Site Visit to The Stables at Bluemont Vineyard

This weekend I met one of our couples at their venue for a site visit and tasting. They are saying their vows at Bluemont Vineyard this fall and I'm working with none other than Holly Chapple for decor and flowers. Our design for their wedding is pulling plum, browns, and taupe together with gold touches for a rustic elegant event. We're also working to create a huge chandelier from 1000 cranes that the bride is busy working on as we speak. Below are some images I snapped of the stables. It is the largest indoor, climate controlled event space at any of DC's Wine Country Vineyards.  The  6500 square foot former stable has stunning views for both your ceremony and the outdoor cocktail hour on the verandah. The Stable seats up to 250 guests with tenting options to accommodate additional guests and has a recently renovated bridal suite with a private verandah that will be great for photos. My favorite aspect of this venue is it's tall vaulted celling with exposed beams that allow for endless decor possibilities.  

Styled Shoots + NYC w/Holly Chapple & David Beahm

I've been a little M.I.A. lately so I just want to give you the scoop on what we've been up to over the last few weeks and share a few photos to inspire. Larger more in-depth post will be coming soon, but here is a sneak peek. 

A few weeks ago we were head deep in beautiful props and candy for a 3 day photo shoot for Fig 2 Design's 20 new wedding invitation suites. Claudia, the owner and creative designer, is an absolute sweetheart, and has created some amazing new invitation suites that are each uniquely different and drop dead gorgeous. Her designs are fresh, fun and just my style, but since they are all so different, the shoot required a ton of different props and setups for each of the 20 suites. Mary Kate Mckenna, one of my favorite photogs, who shot Kerry and Josh's wedding, was a very happy lady shooting all the cute little details and setups. To tell the truth the three of us had a blast, and the 3 days blew by before we even knew it! Claudia is working on launching a new website, so the images are under wraps until the launch, but here is a sneak peek she posted on her home page. 

Following the Fig 2 Design shoot, our team was working hard with Morgan, a talented up and coming wedding florist and owner of Petals and Hedges. As a team we styled six, yes six, separate photos shoots with Morgan providing all the stunning flowers and bouquets. The shoots were designed not only to showcase Morgan's work, but also a new intimate Leesburg venue, which I will provide more details on soon. I'm very excited about this venue and all the cute options for events on the property. 

 Vicki Grafton Photography

The day after the 2 day mega shoot with Morgan in Leesburg, I was off on a bus headed to New York with Holly Chapple Flowers for her amazing new design workshop co-hosted by none other than David Beahm. I was there to capture Holly's workshop, which included the Chapel Floral Designers shopping the NYC flower market, browsing major supply stores like Jamali Garden,  learning design tips from David and his staff, creating stunning individual and group floral designs, and even attending a taping, of  Martha Stewart which was followed by a private tour of the Martha Stewart headquarters.  Here a just a sample images from the trip and workshop.  


I also want to give a big shout-out to Holly who is such a kind hearted soul and an extremely talented floral designer. She inspires me and so many other designers every day and I'm so glad I get to work with her to create amazing events for our clients. Thanks for letting me join you and capture the first of many amazing workshops to come! 

NY Flower Market with the Designers

Vicki Grafton Photography

Jamali Garden, I heart this place!  

Vicki Grafton Photography

None other than David Beahm

Vicki Grafton Photography

Two of my personal favorite individual designs from the workshop

Vicki Grafton Photography

Overall, it has been an amazing and crazy few weeks and I look forward to sharing more of the images from the multiple styled shoots and the New York design trip shortly.  David Beahm's insight and knowledge of the event industry was so enlightening and I was honored to hear him speak about some of his large events, and his philosophy about life and business. With wedding season almost in full swing we'll be trying to implement some of David's advice and we are really looking forward to some truly unique weddings this year! 

Anna & Chris - Engagement Session with BE Photography

Anna and Chris are getting married at the end of April at the Omni Hotel in DC and have a dream team of vendors including Barbara from Growing Wild Floral, Bridal Artistry for hair and makeup, Fluffy Thoughts for their cake, and James Berglie from BE Photography will be there to capture all the moments and details. They even have a  Mariachi band for cocktail hour. It's going to be a blast. Here are a few of the images from their DC e-session with James Berglie from BE Photography.

Beth & James Married - Corcoran Gallery with a Vintage Worldly Feel

This past October we coordinated an international and art filled Corcoran Gallery wedding in DC. I just adored Beth's vintage inspired gown, as it's a look we don't see very often, and Beth's hair and makeup done at Hela Salon worked perfectly with her gown. 

Beth & James live in London, but with DC being Beth's hometown, they planned an art filled wedding at the Corcoran Gallery. The stunning night ceremony was held on the large marble stairs of the Corcoran gallery and a beautiful family heirloom cloth chuppah that was attached to 4 wooden poles was carried in and held by groomsmen as Beth and Jamie's recited their vows.  I loved hearing all the guests from all over the world enter the gallery for the ceremony and the lighting by Light-olution made such a dramatic impact on the mode that night. 

The Spencer Finch sculptural installations which took up the subject of clouds was at the gallery on their wedding day and looked amazing behind the couple during the ceremony. Two Galleries were also open for the guests during cocktail hour. The couple used escort cards to test their guests knowledge of famous artists. To find their table, guests had to match the painting shown on their individual escort cards with the artist named table that painted it, such as Monet. Favors included gallery mugs for guests to take home and remember their visit. Overall, it was an understated black-tie event, where the Beth and James' style took center stage.  Other vendors involved in the wedding included Petals Edge florist, the always amazing Susan Gage catering, Antares Musicians, that provided music for the ceremony and reception, and Firehook Bakery who provided de-lish cakes for the dessert bar. All images by Hyon Smith Photography. 

Angel & Jonathan's E-session with Genevieve Leiper Photography

Angel and Jonathan are one of our recent 2011 couples.  We are currently working hard on the design for their May wedding at Oxon Hill Manor. It's going to be full of daisies, watering cans, french pastries, tea cups, and lanterns. Since Angel and Jonathan are both engineers, they're even constructing a system of overhead lighting for the patio reception. I can't wait to see it all come together. 

Angel and Jonathan booked the wonderful Genevieve Leiper to capture all the moments and details of their big day, and I'm so excited they did. Here are some images from their relaxed country e-session with Genevieve. Don't you just love Angel's dress? It's just so playful and fun. Thanks for sharing these images Angel! 

Vintage Broach Bouquets

One of our April 2011  brides is currently working with her mom to make her very own broach bouquet, and I'm so excited to see it on the big day.  If you love the look, but don't have the DIY bug, Chesapeake Floral Arts, just introduced a new line of vintage broach bouquets for purchase. Each of their bouquets are made from 30 plus vintage brooches, earrings and shoe clips and special orders are now being taken for summer and fall 2011 brides. You can of course include broaches or earrings from your grandmothers or mother to add a personal touch.   

Image: Photography by Alexander