At a recent tasting, we were presented with green wine, yellow + blue. We all really enjoyed it! The client wasn’t crazy about the idea of the box being passed table side, so they are opting to serve yellow + blue at the bars. I can’t wait to see guests expressions as the bartenders pull out these boxes, but they will be pleasantly surprised! Image from Yellow + Blue.
Our good friend Saima, owner of Saima Says Design has just launched her new website! What’s even more exciting is that she has also launched a new, ready to order letterpress Signature Collection. The Signature Collection is available in wedding and personal stationery and is printed on 100% cotton paper, making it eco friendly.
Saima is also offering 10% off when you order any single item or a complete set from the Signature Collection! We really love Saima and her work, so visit her website to check out the new design and collection! Images from Saima Says Design.
You’ll find many articles with titles such as these. They are all usually right on, but I really appreciate a local vendor supporting wedding planners. The Wedding Dance Specialists are a group of fantastic dance instructors who wrote this article.
“Every bride wants her wedding day to come together with as little stress as possible. So many ask, “Should I hire a professional wedding coordinator?” One of the most needed services they can provide for you is negotiating with vendors to stay within your budget. And most importantly, a coordinator will ensure your wedding day flows smoothly and will resolve problems for you to keep the stress levels down on your wedding day.
Some of the things a coordinator will do for you is coordinate with all of your vendors 1-2 weeks before the wedding, provide all of them a detailed itinerary for the wedding day, and coordinate the details of the ceremony rehearsal. On the wedding day the coordinator arrives before the ceremony to assist with last minute details and emergencies and to ensure all of the vendors fulfill their contracts. At the reception the coordinator will ensure things flow smoothly and in a timely manner. Most importantly, a coordinator will make sure EVERYONE enjoys every moment.
Many brides consider using a friend or family member to coordinate their wedding day because they volunteer to do it for free. While this may be the case, they don’t have the knowledge or the experience needed to handle situations that may arise (the wrong color flowers, the cake doesn’t show). Neither do they have the same taste or style as you or share your wedding day vision. And besides, you’ve put a lot of time into planning your wedding; do you want to end up working at your own wedding? You should be able to enjoy the entire day and so should your friends and family members.
If your site has its own coordinator, keep in mind they have the interests of the establishment in mind above everything else. They will make sure the responsibilities they have been paid for are taken care of (i.e. the menu, cocktail hour, starting and ending on time). But a site coordinator will not negotiate with any vendors, verify the time they will arrive to set up, give you reminders as your wedding day gets close, except for their payment of course, or assist you with any last minute details that may arise. If your DJ doesn’t show, they won’t find you another one. If something is wrong with the cake, they won’t try to fix it. And at the end of the day the site coordinator won’t make sure all of your gifts are taken to a designated location so you can claim them after your honeymoon. The site coordinator does just what their title says, coordinate the site.”
This Sunday from 11a-5p, Engaged! Magazine is holding their annual event, Engaged! at the Willard. We attended last year, and it’s a really fun event. Tickets are $55 and are totally worth it.
The host of this year’s event is Clinton Kelly, co-host of TLC’s What Not to Wear. He’ll be giving brides advice on what to wear on their wedding day. If you are looking for vendors, many will be on-site to talk with you, from florists to photographers. There will also be bridal fashions from three of the areas best salons and Elizabeth Arden Red Door stylists will be doing up-do’s and make up trials. This is a great excuse to drink some bubbly and get ideas for your wedding! Image from Engaged! Magazine.
If you are planning on attending the Innovator’s Challenge this weekend, don’t! I just received an email that the event was canceled. Vendors were not given specifics, but there is a plan to reschedule. I’m so sorry for the inconvenience.
I have a little special place in my heart for lululemon athletica; one of my brides is a manager at the Georgetown location. This couldn’t be a better way to support her, the lululemon brand AND have fun! (Plus, you know how much we love Georgetown Cupcake!)
On February 27th from 7-9 pm, lululemon athletica Georgetown and Georgetown Cupcake invite brides-to-be to the store for a Cupcake Soiree. Featured will be delectable treats, a bit of bubbly, and a complimentary dance lesson. One lucky lady will have the chance to win an Adele Wechsler gown for her wedding.
Visit the lululemon site to learn more about Adele Wechsler and this event.
Last week, Katie and I had a private tasting with Danielle from Windows. This was an opportunity for her to learn more about Bash and for us to learn more about Windows. I must say we had a great time!
We started off with a few hors d’oeuvres-Mashed Potato Cigars, Miniature Cheeseburgers, Beef Tataki and Chicken Samosa. The first course followed of a Composed Salad in a Parmesan Cup Drizzled with an Aged Balsamic Vinaigrette studded with Goat Cheese and Candied Walnuts. The entree was Grilled Filet of Beef in a Cabernet Syrup accompanied by Potato Mushroom Cake, Roasted Asparagus and Spinach Mornay Stuffed Plum Tomatoes.
We finished off the evening with champagne (perhaps too much!) and a Chocolate Royale-Silken Chocolate Mousse on a Nougatine Crust, sitting in a Pool of Raspberry Coulis and Creme Anglaise, decorated with Fresh Berries and Chocolate Bark.
The food was not only AMAZING, but Danielle is so cool and easy to get along with. We CAN NOT wait to work with her this year! Images from Windows.
This Saturday, you can find us at the Liaison on Capitol Hill at the Wedding Innovator’s Challenge. We will be exhibiting as a vendor so make sure to stop by and visit us! We are providing great coupon cards in the guest gift bags and we also have donated a fabulous item to the silent auction-full service planning for a local OR destination wedding! Visit the Wedding Innovator’s Challenge website to register.
“The Design My Wedding: Wedding Innovator’s Challenge is a bridal event that will push the envelope on creativity, philanthropy and showmanship. The event will feature six designer showcases created by teams of the country’s finest special event industry professionals.” Image from Wedding Innovator’s Challenge.
If you are mailing out invitations or receiving RSVP’s back after May 11, make sure you have the correct postage on them. Effective May 11, the USPS is increasing First Class Stamps to 44 cents. You should always have both the entire invitation and RSVP card weighed to insure that you have sufficient postage on them.
I recently had lunch with Arthur Remanjon, owner of Arthur Remanjon Photograpers. I love Arthur as he is so fun, genuine and talented. I especially enjoyed hearing his approach to clients and weddings. Having been in the business for so long, Arthur has mastered his craft and it truly shows when speaking to him. We do look forward to working with Arthur in the near future! Images from Arthur Remanjon.
