Site Visit to Fairfax Old Town Hall

A few weeks ago I made a site visit to Old Town Hall where we will be coordinating a wedding this weekend for one of our lovely brides. Old Town Hall is in the heart of Fairfax, has wonderful wood floors, very cool large windows, and a cute garden in the back great for cocktail hour.

I can't wait to show you photo's from the wedding, we will even be using my old typewriter as part of their guest book table.

Professional Images of Steph and Greg's wedding

Deb Lindsey captured some wonderful images of Stephanie and Greg's big day. It was an intimate event at Cabell's mill and you could really feel the love in the air. Stephanie was so relaxed and calm and it really came thru in the pictures.

Congratulations Stephanie and Greg! We wish you all the best and it was a true pleasure being a part of your special day.

A Beautiful Butterfly Wedding at Airlie Center

Hi everyone,

I thought I would post some images from a very special wedding that was held at the Airlie Center in Virginia. The Bride planned a butterfly theme and it was pulled off effortlessly with cute touches like butterfly gummies for the guest during cocktail hour. I can’t wait to post the professional images, but for now here is a little taste.

Old Court House Manassas

Who said a court house wedding can't be magical. Last week I had the pleasure of taking some shots of the Old Historic Manassas Court house and it is just so... cute. Actually as I strolled around this historic little city, there are just so many adorable location for shots with your sweetie. I captured some photo's of an antique train and the old brick train station.

Details from Stephanie and Greg's Big Day

Hey everyone,

I thought I would post some detail shots from a wedding we helped plan and coordinate on Friday. The weather was beautiful for this outside wedding at Cabell's Mill.

The flowers were all from Barbara at Growing Wild, and they were amazing!

Etsy has it all!

As most of my brides know I love Etsy and all the unique designers that you can find to bring your event to life and truly personalize every detial of your special day. Etsy is also perfect for you recesonistas that are working with a tight budget. Here is a small board I created a bride who is working with traditional colors, but wants a modern twist.



First Row: Save the date by Tuccipaperco, Hershey Wrapper by Tuccipaperco/ Second Row: Invitation by Evapaul, Hairpiece by Kaang/ Third Row: Place cards by tuccipaperco, Hair Pins by Sewsephine

Visit to Growing Wild's Farm

Today I had the chance to visit Barbara of Growing Wild Floral Company at her Farm in Delaplane, Virginia. Barbara and Growing Wild have been named Best of the Knot for 2007-2009, she is just a joy to work with, and her flowers are always amazing.

Here are some photo's of a mock up she did for one of our brides.

Our Favorite Cupcakes!!!

Let's just say that we've tasted many cupcakes and wedding cakes in our day and with out a doubt, the most wonderful, melt in your mouth, stay moist for days, creamy, luxurious cupcakes we have ever had the pleasure of tasting are the famous Georgetown Cupcakes. My husband has ruined so many diets by bringing a box home and I just can't say no. If you are ever in Georgetown, I promise you will not be disappointed after standing in the long line that always winds around the block to get your hands on one of these beauties (or maybe two).

The calories are just plain worth it! Yum!

Colorful Inspiration

I thought I would take a moment to post an inspiration board for another one of our lovely 2009 brides. This one is a beautifully colorful board for a fun loving bride who's getting married in June. Creating this board just made me smile.



First Row: floating candlelight’s by Imedagozev via Real Simple, Izze Drink photo by Perez Photography, Photo by Leo Patrone of Twigg Botanicals arrangement via Snippet and Ink/ Second Row: Photo by Leo Patrone via Snippet and Ink, photo from Karen Wise, Bella Invite Classic Collection “Tiffany” via Style Me Pretty/ Third Row: miniature gumball machines from Bliss Weddings Market, bouquet photo by Anna Kuperberg, Hanging votives photo by Elizabeth Messina via Snippet and Ink, Stephanie Cristalli photo via What Junebug Loves/Fourth Row: Domino “flowers” gallery, Stephanie Cristalli photos via What Junebug Loves, Wreath at Jennifer & Mark wedding via Snippet and Ink, Photo by Leo Patrone of Twigg Botanical arrangement via snippet and ink/ Firfth Row: Stephanie Cristalli photo via What Junebug Loves, Lantern photo by Julie Mikos, flowers by Ariella Chezar

Cabell's Mill

My Simple Details staff is getting really excited about an upcoming wedding at the unique and historic Cabell's Mill in Fairfax, VA. Cabell's Mill was constructed in 1785, can you believe that! It operated as a mill until 1916 at which time it was converted into a reception location where even our 32nd President attended local events.

Cabell's mill has gorgeous hardwood floors, fireplaces, and a stone patio perfect for a ceremony or cocktail hour. Here are some pictures of the venue and we promise to post pictures from the wedding.

MS Details Loves J. Crew

I know you've seen many post on wedding blogs about J. Crew and their Bridal/ Wedding line, but I must say it's for good reason. The bridesmaid’s dresses are simple, sleek, and gorgeous, and your maids will love the fact that they can actual wear their dress again. As for their wedding dresses, they are simply perfect and many of them very affordable for a bride trying to watch her budget.

Here are some of my favorites:

Windows Catering

Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend Windows Catering Wedding Open House, and they pulled out all the stops. For those of you that don't know Windows, who was founded by Henry Dinardo, named one of the Top 25 Chefs in America by Food & Wine Magazine, Windows is one of the premier caterers in the Washington D.C. area. Their food is not only delicious but always presented in artful and unique ways.
They even have on staff the 2005 National Pastry Champion Chef, Laurent Lhuillier, who can work wonders with sugar.

Here are some pictures that I took while at the open house.

Jazz Club Wedding

When I first met with Veronica, I was immediately excited about helping her plan and amazing and totally unique wedding for her and her fiancé Daniel. We clicked immediately and when we suggested an old-time jazz club theme in a wonderful Historic Candy Factory turned home for the Center for Arts (Center for the Arts) shown in the previous post, the designs just started to flow. Here is the inspiration board that is guiding our planning process. I can't wait for the big event in August.



First Row: Navy, Pink and White Wedding Color Palette via Style Me Pretty, miniature limoncello popsicles by Callahan Catering, lemon sparkler from Brides via Snippet and Ink/ Second Row: Photo by Kate Webber, via Style Me Pretty, ribbon-tied pearls via Hey Susy, centerpiece by Ariella Chezar/ Third Row: cake by Lovin Sullivan, turquoise shoes via Snippet and Ink, Photo by Adi Nevo via Snippet and Ink/ Fourth Row: photo by Ann Hamilton via The Bride's Cafe/ Fifth Row: daisy cake from Amorology, Photo by Jonathan Canlas via Snippet and Ink (veil by Twigs & Honey (available on Etsy), photo from Junebug/ Sixth Row: Photo by Adi Nevo via Snippet and Ink, bouquets by Artfool, daisy pom from Brides/ Seventh Row: Photo by Myrtle and Marjoram via snippet and ink, photo by Yvette Inufio, photo by Barnaby Draper/ Eight Row: Blue Fin cocktail via Snippet and Ink

A Sweet Affair

Hi Everyone,

We are currently working with an edgy new couple that has decided to hold their special day at an old candy factory turned art gallery in Northern Virginia. This space is amazing, and I can't wait to start designing an event that embodies their personalities. We are currently working with an old time jazz lounge vibe with shades of blue and maybe a few pops of yellow. I will post one of my inspiration boards shortly, but here are some shots of the venue. The wedding will be in August 2009, right around the corner. If you have some ideas to bring an old time jazz club to life, please leave a comment or submit your own inspiration board. I look forward to showing off your ideas.

Amanda and Corey - March 28, 2009

Last weekend we had the pleasure of coordinating the wedding of Amanda and Corey who were absolutely smitten with one another. The ceremony took place at a small white church in Manassas with the reception following at Fort Belvoir. Amanda and Corey are such a beautiful couple and their wonderful friends and family let everyone know how perfect they were for one another. Amanda and Corey, it was a pleasure to be a part of and witness your big day and we wish you all the best.

Photo: Kimberli Photography formally J & K Photography

Here are some of the pictures that we snapped, but for the professional shots taken by the talented Kimberli Photography check out the wedding tab on our main website or Kimberli Photography's blog.

Hotel Monaco's - Eclectic Story

Hotel Monaco is a fairly new Kimpton Hotel located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. Its eclectic decor is to die for and there are so many opportunities for unique photos around this venue. They have a quant courtyard that can hold a beautiful outdoor ceremony which can be followed by a lavish reception in the Paris Ballroom for up to 250 guests.

Airlie Center

We have 2 wonderful brides that have decided to hold their wedding at the Airlie Center in Warrenton, Virginia.

The Airlie Center is located on hundreds of acres that consist of surrounding wetlands, meadows, and woodlands. It is a picturesque setting perfect for special occasions!

While winter still had its grasp on the gardens, it wasn’t very hard to imagine the first impressions guest will have as they pass thru the gardens on the way to the outdoor ceremonies. I also can't wait to see some fun bride and groom pictures in the garden maze.

Sunset Hills Vineyard

Sorry it's been so...long, but as wedding season gets into full swing we've been extra busy. Over the last few weeks we have however had some opportunity to visit unique venues for weddings and events and we'd love to show some pictures from our visits.

The first venue is Sunset Hills Vineyard, a fairly new vineyard located on historic farm property in western Loudoun County. The vineyard boasts a 130 year old beautifully restored Amish barn with two story decks that will let you and your guests enjoy spectacular sunset views. In addition to a great wine tasting bar, and some fun antiques, they also have a very unique space for a rehearsal dinner with stunning chandeliers. I could definitely design a spectacular jewel-toned event around these beauties.

Brewer's Ball for Cystic Fibrosis

My Simple Details had the opportunity to volunteer for a great cause last Saturday, the 5th annual The Brewer's Ball for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

This unique beer tasting event, was held at The Galleria Lafayette Center (one of the many wonderful event venues in D.C.) and featured a variety of handcrafted ales and lagers from more than 15 of the region's best microbreweries and brewpubs. All the proceeds from the event will be used to fund the life-saving work of the foundation.

We were happy to help a great cause.

My Simple Office Is Not So Simple!

Hi everyone,

If you're one of our brides you probably already know that we've been working hard on redesigning and remodeling our office space to make it a relaxing retreat and design studio for our Brides, clients, and all their friends and family that are involved in the planning of their big day.

I was particularly inspired by Monica Rae Gill and The White Box Studio where brides can bring their planning materials; get questions answered; and browse vendor portfolios, planning books, and bridal magazines.

Since I love all things design including fashion, interior décor and of course event design, I have collected some wonderful images that helped inspired our remodel.

After picking the important elements, some that needed refurnishing and re-painting, my patient husband has now taken on the role of plumber, electrician, painter, and his specialty, home electronics and theaters installation for our in-ceiling speakers and flat panel TV. Though he had little difficulty with the lighting and electronics, the refurnishing of some of the furniture pieces has proven significantly more trying. We hope to have the office completed shortly and even plan to have some of our favorite photographers’ photo's placed on stretched canvas around the space. He’s even has gone out of his way to find the perfect antique typewriter. I can’t wait until it’s refurbished and in working condition and we plan to use it as a unique guest book for visitors to the studio. I will keep you all up-to-date and will post some pictures of the results soon. Wish us luck.



Images from Domino Magazine, Decor8, Design Sponge, Pottery Barn, Sofia Coppola bag via Simply Lovely, Photo by Anna Kern via Decor8, photography of Trine Thorsen design via Decor8