from Hello to Hitched

Behind The Scenes @ SMOCK

In early August, Hitched Invitations Manager [and self-proclaimed paper lover] Annie, was lucky enough to tour the offices of one of our most beloved stationery vendors, Smock. Below is an in depth recap of what was undoubtedly one of the most exciting days of her life.

Annie: At the beginning of this month, I took a little road trip to Syracuse, NY. I figured since I was in the neighborhood, I'd drop in on my favorite paperie, Smock, and take a look around. For those of you who aren't familiar with Smock, they are a creative, eco-friendly letterpress company. At Hitched, we carry their Wedding Invitation albums, and the company's wide range of design options and flexibility makes them a huge hit with our brides! 

Erica was kind enough to give me a tour, and I literally felt like a kid in a candy store. It was awesome! As someone who has such an afinity for their products, it was so amazing to see where and how they produce everything. 

 

 

Right in the lobby, Smock has a mock-shop set up with display ideas for their invitation samples and everyday items. I love the invitation tree idea!

 

Inside, there were sheets of decorative paper and stacks upon stacks of beautiful boxes. Heaven! 

My favorite part of the tour? The rows of old letterpresses and shelves of ink colors.

I left the building begging my husband to move us to New York so I could spend time at Smock everyday. If you love creative stationery and are looking for a luxurious, eco-friendly company to produce the perfect invitations for your big day, then give us a call [202.333.6162], and we'll book an appointment for you to view the Smock albums. Whether you find something that you love as-is, or work with us to design your own creations, we know you'll be head-over-heels in love.

 

 
 
 Thanks so much to Annie and the folks at Smock for giving us the inside scoop on this fabulous paperie!

[Photos by Annie Thompson, except for last photo from Smock]

Hitched Hearts: Foundation Digital Media

With all the vendors you've got to book for the big day, decisions can become overwhelming-- especially if you're unsure about what questions to ask to feel confident that you're booking the best person for the job. Today we've got another Q&A with an awesome DC vendor, Foundation Digital Media [formerly Washington Video Marketing]. When it comes to videographers, these folks are the best of the best! If you've been contemplating whether or not a videographer is worth hiring for the big day, here are some things to consider!

***

Q: What are the benefits to hiring a videographer, as opposed to just having friends and family shoot video clips at our wedding?

We think experience really matters. It's not just about delivering an exceptional product. We do. It's also about developing relationships, and ultimately, trust.

Weddings and special events are just that...special. It's critical to work with a team of seasoned professionals that understand how to work in different environments with other vendors and collaborate with a unified goal.

Q: I'm working with a pretty small budget. Is it still possible to hire a videographer in any capacity?

Yes. A boutique-style company [like ours, for example] allows us the creative flexibility to work on most projects regardless of budget. We truly believe there is no project too big or too small. We offer a multitude of wedding and event packages with styles to fit most budgets. You can have a single camera shoot to simply document the event or you can create an elaborate production with multiple cameras and feature-film style editing. The options are seemingly endless!

Q: What can I expect from a videographer on the actual wedding day? Will it feel overwhelming to have one in addition to a photographer?

Not at all, if the person is experienced. Each of our Emmy award-winning Videographers has over 20 plus years of experience. We know how to work with brides and other services providers. Our videos are produced with a light foot-print without intrusive lighting set ups and tons of equipment. While we do have a presence at your event in order to capture your special moments, we understand how to work seamlessly in the background when needed and also with other vendors at your event. We also have our own still photography department offered in our packages, and our professionals work hand-in-hand quite effortlessly.

Q: What are the most important things to look for when I'm trying to decide on a videographer?

We think exceptional production value and communication skills are the two that stand out the most. Production value is not a term that reflects cost. It's more a about the level of quality as it relates to creativity and professionalism. Some video production companies have their A, B and C list crews that they assign to different events, so you want to be careful you're getting the type of quality you've been promised. At Foundation Digital Media, we believe that our entire team is of the highest quality-- including Emmy winners, Murrow award recipients and White House Press Photographers. They are the best of the best. We are very unique in that regard.

Q: Are there other personal events where it's worth hiring a videographer besides a wedding?

Absolutely! Mitzvah's, anniversaries, milestone birthdays, red carpet events, fundraisers-- the list goes on and on. We just recently booked a birthday party that’s being held on a motor yacht and will leave out of Annapolis for an evening of festivities, cruising the Chesapeake. That's a first for us and will certainly be a lot fun to produce.

Q: Can you tell us about one of the most fun or unique weddings you've worked on?

Honestly, their all fun and unique. That’s the beauty of our business and ultimately good storytelling. Every event is different. Different people, different cultures, new locations-- every day is a fresh new perspective. That’s what drives us, and makes this the greatest job in the world.

***

Thanks so much to our friends at Foundation Digital Media for stopping by today! We truly appreciate the advice, as well as the passion you show for the incredible work that you do. And readers, don't forget-- these vendor spotlights are for YOU, so if you have additional questions or need a particular topic addressed, feel free to leave a comment below or email us at [blog@hitchedsalon.com].

HItched Hearts: MyDeejay

For most couples, entertainement is at the top of the priority list when it comes to making decisions about the big day. But deciding on the right music for your wedding can be a big challenge-- so we've brought in an expert to help tackle the topic. We're thrilled to welcome our favorite DC DJ, Evan Reitmeyer of MyDeejay!

Hitched: How should a couple go about selecting a DJ?

Evan: The most important thing you can do is research – before you call anyone. There are literally hundreds of DJ companies and independent DJs in the DC region alone, with vastly different styles and approaches to their craft. Our company’s approach and business structure is very unique, and you’re likely to find big differences between DJs if you know where to look and what questions to ask.  A great place to start is our Top 40 Questions to Ask a Wedding DJ, which is part of our revolutionary DJ Shopping Guide and is available for free on our website.
 

Hitched: How far out from the wedding should a couple start looking for/booking the entertainment?

Evan: That’s a great question!  We wrote a Wedding Planning Timeline on our blog a few years ago that compared the different advice that most of the major wedding websites were giving and our suggestions based on what actually happens in real life – it’s definitely worth a read. For DJs, we suggest 10-12 months before the wedding. Most of the top vendors in any category are going to start booking at about a year out from a popular date, so signing contracts for the planner, photographer, DJ, and ceremony officiant should be done as soon as possible. I once had a couple book me more than 22 months in advance!
 
Hitched: What is the benefit to choosing a DJ as opposed to a live band?

Evan: This is a “debate” that’s been raging for at least 20 years now, but the answers are simple. Bands are great at high-energy, interactive entertainment. There are very few DJs who can “put on a show” that’s comparable to what a band can offer. The majority of couples, however, are not necessarily interested in flashy, in-your-face entertainment for their weddings anymore – that’s where a DJ can really shine. DJs have the ability to play any type of music, from Benny Goodman to Bollywood, and present it in a style that can range from over-the-top cheesy to subtle and sophisticated. That type of versatility is what makes DJs so popular, but finding one that matches the type of atmosphere you’d like at your wedding takes some work.

Hitched: What are some of your favorite first dance songs (current or classic)?

Evan: My favorites are always songs that have a special meaning for the couple – whether it’s the song they first danced to or a song from the movie they saw on their first date. My personal favorites are “To Make You Feel My Love” by Bob Dylan, Garth Brooks, or Adele (take your pick!) and anything by Van Morrison.

One of Evan's weddings that was recently featured on Style Me Pretty

Thanks so much to Evan from MyDeejay for stopping by our blog today with such fabulous advice. If you have additional questions for Evan, or have another topic you'd like us to have an expert tackle, please leave us a comment!

Hitched Hearts: Maggie Austin Cake

With our upcoming Royal Wedding Garden Party in the works, we've got Maggie Austin's delectable cakes on the brain. Maggie's creations are so incredibly gorgeous that it's hard to convince anyone to take the first bite-- but trust us, once you have a taste, you'll be so glad you did! We're excited that she was able to pop by the blog today to chat pastries with us. Hope you enjoy these tips from Maggie Austin Cake!

Hitched: What are some cool trends you've seen in the pastry industry lately?

Maggie Austin: I’m loving that my wedding clients are willing to be a bit more adventurous in their flavor profiles. One of our most requested cakes is a vanilla and sour cream cake with peach apricot preserves and milk chocolate, topped with earl grey buttercream. Another trend I’m seeing is offering coordinating cookies as favors. I have a weak spot for elaborate cookies and it’s a thrill to come up with a design that echoes the cake.

Hitched: Describe the most unusual cake you've ever been asked to make for a wedding.

MA: I have a wedding in the Fall that will be a pyramid of fruit. Each “fruit” is an individual cake. I’m commissioning custom molds and each piece will be hand painted. I’m so excited to work on this project. I think it will be stunning.

Hitched: If a bride and groom have totally different tastes when it comes to dessert, how can they agree on a wedding cake?

MA: Fairly easy solve. Each tier can be a different flavor. One of the beautiful things about a fondant-enrobed cake is that the appearance is pristine and uniform no matter the variations on the interior.

Hitched: How far in advance do I need to order my wedding cake?

MA: Maggie Austin Cake is very low volume. I design, sketch, bake, and decorate each cake so I am limited in the number of orders I can accept. We encourage clients to schedule a tasting and consultation as soon as a venue and date has been secured. We have clients booking as far in advance as Fall 2012.

Thanks so much to Maggie for stopping by! And remember, dear readers, please email us [blog@hitchedsalon.com] or leave comments if there are other vendors you'd love to see us interview on the blog!