Sugarplum Tents {Vendor Love}

We have been working with Davis Richardson and his team at Sugarplum Tents for over 15 years and they are one of our "dream team" vendors. Davis knows so much about tenting and always goes the extra mile to make sure events run perfectly. I've had Davis personally stay on-site for an entire wedding just to make sure that everything is flawless. Not many company owners do that!

Sugarplum has set up tents for us on horse farms, in back yards, on super yachts (on of our most memorable events, especially when it monsooned!) and everywhere in between.  He knows what type of tent works in what space and how to get the job done with the least damage to landscaping.

I love his clear span tents (check out the one at the Gaylord National Riverview Terrace in the two photos above) and also the new sailcloth tents he has.  Sugarplum can also add fabric liners, twinkle lights, dance floors and staging.

Thanks Davis and Sugarplum for always making out tented events look spectacular!

Vintage Opulence {Lia and Hudson} Part Two

Lia and Hudson's spectacular wedding continued after the gorgeous ceremony with cocktails outside on the upstairs terrace overlooking the Washington Monument and featured their signature cocktail "La Vie En Rose."

Guests enjoyed a raw bar and cocktails before returning inside for the dinner.

While guests were enjoying cocktails, the design and catering teams transformed the space into a stunning setting for dinner and dancing. I loved featuring the showpiece cake under the sheer ceremony canopy.  The boxwoods were moved to create a wall in front of the dining tables and the enormous urns flanked the guests' entrance into dinner. Talk about a wow factor!

Amaryllis designed the long rectangular tables with silver candleabra and running arrangements of garden roses and greenery. Thanks you Rick!!!  You are so talented and fun to work with!

The table were set with gold chargers, porcelain pheasant plates and gold-rimmed stemware. Gold-edged menu cards were tucked inside linen hemstiched napkins for the final touch.  We sourced rentals from DC Rental, Perfect Settings and Party Rental to come up with the perfect combination.

After guests were invited into the main room, the groom toasted his bride and introduced the a capella group from his alma mater, the University of Maryland.  "The Generics" were a fabulous way to kick off the evening's entertainment and were so much fun!

Loved these guys!!

Lia and Hudson took to the dance floor for their first romantic spin around the floor. Talk about a couple madly in love!

Then guests were treated to a six course dinner (featuring everything from a salad and pasta course to a sorbet palette cleanser and lobster tails to the almond brickle ice cream) from the amazing Jeff Judy and his team at Federal City. Jeff was an absolute dream to work with and the food was out of this world!

The bride and groom cut the Sylvia Weinstock cake after dinner and I felt like crying because it was almost too beautiful to cut!  Sylvia had created a towering old-world style confection using edible gold foil and fresh flowers that was drop-dead gorgeous.

In keeping with the wedding's vintage style, the bride displayed Victorian wedding memorabilia and had guests write notes to them and gathered these on an antique tray.

Even the ladies' room had decadent toiletries displayed on antique trays. 

After dinner, everyone rocked out to the Gerard Carelli Orchestra!

Departing guests were given crystal Tiffany bowls wrapped in the groom's tartan ribbon and tied with Jordan almonds.  Each favor included a personal note to the guest. Such a lovely touch!

Gentleman were offered cigars as they left!

In perfect style, Lia and Hudson left their reception in a vintage car from Regal Limousines for a moonlight tour of the monuments.

This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime wedding and I feel lucky to have been a part of it. Lia and Hudson and their families and friends were all so wonderful that it didn't even feel like work.  Congratulations Lia and Hudson!!

Special thanks to Greg Gibson, as always, for capturing the joy and beauty of the day.  Thanks to Linda Lindamood from Linder and Associates for the flawless transportation during a busy IMF weekend. Thanks to the wonderful team at The Mellon (Heather, Sarah, Jenna and Nicole) for making the day run so smoothly, thanks to Liz and Joe from DC Rental for all their hard work and to all three rental companies who contributed to the table settings (and to my associate Amanda for sorting it all out), thanks to Matt at Nomad for sound production, thanks to Perkins for the white dance floor, and thanks to Christina at the Willard for hosting the rooms, welcome reception and rehearsal dinner.  Most of all, thank you to my amazing assistants Amanda and Krista.  This team was such a dream team!

Vintage Opulance {Lia and Hudson} Part One

Lia and Hudson's wedding was truly incredible. And considering the number of amazing weddings I've had the privilege to plan, that's really saying something.  I started working with Lia over two years before her wedding date and got to really know and love her, her mother and the groom.  One of the things I love about Lia is her enthusiasm. She has such incredible joy and energy that she brings to everything she does. Her wedding was no exception!

Lia also has a very distinct style and a laser-like attention to detail. She and her mother designed the wedding to incorporate their love of vintage pieces (especially Victorian), intricate detailing and a gracious opulence that has been lost in modern life. 

The wedding day started with Lia getting ready at The Willard Hotel with the talented Giselle doing hair and Kim Giammarria doing makeup (and Engaging Affairs' favorite Greg Gibson shooting images and goofing with the bride above).  I loved that Lia and her mom wore matching silk pajamas as they got ready. I'm not kidding when I say that every detail was thought out.

Lia's gown took my breath away. I loved the Empire waist, illusion sleeves and embellished bodice. This gown had such old world elegance and was so different from so many of the wedding gowns I see.  Thank you Lia and Kate Middleton for reminding us that sleeves are beautiful! To accent her gown, Lia carried a small clutch of lily-of-the-valley in an antique silver tussy-mussy holder.

Meanwhile, the handsome groom got dressed in another part of the hotel.

I love the "first look" that the couple have of each other on the wedding day. It's so special when they have a few moments to really enjoy it like Lia and Hudson did.

Our phenomenal photographer Greg Gibson took the couple outside for some classic DC shots before the ceremony.

Then it was off to The Andrew Mellon Auditorium for the ceremony. While Lia and Hudson and their party had been getting ready at the hotel, a massive crew of catering staff, designers, drape specialists, lighting techs and musicians had been setting up The Mellon for the wedding.

Rick Davis from Amaryllis and his fabulous staff used boxwood, greenery and garden roses to create a dramatic and romantic setting for the ceremony. Garlands were draped over doorways and across the balcony and candles lined the aisle.

Sheer white panels from AVista Designs hung between the towering columns and across the room to create the backdrop for the ceremony.

A sheer white canopy tied back with swags of greenery sat over a long white table lined with silver candleabra and candle sticks as the focal point for the ceremony. The effect was ethereal and magical.

Digital Lightning uplit the drapes and columns to add to the romantic setting. Stunning!

I loved the pretty pewter bridesmaids' gowns and the antique pink rose bouquets they carried!

The bride made her dramatic entrance solo then joined her parents at the canopy.

The ceremony was designed by the couple and included readings from family and personalized vows.

The bride is bursting with joy!  This is what it's all about.

A quick kiss on the steps of The Mellon before the reception begins. Stay tuned tomorrow for the unbelievable reception! 

Thanks to Greg Gibson for his images that, as always, capture the day perfectly.