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!

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...