Creative Escort Card Displays

In fifteen years planning weddings, we've seen tons of escort card displays. At minimum, they tell guests where to sit at the reception, but the displays can also reveal lots about the personality of the couple getting married. Here are a few escort card displays that have inspired us lately with their originality and style.

Photo Credit: The Knot

Apparently, this quirky display was inspired by the father of the bride's habit of putting his tie around his head at fun weddings. (Alternative explanation: the happy couple meeting at a "My Tie" party in college.)

Photo Credit: Jesse Leak

Adore these vintage library drawers featured on Brooklyn Bride. The handmade escort cards were made to look like min scrapbook pages, sprinkled with photos of the bride and groom. Such a darling idea!

Photo Credit: The Knot

Pop quiz time. Handwritten pebbles in lieu of traditional escort cards are:
 a) totally charming
 b) breathtakingly easy
 c) exquisitely eco-chic
 d) captivatingly cost effective
 e) all of the above

Photo Credit: Martha Stewart Weddings

This wreath is festive and delicate. A lovely option for any season!

And finally, because it's Friday, here's a sweet looking display to send you off into the weekend.

Photo Credit: Tammy Golson featured on Elizabeth Anne Designs

We'll have more unique escort card displays next week, so stay tuned!

Danielle and Ken's Wedding {Video Sneak Peek}

Danielle & Ken's Wedding from Justine Ungaro on Vimeo.
Check out this fun "market" themed wedding that Sara did a couple of weeks ago!

Just Peachy Inspiration Board

Last week, Amy asked me to make a peach-colored inspiration board for one of her upcoming weddings. It's a color that can be tricky to execute, but when done right, looks so refreshing and sweet. We love it paired with other warm colors: shades of gold, and ivories and greens with yellow undertones.

So what do you all think-- is peach ripe for a comeback, or did it never really leave?

Photo credits: Peach lamp shades from The Knot, cake from Brides.com, bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings, bridesmaid dresses from Elegant Bride, table setting from The Bohemian Bride, place setting necktie from The Knot, photo of saturn peaches from Cannelle et Vanille, Save the Date by Lucky Luxe, bride from Rebecca Thuss

Memorial Day Wedding at The Mellon {A Sneak Peek}

Just a teaser photo from my wedding on May 30th at The Mellon. More fun details and photos to come! Thanks to Hamilton Photography for the photo!

A Wedding Planner Gets Hitched at The Washington Club {Amy & Clark}

Just a few short weeks ago, our very own Amy walked down the aisle and married a really great guy. We all love Clark and he makes Amy really happy!

Since Amy had quite a bit of experience planning weddings and had seen tons of cool things, she had pretty good ideas of what she wanted for her wedding. She had a fabulous vision of a very elegant garden tea party (but set inside a stately D.C. mansion). She wanted a daytime event in the Spring that would have an elegant feel with touches of whimsy throw in.

Having loved a wedding she planned at The Washington Club, Amy selected the gorgeous Dupont Circle mansion for her ceremony and reception venue.

She chose the Mayflower Hotel right up the street as the perfect place to get ready and take some great portraits ahead of time. Hair was done by the always amazing Susie Ruckshal and makeup by the divine Pattie Martin. These two ladies always make our brides look stunning!

Amy's gorgeous Ulla-Maija gown and veil came from Hitched Bridal Salon in Georgetown (always an Engaging Affairs favorite). Her bridesmaids wore fabulous blue Dessy dresses from The Bridal Closet in Vienna. Check out the sassy blue shoes Amy wore under her dress!

Amy and Clark also wanted a focus of the day to be on the ceremony itself. They created a meaningful and personal ceremony and then added some dramatic impact by having the Howard University Gospel Choir perform. Amy and her Dad walked in (well, danced in, really) to "This Will Be"and she and Clarke recessed to "Oh Happy Day!" The choir was amazing and added great energy and joy to the day.

I love the chandeliers, sconces and tapestries in the ceremony room. And check out the cool balcony in the back!

After cocktails, guests were seated for lunch and were treated to a truly fun Southern menu (fried chicken and shrimp and grits--can you say yum?) with a few twists like the fabulous cheese course served with Tupelo honey and the passed brownie pops and miniature ice cream cones. The fabulous Joel from Occasions made sure that everything was perfect.

Petal's Edge created the floral decor to bring the outdoors inside by creating grass and tulip table runners on long rectangular tables and vintage teapots brimming with Spring flowers on round tables. Deep blue linens were the perfect background for the vintage patterned china and gold rimmed crystal that Amy selected to evoke the feel of a formal tea party. The custom-designed menu cards echoed the programs and even the invitations (all created by the same designer, Jason Vandorsten).

Amy and Clark had a beautiful wedding cake (with three flavors inside: carrot, mocha and Tupelo honey) created by the amazing Kendall's Cakes plus a "cheese" cake. This fun stack of cheeses sat by the wedding cake and made everyone look twice.

After lunch and a series of heartfelt toasts, guests danced to the sounds of "Groove" through Bailek's Music and Amy and Clark dashed off for a fun Dupont Circle/Mayflower portrait session. Thanks to Juan Carlos Briceno of Fotobriceno for sharing the gorgeous photos with us! Video was done by David Morley (we can't wait to see it).

I go to a lot of weddings and I can truly say that this was a special day full of joyful, unique touches. Congratulations Amy and Clark!

Laura

Creative Cupcake Displays

A cupcake is by its very nature, adorably delicious. And a group of cupcakes together is a scrumptious sight indeed. So a post on creative cupcake displays may seem a bit like gilding the lily. After all, can a good display really increase the quality of a cupcake? After more than two years doing weddings, and lots of research, I’m convinced the answer is yes.

For proof, look no further then this amazing suspended cupcake tower featured on Hostess With The Mostess. I love how it takes the natural charm of cupcakes and ups the whimsy tenfold.

Speaking of whimsy, I’m convinced these cupcakes in teacups are what Alice would serve at her own Wonderland wedding. I love the literalness of the idea, so chicly executed.

Photo Credit: Flickr

This moss covered branch stand gives the cupcake presentation a rustic, more masculine feel. And how divine do those chocolate cupcakes look? I would like three, immediately.

Photo Credit: Altamodabridal.com

And finally, sometimes the most creative display hinges on a simple idea, flawlessly executed. This acrylic tower is pretty basic, even with the floral details, but what really makes the display is the matching background and hanging black and white photos. We have lots of brides who want to include pictures of other family weddings on their big day, and this would be a perfect way to do that.

Photo Credit: The Knot

A Spring Wedding in the Capitol {Natalie & Mike}

My Spring wedding season kicked off back in April with an amazing wedding at The Willard Hotel and amazing couple. Natalie and Mike (and their families) were such fun! I had the best time working with Natalie and her mom on all the details. As you've heard me say before, I really do have the most fabulous clients!

The day started at The Willard where the girls (and George, the couple's adorable dog) had hair done by Carlos of Corte Salon and makeup by the talented Gustavo Mottola. Okay, George didn't get his hair done but he had fun hanging with the ladies.

While the girls were primping the guys were, well, making human pyramids.

George got love from everyone! I've had lots of dogs in weddings and George was one of the best-behaved ones yet. He even had a floral collar and walked in the processional!

The bridal party took a few photos outside before it started to rain. The peony and lilac bouquets from Amaryllis were stunning and looked amazing against the green dresses. The bride's beautiful Melissa Sweet gown came from Carine's Bridal Atelier.

The Willard Room was the setting for the romantic and breathtaking ceremony. The masses of cherry blossom branches were to-die-for. A huge thanks to the amazing Christopher at Amaryllis for finding local cherry blossoms and peonies when our flowers got stuck overseas due to the volcanic ash cloud. We love you, Christopher!

Rabbi Blecher led the ceremony under the chuppah. Frost Lighting provided the gorgeous lighting for the ceremony and reception.

After cocktails in the Crystal Room, guests entered the Grand Ballroom which was decked out in pink and green with touches of lilac. Even the wedding cake (provided by the Willard) featured delicate pink and green detailing.

Linens, chairs and chargers were provided by Party Rentals.

Tables were set with either pink or green linens with custom-designed green menu cards tucked in the white linen napkins. We mixed up round tables with long high rectangular tables to create visual interest in the room and used candlelight everywhere from taper candles to votives to candles along the upper ledge of the room. The room looked phenomenal!

Thanks to the always wonderful Steele Stevenson from the Willard who worked with us to customize the menu to include such fun items as passed baby macaroons and mini ice cream sandwiches. Steele always makes sure everything is seamless!

I've never seen an entire wedding fill the dance floor from before the bride and groom even enter the room but this crowd didn't stop dancing for the entire evening. Sound Connection from Andy Kushner Entertainment was amazing and kept the floor packed.

Thanks to Justine Ungaro and her assistant, Jenni, for the amazing photos and to Tom Bowen for the fun video coverage that he gave us a sneak peek of earlier (click here for that video preview) . And a big thanks to Natalie and Mike and their families for letting us be a part of their amazing day!
Laura

Special Memories Created at The Willard {Sargine + Del}

Sargine & Del wanted their wedding to be a special and memorable experience for all of their guests, some of who traveled all the way from Haiti to be there. The bride chose none other than DC’s historic Willard Hotel for her wedding venue. She worked closely with the Willard’s Laurie Politzer to design a 4 course menu and mini dessert buffet that the guests were sure to love.

After several months of planning, the big day finally arrived. The bride was surrounded by family and friends while she and her bridal party had their hair done by the talented Jamal Edmonds and got their makeup done by the amazing Leiloni Cooper.

All of these special moments were captured by Tosha Francis (The Captured Life) and Felisha Gaskins (Endless Expressions).

The ceremony took place in the elegant Crystal Room which was decorated with white and red florals designed by Rebecca of Petal’s Edge Floral Design. Amber lighting lit the columns in the room and a pink wash lit the stage, thanks to Eric Hertsch and his team at Ampa Events. The bridal party walked down the aisle to music performed by harpist, Melissa Tardiff Dvorak.

After the I Do’s were said, guests were ushered to The Nest where they enjoyed Cirque-style music performed by the harpist and were entertained by Cirque-style performers such a ribbon dancers and living statues provided by Cast of Thousands.

Guests who had small children were able to enjoy some time without the little ones thanks to the helpful babysitter from Wee Sit. Wee Sit set up in a suite upstairs so parents could check on their kids throughout the night while the kids were entertained children’s videos and toys. We love Wee Sit and have used them for years!

After an extended cocktail hour, guests were directed down to the ornate Willard Room where they were able to enjoy their meals while listening to the sounds of Gordon Thorn of Absolute Entertainment. 

The room was decorated with amber lighting, a white dance floor and stunning centerpieces. Instead of favors, the bride chose to donate to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund in each of the guest’s names. It was a beautiful evening!

Congratulations Sargine and Del!

Christine

Rustic Garden Wedding Inspiration

tomato centerpieces (Snippet & Ink), plant table numbers (Snippet & Ink), flower girl with watering can (Axel and Moa), escort cards (Elizabeth Anne Designs), flower seed favors (Martha Stewart Weddings), fruit favors (Style Me Pretty, bride in rain boots (Style Guide), bouquet with gardening gloves and shears (Better Home and Gardens), wreath (Minna Mercke Schmidt)

As the weather gets warmer and my garden is getting greener and greener, we thought we'd feature some fabulous rustic looks for outdoor weddings. I love using natural touches in wedding decor and think the baskets of tomatoes as centerpieces is so fun!

Laura