Carine's Designer Sample Sale!

Calling all DC Foodies! {Sapore Artisanal Oils & Vinegars}

I had the pleasure of sneaking into Sapore a few days ago before the official grand opening and all I can say is Wow!  Sapore is Washington DC’s first gourmet Oil & Vinegar shop to offer over 30 premium extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars, single sourced and flavor infused, plus sea & mineral salts, hand crafted spice blends and pastas. The shop is chic and airy, the yellow walls lined with large metal fustis (or tanks) to keep the oils and vinegars fresh.

They are located in historic Capitol Hill, around the corner from Eastern Market. Sapore means “taste, or flavor” in Italian, and they encourage you to taste any of their products before you buy. I sampled their 25-year-old balsamic vinegar and had to stop myself from drinking it. So delicious!

And, of course I asked if they planned to offer mini bottles for use as favors (weddings are always on my mind). They not only have small Sapore bottles (ideal for a foodie welcome bag in guests' hotel rooms) but they are getting even smaller half-moon glass bottles. The perfect size for a take-away gift for wedding guests.

 

So be sure to drop by and check out the amazing treats at Sapore. Located at 660 Pennsylvania Avenue SE in D.C. (right around the corner from Eastern Market), this is the new hot shop in the city! Salute!

Oh Happy Day!

Photo by Steph Goralnick via Intimate Weddings

In tribute to the amazing weather D.C. has been having (hello, summer!), I thought I'd post a wedding photo to sum up how I feel. Weeee Heeeeeee!  Happy Friday, everyone!!

Grassroots Gourmet

Last week we blogged about the wonder that is Luke's Lobster, YUM!  Such a small world.  One of my clients e mailed me to tell me they went to school with him.  I love that.  Real people success stories.  Ok, that sounds kind of sappy.  Moving on, last night I met with two women, whose grandmothers are sisters, making them cousins.  These women, Sara and Jamilyah, decided to take grandmas' recipes and start a desserts business.  Grassroots Gourmet was born.

This duo has a passion for baking to your specifications.  While a large amount of their business currently comes from government orders, non profits and law firms, they are growing their wedding cake business as well as supplying yummy desserts to area restaurants.  Enter Luke's Lobster.  Woopie Pies sold there, from the talented ladies of Grassroots Gourmet.  Did I mention they are also getting ready to open a storefront?  Who doesn't want another desserts shop around.

Their approach to cakes is very unique, which is important as I think everyone has their own cake preferences based on their upbringing.  The interview clients- brides, grooms, birthday/anniversary clients, etc. about flavors and tastes that they loved in childhood and seek out now.  They customize new flavors for each client.  Now of course, you can still get your traditional red velvet or chocolate, chocolate, chocolate :)  But for a really unique taste, give them some details and find out what they can come up with.

These ladies love pies as well and I am currently exploring an array of desserts with them for a summer wedding along with blueberry muffins with them for another event.

Sara

More Amazing Room Shots {Dana and Chris}

We have so many amazing images from Greg Gibson of this amazing Newseum wedding that we wanted to share even more!  Enjoy!

A Glamorous Newseum Bash {Dana & Chris Part 2}

As planners, we are always excited to work in a new venue, so I was delighted to get the chance to plan the first wedding on the main floor of The Newseum!  Typically an area that is used for non-profit and corporate events, the main floor was perfect for this couple!  The groom was wonderfully involved and insistent on having the party of the century, so a party we had! 

Sugarplum Tent provided us with a wonderful clear tent for the second floor balcony for cocktail hour, and the Greek band Achilles began the night for us and played throughout the dinner hour.  So fun!

Stephanie Retelle with Wolfgang Puck provided the 350 guests with a wonderful spread to keep everyone full for the long night ahead!  Georgetown Cupcakes provided red velvet cupcakes adorned with the couple’s initials for dessert!

The fabulous Liz Waylan at DC Rental provided us with the elegant linens, base plates, glassware and flatware to complete the look!

After dinner, the talented 80’s band Spazmatics came all the way from LA to get the party started!  How great is their “Revenge of the Nerds” attire! 

Amaryllis helped us transform the tent into an after party, which went into the wee hours of the morning, with some funky black lounge furniture and red lighting!  We had The Cigar Box out to roll cigars and showed the Pacquiao/Marquez fight on the big screen.  DJ Seyhan Duru kept the music going for all of the late night partiers!

 This wedding was truly amazing and so fun to work on!  Congratulations to the loving couple, Dana & Chris!!

 Special thanks to the following vendors who worked so hard with me!

Greg Gibson Photography

Hitched Salon

The Newseum/Wolfgang Puck Catering

Linder & Associates

Marc Parc Valet

Columbia Floral Gallery

Achilles

The Spazmatics

DC Rental

Falcon Entertainment Group

Amaryllis Event Designs

The Cigar Box

Seyhan Duru

Georgetown Cupcake

Lilypad Weddings

Park Hyatt

Erwin Gomez Make Up

Peggy Ioakim Hair

Fandango
Sugarplum Tents

Huge thank you to my assistants Olivia, Carley and Kelly for all of their hard work!

Xoxo,

Amanda

Amsale Bridesmaids' Trunk Show {Hitched Salon}

Show your best gals how much you appreciate the love and support they've given you over the years (especially during your often-stressful wedding planning process) by outfitting them in bridesmaid dresses that they'll actually be excited to wear! Join Hitched for a week of dress trials and discounts during our Amsale Bridesmaid Trunk Show, March 22nd -30th!

Amsale's bridesmaid dresses are chic, sophisticated and modern, so it's no surprise that they're a favorite among Hitched bridesmaids-to-be. At the Bridesmaid Trunk Show they'll have tons of Amsale dress options to try, so grab your girls and be prepared to be wowed by bridesmaid dresses that they'll love. For this week only, they'll be offering 15% off of any Amsale bridesmaid dress!

If your girls are local, just have them make an appointment that week to come in to choose their dresses and complete their purchase. Have some out of town bridesmaids who can't make it to the store, but would also love to take advantage of the discount? No problem! Simply have them email or fax their completed forms and payment during that time frame, and Hitched will take care of the rest.

In order to be eligible for this promotion, each bridesmaid in your bridal party must complete her order forms, submit them to Hitched, and pay for her dress in full March 22nd – March 30th, 2012. The entire order must be completed and ready for submission to Amsale no later than March 30th, 2012 in order for the 15% discount to be applicable. Orders completed after March 30th will not receive the 15% Trunk Show discount.

What: Amsale Bridesmaid Trunk Show

When: Thursday, March 22nd - Friday, March 30th

  

RSVP: 202.333.6162 or info@hitchedsalon.com (Remember, bridesmaids need an appointment to try on the dresses)

A Spectacular St.Sophia Wedding! {Dana & Chris}

This wedding was so beautiful that I felt it had to be broken up in to two different blogs!  The mid-November wedding ceremony took place at the beautiful St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Northwest, DC.  The bride prepared for her big day at one of our favorite hotels – the Park Hyatt DC.  After some family photos with the talented Greg Gibson, we were off to the Church! 

The flowers for the personals and centerpieces were provided by Columbia Floral Gallery/Flowers by Sandra!

 

The gorgeous dress was from one of our favorite places- Hitched in DC!  How beautiful is this bride!

 I absolutely love working at St. Sophia.  It is such a gorgeous church with so much history!  

A DC landmark and a special place in the grooms heart!

 When I first met this beautiful bride, we instantly clicked!  I loved how calm and laid back she was- even mentioning that, if the ring bearers don’t make it down the aisle, she didn’t care! Well, as you can see from this adorable picture, that actually happened and she just laughed it off! 

The show still went on and the girls made it down the aisle no sweat- a la Pippa Middleton! 

I love that my job includes getting to watch so many personal and religious details.  The Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony is beautiful and full of tradition!

 Check out that kiss!! Love it! 

Stay tuned for more fabulous images of Dana & Chris, the first wedding on the main floor of The Newseum, and a rocking after party!

Cheers,

Amanda

Hitched Styling Night!

Accessorizing an outfit to fit your personal style can be a bit of a challenge, and the process can seem even more daunting when it comes to your wedding day ensemble! If you've been feeling a bit overwhelmed [or underwhelmed, for that matter] by the selection of bling and baubles you've seen so far, stress no more! The Hitched gals would love to help you put the final touches on your bridal look at their next Hitched Styling Night on Thursday, March 22nd!!

What: Styling Night featuring everything you need to accessorize your wedding day look!

When: Thursday, March 22nd from 5pm-8pm

Why: To experience an incredible selection of veils, jewelry, belts, sashes, fascinators and hairpieces to complete your wedding day look!

Details & Perks: They'll be displaying the stunning and statement-making designs of Desla Couture, Erin Cole, Toni Federici , and Mija . As an added perk, all accessories purchased during the event will be 10% off!

RSVP: 202.333.6162 or info@hitchedsalon.com

What's New {Luke's Lobster}

A lot of people know that one of the few things that keeps me from being a full-on vegetarian is lobster.  I adore shellfish and especially lobster.   I can happily give up all other forms of meat but am continually flummoxed by the clarion call of lobster.

But if I have to have a weakness, let it be for the lobster rolls at Luke's Lobster. The combination of the buttery rolls topped with huge chunks of tail meat with only a touch of mayo on the roll and a dash of spices on the lobster (and they can leave those off for those, like our dear Amanda, who get creeped out by condiments) is amazing!

And while I could gladly rotate between their lobster, crab and shrimp rolls every day for lunch, I'm most excited about their catering options.  We all know that having food trucks at events is a fun trend and if you're in New York City, Luke's Lobster can pull up to your party in their truck. In DC, Luke's can set up a charming lobster stand and make rolls on-site for hungry guests.  They can pop up their stand in just a few minutes, which make it perfect for a late-night surprise at a wedding!

They can also do full-on catering for rehearsal dinner and parties, offering feasts with rolls, crab claws, chowders and whoopie pies. I love this option for a laid-back rehearsal dinner or welcome party!  Check them out and contact Grace in DC (grace@lukeslobster.com) for help with your next lobster-worthy bash!