Monque Lhuillier at Carine's {Trunk Shows}

You won't want to miss Carine's Bridal Atelier's upcoming MONIQUE LHUILLIER TRUNK SHOW!  The 2 DAY event on April 28th AND April 30th will be held at the boutique in Georgetown located at 1726 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington D.C.

Brides-to-be will have of the amazing opportunity to purchase the Monique Lhuillier collection of exquisite, feminine and modern yet romantic gowns and take advantage of a 12% discount on Thursday, April 28th, and 10% off their purchase on Saturday, April 30th. 

Limited appointments are available for this incredible event by calling Carine's Bridal Atelier at 202-965-4696 or by email at info@carinesbridal.com.

This is the time to buy a wedding gown!

We have another amazing trunk show to share with you, this time at Love Couture Bridal at Potomac. Grab your mom or best friend and set a date to see the gorgeous Lazaro gowns this weekend. Be sure to call Love Couture to reserve your spot!

Engaging Affairs is on United With Love {Real Weddings}

We're so thrilled that one of our very favorite weddings is featured today on United With Love! Suzanne and Rob's wedding was a mix of classic Southern style and urban DC chic. I loved the pale green and white palette, the lovely details and the yummy Southern food. Be sure to bop over to United With Love and check out all the amazing photos by Andrea with The Observatory!

Peapod and Sky {2011 Colors of the Year}

Top:
Antique bottles from Leaping Gazelle
Pinwheels via Elizabeth Ann Designs and April Foster Events
Bingo Cards from Happy August

Middle:
Groomsmen photo by Bello Photography
Mojito via Elizabeth Ann Designs and April Foster Events

Bottom:
Tissue Pom from Fiesta Pom Pom
Blue shoes via Wedding Obsession shot by Sarah Mavro
Succulent favor photographed by Elyse Hall Photography

Today's inspiration comes courtesy of Elega and is inspired by the colors of the year: peapod and sky. I love the freshness of these colors combined. Perfect for crisp Spring and Summer weddings!  Enjoy!

Princess for a Night {Hitched Dress Drive}

We're sure that all those wedding planning tasks have trumped the menial task of spring cleaning, but we've got the perfect excuse for you to sort through your closet and get rid of those dresses that haven't seen the light of day in ages.

Beginning April 1st and continuing throughout the month, we invite you to stop by Hitched to donate your gently worn (and dry cleaned) formal dresses, shoes, handbags, jewelry, unused make-up (like sample cosmetics), and "nice" shopping bags (think Bloomie's or Neimann Marcus) to benefit Princess for a Night! 

What: 5th Annual Princess for a Night Dress Drive at Hitched

When: April 1st-April 29th (Feel free to drop off anytime during our normal business hours)

Why: To help make prom dreams come true for girls in our community!

Note: Please keep in mind that velvet or wintery dresses, soiled items, outdated items, casual dresses, or items for mature women likely can't be used. They are especially in need of dresses for petite (size 0-2) and full-figured young ladies (sizes 18+). All of these items will go to deserving girls in our community who, due to the great expense of prom attire, might otherwise not be able to afford a dress for this special night. 

This is the perfect time to get rid of all of those bridesmaid dresses you knew you'd never wear again while making a girl's taffeta, silk, or satin dreams come true!
 

Many thanks in advance for your support of this great cause!

Green Your Wedding at The Dandelion Patch!

We love all the fun events that Heidi at The Dandelion Patch puts together and her next one is one you won't want to miss! Kate Harrison, author of The Green Bride Guide, will be at the Vienna location of The Dandelion Patch on April 11th to talk about how to green your wedding. There will be champagne, nibbles and 15% off in-store shopping!  Plus, everyone who registers and attends will get a free set of toasting flutes. How cool is that?

You can register at vienna@thedandelionpatch.com. We'll see you there!

Spectacular Wedding at The Cathedral and Corcoran {Isabel and Andrew}

This wedding was such a treat for me because it took place at two of my favorite venues in Washington:  The National Cathedral and The Corcoran Gallery of Art. Both spaces are grand and magnificent and quintessentially D.C.  Not only did I adore both venues, but I loved all the vendors who worked with us on this amazing day.  The cherry on the top for me was a lovely bride, charming groom and wonderful families!

Isabel and her bridesmaids got ready at The Jefferson Hotel with hair styled by Giselle and makeup done by Leah McKay.  Another two of my favorites!

I love the contrast of the pinks and lavenders of the flowers!

After getting ready, the bride took some time with the amazing photographer Greg Gibson for photos in the Cathedral gardens.  She also saw the groom for the first time in the gardens and the two had some nice moments before the ceremony.

The programs the bride chose echoed the beautiful scrollwork and detailing throughout the Cathedral.

The ceremony took place in the Great Choir. What an amazing backdrop for vows!

After some more photos in the gorgeous light of the setting sun, it was off to The Corcoran for the reception.  Jack Lucky did a spectacular job creating a magical setting with floral decor and lighting. Jack's work is always so breathtaking and he is the hands-down expert at Corcoran weddings!

After a cocktail hour where guests were serenaded by the Celebrated String Quartet, Isabel and Andrew were announced down the grand staircase and shared their first dance before guests sat down for dinner.

Joel Wolke with Occasions Caterers delighted guests with an elegant three course dinner then the couple cut the gorgeous wedding cake designed by the Fancy Cakes by Leslie.

The local band Gonzo's Nose kept everyone dancing for the rest of the night playing fabulous '80s music. I love Gonzo's Nose because they have so much energy and are not your typical wedding band.

At the end of the evening guests left with silk rose-topped boxes filled with gourmet chocolates and the memory of an amazing night.

Thanks to the phenomenal team who made this wedding so spectacular: a shout-out to Julie from Blue Sky for capturing the moments on video, Greg Gibson for the always gorgeous images, Linda Lindamood from Linder and Associates for the flawless transportation and valet, and the wonderful team at The Corcoran (Allie, Brooke and Kathleen) for making our job so easy. 

Thanks to my assistants Alison and Maeve for always being troopers, and special thanks to Isabel and Andrew for letting us share their beautiful day.  Congratulations!
Laura

Wedding Cake Flavors {The Top Ten}

Photo by Greg Gibson, Cake by Fancy Cakes by Leslie

Last night, I tasted a few flavors of wedding cake at an event (they were tiny bites) and started thinking about cake flavors. After over 15 years of planning weddings, I've seen a lot of cake! Some good, some bad, some amazing.

I love that bakers have become more creative over the years in developing new flavors and combinations. Lara Stuckey of Fluffy Thoughts has flavors like green tea and passion fruit and allows couples to design their own flavor combinations. Leslie from Fancy Cakes by Leslie has an amazing number of options, as well, and even offers rose petal jam in her cakes. Kendall of Kendall's Cakes has an amazing Tupelo Honey cake and once came up with a margarita flavored cake for a client of mine! My favorite flavor from famous DC baker Andrea Webster (before she moved to Scotland) was a dark chocolate truffle with blackberry filling. 

 Photo by weddingcakes.com

When searching online, I found that these are the top wedding cake flavors:

10. Chocolate-almond cake, chocolate ganache, and mocha buttercream
9. Banana cake and chocolate buttercream
8. Coconut cake and lime buttercream
7. Hazelnut-almond cake, chocolate ganache, and raspberries
6. White cake, lemon buttercream, and raspberries
5. Chocolate devil’s food cake, chocolate ganache, and praline buttercream
4. Lemon cake, lemon curd, and vanilla buttercream
3. Yellow butter cake and chocolate buttercream and/or chocolate ganache
2. Chocolate devil’s food cake, vanilla buttercream, and raspberries
and the most popular is...
1. Chocolate devil’s food cake and vanilla buttercream
 Compiled by Ellen Baumwoll of Bijoux Doux Specialty Cakes

Sara's favorite, carrot cake, didn't make the list, and although I love lemon cake with lemon curd, my favorite blackberry filling isn't anywhere on the list. And of course, Kate and William's wedding cake flavor, traditional English fruit cake, probably wouldn't make the Top 50 list of fave American flavors.

But what I'm most surprised about is the classic almond cake that used to be the standard American wedding cake flavor is completely missing. I have to admit a certain nostalgia for classic almond wedding cake with butter cream. What do you think of this list and what is your favorite wedding cake flavor?

Now I'm going to go run off those pieces of wedding cake from last night!

Hitched Sample Sale Soiree!

What: Slip In & Slip Out with a Steal-- The Hitched Sample Sale Soiree

When: Thursday, March 31st from 5pm-8pm [first-come, first-served—no appointment necessary!] 

Why: To find the dress of your dreams at a steal of a price! Couture weddings gowns [think Anna Maier/Ulla~Maija, Amsale, Judd Waddell, Oscar de la Renta, 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.

Here are just a few of the beauties that will be up for grabs at the sample sale event:

Feel free to check out the website for more of the gowns that will be sold, but keep in mind that Hitched will often continue to add them to the list right up until the last minute-- so get excited for some surprises!

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 [or with any other questions], please contact us at 202.333.6162 or info@hitchedsalon.com.

So grab the important decision makers in your life and be prepared to have some fun and find "the one!"

Matthew Christopher at Love Couture! {Trunk Shows}

Smokin'!  That's the first thing I think when I look at Matthew Christopher's gorgeous gowns.  You can meet this talented designer in person when he comes to Love Couture's trunk show this weekend.  The trunk show will run from Friday, April 1st through Sunday April 3rd and will feature appearances by the designer, 10% off his dresses and free custom changes to his gowns. Plus yummy mimosas while you peruse the gowns!

Don't miss this amazing opportunity! Call Love Couture Bridal for your trunk show appointment at 301-610-5683.  Happy gown shopping!