Last call for the Engaged Bridal Show!

Don't miss all the fun this Sunday at the Engaged in Washington Bridal Event!

The first event of its kind, Engaged! in Washington will be held at FIVE of the city's premiere wedding venues: TheFour Seasons Hotel, The Hay-Adams, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis Hotel, and The Willard Intercontinental Hotel. From 4pm to 9pm, couples can arrive at any of the above properties and experience each venue as it would look for an actual wedding, meet the people that make fabulous weddings happen, linger and look, ooh and aah, and then take a limo bus to the next venue for more eye candy!

Photographers at each venue will take portraits, wedding planners and florists are designing knock-out spaces to wow guests, bands and DJs will play music, models from area bridal salons will be wearing the latest bridal fashion, hair and make-up artists will work their magic on attendees – first come, first served! Sample the food and drink champagne and don’t worry about parking or transportation....Reston Limousine will shuttle guests all evening to each site, rotating in 30 minute increments!

There will be fabulous goodie bags for the first 300 attendees plus drawings for 7 different honeymoons as well as other fab prizes (like a $500 Cartier gift certificate). Engaging Affairs will be at The Willard (with two Paris honeymoon giveaways and Cartier so come say hi)!

Engaged! in Washington promises to be an experience!

Bachelorette Parties (and a Drink to Go With Them)

Since I've been in the business, bachelorette parties have gone from occasional to required. But gone are the days when your only option was putting on a veil and bar-hopping. Now brides and their best girls do everything from a weekend at the beach to a weekend in Rome (yes, one of my brides did do this!). Here are some fun ideas for non-strip club parties:

Go Zen--Now this is my type of party! Pick a favorite day spa or have everyone fly out to a destination spa for a few days.

Amuse Yourself-- Our very own Sara and her gals had a blast hanging out in Disney World. Mickey isn't just for kids, you know!

Beach Bums-- Rent a house on the water for a few days of sun and margaritas. This is a great way to get some sun before the wedding, too.

Big City Weekend-- Gather in a fabulous city like New York, Chicago or London for lots to do. Think dinner and drinks in a swanky restaurant and plenty of shopping!

Rough It-- If you're more of an outdoorsy type, try a white water rafting or rock climbing weekend.

Head of the Class-- Learn something together. Arrange a group cooking class, take salsa lessons or even try a pole dancing class!

Stay In-- Have an old-fashioned sleepover. Give it a grown-up spin by bringing in a tarot card reader to predict the future!

And if you do decide to spend a night at bopping around to strip clubs, here's a drink to start you off courtesy of "The Bubbly Bride" by Natalie Bovis-Nelson.

THE MALE STRIPPER MADE ME SIN

1/2 ounce vodka
1/4 ounce cinnamon schnapps
1/4 ounce cream
3 red hots

Pour vodka, schnapps and cream into a shot glass. Drop three red hots into the bottom of the glass. Bottoms up!