Two weekends ago we had an amazing outdoor wedding, and David Schwartz captured it all. Dave is from Virginia Beach and does travel worldwide, so if you are still looking for a photographer, get in touch with him! We especially loved working with Dave and his assistant because they were cool, relaxed and got the job done. Image from David Schwartz.
David Stark Design and Production is a company based in New York City, that “elevates ordinary events to extraordinary experiences”. No kidding. I can’t wait until one of my clients want to create something as whimsical as this. Images from David Stark.
I’m a big believer in paying for convenience, and of course quality. Not everyone’s budget allows for this, but I don’t work with clients who are having a mom and pop caterer drop off their dinner in disposables or renting linens from halfway across the country. If you can’t afford to have a full service caterer provide the menu, then consider lowering your guest count so you can. If you do have a caterer and you don’t want to pay the price the rental company is asking for silk dupioni linens, don’t look online for the cheapest linens in Delaware to have them shipped to your home 7 days before the wedding. Have your rental company provide cotton, and keep it simple. While you may be saving some money, paying to have professional vendors handle your wedding day is something you’ll wish you had done afterwards. You have no idea how much work it is to clean up after an event or, who will be handling the linen return while you are on your honeymoon.
On Tuesday evening, we attended BizBash’s event to honor Washington’s Top 100 Events. The event was held at Sequoia in Washington Harbor. This was such a fun night! The weather was perfect and the food and beverage were really quite impressive. There must have been 15 specialty drinks that ranged from chocolate martinis to fig cocktails. Cilantro was the highlight of the evening, as it was present on almost everything, from the Kobe beef to mushroom quiche. Room Service did a great job with the rentals, really transforming the space with white lounge furniture and plexi tables.
I’m seeing less and less of candy bars, as they are being replaced with dessert bars. This is exactly the specialty of Amy Atlas Events. Amy’s unique dessert tables are highly sought after, not to mention her expertise in event planning. This particular table includes a graphic cake, yellow cupcakes, custom yellow and black chocolates, licorice mints and is finished with yellow Gerber daisies. Images from Amy Atlas.
I previously posted about rain plans, but did you ever think of a cold plan? We had to put ours into effect this weekend. The entire evening was to be outside (except for the lounge and bar after dinner), but we decided to move dinner and dancing indoors as well. Luckily we laid this plan out in our final walk-thru. The rehearsal dinner was at the venue the night before as well, so the couple was able to see the weather change first hand, and made a great call by moving these parts of the evening indoors. Just like a rain plan, make sure you are completely happy with a cold plan as well.
I had to post some of Regeti’s photos from the Meridian open house on Wednesday. They are much better than the ones I took! Images from Regeti’s.
Last night Meridian hosted an open house featuring R&R Catering. Meridian is a fabulous venue for the couple who wants a really elegant, unique setting in the city. I absolutely love the grand staircase at the entrance and the Linden trees in white stones at the back of the house.
R&R’s menu was really nice-they offered a variety of passed hors d’oeuvres and stations. Included was filet topped with blue cheese and walnuts, fall salads and a dessert station complete with ice cream and fried fruit.
I am often asked by brides, what they should get their bridesmaids as a gift for being such an important part of their day. Most people tend to go with jewelry, in the hopes that the ladies will wear it the day of the wedding. Unfortunately, not all your friends have the same taste as you and may not like what you have bought or they may have already selected jewelry for the wedding day.
Keep in mind each individual bridesmaid when selecting gifts. There is no rule that all gifts have to be the same. If one friend really likes pampering herself, consider a massage at a spa. If another enjoys wine, consider wine tasting and lunch at a winery. Or, if another really enjoys rock climbing, consider lessons. They will really appreciate the thought put into the gift, and especially like that they won’t be an exact replica of each lady on either side of her at the altar.
I mentioned in an earlier post that I’d put up some actual pictures of this event when they became available. Here they are! Images from ISES.
