Instructor Spotlight: Vicky Johnson at Chesapeake College and Carroll Community College in Maryland

Vicky Johnson is owner and creative director of holy matrimony (http://holymatrimonyonline.com), a social event planning firm specializing in large scale weddings and founded in 2001. The firm, with primary offices in Washington, DC, produces extraordinary events both large and small and has been featured with Vicky in local, regional, and national industry publications including Essence, Brides Noir, The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, The Knot, The Hill, Express and many others. She is also the latest planner to debut on the Style Network’s hit television show Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? Her reputation for logistically flawless events has her firm requested by society's finest, has taken her team across the country, and led her to share her experiences and expertise with Wedding Planning Institute certification classroom students. To enroll in one of her classes go to www.weddingplanninginstitute.com.

Vicky is the creator of the widely popular and award winning wedding blog DC Nearlyweds (www.dcnearlyweds.com). Keeping an eye out for the industry’s hottest trends while assisting the planning process of several area brides, the blog has received nationwide acclaim for its informative and witty content. Vicky has worked in the event planning industry since 1987 and her diverse career includes past employment in the fields of Special Product Development, Advertising and Marketing with Gannett Suburban Newspapers, Inc., USA Today, The AFRO American Newspapers and The Shapiro Negotiations Institute.

Named Entrepreneur of the Year in 2003 for the astounding strides her firm made in the special events industry, Vicky has received numerous accolades and recognition since. She serves as moderator for the annual Wedding Week sponsored by The Washington Post's interactive website (www.washingtonpost.com). She is also the contributing style editor for the nationally distributed Brides Noir magazine. Vicky instructs wedding planner certification students at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills, MD (Eastern Shore) and at Carroll Community College also in Maryland. Her most recent accomplishments include holy matrimony being named to the Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Platinum List for 2008 citing excellence in her field and being a reoccurring featured planner on Season 7 of the Style Network’s nationally syndicated television show Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

“It's not enough to have a passion for weddings when you are responsible for the realization of a couple's vision. It is imperative that you have a clear understanding of all of the aspects of your event and the logistics proficiency to see those aspects through to fruition. You are the team leader: if they look good, you look great! Always remember, you are only as good as your last event."

Planning lavish events is the hallmark of Vicky’s career. Past clients have included NFL Atlanta Falcon tight end Alge Crumpler and his lovely wife Jennifer, the family of Blair and Desiree Underwood, and numerous other politicians and leaders in the fields of medicine, law, society, and entertainment. Whether working domestically or internationally, Vicky is most content designing lavish affairs while meeting the wildest expectations of her clients.

Vicky is an active volunteer and graduate of Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore and oversees the wedding ministry team and all weddings performed at the 7,000 member New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore, MD. She is a proud wife and mom and currently resides in suburban Maryland.

In June 2008, the Style Networks will be running three weeks of wedding programming. Check your local listings for episodes featuring Vicky titled “Office and a Wedding Planner”, “Love, Marriage and a Baby Carriage”, and “Everyone Loves a Challenge”.

Instructor Spotlight: Marlo Green at Delaware Technical College

Marlo Green is living her dream as the owner and principal event planner for Regina Lesley Event Artistry (www.reginalesley.com). Marlo has a business degree in Human Resources from Peirce College and has spent many years in the human resources field interacting with a diverse group of people. While working for FLAVIA Beverage Systems, the gourmet beverage division of M&M/Mars, she gained invaluable experience planning regional and national meetings. This corporate experience, coupled with her own extensive wedding planning experience, helped to create Marlo's dream of owning her own event planning business.

As an event planner, Marlo provides a high level of organization, attention to detail, integrity, personal care, and interest in her clients and is at ease in arranging and planning any type of event. She believes every wedding – from the most intimate to the most elaborate – should be a personal expression of love and happiness and is bringing her business and customer service philosophies to Wedding Planning Institute students attending her class at Delaware Technical College.

As a successful small business owner, Marlo offers some advice for those just getting started. “Well you’ve gone and done it! After months of planning and brain storming, you’ve got the license, the snazzy new name, and said ‘I do’…to starting your wedding planning business! Now what? Get out there and promote your business!” she says. “Network, network, network; you are your business’ greatest asset. Meet with vendors in your area, attend local networking events and distribute your brochures and business cards. Review competitors’ packages and offer incentives they don’t. Remember, if you don’t promote yourself, no one will know about you. You’ll be that business with the catchy name and no customers. Good luck and happy planning.”

Marlo and her entire staff know that the day a couple says "I do" should be the most beautiful and romantic day of their lives together. Her dedication is to helping create memorable events to share with the couple, their family and their guests; regardless of event size or budget. Her expertise ranges from simple elegant weddings, including just a few family and friends, to elaborate ceremonies with magnificent receptions with hundreds of guests. Marlo leads her business and her WPI classroom with the belief that a client’s memories are opportunities to create masterpieces.