Wedding Dress Dilemma: Long or Short, Classic or Modern?

Even if you’re picky picky, or just lost in the wedding dress search, you can find your perfect wedding dress. Why? Because even if you like everything, these days you can pretty much have it all. Say, for example, you really love long wedding dresses – but want something that’s traditional and modern, form-fitting and fairy tale? No problem!

Just take a look at these wedding dresses by David’s Bridal and see how the perfect combination of chic and modern creates a beautiful bridal gown! And how about short wedding dresses becoming a staple in wedding fashion? If this is more your style, then there is so much to choose from.  Tea length or short and sassy--take your pick. These would be perfect for a rehearsal dinner gown or a dancing dress for the reception or a "going- away" look!

And if you like short AND long dresses, you can have that too. This gown actually becomes a shorter dress!

What is your wedding silhouette style?

A Sleek, Asian-Inspired Affair at the Park Hyatt {Carrie + Derek}

What a gorgeous day for a wedding we had a few weeks ago, and what an amazing wedding!

As I arrived to the sleek and sophisticated Park Hyatt, the bridesmaids were already in full swing getting their hair and makeup done by Becky Watson of Salon Capelli.  We tried to keep the vibe casual and relaxed in the bride’s suite so we brought in bagels and fruit so everyone could eat at their leisure while hanging out waiting to get their hair and makeup done.

Once we got everyone dressed, they were off to begin photos with the talented Elaine Studley of Hay McKenna Photography.  With sunny skies, we were able to get some really great shots outside.

The bridesmaids wore steel grey floor length dresses with beautiful red bouquets to compliment the red and grey color scheme of the overall wedding of the overall wedding (with an Asian undertone).  The bride decided to keep with the theme and wore red heels under her Marisa dress.  What a fun touch!

After the Ketubah signing, the bride and groom were ready to walk down the aisle.  For the ceremony, guests were seated in the round, which created a very intimate environment for such a special occasion.  The ceremony took place under a gorgeous chuppah, designed by the amazing Diana and her team at DaVinci’s Florist (DaVinci’s was responsible for all of the gorgeous flowers of the day as well).   For their processional songs, they chose to have a keyboard and saxophone player play "This Time" by John Legend and "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve.  Very modern!

Guests were escorted to their elegantly designed table by escort cards that were attached to chopsticks.  Upon entering the room, the guests sat at tables decorated with an array of grey linens and a variety of amazing red centerpieces.  Chef Brian McBride of the Blue Duck Tavern created a delicious menu including lobster, sundried tomato and artichoke salad. 

After the dinner, guests were ready to party!  The band Prime Time got everyone out of their seats and on the dancefloor all night long.  I can’t wait to see the video of the dancing that David Harris of Washington Talent took! 

Thank you to Michael Deltette and your entire team at the Park Hyatt!  You guys are a wedding planner's dream!

A special thank you to my assistants for the day, Laura and Maeve! Congratulations Carrie & Derek!

Christine

Priscilla of Boston {Wedding Dress Love}

I am really loving this wedding season. Not only is it bustling and beautiful out for so many authentic weddings, but even the styles I’ve been seeing are wonderful and unique. For wedding gowns, it seems like everything from traditional (hello, Kate Middleton!), modern, ball gown, and sexy chic is “in.” Brides are sticking true to who they are and choosing a dress that compliments their body and personality- who could ask for more?

If you’re looking for any of these wedding silhouettes, I’d definitely recommend checking out Priscilla of Boston. They have a gorgeous selection of designer wedding dresses and are actually affordable! So you don’t have to compromise getting the perfect bridal gown for your perfect day.  Here are a few pretty picks to get your wedding dress search started!

 All photos courtesy of Priscilla of Boston

Bridesmaids Movie Giveaway!

Exactly five minutes into watching “Bridesmaids”, I was crying laughing and could barely breathe.  My friend and I were invited to a private screening of “Bridesmaids” at the Lowes Georgetown theatre.  Our exact conversation walking in was “If this movie is cheesy or boring, we’re leaving to get drinks at Clyde’s.”  Not for one second were we bored or cheesed out.  

The plot- without giving anything away- is that Lillian (Maya Rudolph) and Annie (Kristin Wiig) are best friends. After Lillian asks Annie to be her MOH, insanity ensues.  Annie meets the rest of the bridal party for the first time, an assortment of Lillian’s family, her work friends, and her fiance’s addition to the bridal party.  The casting is excellent, and the dynamic among the women is superb.  Although the characters are definitely over-the-top, my friend and I could’t resist pointing out characters and doing the incredibly childish and embarrassing thing of “that’s so you”!  I admit it.  I felt the same going in to “Bridesmaids” as I did going to The New Kids on the Block reunion tour: I didn’t want to love it, but I couldn’t help it (don’t judge – I had free tickets)!  

This movie is definitely an amazing all-girl comedy that celebrates six smart, funny, talented women.  I hope that this will rival the heavily male Hangover that hits theatres around the same time.  Definitely a movie to see with your girlfriends – and don’t be shy about bringing a guy, the crude humor makes it a much easier sell than trying to convince your man to watch Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon at the circus.  I would, however, avoid taking your future mother in law to avoid some cringe inducing awkwardness – the language is a little graphic!  Far from your average love story with a few laughs salted in, this movie will make those stomach muscles work!! 

Now we have a fabulous giveaway courtesy of Bridesmaids!  Two Bridal Bubbly readers will win a Bridesmaids Survival Kit just for commenting on this post. We'll pick two winners randomly from all the comments we receive and announce the lucky names on Monday. Just check out what you'll win:

Bridesmaids Survival Kit - Mesh bag filled with:

·         lip balm

·         mints

·         comb/mirror

·         nail files

·         shot glass engagement ring

·         Bridesmaids T-shirt

·         And a copy of the official soundtrack!

So let us know your thoughts on the new movie Bridesmaids.  Planning to see it with your gals? Saw it and loved it?

Amanda

Amazing Deals at Love Couture {Sample Sale}

A Sexy Park Hyatt Wedding {Sneak Peek}

 

Just a sneak peek of Carrie and Derek's gorgeous, sultry wedding at The Park Hyatt DC. The bride and groom looked so amazing (she in a Marisa gown and he in a custom-designed charcoal gray suit) and thoroughly happy. Thanks to Elaine Studley with Hay KcKenna for capturing the day in amazing images. More to come on this beautiful wedding!

Greg Gibson Photography {Top 10 Wedding Photographer!}

Greg Gibson, one of our very favorite photographers (and, come to think of it, just one of our all-around favorite people), was just named one of the Top 10 Wedding Photographers by American Photo Magazine!  This is a pretty cool honor and Greg is the only photographer in D.C. named to this year's list. 

You might know Greg from the amazing weddings he's shot for us that have appeared here on our blog but Greg was a White House photographer for years, winning two Pulitzer Prizes, before turning his considerable talent to documenting weddings.

I love what Greg says on his blog about his experience shooting weddings: 

One thing I have learned in the past eight years is that as a wedding photographer, I can have a tremendous impact on the lives of my clients. While we may not bring about mass social change, stop wars, or put an end to starvation in Africa, wedding photography can have the same kind of impact on a smaller scale within a family just as those types of images impact society.

As a documentary photographer, I am trying to provide my clients with more than just pretty pictures. I am trying to provide them with a legacy and heirloom that will outlast their lives here and can be passed down through their family for generations. 

Congratulations to Greg for this well-deserved honor. And for couples looking for an amazing photographer with an eye for moments and an easy-going, fun personality, look no further. Greg Gibson will blow you away!

Here are some of our  favorite images from weddings he's shot for us over the years. Enjoy!

All photos by Greg Gibson (or his assistant if he is in the photo)!

Spilled Milk Catering {Vendor Love}

I have got to remember not to write posts about food when I'm hungry. The photo of the key lime tart bar above is making my stomach growl! Maybe it's the memory of how delicious the real key lime tart bar was that's making me hungry.

I had the pleasure to attend a tasting put on for some DC wedding planners by Spilled Milk Catering yesterday and it was such a treat.  Hosted by Decatur House and arranged by our own Sara, the intimate lunch featured such delights as spicy tuna in wonton cones, lamb lollipops, samosas in a tamarind dipping sauce, crostini with fig marmalade and a trio of delectable desserts (including the key lime tart bar and a bananas foster bar) .  The food was amazing-- so creative and full of flavor!

Photo by www.staceyviera.com

We also had the pleasure of meeting the owners of Spilled Milk, Amit and Raj, who are two young guys who have a passion for food that really comes through. If you want a chuckle, check out the video they made about how they started the company. Really clever and it gives you a sense of their fun personalities.

It's always nice to find the new, hot thing in town and, after tasting their food, I think Spilled Milk Catering is it. Be sure to check them out for your engagement party, bridesmaids' lunch, or wedding reception (or anything in between). Now I have to go eat something before the photo of those cappuccino brownie bites sends me over the edge!

Pink is Always Pretty! {Inspiration Board}

Images from Martha Stewart Weddings

One of my newest brides loves pink so this is a little inspiration board I threw together to start the planning process off and get us excited. Pink is always such a romantic color and so perfect for Spring! I also included her ideas about her wedding dress and her favorite flowers. Inspiration boards are such a great way to kick off wedding planning and help crystallize design ideas.

Pronovias Trunk Show {Love Couture Bridal}