Lucky in Love at The Park Hyatt {Stephanie & Ron}

One of the things I love about having planned weddings for so many years is that I get to do multiple weddings within a family and see my former couples and their new children. I especially love having children of my former couples in the wedding party!  Stephanie and Ron's gorgeous wedding at The Park Hyatt was one of these family affairs.  I have planned the weddings of at least three of their cousins and friends and one of the flower girls was the daughter of a favorite couple of mine from several years ago. It was such fun to see my past brides and grooms and get to catch up with them (and I'm happy to say that they are all still very happily married). Love that!

The day started out with getting ready at The Park Hyatt by the talented makeup artist Pattie Martin and hairstylist Maria.  The girls were relaxed sipping champagne and laughing before heading off in limos to the ceremony at Our Lady of Mercy in Potomac.

The beautiful ceremony was made even more of a success when our tiny flower girls made it down the aisle!

After the ceremony, the bridal party dashed off for some fun photos at Glen Echo Park despite the on and off drizzle!

Back at The Park Hyatt, guests were enjoying cocktails and were serenaded by the Sage String Quartet from Bialek's Music. The ballroom was set with flowers from Petal's Edge, linens from Party Rentals and lighting from John Farr Lighting. Tables alternated between profusions of baby's breath, taper candles and elevated arrangements of roses, hydrangea and stock. Gold embroidered linens and cream fabric draping the walls completed the look to give the room a warm, intimate glow. Truly romantic!

Tables were set with menu cards and two favors for each guest: a set of crystal elephant salt and pepper shakers in a gold box and a jar of the Groom's grandmother's famous strawberry jam (how she made 200 of these and lived to tell the tale, I'll never know!)  The extra surprise of the evening was the red envelopes under guests' plates filled with lottery tickets!

After an amazing dinner by Chef Brian McBride from The Park Hyatt (I can personally attest to how amazing the shrimp ravioli were) and some heartfelt toasting, DJ Aaron from Chris Laich Entertainment kept the guests on the dance floor all night.

But the surprises didn't stop! Guests were treated to a traditional dragon dance and the bride and groom changed into Vietnamese outfits for the occasion. Talk about high-energy!

Thank you to my wonderful team for making this wedding such a success and such fun!  Michael Deltette from The Park Hyatt was a rock star, the ladies from Egomedia Photography were true professionals and captured amazing images (and a huge thanks for letting us showcase them here), the video team from Photoria was completely unobtrusive and the dragon dancers from Wong People Kung Fu were so easy to work with. I could not have done it without my amazing assistant, Maeve, who always makes the wedding days fun.

Special thanks to Stephanie and Ron and their families for being so wonderful and including me in so many of their family celebrations. I can't wait for the next one!!
Laura

Hollywood Weddings! {Gown Predictions by Rani Totman of St. Pucchi}

We hear wedding bells ringing in Hollywood! Starlets Kim Kardashian, Kate Hudson, and Jessica Simpson, just to name a few, are about to walk down the aisle.  What will they wear? Rani Totman of St. Pucchi sat down and sketched her predictions for these three lovely ladies. 

Kim Kardashian

One reason we all love Kim is that she is never afraid to show off her curves. It’s no question Kim will opt for a mermaid gown to accentuate her curvaceous figure. A long train and lots of embellishments on the bodice stay true to Kim’s love for Old Hollywood style and glamour.

 

Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson loves to show skin, but always leans toward a boho chic style.  A plunging neckline or open back dress with a slimming design and intricate detailing would be our prediction for the blonde bombshell.

Jessica Simpson

We think the future Mrs. Eric Johnson is going to have fun with her dress, but stick to something elegant and semi-traditional.  We can see her in a mermaid style strapless gown that highlights her curves.  The boning and corset style structure of the dress would provide a slimming effect to her 5’3” frame.

Engagement in the Country { Christine LeGrand Photography}

Even though we aren't working with this bride, she sent us her engagement photos to showcase the talents of her South Carolina photographer. After seeing these photos, we're dying to work with this gorgeous bride and dying to work with her photographer, Christine LeGrand! As a Southern girl myself, I love the natural feel of these images and the stunning country setting.   The couple is just as adorable as can be and Christine does a great job of capturing genuine smiles (and I love all the venue and outfit changes). Check her out!

Dancing the Night Away at Dumbarton House {Janelle + Matt}

Back in October, I shared some really special engagement photos taken by the very talented Linda Crayton of a very special couple, Janelle and Matt.  I now have the pleasure of sharing that same couple’s incredible wedding photos shot again by LindaCrayton. 

The bride and her bridesmaids spent the morning with makeup artist, Kim Giammaria of Beauty Mark and hairstylist Giselle of Hair by Giselle before heading over to St Peter’s Catholic Church on Capitol Hill for the very emotional wedding ceremony. 

After the ceremony, the bride and groom took photos while guests made their way to the very beautiful Dumbarton House, located in Georgetown, for an outdoor cocktail hour on the lawn and patio and seated dinner in the downstairs ballroom.   The guests were greeted by the sounds of the Winn Brothers band playing.  To help keep the guests cool on this warm Saturday in June, the bride and groom had the bartenders mix up a spiked lemonade as their specialty drink. 

Each of the guests had an opportunity to leave their mark on the wedding by placing their finger in ink (matching the colors of the wedding, blue and orange) and placing it on a photo of a tree where, once done, all of the fingerprints looked like the leaves of the tree. 

 

Once cocktails were over, guests were ushered downstairs where they dined on a delicious menu created by Design Cuisine Caterers.  The bride used mini chalkboards with an unfinished white wood finish to display the menu on each table.  White paper lanterns were hung around the tent that was just outside the ballroom and created a great ambiance as the night settled in. 

After the guests filled up on sweet potato french fries, steaks and crabcakes, The WinnBrothers picked up where they left off and kept the Bride and Groom (and the rest of their guests) on the dancefloor until the very last song.   I owe the bride a very big thank you for dragging me out to dance with her and the groom for "Come On Eileen."

A unique and delicious wedding cake and groom’s cake was designed by the DC’s own, MaggieAustin Cakes.  The fresh blackberries with vanilla icing was absolutely amazing!

Thank you to Alison de Wit of Distinctive Floral Design  for all of the amazing flowers of the day!

Thank you also to my always amazing assistant, Sarah!

Congratulations Janelle and Matt!

Christine

Love Pops {DC's Newest Cake Pops}

Love these cake pops from DC local Omna Bhattacharya and her company LovePops !   Flavors include the traditional chocolate and vanilla as well as exotic flavors like gingerbread, red velvet and s'mores cookie dough.

The candy coating can be any color under the sun (just about) and Love Pops offers pretty designs and embellishments like colored sugar.

Perfect for passed desserts or favors for wedding guests!

Paper Party at The Dandelion Patch in Georgetown {Lifestyle Wedding Event}

Our second Lifestyle Wedding Event, a Paper Party all about the latest trends in wedding invitations and paper products, will be taking place on August 3rd at The Dandelion Patch in Georgetown and we're opening up the party to all brides. We hope to see you there!

Jenny Yoo Trunk Show {Love Courure Bridal}

Hitched Sample Sale Soiree!

It's time for the Hitched Sample Sale Soiree – Slip in Slip out with a Steal on Thursday, July 14th!

When: Thursday, July 14th, from 5pm-8pm [first-come, first-served—no appointment necessary!]

Why: To find the dress of your dreams at a steal! Couture weddings gowns [Ulla-Maija, Amsale, Judd Waddell, Oscar de la Renta, 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.

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 Hitched at 202.333.6162 or info@hitchedsalon.com.

Most of the sample sale gowns are now pictured on the Hitched website, so feel free to take a sneak peek then grab the best decision makers in your life and have some fun and find "the one!"

Zoya Couture {Vendor Love}

I love when I find a vendor that takes my breath away! I felt that way when I met Arti of Zoya Couture. Her opulent invitations are so beautiful that it was impossible to pick a favorite.

I loved the jeweled enclosure of a silk folio but also was captivated by the subtle blind embossing on the front of a paper folio.

Not only is her work beautiful and creative, but Arti is absolutely lovely. From exotic to classic, her designs are truly unique.

Be sure to check out more of Zoya Couture's gorgeous invitations!