Spring Inspiration!

Credits: tablescape (Martha Stewart), bridesmaids and flower girl (J. Crew), egg place card (A Southern Life), linens (Martha Stewart weddings), cake (Martha Stewart Weddings), egg nest menu display (pottery barn), bride (Jessica Clare Photography), tie (The Perfect Palette), candy (the Wedding Vine), Easter Lilies (Martha Stewart), tulip basket (Martha Stewart)


A little inspiration for the coming season. Enjoy!

Quotes and Jokes

It's wedding season and thus time to start back up with my wedding/marriage related quotes of the week.  To start off, I'm going to give you a cute wedding joke recently told to me by my husband's grandfather.  While doing a wedding in Sarasota, I got to spend some time with them. 

"An older woman attended a wedding for a friend's granddaughter.  She walked up to a gentleman slightly older than herself and stared, and walked around him and stared some more.  Finally, the gentleman asked, what are you looking at?  The woman replied, you look like my 4th husband.  The gentleman said, how many husbands have you had?  Three the woman replied."

Just to give you a visual, I leave you with Blanch from the Golden Girls.  I imagine this is something she would have said.

Happy Tuesday!
Sara

Amaryllis {Vendor Love}

We love working with Amaryllis for so many reasons. The first, of course, is that their designs are stunning. Then, of course, we love the people behind the breathtaking flowers. Rick and Christopher and Gladys and the entire team are just amazing.  Not only fun to work with but dedicated beyond belief.  But, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words so enjoy the millions of words I'll save with these stunning images! Huge thanks to Amaryllis for the years of gorgeous Engaging Affairs weddings!

(all below images by Greg Gibson)

And, even though this isn't from one of our weddings, I love these amazing paper flowers!!

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!