Category: Industry Events

Say Yes to an Eco-Dress! Video editorial of Chris Kole’s new Fireflies collection for The Cotton Bride.

If you’re into dresses, fashion or anything Green, this is something you won’t want to miss!   Check out the newest organic gowns, as shown at Eco-Beautiful Weddings magazine’s anniversary party in DC a few weeks ago. I used my point-and-shoot camera in video mode, so please don’t judge the video quality as representative of one of our wedding films. 🙂  If it’s not playing for you, click on the HD icon in the upper right of the video. For more about Chris Kole’s collection, click here.

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A Dolce Real Wedding: Behind-the-Scenes for Marry Me Group’s Free Wedding Giveaway / Part 1 of 2

Samantha & Jason were married the last weekend of August and the circumstances of their wedding day may have seemed quite regular on the surface: a beautiful setting, a happy couple, happy guests on the lawn and the sparkle that each wedding embodies.   But what will always set Samantha & Jason’s wedding apart from the majority of weddings is that they won their wedding.  Yep, you read that right!  Samantha & Jason won a free wedding through Marry Me Group, and EVERYTHING was free.  We were thrilled to participate by capturing their memories on film.  We thought it would be fun to show you the behind-the-scenes footage of just what it takes to put on a wedding.  You’ll see people sweating and out of breath, working with single-minded focus and determination….and we all do this every weekend!  Participating vendors are listed below.  Enjoy this fun little video and keep your eyes peeled for a highlight of the wedding itself, coming soon…

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The Posh Planner, Stephanie Ascari Photography, Taylor Made Cakes, Stonewall Golf Club, Kenna’s Cookies, Olivera Music Entertainment, Holly Chapple Flowers, My Mobile Salon, Paperzest, Capitol Chocolate Fountains, Capital Party Rentals, Reston Limousine, Acuity Audiovisual, Richard Kirk and Dolce Studio Films

A Dream Realized

Melody Biringer (left), founder of CRAVE, has started over 20 businesses to-date. Haynal Papp (right) has founded 2 businesses and helped to launch a city guide in Hungary.

You’d think with the title “A Dream Realized” featured in a blog written by a wedding videographer, I’d more likely than not be talking about a wedding.  For many couples, this special day is a dream realized. But the dream I wish to reflect on today is different in nature; it’s about a personal goal being realized, a chapter in life accentuated by a significant moment.  So now I pin my heart to my sleeve.

I have a childhood memory of sitting on the floor near the foot of my bed and looking at a magazine featuring stories about women in business.  The magazine was touting the women featured as role models for striving towards one’s dreams.  I clearly remember thinking, “I want to be featured like this when I grow up.”  I wasn’t yet thirteen, yet I knew then that I would want to own my own business someday and be recognized as ‘accomplished’.   When I finally started my own business, some 17 years later, I remembered this moment and was motivated by it.  I knew that I was doing something different from the mainstream.  Many friends and loved ones worried.  What would I do without health insurance? (I bought some). What would I do without benefits? (I invested). What would I do without someone telling me what to do? (Tell others what to do).  Somehow, our society isn’t necessarily geared towards self-employment as a rational pursuit leading to a stable life. Continue reading “A Dream Realized”

Harvest Moon Over River Farm

Garden Soiree at River Farm
Left to Right: Bill & Anne Holland (Holland Photo Arts), Stephen Bob (Love Life Images), Haynal Papp (Dolce Studio Films). And "No." It isn't a Black & White party! Who took this fabulous photo? Jamie Sears (Simply Chic Events).

The last Thursday of August, under a beautiful moonrise, River Farm‘s outdoor terrace twinkled with fairy lights and hummed with the buzz of happy guests.  The garden soiree was hosted by Love Life Images to launch the expansion of their services under three reinvented auspices: Love, Love Life and Life.  Each department now focuses the lens on specific stages and events in a family’s life.  Love captures engagements and weddings, Life captures portraits and family photos and Love Life is a hybrid of both, if you will.  If you’ve never seen their gorgeous work, you must visit Love Life Images and see what they’re all about!  Founded by the fabulous Jennifer Dominick (who photographed my BFF’s wedding and the images are spectacular) and the divine Mary Gardella, the studio also includes Associates Stephen Bob and Joe Wang.   Talented, friendly, informed and insightful both in personality and in imagery, this team is a creative force to be reckoned with.  If you haven’t heard of them ’til now, I hope you enjoy this introduction!

The party was great and highlights included a terrace divided into 3 distinct spaces each representing the 3 aspects of the studio.  Separated by swaths of white sheers undulating gracefully in the evening breeze, each space sampled a different menu of appetizers and had its own Signature Drink.  A popular fave was the Lynchburg Lemonade, an homage to the sultry south of late August if there ever was one: freshly squeezed lemon over crushed ice with Bourbon and a sprig of mint.  Divine.  I spent most of the evening Stage Right at the dessert table, where I chatted with friends while scarfing down rows of Kendall’s Cakes‘ divine Petit Fours, my fave being the hazelnut creme meringues.  Although more popular were her brownies and cupcakes, (which didn’t bother me at all)!  I must say, those were the silkiest brownies I’ve ever had.

Thank you Love Life Images!

If you’d like to view a film of a wedding at River Farm, check out our Gallery page and watch the Kendall & Spencer sample, top row, middle.  If you’re interested in having your event hosted at River Farm, contact Janet Daniels at rentals@ahs.org or 703-768-5700 ext.114.

WonderWomen at Crave DC

If you enjoy hearing about inspiring and inspired women in business, this is the blog post for you! Last night I attended the Crave DC pre-launch party and met some hot DC women who are all about manifesting their own destiny via the entrepreneurial spirit.

Roxy Rowton & Haynal Papp

Upon entering the Beacon Bar & Grill, I right away bumped into some women I already know working in DC’s special events industry: Katie Martin and Heidi Kellet. If you haven’t already heard of them, they’re each impressive. Katie Martin owns Elegance & Simplicity and is the area’s expert in Green weddings. She’s written 2 books, heads up a magazine and is a social networking wizard. Heidi owns and operates The Dandelion Patch, a fantastic resource for anyone in need of beautiful design and high-end product. At the registration table I was greeted by Wendy Mcallister, the vibrant personality who invited me to be featured in Crave’s newest book covering the DC scene. Crave’s tagline is “An Urban Girl’s Manifesto,” and it is. If you want to meet the Who’s Who of female-led business in the nation’s capitol, hold onto your pocketbooks because the book will be launched late this summer and will be available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Here’s a sneak peak too. Continue reading “WonderWomen at Crave DC”

Engaged! Bridal Show at the St. Regis DC – March 2010

This past Sunday we were thrilled to participate in Engaged! Magazine’s innovative Bridal Show.  5 of the city’s top hotels participated in hosting an extravagant show, with a multitude of vendors showcasing their work at each location.  300 prospective brides, grooms and couples were shuttled from location to location.  At the St. Regis, they were treated to food, drinks, spa services, engagement photos and a feast for the eyes!  The excellent vendors showcased in this highlight video of the event include: The St. Regis, Janet Flowers Weddings and Events, Gala Cloths, Hannelore’s of Olde Town, Red Door Spa and Salon, Steve Canning Photography, Dandelion Patch, Elizabeth Bailey Weddings, Kate Parker Weddings, Sugar Bakers, Bloomingdale’s Bridal Registry, Dolce Studio Films, Production Works International and Syzygy Events.  Enjoy!

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Happy Anniversary Bride & Groom!

Originally posted October 20, 2009

Working in special events is always special, so it’s hard to argue that any event can preempt that experience and be ‘more special’.  That said, it’s always nice to attend a work related special event where we’re not actually working with camera in hand!  A couple of weeks ago I attended Washingtonian’s one year anniversary party for their oh-so-fabulous new magazine, Washingtonian Bride & Groom.  

To say it was a collection of some of the most talented people working in the wedding industry is an understatement.  It was also a collection of some of our favorite people to work with, so it was a real pleasure to be there.  Washingtonian featured some fun images of the party on their website and I’ve included a couple of shots here.  Congratulations to the staff at Bride & Groom for their excellence in work and for celebrating their first year anniversary!  Well done!

Haynal Papp (Dolce Studio FIlms) & Andrea Jacobson (The Observatory)
Ray Bialek (Bialek's Music), Haynal Papp (Dolce Studio Films) and Ed Witles (The Elegant DJ).

Social Double Header

Originally posted September 16, 2009

Last night I donned my pencil skirt and heels and hit the town to attend not one, but TWO industry parties!  First I attended the ISES 2009-2010 Launch Party at The W Hotel on 15th St. in DC.  Afterwards, I jetted over to The Knot Wedding Network’s Industry Networking Event at The Historical Society of Washington DC, a few blocks away near Mount Vernon Square.  Other than feeling very “Sex & the City” in my social prowess, I also had a great time connecting with the people who share in the experience of working special events.

Left to right: Lisa Schulz, Jamie Sears, Stephanie Ascari, Haynal Papp, Terri Eaves
Left to right: Lisa Schulz, Jamie Sears, Stephanie Ascari, Haynal Papp, Terri Eaves

It’s a rare thing to be able to chat breezily with coordinators, photographers, florists, site managers and caterers.  All of us are in high-speed work mode at events and can rarely discuss more than the schedule or logistics.  Last night we were able to connect, reminisce and make future plans.  It was fun!

A special shout out to some of the people who make our workday easier:

Coordinators: Jamie Sears at Simply Chic Events, Terri Eaves at Bash, Vicky Choy at Event Accomplished, Lisa Schulz at The Posh Planner

Photographers: Andrea Jacobson of The Observatory, Stephanie Ascari of Cleverly Candid,  Sandi Foraci of Sandi Foraci Photography,  Greg Gibson of Greg Gibson Photography and Amie Otto of Amie Otto Photography

Event Sites:  Alison Okobi of The Hay-Adams and Susan Gruskin of The St. Regis

Entertainment: Chris Laich of Chris Laich Music Services

It was great seeing you last night!

left to right: Haynal Papp, Greg Gibson, Chris Laich
left to right: Haynal Papp, Greg Gibson, Chris Laich
left to right: Haynal Papp, Andrea Jacobson, Amie Otto, Vicky Choy
left to right: Haynal Papp, Andrea Jacobson, Amie Otto, Vicky Choy