Archive for December, 2009
There are many wonderful vendors out there but there are very subtle differences between the ones that stand out – differences that are not necessarily noticeable when you call or interview a vendor. In my opinion, it’s these subtleties that make all the differen
ce.
Jessica Piscitelli is all of this and more. She is the epitome of “going above and beyond” for her clients. She does more than she needs to – to get the job done. She is passionate, professional, and pleasant.
She is a super quick responder and is always present. You can tell that she loves filming weddings. She moves quietly and quickly but she gets all the shots. Her eye for detail is impeccable, which is a rarity in the industry. More importantly, she works extremely hard and you can tell. Her product is top notch. In this day in age, I think it’s extremely difficult to find a great videographer for under 5K – but Jessica is it! She is fabulous and her product is fabulous. Just take a look at her blog. Seeing is believing!
She is wonderful to work with and my clients always love her. It’s because of these qualities that I name her “best of” 2009 in wedding videography.
Let Jessica know that you read about her here.
Jessica Piscitelli
Jessica Pi Productions
Blog
I have worked with many caterers in DC Metropolitan area. While there are many great caterers, nobody offers such fantastic food, great personalized service, and offers a variety of rentals as La Prima Catering. La Prima’s tastings are complete with different candle arrangements, different linen options, different place setting options, different chairs and different cushions. I have seen it myself – it’s quite impressive. They lay all the options right in front of you.
One important thing to me, being a wedding planner, is to have the ability for my client to taste the food prior to signing the contract. Some places will not allow this and others will allow a tasting, but charge a fee. La Prima allows a tasting prior to signing. In fact, I had an African wedding where we wanted to combine the American and African food. La Prima was extremely accommodating in allowing us to bring the African food to the tasting – and went above and beyond to present it elegantly for the client (as it would be served on the day of the wedding).
The event staff is always attentive, and they always respond to questions right away. They take great care to work with each and every budget.
On the day of the wedding, the staff is extremely professional and the spread is always amazing.
It’s all of these qualities that make them the easy choice of “best of” 2009 in catering.
When you contact La Prima, let them know that you read about them here.
Dina Silnicky
La Prima Catering
dsilnicky@laprimacatering.com
I hope all of you have a wonderful new year filled with hope, new beginnings, dreams realized, and options abound.
I wish you all the best!
I look forward to bringing you inspiration, new ideas, sound advice, and a bit of craziness in 2010.
Lisa
An expert with the details, Rachel’s style transcends time. Documentary in style, she tells her couple’s stories through definite defined images – all of them crisp clean, meaningful and taken with purpose. Her use of lighting and the natural surroundings is superb.
I don’t think I have seen anyone work like Rachel. She has a unique gift. She is quick and she has wedding hands (you can tell that she knows and loves wedding). Each and every wedding presents it’s challenges, and she meets those challenges in extraordinaire ways. What to see an example? Take a look at her most recent blog post. I don’t think there are many people who would travel to a weddi
ng, take “beyond belief” pictures – and be as positive as Rachel during a blizzard. You wouldn’t even know that she had to overcome insurmountable obstacles because each image is absolute perfection.
Amazing! I think that blog post says it all!
After the first of the year, I will share a set of amazing images that Rachel took. They are awe inspiring. Bravo!
It’s because of her amazing ability to go above and beyond for her clients, her love for weddings, and an uncanny ability to capture details in extraordinary ways – that I name her “best of” 2009 in Documentary Photography
When you contact Rachel, let her know that you read about her here.
Rachel Smith
Rachel Smith Photography
Blog
I found Joyce while working with a Bride and I am glad I found her. Having worked on TV and in Hollywood, she is well versed with different skin textures and colors. This woman knows her stuff!
At her trials, she goes to great lengths to make sure everything is perfect and a
s the Bride wants it to be. She goes above and beyond to make sure her clients are satisfied and will stay until the Bride is happy, no matter how long it takes.
She works with MAC. She is available to travel anywhere for trials (Maryland, N. VA, or DC), and on the big day. I have seen her, first hand, work on the Bride and several Bridesmaids – on her own. Everyone was to absolute perfection. In fact, she takes time to touch up everyone at the end.
She is extremely versatile and accommodating – and this is why I named her “best of” 2009 in Make-up artistry.
When you contact Joyce, please let her know that you found her here!
Joyce Mungo Make-up Artistry
410 -300 – 0287
An amazing photographer based in Northern Virginia, Dawn is the perfect choice for any wedding. Her style is a bit more traditional than the other photographers and she excels at what 
she does. Her images are crisp, clean, and tell the story of the day. As she moves unassuming through the crowed, you can tell that her photography is not a job, but a passion. She goes above and beyond for her clients, even if it means that she stays a bit longer to get the shot!
She is an extremely hard worker, and will do what she needs to do to make sure the client is happy (including going out into the rain). Her prices are affordable, allowing her to bring her art to a wide range of clientele – never sacrificing service and quality. Most importantly, she’s a helluva nice person.
It’s because of these qualities that I named her 2009 “best of photographer.
Dawn Bernard Photography
703-229-9557
dmbernard2003@yahoo.com
For me, Racquel Allen was the best thing to come out of a Bridal show I attended. I don’t believe in Superwomen, but Racquel Allen certainly does it all! She is a real talent, who from a young age, showed enormous potential. A salon owner and savvy business woman, she is able to harness her ingenuity, creativity and eye for beauty in a variety of ways that cultivates and nourishes the entire person.
Racquel has delighted her clients with custom made jewelry for 11 years. When you walk into her salon, you can see samples of her excellent creations. She takes the time to work with her clients to create the custom piece of their dreams.
An accomplished Jewelry designer, she is also able to give her clients a head to toe transformation through hair care, nail care, cutting, relaxing, up-styling, eyebrow
shaping, extensions, nail care and make-up. She is also exceptional – and a leader in the field – with color.
Racquel is truly a forward thinker, a trend setter, and an extremely unique talent. She brings uniqueness to all of my brides, no matter the ethnicity. She is full of excellence and it’s because of this that I name her 2009 “best of” in Spa and Jewelry services.
Racquel Allen
Statements Unisex Salon
Rocdesigns@verizon.net
Sorry DC couples – this year, my favorite venue is in Baltimore.
Situated in the middle of the quaint and historic Mount Vernon, The Walters Art Museum is the perfect site for a sophisticated wedding. It’s a hidden gem in a big field. Your ceremony and reception will be held in the sculpture court, which is large, light and airy -and can accommodate parties (with a dance floor) for up to 200. The openness of the space naturally lends itself to creativity in table arrangements and sizes. Your cocktail hour will be one of a kind with the ability to treat your guests to some of the finest art in the area.
Easily accessible, there 
is ample parking and elegant accommodations nearby -making it easy for your guests to enjoy the festivities.
Catering at the Walters is a dream. You have the freedom to “use who you want”! If your caterer of choice is not on the list, it’s easy to get them approved. There are minimal roadblocks along the way.
The “rules” of the museum are not much different than any other museum. It’s of utmost importance to preserve the priceless works of art, therefore, no red wine and music must be within a particular range. Tables and chairs must be moved in a certain way – but all of the logistics are cleared with your caterer prior to the big day!
The event director at the Museum is a dream to work with. He’s easy, available and always willing to answer questions by phone or email.
All of these qualities make the Walters Art Museum my pick for “best of” venue 2009!
Photography by Rachel Smith
When you call Robert, let him know that you read about him here.
Happy planning!
3 Adjectives that I would use to describe Natalie and Jamie – professional, dedicated, and fresh.
They will take your wedding and create a story – a real story as it was told on 
your wedding day. Documentary in style, you feel each and every emotion in each and every image.
Natalie and Jamie are absolutely fabulous to work with, move like ghosts amongst your guests, and create images that are unmatched by any other photographer in the area. They are always available to their clients and respond quickly to questions or concerns.
The awesome customer relations, their unmatched ability to create one of a kind images, their willingness to customize their services to meet their clients’ needs, and frankly – they are just two of the nicest people – makes them my pick for “best of” photographer 2009!
Borrowed Blue Photography
410-532-0679
Blog
When you call Jamie or Natalie, let them know that you read about them here!
Happy planning!
Of all the vendors we worked with over the last year, these listed vendors stood out from the rest. They have gone above an beyond in their service to our clients. Over the next 5 days, we will profile each vendor and let you know what qualities put them on this distinguished list.
Venue
The Walters Art Museum – Robert Zimmerman
Caterer
LaPrima Catering – Dina Silnicky
Florist/Floral Designer
Wicked Willow - Randy Woods
DJ
Mydeejay.com – Evan Reitmeyer
Videographer
Jessicapi Productions – Jessica Piscitelli
Photographers
Thomas Graves Photography – Thomas Graves
Borrowed Blue Photography – Natalie Nadozirny and Jaime Suthard
Rachel Smith Photography – Rachel Smith
Dawn Bernard Photography – Dawn Bernard
Make-up
Joyce Mungo – 410 -300 – 0287
Custom Wedding Jewelry
Roc Designs – Racquel Allen
