MS. Details loves Hitched Bridal Salon

Today, I thought I would blog a little about my favorite bridal salon, Hitched, and let you know about some upcoming trunk shoes for all of you brides still looking for that perfect dress. They are also currently having thaie annual sample sale, and some are up to 70% off!

Hitched was created by DC locals, Julia Lichtman Kepniss and Carin Rosenberg Levine, to be a warm inviting salon that is sophisticated and in tune with today's bride. The salon carries exquisite gowns by designers such as Amsale and Oscar de la Renta, beautiful Erin Cole Veils and even beautiful invitations by some of my favorite designers Dauphine Press and Wiley Valentine.

Here's a little inspiration board based on the designers carried by Hitched. How chic!

First row: Coaster Wiley Valentine , dress by Oscar de la Renta via The Knot/ Second row: Erin Cole Spring 2008 Bridal Collection (Once Wed) via Flickr/ Third row: Wiley Valentine Save the date

Upcoming Trunk shows at the fabulous Hitched bridal salon:
February 6th & 7th - Modern Trousseau Bridal Gown and Mother of the Occasion
February 12th, 13th & 14th - Amsale Bridesmaid
February 20th & 21st - Reva Mivasagar
February 27th & 28th - Ulla-Maija

Please note that visits for the trunk shows are by appointment. You can contract Hitched at 202-333-6162 or email them at appointments@hitchedsalon.com

Wedding Innovator's Design Challenge

If you haven't already heard, DC Nearlyweds is hosting a Wedding Innovator's Design Challenge and Bridal Show on February 21st at the Liaison Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., from 10:00 - 5:00 pm .



This will be a 3 part event with a Design Challenge for local Event Planners, a Bridal Show for Brides and last but not least a Silent Auction to benefit Brides Against Breast Cancer. This wonderful event is sponsored by My Day Weddings Magazine and The Wedding Podcast Network.

For the challenge, teams of local wedding planners will be teamed up and paired with area rental companies to collaborate and create an evocative thematic concept and bring it to life. Each design will then be judged by a group of DC's most stylish and creative icons lead by Los Angeles celebrity wedding and event planner Diann Valentine.

My Simple Details will be participating and we look forward to seeing you there!

Information and registration can be found on the show website http://www.weddinginnovators.com/

Style Me Pretty Contest

Abby over at Style Me Pretty, my favorite blog, is hosting a contest for inspiration boards. The purpose of the contest is to provide ideas to a reader who is having an upcoming wedding at a vineyard in Virginia.

From the Bride: I am getting married May 1, 2010 in Charlottesville, Virginia. I am a woman who has been dreaming about her wedding her entire life. Now that the time has come for me to plan I have begun to feel very overwhelmed. Specifically, I am having a hard time editing myself. I see all of these ideas and details that I like and I am not quite sure how to incorporate these ideas into my special day. The weddings that stand out to me (and I think most others) is the ones that work in small, unexpected details. The details are what I am getting lost in. So, I come to you for help.

I know that I my wedding colors are going to be a bright pink (more raspberry) and white. I will be married in a vineyard and the ceremony will be outside. I am a girl who is attracted to shabby chic styles. I see myself using more vintage chic/rustic type of details and designs. My friends and family would describe me as very preppy and not as trendy as other 25 year olds. While I am not desperate for penny pinching ideas, I also do not have an extravagant budget to work with. Can you help me figure out where to begin?

My Answer and Board:

When I think of shabby chic, I think of soft muted colors, gold, aged furniture, and crystals. With the vineyard as a beautiful backdrop I incorporated colors of nature with wood tones and touches of green allowing the vibrant raspberry and crisp white to shine. The bride's preppy side can be reveled with striped accent pillows or fabric. My inspiration board began with a beautiful photo of raspberry colored flowers by Ariella Chezar, simply chic dresses from J Crew, and wonderful gold jewelry.

So head over to StyleMePretty.com and vote for your favorite board.




First Row: Allyson Magda Photograph, pocket watch photo by Katie Moos, Photo via The Photo Factory, Domino Flowers via Style Me Pretty / Second Row: Canopied table from Brides, J.Crew via {frolic}, Country Wedding Ideas, votives from Kate Parker, Myrtle and Marjoram Photo of Boutonnieres / Third Row: Jewelry by Saylor Sage, Pink florals by Ariella Chezar, Jessica Rust Serving Pieces / Fourth Row: Erin Cole veil photo by Leigh Miller, ring by Sarah Perlis, Photo by Kitty Maer via Style me Pretty, dress from J.Crew / Fifth Row: Zoom Photography, Zoom Photography, Photo from Cappy Hotchkiss via Snippet and Ink, Photo via Brides, Ceci New York Program

My Simple Details is Giving Back

Hi Everyone! Today I’m ready to announce my exciting news.

I have always loved animals and the environment and would love to give back and help protect them. With this in mind, My Simple Details has decided to give 1% of all sales to a local Virginia animal rescue, A Forever Home, or The Nature Conservation Fund. So for each new couple that we book, 1% of their package price will be donated to their choice of the two organizations. Our brides and grooms can feel that they not only booked a great wedding planner for their special day, but that their funds are also going to a great cause.

Every little bit counts and if we all just give a little we can make a big difference.


To tell you a little more about why I selected, A Forever Home Rescue. I live in Virginia with my loving husband and our 3 rescued dogs. I originally rescued Kai, an Australian Sheppard mix from AFH in 2004 when he was 12 weeks old. He was the love of my life, but don’t tell my husband :) He was such a social dog and loved everyone and every dog he ever met. No one was a stranger. His energy and love for dogs lead us on many walks and we eventually found a field in the next neighborhood where every day the homeowners would bring their dogs to run free and play. We named it "Yappy Hour" and I took him there almost every day after 5pm. Kai had many friends and one of the neighbors, the parent of an old dog named Honey, turned out to be my perfect match.

Two years later Kai helped my husband pop the question and I said yes. Sadly this Thanksgiving we had to put Kai to sleep because of kidney failure. He was almost 5 years old and it is still difficult to talk or write about. On the positive side, Kai’s passing has given us even more drive to assist our local rescues and help other animals find their forever homes. Dogs and the environment are very special to many people and are often included in many couples' special day. I took some time to create inspiration boards for both the dogs in couple’s lives and the love of nature. I hope you enjoy.



First row: Shannon Porter photography, Photo via Offbeatbride, Dog photo by Wendell Phillips via Weddingbee / Second row: Next Exit Photography, Next Exit Photography, Laura Novak Photography, Rob and Lauren Photographers /Thrid row: Karen Wise Photography via Style Me Pretty, Real Wedding by Alison Events via Style Me Pretty, Becca Spears photography /Fourth row: Table number photo by J. Cogliandro Photography via Style Me Pretty, Floral Dog by Soiree Floral via Style Me Pretty, dog with patterned backdrop from Martha Stewart Weddings /Fifth row: Dog photo by Jose Villa via Snippet and Ink, Elizabeth Messina Photography via Style Me Pretty, Pillow by ReggieAna on Etsy /Sixth row: Dog photo via Martha Stewart, Dog and Girl Photo via Bridalbar, Dog and Pearls Photo by Stephanie Cristalli /Seventh row: Next Exit Photography, Tamara lackey photography, Jennifer Rau Photography, A Real Wedding via Style me Pretty


First row: Catherine & Andrew via snippet and ink, Image by Nicole Hill via frolic! , A Bryan Photography / Second & Third rows: A Bryan Photography /Fifth row: Holland Photo Arts, Mel Barlow Photo via Lucky Me

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and I'm looking forward to working with all our 2009 brides. Can you believe you’re getting married this year? I have an update that I'm working on and I hope to post it shortly so keep checking back. In the meantime we are proud to announce that our Bali wedding was just featured in Destination Wedding Magazine's 2009 World Guide and is on shelves right now. It was an honor to be featured and we look forward to getting many more of our brides weddings featured in magazines. We believe that every bride can have a magazine quality wedding and we look forward to helping you make it happen.






You can also see us in the current issues of Brides Washington, D.C. and Brides Maryland magazines.

Christmas Wedding

Yesterday I had the honor of helping with a beautiful Christmas inspired wedding in Front Royal Virginia. The Ukrainian Catholic ceremony was held at St. John’s and the reception followed at Shenandoah County Club.

Inspiration IV - Shannon

Today is a wonderful inspiration board created for Shannon and Matt who are saying their vows at the lovely Ceirsville Mansion in Frederick Maryland on October 23, 2009.

With the changing of the leaves in October and Shannon's wish to include pink in her color scheme, we designed a soft French themed event that includes muted orange, yellow, and pink floral arrangements. The centerpieces will be overflowing antique urns and the head table will have place cards tied with ribbon to antique keys. Blankets will be provided for guest to keep them warm in the chilly fall air. Here is the inspiration board we created for Shannon.


First row: Ceirsville mansion, Laura Dowling floral arrangement /Second row: Ceirsville mansion, gold ribbon, bouquet via Martha Stewart Weddings/Third row: Cake photo via Style Me Pretty, Bouquet via Martha Stewart, Melissa Sweet dress, bouquet via Martha Stewart, Melissa Sweet Dress /Fourth row: Ceirsville mansion, antique gold pintuck linen via DCrental.com, candle via Jamali Garden/Fifth row: Escort Card board via Style Me Pretty, Candle photo via Save on Crafts /Sixth row: Bout via Martha Stewart, cider via Martha Stewart/Seventh row: Candles via Jamali Garden, LHCalligraphy via etsy, laterns via Jamali Garden/Eigth row: Wall art via Wonderful Graffiti, candy apples via Style Me Pretty /Ninth row: Bouquet via Martha Stewart, boot photo via Style Me Pretty, Laura Dowling arrangement, Antique keys from 2BCreative via etsy

Inspiration III - Jill

Today I'd like to post one of the inspiration boards created for Jill who is getting married September 26, 2009 at St. Raymonds of Penafort with her reception at the lovely Westin in Alexandria. Jill is still a little undecided about what look she wants for her special day, but wants a fun young event and likes bright pink, orange and green. Here is one of the inspiration board we created for Jill.



First row: Jenny Yoo dress, J Crew dress, Unique Weddings Week II photo’s by Red Ribbon Studio via Style Me Pretty /Second row: Photo by Valls Photographic, Jennifer & Mark via Snippet and Ink, bouquet from MS, Photo’s by Red Ribbon Studio via Style Me Pretty/Third row: Photo’s by Red Ribbon Studio via Style Me Pretty, Roses photo via The Knot, menu and mum place setting from Artfool/Fourth row: Aisle photo via The Knot, Cake via The Knot, Chairs photo via The Knot/Fifth row: Photo via Style Me Pretty, Floral arrangement via Water Lily Pond/Sixth row: Unique Weddings Week II photo’s by Red Ribbon Studio via Style Me Pretty/Seventh row: Orange floral arrangement via The Knot, Floral Photo via Erin Beach Photography, Floral arrangement via Water Lily Pond/Eight row: Carnation bouquet photo by Samm Blake, Photo’s by Red Ribbon Studio via Style Me Pretty

Inspiration II - Mary Anne

Today's board is for Mary Ann who is getting married May 30, 2009 at the City of Fairfax Old Town Hall. She is planning a traditional yet relaxed event and has chosen a beautiful blue for her color pallet. Here is the inspiration board we created for Mary Ann.

First row Photo by Paloma Images, A White Inspired Wedding by Jose Villa Photography via Style Me Pretty, Cake photo from Courtney & Hugh: An Outdoor Wedding via The Knot, table photo via The Knot/Second row: boutonniere photo by Lisa Lefkowitz from The Knot, photo by Jenny Ebert, eyelet cake from Martha Stewart Weddings, Shoe photo via The Knot/Third row: Lisa & Nick featured on Snippet & Ink, truffles photo by Thayer Allyson Gowdy via Style Me Pretty /Fourth row: photo from Carolyne Roehm, chocolate truffles from Matthew Mead Style, nest of Jordan almonds from Martha Stewart Weddings /Fifth row: Brooke and Mark’s wedding via Style Me Pretty, A White Inspired Wedding by Jose Villa Photography via Style Me Pretty /Sixth row: Elizabeth Messina’s Wedding via Style Me Pretty, Jenn & Paul: A Traditional Wedding in Richmond via The Knot, suit photo by Stacey Kane /Seventh row: place card vase Cox & Cox, white peonies via The Knot, Wedding Invitations by Abby Jean with Laura Hooper Calligraphy via Style Me Pretty /Eight row: cakes from Gathering Events, hydrangeas photo by Heather Forsythe, vest photo by Terra Tabbytosavit via Elizabeth Anne Designs, Ring bowl photo from Jennifer & Mark featured on Snippet & Ink /Ninth row: bottle vases styled by Molly FitzSimons via Snippet & Ink, table via Carpe+Item, photo by Mi Belle Inc.

Wedding Inspiration I - Angela

We've been supper busy lately with the holidays and meeting with so many wonderful brides. Over the next week or so I have decided to post a few Inspiration Boards that we created for some our 2009 Brides. Hopefully some of these will give you ideas for your own special day.

The first board is for Andrea who is getting married at the Historic Tremont in Baltimore. She's having an intimate wedding in November and loves the color red. She's even planning to wear her favorite red chucks for the reception. How cute! So here is one of the inspiration boards we created for Andrea.


First row:Table from Martha Stewart Weddings, Photos from Wedding by James Abel via Style Me Pretty/Second row: Table photo from Martha Stewart Weddings, Red peony arrangement by Ariella Chezar, seating cards by Laura Hooper, bouquet and votives from The Knot/Third row: Cake from Martha Stewart Weddings, save-the-date by Alee & Press, Ashley and Dusty’s wedding featured on Snippet & Ink /Fourth and Fifth row: Photos from Wedding by James Abel via Style Me Pretty/Sixth row: Champagne from Beth Helmstetter, programs by Jo Gartin, Kid photo from Junebug, cake photo by M. Polss/Seventh row: Photo via Black Eiffel, Luisa Beccaria dress via Perfect Bound, calligraphy by Maybelle, Table by Art Fool

Taste of the Stars Gala

Today I have some great pictures from the 9th Annual Taste of the Stars Gala that was held Saturday November 22nd at the lavish Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown. We had the pleasure of volunteering our services for the day and can not think of a better cause. The Starlight Children’s Foundation rose over $460,000 during this Gala and all the proceeds will help brighten the lives of local children who are seriously ill.

The gala's theme was "Wines around the World" and guests were able to taste some of the worlds finest wines from France, Italy, Australia, and Napa Valley. Tucker Carlson, a MSNBC senior correspondent, was even the master of ceremonies.

The silent auction included jewelry from Tiny Jewel Box and Tiffany & Co., Redskin game packages, wine tours of Napa Valley, and many lots of fine wines. During th live auction paddles were flying for travel packages to Turks and Caicos, a one week trip to a medieval French Village, and even a Labrador Retriever puppy. After the live auction and wonderful dinner, the guests were invited to the after party in an adjacent room. During dinner we transformed the space from the wine room during the silent auction to a modern dance club with white dance floor, glowing bars, and stands for dancers.



It was a great event and we look forward to volunteering for many more in the future.

St. Michaels Maryland

I had the pleasure of working with Historic Events out of Annapolis a few weeks ago on a beautiful wedding and Maple Hall in St. Michaels Maryland. Although the weather was off and on the entire day, it didn't put a damper on the special day. Here are a few candid shots of the beautiful bride, the 22 piece band, and the most adorable ring bearer with his black and white chucks.

Angela and Josh

These are some wonderful details from Angela and Josh’s September wedding in Alexandria, Virginia.

Angela and Josh picked the Carlyle Club for their reception with it's art deco decor that transported their guests back to a dinner and dancing club in the 1930's.




For favors, Angela and Josh fell in love with bottle toppers and with our help added personalized tags that announced their feeling for one another "Head over Heels". The colors of the favors worked perfectly with the clubs décor and added a very personal touch. Instead of huge centerpieces, we used buckets of champagne, votives, gold ribbon, and small cubes of white hydrangea's scattered throughout the club. The relaxed nature of this beautiful couple and the atmosphere of the club, kept the guests on the dance floor all night long.