Dazzling Details Bazaar!

Dazzling Details is the event where you can find all your wedding details in one location on one day! From your cake topper to your fascinator, favors and shoe accessories--all under one roof. 

This event will take place on Sunday April 22, 2012 from 12pm to 6pm at The Historic Savage Manor located in Savage, Maryland.

Want to get first dibs on all the products? Be a VIP and get an early entry into the Dazzling Details Wedding Bazaar. Receive a Luxury Swag Bag full of amazing products and enjoy a Continental Breakfast. VIP Entry starts at 11am. Go to Dazzling Details Bazaar for tickets!

 

Wordless Wednesday!

Okay, I'm cheating--just a few words: I loved this bride and I really love this shot! Thanks Greg Gibson Photography!

Favorite Nearby Getaways {DC Mini-Moons}

Glamour

Do you ever really feel the need to get away from it all but don't have the time to fly somewhere fabulous?  Do you really need a break from wedding planning even if just for a weekend? The DC-area has some amazing resorts just a couple of hours drive away and they make you feel like you're in another world.  We love pampering and these resorts offer lots of that. Gorgeous rooms, stunning scenery, great food and (of course) wonderful spas!

 hcareers.com

The Omni at Bedford Springs

Just a short drive up into Pennsylvania, this old-world resort is tucked away in a quiet town.  This is the perfect place to unwind and do nothing. I love the long porches that extend the length of the resort and are lined with rocking chairs. They also have a gorgeous indoor pool, an outdoor pool and a beautiful spa. You can dine at one of several restaurants or just order room service and enjoy your luxurious room.

graceormonde.com

Keswick Hall

For those familiar with Charlottesville, Keswick Hall needs no explanation. This stunning resort rises like a Tuscan jewel out of the Virginia hills.  Each room of this resort is unique and decorated with antiques and one-of-a-kind items, giving each visit a new charm. Keswick Hall has plenty of activities, from golf to swimming to fox hunting. Or you can just sit back, take a dip in the infinity pool and enjoy the Southern charm and amazing cuisine.

 perrycabin.com

The Inn at Perry Cabin

If water soothes you, look no farther than this lovely resort on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Sitting on the water in the quaint town of St. Michaels, this charming property boasts an array of water activities as well as the chance to explore nearby antique shops and Victorian homes.

The Four Seasons Baltimore

Perhaps the closest option for a getaway, this Four Seasons is no less of an escape. Perched on Baltimore's Inner Harbor, this brand new hotel offers breathtaking views, gorgeous rooms, a fabulous spa and the top-notch service that Four Seasons is known for. Come for a weekend to enjoy the action of the Inner Harbor or just come to relax and watch it all go by from your window.

Happy travels and happy Monday!!

Enzoani Trunk Show {Love Couture}

Scent of a Woman {Wedding Day Fragrance}

1WeddingSource

Back in the day when Monte Durham of "Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta" fame was a DC-based wedding stylist and we worked together on just about every wedding, I picked up some of his wedding day tips. Some aren't suitable to publish because if you've watched the show you know that Monte loves to say exactly what he thinks! 

 TLC

 But one I can pass on is his love of selecting a signature fragrance for each bride. He considered your wedding day fragrance to be an important accessory like finding the right jewelry or perfect veil.  He would often take our brides scent shopping to select a perfume that she would wear on her wedding day.

 Camile Styles

As he was getting the bride ready on the wedding day, Monte would layer the fragrance starting with the scented body lotion and then the actual perfume applied to pressure points. He would always finish off by misting her veil with the perfume.  The effect was never over-powering but the fragrance lingered all night.

I recently found a new favorite fragrance by Jo Malone. I love her blends and I love that they are simply named--Vanilla and Anise, Lime Basil and Mandarin, White Jasmine and Mint. I have a hard time taking myself seriously wearing something called "Fancy Love," "My Insolence," "Solar Donkey Power" or, heaven forbid, "Earthworm" (these are all real perfume names, by the way).

I'm amazed by how much a small dab of my new favorite scent-- Vanilla and Anise-- can lift my mood (and have me inhaling my own wrists all day). I know some women have a perfume they've won for years and plan to wear on their wedding day, which is great. If you have a signature scent, you should wear it!  But if you don't have a scent you're known for, why not use your wedding as an opportunity to find a luxurious new fragrance? Wander the perfume aisle at Saks or Neimans and see what grabs you and then, when you've found the perfect one, don't forget that final spritz on your veil. Thanks Monte!

Tis the Season . . . for Sample Sales {Hitched Sample Sale!}

It's that bittersweet time of year again, when bridal salons must say goodbye to many of their favorite bridal gown samples to make room for new ones by treasured designers. Lucky for you, this means the opportunity to get a stunning couture bridal gown for a fraction of the price! We hope you can join the team at Hitched for the Sample Sale Soiree on Thursday, March 29th from 5-8pm!

What: Hitched Sample Sale Soiree

When: Thursday, March 29th from 5pm-8pm [first-come, first-served—no appointment necessary!]

Why: To find the dress of your dreams at a steal! Couture weddings gowns [Anna Maier, Amsale, Judd Waddell, Lela Rose, and more] will be up to 60% off, and once purchased, are yours to take home with you that evening.

RSVP: Although no appointment is necessary, please RSVP to info@hitchedsalon.com.

The Little Details: Please note that all sample sale gowns are final sale, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Because the sample sale gowns are stored off-site, the sample sale event is the only time we allow sample gown trials. To inquire about purchasing a sample sale gown over the phone, please contact us at 202.333.6162 or info@hitchedsalon.com.

Most of the sample sale gowns are now pictured on our website, so feel free to take a sneak peek then grab the best decision makers in your life  to have some fun and find "the one!"

Carine's Designer Sample Sale!

Calling all DC Foodies! {Sapore Artisanal Oils & Vinegars}

I had the pleasure of sneaking into Sapore a few days ago before the official grand opening and all I can say is Wow!  Sapore is Washington DC’s first gourmet Oil & Vinegar shop to offer over 30 premium extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars, single sourced and flavor infused, plus sea & mineral salts, hand crafted spice blends and pastas. The shop is chic and airy, the yellow walls lined with large metal fustis (or tanks) to keep the oils and vinegars fresh.

They are located in historic Capitol Hill, around the corner from Eastern Market. Sapore means “taste, or flavor” in Italian, and they encourage you to taste any of their products before you buy. I sampled their 25-year-old balsamic vinegar and had to stop myself from drinking it. So delicious!

And, of course I asked if they planned to offer mini bottles for use as favors (weddings are always on my mind). They not only have small Sapore bottles (ideal for a foodie welcome bag in guests' hotel rooms) but they are getting even smaller half-moon glass bottles. The perfect size for a take-away gift for wedding guests.

 

So be sure to drop by and check out the amazing treats at Sapore. Located at 660 Pennsylvania Avenue SE in D.C. (right around the corner from Eastern Market), this is the new hot shop in the city! Salute!

Oh Happy Day!

Photo by Steph Goralnick via Intimate Weddings

In tribute to the amazing weather D.C. has been having (hello, summer!), I thought I'd post a wedding photo to sum up how I feel. Weeee Heeeeeee!  Happy Friday, everyone!!

Grassroots Gourmet

Last week we blogged about the wonder that is Luke's Lobster, YUM!  Such a small world.  One of my clients e mailed me to tell me they went to school with him.  I love that.  Real people success stories.  Ok, that sounds kind of sappy.  Moving on, last night I met with two women, whose grandmothers are sisters, making them cousins.  These women, Sara and Jamilyah, decided to take grandmas' recipes and start a desserts business.  Grassroots Gourmet was born.

This duo has a passion for baking to your specifications.  While a large amount of their business currently comes from government orders, non profits and law firms, they are growing their wedding cake business as well as supplying yummy desserts to area restaurants.  Enter Luke's Lobster.  Woopie Pies sold there, from the talented ladies of Grassroots Gourmet.  Did I mention they are also getting ready to open a storefront?  Who doesn't want another desserts shop around.

Their approach to cakes is very unique, which is important as I think everyone has their own cake preferences based on their upbringing.  The interview clients- brides, grooms, birthday/anniversary clients, etc. about flavors and tastes that they loved in childhood and seek out now.  They customize new flavors for each client.  Now of course, you can still get your traditional red velvet or chocolate, chocolate, chocolate :)  But for a really unique taste, give them some details and find out what they can come up with.

These ladies love pies as well and I am currently exploring an array of desserts with them for a summer wedding along with blueberry muffins with them for another event.

Sara