Wedding Cuisine Trends for 2011

Manola For the Brides

It's easy to focus on the design and decor of a wedding because it's something we can see.  But the tastes at your wedding are just as important, if not more so.  If you've ever been to a wedding with really bad food, you know what I mean. Here are some of the latest trends in the wedding culinary world.

- The Gastropub phenomenon. Beer is huge now so why not add beer pairings with cheeses or small bites? Lagers, ales, stouts can all be included in a fun beer tasting bar.

Belgianshop.com

- Farm-to-Table. Lots of couples who consider themselves foodies or locavores are interested in where everything comes from. Including the food's lineage on menu cards--the farm that grew the heirloom tomatoes or the ranch that raised the organic beef-- or on the food signs for the buffet, is something that's becoming more popular.

-Global flavors. Ethnic options from Thailand, Latin America, Africa and Vietnam are all popular. Vietnamese Pho soup sips and mini Oaxacan tacos offer guests something unique during cocktail hour.

-Small is still big. Small bites from fries in paper cones to mini salads in edible cups are still popular. It's all about portion control and giving your guests lots of interesting bites instead of huge, groaning plates of food.

 Phira.com

-Whoopie! The cupcake has been bumped off for the whoopie pie. These yummy treats come in tons of flavors and are easy and fun to eat.

 Harrods via MariaBacus

-Eye on the Pie. As a huge fan of pies, I'm thrilled that they are taking their rightful place at weddings. I love the idea of a pie table instead of a dessert buffet! And how cute are these pie pops?

OneReputation.com

-Food Trucks. Food trucks that dish out deluxe fare are all the rage in cities right now (DC has amazing lobster rolls served out of a truck). Have one pull up at your wedding for late night nibbles!

OneReputation.com

Okay, now I'm really hungry! Enjoy!

Tiptoe through the Tulips

Planting Queen

I adore tulips!  Whether it's because they mean an end to cold weather with the coming Spring or whether it's their bold colors or whether I just resonate to the graceful lines, they've always been one of my favorite flowers. Since the yellow and orange tulips in my front yard are in full bloom (and make me happy every time I walk outside), I thought I'd share some gorgeous tulip ideas for weddings.

 Mountain Floral

Tulip bouquets are stunning whether in a single hue or mixed together.

MS Weddings via {frolic}

These feather tulips mixed with real feathers are so unique and lovely.

MyWeddingFlowerIdeas

Parrot tulips make fabulously dramatic arrangements. Love these in red!

MS Wedding via So You're Engayged

What is prettier than a mass of gathered tulips? I love that they look amazing whether given a modern look in glass or in a classic urn.

Be Imbued

Is anyone using tulips in their Spring weddings? Happy Spring!

English Wedding Inspiration

We're certainly not immune to the royal wedding fever that's taken over the wedding world. It may age me, but I remember waking up early to watch Princess Diana's wedding (I was very young, of course--practically an infant) and being entranced by the pomp and ceremony. So today I found just a few little nods to British wedding elegance.

 MSWeddings

Nothing says English like enormous boxwoods!

MSWeddings

These flowers were inspired by legendary English floral designer Constance Spry, who designed flowers for Queen Elizabeth's coronation and several royal weddings.

 

MSWeddings

This wedding cake was inspired by an old English china pattern.

Tea Time

And, of course, nothing is more British than a nice spot of tea in lovely china tea cups.

 Bekka Brunsteter

 I'm including my favorite recipe for classic cream scones (I got this from Southern Living Magazine years ago). They have an amazingly light texture for scones and seem to melt in your mouth. These are brilliant with clotted cream and strawberry jam or lemon curd. I could eat an entire batch just by myself!

Classic Cream Scones

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter or margarine, cubed
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 egg white
1 teaspoon water
Sugar, for sprinkling

Recipe

Combine first 4 ingredients. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly.

Whisk together cream, egg, and vanilla; add to flour mixture, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Pat dough to 1/2-inch thickness; cut with a 2 1/2-inch round cutter, and place on baking sheets.

Whisk together egg white and 1 teaspoon water; brush mixture over tops of scones. Sprinkle scones with additional sugar.

Bake at 425 degrees for 13 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. This recipe makes 1 dozen scones

Monque Lhuillier at Carine's {Trunk Shows}

You won't want to miss Carine's Bridal Atelier's upcoming MONIQUE LHUILLIER TRUNK SHOW!  The 2 DAY event on April 28th AND April 30th will be held at the boutique in Georgetown located at 1726 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington D.C.

Brides-to-be will have of the amazing opportunity to purchase the Monique Lhuillier collection of exquisite, feminine and modern yet romantic gowns and take advantage of a 12% discount on Thursday, April 28th, and 10% off their purchase on Saturday, April 30th. 

Limited appointments are available for this incredible event by calling Carine's Bridal Atelier at 202-965-4696 or by email at info@carinesbridal.com.

This is the time to buy a wedding gown!

We have another amazing trunk show to share with you, this time at Love Couture Bridal at Potomac. Grab your mom or best friend and set a date to see the gorgeous Lazaro gowns this weekend. Be sure to call Love Couture to reserve your spot!

Engaging Affairs is on United With Love {Real Weddings}

We're so thrilled that one of our very favorite weddings is featured today on United With Love! Suzanne and Rob's wedding was a mix of classic Southern style and urban DC chic. I loved the pale green and white palette, the lovely details and the yummy Southern food. Be sure to bop over to United With Love and check out all the amazing photos by Andrea with The Observatory!

Peapod and Sky {2011 Colors of the Year}

Top:
Antique bottles from Leaping Gazelle
Pinwheels via Elizabeth Ann Designs and April Foster Events
Bingo Cards from Happy August

Middle:
Groomsmen photo by Bello Photography
Mojito via Elizabeth Ann Designs and April Foster Events

Bottom:
Tissue Pom from Fiesta Pom Pom
Blue shoes via Wedding Obsession shot by Sarah Mavro
Succulent favor photographed by Elyse Hall Photography

Today's inspiration comes courtesy of Elega and is inspired by the colors of the year: peapod and sky. I love the freshness of these colors combined. Perfect for crisp Spring and Summer weddings!  Enjoy!

Princess for a Night {Hitched Dress Drive}

We're sure that all those wedding planning tasks have trumped the menial task of spring cleaning, but we've got the perfect excuse for you to sort through your closet and get rid of those dresses that haven't seen the light of day in ages.

Beginning April 1st and continuing throughout the month, we invite you to stop by Hitched to donate your gently worn (and dry cleaned) formal dresses, shoes, handbags, jewelry, unused make-up (like sample cosmetics), and "nice" shopping bags (think Bloomie's or Neimann Marcus) to benefit Princess for a Night! 

What: 5th Annual Princess for a Night Dress Drive at Hitched

When: April 1st-April 29th (Feel free to drop off anytime during our normal business hours)

Why: To help make prom dreams come true for girls in our community!

Note: Please keep in mind that velvet or wintery dresses, soiled items, outdated items, casual dresses, or items for mature women likely can't be used. They are especially in need of dresses for petite (size 0-2) and full-figured young ladies (sizes 18+). All of these items will go to deserving girls in our community who, due to the great expense of prom attire, might otherwise not be able to afford a dress for this special night. 

This is the perfect time to get rid of all of those bridesmaid dresses you knew you'd never wear again while making a girl's taffeta, silk, or satin dreams come true!
 

Many thanks in advance for your support of this great cause!

Green Your Wedding at The Dandelion Patch!

We love all the fun events that Heidi at The Dandelion Patch puts together and her next one is one you won't want to miss! Kate Harrison, author of The Green Bride Guide, will be at the Vienna location of The Dandelion Patch on April 11th to talk about how to green your wedding. There will be champagne, nibbles and 15% off in-store shopping!  Plus, everyone who registers and attends will get a free set of toasting flutes. How cool is that?

You can register at vienna@thedandelionpatch.com. We'll see you there!

Spectacular Wedding at The Cathedral and Corcoran {Isabel and Andrew}

This wedding was such a treat for me because it took place at two of my favorite venues in Washington:  The National Cathedral and The Corcoran Gallery of Art. Both spaces are grand and magnificent and quintessentially D.C.  Not only did I adore both venues, but I loved all the vendors who worked with us on this amazing day.  The cherry on the top for me was a lovely bride, charming groom and wonderful families!

Isabel and her bridesmaids got ready at The Jefferson Hotel with hair styled by Giselle and makeup done by Leah McKay.  Another two of my favorites!

I love the contrast of the pinks and lavenders of the flowers!

After getting ready, the bride took some time with the amazing photographer Greg Gibson for photos in the Cathedral gardens.  She also saw the groom for the first time in the gardens and the two had some nice moments before the ceremony.

The programs the bride chose echoed the beautiful scrollwork and detailing throughout the Cathedral.

The ceremony took place in the Great Choir. What an amazing backdrop for vows!

After some more photos in the gorgeous light of the setting sun, it was off to The Corcoran for the reception.  Jack Lucky did a spectacular job creating a magical setting with floral decor and lighting. Jack's work is always so breathtaking and he is the hands-down expert at Corcoran weddings!

After a cocktail hour where guests were serenaded by the Celebrated String Quartet, Isabel and Andrew were announced down the grand staircase and shared their first dance before guests sat down for dinner.

Joel Wolke with Occasions Caterers delighted guests with an elegant three course dinner then the couple cut the gorgeous wedding cake designed by the Fancy Cakes by Leslie.

The local band Gonzo's Nose kept everyone dancing for the rest of the night playing fabulous '80s music. I love Gonzo's Nose because they have so much energy and are not your typical wedding band.

At the end of the evening guests left with silk rose-topped boxes filled with gourmet chocolates and the memory of an amazing night.

Thanks to the phenomenal team who made this wedding so spectacular: a shout-out to Julie from Blue Sky for capturing the moments on video, Greg Gibson for the always gorgeous images, Linda Lindamood from Linder and Associates for the flawless transportation and valet, and the wonderful team at The Corcoran (Allie, Brooke and Kathleen) for making our job so easy. 

Thanks to my assistants Alison and Maeve for always being troopers, and special thanks to Isabel and Andrew for letting us share their beautiful day.  Congratulations!
Laura