Love Couture Trunk Show {Lazaro}

Twelve Sustainable Wedding Trends for 2012

“Sustainable weddings aren’t just about ‘going green’ anymore, though that’s certainly a big part of it. In 2012, sustainable brides and grooms will also support local industries, avoid frivolous spending, and choose wedding elements that can be incorporated into their married lives long after the big day,” says Tracy DiNunzio, founder and CEO of Recycled Bride. “It’s exciting to see that so many of this year’s hot wedding trends are also good for people and the planet.”

12 Sustainable Wedding Trends for 2012 from Recycled Bride 1. Something Old, Something New: Wedding resale has doubled in the last year, with more than 20% of all brides selling or shopping for a gently used wedding dress, decor, or bridal accessory online. Couples will find even more ways to reduce, reuse, and resell in 2012, using sites like Recycled Bride to score great deals on new and once-used wedding items.

2. Brides Get Fascinated: This year’s must-have bridal trend is the fascinator; a luxe headpiece or hair accessory made from lace, fabric flowers, feathers or jewels. Brides will embrace all styles, from extravagant Carrie Bradshaw-esque peacock toppers to more understated ivory and white flower hair clips, often made from vintage or recycled materials.

3. Cakes Make a Comeback: Cupcake towers and dessert tables have dominated the dessert scene for years, but the traditional wedding cake is back for 2012. Multi-layered, extravagantly decorated, and almost always white, this year’s cakes take center stage. Fresh, local ingredients like fruit preserves and cage-free eggs make the very best cakes both delicious and guilt-free.

4. Flor-ternatives: Traditional cut flowers are expensive, and their bouquets often wilt before the honeymoon has begun. But paper flowers are forever, and come in an exciting variety of styles and colors that can be enjoyed as home accessories long after the big day. Other popular and long-lasting floral alternatives are vintage brooch bouquets and succulent plants.

5. Something Blue: Royal blue sapphires are outshining diamonds this year as engagement jewel of choice. Sapphires let couples avoid conflict diamonds — and bling-bling prices.

6. Modesty & Lots o’ Lace: Inspired by Kate Middleton’s royal wedding gown, 2012’s brides are loving lace-covered arms and shoulders. Many will opt for vintage lace capelets and shrugs, which can be shed at the reception for a sexier look. This lets brides enjoy a variety of styles, and marks the end of the “two dress” trend.

7. Midnight Munchies: As wedding celebrations become all-nighters for some, couples are filling the bellies of party-hardy guests with a midnight snack. But forget the fancy food and formal presentation when it comes to late-night eats, which are all about comforting, locally-sourced finger foods.

8. Virtual Guests: Technology is making it possible for faraway friends and relatives to attend 2012 weddings without traveling. This year, guests will arrive via tablets and smartphones, on Facetime and Skype, enjoying special moments they might have otherwise missed (and conserving on travel!)

9. A Signature Sipper: Signature cocktails are all the rage, with couples inventing creative concoctions that let guests get their drink on. Skipping the traditional overstocked wedding bar, 2012’s savviest brides and grooms are going with one signature cocktail, complemented by a selection of organic wines and local beer.

10. DIY Wedding Videos: Using Flipcams, smartphones, and an army of friends, many couples will forgo traditional wedding videos in favor of DIY mashups that recorded from their guests’ perspectives. Free online editing tools like WeVideo make it easy for creative couples to edit their own dream wedding videos.

11. Smashing Sashes: Wedding dresses with belts and sashes are hot this year, turning up both on the runway and down the aisle. And the best part of going belted? It’s not just figure-flattering, but embellished sashed can be re-used in real life, either as accessories or home decor.

12. Home is Where the Party Is: Taking cues from homey newlyweds like Reese Witherspoon, Kate Moss, Lily Allen, Lauren Bush, and Milla Jovovich, wedding receptions at home are hot. Backyard bashes have gone elegant and upscale, with couples using the natural beauty of their own outdoor spaces to create warm and beautiful wedding receptions.

Snow Days Preston Bailey Style!

I was completely surprised by yesterday's snow in DC. It wasn't a ton, but it was enough to look magical. Speaking of magical, I love Preston Bailey's use of natural inspiration and snow for his weddings. Amazing!

Meet the Planners {Laura Weatherly}

Last but not least in our "Meet the Planners" series is Engaging Affairs founder Laura Weatherly. Laura has been planning weddings for some of DC's more fabulous and famous for over 15 years but the "beyond the wedding" tidbits are even more interesting:

1) If you were a superhero - what would be your superhero name and superpower? Shazam! (just because it's fun to say) and I would incinerate annoying people with a single thought.

2) If you weren't a wedding planner- what career would you choose?  A female version of Indiana Jones

3) What do you always carry in your purse that people might find odd? At least 20 pens (I'm always losing pens at weddings)

4) Any interesting/funny pre-wedding (or post-wedding) rituals? I always get a Coke Slurpee after a wedding (even if it's winter and 3 am)!

5) What is one of the craziest things on your "bucket list" of things to do? Surf in a barrel (the wave, not the wooden container, but not one so big it will cream me)

6) Describe your favorite pair of shoes (living or dead) Sara and I both love our red pumps!  It's an Engaging Affairs thing.

7) What has been your favorite vendor meal? I'm going to have to go with Amanda on the 6-course tasting menu from Fed City--amazing to actually get to eat every course while working a wedding! Also, the lobster mac-n-cheese from Occasions.

8) What is your favorite guilty pleasure TV show?  The Big Bang Theory. Used to watch Jersey Shore but I felt my IQ slipping after Season 2!

9) What wedding song would you be happy to never hear again as long as you live?  Everyone who works with me knows my aversion to "Mustang Sally"

10) Strangest thing you've carried in your emergency kit and how did you use it. Oddest emergency kit "save."  Super-glue. I had to glue the buttons on a bride's dress as they were popping off right before she walked down the aisle. And Preparation-H for making puffy under-eye circles disappear after a bride cried too much!


11) Wedding trend you would love to see die a quick death.  Inappropriate use of Mason jars or any "rustic" touch that has been done to death.


12) What is one thing no one in the wedding business knows about you and would be surprised to learn?  I was once accused of being a spy by a country and denied entrance. I wasn't a spy, of course, but it's a long, cool story.


13) What is the strangest thing a client has ever asked you to do?  Return underwear for them. Seriously, people?


14) Favorite and least favorite celebrity weddings.  Loved Ellen Degeneres and Portia DeRossi's wedding because it was small and intimate and just about them. Despised Kim Kardashian's latest wedding because it was the exact opposite. And 72 days? Come on!

Meet the Planners {Amanda Smith}

Continuing with our fun behind the scenes peek at the faces behind the weddings . . . Amanda Smith. Amanda has pulled off some seriously high profile weddings but truly loves going the extra mile for all her couples. More about Amanda:

If you were a superhero - what would be your superhero name and superpower?  The Super Soother- to calm everyone involved in the big day with one tap of my wand!

If you weren't a wedding planner- what career would you choose? A detective or a profiler from the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit.  Think Olivia Benson or JJ Jareau.

What do you always carry in your purse that people might find odd?  Oh lord.  I constantly switch purses so its hard to say but I usually always have an extra pair of earrings. 

Any interesting/funny pre-wedding (or post-wedding) rituals?  I always get a smoothie from Robeks before (even in the winter) to get something in my stomach.  I'm usually too excited to eat!

What is one of the craziest things on your "bucket list" of things to do?  Watch the Celtics courtside at the Garden.  Or go to spring training for the Red Sox in Fort Myers but that's wedding season!

Describe your favorite pair of shoes (living or dead).  Eeek there are so many!  I love a trendy print on a high heeled pump or summery flats.

What has been your favorite vendor meal? Tie between the delicious cheese pizza at the Gaylord or six course sampler from Federal City.  Both hit the spot on different levels!!

What is your favorite guilty pleasure TV show?  Hoarders and Lock Up. 100%.  I also love a lot of the HGTV shows though!

What wedding song would you be happy to never hear again as long as you live?  Cupid's Shuffle for sure!

Strangest thing you've carried in your emergency kit and how did you use it. Oddest emergency kit "save."  Hmmm... I use all the "regulars" often but I guess when I used the zots (think scrapbooking tape dots) to secure a bride's bouquet and sash that we were wrapping around the base last minute was slightly strange!

Wedding trend you would love to see die a quick death.  Guestbook.  Odd I know but I never feel that guests pay it enough attention unless its something really creative.

What is one thing no one in the wedding business knows about you and would be surprised to learn?  I love puppies and walk a few each day since my apartment doesn't allow me to own one!

What is the strangest thing a client has ever asked you to do?  I once had to "be the bride" during a rehearsal because she didn't want to walk down the aisle more than once.  Don't worry- I didn't kiss the groom! 

Favorite and least favorite celebrity weddings.  Favorite- I actually loved Hilary Duff's, Amy Smart's, and Kate Moss's.  I thought they all really reflected their personal style.  Least favorite- any wedding that is just self promoting.  It takes away from the meaning of the event that so many wonderful people treasure for their whole lives!

Meet the Planners {Christine Godsey}

Next up in our behind the scenes look at our planning team is Christine Godsey. Christine loves planning elaborate multicultural weddings and also loves zipping up to New York to pull together fabulous big city bashes. What you may not know:

What do you always carry in your purse that people might find odd?  Ear plugs…you just never know when you may need them.

 

Any interesting/funny pre-wedding (or post-wedding) rituals?  I always go to Starbucks beforehand and grab a green or black tea before starting my day. 

 

Describe your favorite pair of shoes (living or dead)  My black platform Louboutin pumps for going out and my black knee high Corso Como riding boots for everyday.

 

What has been your favorite vendor meal?  Hmmm…after a long day I think my favorite vendor meal was a SUPER cheesy vegetarian lasagna with delicious garlic bread.  It could not have been more perfect.

 

What is your favorite guilty pleasure TV show?  All reality all the time!  Currently…Moonshiners.  Consistently…Real Housewives of Orange County.  Secret Favorite…Teen Mom 2.

 

What wedding song would you be happy to never hear again as long as you live?  Any choreographed dance song.

Wedding trend you would love to see die a quick death.  Taking the garter off of the blushing Bride and placing it on the lucky lady who caught the bouquet.  Enough said!

What is one thing no one in the wedding business knows about you and would be surprised to learn?  I am absolutely obsessed with scuba diving with sharks (not the tame ones like nurse sharks but the slightly sketchy ones like Bulls or Reef). 

What is the strangest thing a client has ever asked you to do?  Ride along with her in the limo with her bridesmaids all day and be in front of her at all times.

Wordless Wednesday {Their Looks Are Worth a Thousand Words}

Photo by Greg Gibson

Carine's Sample Sale 2012!

Sample Sales at Hitched!

For all of your planning enjoyment, here's a way to help pace your dress shopping with a list of upcoming sample sales at Hitched Bridal Salon.  Don't forget to call or e mail for an appointment: 202-333-6162 or info@hitchedsalon.com

January 11th – January 25th Tara LaTour Gown Event Wednesday, January 18th Styling Night featuring Jennifer Behr Accessories Friday, January 20th & Saturday, January 21st Lela Rose Trunk Show Friday, January 27th & Saturday, January 28th Christos Trunk Show Friday, February 3rd & Saturday, February 4th  Modern Trousseau Trunk Show Friday, February 10th & Saturday, February 11th Amsale Trunk Show Friday, February 17th & Saturday, February 18th Jorge Manuel Trunk Show Wednesday, February 22nd Accessories Night featuring Desla Couture Friday, February 24th & Saturday, February 25th Anna Maier/Ulla~Maija Trunk Show Friday, March 2nd & Saturday, March 3rd Judd Waddell Trunk Show Friday, March 16th – Saturday, March 24th Francesca Miranda Gown Event Thursday, March 22nd Amsale Bridesmaid's Buying Party Friday, March 30th & Saturday, March 31stAnne Barge Trunk Show

Vera Wang Fall 2012 Trunk Show!