Fourteenth: My Dream Client
I often associate designing with dreaming. Many of my designs began in a dream. Others have been created daydreaming while working out, driving, looking at a beautiful piece of lace, or a new Swarovski stone. As a designer, there is nothing more exhilarating than meeting with a client who has a really unique dress or who is especially open to creative styling and ideas. All of the above feed the designer soul and mind...but none compare to that of designing for "my dream client."
"Cherish" silk wedding gown by LeaAnn Belter shown at Something Bleu Bridal in Saratoga Springs, NY.
My daughter, Brielle, grew up around design. Everything was home-made, hand-designed..."We can make that!" When Headpiece.com opened, she was just ten years old. She helped out at the store and even modeled for me here and there. As she grew, she found her path and became accomplished at many things during her years at Oak Knoll School, The University of Richmond, and Richmond Law. Over the years one thing remained, she knew her mom could design anything.
Brielle graciously hosted my first private trunk show in Richmond, Virginia. She filled my appointment slots with Virginia brides-to-be and assisted in their accessory selections. She was just as excited for them, as I was to design their pieces. I remembered thinking at that first trunk show...one day I will be creating some incredible designs just for her.
January starts "crazy season" at Headpiece.com. The holidays have ended and brides wake up to the reality that 2017 is their wedding year. With so many brides booking their designs with me for fall weddings I knew it was time for Brielle to schedule a V.I.P visit to the shop. She came home the weekend of February 17th...and brought someone else along.
There will be two Maffett weddings in 2017. Alex will marry Brielle on October 14th...but first his brother, Andrew, will marry Candace on May 6th, in Leesburg, Virginia.
Alex and Brielle on the Allen Farm in Chilmark, MA.
Andrew and Candace at King Family Vineyards.
Photography credit By Millie B Photography.
Photography by Alicia Lacey Photography.
A V.I.P. visit to Headpiece.com might include make-up and hair by Aubrey Hunt, also known as The Bride Trainer. Aubrey's talents are endless! Candace experienced some of the perks of spending a weekend with the Hunt girls and Headpiece.com.
Having Brielle home from Richmond is always cause to celebrate. I thought a little bit of Proseco was in order. This time Brielle came to Headpiece.com...not as my little girl, nor my model or assistant, but as "my dream client." The designs we created tonight would never be replicated again for anyone.
When I met with Candace I explained that there is so much to consider when choosing your veil and headpiece. What we offer at Headpiece.com is completely unique to that of the experience brides might encounter at a regular bridal salon because the salons don't specialize in custom accessory and veil design. So many of our clients tell us they didn't realize how many options were available when it came to bridal accessories. Candace knew she was in the right place. <3
Candace found a design she loved. We will tweak it to her liking so it will essentially be a design made just for her. Jeff and I will be honored to join Candace and Andrew on May 6th as they become husband and wife.
There is no better way to begin a Sunday than at Tavern 5 Neighborhood Restaurant. The Carbone Family opened the restaurant on June 15th, 2016. I was so happy when they came to town. We have so many brides who travel from out of state to see us and our clients always ask us where to go for lunch and dinner. This spot has become a favorite of the Hunts and Headpiece.com. It is my number one pick to send my clients to.
You will always find a welcoming staff at Tavern 5. I consider Tori and Erblina my Tavern 5 daughters. Brunch begins at 11 a.m. and we were the first to arrive. We had so much more to accomplish before Brielle, Candace, and Aubrey headed back home.
Their mimosas are called "Big Girl" for a reason. We were all big girls at brunch :)
Crispy French Toast
How about some Bloody Mary with your shrimp and bacon?
Tavern 5 Omelette
I have never had Nana's Pancakes...but it's on my bucket list.
Sunday was Brielle's turn at Headpiece.com. Brielle and I had been texting and conversing about headpiece and veil designs since she finalized her wedding gown details in December. I would design whatever she wanted. She was "My Dream Client!" I will never replicate her exact designs for any other bride. They will be hers and only hers for all of eternity.
There are so many design options at Headpiece.com. Headbands, hair necklaces, unique hair brooches, hand-made flower pieces, and lace headpieces are all an option...but not for Brielle. Her designs will be something that have never been seen before. They were not found on Pinterest, Instagram, or a famous wedding blog. Brielle's pieces were created by a loving designer mom and found inside the heart and vision of a beautiful bride-to-be.
I work with all types of brides; trendy, edgy, traditional, and reserved. Every experience fuels my passion, but the one that excites me the most is the bride who will be among the first to wear a certain type of design that others will long to emulate.
If you are one of my bridal client's following along with our blog. You might recognize my assistant designer, Chappy. She comes to work with me on most days. She was especially excited to have Brielle at the shop for her headpiece and veil design consultation.
Of course Chappy had to show off her headpiece...designed from French lace, fresh water pearl, and Swarovski crystal.
Chappy came along to shop for wedding shoes at Nordstrom. She has a great fashion sense, but felt these Badgley Mischka heels were too high for Brielle to wear while she danced the night away. They are almost as tall as Chappy.
Chappy felt a little more comfortable with these heels but not so sure how Brielle felt about them. Wedding shoe design might be an area Headpiece.com should explore. None of us were very impressed with the selection in any store.
So here we are with seven months until October Fourteenth. It is amazing how fast our eight months of planning have gone thus far. There is still so much to do, so much to create, and so much fun ahead. Thank you for following along as I design for My Dream Client.
Next month on the Fourteenth:
Bridesmaids and Bouquets