Drinking to the Cicadas

Ok, the Cicadas are coming and there is nothing we can do about it.  In an attempt to help ease the stress or disgust these little critters will no doubt bring to many of us, a few of our favorite downtown restaurants and bars have gone about introducing Cicada inspired spirits.

Kramerbooks is offering an elixir of Jack Daniels, Amaretto and Cream garnished with two cleaned, candied cicadas on toothpicks.

Degrees Bar in Georgetown's Ritz Carlton combined Vodka, pineapple juice, a splash of Blue Curacao and a large red cherry resembling a cicada's an eye.

The Lobby Lounge of the Fairmont Hotel is serving a  “They’re Back Tini”  consisting of Vodka, sour apple liqueur, Cointreau and fruit juice, served with a pair of earplugs.   -personally, I think this would be the best value!

And while we are naming drinks, "The Bug Juice Martini" at Helix Lounge is Bacardi Limon, cranberry juice, sour mix and Sprite, served with a sparkly plastic insect.

A couple other fun facts, the last time we had the 17 year visitors, President Clinton was running for his second term and the Macarena was the number 1 song.  Oh how times have changed! 

Wordless Wednesday!

image by Justine Ungaro

Tea with a View {Bridal Event}

A few weeks ago, our Engaging Affairs team co-hosted a "Tea with a View" with the gorgeous Mandarin Oriental D.C. hotel.  It was a beautiful Spring day and the cherry blossoms were just beginning to pop out so our view of the Tidal Basin from the hotel suite was lovely. Lilypad Weddings created our pretty invitations and paper products!

Brides and their fiances or mothers joined us for a charming afternoon filled with sweet treats and even spa treatments!

The Mandarin Oriental's spacious suites have such fabulous light from so many windows (and great views)!

Guests enjoyed several varieties of tea as well as milk and freshly baked cookies (right from the suite's own gourmet kitchen). Delicious!

Cake designer extraordinaire Maggie Austin designed a cake with intricate carved icing that looked like marble. Maggie's cakes are so breathtaking and taste so amazing! Lucky guests of the tea were able to taste cake sample, as well.

Live painter Irina Koren painted the enchanting scene out the window of the hotel suite while guests looked on. Live painting is such a fun element to include at a wedding plus you get a lovely piece of art depicting your day.

When brides and their mothers weren't busy nibbling sweets and sipping tea, they were able to sample mini-treatments from the Mandarin Oriental spa.  What a treat!!

After a fabulous afternoon, guests left with gift bags filled with treats and tokens from the participating wedding vendors.  The tea was such a fabulous success and we had such a fabulous time chatting with brides-to-be!

Thank you to our amazing event partners. This event would not have happened without the amazing team at The Mandarin--Tracy, Bret and Amanda-- and their fabulous hotel and spa staff. We love working with them on weddings and this event together was just as much fun! Thanks to Mark Hamilton for the lovely images; Bill, Steve and Cassie with Edge for the gorgeous flowers; Maggie Austin for the breathtaking cake; Irina Koren for the beautiful painting and Lilypad Weddings for the pretty paper products!

The Mandarin Oriental D.C.
The Mandarin Oriental spa
Hamilton Photography
Edge Floral Design
Maggie Austin Cake
Live Painter Irina Koren
Lilypad Weddings

We look forward to next year's tea!!

xoxo
Laura, Christine, Amanda and Sara

Dogs Continued...

These two little cuties were the surprise guests at my wedding at Woodend Sanctuary a couple of weeks ago.  So glad they dressed for the occasion!

Sara

Wordless Wednesday!

Photo by Greg Gibson

Going to the Dogs!

As some of you may know, we have some serious dog-lovers here at Engaging Affairs. And we've had plenty of weddings with dogs as part of the wedding party!  So here are some tips and tricks to including your favorite pooch in your wedding day.

-Know your dog's temperament and personality. Not all dogs are cut out for being in large groups of people.

-Make sure your venue is pet-friendly. Not all locations allow animals and some (restaurants, public buildings) have laws preventing it.

-Be sure to have a designated handler who knows your dog well.

-Determine what role you want your pooch to play. Will he be the ring-bearer (using fake rings, perhaps) and wear a special pillow tied around his neck? Will he be one of the wedding party and be escorted down the aisle (maybe is a collar that matches the wedding colors or is made of flowers)? The jury over here is out on doggie tuxes but I know Amanda, for one, is all for them.

-Decide how long your dog will stay. Just for the ceremony? For pictures? Will he be introduced into the reception? Make sure your designated handler has a place to take him when his role is over.

-Don't forget the doggie supplies. Water, treats, food, leash, etc. Whatever he needs to be comfortable.  It is always a good idea to keep dogs on a leash in case any guests are allergic or afraid of canines.

- Consider wedding insurance. Never a bad idea but an even better one if you're including your dog.

Cheers!

The Grandsons {Vendor Spotlight}

Last weekend I attended my (gulp) 20 year reunion down at Duke University. It was a great weekend with perfect, North Carolina spring weather and as I took my first steps back on campus on Saturday morning, who was the first person I bumped into? One of my roommates or sorority sisters?  Nope. It was Alan from the DC area band "The Grandsons."

Alan went to Duke a few years before I did (he was there for his 25th) so we actually know each other from living in DC. More specifically, he's part of one of my favorite bands and I've recommended him many times for weddings (including my own brother's wedding a decade ago). It was great to see Alan (albeit out of context for both of us) and it reminded me just how much I love "The Grandsons."

A fan aptly described The Grandsons exuberant sound as "American music in a blender with the lid off." The more prominent elements in this eclectic whirlpool are New Orleans rhythm and blues, rockabilly, swing and country two steps. They are unique, fun and certainly not your average "wedding band."

If you're looking for something really fun and a completely unique for your wedding reception or cocktail hour, be sure to check them out. They have a few CDs out, as well, and they perform around the DC area. Here is a snippet of one of their original tracks.

For booking, visit their website or contact Alan at

alan@grandsons.com

Happy Earth Day!

wildflowers in glass bottles (weddingchicks.com), invitations (Chewing the Cud),
bridesmaid dress (Nimli), Stephen Russell and Brilliant Earth Rings (Martha
Stewart Weddings), flower girl dress (Whitten), paper flower boutiniere (Martha
Stewart Weddings), wine (Martha Stewart Weddings), bridal gown by Sarah Seven
and eco friendly jewelry (Utterly Engaged), organic cake by Sarah Magid, bridal
shoes (shoes.com), recycled glass votives with 100% soy wax candles (Martha
Stewart Weddings)

Some favorite earth-friendly finds! Enjoy!

Carine's Mother of the Occasion Sample Sale!

Engaging Affairs Featured in Grace Ormonde!

We are thrilled to be featured on the Grace Ormonde Wedding Style website for a stunning wedding Amanda planned last year!  This gorgeous wedding took place at The St. Regis with floral decor by Amaryllis and images by Juan Carlos Briceno of Fotobriceno. Check out the link for more lovely photos!