A D.C. Wedding Planner Takes New York

With both my April 2011 bride (Nadya) and her venue (the amazing Gotham Hall) being in NYC, we have limited face-to-face meetings and when we do have those face-to-face meetings, we have to try to get as much done as possible.  Our last meeting was no exception, I spent the earlier part of the morning on a train to NYC with my 2 forms of entertainment for the ride, Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine and Hello Vodka, It’s Me Chelsea (which is perfect light reading for a 3 hour train ride, not to mention, pretty funny). 

Upon arriving at Penn Station, I first began my search for the nearest Starbucks and then walked the 3 blocks to Gotham Hall.  I would have preferred a NY style pizza instead of the coffee but surprisingly  I found that there are no authentic NY style pizza shops or authentic NY delis within 5 blocks of Penn Station…bummer.  

Arriving at Gotham Hall around 12:15pm, I had some time to peek around a bit before my bride arrived.  Wow…is the best way to describe it!  Formerly the Greenwich Savings Bank headquarters and built in 1922, the only thing left over from the bank are the teller walls that are freestanding within the dome shaped main ballroom.  Everywhere you look you can see the characteristics of ancient amphitheatres (the Flavian amphitheatre – the Colosseum – is the prime Roman example).  A dome tops the ceiling and columns flank each wall.  The venue could not be more perfect for Nadya and Jordache’s wedding (more exciting wedding details to come). 

We began our whirlwind vendor meetings with a walk-through of the space by the special events manager, Cindy.  She showed us the mezzanine (where cocktail reception would take place and the where view of the ballroom is amazing) and the main ballroom area (where the ceremony and dinner/dancing would take place).  We then met with the in-house lighting, sound and draping companies where we went through all of the elaborate details of the wedding such as the tree lined aisle, color changes and designs throughout the night in the ballroom area as well as the dome, just to name a few. 

Finally emerging onto the streets of NYC a few hours later, we began our 25 block hike (we started off thinking we would just walk a few blocks but we got caught up in the energy of the city) to SoHo for our first NYC florist appointments.  Halfway through our floral meeting I realized I was losing my bride due to exhaustion so we took a much needed coffee break where we established that the next 1.5 hours we had free were going to be spent walking around town, “gathering ideas for the wedding” and, of course, shopping!  SoHo to Canal Street to Union Square to Broadway…

A few things I thought were interesting on our NYC walk…the notorious club Limelight has turned into a cute boutique market selling everything from chocolates to gourmet cheeses, the street in front of the world famous Macy’s store is now closed to vehicles and lined with tables and chairs where you can sit and people watch. 

Rounding off the day’s meeting with a final floral meeting, we then spent the last 45 minutes of our day trying to track down an authentic Italian hoagie that was requested by my boyfriend back home (thank you, Nadya!).  

50+ blocks walked, 15 hour day (travel time included), 6 vendor meetings and a walk-through later, we had everything we needed to make some much needed wedding planning decisions.  I can’t wait to fill you in on some of the really cool details of this wedding!

Christine

Our Bride Featured in ESSENCE!

 

The wedding I did for Lauren and Malik back on May 8th at the Hotel Monaco has created quite a bit of BUZZ.  First there was the amazing speech I just had to share from the Father of the Bride.  Then, the FABULOUS color pallette inspired a board created by our own Alison.  And I just found out the wedding has been featured on ESSENCE Magazine's web site! 

Go Lauren and Malik!

Sara

Creative Escort Card Displays: Part II

As promised last week, here are some more escort card displays that made us sit up and take notice.

Photo Credit: Martha Stewart Weddings

Speaking of sitting, we love this witty take on the traditional tent card. The alternating colors make the whole display even sharper.

Photo Credit: Martha Stewart Weddings

The sandbox display was everywhere for a while-- even at weddings with nary a body of water in sight-- but these chaise lounges make the whole idea seem fresh and fun. (Although I don't envy the person in charge of setting up the display-- those tiny parasols are hard to keep standing, especially at an outdoor wedding!)

Photo Credit: The Knot

This DIY display is a little complicated, but very cool. A poster of the 1930s Chicago skyline was cut into rectangles with guests' names printed below each section. Beneath the display was an identical, intact poster, which the bride and groom hanged in their house after the wedding.

Photo Credit: Martha Stewart Weddings

We aren't crazy about making guests count hearts to find their tables (not everybody wants to do math at a party), but we do love the artfulness of actual playing cards used in this display.

Photo credit: Fotobriceno

Admittedly, my favorite thing about this display is how low maintenance it is! But it gets extra points for dressing up a simple white board in an ornate frame with beautiful flowers. The mixture of elements really works, and gives off an effortlessly cool vibe. This is a wedding that'd be fun to attend, don't you think?

A Family Tribute with an ECO flair

My May was stocked full of amazing events.  May 15th was no exception.  I met Danielle and Ken in January of 2009.  I loved them at "hello".  Ken is from Philly, so we quickly bonded over the Eagles and Danielle was just so darn cool!  She knew exactly what she wanted and it was so unique and uncharted, that I couldn't wait to jump in.

The venue, 101 Constitution Ave, Rooftop.  The caterer, Charlie Palmer's of course!  The concept, a produce market.  I quickly found out the bride was the product of two supermarket families from the north, Pathmark, which I have fond memories of from my childhood in NJ, and Food Emporium in NY. Danielle wanted everything we used for the wedding to be reused by her guests, and they all literally ate it up!

Given the location, a lot of decor is not necessary.  The Capitol Dome in the background presents the greatest focal point of all.  Together, we created the bright, lushness or a produce market under the tent and on each of the guest tables.  My favorite piece, a flowers and food cart, similar to those seen on NYC street corners or at DC Metro entrances, that greeted guests as they stepped outside the elevators onto the rooftop.  At the end of the evening, brown paper bags were left on guests chairs and by the cart so everyone could take the fresh flowers, fruits, veggies and herbs, they didn't already consume, home with them.

This wedding shouted personality everywhere you turned.  The day started with a triathlon that ended in the popular college game Beirut, or beer pong, at the reception itself.  All players were given shirts with the couple's logo on it and the theme carried through to the glasses and ping pong balls used late Saturday evening.  Another treat, one of the very talented bridesmaids, serenaded the bride like she did back in college with an amazing rendition of "Lean on Me". 

Guests from up and down the east coast and some from the west celebrated until 1am and I'm pretty sure they could have kept going.

Danielle and Ken, thank you so much for making me a part of your big day!

 

Thank you to all the amazing vendors who worked on this event.
Justine Ungaro Photography
Capital Decor Events
Jared Rosen through Bialek's Music
Paul Tewksbury, Guitarist
Charlie Palmer's
Pattie Martin Makeup
Olga Carballo Hair

Sara

Real-Time Wedding Planning {The Venue Search}

I have spent the last several years assisting Amy with weddings for Engaging Affairs. However, this year there is one major difference - I’m engaged! Two months ago, my boyfriend proposed in the beautiful Mayan Riviera, Mexico and we spent the rest of our weeklong vacation enjoying our semi-secret engagement. We called our parents, but waited until we got back to announce the news to everyone. As a wedding assistant, I love seeing the details that each bride has chosen to incorporate into her wedding day, but now I am really paying attention to all of the options and creative ideas. Even more lucky for me, I have the fabulous team at Engaging Affairs to help me in my own journey towards our big day, and I couldn’t be more excited!

Two days after we returned from our sunshine-filled vacation, I sent a few e-mails out to potential venue choices and was a little surprised that over a year out, places were booking up fast! What mattered to me most was that we could get married outdoors, but also have a good back up plan should the weather turn ugly.

With my fiancé and parents in tow, we spent our first Saturday back touring three potential venues. We all immediately fell in love with the first one we saw, the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. The other two venues we toured did not compare to this one, so after an additional week of searching, we booked it for our wedding! I had stumbled across this venue in web browsing before, but I wasn’t quite sure based on the pictures on the website (they don’t do this place justice!) There is a beautiful outside patio overlooking the gardens where the ceremony will take place followed by cocktail hour. Incorporating the garden setting inside the Atrium, there are eight live trees growing as well as a stream running through the building to connect the inside and outside fountains!

If it should happen to storm on our big day next year, we can pull the whole thing inside.  And between the indoor foliage and glass windows surrounding the building, it would still feel like we were outside! Here are a few pictures of the venue with more to come on my journey to my own big day!

Reneé

Creative Escort Card Displays

In fifteen years planning weddings, we've seen tons of escort card displays. At minimum, they tell guests where to sit at the reception, but the displays can also reveal lots about the personality of the couple getting married. Here are a few escort card displays that have inspired us lately with their originality and style.

Photo Credit: The Knot

Apparently, this quirky display was inspired by the father of the bride's habit of putting his tie around his head at fun weddings. (Alternative explanation: the happy couple meeting at a "My Tie" party in college.)

Photo Credit: Jesse Leak

Adore these vintage library drawers featured on Brooklyn Bride. The handmade escort cards were made to look like min scrapbook pages, sprinkled with photos of the bride and groom. Such a darling idea!

Photo Credit: The Knot

Pop quiz time. Handwritten pebbles in lieu of traditional escort cards are:
 a) totally charming
 b) breathtakingly easy
 c) exquisitely eco-chic
 d) captivatingly cost effective
 e) all of the above

Photo Credit: Martha Stewart Weddings

This wreath is festive and delicate. A lovely option for any season!

And finally, because it's Friday, here's a sweet looking display to send you off into the weekend.

Photo Credit: Tammy Golson featured on Elizabeth Anne Designs

We'll have more unique escort card displays next week, so stay tuned!

Danielle and Ken's Wedding {Video Sneak Peek}

Danielle & Ken's Wedding from Justine Ungaro on Vimeo.
Check out this fun "market" themed wedding that Sara did a couple of weeks ago!

Just Peachy Inspiration Board

Last week, Amy asked me to make a peach-colored inspiration board for one of her upcoming weddings. It's a color that can be tricky to execute, but when done right, looks so refreshing and sweet. We love it paired with other warm colors: shades of gold, and ivories and greens with yellow undertones.

So what do you all think-- is peach ripe for a comeback, or did it never really leave?

Photo credits: Peach lamp shades from The Knot, cake from Brides.com, bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings, bridesmaid dresses from Elegant Bride, table setting from The Bohemian Bride, place setting necktie from The Knot, photo of saturn peaches from Cannelle et Vanille, Save the Date by Lucky Luxe, bride from Rebecca Thuss

Memorial Day Wedding at The Mellon {A Sneak Peek}

Just a teaser photo from my wedding on May 30th at The Mellon. More fun details and photos to come! Thanks to Hamilton Photography for the photo!

A Wedding Planner Gets Hitched at The Washington Club {Amy & Clark}

Just a few short weeks ago, our very own Amy walked down the aisle and married a really great guy. We all love Clark and he makes Amy really happy!

Since Amy had quite a bit of experience planning weddings and had seen tons of cool things, she had pretty good ideas of what she wanted for her wedding. She had a fabulous vision of a very elegant garden tea party (but set inside a stately D.C. mansion). She wanted a daytime event in the Spring that would have an elegant feel with touches of whimsy throw in.

Having loved a wedding she planned at The Washington Club, Amy selected the gorgeous Dupont Circle mansion for her ceremony and reception venue.

She chose the Mayflower Hotel right up the street as the perfect place to get ready and take some great portraits ahead of time. Hair was done by the always amazing Susie Ruckshal and makeup by the divine Pattie Martin. These two ladies always make our brides look stunning!

Amy's gorgeous Ulla-Maija gown and veil came from Hitched Bridal Salon in Georgetown (always an Engaging Affairs favorite). Her bridesmaids wore fabulous blue Dessy dresses from The Bridal Closet in Vienna. Check out the sassy blue shoes Amy wore under her dress!

Amy and Clark also wanted a focus of the day to be on the ceremony itself. They created a meaningful and personal ceremony and then added some dramatic impact by having the Howard University Gospel Choir perform. Amy and her Dad walked in (well, danced in, really) to "This Will Be"and she and Clarke recessed to "Oh Happy Day!" The choir was amazing and added great energy and joy to the day.

I love the chandeliers, sconces and tapestries in the ceremony room. And check out the cool balcony in the back!

After cocktails, guests were seated for lunch and were treated to a truly fun Southern menu (fried chicken and shrimp and grits--can you say yum?) with a few twists like the fabulous cheese course served with Tupelo honey and the passed brownie pops and miniature ice cream cones. The fabulous Joel from Occasions made sure that everything was perfect.

Petal's Edge created the floral decor to bring the outdoors inside by creating grass and tulip table runners on long rectangular tables and vintage teapots brimming with Spring flowers on round tables. Deep blue linens were the perfect background for the vintage patterned china and gold rimmed crystal that Amy selected to evoke the feel of a formal tea party. The custom-designed menu cards echoed the programs and even the invitations (all created by the same designer, Jason Vandorsten).

Amy and Clark had a beautiful wedding cake (with three flavors inside: carrot, mocha and Tupelo honey) created by the amazing Kendall's Cakes plus a "cheese" cake. This fun stack of cheeses sat by the wedding cake and made everyone look twice.

After lunch and a series of heartfelt toasts, guests danced to the sounds of "Groove" through Bailek's Music and Amy and Clark dashed off for a fun Dupont Circle/Mayflower portrait session. Thanks to Juan Carlos Briceno of Fotobriceno for sharing the gorgeous photos with us! Video was done by David Morley (we can't wait to see it).

I go to a lot of weddings and I can truly say that this was a special day full of joyful, unique touches. Congratulations Amy and Clark!

Laura