Gay Weddings in DC

I recently had the distinct pleasure of hearing Bernadette Smith of 14 Stories, the country's most successful gay wedding planning company, speak about gay weddings coming to D.C. You may not know that earlier today the DC City Council voted in favor of allowing legal marriage. This isn't the final vote but it is a good sign.

Bernadette spoke on the positive impact that gay marriage had on Massachusetts (her state) and how it would bring tons of new revenue and jobs to the city (hooray!). Plus, who doesn't love thousands of additional weddings each year?

We are an open and affirming wedding planning company and love creating unique and personal weddings for all couples so we look forward to this new avenue opening up for D.C. Thanks to Bernadette for sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm! And thanks to Closed Circle Photography for the beautiful picture above!
Laura

Charming & Memorable {Amy & Clark}

In my opinion, one of the best parts of friendship, dating, engagement and marriage is the memories you build along the way with the people you hold nearest and dearest. I adore receiving gifts that are meaningful and ones that I will be able to keep with me for many years, often reminding me of a special trip, event or person.
My fabulously wonderful Maid of Honor, Stephanie, came up with a great idea to gift me with a charm bracelet and have each of the women in my life send a charm to represent a memory that I have with them. Stephanie started out by giving me a sweet bracelet from Tiffany & Co. and let me know then that each week until my wedding I would be receiving a charm from someone in my life. What fun!! I have very much enjoyed receiving fun charms of all shapes and sizes, some with hilarious memories, some with inspirational words, all amazingly memorable!


You can get creative and send sea shells, glass, vintage coins - whatever reminds you of the bride's style, personality or memories you have together!


If you are a bride who loves keepsakes, this is a great gift for you! Just send this link to your MOH and hope for the best...

Happy Planning!
xoxo,
Amy Lorraine

Among Life's precious jewels,
Genuine and rare,
The one that we call friendship
Has worth beyond compare.
~Author Unknown

Signature Celebration Cocktails: The Ring-A-Ding-Tini

Every bride knows that part of customizing your wedding lies in the signature cocktail. Since we're approaching the holidays, I thought I'd share a fabulous champagne cocktail perfect for celebrating a Christmas or New Year's wedding (or just celebrating Christmas and New Year's). This recipe comes courtesy of mixologist Natalie Bovis-Nelson of TheLiquidMuse.com and author of "The Bubbly Bride."

The Ring-A-Ding-Tini

1 sugar cube
Dash Fee Brothers rhubarb bitters
1 ounce vodka
1/2 ounce peach or passion fruit puree
3/4 ounce acai juice
1/4 ounce simple syrup
2 1/2 ounces chilled champagne

Muddle the sugar cube and rhubarb bitters in the bottom of a mixing glass. Add vodka, fruit puree, acai juice, simple syrup and ice. Shake well, then strain into a chilled champagne flute. Top with ice cold champagne.

Natalie just sent us a copy of her delicious book so stay tuned this week for more about the book and creating a custom cocktail for your wedding. Cheers!
Laura

Designer Bridal Gown Blowout Sample Sale!

Sample Sale Event on Sunday, December 6^th from 12pm to 3pm

Designer Bridal Gowns For As Low As $999 This Weekend Only!

Up to 75% off sample wedding gowns by Carolina Herrera, Melissa Sweet, Monique Lhuillier, Reem Acra, Platinum Collection and more!

Carine’s Bridal Atelier of Georgetown is hosting their annual end of year Sample Sale Event on Sunday, December 6^th from 12pm to 3pm. Sample wedding gowns by top designers will be on sale for up to 75% off retail prices—a fantastic savings for brides! Gowns will be priced as low as $999 to $1899marked down from original retail prices of $3000-$9000. Gowns sold on a first come, first serve basis.

“Sample gowns are a great option for brides on a budget or on a short wedding timeline,” says Carine Krawiec, Owner of Carine’s Bridal Atelier. Sample dresses are in great condition and must be sold to make room for new gowns. Sample gowns are a bridal size 8 or 10 and can always be altered to fit a smaller body size. Carine’s Bridal Atelier offers custom alterations onsite in their Georgetown boutique.

Brides can preview a selection of sample sale gowns online at http://carinesbridal.com/samplesale.htm. These gowns, plus MORE, will be priced to sell between $999 - $1899 at the Sample Sale Event.

Special Event Details

Date & Time: Sunday, December 6, 2009 (12pm–3pm)

Location: Carine’s Bridal Atelier, 1726 Wisconsin Ave NW, 2^nd Fl., Washington, DC 20007

Phone: (202) 965-4696

Additional Important Information

• Sale is first come, first serve
• Line starts directly outside the boutique
• No appointments taken
• No merchandise hold policy
• Designer labels include Angel Sanchez, Carolina Herrera, Junko Yoshioka, Karl Lagerfeld, Kenneth Pool, Melissa Sweet, Monique Lhuillier, Platinum Collection, Reem Acra, Rivini, Rosa Clara, St. Pucchi, and The Vineyard Collection
• All shopping and “try-ons’s” are self-service
• Sales consultants will be available to answer questions and provide assistance as needed
• All gowns size 8 or 10
• Entire boutique will serve as an open dressing room; brides welcome to try-on gowns anywhere there is available space
• All brides are recommended to wear bras, lingerie, shorts, and underwear to try on gowns as entire boutique will become a dressing room
• All sales are final (no returns allowed); gowns are sold “As-Is”
• Cash and Mastercard, Visa, American Express accepted. NO Discover card. NO checks allowed.
• Street parking is limited.

For More Information

Contact Carine’s Bridal Atelier by phone 202.965.4696 or email info@carinesbridal.com or visit www.carinesbridal.com.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The ladies at Engaging Affairs wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving! We are so grateful for our amazing clients, our fabulous industry friends and our devoted blog readers. You all make it easy for us to love weddings and love our jobs.

The Thanksgiving montage above is courtesy of Manolo for the Brides and, aside from the paper squirrels (creepy), I'm loving it! Happy Turkey Day!

Chic Comfort Food

Before we all head off to indulge in way too much Thanksgiving dinner, I thought it would be fun to visit the idea of comfort foods as elegant wedding fare. Some of my favorite wedding hors d'oeuvres are luxe versions of childhood favorites: mini grilled cheese sandwiches with shots of tomato soup, mac and cheese (I love DC caterer Occasions' version with lobster), pigs in blankets, french fries in paper cones, petite Philly cheesesteaks and sliders.

Mashed potato bars with do-it-yourself toppings have been big for years and we've done the same with risotto and grits. For one holiday wedding, we did a very popular sweet potato bar with yummy add-ins like candied pecans and caramelized onions.

And I love our own Sara's idea to serve breakfast for dinner at her wedding on Saturday (more about her amazing wedding later). The French toast station during cocktails was a huge hit and so yummy. Talk about comfort food!

So before you get caught up in the idea that you have to serve oh-so-elegant filet with a few artfully arranged stalks of asparagus think of the foods you truly love and crave. I'll bet your guests would love them, too!

Laura


Photo courtesy of Brides.com

Chalkboard Details from Etsy!

A couple of months ago when I was searching for the perfect chalkboard for my outdoor October wedding, I came across artist Garth Fouts on Etsy. I loved the fact that he would create a chalkboard for me to my specifications because I needed something huge! I ended up getting a 6 foot tall black chalkboard that Garth hinged for me (which made it so much easier to transport and you couldn't even tell once it was unfolded). It looked so cool at the wedding; everyone commented on it!

Since I have several brides who are schoolteachers, the idea of using chalkboards has come up again and again. When I mentioned this to Garth, he sent me some other chalkboard ideas he came up with for weddings. I love the idea of chalkboard place cards and chalkboard tags.



I adore the idea of hanging chalkboard tags off the backs of each chair for table numbers instead of the traditional number stand on the table. The place cards could be used for signs on buffets, dessert displays or favor tables. I've even gotten a bee in my bonnet about having a children's table with a chalkboard topper so the kids could draw while they eat.

What fun ideas can you come up with for these chalkboard details?
Laura

Oo la la! Oscar de la Renta Trunk Show at Hitched!

‘Tis the season for giving, and the Hitched gals have teamed up with one of the most spectacular designers to give you the greatest bridal gift of all ~ an Oscar de la Renta trunk show on Friday, December 4th and Saturday, December 5th!

As one of the most respected and established designers in the world, Oscar de la Renta is known for his use of exquisite detail and luxe fabrics. His stunning bridal collection is no exception and has received praise over and over again for its couture (yet classic) look and feel. These dresses are unlike anything you’ve seen and will be the perfect match for brides looking for a truly exquisite gown!

Since Hitched is one of only two dozen stores internationally to showcase the Oscar de la Renta bridal collection, this is one of their most anticipated trunk shows of the year. Be sure to book an appointment today by calling 202-333-6162 or emailing appointments@hitchedsalon.com.

Have fun!
Laura

We Have a Winner!

Thanks to everyone who entered our drawing for a copy of Laura's wedding planning book, "Stop! Don't Plan a Wedding Without this Book."

Congratulations to stigg100 for being the lucky winner. We hope this book helps her with her wedding planning. Attention stigg100: send us an email (weddings@engagingaffairs.com) with your mailing address and we will pop the book out to you!

Made in the Shade: Vintage Wedding Umbrellas by Bella Umbrella

I've developed a slight obsession with the fabulous vintage umbrellas by Bella Umbrella (and the fact that you can rent these little numbers and have them shipped right to your door). As a wedding planner, I already have a trunk full of umbrellas (you have to be prepared!) but none are as swanky as Bella's. Each umbrella is an original from the 1930's to the 1950's and each is unique.


I love mixing and matching the colors and patterns for a whimsical feel.


Going tone-on-tone gives a more sophisticated look.


You don't need rain to use umbrellas at a wedding. They provide instant shade for outdoor summer ceremonies and are the perfect accessory for a fun portrait session. So bop on over to Bella and check out all the cool styles. Enjoy!
Laura