Love Songs at the Top

I had the pleasure of working with an amazingly talented couple this weekend for their wedding at Grace Church in Georgetown with their reception at Top of the Town in Arlington. Here are some of details I snapped, but I'm really looking forward to what Luke Eshleman, the real photographer, captured through his lens. 

Kaitlin and Adam are in a band which led to a very musically theme wedding weekend.  Instead of a rehearsal dinner, they played a concert for their friends and family. At the wedding reception, they started off with a first song instead of a first dance, and preformed "At Last". Everyone was blown away by Kaitlin's voice and Adam's talent with the guitar.  Escort cards were record shaped with band names. Table names were mini record covers of the band's. The guest book was a display of the actual records and their covers for guests to sign. Later Kaitlin and Adam plan to display all the records on their wall at home. Last but not least Kaitlin and Adam planned a dance off. The girls danced off to "It's Raining Men" and the winner, chosen by the bride and groom, got the bouquet. The boys on the other danced off to "Kiss" by Prince and won the garter.  

I must say however, that my absolute favorite music selection of the day was when the Cherry Blossom Quartet played "Final Countdown" right before the prelude song for the parents. Loved it! 

Just a Vest - Groom's Attire

Today I'm headed out with one of my favorite local photographers to go antiquing, have lunch, and take some cute pictures of our new rescued puppy. Since it's August and I'm choosing between cute shorts or an airy dresses, I thought it was important to take a minute to think about all the summer grooms out there and what they can wear to stay cool and look cool at the same time.  The traditional suit or tux on a 90 degree day may not sound like the best idea and so many grooms are opting to just sport a cool vest.  I personally think it's the perfect option for so many grooms. Vest can be either formal or funky and can really show off the grooms style. Vest perfectly fit the feel of an outdoor wedding and can easily match the vibe of a city or country affair.  What will your groom be wearing on the big day? Check out these stylish grooms and hopefully their vests will give you some ideas.  {Vicki}





First Row: Katie Day, Terra Tabbytosavi/ Second Row: Lindsay Docherty Photography, Mark Brooke/ Third Row: Ashley Maxwell, Mark Brooke/ Fourth Row:Jose Villa, Mark Brooke/ Fifth Row: Sarah Yates

Featured on Southern Weddings Daily Blog

The other week our glowing bride Mimi and her new Husband Harry were featured on Southern Weddings daily blog.  We love the answers that Mimi gave Katherine about the proposal and the non-traditional elements of the day. Check out all Mimi's answers here.  We also totally agree with Katherine, short hair summer brides rock!   Last but not least I have to give a shout out to Theresa Choi Photography and Julie Lim Photography for the amazing images.  {Vicki}

Worldwide Wednesdays - Africa & Shanna Jones Photography

Shanna Jones has an amazing career.  She shoots in South Africa during the southern hemisphere's summer and in the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States during the northern hemisphere's summer.  Can you say jealous? With summer year round and spending her time shooting amazing outdoor weddings, it would be hard to find a better gig!  In addition,  when I went through Shanna's portfolio, I was smitten over her unique clientele in South Africa and their choices for flowers, especially the orchid bracelet that draped beautifully from one of her brides wrist. Love it!  {Vicki}

Worldwide Wednesdays - Sardinia

The other day I came across this great Sardinian inspired Blood Orange Mojito receipt from destination wedding photographer, Dia Rao, and her fiance Patrick Haynes on Design Sponge. The image of this beautifully colorful drink not only made me want to head to the store to pick up fresh mint and blood orange juice, but it inspired me to make a casual colorful inspiration board for a great engagement party or summer event.  Crisp white and blue embroidered linens, vibrant drinks and dresses, relaxing lounge spots and great views. Perfect!  {Vicki}

First Row: Dia Rao, Dia Rao, Laura Ivanova Photography/ Second Row: Dia Rao,  Chennergy Photography

Outstanding in the Field

I'm stoked! I just reserved seats for my mom, my husband, and I to attend an truly unique dinner with the worldwide moveable feast called Outstanding in the Field. Outstanding in the Field is a moving culinary adventure with the mission to re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food.  Since 1999 they have set up amazingly long and fabulous tables at farms, gardens, on mountain tops, in sea caves, on islands, at ranches, in refurbished barns, in greenhouses, and even unique museum. The main theme of all the dinners however has been to honor the people whose hard work brings our food to the table. Ingredients for the dinners are almost all local sourced and prepared by a well-known guest chef from the region. When guests arrive they mingle and enjoy a glass of wine, tour the site, and then settle in for an amazing family style dinner with all sharing the long table. Personally, I adore how long tables create a cozy intimate family feel.  Will you be incorporating long tables into your wedding or next event?   {Vicki}

WeddingWire - Wedding Ace

I'm so proud to officially be a Wedding Ace for WeddingWire and have my first post go live today. The goal of Wedding Aces is for those involved in the wedding industry to provide tips and inspiration for brides as they go through the exciting experience of planning their wedding.  Other Aces that I'm trilled to share this title and blog with are none other than Holly Chapple of Holly Heider Chapple Flowers Ltd. and Katie Martin of Elegance & Simplicity Inc. and the fabulous Eco-Beautiful Weddings e-magazine. This week I decided to post some wedding furniture inspiration. Check it out here and let me know what you love. {Vicki}

DC Venue: Newseum

Yesterday, I had a site visit at the Newseum with one of our amazing 2011 brides. The Newseum is situated right between the U.S. Capitol and the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue and has dramatic views of Washington in all directions. The U.S. Capitol, the National Gallery of Art, and the National Mall can easily be seen from this venue and thus makes the Newseum a highly sought-after venue for all types of events. During our visit we toured the two level Knight Conference Center, located directly above the museum space. The space has a wonderful open floor plan with floor to ceiling windows designed to provide unobstructed views.  The rooms featured multiple drop-down monitors where your guests can easily view slideshows of how you met and your relationship, your gorgeous engagement session, or any other presentation you'd like your guests to see.  The inside spaces can also bee seen as a blank slate with amazing views that allow them to fit almost any decor, style or color. The possibilities are endless!  In addition, the outdoor terraces, a rarity in DC,  are immense and spread the length of the building providing a great spot for a ceremony or just cocktails and lounge space. Last, but not least, with Wolfgang Puck Catering as the Newseum's exclusive caterer, you can rest assured that the food will be amazing. Here are some images I found of weddings captured at the Newseum. {Vicki}

First Row:  Matt Mendelsohn Photography, Jennifer Domenick @ Love Life Images/ Second Row: Rachael Spiegel @ The Observatory/ Third Row: Jay Premack Photography