Veronica and Daniel Married with an Amazing and Fun, Jazz Club Reception

On Friday, I was in awe after Veronica and Daniel's friends and family preformed for the couple. The pieces ranged from a touching solo of “Here and Now” accompanied by a baby grand, and a hysterical medley of meaningful songs, including the theme song for Ducktales, in which the whole crowd joined in the chorus with “DuckTales (oooh ooooh)”. So funny!! This was such a fun loving couple and I just can’t wait to post the video of the performances and the photo’s by the fabulous Laura Kay. The amazing flowers were from Barbara at Growing Wild.



Photos by Vicki Grafton and Phong Nguyen of My Simple Details

Aqua and Red - Inspiration for a Very Sweet Bride

I met with an amazing bride the other night who is having her wedding at the vibrant Hotel Monaco in DC next year. She is planning a red and aqua event that fits perfectly with the venue. I designed the below inspiration board to give her some ideas. What do you think about aqua and red?

She's also working with some of my favorite vendors, including Barbara from Growing Wild and Chris Dunn for ceremony music to list a few. You know it going to be a great event!

Row 1: Brides or Martha Stewart, blue vases photographed by Courtney of Flush Designs, Lisa Lefkowitz via Style Me Pretty/ Row 2: Simply Blooms, Brides or Martha Stewart, Tie photo via The Budget Savey Bride/ Row 3: Jenny Yoo dress, bags for out-of-town guests from VegasBride, Brides or Martha Stewart/ Row 4: Heather and Andrae's wedding from The Knot, Table 6 Productions via Style Me Pretty, Candy buffet photo by Jonathan Canlas Photography/ Row 5: yarn-wrapped vase from Sweet Paul, cherry soda from Wedding Style Guide/ Row 6: Elizabeth Messina Photography, Leo Patrone Photography, red and blue balloons from Snippet and Ink, / Row 7: cake photo by Allison Garrett, Sonia Davis invitation via Style Me Pretty.

Here are also some of the great etsy finds that could add a cool touch. The bear would be the cutest gift for the flower girl.

First Row: Poster by Sparkle Power , Shopcloverbelle/Second Row: MackensleyDesigns, Littleellie/ Third Row: BombusCraft, Tiddlywinks

Brew at the National Zoo

Every year near my birthday, which is swiftly approaching on Monday, my (twin brother) and our friends go to Brew at the Zoo, a fund raising event where FONZ Young Professionals raise our commemorative mugs to conservation. This is such a fun event and I recomend everyone check it out. This year we sampled beer from more than 35 microbreweries, enjoyed live music by Gonzo's Nose and Batala, an all women percussion band. All the proceeds support the care for the animals, conservation and sustainability of the National Zoo.

Vibrant, Fun, Cultural Inspiration Board

I recently created this inspiration board around a Vera Wang dress and beautiful Bella Figura Invitation. I am also in love with Anna Maria Horner fabric and it was a perfect fit.

First Row: Sedona Bride via Style Me Pretty, Meg Smith Photography/ Second Row: D. Jones Photography, Elizabeth Messina Photography via Kiss the Groom/ Third Row: Vera Wang dress via SMP’s Look Book , Meg Smith Photography via Kiss the Groom, earrings by Amrita Singh/ Fourth Row: Sakura Photography, Meg Smith Photography, Elizabeth Messina Photography via Kiss the Groom/ Fifth Row: Invitation by Bella Figura, Photo via Kiss the Groom/ Sixth Row: J. Crew Dress, Anna Maria Horner fabric via fabricworm in etsy/ Seventh Row: Photo via Kiss the Groom, Birch Design Studio.

Wedding on The Potomac

Here are some of my quick shots from the gorgeous August 1st wedding of Ashley and Michael at the Fort Belvoir's officer club on the Potomac. I was in love with Ashley’s dress. She looked like a goddess, and you could tell that Michael was truly head over heels for his bride.

Pie on a Stick

I was just sent a link to an amazing idea for pies on sticks. This would be perfect for a fun country shabby chic wedding, and it fits in perfectly with my love for fun foods. I also think they would be great favors at the drop dead gorgeous Vintage, Shabby Chic Wedding Shoot that Abby is blessing us with today. Just add some cute ribbon and place them on an antique plate, and they would be perfect.


Photo By : Lisa Lefkowitz via Style me Pretty

Here are some images of the fabulous pies, but for instructions on how to do it yourself, click here.

Videographer and Cap Juluca

I haven't come across many wedding videographer that make me swoon, but when Abby at Style Me Pretty posted a video of a Anguilla wedding shot and edited by Elysium, I was in speechless. Not to mention one of my husband and my first vacations while dating was to Cap Juluca, and it is a stunning and magical resort.

Recently :
Cap Juluca was voted “Wedding Destination of the Year” by NBC Today Show.
Brides Magazine listed Cap Juluca as one of the “50 Sexiest Hotels.”
The Travel Channel featured Cap Juluca as one of the “World's Sexiest Beaches.”
Frommer's listed Cap Juluca as one of the “Best Places to Honeymoon.”
Travel Age West selected Cap Juluca as the best resort for a “Romance Vacation.”

So here is the amazing video, and if I did it again I would, without hesitation, hire Elysium to capture my wedding day.

Ashley & Jamie's Same Day Edit from Anguilla from Julie Hill on Vimeo.

Tutu cute!

Lately I've seen a bunch of super cute tutu's on flower girls. They are untraditional, fun, vibrant, and just too cute!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from real flower girls and tutu's found on etsy.




First Row: Diana M. Lott Photography, missmyapapaya tutu on etsy, FairyWonderful on etsy/ Second Row: D. Jones Photo, Photo via IDoYouDoWeDo, ILuvUTutuMuch tutu on etsy.

Woodland Bride

I helped a bride this past Saturday find a gorgeous couture gown at the Brides for Breast Cancer dress sale, and I was inspired by both the bride, her dress, and the venue. She's planning a wedding at Woodend Sanctuary, one of the few remaining grand historic estates in Chevy Chase, Maryland. This venue is set on 40 acres including a wildflower meadow and trails thru thick tree filled areas, perfect for stunning photos of the her and her new husband. I decided to create a quick inspiration board for her that included some items found on etsy, a dress in a similar style to hers, and a stunning lounge space.



First Row: Letterpress Invitation via floraandfauna, Hairpiece via bethanylorelle/ Second Row: Dress J. crew, Photo by Jenna Walker, lounge/Third Row: Jose Villa Photography, Jose Villa Photography, Matthew Morgan Photo.

MS. Details conversation on the Garter Girl Blog

The amazing Julianne Smith, the designer and mastermind behind a unique and modern garter line that has recently been featured on the Today Show with Kathie Lee, just posted a quick conversation with me on her Garter Girl Blog. I talked about how I got started, my favorite wedding details, our new truck, and the all important question, cake or cupcakes?

Here are some of the amazing garters that she created for the Today Show and Kathie Lee. For more eye candy and inspiration, please check out the Garter Girl Blog.

Brides Against Breast Cancer

This Saturday I had so much fun helping glowing brides “say yes to the dress” all while supporting a great cause, Brides Against Breast Cancer®. I did not bring my camera to the event, but did snap a few photos on my iPhone. We even had two cute mascots with their very own pink ribbon doggie bed. How cute!

After my shift, I made a quick stop into the next ballroom where The Westin Arlington Gateway was kicking off their 10th Anniversary of the Westin Heavenly Bed. At this event, brides enjoyed an afternoon of inspiration with hors d’oeuvres, champagne, and the unveiling of special wedding offers at The Westin. Brides were also able to watch a bridal fashion show courtesy of Brides Against Breast Cancer®, as well as a presentation from the Association of Wedding Professionals, sharing insights on décor, floral, design & event planning. In celebration of the Westin's 10th anniversary of the heavenly bed, brides who finalize their wedding reception at The Westin Arlington Gateway, prior to September 30, 2009 will receive a complimentary Heavenly Bed as a wedding gift!

Fun Foods

last night I was working on a post about fun foods and I took a short break to see what Abby was posting on her amazing blog, Style Me Pretty, and to my surprise she had just posted an super cute dessert reception shot by The Youngrens that included a cotton candy machine.

I am truly a kid at heart and love candy, my husband and I even have a full kitchen drawer at our house that is a devoted to candy, and I am a big fan of foods that remind you and your guests about wonderful childhood memories. At a previous wedding we coordinated in May the bride had us placed gummies out during cocktail hours, and it was amazing to see all the grown men returning again and again for handfuls of colored butterfly gummies. It just made us smile.

So without further ado, here are some images capturing fun foods that couples are serving at their weddings.



First Row: Callahan Catering/ Second Row: Callahan Catering, Ice cream sandwich from Brides, Justin Marantz Photography /Third Row: The Youngrens photo via Style Me Pretty, French toast cotton candy photo via Brides, Photo via Camille Styles/ Fourth Row: Holland Photo Arts, cotton candy via Snippet and Ink, Holland Photo Arts/ Fifth Row: Holland Photo Arts, Amy Atlas/ Sixth Row: Lollipop photo by Jamie Hammond, Justin Marantz Photography, Photo via Whitebox Weddings/ Seventh Row: Carpe Donut via Holland Photo Arts Blog, Justin Marantz photo/ Eighth Row: Holland Photo Arts, Kristin Vining Photography/ Ninth Row: Cronin Hill Photography, Amy Atlas

Kim & Kwang....married!

Here are a few professional images from Kim and Kwang's wedding on June 20th at Stone Manor County Club near Frederick MD. Laura at Exclamation Imagery did a great job capturing the absolutely stunning bride, the beautiful wedding, and all the small touches that paid tribute to Kim and Kwang's cultures.

Shoes...Shoes...and More Shoes!

I'm in love with unique details, so I thought I would post some fabulous footwear that brides, grooms, and their bridal parties are sporting theses day. These aren’t your normal white bridal shoes or black dress shoes for the guys. I know you've may have seen some of these photos before, but they’re just stunning and many are by my favorite photographers from the DC area.

First Row: Laura Kay Photography/ Second Row: Kate Headley Photography, Kate Headley, Laura Kay/ Third Row: Kate Headley/ Fourth Row: Holland Photo Arts, Holland Photo Arts, Lisa Lefkowitz Photography/ Fifth Row: Kate Triano Photography/ Sixth Row: Jose Villa Photography, Mel Barlow Photography, Krisatomic's flickr via A Cup of Jo/ Seventh Row: Jesse Leake Photography, Jose Villa Photography/ Eighth Row: Jose Villa Photography, Marie Labbancz Photography/ Ninth Row: Amy Squires Photography, Elizabeth Messina Photography, Cheri Pearl Photography/ Tenth Row: Brittany Strebeck Photography, Love Life Images/ Eleventh Row: Holland Photo Arts, Ira Lippke Studios / Twelfth Row: Sakura Photography, Duston Todd Photography/ Thirteenth Row: Leo Patrone Photography, EyeSpy Photography/ Fourteenth Row: Kate Triano, AK Event Design via Style Me Pretty/ Fifteenth Row: Elizabeth Messina Photography, Justin & Mary Marantz Photography/ Sixteenth Row: Kate Triano, Jose Villa, Carl Zoch, AK Event Design via Style Me Pretty/ Eighteenth Row: Kate Triano.

Unique Getaway Vehicles

Our new antique truck inspired me to look for other unique vehicles that brides and grooms have used to make their wedding getaway. When deciding on transportation for your big day, think about vehicles that say something about the two of you.



First Row: Carl Zoch Photography/ Second Row: Scott Andrew Photography/ Third Row: Scott Andrew Photography, Scott Chester Photography/ Fourth Row: Justin & Mary Marantz Photography/ Fifth Row: Mariano Delgado Photography, Martha Stewart Weddings, photo from Brides/ Sixth Row: Flint Photography, Red Photo Co./Seventh Row: Red Photo Co., Jasmine Star Photography, Kate Headley Photography/ Eight Row: EyeSpy Photography

Brides Against Brest Cancer - Gown Sale

This weekend, July 18th and 19th, we will be volunteering at the Brides Against Breast Cancer Gown Sale, at the Westin Arlington Gateway in Arlington VA.

This amazing fundraising event for the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation starts Saturday 10 am – noon with a $20 Admission, followed by a General Sale from 12 – 8 pm with free Admission. Sunday there will also be a General Sale 10 am – 4 pm with Free Admission.

This Foundation’s mission “is to grant wishes, including memory-making events, for metastatic breast cancer patients, while continuing to support, educate and increase resource awareness.”

"This unique event allows brides-to-be a chance to find the gown of their dreams at a remarkable price, while helping to make wishes and memory-making events come true. Most gown prices range from $89 to $799, including hundreds of beautiful new name brand and designer gowns valued up to $8,000. Exclusive designer and couture gowns valued up to $20,000 are also available at an incredible 25% to 75% savings."

Recent brides can also help by donating their gown.

If you're still looking for a gown, or would like to help with the event you can find more information here.

Improved Site + New Services :)

We are so happy to introduce our new improved website and a few new services for local brides in the DC area. We are now providing a complementary simple help desk service, where brides and all their supportive family and friends are invited to e-mail us at simplehelp{at}mysimpledetails{dot}com with any wedding related questions. And for those that are struggling to find that perfect vendor we are happy to recommend vendors who compliment your style and budget.

In additional since My Simple Details is familiar with many wedding professionals in the region we are putting together a collection of the finest professionals in the area. Our favorite, carefully selected vendors will be invited to display their portfolios in our studio.

If you are a local wedding professional interested in being considered by My Simple Details for inclusion in our studio gallery please email us at info{at}mysimpledetails{dot}com.

Anniversary Gift

Hi Everyone,

I am so excited to show you the present we got for our anniversary. We've been looking for one of these old Chevy trucks for a while and just found one that was perfect a few days before our anniversary. We decided that it would be a present for the both of us. And we love the bumper stickers! Virginia is for Lovers.

Anniversary Gift from the Photo Factory in Bali

The other day I opened an e-mail from my friends at the Photo Factory and was immediately brought back to my own wedding day by a photo clip montage that they made and sent to us for our 1 year anniversary. It really brought me back and reminded me of what a great time I had with all my friends and family on my wedding day. I always try to remind my brides that your wedding day should focus on you and your fiancé, your styles, and what you love. Don't be afraid to express yourself and have a day that is all about the two of you being joined together. Today there are no rules about how your wedding day must go, be creative, think out of the box, and be yourself.

The Cutest Engagement Shoot by Laura Kay

One of my very unique couples, Veronica and Daniel, recently had their engagement shoot with Laura from Laura Kay Photography and I absolutely love the photo's. I was introduced to Laura by Kate Triano, one of my favorite local photographers, and I am so... glad she did.

Laura has such a great eye and loves unique couples, which is exactly what she got when I recommended Veronica and Daniel book her for their wedding. As part of their photography package they received an engagement session which took place around Haymarket, VA. I only wish I could have had an engagement session before my wedding, I’ll just have to plan some anniversary sessions to make up for it. I know my husband’s going to just love the idea. Sorry dear!

So at last here are some of my favs.