DC ISES GALA 2010

It's that time of year again. Well, the real time just passed. Since January I have been hard at work on this years' entry for the DC ISES Gala Awards. I've been lucky enough to have my past three wedding entries nominated and I'm hoping to go for nomination number 4!

The wedding I entered this year was an event of global proportions. Anbinh and Jeffrey met in Northern Virgina over 6 years ago, but came from very different places and thus, their wedding and guest list spanned the world.


The day consisted of 1 reception, 2 ceremonies and 3 wardrobe changes. Beginning early Sunday morning, Anbinh and Jeffrey held a Vietnamese Tea Ceremony at their home in Fairfax, VA. The couple celebrated the brides culture as both families participated in the ceremony.


We then moved everyone into DC to prep for the evening's Western ceremony and reception all to take place at the stunning Ronald Reagan Building in it's various event spaces.

The bride had very specific decor ideas and her inspiration of the male peacock's feathers provided a great color pallet while not being outrageous.

Thank to Suburban Video, here is a link to a video montage of their epic day.

Enjoy the photos provided by the fabulous Rodney Bailey and I will keep you posted on the results!

Sara

Cake Wrecks!

Normally we share lots of beautiful images with you of amazing events with stunning cakes. I thought today we'd shake things up, and I'd share one of my all-time favorite websites of not-so-pretty things.

When I need a laugh, I can always count on Cake Wrecks, a site devoted to disastrous cakes. Everything from birthday cakes with horrific spelling to wedding cakes from hell. Is that a clown riding a poo monster in the photo above? I mean, seriously. What is that?? And what is the occasion for such a cake? My heart goes out to the little kid who got that cake on their birthday!

And the captions the web mavens come up with are a riot! I have been known to laugh so hard at some of the cakes that tears have been rolling down my face. Check it out for yourself! And check out what may be the world's most hideous wedding cake ever below. Aside from saying "Happy Wending," it seems to be covered with enormous spoiled fruit. Ewwwwww!

Bimini Bay Bound

Last week, Sara and I had the great fortune to be invited down to visit Bimini Bay Resort in Bimini Bay, Bahamas. We had long had our eyes on the resort as a possible location for destination weddings so we were thrilled to have the chance to see it for ourselves. And let me tell you, we were not disappointed!

After a rather adventurous trip down to Miami (involving sitting on the runway for an hour, nearly missing our connecting flight and making a mad dash through the airport), we joined several other wedding planners and Bimini Bay's fabulous events coordinator, Danielle Dunfee, on a private jet for the thirty minute flight over to Bimini.

Flying in over Bimini's incredibly turquoise waters was breathtaking. The island is only 7 miles long so you can take in the entire island as you approach (and we were close enough to see stingrays swimming in the waters below us)! After landing, we hopped a water taxi to the resort and enjoyed island music on the way over. Even though the weather wasn't as tropical as we'd hoped, just seeing such crystal clear blue water was enough to make me chill out. And the bright colors of the buildings made us feel like we were far away from D.C.!



We had a yummy lunch at the resort's restaurant Sabor (I recommend the cracked conch), then took a tour of the resort. The thing that impressed me the most were the number of options couples have for their wedding.




They can have their ceremony on the beach, in the gazebo looking over the water, in the glass pavilion or even by the reflecting pool. Receptions can be held in the main pool around Sabor, around the infinity pool, in the glass pavilion or even inside Sabor. A wedding dinner for two could even be held in the gazebo! Unlike a lot of outdoor wedding venues, Bimini Bay has really great indoor back-up options so couples don't have to worry about getting rained out.







Although it was too chilly to go swimming or lay out, we did enjoy walking on the beach (and watching an amazing sunset) and Sara even took a run the next morning. The two bedroom suite where we stayed was gorgeous and brand new. The decor is very neutral and Pottery Barn chic, which is refreshing for a Caribbean resort. No cheesy tropical prints in this resort!

Before we left the island the next day, we took a tour via golf cart and saw the house where Hemingway lived and worked on some of his novels as well as a pretty cool wreck washed up on shore. For an island only 7 miles long, it has some interesting history. Lots of shipwrecks and piracy!



We were so sad to leave but the only question is when we'll be back with a wedding. This is the perfect spot for a destination wedding and we can't wait to plan one there!

Laura

A Wild, Wild Western Wedding

Credits, clockwise from top left: gown (Brides magazine), church (Martha Stewart Weddings), boots (Style Me Pretty), table setting (Brides), junior cowboys (Snippet & Ink), mechanical bull (Snippet & Ink), tablescape (Martha Stewart Weddings), horseshoe placecards (Brides), hats and bandanas (Snippet & Ink)
And the inspiration was the really cute western themed invites from Hello, Lucky!
http://www.hellolucky.com/heartland-digital-wedding-invitation-espresso-persimmon-and-spring.html

We've had a few really fun Texas couples over the past few years so we thought we'd do a Western/Texan-inspired board. The thought of warm, open fields and cutting loose at a festive outdoor reception is so appealing. And what, I ask you, could be a better ice-breaker at a reception than mechanical bull riding?

I've never been a Wild West type of girl but my favorite yoga teacher from Georgetown Yoga, Margaret Burns Vapp, moved to Montana a few years ago and opened Big Sky Yoga, which is a yoga retreat/ranch/ski resort. She even runs retreats than mix horseback riding and yoga--how fun is that? Ever since I heard about it, I've had a bee in my bonnet about going. Her motto is, "Put a little yee-haw in your Namaste." Love that!

So for everyone like us who is really ready for the winter to be over and who want a little more yee-haw in their lives, enjoy!

Laura and Alison

Thailand Cubed!

Ok, so what do I mean, Thailand cubed? And, why should I care? Well, here are the reasons I am writing about Thailand 1) DESTINATION WEDDING 2) Honeymoon 3) MY honeymoon.


First things first. As Laura and I set out to check up on some major destination wedding locations for you, (we visited a tropical locale last week so stay tuned) I decided to check out one on my own while I was on the other side of the world. More on that later. Phuket is the beach/resort island area of Thailand located about an hour's plane ride south of Bangkok. There are several resorts lining both the east and west costs of the island. The Indigo Pearl resort, located on the west coast, offers visitors the perfect combination of resort and local culture, which will give your guests added reason to travel half way around the world for your celebration.


Phuket was originally a tin mining area and the Indigo Peal's architecture and decor tastefully pays homage to the island's history. The resort boasts space for weddings as small and private as 10 guests to ones with over 250 guests. Given the huge number of mixed culture weddings we are seeing now a days, with guests flying to the event from many places all over the world, why not meet in an exotic locale new and exciting for everyone? Thailand is a nice neutral ground:)


So, back to the spaces. Whether it's a sunset beach wedding, nuptials on the grassy grounds, or using the space of one of their unique restaurants, this destination spot is sure to give your guests an experience they won't soon forget.As a honeymoon spot, you must love to travel. Now don't get me wrong, some people may not be familiar with the distinction between travel and vacation, two very different things. Clearly you don't fly 22+ hours to sit on a beach and relax. There better be something darn good to see that far away. Not to fear, Thailand has it.


From the largest market in the WORLD, to elephant rehabilitation parks, to more Buddha's and temples than you could possibly fit into a trip, Thailand has something for everyone. There are three seasons, hot, hotter and rainy. Best to visit during the hot season, December-March.

Finally, here are my highlights.


We began our trip in Bangkok by way of Seoul. Korean Air Lines was fantastic. Bangkok, to me, was huge and ridiculous. The perks, the Grand Palace, an enormous lying buddha made of gold, the weekend market- read you need to spend a whole day there to actually stop freaking out and make your purchases, it is the size of Magic Kingdom- and the SILK! Buy as much as you can. Bring home reams for friends and family as gifts. They will FIND something to do with it.

Chiang Mai was my favorite spot. Unreal night market- not nearly as overwhelming as the weekend market in Bangkok- elephant adventures, zip cording through rain forests and amazing Thai cooking courses. I forgot to mention, the food here in Thailand is unbelievable and super inexpensive. We ate like kings! Oh ya, and the infamous Thai massage. My husband and I both got one for an hour for only $5!

Phuket was our final stop and time to relax. We rented a car, warning, they drive on the other side of the road and there are NO rules. If a car is bigger than you, make way! The best sunset on the island is at Phromthep Cape. Thanks to my so/so navigating skills and the lack of marked roads, we made it there with about 10 minutes to spare. The amazing Big Buddha

still being constructed on top of a mountain. We went up and bought a marble block to be used on it. In 10 years, when we go back, we can say we helped build it. We took a day trip to the Phi Phi Islands, the most amazing beaches in the world. It was on one of these that the movie The Beach with Leo DiCaprio was filmed (it's claim to fame). We experienced the crazy monkey beach here as well. Do NOT let your food or drink out of your possession. These guys are aggressive! Besides that, a little sitting on the beach, kayaking in the ocean and reading by the two infinity pools.


Overall, Thailand was an adventure. The best thing I think you can get from a trip is wanting to go back. Thailand has definitely been put back on the list!

Sara

Wedding Week 2010

Mark your calendars for March 24-28, 2010

Wedding Week 2010 is an educational conference geared toward event professionals. You will have the opportunity to hear from and speak with some of the most prominent industry professionals in the nation. Wedding Week consists of 4 days of symposiums, workshops and events directed toward elevating the special event industry standards and practices in event production, business consultation, and client standards.

They will also be having several events such as a Cake Design Challenge, Tablescape Competition, Pink Veil Event and Grooms' Events.

Guest Speakers to include: Preston Bailey, Sasha Souza, Diann Valentine, Donnie Brown, Preeti Shah, Katie Martin, Andre Wells, Linyette Richardson-Hall, Janie Medley, Stacie Francombe, Pearl Taylor and Isha Foss.

http://www.weddingweek2010.info

Call: 888-373-6856

1920s Inspiration Board {Speak-Easy Style}

Outside club (Flickr by Mukhina Ekaterina), speakeasy (weddingnouveau.com), bridesmaids (oncewed.com), lavender whiskey sour (Martha Stewart Weddings), ceremony programs (brides.com), cake topper (brides.com), bouquet (Style Me Pretty), bridal gown (Martha Stewart Weddings)

We're channeling Chicago jazz and Speak-Easy style today. I love details like retro Bride and Groom cake toppers, the lavender whiskey sour and programs that look like telegrams. And tell me that slinky gown with the bottom flounce isn't the perfect dress for a bride to change into for dancing!

Alison and Laura

Monachetti Video Preview {Eliza and Micah}

Eliza & Micah//A New Year's Wedding from Monachetti on Vimeo.

Enjoy this fun video from my New Year's Eve wedding at The Monaco. Thanks to the fun and talented guys from Monachetti Video for sharing!

Mad Men Inspiration

Dress (brides.com), gloves (weddingaces.com), birdcage veil and shoes (Snippe
and Ink), groom (Style Me Pretty), cigars (Style Me Pretty), oysters (Style Me Pretty), typewriter (Style Me Pretty), Christina Hendricks and bridesmaids (In Style Weddings)

We are loving "Mad Men" and cheer the return of gloves, birdcage veils and pill box hats (and although we love the look of cigars, we could do without the era's chain smoking). What better way to infuse a little glamour and style into your wedding than with some vintage chic (like using an old typewriter for a guest book)! Hope you enjoy a little 1950s inspiration.

Alison and Laura

And the Winner Is . . .

Wahoo Wedding! Congratulations Wahoo! Shoot us an email (laura@engagingaffairs.com) with your contact info within the next 48 hours and we will get you set up with your free Coco Myles dress. Thank you to everyone who voted and took the time to look at all of our inspiration boards and dress designs. We had a lot of fun and hope you did, too.

We have some fabulous new inspiration boards for you this week so be sure to keep reading. And if you'd like to see an inspiration board about a special theme or look, let us know.