Monique Lhuillier at Carine's {Trunk Show}

Wedding Planners Save the Day!!

At almost every wedding I've ever coordinated, I stop and wonder at some point how things would have gone if I hadn't been there. There have been so many times when I've done things behind-the-scenes to prevent a disaster or make something happen perfectly. Not every wedding . . . but just about.  Sometimes it's something small like sewing a missing button back on the groom's tux right before the ceremony but sometimes it's something big. What Christine did to save her wedding this past Saturday was BIG.

I love getting to assist my team (assisting is a breeze compared to being the go-to planner) and Saturday I bopped on down to The Mandarin Hotel to help out Christine.  When I arrived, she'd already discovered that the bride really wanted plywood under the aisle runner because the ground was soggy and everyone's heels were sinking. Alas, the design company didn't have plywood so Christine made a few phone calls and found someone who could run out and buy the plywood (not easy to find on a Saturday morning), load it onto a truck and deliver it to us. This may have been the first weeding where I've actually helped haul sheets of plywood from a hotel loading dock (hello, splinters)!

The first crisis was averted and the now sturdy aisle runner was in place when the rain storm we'd been watching on radar all day decided to unleash on us 10 minutes before ceremony time. We rushed the important items inside (like the microphones and keyboard) but Christine remained outside with the amazing Bret from The Mandarin and the two of them held onto the chuppah to make sure it didn't blow away in the increasingly strong winds. Talk about dedication!

The rain passed quickly and, along with the very efficient hotel staff, we got the ceremony chairs wiped off and everything moved back outside so the ceremony could begin only a couple of minutes later than originally planned.  Not every planner would have (literally) held the wedding together so that it could proceed so smoothly and with almost no delay. Completely impressive!

The bride and groom and their families were so appreciative and, although I know Christine would have done it regardless, their gratitude made everything even more worth it. Most couples have no idea all the things we do to make their weddings happen but it's nice when they thank you for getting splinters and getting soaked to the bone so their wedding can be fabulous!

Hats off to all the amazing wedding planners out there who make it happen (mostly behind-the-scenes) and huge kudos to Christine for being AMAZING!  I would love to hear from the other planners out there. What is your best wedding day save?
Laura

Stunning Indian Wedding at the Mandarin {Video}

Natasha & Ravinder's Wedding Highlight

Another gorgeous wedding planned by Christine and shot by Thomas Bowen at one of our very favorite venues, The Mandarin Oriental DC!  Enjoy!

London Style Calling!

Glam. com

Okay, I'll admit it. I've gotten sucked into the London Olympics. I love the drama and the amazing achievements on display. And who doesn't love a little Union Jack style?

A Chance Reconnection

I always think about how lucky I am getting to work with multiple siblings in the same family.  It's just as special working with friends or wedding party members of previous brides and grooms.  But this past June, I watched Sarah and Ryan get married.  My role in their reconnection? I planned the wedding they both attended as guests two years ago.  Enjoy a look at this blue-hued wedding at Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown and the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

There is a special feel when the bride gets ready at her childhood home

Special thanks to all of the vendors who made this possible:

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Fotobricano

Edge Floral

Occasions Caterers

Digital Lightning
Washington Talent Agency- DJ Elon

Sara

Red, White and Blue Wedding Inspiration

While usually reserved for Fourth of July time posts, the tremendous performances in the olympics for US athletes have me patriotically inspired.  Enjoy these red, white and blue weddings and let's continue to support athletics even once this years' olympics end later this week.

Sara

ExPats in Paris Party {Pinterest Inspiration}

Each year, the Engaging Affairs team joins forces with the ladies from ATrendy Wedding and Simply Chic Events to throw an end-of-summer networking party for the DC wedding and event industry. We've been doing this for five years now and it's always a fun way to see our friends in the business (while we're not working) before the wedding season kicks into high gear again.

This year we're doing an "ExPats in Paris" theme as an homage to the great American writers of the 1920s who fled to Paris where they drank Sidecars and Champagne cocktails and wrote gorgeous prose.  To get inspired, I've been gathering images on a Pinterest board so please check it out and let me know what you think.

What do you think of when you think of Paris in the 1920s?

Havana Nights {J & G’s Bridal Shower}

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As a wedding planner, you don’t often get the chance to help with all of the fun surrounding build up activities of the big day!  I always love hearing about the engagement party, bridal shower, bachelor/bachelorette parties, etc but last month I got the chance to plan and experience a gorgeous co-ed bridal shower!

I have blogged about this family in the past but watching this party unfold and all of the thought and details that the family put into it really touched my heart!  Guests came from Miami, New Jersey, North Carolina and more to surprise the bride with this special moment!

We distracted the bride by sending her and her sister on a girls’ night to the wonderful Liaison hotel where they enjoyed the rooftop pool- one of the hotel’s many attractive amenities!  The next day the bride’s sister dressed her up and sent the bride and the groom off to film a portion of their Love Story with Suburban Video! I love this option that Suburban features where clients get interviewed about their story and while doing something they love!  The first part was filmed at The Botanical Gardens in DC.  The second part will feature the bride and groom taking a trip to a local farmers market and cooking in their new home together!  So special!

Meanwhile, at her parents gorgeous home in Fairfax Station, VA, Ridgewells catering was setting up for an amazing Cuban feast featuring a mojito bar, guacamole station, passed hors d’oeuvres such as red mole beef empanadas and croquetas de jambon.  Yum!!  Amaryllis was setting the stage with an amazing floral display.  Rick truly outdid himself- do I say this every time I get the chance to work with him? Yes! The head tables were farm tables set under a rustic trellis accented with a variety of vines and flowers in apricot, orange, and yellow hues!  Simply stunning!

Trio Caliente serenaded the guests as they arrived while the talented Juan Carlos of Fotobriceno caught the guests socializing and catching up!

The family had arranged for the bride to wear a traditional Cuban dress in white with the bridesmaids matching in light blue! 

Then the big moment came.  The groom arrived with the bride and entered through the house and out the back door onto the deck.  Their immediate family was waiting to yell “Surprise!” and give tons of hugs!  We pulled it off!  She was totally surprised! 

As she entered the tent and saw all of her friends and family, I honestly became over come with emotion!  The look on everyone’s face is what makes it so memorable!  The guests dined on paella and grilled rockfish finishing up with some delicious flan! 

We then played a version of the newlywed game- the bride and groom, her parents, and her cousin and husband rocked at it!  Everyone was laughing and as you can tell in these pictures recounting many memories!  

The beautiful mother of the bride had some cakes baked for the occasion- one ring was buried in the cake and all of the single ladies at the shower pulled a string to see who got it!  Interesting part-- the bride was the one who got the ring at a friend’s shower right before the groom proposed!  Guess it does work!  We wrapped up with presents, cigars, and lots of cocktails into the evening!

The next day all of the guests returned for a brunch catered by Ridgewells which was equally as delicious!  Needless to say- I think it was a success!  Thank you to my amazing team who kept quiet and made this surprise a spectacular memory for all!

Special thanks to my co-planner team: the dynamic duo-- Sister and Mother of the Bride!!

Catering and tent: Polly Ernst of Ridgewells

Floral and Décor: Rick Davis of Amaryllis

Photography: Juan Carlos Briceno of FotoBriceno

Music: Trio Caliente of Bialek’s Music

Rentals: Party Rental Ltd

Videography: Love Story by Suburban Video

Xoxo,

Amanda