Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Signature Drinks of Spring! {Trends with Taylour Ann}


More fabulous and stylish ideas from Taylour Ann! Here are some delicious and Springy cocktails to make your wedding day perfect.

Rose Grapefruit Cocktail 
Lillet Rose and grapefruit juice

Cucumber-Ginger Fizz 
Vodka, sparkling water, ginger simple syrup and coarsely peeled cucumbers

Blueberry Moscow Mule 
Vodka, ginger beer, mint leaves and blueberries

Strawberry-Rhubarb Sangria 
Chilled sparkling wine, chilled seltzer, fresh orange juice, water, strawberries and rhubarb stalks

Rosy Raspberry Spritzer 
Chilled seltzer, chilled rose wine, rose water and raspberries

Monday, April 28, 2014

Salamander Bound!


Today we are off to a fabulous overnight at the Salamander Resort and Spa. We are so excited to experience the resort as our couples will and get to sample the accommodations, cuisine and spa! In the meantime, here are a few images from Amanda's latest wedding at this spectacular wedding venue!






Thursday, April 24, 2014

Throwback Thursday!

Image by Amy Deputy

This is one of the oldest photos that I have digitally! It is from a wedding I planned in 2002 at The Corcoran Gallery of Art (which is now in the process of major change and will no longer be hosting weddings-sniff, sniff). Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Conner presided over the ceremony that took place on the main staircase, which we had covered in a red carpet. The military honor guard from Fort Myer lined the steps along with the bridal party.

Every time I look at this image I remember how gracious Justice O'Conner was, how attentive and thoughtful her young Secret Service agents were of her (having us adjust the light so it wouldn't be in her eyes during the ceremony), and how tall the men in the honor guard were!

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

An Elegant Women's Museum Bash! {Lisa + Jeff}


A classically beautiful D.C. wedding!




We adore working at The National Museum of Women in the Arts! 





A simply elegant ceremony!







And on to the reception . . .









Let the fun begin!






Thanks to Kelsey Thompson for the always lovely images, Edge for the beautiful decor and to the wonderful couple for sharing their day!

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

What's Hot for Spring {Trends with Taylour Ann}


We are thrilled to announce that our newest (and, quite possibly, most stylish) team member, Taylour Ann Campbell, will be bringing you her fun finds and style picks each week! Here are here hot trends for Spring:

1) WATERCOLORS : Dreamy and whimsical, pastel watercolors exude spring's natural colors.  Use them in your flowers, invites, escort cards, or in your signature drink!  

2) BHLDN ANNABELLE DRESS : No longer is a bridesmaid dress something you throw away after the wedding! In honor of the new BHLDN store opening in Georgetown, we thought we would share this convertible dress with you that can be worn 8 different ways. 

3) DONUTS : Do you want an alternative to cupcakes at your wedding? At Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken in DC, pastry chef Jason Gehring has come up with new ways to spice up the traditional donut! With spring flavors like cherry blossom, key lime and passionfruit your guest's taste buds will dancing! 
 


4) PINWHEELS : How fun are these?  Pinwheels are an easy DIY project and can be used creatively throughout your wedding. Make a fun backdrop for a dessert table, hang them from the ceiling or line your ceremony aisle! With every possible color and paper combination, you can cater it specifically to your event. Papersource has a great variety of fine papers to chose from for your pinwheel project. 


5) CONFETTI POPS : We all love sparklers, but why not try having your guests set off confetti poppers while you and your groom are exiting the event? Or set up a confetti bar where your guests can chose from different colors to send you off with a pop! 




Thursday, April 17, 2014

Happy Easter! {Inspiration Board}

Credits: tablescape (Martha Stewart), bridesmaids and flower girl (J. Crew), egg place card (A Southern Life), linens (Martha Stewart weddings), cake (Martha Stewart Weddings), egg nest menu display (pottery barn), bride (Jessica Clare Photography), tie (The Perfect Palette), candy (the Wedding Vine), Easter Lilies (Martha Stewart), tulip basket (Martha Stewart)

Throwback Thursday! We love this inspiration board with fun, Springy colors and Easter-themed ideas. Happy Easter!

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

A Sweet Sneak Peek!


 A sweet little peek at this lovely couple! Thanks to Kelsey Thompson for the always beautiful images. More to come . . .

Friday, April 11, 2014

Escape to South Africa {Honeymoon Week}


Last up in our week of fabulous Honeymoon ideas from Teresa at Honeymoon Islands: an exotic African experience!

Cape Town and its environs are home to such intensive culinary adventures that it can be difficult to imagine how to see it all, which is why having a Honeymoon Islands bespoke safari specialist custom-craft your Southern Africa itinerary may be just the ticket. These experiences have made even the hardest-to-please foodies weep with joy.  A five-course food and wine pairing at Reuben’s; farm to table perfection at Chef Franck Dangereux’s The Foodbarn; exploring Cape Town’s Malay Quarter; and exploring the Cape Winelands. A food and wine adventure can also be easily expanded to include time at Singita Private Game Reserve, whose superb game viewing is an easy flight from Cape Town via Johannesburg.




Safari. The very word evokes a flurry of imagination. Majestic mountains, stunning savannahs, breathtaking vistas and wildlife beyond your imagination. This is safari. But what makes a Honeymoon Islands bespoke safari different? Experienced safari guides pointing out something that the untrained eye misses. The friendly staff taking care of every detail. The Pinto family of Micato inviting guests travelling to East Africa to their home to dine. Fellow travelers going from strangers to friends one incredible experience at a time. Daily surprises, nightly treats.




Honeymoon Islands South Africa partners Micato sojourns are deliberately luxurious.  Safari lodges enchant with such unadulterated luxuries as private plunge pools and personal butlers. Itineraries offer an irresistible array of experiences from the sophisticated pleasures of Cape Town to the celebrated savannahs of the Serengeti and the near spiritual beauty of the Kalahari. In addition to providing every traveler with an incomparable safari experience, Honeymoon Island and Micato is dedicated to providing impoverished children with an education.  Hence, the groundbreaking Micato “One for One” Commitment.  For every safari sold, Honeymoon Islands in partnership with Micato will pay the school fees for an African child who would otherwise stay home due to extreme poverty.  This... is safari with Honeymoon Islands Micato.  No wonder readers of Travel+Leisure magazine have voted Micato “World’s Best Safari Outfitter” a record nine times.




To find out more about this truly amazing property, contact Teresa at Honeymoon Islands:

Telephone: 703.753.8115

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Elite Romance in St. Barths {Honeymoon Week}


Honeymoon Week continues from Honeymoon Islands with this uber exclusive resort in the Caribbean!

Eden Rock – St Barths is an ultra-luxe hotel/resort on the French island of St Barths, often referred to as the Saint Tropez of the Caribbean.  Situated on a rock and surrounded by turquoise waters and white sand, Eden Rock – St Barths attempts to provide the absolute ultimate in service within its accommodations, bars, restaurants and boutiques.




“Eden Rock Estates” is the Eden Rock – St Barth’s brand new ultra-luxe, six-star villa product featuring two accommodations for the discerning guest seeking the ultimate villa experience.  The Garbo suite (below) is perfect for honeymoons boost a very sensual atmosphere with panoramic views of the ocean. Villa Nina and Villa Rockstar are located directly on the beach; these villas offer the best of both worlds: all the services of a world class hotel, as well as the privacy, security and spacious luxury of a world class villa.




Eden Rocks’ restaurants are a must for anyone visiting St Barths. The legendary hotel is the beyond perfect place to soak up the sun or to enjoy world class dining at ‘The Sand Bar’ and ‘On the Rocks’ restaurants, both masterminded by the world famous Master Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Luc Lanza and Renaud Liou manage these exceptional St Barths restaurants. An on property garden grows organic herbs and tomatoes. Everything that can be homemade is created fresh and delicious each and every morning. These days Eden Rock employs one hundred and forty staff to look after sixty-six guests and has become one of the world’s leading luxury boutique hotels.


Telephone: 703.753.8115