Meet The Planners {Laura Weatherly}

Last up on "Meet the Planners" is company founder Laura Weatherly. Laura grew up in North Carolina and attended Duke University before coming to D.C. and starting Engaging Affairs in 1996.

Your signature cocktail: Champagne. I always keep a bottle of Veuve Clicquot in the fridge.

Favorite vacation spot: Maui and Venice

Favorite restaurant: Blue Duck in D.C. and Fiction Kitchen in Raleigh

What magazine do you read every month without fail: Southern Living

Guilty pleasure TV: Scandal, True Blood, Downton Abbey

Favorite wedding trend: Laser-cut invitations

Wedding trend you'd like to see die a slow death: improper use of Mason jars (not a huge surprise there), e-vites for weddings

Describe your perfect weekend when you don't have a wedding: morning yoga, yummy brunch with my family, paddle boarding, then reading a good book in the hammock before dinner on the back deck.

Describe your dream client: a couple who has a good perspective on life and who realizes that a wedding is just one important day out of many in their future life together and not the end-all-be-all of their existence

Favorite celebrity wedding: Ellen and Portia-- I love the intimacy and true joy in their wedding!

Meet The Planners! {Erica Selekman}

Today on "Meet The Planners" is Erica Selekman, our fabulous brunette! Erica has worked with Engaging Affairs for over three years and graduated from Radford University with a degree in PR.

  Your signature cocktail: I'm a simple gal-- a light beer :)  And if I'm feeling fancy, either glass of   
  champagne or vodka + soda with a splash of pineapple juice

  Favorite pair of shoes: Red pumps 
  
  Favorite vacation spot: The beach!!!!!  If I could be a sun-goddess I would! 

  Favorite restaurant: The Palm in Tyson's  

  What magazine do you read every month without fail: Washington Biz Journal (I know, boring) 

  Favorite wedding trend: Different height center pieces + and the "outdoor look" with branches

  Describe your perfect weekend when you don't have a wedding: Brunch outside (if it's nice) with  
  good company,  music and eats (Saturday and Sunday if I'm lucky) 

  Describe your dream client:  The couple that just wants to have fun and truly enjoy the day!

  Favorite celebrity wedding: John Legend and Chrissy Teigen  (a classic)

Meet The Engaging Affairs Planners! {Christine Godsey}

Up today in the "Meet The Planners" series is Christine Godsey! Christine has been with Engaging Affairs for almost ten years and is known for her glamorous events and experience with multi-cultural and South Asian weddings. Some things you may not know:

Your signature cocktail:  Pinot Noir is my usual go to but when the mood strikes, I love a good Moscow Mule or Green’s Gluten Free Triple Blonde Ale. 

Favorite pair of shoes:  I LOVE my Corso Como riding boots!  I have had them for over 4 years and they just get better with age.  I wish I could wear them year round!

Favorite vacation spot: I love a little adventure, a little history and a little relaxation. So far, my favorites include: Whistler; Belize; Costa Rica; Meribel, France and, of course, Puerto Rico.

Favorite restaurant:  Going out to eat is one of my favorite things!  Some of my favorites in DC are Fiola, Bourbon Steak and Mintwood.

What magazine do you read every month without fail:  US Weekly, In Touch, Ok!.  I love love love gossip magazines just as much as I love reality TV shows.

Favorite wedding trend: I love what you can do with lighting these days. It is so much more than just uplights and pinspotting.  I love a bride who really understands what lighting can do.

Wedding trend you'd love to see die a slow death:  I Do stickers on the bottom of shoes, hangers with names written in them and monogram gobos.  

Describe your perfect weekend when you don't have a wedding:  Out of town traveling or on the boat!  Always somewhere sunny!

Describe your dream client:  I love clients who are excited about doing something a little different, either with décor or food.

Favorite celebrity wedding: I have to say Crissy Teigen & John Legend.  Wedding in Lake Cuomo and three Vera Wang wedding dresses, one being a gorgeous red stunner.  What more do I need to say?

Meet the Engaging Affairs Planners! {Amanda McCabe}

Image by Sweet Tea Photography

Next up in our Meet the Planners series is Amanda McCabe! Amanda is also a DC native and is a graduate of Visitation and JMU.

Your signature cocktail:A glass (or bottle) of Pinot Noir

Favorite pair of shoes: A floral print stiletto or my new Kate Spade all cork heels!

Favorite vacation spot: Antigua! Or Boston for a quick getaway to cheer on my Red Sox! Viva!

Favorite restaurant: Nam Viet in Arlington.  I'm a sucker for good Thai or Vietnamese food!

What is your TV go to: I love to binge watch seasons of Scandal, Shameless, and House of Cards

Favorite wedding trend: I love mixing metallics with bright bold prints!

Wedding trend you'd love to see die a slow death: Pintuck linens.  I am a true rental snob!

Describe your perfect weekend when you don't have a wedding: Hanging with my dog, Tessie!

Describe your dream client: I love meeting with a couple who trust me and are willing to go outside the box!

Favorite celebrity wedding: Ellen and Portia.  So beautiful and intimate!  Plus who doesn't love Ellen!! (Ellen- pick me to be on your 14 days of giveaways show, thank you!)

Meet The Engaging Affairs Planners {Taylour Ann Campbell}

This week we're introducing the Engaging Affairs planners with a fun Q & A. First up, our newest member of the team, Taylour Ann Campbell. Taylour Ann is a native of Northern Virginia and a graduate of The University of Alabama (Roll Tide!)

Your signature cocktail: Strawberry Lemon Sangria

Favorite pair of shoes: Any and all heels 

Favorite vacation spot: New Smryna Beach, Florida

Favorite restaurant: Cafe Sano, Reston

What magazine do you read every month without fail: Architectural Digest, I love getting ideas from interior design magazines.

Favorite wedding trend: Donuts!

Wedding trend you'd love to see die a slow death: I hate to say it, but mason jars.

Describe your perfect weekend when you don't have a wedding: If the weather is beautiful, you will find me outside. Sunshine always makes me happy.

Describe your dream client: I love clients who I connect with immediately and are excited to plan their big day! Someone who is seeking simple elegance and wants to create a spectacular experience for them and their guests. 

Favorite celebrity wedding: Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake (Nothing can top that petal pink Giambattista Valli wedding dress)

Spring Garden Inspiration {Flashback Friday}

tomato centerpieces (Snippet & Ink), plant table numbers (Snippet & Ink), flower girl with watering can (Axel and Moa), escort cards (Elizabeth Anne Designs), flower seed favors (Martha Stewart Weddings), fruit favors (Style Me Pretty, bride in rain boots (Style Guide), bouquet with gardening gloves and shears (Better Home and Gardens), wreath (Minna Mercke Schmidt)

The nearing of April means that Spring must be arriving soon (despite yet another warning of impending snow), right?! To hurry things along their way, we wanted to share this garden inspiration board. Happy (almost) Spring and Happy Friday!!

Love Couture Accessory Sale!

Naeem Khan at Saks Jandel!

Monte Monday!

Some images by Eli Turner Studios of our fabulous friend, Monte Durham, and his husband, Jack, at "Frost Yourself at The W." Be sure to watch Monte on TLC's "Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta!"

Engaging Affairs Team Photos!

Over the past few months the team at Engaging Affairs has changed. We've said farewell to some people and welcomed new members. It's been a lot of change but it has all been good! We couldn't be happier with our new team!

From left to right: Christine Godsey, Erica Selekman, Laura Weatherly, Taylour Ann Campbell, and Amanda McCabe.

Happy Friday from all of us to all of you!