1. Where are you located?
Northern Virginia: half way between VA Wine Country (yum) and the DC Metro Area.
2. Tell us a little about yourself.
I have a BM in Music Education and teach elementary school band. For fun, I play flute with the Fairfax Wind Symphony, am learning to play golf, hate to run but do it anyway with my two fabulous hounds, and I make it through football season by knitting baby blankets and screaming "yeah!" every once in a while to please my hubby of almost 5 years.
3.What special things do you create for weddings?
Anything paper-related! Invitations, announcements, programs, place cards, menus, etc.
4.Who or what sparked your interest in making wedding-related items?
My mother has been in the bridal industry for over 30 years (you can find her at www.annleslie.etsy.com) so from an early age I was surrounded by tulle and satin and I worked through high school and college helping brides find the perfect gown at a large boutique in Connecticut. When my paper-crafting hobby became a business, it was just a natural transition to move to bridal. Brides are always looking for that item that will make their wedding stand out from the crowd and it is great fun to see the results that come from putting their ideas together with my artistry.
5. What is a little known fact, or something unique about your work that is interesting?
Everything I create is done with eco-consciousness. I adore paper, don't get me wrong, but using less of it is a good thing. 98% of my materials are either recycled or cotton/linen fibers and printed with solid ink, which is non-toxic and creates very little waste like ink or toner cartridges. Many of my designs utilize the "scraps" from former customers so very little goes to waste and I have a tree planted by the National Arbor Day Foundation in a de-forested area for each customers.
6. If you are married, what's the one thing you wish you had for your wedding that you didn't?
I hate to say it, but nothing…my wedding was pretty near perfect except that it didn't last long enough!
7. What is your favorite wedding song?
I wrote "Love Is" for my own wedding, so I'm a little partial to that one, but I'd have to say "The Prayer" made popular by Josh Groban and Charlotte Church is a particular favorite.
8. What is your favorite part of the wedding journey?
You learn so much about your future spouse while planning a wedding and I think that discovery process is part of the fun. Okay sure, you'll disagree sometimes, but with each decision that you make jointly, you are setting up a formula for how your marriage will work.
9. What advice can you share for all the brides getting married this year?
Have Fun!! This is like no other time in your life yet many brides get so caught up in the details that they don't see the big picture. Control what can be controlled and let go of the rest. Your day will be beautiful and memorable and you'll be happier. Oh – and hire live musicians! Makes all the difference in the world.
10. What is your perfect honeymoon spot?
My husband planned our perfect honeymoon at Caneel Bay in St. John, US Virgin Islands. It is peaceful, romantic, and nothing at all like the hustle-bustle of neighboring St. Thomas (though close enough that you can visit when you need a break from relaxing on a pristine beach or yoga class).
11. If you could pick anyone famous that would purchase your items for their wedding, who would they be?
That's tough…I'd say Heidi Klum. A beautiful woman with timeless style would be a great spokesperson for my designs.
12. If you could choose 1 item from your shop that you wish every bride could have, what would it be?
I'd want every bride to purchase her own custom listing. While I have my "stock" designs, I love to customize them so each bride has something unique.
