A Ritz Affair

We recently received some professional image from Visual Sketch Photography of Kelly and Scott's October wedding at the Ritz Carlton in Tyson's Corner. The event was a mix of traditional and modern, with a 1964 white Rolls Royce and vibrant orchids and crystals creating a magical feel.  Here are some of our favorite images. I love the shot of Kelly, she looks like she having the time of her life!  
Vicki 

2010 Green Acres Inspiration - Wedding 360 Contest

Happy Turkey Day! 

I recently entered a contest sponsored by Wedding 360 where they are challenging creativity. The submission required a description and inspiration board that designs a wedding for a couple reminiscent of the show Green Acres, with Lisa, a glamorous wife and Oliver, a traditional farmer type. 

So here is the board I created and to read some of the description please visit the Wedding 360 blog. 

Vicki

First Row: Taylor Creative Inc., Jose Villa, Heather Waraksa/ Second Row: Centric Photography, The Time Photography, ART Design/ Third Row: Jose Villa, Carla Ten Eyck/Fourth Row: Jon Jensen Photography, Karen Wise Photography/ Fifth Row:  Leigh Miller photographer, Wendy Maclaurin Richardson Photography, Henry & Masci Photography/ Sixth Row: Raw Photo Design, Oh How Charming/ Seventh Row: Lisa Lefkowitz, Alders Photography, Elizabeth Messina/ Eight Row: Christian Oth Studios, Tine Pine Press, Christian Oth Studios/ Ninth Row: Henry & Masci Photography, Christian Oth Studios/ Tenth Row: Docuvitae Photography, Tallant House cake/ Eleventh Row: MET Chandelier by Lobmeyr, SharonPappas Photography/ Twelfth Row: Myrtle & Marjoram, Stephanie Fay Photography, Jose Villa/ Thirteenth Row: Squire Fox Photography/Milly Design Studio, Jose Villa, Pieces Inc./ Fourteenth Row: Tom Dixon Design, ART Design/ Fifteenth Row: Missy Cochran, High Style Deco

Red, White & Green

With the holidays just around the corner I put together an inspiration board for a traditional color combination this season. That green necklace would look amazing for a holiday party with a little black dress.  The pie stands from Gretel Home would be perfect showcase holiday treats, and who couldn't use a red purse!  

Vicki

First Row: Good on Paper, Fragola Bags/ Second Row: Gretel Home, Neither Snow/ Third Row: Lepapier Studio, The Hand Maiden/ Fourth Row: Doloris Petunia, Oh Joy!/ Fifth Row: Simple Song Designs, Gretel Home/ Six Row: Maria Vettese, Humade 

All is Calm Inspiration

Here are a few of the little things that are inspiring me this week. I've decided to order my 2010 calendar from Life Love Paper. What a great company name! It makes me think of the engraving on my wedding band "My Friend, My Love, My Life".  I also love the polaroid look that the calendar images have and it will be just perfect on my desk. 


I've also been swooning over so many bib necklaces and the Heart by Ban.do collection. I can't decide on just one. Vicki

First Row: Ban.do, Alices Looking Glass via etsy/ Second Row: 2010 Satsuma Press Calendar, Kam Lamp company via etsy/ Third Row: Alices Looking Glass via etsy, Delphine Studio via etsy/ Fourth Row: Once Upon a Paper 2010 calendar, Simply Bloom Photography/ Fifth Row: Ban.do/ Sixth Row: Alices Looking Glass via etsy, Bejewelled Bespoke via etsy/ Seventh Row: Life Love Paper via etsy 

Best Groomsmen Performance Ever!!! - Check out the video!

We finally received a copy of a video from Veronica and Daniel's wedding where Daniel's brothers and groomsmen preformed the most amazing medley to honor for the bride a groom. Please note the bride and groom love Disney and cartoons. 

I've seen many speeches and performances and this was by far the best. Laura Kay even commented how amazing it was. This video was shot by one of the guest so although it may not be the best quality it did capture the wonderful performance.  I hope you enjoy! 

Veronica's and Daniel's wedding seen here and here was also recently features on The Budget Savvy Bride blog. Take a look. Vicki



Best Groomsmen Medley from Vicki Grafton on Vimeo.

Orange Multicultural Wedding captured by Genivieve Leiper

This past fall, one of our lead planner's, Melody Browning, did a wonderful job coordinating a traditional western ceremony under the trees, a decedent Hindu ceremony in a beautifully decorated ballroom, and a very eventful reception for Meredith and Akhil. The reception even included a family dance off and the DJ's at Dream Day DJ's kept everyone dancing all light long. Meredith and Akhil also selected the amazing Genevive Leiper to photograph all the wonderful events and cultural details of the big day and Genevive captured some stunning images that I'm sure the couple will cherish for a lifetime. Vicki

Purple and Champagne Winter Wedding Inspiration

It's slowly getting colder out and we have an amazing New Years Eve wedding coming up  inspired by the following board.  Some of the amazing vendors that are helping to pull it off are Rocio at A Piece of Cake, Da Vinci's Florist,  the Cherry Blossom String Quartet, and Connor Studios capturing it all. 
Vicki

First Row: Purple flowers, cake from Martha Stewart Weddings, Cake from Abby's Wedding by Eikon Photo/ Second Row: white hydrangea arrangement, lighting by Da Vinci's Florist/ Third Row: Champagne linens, Orchids filled bouquets/ Fourth Row: Sarah Rhoads photography, white bouquet and wooden box/ Fifth Row: photography by Jessica Hill, Hairpiece via Bethany Lorelle, Ira Lippke Photography/ Sixth Row: Courtney Dellafiora Photography, Capital Decor and Events/ Seventh row: Purple flowers via Steve Depino, Shoe Photo by Kate Triano/ Eighth Row: Candles, white bouquet, glass garand/ Ninth Row: PuRple and white bouquet, Holliday & Brown tie, light pink floral arrangement, Justin and Mary Marantz Photography

If one of the above images is yours and we did not provide credit please contact us at info{at}mysimpledetails{dot}com and we will update the post immediately.

Carla David Design

At Carla David Design's open house event in Maryland, Carla got to show of her work and some of her favorite things. We had a blast tasting treats like cheesecake lollipops and enjoying the spiced hot chocolate bar, perfect for any winter event.  One of Carla's must have's was a beautiful Beegee Bag, which I have already requested for Christmas.  Carla customized everything for the open house from the cups at the hot chocolate bar, to the water bottles and the signs for the food and the desert bar. We even left the party with custom gift wrap and gift tags that I'm sure to use very soon.  It's that small touches that help make an event unique and special. Thanks Carla for the inspiration and sharing some of your favorite things.   

Vicki

Brookside Garden Site Visit and Natural & Pink Wedding Inspiration

On Sunday we met with one of our super cool couples at Brookside Garden in Maryland for a site visit. It was a gorgeous day out and we came up with some great ideas for the ceremony layout and flow.

I snapped a few images of the tea house where the ceremony will take place and below is the inspiration for their special day. I love the simple florals, the natural feel and the hint in pink. What do you think? 
Vicki






First Row: Flowers by Mimosa, Unveiled Bridal Designs/ Second Row: Square Pillar Candles/ Third Row: Gourmet Invitations, Katie Anderson photography/ Fourth Row: Unveiled Bridal Designs , Katie Anderson Photography/ Fifth Row: Paper lanterns, Gourmet Invitations/ Sixth Row: J Crew, White hair flowers, J Crew/ Seventh Row: Cloth invite via Artful Beginnings on etsy, clutch via Mollusa on etsy. 

Day After Shoot - Lemon's in the Fall captured by Kate Triano

We're in love with these images from a day after session of newlyweds, Nicolette and Chris. This cute couple was married September 26th 2009, but since they were blessed with rain on their big day, they wanted a few more shots in the beautiful fall weather. This shoot took place on a crisp day near the Hendry House in Arlington and the lighting was just stunning. Nicollete loves knitting and brought the perfect gray knit blanket she made and a lovely yellow scarf, and isn't that vespa with a side-car the cutest thing ever?  


     

Julianne Smith's Garters Now in Our Studio

I know we've raved about Julianne Smith's gorgeous work in the past, but we recently received some samples in the mail and they are just perfection. Each one is supper soft, exquisitely made, and can be customized in so many ways. 


If your in the Fairfax virginia area and looking for a unique garter for your special day, send a quick note to vicki{at}mysimpledetails{dot}com and we'll set something up so you can come see them in person.    


Here are some pictures of our studio which includes samples and portfolios of some of our favorite vendors including the Garter Girl, Laura Hooper Calligraphy, Holland Photo Arts, Kate Triano, Bella Figura, Sara Drake Design, Delphine, Growing Wild Floral Company, Room Service Rentals, and many more. 

Room Service + Long View Galley DC

The other night I had the chance to attend wonderful event hosted by Room Service at the new Long View Gallery in DC. The Long View Gallery is an amazing new venue and I'm sure many brides looking for that ultra urban space will swoon after this venue. Room Services' fabulous furniture groupings and modern details looked stunning in the space and I can't say enough about how important lighting can be to set a mood for an event.

DC Engagement Shoot - My Simple Details + Kate Triano

Sorry I've been missing in action, some horrible bug got me and I've been under the weather for a few weeks.

I do have some great eye candy to make up for it. Yesterday, I styled a shoot with Kate Triano for one of our fun loving clients Astrid and Fred who are getting married in the Dominican Republic next December. It's going to be a great event and I can't wait!

We chose areas around Federal Triangle and the monuments and here is a sneak peek that Kate sent me today. They are so cute and I love their dog Henry with his little mohawk. Furniture was provided my Room Service.

Jill and Brian Wedding - Captured by Holland Photo Arts

Jill and Brian's September wedding was captured by Bill and Anne of Holland Photos Arts. Although it started to rain right before the ceremony, the weather failed to put a damper on the mood of the ceremony of the party to follow. As you can see in the photo's Jill and Brian danced the night away with close friends and family and had a blast. I love the photo of Jill in her dress and the one of Jill and Brian dancing. The flowers were done by the amazing Barbara at Growing Wild.

Day After Wedding Farm Shoot with Kate Triano

About a month ago I was honored to style a day after shoot for Kate Triano and one of her amazing couples, Maria and Michael. After Kate told me a little about the direction that the couple was going for I immediately new the perfect place and the perfect florist to help. I called Barbara at Growing Wild asked for her help to create a cool wild flower bouquet and a few arrangements for the shoot. I also asked if we could use her farm for the location. Of course Barbara was up for it and a few weeks later my husband and I took our old 66 chevy, a ton of props, and even my fathers old RC Cola machine out to the farm. Barbara was waiting for us with the flowers ready to go, and the super cute couple arrived a few minutes later with Kate. I love a great vest and that is exactly what the Michael had, and the chucks just made his outfit perfect. I can't say enough about how stunning Maria was, so I'll just let you see the photo's.

Kelly and Scott - A Magical Candle Lit Wedding at the Ritz

Kelly and Scott were married at Falls Church Presbyterian followed by a magical reception at the Ritz Carlton in McLean Virginia. Candles were strung from the entire ceiling with pin-spots highlighting the beautiful orchid filled arrangements provided by Yellow Door Floral Designs. I absolutely love orchids so I must say I loved the tall arrangements.

Images below were captured by my staff, but the professional images by Visual Sketch Photo and Video will be ready in a few weeks.

Allison and Matt - Married at the Historic Cabell's Mill in Northern Virginia

Allison and Matt planned for a unique afternoon wedding at the Historic Cabell's Mill. The ceremony took place under a huge tree with a 4 piece bluegrass band playing nearby. The Furnace Mountain Band was amazing and I would recommend them to any couple looking to create a fun relaxed atmosphere for their guests. The band continued to play during cocktail hour on the patio of the Mill overlooking the nearby stream. The weather was again perfect, sunny and 75 and all the guest enjoyed the view of the turning leaves.

I also loved Allison's purple shoes! Zoya Photo captured the below images from the day.

Ashely and Michael Married - Fort Belvoir and the Potomac

Today I have a few post of real weddings that we were proud to be a part of over the last few months.

Ashley and Michael were married on August 1st at Fort Bevloir in Northern Virginia. They had originally planned for the wedding at the Fort Belvoir chapel, but do to an unexpected ac problem, we changed it the day before the rehearsal to be outside the officer club under a beautiful pergola. Ashley had always wanted an outside wedding, so it was meant to be and the weather was perfect.

Rachel Naft did a great job of capturing the big day and below are some of the images.

Cap Juluca - Anguilla Wedding Destination

So my husband and I finally went on vacation. It's been a long year and I had a break between weddings so we set off for a recuperative vacation on the soft white sands of Anguilla. We stayed at Cap Juluca, which I spoke about in a previous post about a stunning wedding captured by Elysium. Cap Juluca was amazing and it is the perfect location for an intimate and unique destination wedding.

Here are some pictures my husband captured during the trip. I love the combination of orange, turquoise, and white washed fabrics.

St Raymond of Penafort & The Westin Alexandria VA

I've been away on a much needed vacation and I will post some great resort photos shortly, but before I do, here are some shots from Jill & Brian's September wedding at St Raymond of Penafort followed by a fuchsia and orange reception at the Westin in Alexandria VA.

Bill and Anne of Holland Photo Arts, one of my favorite photographer teams, was there to capture the entire day, and I can't wait to see the spectacular images they were able to take.

Sound Connection, one of the top bands in the area and one of Modern Bride Magazine's Top 25 Trendsetters of 2009, rocked the house and kept everyone dancing all night long. Jill even had them play "I Gotta Feelin” by the Black Eyed Peas as a surprise for her mom. It is one of her mom's favorite songs. What a cool mom!


Images by: My Simple Details & Ashley Finco