Judd Waddell at Hitched {Trunk Shows}

You've been searching and searching for that perfect gown and still haven't settled on "the one." Who knew a gown that is sophisticated, yet romantic; fresh, yet classic; and feminine, yet unfussy could be so hard to come by!  Well, ladies, you clearly haven't met Judd Waddell. 

Your search will be over when you join Hitched for the Judd Waddell Bridal Trunk Show on Friday, November 18th & Saturday, November 19th! 

Judd Waddell's designs are known for their classic silhouettes, impeccable fit, and gorgeous detail. Ever popular with Hitched brides, this trunk show is sure to fill up fast, so make your appointment now!

What: Judd Waddell Bridal Trunk Show

When: Friday, November 18th & Saturday, November 19th

RSVP: 202.333.6162 or appointments@hitchedsalon.com
(Please remember, gown trials are by appointment only!)

Special Treat: You'll have the chance to see all of the gowns from Judd's latest collection, straight from the runway, as well as chat with him about questions or potential changes to the dresses. As a special treat, we'll be offering 10% off all Judd Waddell gowns purchased over the course of the weekend!

Pronovias at Love Couture! {Trunk Shows}

The Best Wedding Gifts {The Registry and Beyond}

What do you do if you're invited to a wedding and everything on the registry is either taken, too cheap or way out of your budget? You know how it is. You loose track of time and by the time to hop on over to Crate and Barrel, the only things left are a sofa or a whisk.  I recently had an email from a family member asking for help with this exact situation. They were headed to a wedding but the registry had been stripped clean and since it was a work colleague, the husband didn't feel right giving cash.

Some people might say that it's always right to give cash and in many areas of the country, cash is the expected gift. But there are still places or situations where a gift shouldn't fit in an envelope. So, what are some options?

If possible, always buy off the registry. The couple spent hours picking these items for a reason. They want them and they need them. Even if you think buying one place setting is boring, they will appreciate being able to set their table for more than one person at a time.  If the registry is bare, see if you can get them a gift card for that store.

No dice?  Now is where we get creative. Here are some of the best ideas I've seen as well as a round-up of the worst.

For a couple who met while backpacking through Europe after college, one friend got them a bottle of wine from every country the couple visited. They loved opening each bottle during their first year of marriage and reminiscing about their travels. You could also get a wine-loving couple a year long membership in a wine-of-the-month club.

 wine-bohemia

In the same vein, you could get a couple season tickets to the theater or their favorite sporting team. Even a year's membership to a museum for art buffs or a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant. Or how about cooking classes so they learn how to put all those pots and pans from their registry to use? All are fun ways to give a couple a night (or day) out as newlyweds.

If you have some artistic talent (or just know a good framer), consider having their invitation framed for them. A lot of times, couples forget to actually do anything with all their wedding memorabilia so being able to instantly hang their invitation on the wall is a lovely treat. For more personal art, you can get a photo of the couple turned into art at www.allpopart.com.

I heard of a couple loving a personalized embosser they received because they could use it on holiday cards right away. I could use one of those!

 parentsconnect.com

Now here are some of the oddest gifts I've seen or heard of. Oh, and if you can help it, DON'T bring gifts to weddings. Have them shipped. Please.

-a full-size extendable ladder (this was brought to a wedding reception--I'm not kidding--try getting that in the trunk of a limo)
-a set of free weights (okay, that's what it felt like--regardless of what it was, it took two people to carry it and we nearly pulled out our backs in the process--CRAZY)
-a gift with a card written to someone other couple (if you re-gift, please remember to replace the card)
-an engraved picture frame with the wrong name on it (see above rule on re-gifting)
-a check that bounced
-pasta in the shape of the couples initials (did I mention it was dried pasta?)

Happy Monday and here's wishing you only fabulous wedding presents!

Ceremony Readings {Going Beyond Corinthians}!

As you can imagine, I've heard a lot of ceremony readings over the years. A. lot. But the vast majority have been the same. Tried and true classic readings like Corinthians and Elizabeth Barrett Browning (both of which I adore).

But if these don't suit you or you want to be different, I found some readings that may fit the bill. I've always loved "The Invitation" and love the thought of it in a wedding ceremony. It's edgy. But, then again, so is marriage.

Take a peek at these cool readings found on www.offbeatbride.

The Invitation, by Oriah Mountain Dreamer
It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your hearts longing.
It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking a fool for love,
for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn't interest me what planets are square in your moon.
I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow,
if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed down from fear of further pain.
I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving, to hide it, fade it, or fix it.
I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own; if you can dance with wildness and let ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, or to remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true.
I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true yourself;
if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see beauty even when it is not pretty every day, and if you can source your life on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the moon in God’s presence.
It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up after a night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done for the children.
It doesn't interest me who you know, or how you came here.
I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself, and if you truly like the company you keep in empty moments.

From The Irrational Season
By Madeleine L'Engle
But ultimately there comes a moment when a decision must be made. Ultimately two people who love each other must ask themselves how much they hope for as their love grows and deepens, and how much risk they are willing to take. It is indeed a fearful gamble. Because it is the nature of love to create, a marriage itself is something which has to be created, so that, together we become a new creature.
To marry is the biggest risk in human relations that a person can take.If we commit ourselves to one person for life this is not, as many people think, a rejection of freedom; rather it demands the courage to move into all the risks of freedom, and the risk of love which is permanent; into that love which is not possession, but participation. It takes a lifetime to learn another person. When love is not possession, but participation, then it is part of that co-creation which is our human calling, and which implies such risk that it is often rejected.

Love by Roy Croft
I love you
Not only for what you are,
But for what I am
When I am with you.
I love you,
Not only for what
You have made of yourself,
But for what
You are making of me.
I love you
For the part of me
That you bring out;
I love you
For putting your hand
Into my heaped-up heart
And passing over
All the foolish, weak things
That you can't help
Dimly seeing there,
And for drawing out
Into the light
All the beautiful belongings
That no one else had looked
Quite far enough to find
I love you because you
Are helping me to make
Of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern
But a temple.
Out of the works
Of my every day
Not a reproach
But a song.
I love you
Because you have done
More than any creed
Could have done
To make me good.
And more than any fate
Could have done
To make me happy.
You have done it
Without a touch,
Without a word,
Without a sign.
You have done it
By being yourself.

Words to Live By?

Hands down, I cannot take credit for this first weekly wedding quote.  As the fall winds down and we have fewer real weddings to show you during the fall months, I thought it would be nice to read an inspirational, or let's be honest, a real, funny quote regarding to this crazy thing called marriage and weddings.

While going back and forth today, one fabulous mother of the bride sent me the following and I could not agree more:

I think men who have a pierced ear are better prepared for marriage. They've experienced pain and bought jewelry

 -- Rita Rudner

And as I sat to think about, hmm, would I really marry a man with an earring?  I have to think back about a picture I once saw of my own husband on his high school senior class trip, you guessed it, with a a newly pierced, very red ear.   Hhhhuuuuummmmmm

Sara

Junko Yoshioka at Carine's in Georgetown {Trunk Shows}

Move and Eat!

This may not be completely wedding-related, but it made me want to book a trip someplace fabulous and exotic. This may give those of you planning honeymoons some fun ideas!


MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.



And for all you foodies! Yum!


EAT from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

Reem Acra at Saks Jandel DC!

A Magical Mellon Evening {Liz and Mike}

 

 

September 2011 was the 5^th wettest September on record and had only 2 days that qualified as sunny days.  One of those days fell on Liz and Mike’s wedding day and it couldn't have happened to a more wonderful couple.  As the ladies spent the morning in the Bride’s suite overlooking Freedom Plaza watching the movie Bridesmaids, makeup artist Nikki Frasier of "Beauty and the Bride" and hairstylist Thania of "My True Beauty" were hard at work glamming each one of them up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once everyone was dolled up, the bridesmaids, bride and mother of the bride slipped into their stunning dresses all provided by our friends at Love Couture. It was then time to head over to the grand Mellon Auditorium, where the ceremony and reception would be taking place.  We love The Mellon because it's stunning and because of their fabulous staff!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guests and bridal party were transported to the Mellon with the help of Unipark.  Unipark also served as our valet company as well.  As guests entered the lobby of the Mellon, they were greeted with sleek white furniture and large wedding photos of family members hanging along the walls.  Programs were designed to resemble sports programs and included fun facts about the couple and their bridal party.  Details of the individuals in the hanging wedding photos were also included.  Such a fun, personal idea!

The ceremony looked as if it came out of a storybook with tall trees decorated with white flowers scattered throughout the guest seating, a gorgeous white chuppah covered with crème roses provided a beautiful backdrop on the stage, a white aisle runner lined the aisle and a spotlight followed the bride as she walked to her future husband.  Rick Davis from Amaryllis outdid himself with the design!

 

 Five flag boys carrying signs saying (one word at a time) "Here Comes The Bride" led the bride’s processional.  Music for the ceremony was performed by pianist and musical savant, Richard Blumenfeld, who we discovered through Andy Kushner Entertainment.  He played modern songs such as "Lucky" by Jason Mraz, "Pale September" by Fiona Apple and "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga. 

 

 

 

 

 

As a surprise to the couple (and guests), the bride’s mother and I worked together to bring in a surprise choir, the 18^th Street Singers.  They dressed as wedding guests, sat among the guests and at the end of the ceremony, they each stood up to sing "All You Need Is Love", acapella-style similar to the wedding scene in the movie Love Actually.   Everyone was surprised!  Some guests even stood and sang along with the choir. 

 

 

 

While guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’eourves in the Green Rooms, the main hall was transformed from the ceremony to an elegant GaGa inspired affair.  Trios of tables surrounded the trees that were once scattered in the ceremony.  Square mirrored tables were spread throughout the reception decorated with candles and flowers.  The oval head table was placed in the center of the room with a shiny black GaGa style linen.  All the tables were topped with black-rimmed china and black etched champagne flutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guests dined on a delicious dinner prepared by Ridgewells Caterers.  Pop Culture Strings by Andy Kushner Entertainment provided beautiful music while guests dined. The beautiful (and tasty) vegan, gluten-free cake was provided by DC’s Sticky Fingers. Donations to Anacostia Watershed Society to plant a tree in the guest’s honor were the guest’s favors.  Each guest received a tree cookie and favor card at their place setting.

 

 

 

The guests were sent, along with their invitations, a 4x4 inch square in order to decorate however they would like and mail back along with their RSVP.  Once all squares were collected, Korry of Capital Décor sewed them all into quilt that we displayed at the reception for all guests to see.

 

 

 

DJ Aaron Couch and MC Andrew Larris kept the party going all night long.  Bridesmaids got into the spirit by doing a karaoke version of "Addicted to Love." 

 

 

 

 

 

For the after party, we moved the guests upstairs to the 3^rd floor outdoor terrace for  more dancing while late night snacks were passed.  

 

 

 Lighting for the ceremony and reception was provided by John Farr Lighting and created a perfect mood throughout the evening.  Thank you to the talented Rick Davis of Amaryllis for designing a gorgeous ceremony and reception.  Thank you to everyone for making this wedding such a success!  A special thanks goes out to my assistants for the day Laura Weatherly, Krista McClain and Emily Metzger. Thanks to Douglas Benedict Photography for sharing the lovely images with us and letting us share them with you!

 

 

Congratulations Liz and Mike!

Spicy and Sweet Cocktails {Signature Drinks}

Last evening, we had the delightful treat of doing Happy Hour with the catering team at the newly remodeled McLean Hilton. Cliff and Stephanie were such lovely hosts as they showed off their modern space and tempted us with delicious cocktails.

I love that the hotel uses ingredients that they grow or raise themselves, like hot peppers that they grow in their own garden plot and honey they gather from hives on the roof of the hotel. We enjoyed cocktails with both of these very local ingredients and wanted to share some ideas for both a hot pepper concoction and a honey sipper. Enjoy!

Habanero Daiquiri (from www.sheknows.com)

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 ounces Flor de Caña 7 Year Rum
• 1/2 ounce lime juice
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• Muddled poblano peppers

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
2. Strain into a short rocks glass over ice and garnish with a poblano and jalapeño pepper. 

 

The Honey Bee

Ingredients

2 oz. Jamaican Rum
1/4 oz. Honey
1/2 oz. Lemon Juice

Instructions

Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.