Move and Eat!

This may not be completely wedding-related, but it made me want to book a trip someplace fabulous and exotic. This may give those of you planning honeymoons some fun ideas!


MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.



And for all you foodies! Yum!


EAT from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

Reem Acra at Saks Jandel DC!

A Magical Mellon Evening {Liz and Mike}

 

 

September 2011 was the 5^th wettest September on record and had only 2 days that qualified as sunny days.  One of those days fell on Liz and Mike’s wedding day and it couldn't have happened to a more wonderful couple.  As the ladies spent the morning in the Bride’s suite overlooking Freedom Plaza watching the movie Bridesmaids, makeup artist Nikki Frasier of "Beauty and the Bride" and hairstylist Thania of "My True Beauty" were hard at work glamming each one of them up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once everyone was dolled up, the bridesmaids, bride and mother of the bride slipped into their stunning dresses all provided by our friends at Love Couture. It was then time to head over to the grand Mellon Auditorium, where the ceremony and reception would be taking place.  We love The Mellon because it's stunning and because of their fabulous staff!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guests and bridal party were transported to the Mellon with the help of Unipark.  Unipark also served as our valet company as well.  As guests entered the lobby of the Mellon, they were greeted with sleek white furniture and large wedding photos of family members hanging along the walls.  Programs were designed to resemble sports programs and included fun facts about the couple and their bridal party.  Details of the individuals in the hanging wedding photos were also included.  Such a fun, personal idea!

The ceremony looked as if it came out of a storybook with tall trees decorated with white flowers scattered throughout the guest seating, a gorgeous white chuppah covered with crème roses provided a beautiful backdrop on the stage, a white aisle runner lined the aisle and a spotlight followed the bride as she walked to her future husband.  Rick Davis from Amaryllis outdid himself with the design!

 

 Five flag boys carrying signs saying (one word at a time) "Here Comes The Bride" led the bride’s processional.  Music for the ceremony was performed by pianist and musical savant, Richard Blumenfeld, who we discovered through Andy Kushner Entertainment.  He played modern songs such as "Lucky" by Jason Mraz, "Pale September" by Fiona Apple and "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga. 

 

 

 

 

 

As a surprise to the couple (and guests), the bride’s mother and I worked together to bring in a surprise choir, the 18^th Street Singers.  They dressed as wedding guests, sat among the guests and at the end of the ceremony, they each stood up to sing "All You Need Is Love", acapella-style similar to the wedding scene in the movie Love Actually.   Everyone was surprised!  Some guests even stood and sang along with the choir. 

 

 

 

While guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’eourves in the Green Rooms, the main hall was transformed from the ceremony to an elegant GaGa inspired affair.  Trios of tables surrounded the trees that were once scattered in the ceremony.  Square mirrored tables were spread throughout the reception decorated with candles and flowers.  The oval head table was placed in the center of the room with a shiny black GaGa style linen.  All the tables were topped with black-rimmed china and black etched champagne flutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guests dined on a delicious dinner prepared by Ridgewells Caterers.  Pop Culture Strings by Andy Kushner Entertainment provided beautiful music while guests dined. The beautiful (and tasty) vegan, gluten-free cake was provided by DC’s Sticky Fingers. Donations to Anacostia Watershed Society to plant a tree in the guest’s honor were the guest’s favors.  Each guest received a tree cookie and favor card at their place setting.

 

 

 

The guests were sent, along with their invitations, a 4x4 inch square in order to decorate however they would like and mail back along with their RSVP.  Once all squares were collected, Korry of Capital Décor sewed them all into quilt that we displayed at the reception for all guests to see.

 

 

 

DJ Aaron Couch and MC Andrew Larris kept the party going all night long.  Bridesmaids got into the spirit by doing a karaoke version of "Addicted to Love." 

 

 

 

 

 

For the after party, we moved the guests upstairs to the 3^rd floor outdoor terrace for  more dancing while late night snacks were passed.  

 

 

 Lighting for the ceremony and reception was provided by John Farr Lighting and created a perfect mood throughout the evening.  Thank you to the talented Rick Davis of Amaryllis for designing a gorgeous ceremony and reception.  Thank you to everyone for making this wedding such a success!  A special thanks goes out to my assistants for the day Laura Weatherly, Krista McClain and Emily Metzger. Thanks to Douglas Benedict Photography for sharing the lovely images with us and letting us share them with you!

 

 

Congratulations Liz and Mike!

Spicy and Sweet Cocktails {Signature Drinks}

Last evening, we had the delightful treat of doing Happy Hour with the catering team at the newly remodeled McLean Hilton. Cliff and Stephanie were such lovely hosts as they showed off their modern space and tempted us with delicious cocktails.

I love that the hotel uses ingredients that they grow or raise themselves, like hot peppers that they grow in their own garden plot and honey they gather from hives on the roof of the hotel. We enjoyed cocktails with both of these very local ingredients and wanted to share some ideas for both a hot pepper concoction and a honey sipper. Enjoy!

Habanero Daiquiri (from www.sheknows.com)

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 ounces Flor de Caña 7 Year Rum
• 1/2 ounce lime juice
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• Muddled poblano peppers

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
2. Strain into a short rocks glass over ice and garnish with a poblano and jalapeño pepper. 

 

The Honey Bee

Ingredients

2 oz. Jamaican Rum
1/4 oz. Honey
1/2 oz. Lemon Juice

Instructions

Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.

Anna Maier/Ulla-Maija at Hitched {Trunk Show}

When it comes to wedding gowns, it's truly the little details that make a dress particularly special—and nobody does detail quite like Charles Bunstine, the head designer for Anna Maier/Ulla~Maija. If you're still in search of a gown that will outshine any other, then we'd love for you to join Hitched at the Anna Maier/Ulla~Maija Trunk Show on Friday, November 11th & Saturday, November 12th! 

Anna Maier gowns are made from the finest fabrics and incorporate the most stunning lace, beading, and draping details imaginable. At the trunk show you'll have the opportunity to try on the latest gowns from the runway before they even hit the stores!

What: Anna Maier/Ulla~Maija Bridal Gown Trunk Show

When: Friday, November 11th & Saturday, November 12th

RSVP: 202.333.6162 or appointments@hitchedsalon.com
(Please remember, gown trials are by appointment only!)

Special Treat: You'll have the chance to try on gowns from the latest collection, straight from the runway.  Also, designer Charles Bunstine will be on hand at the trunk show on Saturday to discuss customizations to his gowns, and will be offering complimentary muslin fittings to brides who purchase at the event!

Up from Under {Helping Haiti}

Tonight is the night of the fabulous Up from Under benefit in DC. This amazing charity was started by wedding photographer Nicole Wolf of SOTA Dzine to provide support and housing for people in Haiti still struggling after the terrible earthquake.  Nicole has traveled to Haiti numerous time to document the devastation and became so moved by the people she met that she started a non-profit to help build houses for the still-homeless people in Haiti.

Nicole is such an inspiration to us in the wedding industry because she reminds us that there are more important things than finding the perfect linen or worrying about a signature cocktail.  Nicole takes beautiful wedding photographs and loves what she does but she keeps it all in perspective. It's easy in a business obsessed with details and "things" to lose focus but we should remember that there are more important things out there.

We are incredibly lucky to be able to plan such opulent weddings. Most of the people on the planet will never attend a wedding like the ones we plan every week. We are lucky. We are blessed. And we are in the position to give back.  So as we all go about planning our own, or others', elegant weddings, let's remind ourselves that we are fortunate and share a bit of this fortune with others.

Many of my couples make donations to charities for their weddings, others arrange for flowers to go to hospitals and food to go to shelters. We have a couple who are skipping the usual reception and building a playground with their guests instead.  Up from Under is a wonderful charity to support. 100% of the money goes to the people. That's a pretty impressive percentage. So buy a ticket to tonight's benefit, send in a donation, be a part of something really special.

Happy Tuesday!

Happy Halloween!

Tat'sTips

Halloween is finally here! I will be out making the rounds with Iron Man and Bat Girl tonight. I'm glad I have not one, but two, superheroes to keep me safe. Of course, my miniature superheroes may be wearing winter coats over their costumes if it stays this cold outside. Here's hoping that wool coats don't negate super powers.  Have a fabulous Halloween everyone!

Oscar de la Renta at Saks Jandel!

Wedding Candy Displays {Halloween Is Here!}

RogueBride.com

I've done plenty of candy bars in my years of planning weddings. All-white candy bars, Easter candy bars, all-pink candy bars, all-gummi candy bars. You get the picture. But perhaps the most natural fit for a candy display is a Halloween candy bar. I mean, Halloween in its modern incarnation is pretty much all about getting candy. I love the very refined orange display with fabulous black pedestals but also totally dig the cauldrons of wrapped candy with pumpkin pails to fill.  Whether you go classy or kitschy, this is one place to have fun and let your imagination run wild!

WeddingRowGeorgia

Love this rustic Halloween dessert display featuring candy apples and mini burlap bags of treats!

Savethedateforcupcakes

A little more ghoulish but utterly fun. This will take adults back to their childhood (especially if you include some classic candies from their era)!

TheKnot.com

Sitting Pretty {Sarah's Stands}

Admittedly, the cake above is totally cool. But check out the stand it's sitting on! The sleek lines and crisp color really finish the look.  The cake would not look nearly as polished sitting on an aluminum disc or a fussy silver stand.  Sarah's Stands creates cake stands that you can customize in several sizes and colors.

I love the vivid colors you can choose. Not to mention the sizes.

I love the drama these stands add to the presentation of the cake.

Even a classic white stand makes a statement.

So check out Sarah's pretty stands to set your cake apart!