Breaking D.C. Event World News!

Well, there is big news this week in the D.C. event world so hang on to your hats (or veils)! Our dear friend and Director of Catering at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Michael Deltette, is moving to The Park Hyatt to become their new Director of Catering. We absolutely adore Michael and have done so many amazing weddings with him at The Mandarin so now we look forward to doing lots of weddings with him at The Park Hyatt!

And the lovely Amal Zaari from The Park Hyatt will be taking over as Director of Social Catering at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel. We all know Amal for her spectacular events at The Park Hyatt, and the Ritz is lucky to get her talent. Congratulations Amal! We look forward to working with you at The Ritz!

Congratulations Sara!

Once again, Sara has been nominated for a Capital Award for one of her weddings! The Capital Awards are sponsored by ISES, the International Special Events Society, and are the highest honor you can achieve in the D.C. special events industry. Go Sara!

Green Garters!

Our favorite Garter Girl has designed fabulous eco-friendly garters. The first-ever, green garters are environmentally friendly (and chic) wedding garters made from recycled plastic bottles. The background and accent colors can be mixed and matched to find your perfect style.




So, be you and be green! Go to Julianne Smith to purchase or customize your garter colors. You might have to get a couple, though. These garters are too cute to throw!

Mellow Yellow

Photo from MSW

This past weekend was so gorgeous in the D.C. area! The forsythia bush in my yard is in glorious bloom with the most riotous yellow blossoms so I thought I'd post some favorite photos of yellow wedding details.

Photo by The Cake Girls

These individual cakes look so yummy! You know how we love bright shoes under wedding dresses. These sunny peep-toes are perfect for a warm weather wedding!

Photo by Jose Villa

Happy Monday and bring on the Spring!

Wedding Amusement {Carnival Inspiration}

credits: candy and game (Victor Sizemore Photography), centerpiece (Green
Wedding Shoes), escort cards ( Grey Likes Weddings), milk jug toss (Victor
Sizemore Photography), photobooth (Grey Likes Weddings), ferris wheel kiss
(Green Wedding Shoes), carousel bride (Picture That Photography), cotton candy
(Victor Sizemore Photography), ring toss (Victor Sizemore Photography)

The warmer weather starts making me think about summer carnivals and outdoor fairs. I always love really whimsical weddings that take inspiration from childhood fun. Plus, I adore cotton candy and funnel cakes and all sorts of fair food! Love having escort cards that look like carnival tickets--such a cute idea! Weddings are happy occasions so why not make them really fun? Enjoy and Happy Friday!

Win a Luxurious Yacht Wedding!

We just have to share this amazing giveaway!

Win an Annapolis dream wedding on a luxurious private yacht on the Chesapeake Bay! The prize, valued at over $20,000 includes:

• 3-hour yacht cruise
• Hosted Soda/Juice/Beer/Wine Bar
• Delicious catering and a fabulous wedding cake from The Main Ingredient.
• Accommodations, valet service and breakfast from Historic Inns of Annapolis
• DJ services from Alpha Entertainment
• Photography by DBryant Photography
• Florals from Intrigue Design and Décor
• Limousine from An Extraordinary Limousine

There are two ways to enter:
1. Send a video (90 seconds or less please) of your love story or wedding proposal.
OR
2. Come down to the Annapolis City Dock on April 17, 2010. Watermark will welcome you to step aboard the Catherine Marie to record your video and receive a tour.

For more information or to download your video, go to the contest website. Good luck! We hope a Bridal Bubbly reader wins!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! {Green Wedding Inspiration}

Photo credits: dresses (Martha Stewart), bouquet (Martha Stewart), cake

(Artisan Cake Company via The Knot), ring pillow (), shoes (Cheri Pearl), table
setting (Martha Stewart), teacups (Martha Stewart), clover boutonniere, apple
escort cart setting (Style Me Pretty), drink (Martha Stewart Wedding), cupcake
(Snippet & Ink), invitation (Style Me Pretty)

Hope everyone remembered to wear green today!  We have a few green and white weddings coming up this summer, and we love the crisp combination. Enjoy this fresh and fun green wedding inspiration and may the luck of the Irish be with you!

Lunch with Some (Wedding Planning) Ladies

Last week, Sara and I had the pleasure of attending a lunch to showcase the catering talents of Silverleaf. Our dear friend Pam Barefoot of Atrendy Wedding hosted the Georgetown party and some of our favorite fellow wedding planners attended.

The weather was glorious so we enjoyed cocktails in the walled garden before going inside for a seated lunch. The meal was tapas style with delicious items like shrimp on skewers, summer rolls and chai pots de creme. I loved the unique flavors and creative use of spices! Pam had everyone answer a fun, wedding planning related question, which led to some lively conversation.





Nick Perez of Multiflor created gorgeous centerpieces using unusual flowers and vegetables that evoked the modern art on the wall. The beautiful photos are courtesy of Kate Triano. Thanks to Pam and to Silverleaf for a lovely afternoon!

A Picnic-Inspired Spring Wedding Board

bouquet (Martha Stewart Weddings), dress (Pretty Chicky), ceremony (Style Me
Pretty), watermelon (Brides Buzzing), tablescape (Style Me Pretty), lunch bags
(Style Me Pretty), escort cards (Style Me Pretty), picnic blankets (White Lace
Wedding), hammock (), table setting (Style Me Pretty), cake (Martha Stewart
Wedding), bottles (Style Me Pretty), edible 'paper bags' (Martha Stewart
Weddings, jar (Prima Donna Bride) The red gingham bottle photo is courtesy of Halo Photography.

We're so thrilled that the weather is turning warm that we feel inspired to share happy, sunny wedding ideas. What could be more fun than a wedding outside on the lawn? After ages with snow on the ground here in D.C., we love the idea of an elegant reception on the lawn with individual picnic blankets and baskets for guests. I love the pink floral arrangements on each blanket and the white cushions!

Photo courtesy of White Lace Weddings

Flaunt Your Rock!

Did you recently get engaged and are beaming with pride over the shiny rock on your finger? Do you have the best engagement ring ever? Well, it’s time to flaunt it for a chance to win a FREE Engagement Session AND a FREE 20 page Gold Guest Signature Album from Ever After Visuals.

The Details:

• Engaged couples only.
• Ceremony must be held in the Northern VA, DC, MD area.
• Submit 1 photograph of your ring & 1 photograph of yourselves (amateur photo’s only) by March 17th by e-mail only to Mindy@EverAfterVisuals.com. After submissions are closed, they will put all images back up on the blog for voting.
• Encourage all of your friends and family to vote for you. The ring with the most votes wins! Voting will begin on March 18th!

Everyone will be invited to cast their vote by leaving your name, a comment and the image number of the couple you are voting for.

Entries:
Submit by: 03/17/2010
Voting begins: 03/18/2010
Voting ends: midnight on 03/25/2010
Announce winner: 03/31/2010.

The prize the winner will receive:

• A FREE Engagement Session
• A FREE 20 page Gold Guest Signature Album

For a TOTAL VALUE OF: $500.00

Also because they appreciate you taking the time to vote, Ever After Visuals will give away 2 family portrait sessions as prizes! JUST FOR THE VOTERS! So be sure to leave an email address when you vote where they can contact you!

Don't send your photos or try to vote here. Bop on over to Ever After Visuals for more info. Good luck!