Farewell to Maeve!

We got together the other night for a farewell dinner at Cava in Arlington for our faithful assistant, Maeve Baughman. Dinner at the new Clarendon hot spot was great but bittersweet as we're so sad to see Maeve go. Maeve started as an intern in our main office almost three years ago and then moved to assisting all of us with our weddings. She was gracious, unflappable and always made us laugh. I had some of my best times working with Maeve and laughing our heads off (Maeve is the bunny in the photo below with Sara)! 

We wish Maeve and her husband, Chris, the best of luck in Dallas!  We will miss you!
Laura

The Omni Shoreham DC {Venue Love}

After a fun week last week highlighting the Omni Bedford Springs Resort, we thought we'd showcase our hometown property, the Omni Shoreham DC!

This historic hotel is a wonderful place to celebrate a wedding. Their lovely gazebo and flowering gardens overlooking the lush Rock Creek Park provide the perfect setting for your ceremony. There are three unique and elegantly appointed ballrooms which can accommodate a wedding of any size and style. We have planned numerous weddings at the Omni Shoreham DC and can speak to the lovely space and the fantastic staff.  Check out some photos from recent Omni events (not ours):

 www.hollandphotoarts.com

  www.hollandphotoarts.com

And a few photos from one of our Omni weddings:

 www.bonfigliphoto.com

 www.bonfigliphoto.com

 www.bonfigliphoto.com

Now you get host your wedding at The Omni for an amazing price.  Check out the package that the hotel is sharing with Bridal Bubbly readers!

The Omni Shoreham DC New Romance Wedding Package

Package Price Starting at $165 per person is inclusive of:

Complimentary Two Night Stay in the Lovely Bridal Suite

Special Guestroom Rates and Complimentary Directional Cards

Choice of Five Butler Passed Hors D’oeuvres

Two Course Seated Dinner

Five Consecutive Hours Open Name Brand Bar

Wine Service with Dinner

Champagne Toast

Dance Floor, Staging for Entertainment, Selection of Elegant Dinner Table Linens, Votive Candles, China, Glassware, Silverware

*Friday and Sunday Wedding Packages are also available upon request

What a fabulous package! Contact Haydee Gamez at the Omni  at (202) 756.5164 for more information and to visit this gorgeous hotel!

Bedford Springs {Romantic Honeymoons}

I think the ideal qualities for a perfect honeymoon locale are a romantic setting, enough to entertain you without making you feel hurried, and lots of luxurious pampering. The Omni at Bedford Springs has all of these in spades!  For our DC brides who don't want to endure a long flight or may just have a few days to get away, this is heaven on earth!

The property itself is stunning with an elegant grandeur of days gone by. The rooms and suites are fabulous and the bathrooms make me want to never leave my room!  Each room has a veranda overlooking the grounds where you can sit in rocking chairs or rattan loungers and enjoy a drink or watch the sunset.

If you do leave your room, there are hiking trails for romantic strolls. . .

A golf course  . . .

Relaxing by the pool (there is an indoor and an outdoor pool) . . .

And getting couples' treatments at the Eternal Springs Spa (my favorite option)!

What a perfect way to unwind after the hustle and bustle of your wedding!

There are several dining options that will keep even foodie couples happy including the formal 1796 Room and a sumptuous breakfast buffet in the Crystal Room.  And there is always room service if you just can't break away from that amazing claw-foot tub!

What a fabulous honeymoon spot!  Come to think of it, maybe I can talk my husband into a second honeymoon!

The Fall Season is Upon us!

So the title of this blog means two things.  In my world, wedding season take two is about to erupt.  In the real world, also one I try to play in: Football.  Thank GOODness fellow planner Amanda has a healthy football obsession as well.  We were thrilled at the news just a few weeks ago that our Sunday post-wedding indulgence would once again commence.  And while it is only August 11th, it is Thursday night and tonight marks the start of the preseason.

So, what does this have to do with weddings?  You mean it's not cool enough to be able to share with your man that your wedding planners would be happy to trash talk with him and play Monday morning quarterback?  Well, I do have a wedding to share with you today.  One that was just over a year ago and adds to the things near and dear to my heart.

Ashley and Domonique were married at the University of Maryland Chapel last Fourth of July weekend.  The couple, who had met at Maryland as undergrads, always pictured coming back to the campus to tie the knot.  This happened to be the first proposal I was also involved in as I helped Domonique, who played cornerback for the Terps, propose in the same place where he first saw Ashley on campus.

I remember hearing Ashley's words to Domonique as she walked towards him, his back turned, for their first look, "I'm coming Domonique, you better be ready".

The two were surrounded by family and friends at the Memorial Chapel followed by a celebration at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center.  Ashley and Domonique took a walk through campus to reminisce before joining the festivities.

So, to tie back in to Football and my excitement about this evening, the two teams playing only play each other about every four years- in season play.  They also happen to be my two favorite teams, the Eagles- my home team and the Ravens- my husband's home team.  Once again, Miss Amanda and her beau share the same allegiance to these two teams.  And the final spin, Domonique plays for the team that is NOT my home team.  So, while I know it is only pre season play, who will I be cheering for?  Let's just say I'll be rooting for the birds...

Sara

Thank you to all the amazing vendors who worked on this wedding!
Mary Gardella, Love Life Images
Sarah Gallo, Design Cuisine
Digital Lightning
Bill Enright, Edge Floral
Hitched Bridal

Bedford Springs Bridal Getaways {Bachelorette Parties and Pre-Wedding Spa Weekends}

Not only is the Omni at Bedford Springs a fabulous wedding venue, it is an amazing spot for a fun girl's weekend away or a refined bachelorette party.  Since we recently sampled just about all the fun girl's activities, we felt compelled to share!

Even though Bedford Springs is only an easy drive from DC or Philly (or Pittsburgh), it feels like a different world. You and your girls can enjoy lounging by the outside pool with gorgeous views of the mountains or try the indoor thermal pool.  For those more energetic, there are hiking trails and yoga classes to keep you busy, as well as a gym. Into golf? Hit the course that is steps away from your room!

Then you must try the Eternal Springs Spa for real relaxation and pampering (I highly recommend the mud wrap)!

Then perhaps more lounging before heading off to a fabulous dinner at The 1789 Room or an interactive cooking experience at the Chef's Table?

Your evenings can be spent sipping wine on the veranda outside your rooms or making s'mores around the fire pit.  What a perfect way to unwind before your wedding!

Bedford Springs Weddings

www.juliebuckphotography.com

Bedford Week rolls on her at Bridal Bubbly!  Today we focus on the possibilities for beautiful weddings at The Omni at Bedford Springs Resort. If an idyllic setting, gorgeous property and amazing service are your cup of tea, then this might be your perfect wedding venue!

www.bellisimaphoto.com

Not only is the resort itself stunning (with rocking suites) but the property is nestled in the foothills of Pennsylvania lending it to lovely outdoor ceremonies when the leaves start to turn or when everything is blossoming in Spring.

www.beautifulblooms.com

Couples can choose one of several gardens for their ceremony (including the lovely Spa lawn) or the Magnesia Springs Pavilion connected to the resort by a wooden bridge or even the ruins of an old spring tucked away in the woods. Each has such a unique feel and style and all are gorgeous! There are indoor spaces in case of inclement weather but the views at Bedford are just to die for!

www.terryclarkphoto.wordpress.com

I love the idea of a ceremony at sunset with the classic, old-world resort in the background.

www.JeremyGanss.blogspot.com

There are also multiple ballrooms available in the resort for your reception depending on the size and style of your wedding. I do think their Colonnade ballroom (shown above and below) is absolutely lovely and has tons of windows and natural light (so rare for a ballroom)!

www.beautifulblooms.com

We hope you enjoyed this peek at wedding options at The Omni Bedford Springs. This is our new favorite spot for destinations weddings not too far from DC!  Be sure to contact Bryan Stiffler at The Omni to book your big day. He loves weddings and is so much fun!