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 

Happy Valentines Day!

My Simple Details hopes that you have a wonderful day and enjoy some time with your loved ones!  These are some cute finds on etsy that I love for Valentines day or any day to spread some love. 

Felt hearts by Reyaveltman on etsy.  

Fabric Flowers by PrettySwell on etsy. 

Shabby Chic Inspiration - Navy, Light Pink and Lace

It's been a while since I posted one of our bride's inspiration boards. I have so many to share and I hope to get to a bunch more soon. The below board was recently created for one of our Design + Month of Coordination brides. The couple is saying I do under a white gazebo in early April and we are creating a vintage, shabby chic vibe, with colors of navy, royal blue, light pink, and taupe. Her mom is an accomplished seamstress and is making a ton of fabric poms for the gazebo and aisle.  Other details include vintage trays to hold cards for a wishing tree, the brides DIY broach bouquet, and just a little lace detail on runners and beautifully wrapped favors. 

First Row: Suthi Picotte, Melissa Jill, Joey + Jessica Weddings /Second Row: Studio Castillero, Madelina Lesan, lantern photo by Joy Marie/Third Row: Studio Castillero, pencils Jessica Claire/Fourth Row: Luna Bizaar, dried blue hydrangea via Save-on-Crafts/ Fifth Row: Jasmin Star, IRIS Photography, Joey + Jessica Weddings/Sixth Row: Cake stand Rae Leytham, Chenin Boutwell/Seventh Row: Studio EMP, Hailey Erickson, Aaron Delesie/ Eight Row: Aaron Delesie, pillows, framed menu, lace photo Stephanie Williams/ Ninth Row: Simply Bloom Photography, Sloan Photographers /Tenth Row: Madelina Lesan, Jessica Claire, tulips by Christina Carroll Photography, lace wrapped present shot by Jessica Claire/Eleventh Row: Cake photo by Stephanie Williams, hanging flowers photo by Brandon Kidd/ Twelfth Row: veil Jessica Claire, Britney Keene, Lilac in vintage jars from Country Living via She Walks in Beauty, photo of frames by Stephanie Williams

Featured - Completely Unveiled by Weddings Unveiled - Kristina & Alan's E-session

In the fall, before the beautiful leaves fell in Northern Virginia, I helped style a vintage lakefront engagement session for our of our October 2011 couples. This cute couple is one of our full service clients and we are planning a modern, fresh, DC wedding at the Newseum.  I won't divulge all the funky details, but I will say that we've scheduled some time for pedi-cab rides for the entire bridal party, and Kate Triano will be there to capture it all.  It's going to be a blast!  

Since Kristina & Alan will have a modern, city wedding, but both love the outdoors, they wanted to mix it up with a rustic outdoor shoot with their adorable puppy Gizmo (check him out below). Such a cutie pie!  

With their initials and wedding colors in mind, I started the inspiration with the idea of hot homemade " Apple Cider & Kisses".   With an adorable Anthropology dress, cozy sweaters for Alan and Gizmo, and a fuzzy throw to keep Kristina warm during the romantic canoe ride down the lake, every detail came together perfectly. Since it was our idea to get waterborne, I have to give Kate Triano props as she worked on her balance in our small boat all while snapping some great shots. Like always, I couldn't have pulled this shoot off with out my hubby, who manned our boat with our electric motor and helped get Kate in the right position. 

Other details in the shoot included cute muffins for a snack after the canoe ride,  homemade cinnabon popsicles, that Phong made,  cinnamon sticks to spice up the apple cider, and DIY tags and signs for the mason jar glasses and food.  

To see all the great eye candy by Kate Triano Photography, check out Kristina & Alan's E-session as featured on Completely Unveiled, right here. 

My Simple Details - WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Award 2011

Today we are busting at the seems with great news. We are excited to announce that My Simple Details, LLC has been chosen to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards 2011. This award recognizes the top 5 percent of local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate quality and service excellence in the wedding industry. This is the 2nd year in  row that we've received the  Brides Choice Award, and we can't thank our clients enough for inviting us to sharing and assist them with important events in their lives. Check out some of our recent reviews from our clients here. 

Voted The Knot Best of Weddings 2011

We are so honored that our brides, grooms, and even their parents took the time to vote for us for The Knot's Best of Weddings 2011!  Last year was wonderful, My Simple Details worked with some amazing clients and vendors, and we are so proud to hold this title for 2011. Check out all the other DC/VA vendors that made the list here.   

Let's go Sledding!

Images by Kate Botwinski Photography

Now Offering Rental Props - My Simple Props

I have exciting news for brides, event designers, and photographers in the Washington DC metro area. My Simple Details is now offering rental props! Over the years, we've collected a treasure trove of unique items for photo shoots and wedding, and we'd love to provide you with that unique item you've been searching for.  Take a look at some of our inventory here and please contact us at vicki {at} mysimpledetails {dot}com to see if we have the item you've been looking for as we are constantly updating our inventory.  

Sneak Peek - Beth & James Corcoran Gallery Wedding

This past October we had the pleasure of coordinating Beth and James' black tie wedding at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in DC. Both Beth and James call London home and their love for history and art made a big impact on the style and the details of their big day.  My jaw absolutely dropped when I saw Beth for the first time in her vintage inspired dress. I love it, and her hair which she had done at Hela Spa in Chevy Chase, Maryland was to die for. Here is a sneak peek. 

Image: Hyon Smith Photography

Cami & Mike's E-session @ Barrel Oak Winery with Anne Robert Photography

Remember when I visited Barrel Oak Winery with the dogs? If not you can check out the post here. I love this venue with it's amazing views, loveable mutts running around, and cute fire-pits.  Writing about it makes we want to head out there tomorrow to sip some vino with close friends around a fire!  Amazingly, one of our 2011 couples, Cami and Mike are planning their big day at Airlie Center, but happen to have a close family ties to Barrel Oak. Since they've spent some good times their in the past, it seemed like the ideal place for their engagement shoot with Anne Robert.  

I truly can't express how important engagement sessions are. It's a great time to get to comfortable with your photographer, and learn to let down your hair in front of the camera. Most brides and grooms don't have too much experience in front of the camera, so engagement shoots give you an idea of what to expect from your photographer on your wedding day. After your e-session you should feel more comfortable with them and on the day of the wedding it'll be like they're just one of your friends with a camera.  Last but not least, you're engaged and in love, and you should really capture that special time together in your life. You're only engaged for a short time, cherish it, relax and enjoy the ride.   

Katie & Jon's E-session by Andrea Jae Photography

We have some great e-session photos to share today of Katie & Jon, who are getting married in June at a private estate in Lusby, Maryland.  To say that we're excited about their wedding would be an understatement. They are such a cute and kind couple, and are a pure pleasure to be around. Katie & Jon's wedding is going to be a little quirky, a little vintage, with a lot of spunk. Katie's been collecting mismatched chairs, jars, vases, doors, and furniture for the big day under a tree canopy, and it's going to be AMAZING!   The cute team at Andrea Jae Photography took Katie & Jon out for their e-session around Great Falls because of their love for the outdoors and it's easy to see how comfortable they were in the woods. Katie and Jon brought their puppy Raja for the shoot and you know how much I love dogs!    Raja's going to be their ring bearer and he's obviously a natural in front of the camera. :) 

Heather & Jon's Wedding Featured - The Knot Spring 2011

Today we have more exciting news, Heather and Jon's May 2010 wedding was also featured in The Knot Spring 2011 issue.  Their wedding was held at  Raspberry Plain in Leesburg, Virginia and Holly Heider Chapple Flowers provided the most picture perfect flowers. There are so many great images by Three Lights Photography of Heather and Jon's wedding. Some of my favorite details included the long ribbon streamers that my hubby hung from the trees that lined the aisle, the hanging mason jars with birdseed and candles, the river rock escort cards, and the burlap details that Holly placed in the maids bouquets to simulate scabiosa pods that were not in season in May.  To read more about the details check out my past blog post here.  Holly Chapple also recently did a blog post that has some great eye candy check it out here. 

These are some of the great detail shots from Three Lights Photography! 

Kerry & Josh's Wedding Featured - The Knot Spring 2011 Issue

I'm so excited today to show you Kerry & Josh's wedding, as featured in The Knot Spring 2011 issue, on shelves now.  Kerry and Josh said their vows in April 2010 in the courtyard of the Hotel Monaco in Old Town Alexandria. The color palate was a vibrant red and turquoise blue, and so many personal and DIY touches went into this wedding.  To read more about the details check out our past blog post here.  I want to give a huge shout-out to the talented Mary Kate McKenna for capturing Kerry and Josh's wedding so beautifully. Some of the talented vendors, besides Hotel Monaco, that helped make Kerry and Josh's wedding day a success include, Barbara at Growing Wild, Jake with Dream Day DJs, Fluffy Thoughts, KC Felton and Classical Guitar Ceremonies Inc. Below are just a few of the amazing images by Mary Kate McKenna. Check out more here. 

Let it Snow!

Sorry we've been M.I.A. lately, were working diligently on exciting projects for 2011 and meeting with some amazing new brides! Stay tuned for some e-sessions of our 2011 brides and shout-outs to our 2010 weddings that are in print and out on shelves now.  

Image: Kisa Koenig Photography

Have a cozy Christmas!!

Image: Sacramento Street.

Giving Back - AFH + The Conservation Fund

It's been a while since I blogged about our love for the environment and animals. Since we have a lot of newly engaged couples that are getting to know us, I thought it was a good time to talk a little about My Simple Details charitable giving. Starting in 2009 we made a decision to donate 1% of all our client's package costs to either A Forever Home, a local animal rescue, or to The Conservation Fund. This year we were so excited to make our largest donations in our history, on behalf of our clients.  We're looking forward to making many more donations to these two causes in the new year, and want to thank all of our clients who appreciate our love for nature and furry friends. Happy Holidays!

Shown above: Images from the Rover 2011 Calendar 

Love Couture Bridal - Sample Sale

In the past I've hearing some great things about Love Couture Bridal from our brides, so I'm excited to here that they are having a 3-day Sample Sale December 26-28th. If you're looking for a dress with style that won't bust the budget, call to make your appointment today. I'm sure the dresses will sell out fast.  

Destination Venue- Rosewood Mayakobá

We recently coordinated a wedding for one of our clients in sunny, warm Me-hee-co. The wedding was held at a boutique resort north of Cancun in the Riviera Maya. After the wedding I planned a short trip South to the Rosewood Mayakobá Resort as a site visit for one of our 2011 destination couples. After my visit I can say, they will not be disappointed in this resort. 

When Phong and I arrived we were greeted with non-alcoholic mojitos that were delish. Since mojitos are one of my favorite refreshments, Rosewood was already racking up bonus points in my book. We were promptly checked in and whisked off on a super cute wooden boat to our suite.  As we enjoyed welcome snacks on the boat of fresh fruit, and finished our drinks, we floated down the canals and eventually arrived at our suite's private dock.  The plunge pool looked inviting and the suite was picture perfect. 

The standard suites include a private plunge pool; luxurious tub; inside rain shower; outside rain shower; a second floor roof-top daybed, perfect for sunsets and soaking up rays; an extremely comfortable bed, that I didn't want to leave after working a wedding the previous night; and sheets that I just wanted to put in my suitcase before I checked out.  

During our oh too short stay,  the event planner at the Rosewood treated myself and one of the local florists (that I adore) to a walk through. This local florist has supplied my clients with some amazing flowers and always goes above and beyond. I can't wait to work with her again in 2011. 

During the tour we looked at the beach deck, the location for the ceremony which overlooks the blue ocean; multiple spots for the perfect cocktail hour; the restaurant area, that will be used for the reception;  and the garden, where the welcome dinner will be served. Every area at Rosewood was immaculate, giving us a great starting point. By just adding a few simple details my clients are sure to have the magical wedding of their dreams. Here are some images that I took along the way. I really didn't want to leave. 

Subdued Tones for Winter Brides

It's snowy in DC and with more in the forecast, the muted colors have inspired a simple subdued winter inspiration board for those planning winter weddings. I hope you enjoy!  



First Row: Jose Villa/ Second Row: Cameron Ingalls, James Carriere/Third Row: Gold block letter from Cabin 7, Meg Perotti Photographer, Leg-warmers from Free People / Fourth Row: Small calendar from Kitty Rogers on etsy, James Carriere