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!

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!

Epitome of Event Design: Corcoran Ball Preview

On April 17 I attended the Corcoran Ball Preview, thanks to my friend Megan Wilby from Occasions Caterers. Each year, Occasions, Perfect Settings, and Jack H. Lucky Floral Design partner to design a spectacular event for the Corcoran Gallery of Art. The event hosts 900 guests throughout 10 of the museum's galleries--each room with a unique theme more breathtaking and jaw dropping than the next. This year's event was designed to be green: menus and programs on recycled paper, organic, locally grown produce, seafood, and meats, recycled glasses.

The table designs represent the creme de la creme--premium linens with overlay, double chargers--and have an estimated cost of $1,000 per table. But don't fear budget conscious brides. Perfect Settings and Occasions Caterers will work with you to get the look for less.

Here the grand ballroom from above--glass bubbles for a bit of whimsy!

I can't decide which room was my favorite...probably the pink room (think Marie Antoinette) in the elaborate, gilded Dore Salon (below). It screams princess. I wish my camera did it justice!

The chairs are a girly girl's dream...

Here the designers used lace place mats as an alternative to table linens to showcase the antique tables that were brought in especially for the ball.

The orange glow of this room was warm and embracing. I especially like the designers' use of lighting to replicate the fern pattern in the table overlay.

This tropical inspired room was festive in orange, aqua, and lime green! I love the rustic bamboo chairs and poofy satin seat cushions! Of course, these and all floral arrangements by Jack H. Lucky Floral Designs were remarkable works of art!

Ferns and rattan chargers in the museum's atrium...

Finally...Invitation Worthy Stamps!

So you've selected your custom wedding invitations, letterpressed on handmade, Italian stationary. Somehow, that US Post Office standard issue American flag stamp just doesn't do them justice.

Not to worry, because Zazzle now allows detail obsessed brides to customize stamps worthy of those designer invitations. Upload engagement photos of you and your fiance or design elements from your invitation, or choose from a selection of monograms and images provided by Zazzle, including The Knot's wedding collection (shown at left).

Sophisticated and stylish designs are also available for bachelor and bachelorette parties, engagement announcements, bridal showers, save the dates, and thank you cards. These stamps are so precious, I just ordered some for official Emily H Events correspondance!
Zazzle's "Wedding Shop" offers other items to make your special day one your guests are sure to remember, including customizable canvas bags, sweatshirts, and key chains. Zazzle's site is easy to use, turnaround times are quick, and the products are high quality--I was so pleased with the business cards I ordered! Check out www.zazzle.com for creative ideas to make your event as unique as you!

Survival Tips for Trunk Shows

Trunk shows provide a wonderful opportunity to score big savings on the bridal gown of your dreams, or to simply feel like a princess for a day. After all, how often can you try on a $50,000 piece of meticulously hand-beaded couture?

Keep in mind, however, that trunk shows provide for savings because they are one-time events. You will likely be expected to commit to purchasing your gown on the spot in exchange for that 10-15 percent discount or those free alterations. So before you go to your appointment, make sure to:

1. Do your due diligence. Visit several bridal salons before your trunk show appointment to get a sense of the other available designers and styles. You can always go back to these boutiques if you don't find the dress of your dreams at the trunk show. But you can't go back in time and take advantage of the trunk show discounts when you don't find gowns elsewhere, after the fact.
   
2. Circle the wagons. Make sure you have any and all of your "principals" with you at your trunk show appointment: mom, future mother-in-law, maid/matron of honor, and any other VIPs whose opinion you seek or require before purchasing your gown. It may be hard to convince your mom over the phone that she should pay for the designer gown you've just fallen in love with, sight unseen, especially if she had her heart set on being with you when you found "the one."
   
3. Stand your ground. Surrounded by the glow of the designer exquisiteness at a trunk show it may be VERY hard for you to walk away from the dress of your dreams once you've put it on, even if you know you can't afford it (I speak from personal experience). It may be particularly difficult if the salon is serving champagne and the bubbly is now coursing through your veins (again, personal experience!). Set your gown budget ahead of time and stick to it. Keep in mind that your wedding day look--including gown, alterations, shoes, undergarments, veil, jewelry--should be no more than 10 percent of your overall wedding budget. Keep also in mind that you'll likely be trying on these gowns very early in the planning process, and that there are MANY other wedding-related expenses to come. Go in to the trunk show prepared with a predetermined range of what you're willing to spend on your gown, and don't try on anything with a price tag beyond the outer limits of this range. As a fail safe, give your principals full authority to drag you out of the salon door kicking and screaming the minute you start rationalizing an extravagant gown purchase by noting you can refinance your home or sell your car to afford it.
   
4. Be prepared. Be emotionally and financially prepared to put down your deposit or purchase the dress outright if you find something you absolutely love at the show. It's unlikely that the salon or designer will be willing to offer you a discount after the event date, or even after your scheduled appointment. Bring major credit cards like MasterCard and Visa, as some smaller boutiques may not accept American Express. Be also prepared to write a check. Though unlikely, the host salon or the designer may not accept credit cards.
   
5. Be conscious of time. Note that most if not all couture (i.e., sewn by hand) gowns take several months to craft, and another couple of months to alter. Don't even think of tempting yourself at a trunk show unless you have at least 6-8 months of lead time before your big day.

With these tips in mind, one of my favorite bridal salons, Hitched in Georgetown, is now accepting appointments for fall designer trunk shows:

• Modern Trousseau Trunk Show (Bridal and Mother of the Occasion)
  Friday and Saturday, September 19 & 20


• Oscar de la Renta Trunk Show
  **my personal favorite and shown above. Sigh!**
  Friday and Saturday, October 24 & October 25


• Judd Waddell Trunk Show
  Friday and Saturday, November 7 & 8


• Anna Maier/Ulla-Maija Trunk Show
  Friday and Saturday, November 21 & 22


• Augusta Jones Trunk Show
  Friday and Saturday, December 5 & 6

Reserve a covetted spot now by contacting info@hitchedsalon.com or call 202-333-6162.

I'm Official! EHE Brand Launch

Special thanks to my good friend, Ina Herrera for her amazing talent, creativity, and patience in designing my company's new brand.

I told Ina I was looking for something clean, contemporary, and classic. Even with such obscure direction from me, Ina nailed it. From the shield logo and the monogram stamp, to the polka dots and the color scheme, I love everything about it. Thank you so much, Ina!

In addition to brand and logo development, Ina is available for custom stationary. Nothing says "wow" like a one-of-a-kind invitation designed especially for you by a talented graphic designer and painter (yes, she does water color invitations too!). For more information, contact Ina at inabnherrera@hotmail.com

Now on to the next step: incorporating Ina's gorgeous designs into an elegant new Web site. Stay tuned!

While I prepare for Isabel and Avi's wedding in Detroit next weekend, this will be my last post for a while. Wish me luck...

Queen Bee Goes Bridal

My colleague, who's getting married in November, asked me for ideas on where to find unique wedding jewelry. She's looking for large, chunky, estate style earings (but not "too granny") to go with her Chantilly lace gown. Designer consignment boutiques like Secondi and Annie Creamcheese immediately came to mind, and then I started to Google.

Imagine my surprise and joy to find that my favorite local jewelry designer, Allison Brooks of Queen Bee Designs is now making custom bridal jewelry for brides, bridesmaids, MOBs and MOGs. A custom necklace, bracelet, or pair of earrings is a unique and thoughtful gift for those who will stand by you on your wedding day.

Even better, a Queen Bee one-of-a-kind is a wonderful "something new" for yourself! The "Eleanor" would be simply stunning paired with a wedding gown, particularly if you dared to wear more than one. If memory serves, I believe First Lady Laura Bush wore two strands of this rock quartz beauty at the Press Corps dinner several years ago. Queen Bee is also now available for private shows; what better way to liven up a bridal shower or bachelorette party than with jewelry shopping on demand?