Happily Altered After: Recent Episodes
Maya Holihan
Maya chats with Amy Jamieson from Fireplug Designs about everything you need to know about crafting the perfect invitation suite that captures a couples style and vision.
With 22 years of Graphic Design and Marketing experience, Amy works with you, through consistent design across both your print and digital presence. She will get you the recognition you need to wow your wedding guests or keep your business flourishing.
Her passion is you and helping you make your ideas a reality. You are partners with her on your planning journey, and she works closely with you to understand your vision and make it a reality. All of the projects in her gallery are custom designs from previous clients' visions.
You will find Amy at https://fireplugdesigns.com/ _______________
Find more wedding inspirations on our social media: https://www.facebook.com/EWedded https://www.pinterest.com/ewedded/ https://twitter.com/ewedded1 https://www.instagram.com/ewedded/ https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/ewedded-virginia-beach-va-2053139 https://ewedded.com/
In this episode Maya chats with Samie Roberts, the founder and creative mind behind BUSTLD, an online planning platform for couples and wedding professionals. BUSTLD has some ingenious technologies that make planning effortless for today's marrying couples and a new service perfect for weddings in the Covid-era!!
In this episode of Happily Altered After, Maya shares current trends for those getting married, as 2020 has definitely left its imprint on wedding trends!
Interview by Maya Holihan of the EWedded Network
Christine is passionate about and committed to helping people. She is a connector who loves to bring people together. In and out of her professional life, she is always finding herself in the middle of planning fun and memorable events for the people around her. She specializes in personalizing diverse events for each client and handling stressful event situations with grace.
Christine also has experience in the corporate sector. Creating events for Fortune 500 companies like Bloomberg LP, Shutterstock and Interactive Advertising Bureau, her signature is creative and tasteful designs with incredible attention to detail and structured event flow. Seeing the joy and lasting memories created from this is the reason why she loves working on events.
Clients who choose to work with Christine appreciate her caring personality, candor, and sincerity. She is proud to be friends with previous clients. Christine takes greatest satisfaction in seeing everyone happy and is always grateful for the opportunity to make this happen.
Christine loves trying new restaurants, cooking, and live music. In her free time, you can find her enjoying her terrace, reading a book, or scheduling her next destination. She plans and designs her exquisite events out of her New York City apartment.
Interview by Maya Holihan of the EWedded Network
"People often ask how I ended up as an event planner and the answer is simple. I was born this way. Growing up, I was “that kid” in my neighborhood who invited everyone to gather at my house (never with my parent’s permission) for various activities that I conjured in my head. Fast forward to my college years, I was still the “go-to-girl” for all things social. My first large fête, I planned was my college graduation with over 150 enthusiastic students in attendance and it was executed to perfection. Continuing into adulthood, I planned numerous occasions for friends and then began to realize this was the career for me!
Fourteen years and continuing, I (Perfect Planning Events) have evolved into an award-winning event planner in the Washington DC metro area. My experience as a professional allows me to connect with people like you and create moments of a lifetime that you will cherish forever. My passion for the beauty of creating fabulous moments yields to the fulfillment of the hearts of those (you) who have hired me, however, it is my fierce attention to detail and flawless execution that is noticed and provokes a resounding BRAVO! by all engaged in the experience. Always.
My commitment to you as your Planner is: (1) Your only job in the planning process is to get excited about your event because “I’ve got you!”; (2) trust me when I say I will bring your creative vision to life, execute it to perfection, and protect your investment from start to finish.
Allow me and my dynamic team to deliver you a highly personalized experience resulting in a memorable and stress-free celebration. I look forward to working with you!"
Featuring Maya Holihan of the EWedded Network
Discussion of all aspects of the wedding timeline
Featuring Maya Holihan of the EWedded Network
Discussion of all aspects of wedding planning for 2020 - state of the industry
Interview by Maya Holihan of the EWedded Network
With Lindsey Hocker, Simply Perfect Events; Apryl Roberts, Memorable Events by Apryl and Kate Freeman, Emily Weddings.
Interview by Maya Holihan of the EWedded Network
Chris Rice is the owner and founder of Music Makes You Happy Entertainment, a full service special event company specializing in provide DJ and emcee services, lighting, photo booths, rentals and more for weddings, corporate events, government events and festivals. He is a graduate of Christopher Newport University and has performed across Virginia, North Carolina and beyond.
In 2016, Music Makes You Happy Entertainment was selected as the Small Business of the Year for the City of Suffolk by the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.
In 2018, Chris was selected as one the Top 40 Under 40 recipients for Inside Business.
He is a 9 time Weddingwire Couples Choice award winner and his company was also selected as one of the top entertainment companies by Borrowed and Blue.
Interview by Maya Holihan of the EWedded Network
I got my first video camera when I was 14 years old. And I knew immediately that I wanted to do something big, something exciting, and something important. It started out like you might imagine: filming short films in my backyard with my best friends. We were out there every day pushing ourselves to become better cinematographers even though we really didn't know what we were doing. That same year, I was asked to film my first wedding video for my aunt. Having never done this before I was nervous and unprepared. I was only 15 years old, and the responsibility felt like a lot of pressure. Looking back at it now it doesn't seem like much, but I know that on that night, I fell in love with Wedding Cinematography. I built Cinematic Saviors on the idea that just because movies aren't real life, doesn't mean that real life can't be like a movie.
Interview by Maya Holihan of the EWedded Network
It all began after the Governor issued a state of emergency 2003. You see, long before I (Janel Bailey Keen, Owner, Executive Direction and Principal Designer) was a wedding professional, I was a bride and my wedding took place only hours after a hurricane devastated that state of Virginia.
Yes, my wedding did take place and although I still got to marry my best friend I felt in my heart a desire to help others while sharing my skills and talents. So, after 3 years of research, study, and development, Vivid Expressions LLC launched in 2006 as the first in Coastal Virginia to offer this artistic approach, principles, and processes to the wedding and event design.
Janel Bailey Keen, has over 20 years of development, project management, logistical, educational, and facilitation experience to the bring your amazing visions to fruition.
Interview by Maya Holihan of the EWedded Network
East Beach Catering has been a premier catering and event design company in Coastal Virginia for over 16 years. They're know for succulent Southern faire and impeccable and impressive displays and cuisine presentation. Every event is unique and brimming with personal touches.
Interview by Maya Holihan of the EWedded Network
As an expert event planner with a highly diverse portfolio within the meetings and events industry, Jill Anwaar has been driven by passion to create beautiful and memorable events for business organizations, non-profits and individuals for more than twenty-five years.
Ms. Anwaar began her career in Hospitality, where she advanced from event/convention planning roles to hold high level responsibility for coordinating major events for hotel flags such as – Marriott, Hilton, Sheraton and Westin.
Following many years of success in the hospitality industry, Jill satisfied her entrepreneurial spirit by launching Occasional Pearl Events, LCC, a full-service event planning firm, founded in memory of her late mother, Pearl Morris.
Professional achievements include earning the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation issued by the Events Industry Council, that recognizes individuals who have achieved the industry's highest standard of professionalism.
Jill’s hospitality and event industry experience carried her to Silicon Valley, where she worked with Team San Jose; the city’s Destination Management Organization, responsible for managing the San Jose Convention Center and the city’s seven cultural venues. While in the Bay Area, Jill was offered the opportunity to serve on the Super Bowl 50th Host Committee’s Volunteer & Knowledge Transfer Sub-Committee, the committee responsible for recruiting and training 5,000 volunteers for the Big Game. Following which, Jill joined the the Super Bowl LI Halftime Show Field Team held in Houston, Texas.
Currently, Ms. Anwaar is owner of The Event Coach, LLC, an event planning consultancy firm, providing a customized system to guide you through the process of having a successful event.
Interview by Maya Holihan of the EWedded Network, showcased on C-Suite Network
No genre, No types, No limits... Dj Julian Rivera a.k.a. DoYoThAnG, caters to ALL and many. He started out small in the Hampton Roads area, but now Dj Julian Rivera performs at venues, clubs, concerts and events all around the country. His Unique style of live remixing, quick drops, scratching and blending classic party anthems, spans every genre from Gun's N Roses to Jay-Z, 80′s to House, Top 40 to Pop, just to name a few.
Comedy has always been included in his live performances. In his 8 years at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, he had the chance to work with such major headliners as Dave Attell, Kevin Hart, Russell Peters, Damon, Shawn And Marlon Wayans, Mark "Mr. Cooper" Curry, Ralphie May, Jon Lovitz, Steve Harvey, Billy Gardell, Chelsea Handler, D.L. Hughley, Cedric The Entertainer and the list keeps growing and growing! He also is the Official Tour Dj for Comedian Jay Pharoah Of S.N.L. (Saturday Night Live) on NBC.
In the music world, DJ Julian Rivera has worked with Pharrell Williams, Timberland, Missy Elliot, Sean Paul, Doug E Fresh, 112, Ginuwine, Avant, J Cole, Juicy J and many more. When he is not traveling, DJ Julian Rivera has many local residency's he performs at every week. He is also a member of Hampton Roads Elite Radio Station WNVZ-Z104. Not to mention ALL other events, concerts and club's all over the country that he has either attended or performed.
With a drive you can't purchase in a can, Playing the Best Music, With his ability to read ANY crowd, He will always have the " PARTIES ROCKING ". So expect nothing but greatness from Dj Julian Rivera !!!
Interview by Maya Holihan of the EWedded Network
Mike Dragon specializes in creating images that are exciting, unique and evoke an emotional response. Every portrait session, wedding and event receives the utmost attention to detail. Photography allows him to capture a moment in time and preserve it forever. When you look at an image you can reflect upon a special time in your life and recall the story of how that moment transpired. All of the items Mike creates are custom products made specifically for you; whether it is a wedding album or a special portrait for you and your loved ones. He enjoys taking the time to preserve your memories with a piece of art that will last a lifetime.
Misty Prewitt has been in the wedding and events industry in Hampton Roads since 2007. As the owner of Misty Saves the Day, she focuses heavily on epic social media management and marketing, branding, content creation, and consulting for small businesses. Misty is also the co-owner and stylist of ISO:LUX Boudoir, a photography studio aimed at making people feel freaking fantastic about themselves. In all her free time, she takes lots of pictures, spins at CycleBar, hangs with her family, and friendships hard AF.
With a background in Communications and Counseling with a degree from Old Dominion University, Misty has been privileged to use both skills in her field, working closely with couples and wedding vendors alike. Since 2015, Misty has owned and operated Misty Saves the Day, working with small businesses on their social media management, content creation, and marketing.
Interview by Maya Holihan of the EWedded Network. Darryl Moore is the creative mastermind behind D'Concierge. He approaches every bride and her wedding as a delicate blueprint for an event of a lifetime.
He is a certified AAWP Wedding Planner and has a degree in business management from LeTourneau University. He is a recipient of the BE Modern Man award from Black Enterprise.
Interview by Maya Holihan of the EWedded Network.
Rev. Newell currently leads a team of associates, named Rev. Cory Newell and Associates completing over 650 weddings in 2019 and over 5500 in his lifetime not including other speaking and lifetime experiences for those families.
He is a Clinical Chaplain in Residence at the Hampton VA Medical Center and the general manager for his family's pest control company, Commonwealth Exterminating in Newport News.
Awards:
Top 40 Under 40 Hampton Roads Business Magazine 2019 Millennial on the Move- Cova Biz Magazine Number 1 wedding vendor in any category in Virginia- Top Rated Local.com The Knot Hall of Fame, Couples Top Choice for every website and magazine around since started in 2015 His Pest Business made 2015 Small Business of the Year by Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and received best of awards
Interview by Maya Holihan of EWedded.com, on Happily Altered After.
Miriam Liggett is the owner of Soliloquy Bridal Couture in Northern Virginia. Her business has been recognized by the industry’s leading wedding websites and blogs for the exceptional service and offerings at her luxury bridal boutique in historic Herndon, Virginia. Soliloquy Bridal Couture opened in late fall 2011 and has been awarded and recognized by Washingtonian Weddings, Wedding Wire, The Knot, D.C. Racked, DC Modern Luxury, Virginia Living, Northern Virginia Magazine, Style Me Pretty, and The Wedding Chicks. Miriam has also served as a panelist for Wedding Wire World, The Bridal Brunch DC, and DC Bridal Fashion Week.
Liggett founded Soliloquy Bridal Couture following a 23-year career in early childhood education. She left that industry as a Division Vice President with Knowledge Learning Corporation (KLC), (now Knowledge Universe), managing revenues of $1 billion and a division of over 20,000 employees. During her tenure, Liggett received numerous awards and accolades included the company’s most coveted President’s Award for exceptional financial performance and inspirational leadership. Soliloquy Bridal Couture was born out of a desire to put those skills and talents to use for her own pursuit.
Miriam has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism/Broadcast News from the University of Georgia in Athens and did graduate study in Organizational Leadership at Central Michigan University. She has also completed professional development at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and customer service training at Disney University.
When Miriam is not serving wedding couples and their families, you can find her working at her church, spending time with her husband and business partner, Tony, and enjoying the lives of her two adult daughters, Sydnie and Anndi. She also has a couple of unfinished novels and screenplays that she dabbles on when times allows.
Happily Altered After podcast host and author, Maya Holihan, has been a wedding industry expert for over 17 years. Maya began her career with famed bridal gown designer, Vera Wang in New York City. In 2003, she relocated to Norfolk, Virginia and bought her first bridal shop. By 2015 Maya owned six bridal shops, a bridal show, wedding planning company, and was the editor of a bridal publication…she had one of the most prominent wedding companies in the nation.