Jessica Piscitelli Got Married - Part 2

on Jan 17 in Deejay, Wedding, Wedding Cake, wedding photographer, wedding video

In my previous post about my fantastic wedding team, I focused on pre-ceremony and ceremony, with a little touch of reception, but this blog is really going to focus a lot on what happened after we said “I do!”

After the wedding ceremony, we had our photo/video session.  It’s generally referred to as the photo session/cocktail hour, but since video plays such an integral roll, especially in my wedding, I’ll call it the photo/video session.

Kristi Odom, of Kristi Odom Photography was a fantastic photographer to work with.  Not only did I love the end result - the photos I have and am sharing on these blogs - but, and maybe more importantly, she was a pleasure to work with on the day of.  Of course I have to remember I wasn’t “working with” her that day, as I have done on many weddings.  I was simply the subject of her work, but she, and her assistant, Christopher Yost, were both fun to be around, professional, and didn’t  get in the way of anything we were doing that day - yet somehow came back with great photos.

Then, of course, there is my video.  I obviously couldn’t shoot this one myself so I used my associate videographer, Mike Alvarez, to capture the day.

I did edit the video myself, I must admit, but he gave me so many great shots to work with and I was so excited when I saw the footage.  I also have to confess that I cried when I watched the video of Bart and I saying our vows.  There is something about reliving that moment, something about the way video brings that day to life, that is moving in the way nothing else can be.

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Jessica Piscitelli Got Married - Part 1

on Jan 11 in Deejay, Wedding, Wedding Cake, Wedding Flowers, wedding photographer, wedding video

I fell in love with a wonderful man.  He gave me a beautiful ring in return for my hand.  That was the easy part.  Planning the wedding was a little more complicated.

As you can imagine, I have a lot of friends who work in the wedding industry, and only one wedding to go around.  If I could, and my now husband would put up with it, I would get married three times at least just to be able to work with all the wonderful vendors I know in this area.  Alas, I am sure he would not put up with it and so I had to choose.  It was very difficult, but I ended up with the best wedding team a girl could ever hope for.

I have listed everyone I worked with with at the end of this post.  They were all fabulous and I highly recommend every one of them, so please follow links to their websites and hire them for all of your weddings (especially if you are lucky enough to have three or more!).

But I need to say a few words about all of them, because it really was a fantastic wedding and I hardly had to do anything but show up.  Turns out I have a lot to say, so this blog is going to come in part 1 and part 2.

First of all, my hair and makeup team.  I am not a girlie girl and you don’t want to let me near a hair dryer or a makeup kit, so I knew I needed some extra help.  I have been going to Jennifer Erk Reed, at Studio 61, for about five years.  I first got her card at a wedding I was videotaping because she did such a fantastic job on the bride’s hair.  She does a great job cutting and coloring my hair on a regular basis, but she really blew it out of the park with the hair style for my wedding!  She also did the mother of the groom’s hair, who looked gorgeous from head to toe, but especially the head.

And, of course, I loved my makeup as well.  It was certainly not something I could’ve done myself, so I hired the lovely and talented Kim Giammaria, with Beauty Mark.  Even though I was running late due to - you guessed it - traffic, she was very calm helping get my makeup done half an hour before my ceremony was going to start, and it looked great the whole day through.

In the following video, I made sure to include live audio from both the procession and the recession because Eric Waters, a guitarist with MSE Productions, did such a fantastic job.  I married a Robinson so the recession song was particularly key and, even though it wasn’t on his playlist, he learned it especially for my wedding.

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Fall Wedding at the Omni Shoreham

on Dec 06 in Wedding, Wedding Planner, wedding video

I sent the bride and groom their Blu-Ray discs over two weeks ago. Now, it isn’t always the case that I hear back right away. Sometimes I never hear back. Different people respond differently. But I was so excited when I finished this wedding. It was beautiful in so many ways, and I was very sad to not hear anything.

And then my phone rang. It was the bride. She had been out of town and had only just watched the video the night before. After watching it “My husband told me to call Jessica right away and tell her how much we love the video. We do, Jessica. It’s perfect. We love it!”

I love hearing that. It’s why I do weddings.
Here’s a short version of their recap so you can see a little of what made them so happy.

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Your Wedding Short (and Sweet)

on May 07 in Destination Weddings, Wedding, wedding video

The world is still aflutter about the royal wedding, devouring and dissecting every detail, reliving the moments through the abundant video footage. Still, even this most glamorous ceremony and all its pomp and circumstance have been edited down to the highlights of the day for the countless replays.

For years now, I have offered couples the Recap (in addition to the longer edited video). This brief video montage is set to music and shows the big moments from the ceremony and reception. Clocking in at about 3 minutes, the Recap is a glimpse into your wedding and a great reminder of your celebration for your guests to enjoy.

The Highlights Reel is a new offering to share more of your day. This option lets you relive your wedding with your family and friends, and is a wonderful way for those who could not attend to watch you exchange your vows, see your first dance, and the hear the words offered in toast to you. Or, use this as the trailer or preview to your full-length video. In the 10- to 15-minute Highlights Reel, video, music, and audio are woven together to showcase the joy, excitement, and details of your wedding. The Highlights Reel captures the iconic events and elements as well as some of the smaller ones that help set the scene - smiling relatives, the bride getting ready, decorations dancing in the breeze.

Check out the Highlights Reel from this wedding in the Dominican Republic.

Their destination wedding was a weekend-long affair, and the video includes footage from their rehearsal, as well as personal messages to one another.

View another example of the this Highlights Reel from a Persian wedding reception at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium.

There are clips from live music and dance performances, as well as toasts, and traditional wedding moments.
Contact me to discuss the many ways we can share your special day.

Destination Wedding Videos

on May 12 in Destination Weddings, Wedding, wedding video

I have traveled all over the world, and I love it.  I have videotaped hundreds of weddings, and I love it.  What could be better than combining two of my passions - travel and videography?

This video includes footage from Rome, Venice, France and the Dominican Republic.  Where you go to say “I Do,” make sure you have a professional there to document your journey.

Here’s why hiring a professional videographer for your destination wedding is important.

1.  Video is necessary. There will come a time when you look at your photo album and wonder, what made me laugh in that photo?  What did he say that brought a tear to my eye?  You can play your video 5, 10, or 20 years from now to find out.

2.  Many destination hotels offer on staff photographers and videographers.  Unfortunately, this usually means that you don’t have a selection - that there is only one choice.  That person may or may not be a professional in the field he will be booked for your event.  It is hard to attain assurances in advance when the person is not local.

3.  Once your video is taped, you will want it to be edited.  This takes a lot of time and a lot of correspondence to make sure it is being edited to your taste.  Working with someone in another location could entail language barriers, format issues, or just a lot of long distance phone and shipping costs.

4.  I have a BFA in production from NYU film school.  I have been professionally capturing events for the past 11 years and have traveled many times with my camera gear.  You want to be sure you are in good hands and don’t have to worry about anything going wrong on your wedding day.  Hiring a professional will take one more concern off your shoulders.

$250 Coupon - Working Brides

on Apr 02 in Wedding, Wedding Planner

Working Brides Wedding Planner is offering a $250 Coupon for their “Brilliant Bride” Day Of Planning Package.

There are so many things to think of on your wedding day.  Vendors to coordinate, travel to accommodate, gifts to manage.  This is a great opportunity to save lots of money and gain peace of mind for your very big day.  Let a professional take on the worry for you.  Let a professional ensure that your day runs smooth.  And save $250!

There is limited availability, so call Working Brides today!

Trisha Cranor
Working Brides/ Creme de~la Creme
www.workingbrides.com
www.creme-dela-creme.net
www.facebook.com/workingbrides
www.aplannerslife.blogspot.com
o) 301-972-4223
c) 240-353-5076
f) 866-222-4443

The Bliss Collection Staged Wedding

on Dec 28 in Wedding

Jessica Pi Productions recently helped coordinate a video and photo shoot for The Bliss Collection, a collection of wedding vendors who are carefully selected for their outstanding reputation.

Jessica worked with other Bliss Collection members to plan a staged wedding.  We used actors for all the principle roles and then the entire group got together and contributed services to show what a beautiful wedding we could put on if we all work together on one event.

You can see the promo video we created from the day’s events on the Bliss Collection Website. I  also recently completed a behind the scenes look at how the day went, showing each of the vendors at work.

Here is a list of all of the vendors who participated in this event and what they contributed:
Bergerons Flowers & Events – ceremony flowers, bouquets, personal flowers, centerpieces
Blush Bridal Boutique – gowns for bride and bridesmaids
David Madison Photography – photography
The Finer Points – member of events committee, added event planning support
For All Occasions – member of events committee, added event planning support
Gala Cloths – tablecloths, napkins, chair covers
Jessica Pi Productions – videography
Leslie Kane - Mary Kay Cosmetics
M. Beem Jewelers – engagement and wedding rings, and bride’s jewelry
Makeup Artistry by Tracie Rosales – make-up application for bride and bridesmaids
MallowDrama – wedding and groom’s cakes
My Mobile Salon – hairstyling for bride and bridesmaids
Photography by Alexander – photography
Presentations – invitation suite, programs, escort cards, menus, table signs, custom-labeled wine bottles
Say “I Do” Your Way – officiants
Seasons Cards & Gifts – favors
Select Event Rentals – china, chargers, glasses, flatware
A Sound Plan – DJ/emcee
Stonewall Golf Club – event facility

A Meeting with Diamond Events

on Nov 23 in Wedding, Wedding Planner

I recently met with Stephanie Hughes, Founder and President of Diamond Events.  Stephanie has terrific energy and a great bubbly personality that would make her a joy to work with, especially at an event like a wedding.

I have already met with one of Stephanie’s 2010 couples and could tell that they are really enjoying working with her on the wedding planning process.

Stephanie has been in business for herself for a little over a year now and has been learning about all of the different venues and vendors in this area since she moved to Northern Virginia from Blacksburg last year.  Stephanie is extremely detailed oriented and able to take care of all of your wedding and event planning needs.

If you are interested in learning more about Stephanie, check out her website or visit her blog!

A Simple Wish Wedding

on Nov 13 in Wedding, Wedding Cake, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Planner, wedding photographer, wedding video

“Jessica,

We just got finished viewing our video and loved it!!! It really captured the whole day and brought me to tears a number of times… thanks again!

Julia”

I had the best time working on the video for Rhett and Julia this past month.  Partly it was because the couple were a joy to work with, and partly because of the amazing team of vendors that I got to work with.

A Simple Wish pulled together this team and planned the wedding from start to finish.  Ashley Gordon ran the show the day of and did a great job making sure everything went like clockwork.  I truly do love working with wedding planners.  They take care of all the details and leave the bride and groom stress free.  Not to mention, they know what vendors will work great together and fit the couple’s tastes.

I met and got to work with a fabulous photographer I have never worked with before - Marilynn Spindler, of Sandi Foraci Photography.  She brought a great eye and a great attitude to the wedding.  We worked side by side and had a great time doing it.  Marilynn provided all the photos for this post.

The musicians at the church, provided by Music by Anthem, had a great trio of strings, not to mention all the perfect notes provided for the procession and recession.  It makes for great audio, for my video, when the musicians are professional and on key the whole time!  They also provided a harpist who played through the cocktail hour and sounded like an entire orchestra all by herself.

Westfields Marriott was a great venue for the reception.  I have been there several times and am always impressed.  I especially like the outdoor patio where cocktail hour was held.

Holly Chapple, of Holly Chapple Flowers, did an amazing job with the ceremony and reception flowers.  Fall colors were everywhere, and the bouquets looked beautiful with the bride and bridesmaids dresses.

Connie Schweizer, of Connie’s Cake Creations, made a beautiful cake.  What I love about Connie’s cakes is that, on top of looking great, they taste wonderful.

All in all, Rhett and Julia had a beautiful wedding and a great time, and that is what is most important at the end of the day - that the bride and groom were happy every step of thye way!

The Observatory Likes to Watch

on Oct 28 in Wedding, wedding photographer

I recently sat down for coffee (well, tea, really) with Andrea Jacobson of The Observatory.  Andrea and I are both members of the DC Couture Wedding Consortium as well as the DC Green Wedding Consortium together.  We had a great talk about the wedding business and bigger things, like life in general.  I had a great time and the best part was when Andrea shared some of her current projects with me.

The Observatory, as you can see from these photos, does amazing work.  Andrea is not only the owner, but also one of the photographers.

The photographers for The Observatory are all unique, yet they all shoot documentary style.  Furthermore, as you will see if you visit ObservatoryPhoto.com – is that they all like to watch.

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