Vendor Spotlight: Photography by Mandi

Photography by Mandi White

This week we had a chance to chat with photographer Mandi White.  For more information on her business please visit http://www.photosbymandi.com/.

Tell me about your business.

Photography by Mandi has deep roots in the DC/MD/NoVa area in 2004. I owe a great deal of my success to my early clients who trusted in my ability and saw my passion even though it was young and unrefined. I graduated from Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV with an Art degree, concentrating in Photography and Digital Imagery.

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


My favorite aspect of working with a couple is the process of getting to know them. I encourage brides to communicate as frequently as possible and keep me posted about wedding details. I love to know what is important to them along the way and share in the excitement of the planning stages of the wedding. Sneak peeks of the dress are definitely among my favorites. On the wedding day, I cannot tell you how much joy I receive when I arrive and see faces light up because I'm not just a photographer at that point; I am a friend.

From where do you draw your inspiration?
Again, it goes back to getting to know my clients and blurring the client/photographer line. The more I know about my clients, the better I will be able to document their day. While I have a definite style of photography, I rely heavily on my clients personalities and the relationship we've built to capture their day.

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


My number one piece of advice for my brides and grooms is this: Hire a professional wedding coordinator/consultant. No matter how small or large, your wedding day should be one of the best days of your lives. Stress should be non-existent. Hiring a professional will give you the peace of mind, and let you enjoy your perfect day.

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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