and strongly identified with the name(s) you will select.

Respecting and valuing your uniqueness, and knowing your own private and public reasons for your choice, will make the naming process more meaningful and will deepen your pride and comfort in the name you will be known by for the rest of your life.


Happy Planning!
Deb Merriner, Splash Consultant

A Few Tips for Guests Invited to Same Sex Unions

(from Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette)
If you’re invited to a same-sex ceremony and have not previously attended one, it’s natural to wonder what is expected of guests. The answer is simple: Guest etiquette is the same as for a traditional wedding celebration. The following points address some common concerns, but common sense is always the best guide:

• Reply to the invitation as soon as possible. If you must regret, there’s no need for excuses. Inivitees who are genuinely opposed to or upset by same-sex unions would be wise to decline graciously rather than risk dampening the happiness of the couple.
• Whether you can attend or not, the invitation obliges you to send a wedding gift.
• When choosing attire, be guided by the time of the ceremony and the nature of the invitation (formal, informal, or casual).
• Follow the order of the service in the ceremony program, if one is provided. Otherwise, take your lead from the wedding party and other guests. Chances are, the ceremony and reception will be similar to other weddings you’ve attended.
• Go through the receiving line, if there is one. All the traditional expressions of congratulations are appropriate, except reference to “bride and groom” or “husband and wife.” If there isn’t a receiving line, be sure to extend best wishes to the couple and their families at some point during the party.
• Refrain from making comments and asking questions that might be perceived as negative. This won’t be hard if guests bear in mind that the ceremony, while it may not be legally sanctioned, honors the lifetime commitment of two people.

Happy Planning!

Deb Merriner, Splash Consultant

Kudos are in order!

Yes, this is a wedding and event related blog, but we also teach etiquette, and I just had to take this opportunity to share a shout out!  This past week, my husband and I chose to have a meal at our local Outback restaurant in Herndon, VA -- WOW, what a fabulous experience! 

We love to frequent Outback because we really love the margs and the menu, but on this particular visit, we loved the staff as well.  In fact, it was the staff that made such a fabulous impression -- here's what happened ...

As we arrived, we were warmly greeted by Tyler, who welcomed us and promptly showed us to our seating area ... right on Tyler's heels was Danielle, ready and waiting to take our drink order (of course, we obliged! :-)  OK, two staff people and not one of them said, "How are you guys tonight?" (Which you all know is one of my pet peeves!)  No, their training at the ready, they were polite and the service was fabulous, which made for an extra-special dining experience for Hubby and me.

We were also fortunate enough to be visited by one of the restaurant managers, Jackie, and it was a real treat to share our kudos with her, and to thank her for taking the time to pass along great manners to the restaurant's employees.  Of course, she beamed from ear to ear, as any self-respecting mother hen manager would do! :-)

So, if you wish to have an exceptional dining experience, may I highly recommend an evening out to the Outback in Herndon -- you'll be glad you did!

Kudos, Outback!

Ten Fabulous Ways to Indulge the Bride after the Wedding

I am reading The Bridesmaid Guide: Etiquette, Parties and Being Fabulous by Kate Chynoweth and I wanted to share with you some great ways to indulge the bride!

• Make a grand gesture to celebrate the couple’s commitment by planting a tree in their back yard the night before or after the wedding.
• Collect the disposable cameras from the reception tables and develop the film.
• Before the bride leaves the reception, give her a honeymoon kit stuffed with sunscreen, sunglasses, a great book for the plane, and blank journal in which to record her adventures.  Toss in those hilarious Polaroids you took at the rehearsal dinner.
• Organize an intimate post-reception gathering where everyone can kick off their shoes and toast the newlyweds one more time before hitting the hay.
• Leave a basket of treats on their dining room table the night before they return from their trip, to cushion their return to reality.  If you’ve forgotten to get their keys, leave a pretty bouquet and a Welcome Home card on their doorstep.
• Several months after the wedding, organize a girls’ night to revisit the bridal shower scrapbook, pore over the wedding photographs and reminisce about all the fun.
• Schedule a group manicure and pedicure with the girls to help her stave off the inevitable post-wedding depression after she gets back from the honeymoon.
• Give the couple theater, ballet, or concert tickets for an evening about a month after the wedding.  This give the couple a chance to dress up and go out on a date while they are still broke from the wedding, overwhelmed with unpacking and starting back to work.
• Offer to be the bride’s special helper at the reception after she and the groom depart, and collect the cake topper, the top tier of the wedding cake, the guest book, extra flowers, and the gifts, and transport them to a designated place.  The best man or the bride’s father will be in charge of tipping the musicians and caterers but you should add your enthusiastic thanks.
• If the couple isn’t leaving for their honeymoon immediately, decorate their bedroom or hotel room.  They’ll be thrilled after the long wedding day to find their wedding night chamber filled with a chilled bottle of champagne, fragrant flowers, a book of love poems, and a small portable stereo playing their favorite music.

Happy Planning!

Deb Merriner, Splash Consultant

5 Ideas for a Summer Wedding

Here are 5 quick ideas for a fun Summer themed wedding or event!

• Take advantage of the weather and have an outdoor wedding! We highly recommend having a tent set up to protect you and your guests in the chance of high temperatures or rain.
• Dress your tables with lightweight linens such as cotton and linen.  One of our favorite vendors in the area is gala cloths. 
• Decorate with Fruit: Lemons, limes and oranges can make gorgeous and inexpensive centerpieces!
• Nothing says a day at the beach more than bridesmaids in Lilly Pulitzer dresses or groomsmen in khakis and Vineyard Vines ties.
• Keep your guests cool; make sure when the temperature rises to have water easily accessible.  Chinese fans make great favors that can also keep you cool!

Happy Planning!

Julie Daniel, Splash Consultant

Creating Your Financial Future- Together

We wanted to let you know about an upcoming, free financial workshop that engaged or newly married couples could greatly benefit from. Thrivent Financial is offering a workshop on Saturday, August 7th to help couples find common ground with money management and work together to reach your goals.

 

From Me to We is a 50-minute education workshop that takes a stewardship approach to helping you prepare for your financial future. At this workshop you will learn to:

• Identify your values and attidues about money.
• Set goals and use a budget to help you reach them.
• Manage your money together.

Couples are asked to pre-register no later than August 1st by calling Corridor 7 Associates at 703-444-9576 or by emailing nancy.orta@thrivent.com.

From Me to We

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

11:00 AM

1950 Roland Clarke Place, Suite 120

Reston, VA 20191

Wedding Gown Preservation

One of the many concierge services we offer here at A Splash of Elegance is Wedding Gown Preservation through Wedding Gown Preservation Co.  

I wanted to share my experience with gown preservation as I was hesitant at first two send off my mother's gown so I'm sure other people are as well.  My mother's wedding dress has been hanging in a garment bag for the past 30 years at my dad's house.  For the past few years I have been nervous about it yellowing or being otherwise damaged.  Until I joined the Splash team last year I had never heard of gown preservation.  It had been on my long-term to do list to get it cleaned professionally, so when I heard about preservation I wanted to learn more.

After talking with Victoria (the owner of A Splash of Elegance) and learning about all of the advantages of gown preservation, I decided to take the leap and send off my mom's dress.  The process is so straight-forward and easy, Wedding Gown Preservation Co. does all the work for you.  Once I purchased the gown preservation kit, I simply put the gown (and veil and slip) in the pre-addressed box, jotted down my address on a form and taped it up!  Easy as 1-2-3!  The hardest part was leaving it at the UPS store, I was a little hesitant to let it go.  A few weeks later the package arrived at work (they will not deliver to a home address for security).  It was weeks quicker than I had anticipated and arrived wrapped up so nicely!

(My mom's wedding dress after being preserved)

The folks at Wedding Gown Preservation Co. were great to work with- I got an email as soon as they received my gown and an email letting me know of the progress.  They have been doing this for so long; they have seen it all and know they best ways to get out certain stains (did you know sugar causes the most damage to a dress), they know the best way to mend tears, and I can tell the truly care about each dress and each bride that they encounter.

I highly recommend preserving your wedding dress, your mom's, your grandma's, etc to save it from damage, so that future generations can enjoy it, there are so many reasons to consider preservation!  Please contact us if you are interested in having your gown preserved!

Happy planning-

Julie Daniel, Splash Consultant

How to Spot a Worthwhile Investment in a Vintage Wedding Dress

We wanted to share some tips we read in DIY Wedding: Celebrate Your Day, Your Way by Kelly Bare.  Enjoy!

Start with the fabric – natural fabrics (silk, cotton, wool) are superior to synthetic.  Rub it between your fingers – each has its own unique qualities: Silk shantung should feel heavy and substantial, lace should be delicate and lightweight, satin should be smooth and free of snags.  High quality fabrics will feel good in your hands, look beautiful and drape well on your body.  If the fabric needs “brightening”, a natural fabric brightens best.

Look for a designer’s label and make a note of what it says.  You may recognize the designer’s name immediately but if you don’t do some research.  (Note; handmade items often don’t have a label: consult an expert if you’re not sure what you’re looking at). 

Check the seams – are they double- or single-stitched? (Double-stitched is a sign of fine workmanship)  Either way, how are they holding up and can they withstand a night of dancing?  If there is not adequate seam allowance, do not think you will be able to alter a dress that is too small.  For that matter, don’t think you can lengthen a dress that is too short.)

Inspect the garment for obvious signs of wear – pilling, thinned fabric in places, tears and holes – and for stains.  Look more closely than you think is necessary and then take the garment to a window or even outdoors to get a good look at the dress in the kind of light you’ll have on your wedding day.  Broken zippers can be repaired but dresses with holes, stains and tears on other than a seam should be avoided.

If the dress has beading or other detail work, check the quality.   Pull (gently!) on the beads to see how firmly they are attached.  Look to see how many are missing.  If the garment is old, it’s almost guaranteed that some will have fallen off.  A seamstress can easily replace them


Speaking of seamstresses, our own Splash Consultant, Lynn Nelson, can honor any heirloom dress you may come to possess.   Check out her website http://www.bridalsilhouette.com/ to see some of the beautiful work she has done.  If you can dream it, she can design (or re-design) it!

Happy Planning-

Deb Merriner, Splash Consultant

How to Get Your Entourage to Bloom

Behind every beautiful bride you will most likely find a lovely group of devoted bridesmaids whose job it is to help usher the bride from her single to married life through any number of tasks and rituals.  What sometimes makes this a challenge is the configuration of the modern bridal party which is often comprised of not just sisters and extended family members on both sides but  college roommates, grade-school buddies and the new best friend at work.  As wonderful and supportive as these friends are to the bride, they are often complete strangers to each other.

When the bridal party is not a tight knit group of childhood friends who live in the same home town, there are options.  Perhaps the easiest way to break the ice when the bridesmaids hail from different parts of the county is to forward their email addresses to the maid of honor with a request to introduce herself to the bridesmaids via a short email.  (Best men can also take this tack with the groomsmen).  Including some interesting facts (how she met the bride, her hobbies and interest, her "sign", her favorite adult beverage, etc.) and a personal anecdote about the bride would be a great start.  She will certainly want to talk up how much fun the wedding will be and then request that everyone "reply all" with similar information along with their phone numbers and the best way/time to reach them.

Everyone can participate in this simplest of icebreakers for team bonding and who knows what new friendships will develop because of it!

Happy Planning-

Deb Merriner, Splash Consultant

The Splash Advantage

Why hire a Splash Consultant?  Here are the four reasons we share with Brides when they call to inquire after our wedding planning services.  We always assume they are shopping around for a planner so we want to let them know, even if they don't choose us, what to look for in a wedding planner.

Credentials:  Our Consultants are all members of the Association of Bridal Consultants and have completed their Professional Development Program in order to be designated as a Professional Bridal Consultant™.  Anyone can hang up their shingle as a wedding planner (sounds like a fun job, right?) but please make sure you are working with a professional who has the support and knowledge that comes along with an affiliation to a professional wedding association.  A Splash of Elegance is additionally a member of the Association of Wedding Professionals.

Flat Fee Pricing: When you sign a contract with Splash, you know what you are paying up front.  We choose not to charge a percentage of what your wedding costs so there are no surprises in the end.  Any discounts we receive from vendors are passed on directly to you- we take no kickbacks.  We want to make the wedding planning process as stress-free as possible!


Insurance:  A Splash of Elegance carries business insurance to make sure our Consultants are covered -- make sure you hire a "real" business. 
Back Up: With a large team of consultants, there is always someone available should you at the last minute need a planner (have you heard of our 911 service?).  In the unlikely event that your Consultant or the Assistant Coordinator becomes ill, we will always have someone available to step in and take over to make sure your event goes off without a hitch! 

Happy Planning!

Julie Daniel, Splash Consultant

Have Fun with a Groom's Cake!

The groom’s cake can either be chosen by the bride or groom, but some grooms like to make their choice without their bride’s knowledge. What fun! Adding their own personal flare to the design makes a groom’s cake even more special.

Offering a groom’s cake is a wonderful way to add variety for the guests during the reception, as the groom’s cake tends to be more informal and varied in flavor. Some wonderful choices might be a cheesecake or perhaps even a tiramisu dessert. Because it’s a “less serious” wedding cake, it’s not confined by wedding tradition protocol. Some couples choose to serve their grooms cake at the rehearsal dinner while others save it for the wedding reception as an alternative to the wedding cake. However you choose present your groom’s cake, make sure that it reflects Mr. Groom’s personality and taste ~ that’s the fun of it!

Love,

Victoria

Chef Extraordinnaire!

Pardon the diversion in this bridal blog, but it's not often that I get to blog about fabulous food, and I promised Chef Andrew that I would sing his praises on my blog today, and for good reason -- Bill and I were treated to an incredible dinner last night on this paradise island of Grand Cayman.  Chef Andrew's lasagna was non-pareil, but the coup de gras of the evening was his delectable creme brulee.  Chef Andrew has participated in cooking contests through the years, and his creme brulee has won over many professional chefs.  I quickly learned that there had been some backroom discussions about the fact (yes, it is a fact) that I am a creme brulee aficionado ... I've tested them from sea to shining sea, and now across the sea.  I do believe that poor Chef Andrew had been told of my purist desires when it comes to creme brulee and was ever so cautious not to offend my delicate balance in search of the creamiest and smoothest creme brulee.  Kudos, Chef Andrew ~ your creme brulee was a magnificent treat to my palate, and the perfect ending to a beautiful dinner.  Cheers to you, Heather and Drew for a wonderful evening of fun and friends.  You're the best!

xo, Victoria

Military Wedding Attire

The question often arises in the DC metro area as to the proper attire for the wedding party when certain members of the party are in the armed services.  The following guidelines (provided by militarywives.com) are offered for military and non-military weddings where service members are a part of the bridal party.

Probably the main distinction of a military wedding is that the bride and/or groom, as well as service members in the wedding party, usually wear their uniforms. The type of uniform depends on the style of the wedding, the time of day, and the season:

•     Evening dress uniform (blue in winter, white in summer) is worn for an ultra-formal wedding (i.e., a white-tie affair).
•     Dinner or "mess dress" uniform is appropriate at a formal or semiformal event (comparable to black-tie).
•     Dress blues or whites are worn for less formal weddings; they are equivalent to a nice suit or a cutaway coat.
•     Any non-military wedding-party members simply wear traditional wedding clothes of the same level of formality as those in uniform.

Some additional tips:

•     Bride and bridesmaids: The bride can wear her uniform (and so can any bridesmaids), but many military brides opt for a traditional white wedding dress. Bridesmaids might wear navy bridesmaids' gowns to complement the colors of the men's uniforms, or any other color dress the bride prefers.
•     Groom and groomsmen: If any ushers are members of a different service than the groom (Army instead of Navy, for example), they simply wear a uniform of comparable formality to his. The groom and best man do not wear gloves because they will be handling the rings, but the other ushers wear white gloves throughout the ceremony. Boutonnieres are never worn with uniforms; instead, officers wear their military decorations.
•     Parents: Should the fathers of the bride or groom be active or retired officers, they may wear uniforms. So may mothers, although they usually choose to wear traditional mother-of-the-bride attire.
•     Guests: Military guests (active or retired) may wear their uniforms or traditional formal attire. Put "Full dress uniform invited" on the invites to request that your guests come in uniform.

Happy Planning!
 Deb Merriner, Splash Consultant

Lilly Pulitzer Wedding Line

Here is a sneak peak at a few wedding dresses from Lilly Pulitzer's soon-to-be launched wedding dress collection. Lilly Pulitzer currently carries Bridesmaid, Groomsmen, Flower Girl, Ring Bearer and Mother of the Bride Dresses.

We love the collection!  What do you think?