April & Ed Married! August 2011

I am ashamed. Can it be that it has been more than one year since my last post!?! Golly. Congress has kept me running at my day job!

I received a beautiful "thank you" card today from April, who married Ed in August. I've known April for a long time - we worked together before she went off to pursue her PhD - so it was a very special day for me, as well. Everything was perfect - if not for the rain. It started pouring about an hour before her outdoor-ish wedding. Like tropical rainforest monsoon, pouring. I've actually never seen anything like it. Luckily, the deck where the ceremony was to take place was tented. And we were were able to make it work!

Anyway, I was so touched by April's note, I had to share:

"Ed and I want to thank you for helping make our wedding perfect! Thank you for keeping us organized. Thank you for giving me peace of mind. Thank you for being a friend...I knew everything would be wonderful with you running the show, which made me feel so much more relaxed going into the day...you're the best!"

Right back at you, April! Love you guys!

Some images below, courtesy of Kate Triano Photography!

My New Year's Resolution is to post more often! Next up: Sam's Bridal Shower! Stay tuned...

Get Set...Meredith's Baby Shower 2010

This Sunday, my best friend Tara Novotny and I are hosting a baby shower in honor of our friend Meredith. We're making a list (well several actually) and checking it twice (an hour).

For a woman as unique as Meredith--who is having her first, Thomas Henry--ordinary sailboats and elephants and trucks just wouldn't do. And tea parties are so 2005. So where to begin?

The the timing of the mid-afternoon shower allowed us to go out on a limb in terms of menu: Viennese dessert buffet (much to Tara's chagrin; she's not a sweet tooth. Whereas I, on the other hand...). The Viennese table is all the rage for weddings, so why not a baby shower? Viennese dessert tables, typically presented at receptions to facilitate mingling after a seated dinner, feature a variety of fancy cakes, tarts, mousses, and petit fours. We're serving some savory desserts (phyllo cups filled with goat cheese, fig preserves, and honey), some healthy options (melon and raspberry "kabobs" with Fluff spread and chocolate mousse for dipping), and some decadent sweets (red velvet and mint Oreo cake truffles from Bakerella). Not only is it fun and unexpected, the concept works for my space, where my four-level town home cannot accommodate seating for 25 guests in one room.

We looked for an invitation as flamboyant and whimsical as Meredith herself. The invitation by Doc Milo shown here is from Polka Dot Design. I've ordered several invitations from Polka Dot and I am never disappointed. It is a perfect reflection of Meredith...both her style and her personality. I simply love that the design carries on to the reverse (shown right)!

We're carrying the invitation design through to the shower decor with aqua and lime napkins and zebra print (yes, zebra) table cloths rented from Bright Settings. This is my first time using the company, but so far I'm impressed. You select what you want, they send you swatches to confirm, they ship to you on the date you request, and you send the dirty linens back in the box you received them with the return label they provide! Brilliant.

Stay tuned for pictures from Sunday's main event. Wish us luck!

Holiday Brunch 2009

Each year, my best friend Tara Novotny and I host a Holiday Brunch for 40 guests. Our decor in 2009 was black, white, and fuscia--festive but not conventional holiday--with tiered cylindrical vases filled with ball ornaments to display food.

For the menu, we went for a twist on the classics: lox tartar, baked french toast, deconstructed Waldorf and Caprese salads, passed crab soup shooters, and cheesecake parfaits. We prep the food to be bite sized...this facilitates mingling and eating while standing.

For dessert, mini cupcakes by JoAnna Hiatt--a must at any Emily H event.

And of course, what would a brunch be without a mimosa station and Bloody Mary bar?

My thanks to my dear and very talented friend Jessica Del Vecchio for capturing these images from our signature annual event!

Baked Dates with Goat Cheese

Caprese Salad Skewers

Deconstructed Waldorf Salad

Table Presentation

Crab Soup Shooters

Bloody Bar...

...With shrimp!

Mimosa Bar

Lox Tartar with Dill Cream Cheese

Utensils

Cheesecake Parfait

Cupcakes by JoAnna Hiatt

The hostesses with the mostesses...

Some useful resources for planning your event:

Fabric in black & white damask and stripe for tables: Ballard Designs
Favor boxes: Beau-Coup
Catering quality serving pieces: Smarty Had A Party

Jenn & Jonathan Married!

On October 10, I had the distinct privilege of coordinating the wedding and reception of Jenn and Jonathan. As a talented wedding and portrait photographer herself, Jenn's wedding was of course creative and spectacular.

Jenn and Jonathan chose a unique site for their special day: Camp Happyland nestled deep within in Prince William Forest Park outside Dumfries, Virginia. Jenn and Jonathan rented the entire campsite, which included rustic cabins for all out of town guests, an open pavilion with a grand stone fireplace for the reception, and a Council Circle for the ceremony.

Despite some early morning showers, it was an absolutely perfect October day!





The color palate of Tiffany blue, white, and chocolate brown was accented by traditional fall jewel tones, reflecting the "rustic chic" theme perfectly. And Jenn and Jonathan's bright personalities shone through all aspects of the wedding. From the biodegradable wooden utensils wrapped with twine, to the white and crystal antique candy dishes on every table, to the photo booth for candid shots of guests, to my personal favorite: the "ring warming" ritual, which allowed each guest to hold and bless the wedding rings...a unique alternative to the more traditional unity candle lighting!







Jenn and Jonathan's family and friends went above and beyond the call of duty to make this day one to remember for the happy couple. They helped Jenn and Jonathan with the typical DIY projects; making signs, assembling programs, and hanging the muslin and white globe lights from the pavilion ceiling (Jonathan's training as an engineer helped ensure the perfect drape, every time!). Most adorable was the seating card display: a reclaimed shutter, twine, and miniature close pins. I caught many guests lingering after they found their seats to marvel at this adorable welcome to the reception.







I was so honored to work with such a wonderful team of vendors. The images you see here were captured by the amazing Rob and Lauren from Canada, who themselves just eloped two weeks ago while vacationing in Greece. Rob and Lauren's images are creative, youthful, and artistic, and they are super fun to work with! If only they lived closer so I could work with them more! Their image of Jenn's dress below is probably my favorite...





Maryellen Bowers of Cakes & Candies by Maryellen made the gorgeous cake shown below. Three different tiers, each more delicious than the next (yes I tasted all three. I'm not ashamed). The cross section of the tree on which the cake is displayed was actually cut down by Maryellen's husband from her yard. It was the talk of the reception!



Bill Siewert of BBQ Brothers and his staff were a joy to work with. BBQ Brothers is a full service catering firm specializing in high quality, award-winning, slow-cooked BBQ at reasonable prices. They provide a full service wait staff and bartenders to set up and clean up the event site. I'm so using them for my next Derby Party.

Congratulations Jenn and Jonathan. Thanks for choosing me to help make your vision a reality!

Photography: Rob & Lauren Photographers
Cake: Cakes and Candies by Maryellen
Catering: BBQ Brothers
Marriage Celebrant: Diane C. Stanley (authorized in Virgina)
Coordinator: Emily H Events

Bridal 911: Must Haves for Your Wedding Day

You're in the bridal suite, surrounded by your best friends and mom, sipping mimosas and putting the finishing touches on your look. A vision in white, you take a deep breath and head out to meet your groom at the altar when "RIIIIIIIP." The zipper on your dress splits. OMG. Now what!?!

A survival kit is an absolute must for the inevitable wedding day "what ifs." Your wedding planner, who like a Boy Scout is always prepared, will most certainly have everything you could ever need. If you don't have a planner, it is worth a trip to Target to pick up the essentials! I recommend the following when stocking your own kit:

-Double sided tape is ideal for pesky puckers, stubborn straps, and loose hems. I LOVE Hollywood Fashion Tape. I've even used this tape to hold table runners in place on windy days!

-Clear thread, needles in various sizes, safety pins, and mini scissors for reattaching buttons, securing loose beads, and sewing yourself into your dress (worst case scenario).

-White chalk will cover scuffs and marks on white leather and fabric.

-Pocket pharmacy for myriad maladies: pain reliever, antacid, tampons, and clear bandages in multiple sizes.

-Salon staples such as bobby pins, hairspray, travel hairbrush, lip moisturizer, breath freshener, mini elastics, emery boards, and a bottle of your nail polish color will keep you flawlessly fresh.

-Crazy glue, just in case you break a heel!

-Loafer socks, similar to "peds" you receive when trying on shoes, are perfect when you're ready to really cut a rug.

-Stain remover and static guard.

Need a shower gift? Survival kits are a great gift for the bride-to-be. DIY, or purchase the adorable kit shown above from Mr. & Mrs.

Kits also make great gifts for bridesmaids and mothers, because they can have emergencies too!



These and other kits for labor&delivery, work, your groom (with decorative ball & chain), and kit refills are available at Mr. & Mrs.

Emily on Emily: Reviving the Lost Art of Etiquette

Did you know that asparagus is actually a finger food? Or that chewing gum on the phone is a faux pas? In our hurried lifestyles, proper manners often fall by the wayside. It isn't until we begin planning a wedding that our Ps & Qs are put to the test. Particularly when trying to address those invitations!

There is no shortage of wedding manuals on the market today. But none is more essential or reliable than Emily Post's Etiquette. As the foremost authority on all things appropriate, Emily Post provides tried and true best practices for making the best impression at your wedding, at work, at school, anywhere and everywhere! With a chapter dedicated exclusively to weddings, Post provides instructions on everything from how and whether to form a receiving line, how to set a table (it's different depending on formality and type of dinner service you know), how to address your officiant and other VIPs, and how to handle those awkward disagreements with your mother-in-law.

Put simply, Emily Post's Etiquette is a must have for everyone and anyone. After all, good manners never go out of style!

Derby Party 2009

My infatuation with the Kentucky Derby dates back to my youth, when my love of all things horse bordered on compulsion. For years the first Saturday in May was spent sitting cross-legged three feet from the television. Clutching my favorite stuffed horses--Filene (yes, named after the department store) and Dynamite (whose legs resembled sticks of TNT)--I watched day-long coverage of the horses, the jockeys, the owners, and of course, the “Run for the Roses” itself and all post-race reports from the winner's circle.

As I grew, so too did my appreciation for the Derby and its culture. Hats and pageantry. Twin Spires. Mint Juleps. Bluegrass Music. "My Old Kentucky Home." So I couldn’t resist hosting my first Derby Party on May 2 in celebration of two birthdays--my dear friend Meredith's and my own! Photos from the "birthday obesrved" celebration appear below, courtesy of friend and photogapher Jessica Del Vecchio!

Birthday girl Meredith, the Derby hat contest winner! "Mine that Bird" on her hat brim. She made it herself!

Mere's dapper husband Keith, with mint julep in hand...

Dawn in her Derby best, with a flower tucked in her hair...

Special thanks to my best friend and culinary/mixology wizard Tara Novotny for her help in making this a day to remember (or not, depending on the number of Marker's Mark mint juleps consumed).

Starters included assorted crudites, parmesan and gruyere sticks, charcuterie and proscuitto wrapped bread sticks, and Bobby Flay's baked "brie delight," baked with Honeycup mustard and toasted sliced almonds.



Hearty afternoon snacks included Barefoot Contessa's oven-baked fried chicken wings, crab cakes with Martha Stewart's chili lime aioli (and cocktail sauce), and Mere's baked "ham sammies." Delicious!



For dessert, Joanna Hiatt baked raspberry filled chocolate cupcakes with chocolate ganache. Decadent!

Red roses in silver mint julep cups provided added additional Derby flare to the buffet table.

Christal & Mike Married!

On April 18, I had the pleasure of coordinating Christal & Mike's wedding. After a week of April showers, imagine our delight to bask in the warm sunshine. By all accounts, it was a perfect day!

Christal's vision for the celebration was "rustic Italian elegance" in honor of Mike's family heritage. The newly renovated Hendry House in Arlington, Virginia--with its rolling hills and flowering trees--provided the perfect backdrop. The ceremony was held on the Hendry House grounds under the Wisteria Arch, with the classical guitar selections performed by the incredibly talented Chris Dunn.
For the luncheon, long banquet tables draped with crisp white linens and patterned runners handmade by Christal, "wild" flowers in mason jars, and marinated olives, fresh parmesan, artisan breads, and imported olive oil for dipping. The luncheon buffet included Barefoot Contessa roast chicken (I have to find this recipe), salad of marinated cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, pasta salad of penne, parmesan, and black olives, and assorted grilled veggies: red and yellow peppers, eggplant, asparagus.


I moved the two cherry blossom arrangements (shown below) that flanked the Wisteria Arch during the ceremony to the buffet table for an added splash of color. Or course, reusing ceremony flowers to decorate your reception is a great way to save money...and flowers!

As a personal touch, we clustered family photographs throughout the Hendry House for the guests to view during the cocktail hour. A selection are shown here, on the fireplace mantle.

My thanks to all of the vendors for their help in making Christal and Mike's wedding a day to remember!

Venue: Hendry House
Caterer: Matters of Taste Catering
Music: Christopher Dunn (classical guitarist)
Flowers: J. Morris Flowers
Photography: Thomas Graves
Coordination: Emily H Events!