Engaging Affairs' Wedding featured in The Post!

We were thrilled to have another wedding featured in the Washington Post's "On Love" section a few weeks ago. Check out some lovely images from this gorgeous wedding planned by Christine Godsey of Engaging Affairs and the entire article here!

Engaging Affairs Wins Bride's Choice Award!

We got a fun email announcing that Engaging Affairs received the Wedding Wire Bride's Choice Award based on all the positive reviews we've gotten from past clients. Thanks to all our fabulous brides and grooms for writing nice things about us. We love you!!

Kicking off 2013, Wedding Style

Happy first Monday of 2013!  I had a great start to my year in weddings.  Jessica and Sean celebrated their marriage at the Willard Hotel surrounded by friends and family.  Since I don't yet have pictures to post, I figured I would throw one up of another January wedding I did a few years back for another Jessica at the Willard!

The below picture taken by the talented Matt Mendelsohn elicited the following reaction- I believe by Matt's sister.  "Holy gorgeous chuppah Batman!"  Jess and Doug stood under an acrylic chuppah in the round with votive candles "floating" on top.  As guests entered the room, it's glowing presence was a real showstopper.


Here's to a fantastic 2013!

Sara

Newly Engaged? 7 "Must-Follow" Tips to Stay Sane!

Happy New Year fabulous Bridal Bubbly readers and friends! The start of a new year means lots of things--fresh starts, change, resolutions.  But for us it always means new engagements. Couples who are starting off on a new chapter in their relationship and beginning to learn all the fun that goes along with it.

As we all know, change can sometimes bring stress.  So in the spirit of helping all our newly engaged brides and grooms out there avoid this very thing, here are some of our tips for starting out your engagement the right way (the way that avoids mucho headaches down the road).

1- Take a breather.  It's so easy to want to start planning your perfect wedding the nanosecond the ring hits your finger but be sure to enjoy the moment. Despite what everyone says, you will have time for plenty of planning ahead. So savor those first giddy days of your engagement. Call everyone you know. Clean your ring a thousand times. Take a picture of it and upload it to Facebook. Drink lots of champagne. Go out to celebrate. Go out again. Be in the moment. It doesn't come often.

2- Don't speak too soon. In all the excitement, it's easy to want to call every friend from grade school or sorority sister and ask them to be in your wedding but looking before you leap could cause issues later on. Take the time to talk through how you and your fiance envision your wedding (and wedding party) before you do any asking. If your beloved has his heart set on having his brother (and only his brother) stand up with him, it's going to look mighty funny if you have a squad of twelve ladies fanning out on your side.  Although sides don't need to match exactly, there does need to be overall balance in your planning.

3- Get all the information. Before you set a date or snatch up the last June Saturday at your favorite hotel, be sure to talk with all your family members and closest friends. It isn't worth doing all that legwork only to discover that your parents are booked on a cruise to Alaska or your best friend is expecting that same day.

4- Get even more information. Before you start the major planning (booking venues and planners and bands) be sure to know how much money you're working with. I know, I know. Talking about money isn't romantic. But neither is getting halfway through your planning and realizing that your dad isn't able to chip in what you'd expected. Be clear and upfront. Don't assume anything. And don't spend more than you have. The quality of your marriage and life isn't determined by the swankiness of your wedding.

5- Be gracious. This applies to every element, every moment and every detail of your wedding planning and engagement. Despite reality shows to the contrary, behaving badly or being a Bridezilla is never appropriate and is never warranted. Just because you are getting married, you do not have the right to treat anyone badly. Don't demand money from your parents. If they can contribute, great! But it is not something they are required to do and any financial gift should be accepted with thanks. The same goes for your bridal party. Be thankful for their help and don't keep a running tally in your head of all the things you think they should be doing for you because "it's your day." They all have lives and personal responsibilities and, even though this is your most important day, it is not theirs. Keep this in mind and ask for help and participation with kindness, not entitlement.

6- Talk it out. Have a conversation with your fiance about what is important to both of you when it comes to your wedding. Make sure you understand each other before you start planning. If you don't agree, come to a compromise or make concessions so you can both be happy. Planning a wedding is a great exercise in getting along and negotiating. Play fair!

7- Have fun! Don't get so caught up in wedding planning that you forget to take time for each other. Be sure to make time for dates and agree not to talk about "the wedding" all the time. It can take over your lives and get old really fast.

Best wishes to all the newly engaged couples and we hope these tips help you navigate the waters of wedding planning!  Cheers!

Laura, Sara, Christine and Amanda
The Engaging Affairs Team

Marriage Resolutions for Thought

Happy New Year!  I don't know how it is 2013 already.  Frankly though, I work in next year ALL THE TIME, just seems the date has finally caught up with my work.  Since I know a number of my former brides still check the blog, I figured this would be a good post for them as well as those whose nuptials are upon us for the new year to keep in mind.

I read an article in the Huffington Post by M. Gary Neuman outlining three simple resolutions for your marriage.  We all know the most common resolution- lose weight- but most people I see that make that resolution don't really need to lose weight.  Perhaps get in better shape is a better resolution.  I digress, after 3 years of marriage, to my excellent, hard working, supportive husband (who still leaves the dishes in the sink overnight!) these three resolutions struck a chord with me.  We are not in trouble, we don't fight or have tension, but we are lacking in the following areas.  That's not to say we don't EVER do these things.  But I wonder how much better it would be if we did them as frequently as suggested.

Take a look.  Hope this can be slightly helpful to some of you in remembering the person you are marrying is really more important than the day of celebration :)

1. Daily Time- this is easy!  Neuman suggests 30 minutes a day.  Not so hard.  For me, that would mean sitting for dinner without the TV on- even though it is Jeopardy recorded- and just talking for 30 minutes about your day, what you have going on tomorrow, what birthdays are coming up that you need to remember, etc.  You can also discuss number 2.

2. Date Night- Once a week, outside of the house for 2 hours minimum.  No other couples invited.  This could be for a walk, to sit in Starbucks, out for dinner, a movie, a comedy show, etc.  And it can change every week!  Just make sure to do it every week- schedule it, just as important as a work meeting.

3. Make 3 appreciative gestures a day- Yikes!  I used to leave notes around the house, in his car, etc.  I bet that made him feel good.  I don't make the time anymore and I should.  We don't say I love you every time we hang up the phone.  That's ok.  But I could probably say hello or walk over to the door when he gets home at night.  Maybe thank him for working so hard during the day (before I yell at him for letting the dishes sit again)

Anyway, annoying as it is to think about having to "work" at your marriage, there is some merit to these three suggestions.  I think I'll try them out and let you know if anything changes.  If you don't try, it just may be some food for thought.   Happy 2013!  Can't wait for all my amazing weddings this year.

Sara

Paloma Blanca at Love Couture {Trunk Shows}

Strawberry Basil Balsamic Daiquiri {Signature Drinks}

Yesterday we told you about the fab vinegars at Sapore. Well, now we're going to share a delicious drink recipe that uses them! Cheers!

Strawberry-Basil-Balsamic Daiquiri

8 ounces dark rum
1 cup halved hulled fresh strawberries
4 whole strawberries for garnish
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup loosely packed basil leaves
1 tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar
1/2 pint strawberry ice cream
2 cups ice

In a blender, combine all ingredients except the whole strawberries and blend until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses and garnish with the strawberries.

Sapore! {Local Finds}

Another one of our fabulous gift finds this year were the gourmet vinegars and olive oils from Sapore. Sapore is owned by two of our industry friends, Renee and John Farr, and is located in Capitol Hill. We adore their selection of really fun vinegars (dark chocolate balsamic anyone?) and olive oils and they will even do petite versions for wedding favors.

The signature Sapore bottle is definitely one of our "favorite finds" for 2012!

Tiny Pies!

We continue with our wrap-up of favorite holiday gift finds. We fell in love with these sweet mini pies from Tiny Pies. They come wrapped in cellophane bags or in petite Mason jars. I did a wee bit of sampling and can personally say that the apple cranberry, sweet Texas pecan and the chocolate brownie pies are delish!

They also make adorable wedding favors (and you can customize your pie flavor)!

Ho Ho Ho!

thimbleanna

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!