Your wedding day will be filled with delicious appetizers, elegant jewelry to match the dress, and stunning photography to capture these special moments. But perhaps all you can see right now is an extremely long to-do list. Planning this special day can be daunting, but if you know these local hidden secrets, you’ll quickly be on your way to executing the wedding day of which you’ve always dreamed.

Food
When looking for a delicious menu for your reception, make sure you don’t overlook local Madigan’s Waterfront right here in Northern Virginia. It is locally owned, with over 20 years of experience serving customers, and is located on the Occoquan River in the quaint, historic Town of Occoquan. This location gives those a beautiful view when dining at the Waterfront. Seafood is their specialty, but they also feature an extensive menu with various pasta dishes and steaks. The Waterfront has a “casual, elegant” atmosphere that will welcome your guests genuinely. Madigan’s has experience hosting a variety of events, which each customer is invited to alter to their preference.

Photography
Father- and daughter-owned photography and video company Photoria makes sure to truly capture your special day. With the collaborative styles of daughters, Jen Roh and Alyssa Kim, and father, Richard Roh, they bring a little bit of everything to the table while capturing one of the most important of days. The elder Roh has a classic, documentary style, says Jen, while she and her sister bring a style that is more artistic and reflective of studio art. This mix of styles guarantees that they capture each moment in the best way possible.

“We all found ourselves heading in the same direction,” says Jen, about how her sister and father created Photoria. “I was studying studio art, videography and film. Photography and video has been a serious hobby for my father for a long time.” As a result, they opened Photoria in January 2009. They are open to travel for business, but they mostly cover Virginia, Maryland and the District.

Jewelry
Make sure your jewelry is a reflection of you, just like your wedding. At Hunt Country Jewelers, designers work with you personally to make sure you walk away with a unique piece of jewelry. If you visit Hunt Country Jewelers, you are guaranteed to find custom-designed jewelry you won’t find anywhere else. The business thrives on their bridal selection and working with the eager future bride and groom. You will be sure to find a design that matches the style of your wedding, whether it be a natural, highly detailed design or a bold, contemporary look.

Claire Cutshall, who owns the business along with her husband, Ed, and son, Logan, says, “What makes this business delightful is that all our customers are happy people because they are coming in to celebrate a fun occasion. We know all our customers, and have created great relationships with all of them.”

Often brides will bring in their grandmother’s ring, or a piece of jewelry that they hold dear to them. The Cutshalls redesign the baubles to the customers’ unique preferences, creating new masterpieces to be enjoyed for years and years to come.

The family has been creating jewelry for over 35 years, and within recent years, their son Logan has started creating jewelry. Logan, who has received a gemology and geology degree, has fulfilled a field study in the gem fields of Kenya to further his education.

Congratulations, you’re engaged! Excited but wondering what in the world to do now? Take comfort in knowing you’re not alone.

Even women who have dreamt of their wedding day from the time they were 5 years old, or perhaps just out of Pampers, often find that when the time comes and they get engaged, suddenly their plans don’t seem so clear. And it’s not hard to understand why. Let’s not forget about the other half of the engagement equation: your fiance, not to mention his family and their unique background and ideas—people and traditions that would have been impossible to predict.

Yet don’t worry, help is here! To help get you started with the planning process, we’ve compiled a list of esteemed area event venues as well as a list of renowned regional wedding planners. And that’s not all. We chatted with folks from several of the companies on both lists—people who have experienced more than their fair share of nuptials—asking them to divulge the details that make weddings most memorable. And they most certainly delivered.

While our pros recall plenty of extremely memorable moments, each uniquely special, the key component of the many stories they shared was immediately evident. The ultimate memory maker is personalization.

Perhaps wedding planner Bella Underwood of Northern Virginia-based Bella Betrothed says it best: “More often than not, you have a large group of people in a fabulous and enjoyable setting who have little more in common than the bride and groom. When the details of the couple are expressed and readily identified by the guests, they start to recognize their commonalities, why the couple is beloved to them and how this transcends to the other guests in attendance. This leads to more intimate conversations, laughter and the like, making for a memorable, happy occasion.”

In other words, say “goodbye” to cookie cutter options and “hello” to details that celebrate you as a couple. For instance, if you and your betrothed are known for being into surprises and spontaneity, you might want to make like a certain couple Judy Kozacik, co-owner of the historic Thomas Birkby House in Leesburg, fondly remembers, a couple who turned their event billed as an engagement party into a wedding. She says, “Approximately an hour into the event, the newly engaged couple thanked their guests for coming and then said, ‘While you are all here, we might as well get married.’”

Kozacik also recommends pulling on everyone’s heart strings. “Couples who choose something personal to share with their guests during their ceremony or reception always brings out the handkerchiefs. One of these moments is singing, which is so romantic,” she notes. Likewise, Carol Marino of A Perfect Wedding, based in Fairfax, recommends either pulling at the heart strings or tickling the funny bone. Some of the most memorable weddings in her mind are those during which the couple recited their own vows, “some hysterically funny and others real tearjerkers.”

Christine Bryson of Northern Virginia wedding planning business Married to the Details is a huge fan of personalization as well. She shares the example of one couple who loved singing karaoke so they had the guests at each table perform a song with “love” in the title during dinner. She also remembers one artist bride who hand-painted the covers of her programs. Bryson stresses, “Truly a memorable wedding isn’t always the wedding that was most extravagant.”

A few other fun examples of personalization come from Alexandra Pare of Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events, including an iPhone wedding cake and light saber send-off. Like Bryson, Pare insists that personalization doesn’t have to break the bank. She says having an inexpensive monogram made—like those from www.weddinglogodesigns.com at $25 for three—to put on the menu card, program, etc., “always makes a statement.”

Speaking of making a statement, Laura Auer of Wish Special Events fondly recalls a reception where the couple had their first-date treat, cotton candy, distributed to guests.

Auer also reminds us of what is most important: “Too often we spend so much time and money on the reception but then end up neglecting the most important part of the day!” She says tell your officiant all about your story—where you came from, how you came together and where you’re going. After all, “Guests will likely forget the food and the flowers but will always remember how sentimental and touching the wedding ceremony was.”

Venues At A Glance

Hotel Monaco
480 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314; 703-549-6080
Maximum Capacity Per Event: 160
Ceremony Site: Yes
Reception Site: Yes
Onsite Catering: Yes
Indoor vs. Outdoor Ceremony/Reception Options: Both
General Wedding Price Ranges (may exclude taxes and deposits): Plated style: $17,700 – $29,365, Buffet style: $19,050 – $32,175 (both ranges based on 150 guests; $500 additional for courtyard reservation)
Services, Products & Amenities Included in Rental Packages (individual packages at each facility may have more benefits): Cocktail reception with your choice of hors d’oeuvres, four-hour hosted bar, tableside wine service, complimentary cake presentation and service, dance floor, sparkling Champagne toast, bartender services and a complimentary luxury room at the hotel
Lodging Options Onsite and/or Nearby: Onsite | Embassy Suites: 1900 Diagonal Road | Hilton: 1767 King St.

Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront
3001 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23451; 757-213-3000
Maximum Capacity Per Event: 1,000
Ceremony Site: Yes
Reception Site: Yes
Onsite Catering: Yes
Indoor vs. Outdoor Ceremony/Reception Options: Both
General Wedding Price Ranges (may exclude taxes and deposits): N/A
Services, Products & Amenities Included in Rental Packages (individual packages at each facility may have more benefits): Full coordination services from the beginning to the end of planning (with help from an onsite wedding expert with over 28 years of experience producing over 4,000 weddings), special accommodations for the bride and groom, rental of up to 12,000 square feet of space, including an oceanfront ballroom
Lodging Options Onsite and/or Nearby: Onsite | Sheraton: 3501 Atlantic Ave. | Ocean Beach Club Resort: 3401 Atlantic Ave.

Hyatt Regency Reston
1800 Presidents St., Reston, VA 20190; 703-709-1234
Maximum Capacity Per Event: Grand Ballroom: 900, Regency Ballroom: 350
Ceremony Site: Yes
Reception Site: Yes
Onsite Catering: Yes
Indoor vs. Outdoor Ceremony/Reception Options: Both
General Wedding Price Ranges (may exclude taxes and deposits): Events in the Grand Ballroom: $40,000 – $42,000, Events in the Regency Ballroom: $20,000 – $22,000
Services, Products & Amenities Included in Rental Packages (individual packages at each facility may have more benefits): Professional banquet captain, complimentary menu tasting for two guests, white glove service for cocktail hour, complimentary cake cutting, Champagne toast, complimentary bartender fee, complimentary reception room setup, complimentary room rental, votive candles and mirror tiles for guest tables, selections of floor-length linens, accommodation cards, a dance floor and stage
Lodging Options Onsite and/or Nearby: Onsite | Westin: 11750 Sunrise Valley Drive | Sheraton: 11810 Sunrise Valley Drive

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA 22182; 703-255-3631
Maximum Capacity Per Event: Seated: 170, standing: 300
Ceremony Site: Yes
Reception Site: Yes
Onsite Catering: Yes
Indoor vs. Outdoor Ceremony/Reception Options: Both
General Wedding Price Ranges (may exclude taxes and deposits): 8 hours (minimum) in atrium: $3,400 -$9,000 | 2 hours in gazebo only: $263 plus 5% tax and $100 refundable deposit
Services, Products & Amenities Included in Rental Packages (individual packages at each facility may have more benefits): Use of Garden Room, Iris Room, Lilac Room, Terrace and Prep Kitchen, plus tables, chairs, two portable bars and a dance floor
Lodging Options Onsite and/or Nearby: Hilton Garden Inn: 8301 Boone Blvd. | Marriott: 8028 Leesburg Pike | Ritz-Carlton: 1700 Tysons Blvd.

Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon, VA 22309; 703-780-0011
Maximum Capacity Per Event: Seated: 300
Ceremony Site: Yes
Reception Site: Yes
Onsite Catering: Yes
Indoor vs. Outdoor Ceremony/Reception Options: Both
General Wedding Price Ranges (may exclude taxes and deposits): $8,000 minimum
Services, Products & Amenities Included in Rental Packages (individual packages at each facility may have more benefits): Linens, table cloths, hurricane globes and candles, tables and chairs, and china
Lodging Options Onsite and/or Nearby: Lorien Hotel & Spa: 1600 King St. | Morrison House: 116 S. Alfred St. | Hilton: 1767 King St.

Oatlands Plantation
20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, VA 20175; 703-777-3174
Maximum Capacity Per Event: Outdoor: 250; Indoor: 120 standing, 75 seated
Ceremony Site: Yes
Reception Site: Yes
Onsite Catering: No
Indoor vs. Outdoor Ceremony/Reception Options: Both
General Wedding Price Ranges (may exclude taxes and deposits): Carriage House: $2,000 – $5,000, Mansion, lawn and garden: $6,749 – $10,239
Services, Products & Amenities Included in Rental Packages (individual packages at each facility may have more benefits): Outdoor rental: exclusive use of property, multiple venues, Oatlands point of contract for rehearsal and wedding, private room for bride and attendants, mansion tour during first two hours, formal gardens, ample parking, tax-deductible contributions, tent and equipment discounts from Select Event Rentals; Indoor rentals: garden ceremony, choice of cocktail area, dance floor and some equipment
Lodging Options Onsite and/or Nearby: Hampton Inn and Suites: 117 Fort Evans Road N.E. | Homewood Suites: 115 Fort Evans Road N.E. | Lansdowne Resort: 44050 Woodridge Pkwy.

Potomac Point Vineyard & Winery
275 Decatur Road, Stafford, VA 22554; 540-446-2266
Maximum Capacity Per Event: 250
Ceremony Site: Yes
Reception Site: Yes
Onsite Catering: No
Indoor vs. Outdoor Ceremony/Reception Options: Both
General Wedding Price Ranges (may exclude taxes and deposits): $5,200 – $7,400 plus $1,000 refundable damage deposit
Services, Products & Amenities Included in Rental Packages (individual packages at each facility may have more benefits): Bridal salon with waiting area for bridal party, which overlooks the courtyard; rental of the Barrel Room for rehearsal dinner; banquet tables and chairs; cake and gift tables or barrel platforms; children’s activity room, upon request; dance floor; and preferred vendor list
Lodging Options Onsite and/or Nearby: Hampton Inn: 2925 Jefferson Davis Hwy. | Marriott TownPlace Suites: 2772 Jefferson Davis Hwy. | Wyngate by Wyndham: 15 Salisbury Drive

The Black Horse Inn
8393 Meetze Road, Warrenton, VA 20187; 540-349-4020
Maximum Capacity Per Event: 200
Ceremony Site: Yes
Reception Site: Yes
Onsite Catering: Yes
Indoor vs. Outdoor Ceremony/Reception Options: Both
General Wedding Price Ranges (may exclude taxes and deposits): $7,200 – $13,272 plus deposit
Services, Products & Amenities Included in Rental Packages (individual packages at each facility may have more benefits): Guilded Fox Ballroom for dining and dancing; Garden Terrace with picturesque pond, fountain and bridge; tables and chairs in ballroom; formal garden and lawns; panoramic vistas and formal garden areas; two hours of full-service wedding planning
Lodging Options Onsite and/or Nearby: Onsite | Goodstone Inn & Estate: 36205 Snakehill Road, Middleburg | Hampton Inn: 501 Blackwell Road

Thomas Birkby House
109 Loudoun St. S.W., Leesburg, VA 20175; 703-777-2700
Maximum Capacity Per Event: 150 (175 with supplemental tent)
Ceremony Site: Yes
Reception Site: Yes
Onsite Catering: No
Indoor vs. Outdoor Ceremony/Reception Options: Outdoor
General Wedding Price Ranges (may exclude taxes and deposits): $3,000 – $7,000
Services, Products & Amenities Included in Rental Packages (individual packages at each facility may have more benefits): Dressing rooms for the bride/bridesmaids and the groom/groomsmen, bonus room for children, gazebo, gardens, tent with lighting and sidewalls, tables and chairs
Lodging Options Onsite and/or Nearby: Homewood Suites: 115 Fort Evans Road N.E. | Hampton Inn and Suites: 117 Fort Evans Road N.E., | Norris House Inn: 108 Loudoun St. S.W.

Top of the Town
1400 N. 14th St., Arlington, VA 22209; 703-387-8696
Maximum Capacity Per Event: 180
Ceremony Site: Yes
Reception Site: Yes
Onsite Catering: No
Indoor vs. Outdoor Ceremony/Reception Options: Both
General Wedding Price Ranges (may exclude taxes and deposits): Daytime: $2,500 – $3,900; Eevening: $2,200 – $6,900
Services, Products & Amenities Included in Rental Packages (individual packages at each facility may have more benefits): Large private parking lot, private enclosed elevator to reception facility, private ground-floor lobby, outdoor terrace, partition walls, sound system, chairs, tables and dance floor
Lodging Options Onsite and/or Nearby: Hotel Palomar: 1121 N. 19th St. | Hyatt: 1325 Wilson Blvd. | Marriott Residence Inn: 1651 N. Oak St.

Area Wedding Planners

A Perfect Wedding
703-691-0133
Service Options: Full planning, partial planning and day-of coordination
Some Budgetary Recommendations: “The most money spent on a wedding reception is usually for food and drink for the wedding guests; however, I think guests really remember the ambiance and look of the wedding, so I recommend attention be paid to the location and design. Music plays a big role as well; a great band can make a great party and a very memorable wedding reception.” —Carol Marino

Allison Nichole LLC
703-999-0282
Service Options: Full planning, partial planning and wedding weekend coordination

Amy VanMeter Events
540-324-6782
Service Options: Full planning, a la carte consulting, reception coordination, wedding/rehearsal coordination and day-of coordination
Some Budgetary Recommendations: “The location sets the tone for the event. A great location won’t mean much if the food isn’t good. Guests will remember the event for the food—good or bad. And, the photography is what you have left when it’s over—the memories.” —Amy Van Meter

Ayr Hill Events
703-964-6786
Service Options: Full planning, partial planning, proposals, month-of coordination, a la carte services and hourly consulting

Bella Betrothed
703-969-3780
Service Options: Full planning, partial planning and day-of coordination
Some Budgetary Recommendations: “Smaller, more intimate crowds allow for you to inlude all of the details of a dream day not skimping on quality for quantity.” —Bella Underwood

Breathe Event Planning
571-212-4693
Service Options: Full planning (including destination weddings) and day-of coordination

Cherry Blossom Wedding and Events
202-730-6427
Service Options: Full planning, partial planning, day-of coordination and custom packages
Some Budgetary Recommendations: “The most money has to go to the venue, and food and beverage. And after that, as much as I would love every budget to have more room to get creative, I would say photography is where we budget the most money. Your colors are important, but an amazing photo of how happy you were on your wedding day is priceless.” —Alexandra Pare

Creative Event Planner
571-217-9521
Service Options: Full and partial planning (specialty: Indian, Pakistani and Bangledeshi weddings)

Elegant Beginnings
703-490-8340
Service Options: Full planning, vendor referrals, day-of coordination and email consulting

Engaging Affairs
1-888-481-5156
Service Options: Full planning, partial planning and day-of coordination

Events of Style and Class by Keylyn
540-538-9426
Service Options: Full planning, full planning plus travel arrangements, month-of coordination, day-of coordination and a la carte consulting

Galaxy Galas
703-626-4195
Service Options: Full and partial planning

Glitz Productions, Inc.
703-297-9223
Service Options: Full planning, partial planning and day-of coordination

Lelyco Events, Event Planning by Lesley Cohen
703-531-1094
Service Options: Full planning (including destination weddings), wedding weekend coordination and day-of coordination
Some Budgetary Recommendations: “Not necessarily where to allocate the most money, but I highly recommend clients spend wisely when it comes to photography. When the wedding is over, weeks or years later, it is one of the only tangible items you have to remember your day.” —Lesley Cohen

Married to the Details
571-216-5192
Service Options: Day-of coordination and a la carte consulting
Some Budgetary Recommendations: “To save money, set up a buffet with different ‘themed’ stations rather than a sit-down dinner. This helps cater to all different food tastes and preferences.” —Christine Bryson

Simply Chic Events
703-220-1287
Service Options: Full planning and partial planning (including destination weddings) and a la carte services

Sweet Weddings LLC
703-350-0076
Service Options: Full planning and day-of coordination

The Finer Points LLC
703-431-9494
Service Options: Full planning, wedding weekend planning and day-of coordination

We Do Weddings, Etc.
703-583-5202
Service Options: Full planning, partial planning and day-of coordination

Wedding Story
703-642-2247
Service Options: Full planning, partial planning and day-of coordination

Weddings by Cathy
703-470-2599
Service Options: Full planning, partial planning, day-of coordination and a la carte consulting

Why Knot Celebrate LLC
703-717-2582
Service Options: Full and partial planning

Wish Special Events
1-866-410-9474
Service Options: Full planning, partial planning, day-of coordination and hourly consulting
Some Budgetary Recommendations:“Of course catering will be the largest portion of every wedding budget. Feeding a large amount of people is always expensive. However, catering and venue fees should only add up to about half of the overall cost of the wedding. After that, we always encourage our brides to splurge a little on their photography. … It’s hard to compare apples to oranges, but look for a company that is quick to respond, has a fair price and has earned a stellar reputation.” —Laura Auer

(January 2010)

By Colleen Orme

Spring has always been an enviable choice for brides and grooms. A time when crisp white wedding gowns blossom, when couples wed as organically as the flowers that adorn them, and knots are being feverishly tied, the world over. Love is in the air. In the preparatory months leading up to the big day, however, a few knots may fray before the ceremony even begins, as brides and grooms consider add an interesting new line item for their wedding planners.

Leave it to the forever-trendsetting baby boomers to introduce a somewhat shocking new tradition to their own babies. Prenups are rising faster than the batter of five-tiered wedding cakes. Baby boomers have brought an elusive commodity formerly reserved for celebrities and the very wealthy to mainstream America.

And what has prompted this push by boomer parents to protect their very own offspring with a new turn of course that may put a few wrinkles in that perfect wedding gown?

Quite simply, baby boomers are the first American generation of widespread affluence, and because of this, many are beginning to demand the safety net of a prenuptial for their own babies. Additionally, they feel that it is simply pragmatic in light of rising divorce rates and the awareness of just how costly divorce can be.

Match Makers
Baby boomers are essentially “protecting their kids,” says Jason Smolen of SmolenPlevy Law Firm in Vienna (www.smolenplevy.com). Smolen goes on to explain that “this is a good tool, valuable, and it has its place. You need to know when to use it and how to handle it. You are dealing with a couple, and the goal is to have something that they can both live with harmoniously.”

According to The American Bar Association (ABA), General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division, “Premarital agreements, also known as prenuptial or antenuptial agreements, are used to opt out of a state’s law that would otherwise govern the characterization and disposition of assets and debts acquired during marriage (and, in some states such as California, spousal support). The agreement becomes effective upon marriage.” The ABA’s, General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division also cites that currently, 36 percent of first-time marriages end in divorce, and the rate increases in subsequent marriages. This may be why the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) reports that a recent poll of divorce attorneys determined an 80-percent increase in prenuptial agreements in the past five years.

This increase may also reflect the considerable influence of the baby boomer generation. According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the website, Baby Boomer Headquarters (www.bbhq.com), boomers account for approximately 78 million Americans, and they are reflecting their power as they approach retirement, face the estate-planning process and watch their children marry.

Celebrity Settlements
Some famous boomers have long utilized—or failed to utilize—the legal system to protect themselves. Donald Trump has had prenups for his multiple marriages, and his first marriage to Ivana Trump challenged their prenuptial agreement when the marriage dissolved. And fellow celebrity boomer Rosanne Barr famously refused to sign a prenuptial agreement when her attorney suggested one before marrying Tom Arnold. She later paid millions for neglecting to do so.

Consider for a moment, that many Western European countries currently have laws that almost demand a prenup. In these countries, it is not uncommon to have couples face certain issues of wills and trusts before they get married. Though in varying degrees of complexity, they do force brides and grooms to approach issues that here in the United States we otherwise avoid until after being married. This variation may be due to the fact that Western European history illustrates that many marriages originally began as business contracts. Arranged marriages were commonplace. In fact, very little value was placed on romantic love, and initially many marriages were simply contracts and did not involve ceremonies.

So, are baby boomers on to something? Are prenuptial agreements a useful tool that could actually be beneficial to couples and not leave us with that cynical feeling that both words imply? Do we here in the States leave too much to love and not enough to planning? Is there more to prenuptial agreements than we believe?

While in present years, they have evolved into the “ugly” pre- and post-aftermath of many a celebrity and socialite wedding, they are actually rooted in the history of both our very own country and the world at large.

They are believed to have initially begun with the ancient Egyptians whose parents would negotiate the terms for the bride and groom. Over the years, many more variations of this modern-day agreement have evolved. Dowries began in France as a means of transferring a bride’s belongings and assets to the groom once they were married. These were not “no strings attached” gifts; however, dowries were actually part of an established agreement between the families of the bride and groom. There were restrictions to ensure the families wealth. For instance, if the marriage proved childless then the wealth was to be returned to the wife’s family in the event of the husband’s death or remarriage.

In the Jewish community, the Ketubah was established by rabbis as a substitute for the “dower” or “bride price” that grooms could not afford to pay the bride or her parents before marriage. The rabbis insisted couples enter into this before marriage so that the bride was protected and would be taken care of financially in the event of divorce or death. In effect, the groom was then paying the “dower” or “bride price” later in the marriage. The Ketubah is 2,000 years old and is one of the first legal documents to ever give rights to women in marriage.

In England, the earliest prenuptial agreements believed known was drafted somewhere between 1461 and 1464 between Edward IV and Eleanor Butler. The stories of this Medieval England saga are contradictory and the subject of much controversy. Not only is Edward IV believed to have the first premarital contract, but it is believed to be what cost him the throne to his younger brother, Richard III. It seems that Edward IV secretly married another woman, Elizabeth Woodville, though he had already entered into a “precontract of matrimony” with Eleanor Butler. Richard III used this to create The Titulus Regis Act, which stated that the marriage was illegitimate because of the “precontract of matrimony” and that because the marriage was not valid, Edward IV was not fit to inherit anything, let alone the throne. Thus, in January 1484, Richard III claimed the throne, though controversy still remains as to with whom Edward IV had actually entered into a premarital contract—Eleanor Butler or one of two other women.

In the United States, before The Married Women’s Property Act of 1848 became law, everything in a marriage transferred to the husband. Therefore, if a woman’s husband died or left her she was often left homeless and penniless. History all over the world and here in our own country reflects varying degrees of enforcing some type of prenuptial agreements since bride and grooms have attempted to marry.

Protection or Presumptions
What initially may raise a few eyebrows, begins to make more sense when you consider, says Smolen, “that this provides a catalyst for difficult issues that people don’t want to talk about, but should. When you don’t talk about it, and people have different expectations, that’s bad. Anything that serves as a catalyst to talk about economics and see what expectations they have of each other are important economic issues to decide at the onset.” Smolen goes on to say, “People are doing things more with their eyes open. They realize that a significant amount of marriages don’t make it, so why litigate everything? Why not work some of those things out beforehand with a prenuptial?”

When asked whether or not he believes that prenuptial agreements make people think more seriously about marriage, Smolen says, “it makes them focus on the non-romantic issues of marriage, and it might give them pause in a good way. If they can get through some of those issues now then they can possibly get through a lot more later in their marriage.”

Smolen goes on to explain that, “many parents find this beneficial when you consider the fact that oftentimes the family dynamic with our children changes once they get married.” The prenup protects children and grandchildren both monetarily and in the distribution of cherished family heirlooms and keepsakes in case a divorce were to become complicated.

We have to wonder whether the bride and groom resist this parental guidance? Smolen says, “It seems you are the bearer of bad news, but it isn’t.” It allows difficult issues between parents and children to be explored many years earlier and easier than otherwise would permit.

Exhibit A
Take for example, one instance where Smolen counseled the parents to be of an eager groom. The parents loved the bride-to-be. They felt that the couple was meant to be together, happily in love, and that both were hardworking, well-intentioned, young people. Additionally, the bride and groom were both gainfully employed, happy and though possessing very good incomes, were never going to necessarily be wealthy. The parents of the groom, on the other hand, had acquired considerable wealth in their lifetime. They had absolutely no fear that the bride was in any way money-oriented. It’s just that as they entered the estate-planning phase of their life, as all parents, they wanted the best for their children, especially when they would no longer be around to ensure it.

So here you have it. In this particular situation, there was nothing but well-intentioned parents voicing their concern while planning for their own future and their assets and where they would ultimately end up if there were to be no children from the marriage or the marriage were to end in divorce. Though they loved this new person who was to be a wonderful addition to their family, they needed to know that if the worst were to happen that their assets would be distributed among their remaining children and grandchildren.

Smolen made sure to address the parental concerns, consolidate the estate-planning issues and at the same time protect the young couple from letting this become divisive in the most exciting and happy time of their lives. He spoke to all parties involved and explained that the most mutually beneficial way to address this was to construct a prenuptial agreement where in the event there were no children or divorce that the groom would inherit all that his parents had created.

Smolen then spoke with the groom and explained that he could create a will once he was married and that when you “write a will you can give to anyone you want. You can give it to her, she just can’t inherit it. Both parties were happy with this arrangement. The parents felt relief. The bride and groom respected the parents and were given an avenue to explore down the road.”

Crossing the Threshold
This story prompts the question, what other situations might demand a prenuptial agreement? What are the top three indicators that a prenuptial agreement may be a necessity? Smolen believes that there are three predominant factors that may prove to be good indicators to consider a prenup. They are:

Just how long before the wedding should the prenuptial agreement be negotiated? Smolen says, “At least six months before. This should not be put off to the last three months.” Why? “Legal issues can come into play close to the deadline of a wedding such as … coercion, failure to examine the document, giving the party who didn’t draft the agreement the opportunity to challenge and say they were forced into it, that they didn’t know what they were signing, etc.,” Smolen explains.

Which begs the questions: Just what do you need to do to make sure your prenup is both binding and enforceable? Smolen suggests the following three essential tips to guarantee a successful outcome:

Leave it to the baby boomers to charge ahead and continue to define trends. Or possibly, in this case, return some aspects of marriage to its roots of origin and at the very least initiate an open discussion of the best way for Americans to combine our lust for love with the pragmatic reality of the legalities of marriage. After all, the boomers have long been rumored to “want to have it all,” so maybe they are the appropriate ones to lead the charge to make us examine the “uglier” side of love when the raw love itself still retains its “beauty.”

Who knows, this new epidemic may very well go from seemingly taboo to as traditional as cutting the cake.

Top Divorce Lawyers 2009 >>

(December 2009)

National Air & Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly, VA 20151; 202-633-2340

Courtesy of National Air & Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Event Contact: Linda Hicks
Max. Room Capacity: 7,000
Max. # of Events at 1 Time: 1
Onsite Catering: N
Kosher Options: N/A
Vegetarian Options: N/A
Pre-Approved Offsite Caterers List: Y
Conference Room: Y
A/V Equipment: Y
Wedding Ceremony Site: N
Indoor Party Area: Y
Outdoor Party Area: N
Rehearsal Dinners Available: N
Average Price: For 4 hrs: $15,000 for under 100 guests

Thomas Birkby House
109 Loudoun St., S.W., Leesburg, VA 20175; 703-777-2700

Courtesy of Thomas Birkby House

Event Contact: Ron Rust
Max. Room Capacity: Garden Season:150, Winter Season: 50
Max. # of Events at 1 Time: Weddings:1, Meetings: 5
Onsite Catering: N
Kosher Options: N/A
Vegetarian Options: N/A
Pre-Approved Offsite Caterers List: Y
Conference Room: Y
A/V Equipment: Y
Wedding Ceremony Site: Y
Indoor Party Area: Y
Outdoor Party Area: Y
Rehearsal Dinners Available: Y
Average Price: $3,000 to $7,000 per day

Top of the Town
1400 14th St. N., Arlington, VA 22209; 703-387-8696

Event Contact: Kate Byrne
Max. Room Capacity: 180
Max. # of Events at 1 Time: 1
Onsite Catering: N
Kosher Options: N/A
Vegetarian Options: N/A
Pre-Approved Offsite Caterers List: Y
Conference Room: Y
A/V Equipment: Y
Wedding Ceremony Site: Y
Indoor Party Area: Y
Outdoor Party Area: Y
Rehearsal Dinners Available: Y
Average Price: For 4 hrs: Daytime: $2,500 to $3,900, Evening: $2,200 to $6,900

Oatlands Plantation
20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, VA 20175; 703-777-3174

Event Contact: Katherine Farley
Max. Room Capacity: Outdoor: 250; Indoor:120 standing, 75 seated
Max. # of Events at 1 Time: 1
Onsite Catering: N
Kosher Options: N/A
Vegetarian Options: N/A
Pre-Approved Offsite Caterers List: Y
Conference Room: Y
A/V Equipment: Y
Wedding Ceremony Site: Y
Indoor Party Area: Y
Outdoor Party Area: Y
Rehearsal Dinners Available: Y
Average Price: For 5 hrs: Daytime: $500, Evening: $1,500 to $2,500, Outdoors: $500 to $10,000

Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon, VA 22121; 703-780-2000

Event Contact: Matthew Heiss
Max. Room Capacity: Weddings: 220 seated, 300 standing; Meetings: 200 in auditorum
Max. # of Events at 1 Time: 5 if renting out each room separately
Onsite Catering: Y
Kosher Options: Y (may be ordered)
Vegetarian Options: Y
Pre-Approved Offsite Caterers List: Only for cakes
Conference Room: Y
A/V Equipment: Y
Wedding Ceremony Site: Y
Indoor Party Area: Y
Outdoor Party Area: Y (April through early November)
Rehearsal Dinners Available: Y
Average Price: For 5 hrs: All Banquet Rooms: $1,000 to $2,000, Auditorium and Lobby: $700, Single Room: $300 to $550, Garden Space: $500

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA 22182; 703-255-3631

Event Contact: Bernadette Thompson
Max. Room Capacity: (Atrium) Seated: 170, Standing: 300
Max. # of Events at 1 Time: 1
Onsite Catering: Y
Kosher Options: N
Vegetarian Options: Y
Pre-Approved Offsite Caterers List: Y
Conference Room: Y
A/V Equipment: Y
Wedding Ceremony Site: Y
Indoor Party Area: Y
Outdoor Party Area: Y
Rehearsal Dinners Available: Y (but 8 hr minimum rental)
Average Price: For 8 hrs (minimum) in Atrium: $3,400 to $9,000, For 2 hrs in Gazebo (those not renting the Atrium as well): $263 plus 5 percent tax and $100 refundable deposit

Ashby Inn
692 Federal St., Paris, VA 20130; 540-592-3900

Event Contact: Pamela Wade
Max. Room Capacity: Inside: 75 seated (split in 3 small rooms), Outside Terrace: 50, seated; Tented lawn: no limit
Max. # of Events at 1 Time: 1
Onsite Catering: Y
Kosher Options: N
Vegetarian Options: Y
Pre-Approved Offsite Caterers List: N
Conference Room: Y
A/V Equipment: N
Wedding Ceremony Site: Y
Indoor Party Area: Y
Outdoor Party Area: Y
Rehearsal Dinners Available: Y
Average Price: Daytime (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.): $2,500, All Day: $8,000

Piedmont Club
14655 Piedmont Vista Drive, Haymarket, VA 20169; 703-753-5922

Event Contact: Michele Choi
Max. Room Capacity: With Dancefloor: 180, Without Dancefloor: 200
Max. # of Events at 1 Time: Weddings: 1, Meetings/Other Events: more than 1 per day, but must have 2 hrs. between
Onsite Catering: Y
Kosher Options: Y
Vegetarian Options: Y
Pre-Approved Offsite Caterers List: Only for cakes
Conference Room: Y
A/V Equipment: Y
Wedding Ceremony Site: Y
Indoor Party Area: Y
Outdoor Party Area: Y
Rehearsal Dinners Available: Y
Average Price: $8,000 per wedding, including room rentals, food, bar, ceremony, etc.

Riverside Center Conference Facility
95 Riverside Pkwy., Fredericksburg, VA 22406; 540-370-4500

Event Contact: LaLana Roupas
Max. Room Capacity: Standing: 800, Seated: 500
Max. # of Events at 1 Time: 2
Onsite Catering: Y
Kosher Options: Y
Vegetarian Options: Y
Pre-Approved Offsite Caterers List: N
Conference Room: Y
A/V Equipment: Y
Wedding Ceremony Site: Y
Indoor Party Area: Y
Outdoor Party Area: N
Rehearsal Dinners Available: Y
Average Price: Dinner Theatre: $10,000 per event, Conference Facility: $1,750 per event

Torpedo Factory
105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA 22314; 703-838-4565

Event Contact: Tara Zimnick-Calico
Max. Room Capacity: Standing: 450 in Main Hall, 600 in the entire Art Center; Seated: 220 Main Hall, 350 Main Floor
Max. # of Events at 1 Time: 1
Onsite Catering: N
Kosher Options: NA
Vegetarian Options: NA
Pre-Approved Offsite Caterers List: Y
Conference Room: Y
A/V Equipment: Y
Wedding Ceremony Site: Y
Indoor Party Area: Y
Outdoor Party Area: Y
Rehearsal Dinners Available: Y
Average Price: $4,000

Waterford at Springfield
6715 Commerce St., Springfield, VA 22150; 703-719-5700

Event Contact: Jose A. Vasquez
Max. Room Capacity: Social Event: 880, Banquet or Conference: 1,000
Max. # of Events at 1 Time: Weddings: 5, Meetings: 7
Onsite Catering: Y
Kosher Options: Y
Vegetarian Options: Y
Pre-Approved Offsite Caterers List: Y-Only for ethnic weddings
Conference Room: Y
A/V Equipment: N
Wedding Ceremony Site: Y
Indoor Party Area: Y
Outdoor Party Area: N
Rehearsal Dinners Available: Y
Average Price: Ballrooms: $750 to $2,000 per event

Hyatt Fair Lakes
12777 Fair Lakes Circle, Fairfax, VA 22033; 703-818-1234

Event Contact: Catering Department
Max. Room Capacity: Ballroom: 300, Outdoor Patio: 200, Lobby Atrium: 600
Max. # of Events at 1 Time: 4
Onsite Catering: Y
Kosher Options: Y
Vegetarian Options: Y
Pre-Approved Offsite Caterers List: Y
Conference Room: Y
A/V Equipment: Y
Wedding Ceremony Site: Y
Indoor Party Area: Y
Outdoor Party Area: Y
Rehearsal Dinners Available: Y
Average Price: Ballrooms: Varies by day, $200 to $1,000 per hour

By Tracey Edgerly Meloni, Christine O’Connor and Carissa Sutherland Ciuca

Snow Wonder
Ideas for the Winter-Weather Wedding

By Tracey Edgerly Meloni

Let your imagination run amok: Design the winter wedding of your dreams. The only rule: no cliches. Most wedding planners, caterers and bridal salons tailor themes to individual couples’ expectations. But what happens when planners are challenged with complete design freedom? Excitement, passion and an explosion of fire and ice.

SETTING THE SCENE
“Winter night sky theme—white, navy blue, with crystal accents.” —Jamie Sears, Simply Chic Events

Jamie’s vision:
Luminarias line both sides of the aisle for ceremony.
For the cocktail hour, highboy tables wrapped in white spandex with mirrored tops, dressed with clear cubes of white roses mixed with white feathers.
Thousands of candles light the room, including a candle chandelier made of white branches.
Hundreds of small, circular mirrors hang from the ceiling to reflect light.
Metallic white silk drapes the walls, lit by soft white lighting.
For the main reception, navy table linens with sheer white organza overlay simulate “a blanket of snow over the tables.”
Metallic navy linen napkins lie folded on top of clear crystal chargers with beaded edges.

“I was inspired by the ice hotels in Scandinavia, shades of white, clear and sparkly.” —Vicky Choy, Event Accomplished

Vicky’s vision:
For the ceremony, white birch trees line the aisle. White velvet or faux fur as aisle runners.
For the reception, a room draped in billowy white fabric with ice-gray up-lighting.
An ice bar continues the theme (from Ice Kristals in Manassas). “Although ice companies have lots of great options, they aren’t the most practical. To translate the look of ice, look into Lucite.” Illuminated Lucite tables are available for rental.
“When clients ask where to spend their decor budget, tablescapes usually make the most impact.”
Varying textures of white create a sense of depth. Ivory crushed-velvet tablecloths or ivory vine sheers paired with ice Chiavari chairs (Select Event Rentals in McLean).
“I would use all rectangular tables, with a mirrored runner.”

“Lighting does so much to transform a setting … And it helps to make a grand entrance.” —Phyllis Kennedy, The Enchanted Florist

Phyllis’ vision:
Flank the entrance with two very large, bare trees covered with “snow and ice, with hanging votive candles throughout.”
Pin-spot table centerpieces to make them more dramatic.
Wash a wall with light and up-light features such as columns.
Cover the ceiling with organza, with blue lighting above.
Use ice-blue linens on square tables.
The use of box lighting underneath illuminates frosted glass cylinders that can be used for centerpieces.
“Another look for winter could be an all black and white wedding, with the florals, everywhere, being red—very passionate and exciting,” Kennedy adds.

SHOW-STOPPING MENUS
Nine courses of luxury, a regional “Babette’s Feast” for intimate winter celebration
Cathal Armstrong, chef, co-owner, Restaurant Eve

Marinated White Tuna with Gorgonzola dolce, onion marmalade and white Alba truffles
“OOO” Osetra caviar, oysters and onions
Roasted Black Carolina Sea Bass with lobster agnolotti and Devoncrest Farm edible violas
Hand-rolled Yukon Gold Potato Gnocchi with leek fondue and Perigord truffles
Sauteed Goose Foie Gras with huckleberries, goose-leg confit and cipollinis
Roasted Shafer Farm Venison with braised baby celery, celeriac puree and Valdeon
Roncal with hazelnut toast and hazelnut honey
Crisp Meringue with clementine spume and crème patisserie
Chocolate Butterfinger Ganache Tartlet with candied peanuts and caramel ice cream

“A choice of packages, one warm and homey, one ‘Mr. Winter.’” —Dennis Marron, Chef, The Grille at the Morrison House

Cozy
Braised pork cheeks with bacon espuma
Kobe beef bourguignon
Grilled octopus with black-eyed peas
Chesapeake Ray with hot sesame oil
Miso-marinated cod
Lamb stew in mini winter gourd
Foie gras with warm apple butter
Spiced hot chocolate
Molten chocolate cylinders
Glogg

Cold
Seared tuna tartar with American paddlefish caviar
Kumimoto oysters with yuzu ice and frozen shiso salt
Butter-poached lobster tail with truffle foam
Vichyssoise of oyster and caviar
Coconut snow ball
White hot chocolate with essence of lavendar
Sweet shrimp tartar
Cold smoked scallops with apple froth and Meyer lemon gelee

Courtesy of Cakes by Carolyn

THE CAKE

Snowflake cake —Vicky Choy, Cakes by Carolyn

Black and white cake; owner Tom Lally loves winter weddings for their “intimate warmth.” —Phyllis Kennedy, Alexandria Pastry Shop

White-chocolate mousse Art Deco cake —Morrison House, Hollin Hall Pastry Shop

FLOWERS AND DECOR
“The bride … gets to have everything she wants, even if it’s not winter colors!” —Judy McNamara, A Flower Blooms in Clifton

Tulips: Available December through May, with Holland tulips being less expensive then French tulips.
Lilies: “I prefer large hybrid lilies.”
Brassica: “If you can get them.”
“Mixing in specific greens is a must… I like podocarpus, steel grass, bear grass, magnolia leaves. Another way to introduce green and give texture is to use Bells of Ireland and green hypericum [berries].”
“Red is a great color for winter weddings: roses, tulips, red hypericum.”

“My favorite February flower is pure white Amaryllis, gorgeous.” —Phyllis Kennedy, The Enchanted Florist

Other Kennedy favorites:
Hyacinth, phalaenopsis orchids, cattleya orchids, tulips, “especially parrot-type, green-white variegated,” (FIG. v), paper whites (for fragrance).

“I see ice-carved urns filled with lush white roses and ranunculus on the altar … tall, white, willowing branches in clear trumpet vases as centerpieces. Vases will be lined with shiny silver marbles.”
Jamie Sears, Simply Chic Events

Other favorites:
Hydrangea, crocuses, lilies, stephanotis, accents of dusty miller, baby-blue eucalyptus and silver-dollar eucalyptus

“To glam it up, use winter fabrics like velvet or fur instead of ribbon, and adorn with crystals for extra sparkle.” —Vicky Choy, Event Accomplished

Silvery greens (like lamb’s ear), creamy white hydrangea, anenomes

STEALING THE SHOW: THE GOWN

“Atelier Aimee offers the perfect wintertime bridal gown (‘Cora’ is the model).” —Jeanette Fusile, Jeanette’s

Bride ‘n Tux Boutique
Featured in silver silk-satin fabric, with a full A-line skirt and attached cathedral train, “Cora” has a bustier-style bodice encrusted with silver beaded embellishment, bugle beads and porcelain flowerettes. A silver fox stole completes the Ice Princess look.

Think “Great Gatsby” and beyond—go vintage. “We have an actual 1928 wedding dress in black and gold mesh, with black velvet trim and beautiful lines.” —Tara Selario, Eclectic Threads

Also tempting, along with Ascot-like period hats:
A 1950s winter-white tailored gown with matching bolero and rhinestone buttons.
A 1930s peach-tea dress, “perfect for a theme wedding or anyone who wants to look elegant but not necessarily traditional.”
A 1950s gold-brocade gown, very luxe.

“Our Domo Adami collection is perfect for elegant winter weddings,” encrusted with crystals and jewels. Also recommended: Hannelore’s of Olde Town’s shrugs and sumptuous cover-ups/coats.
Pamela Vito, Hannelore’s of Olde Town

Destination Weddings

“My favorites are Mont Tremblant in Canada, Sandals in St. Lucia and … Egypt!” —Melinda Webb, Dreams and Destinations

Hotel Quintessence (FIG. vi), a boutique retreat named among the top 100 luxury spots by the Robb Report, on the shore of Lake Tremblant provides helicopter transfer from Montreal. Skiing and spa luxury rule.

“Destination weddings here can be tailored to any taste—gastronomy, wine, skiing or more. There is no residency or blood-test requirement in Quebec, and they also offer same-sex marriages.”

Sandals St. Lucia is “luxury personified.” —Mystical Nile Celebration fills 15 days with wonder, romance and history.

“We are an international event and design firm. In additional to consulting, floral designs and lighting, we provide stationery, calligraphy, logistical management and hospitality services for guests of any size event.”
—Katie L. Martin, Elegance & Simplicity Wedding & Event Designers, Inc.

“Destination wedding should always be family-oriented.” —Dominican Republic, “for truly special weddings.”

What Kind of Bride Are You?
Wedding-gown trends that really fit the bride

By Christine O’Connor

Strapless, backless, princess, sheath. The possibilities seem endless when searching for a wedding gown. How does the bride-to-be find that perfect dress for her big day? It is important to choose a gown that reflects the bride’s personal style, whether sexy, chic, traditional or avant-garde. A bride must delve into her inner princess or diva to find the right fit for her.

Princess Bride
What bride doesn’t want to look like royalty walking down the aisle? Katie Vaitsheshyna, manager of White Swan Bridal in Vienna, advises a bride to “follow her dream.” Imagine walking down the aisle in a classic Rina di Montella gown; the designer uses luxurious silk fabrications and beaded patterns to enhance European silhouettes.

Romantic and feminine, the Rina di Montella dress provides a soft look with an asymmetrically ruched midriff and dropped waistline. With its full ballgown skirt and beading, Vaitsheshyna believes it suits the princess inside. This gown is accented with appliques and a chapel-length train; the highlight of the outfit is the lace-illusion cap sleeves.

Vamp Queen
Let’s face it; sexy is always in, and Chantilly Lace has some fabulous looks. Owner Marla Kemsey says that “a dress is meant to complement the beauty of the bride. It can be sexy without looking like a club dress … The glamorous retro look with asymmetrical draping and a sexy fit through the hips that flairs out at the knees is in.”

These dresses can be exciting, but tasteful. “My job is to find the best dress for a bride’s figure. The most important thing is that it fits along the bust and waist. A bride wants to look as beautiful as she can.” And Kemsey does a fantastic job of finding gowns that fit the seductress wannabe. The sexy look is what customers are buying now, but Kemsey notes that the Hollywood trend with feminine lace is emerging. “It’s the sexy, draped, ‘40s glam versus the ready-to-wear, soft, flowery, baby-doll look.”

Starlet
For the bride who wants all eyes on her as she stands in the spotlight, go glam. “Strapless is still quite strong. A lot of brides are wearing dresses that are more fitted,” claims Nancy Griffin, owner of the 50-year-old Arlington shop Lady Hamilton, Inc. Virginia may not have as many off-the-runway looks as New York, but Griffin says that her shop has “some really pretty gowns for the starlet bride.”

Fashion-forward to the Carmen gown designed by Enzoani. Lady Hamilton carries the line for the girl who wants to capture all the attention. The strapless Carmen design with slight sweetheart neckline is made of French taffeta. The highlight, though, is the dropped waistline with a pleated mermaid skirt adorning a ruched bodice.

Trend-Setter
Trendy-modern brides seek haute-couture styles, and bridal consultant Kathy Juckett at Katherine’s Bridal Boutique in Alexandria is the woman to see. It’s all about trend-setting and finding a dress that is personalized, Juckett suggests.

Bringing attention to the Alvina Valenta fall 2008 collection from the store’s recent trunk show, Juckett points to the contemporary ivory silk duchess satin gown. The dress, with its sweeping train and covered buttons down the back, features an A-line with an organza ruffle overlay on the bodice. With handmade beading and embroidery that surrounds the empire waist, the cameras will be flashing on the trend-setter who dons it.

Earth Goddess
The culture of the eco-conscious transcends to brides who are planning environmentally friendly weddings. For brides that are one with Mother Earth, green is the new black. Luckily, there are a variety of options for eco-styled brides. Borrow Mom’s wedding gown, or go vintage. Some earthy women are even sewing homemade gowns.

For bohemian looks, visit sites like TheFind.com, ALittleBitHippy.com and ThreadheadCreations.com that offer hand-crafted hemp wedding gowns for the nature goddess in all of us. The Vintage Gauzy Hippie Wedding Dress available on SomeLikeItVintage.com is an example of a 1970s-style gown that is in excellent condition. The cotton dress is beautiful with soft layers and delicate details. The gown is fully lined with ruffles and flower details. With ethereal lacework at the chest and belt, this long-sleeved gown is oh, so Zen.

Wedding Day Blunders
A guide to grace in sticky situations
By Carissa Sutherland Ciuca
Want to prevent the token toddler from adding his own soprano serenade to the ceremony? Wondering how to thank your maid of honor and best man? Or how to deal with over-spirited guests? Weddings are rife with potentially sticky situations, but our handy guide prepares you to glide through your big day without a hitch.

Drunk and Unruly Guests
With an open or otherwise full bar at their disposal, guests sometimes surpass their limits in beverages. “If you know people on your guest list have the potential to overindulge, check with the venue staff to see what measures can be taken,” suggests Lacey O’Donnell of Milestones Events. Elizabeth Maynard, catering sales manager at the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner, recommends designating somebody—whether your weight-lifting cousin or a member of professional security—to help the inebriated guest to a more private environment.

MultiCultural Weddings
To avoid a room full of confused guests, O’Donnell recommends using the menu to guide guests through exotic plate preparations. And the deejay can provide background information on traditions or events taking place throughout the evening. “You want everyone to have enough information to appreciate what’s happening,” she advises. And Maynard recommends training event staff in advance so servers and bartenders can field your guests’ questions.

Poor Vendor Service
If you hire a wedding coordinator, provide him or her with the contact information of all the vendors you hire. O’Donnell points out that “vendors live and die by good referrals,” so most will do all they can to fix a problem. Also, remember that vendors don’t know what to fix if they’re not made aware of it. If you encounter blunders, stand up for yourself, with contract in hand, of course. Maynard advises getting references for any vendor you’re thinking of hiring.

Additionally, know that some venues, like the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner, offer one-stop shop service—the venue manages all the vendors, alleviating stress for the bride and groom.

Young Attendees
Communicate to guests upfront whether or not you prefer children at the ceremony, the reception, both … or neither. For weddings including children, offer kid-friendly activities and meals. Or consider the alternative: Print “Adult Reception to Follow” on invitations to alert guests that this wedding is a kid-free zone. Another option? Hire professional childcare. Anne Guerin, president of Staffing Solutions @ Mother’s Aides Inc., says professional caretakers are prescreened and have CPR and first-aid training. All are required to pass a background check, too. “Professionals can provide entertainment and arts and crafts for children,” she added. To hire a childcare service, contact an agency at least a month in advance. A professional service typically starts at approximately $30 per hour, depending on the number of children.

(January 2009)

By Natalie Foor

Courtesy of CMH Photo

Ahh, summertime … trips to the beach, longer days, dining al fresco and catching some rays. Such thoughts immediately come to mind when someone so much as mentions the word. Of course, in addition to the fantasies of lounging on a hammock, listening to a steel drum and taking in a salty ocean breeze, a bride-to-be—and just about any adult with lots of friends, kids or other relatives of legal marrying age—thinks wedding season!

After all, every season has its pros and cons when it comes to choosing when to hold nuptials. But let’s face it: For many engaged couples, summer is the perfect fit.

As for why the season is such a popular one for tying the knot, the reasons are numerous. According to Adil Malihi, owner and operator of Rendez-vous Limousine Service, www.rendezvoustrans.com, which is based in Falls Church and known for great service, “it definitely has something to do with the weather.” Or, as Jackie Yu, owner of Wedding Story, www.weddingstoryva.com, a no-worries, full-service event planning and coordination firm in Annandale, put it, “First of all, it’s not cold.”

Likewise, as uber-talented-on-the-strings triplet set The Calmes Trio, www.thecalmestrio.com, pointed out, “obviously, being able to have your wedding outside is a distinct advantage”—a sentiment that’s shared by Terri Finnerin, spa director of Modern Day Spa, www.modernco.net, with popular locations in Tysons and Pentagon City. Plus, as Carla Buchler, co-owner of Arlington’s legendary Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe, www.heidelbergbakery.com, explained, “It’s nice because more people can come” due to more relaxed schedules and the kids being out of school.

If that weren’t enough, summer weddings also have advantages from a photographic standpoint. According to photographer Corbin Harris of CMH Photo, www.cmh-photo.com, who snaps more than 30 weddings per year in the D.C.-Metro area and New England, those advantages include “more opportunities for romantic photos towards sunset.” Plus, as Harris noted, “People are usually wearing brighter colors, and everything is just more vibrant.”

At any rate, if you’re newly betrothed and reading this as you dream of your own summer wedding, we have good news! On the next few pages, you’ll learn the secrets to making it spectacular!

In addition to seeking inside pointers from Malihi, Yu, Buchler, Harris, Finnerin and The Calmes Trio (Beth Calmes, Laura Soemarko and Melissa Calmes), we also sought expert insight from two other top vendors: Laurie Diver, corporate buyer in charge of weddings and special events at Conklyn’s Flowers, www.conklyns.com, which Teleflora has named one of the top 50 florists in the U.S., and Laura Lohman, event coordinator at Stafford’s stunning, Mediterranean-style vineyard, Potomac Point Winery, www.potomacpointwinery.com, which Virginia Bride Magazine named one of the top five “not-to-be-missed stunning wedding sites.”

And now, without further ado: our tips from the pros!

First Up: Overcoming the Cons
Yes, even for those of us absolutely smitten with summer, there are a few cons worth considering when planning a summer wedding. Two of them have to do with—you guessed it—weather; specifically, overwhelming heat and the threat of rain (if planning an outdoor affair). The other problem our pros pointed to: bugs.

But worry not! With careful planning, your summer wedding can still be as blissful as it is in your fondest of dreams!

Spectacular summer stems in every hue … Take a peek and choose what’s “you”! White: alstroemeria (a.k.a. Peruvian lilies), calla lilies (standard & mini), gerbera daisies, hydrangea, larkspur, orchids, roses, snapdragons, stephanotis, stock, white iris Pink: alstroemeria, gerbera daisies, hydrangea, larkspur, nerine lilies, oriental lilies, roses, snapdragons Yellow: Asiatic lilies, freesia, gerbera daisies, oncidium orchids, roses, snapdragons Purple: freesia, liatris, lysianthus, roses, stock (lavender); anemone, larkspur, lysianthus (deep purple) Blue: (always popular for summer) cornflower, delphinium, hydrangea, iris Orange: Asiatic lilies, dahlias (late summer), gerbera daisies, orchids, roses Red: alstroemeria, anthurium, carnations, gerbera daisies, gladiolus, roses Flowers for hair: sweetheart spray roses, freesia, stephanotis

As for the heat, there are actually lots of creative ways to keep yourself and your guests cool. One thing that Lohman of Potomac Point Winery suggests is serving ice-cold water to guests. She has also witnessed couples using programs that serve double duty as fans, something that The Calmes Trio has also picked up on as a stylish sweltering summer solution.

As for rain, if you’re planning to have your event outdoors, experts agree that it’s essential to select a venue that has an equally fabulous indoor or tented back-up plan, which, according to Lohman, Potomac Point always has in place.

When it comes to bugs, a real nuisance not only to guests but especially to musicians, it may be worth avoiding flowers that are notorious for attracting more than their fair share of them. Beth Calmes, who can’t be swatting about when commanding the strings of the viola, said she and her sisters always make sure to use bug spray, which brings us to another point: It also may be worth asking venues whether or not they spray the general area where your outdoor service would be held—again, something that Potomac Point Winery does. After all, what bride wants to smell like bug spray? Thought so!

Details They’ll Remember …
Once those planning to wed have been assured of keeping those bugs at bay, have a back-up plan in place and have signed contracts with their main vendors, it’s time to figure out the details—in other words, the little things that can take a wedding from so-so to spectacular.

When we asked our experts to tell us what immediately comes to mind when they envision a spectacular summer wedding, the setting, or destination, came up more than once. As Diver of Conklyn’s Florist said, “You always remember a fabulous venue,” such as by the bay or perhaps along the Potomac.

And Wedding Story’s Yu agreed. In addition to recommending beach destinations like Virginia Beach, she also vividly recalled clients who said “I do” on a boat—a very memorable setting, indeed.

What’s more, Beth Calmes, while careful to note that “spectacular” can be defined differently by different people, told us, “The setting is usually paramount … It doesn’t necessarily have to be extravagant. It can be a simple country setting or an elaborate one at a country club or historic mansion.”

Meanwhile, in discussing especially memorable weddings with Harris of CMH Photo, a certain festive, perfectly personalized mid-July reception quickly came to mind. He recalled, “The bride’s family was from South America, and they had a carnival towards the end of the reception where everyone wore crazy masks and hats while dancing to Latin music.”

Yu of Wedding Story also noted the importance of keeping the event personal, especially when it comes to such things as favors, something that Heidelberg often helps create. For instance, the bakery offers portrait cookies—and rest assured, Buchler said, that the icing does not melt. Buchler also agreed with Harris on keeping summer weddings festive and stress-free, or “kind of breezy and light,” adding, “I think they should be more relaxed.”

Still, when discussing undeniably memorable weddings with Lohman, she noted, “Some of the best are the most consistent ones.” To explain, she went on to illustrate a recent wedding that featured a raspberry theme. From raspberry-hued stargazer and calla lilies to raspberry-filled cake to raspberries in the champagne, the whole event was exquisitely coordinated (the best part being that ideas like that don’t necessarily require a lot of dough, just a little creativity).

Of course, we couldn’t talk details without talking flowers. After all, as Beth Calmes told us, “It never ceases to amaze me how artistic flowers can be, and really how they can define a wedding with their color and arrangements.” That’s why we made sure to tap some great ideas from our resident flower pro, Diver, who was kind enough to give us a number of summer flower options in various colors.

Finally, to make things even simpler for you as you plan your big day, we’ve assembled top dos and don’ts.

(June/July 2008)

By Vanessa LaFaso Stolarski

We all have them. Salon nightmare stories of fried hair you paid for and over-easy dos you could have done yourself. No need to enter a chapter for your wedding day in that book of woes. Prevent coif catastrophes and makeup messes with this handy guide. The talented stylists at Circe salon in Alexandria offer a few tips for teasing and taming a tantalizing do.

Photography by Hana Jung

Pro Hair Flair
Between mailing invitations and choosing the menu, getting your dress fitted and buying bridal party gifts, you’ve been pulling your hair out trying to get it all done. So sit back, relax and put your hair in someone else’s hands.

Angie Orwig, stylist and makeup artist at Circe, makes a few recommendations that will ensure a positive experience while in the salon chair.

1. Bring several photos with you to your trial in case your ideal do is not practical for you.
2. Use a damage remedy treatment on your hair one week prior to styling.
3. Color your hair at least two weeks before the big day, and do not go too dramatic. “It’s not a good idea to try anything new right before the wedding,” Orwig suggests.
4. Arrive with slightly dirty hair. Although this suggestion might get your crinoline in a bunch, Orwig says the natural oils help make the hair more manageable and give it some weight, which will better hold the style.
5. Make sure your stylist starts the curling iron at the center of the hair section to avoid frying the ends.
6. When touching up your do, crisscrossing the bobby pins will ensure a firmer hold.
7. During your trial run, your stylist should get your feedback while he or she is doing your hair. Be sure to ask questions and speak up if you do not like what he or she is doing.
8. Orwig says thermal styling sprays are a must. “They create a shield between your hair and the heating implement.”
9. Bring your veil or other head pieces to your trial run so the stylist can teach you how to put it in.
10. Stay still! Another Circe stylist recommends bringing someone with you to the final appointment to answer your phone and take care of business while you are in the chair.

Photography by Hana Jung

The DIY Do
Maybe your taste is simple. Maybe you’re a bit of a control freak. Or maybe you’re just looking to save a few extra bucks. Either way, with the help of a friend, you can wow your spouse with locks you fixed yourself.

Maria Escobar showed us how to fashion curls and coax your hair to its maximum fullness. Keep a friend nearby to hand you bobby pins and help section your hair evenly.

1. Curl the top of the hair and hold the curls in place with pins. Do not let the hair fall or the curls will straighten after they cool.
2. To get lift, before curling, Escobar recommends teasing at the root area and then spritzing with hair spray.
3. For added height, brush hair over a roller pinned at your crown. The roller stays in for the duration of your do. For a half up-do, comb hair back over crown. Smooth with fingers.
4. Using small sections, bring pieces back little by little. Comb, smooth and pin according to where you want the pieces, and then separate them with the end of a comb.
5. Experiment with crisscrossing strands or pulling them through other curls.
6. Separate hanging half-do strands with your fingers and then finish them with a curling iron.
7. Work from the top to the left to the right. “The key is dividing the portions evenly.” Half-do self-stylists should focus on creating an evenly swept frame around the face.
8. Position your bangs across your forehead and pin back, if desired. Smooth wispy strands with hair spray.
9. For more fullness, twist remaining half-do hanging strands, then tease them up.
10. Once you are happy with the style, ask a friend to help pin flowers to the back of your hair or talk to a florist about fastening them on a hair clip.

Coiffure Couture
Gwen Gattsek, owner of Stems florist in Alexandria, offered her professional advice for ordering fresh flowers for your hair. “First you should figure out if you need them to match your bouquet or your dress,” she says. Then Gattsek says the florist will need to know your hair type. Brides with thin hair will want to avoid flowers that are too heavy or too large. “Talk to your stylist first,” Gattsek recommends. From there, Gattsek says brides have a few options. The florist can fasten the flowers onto a barrette or other hair accessory or, if the bride would like to weave them through a French braid, the flowers can be glued to a chenille (similar to a pipe cleaner). A halo of posies, on the other hand, has more to do with your florist than your stylist, she says.

(December 2007)

By Dana Schwartz

During the time spent ironing out details, stressing over the guest list and walking down the aisle, the honeymoon retreat lingers on the minds of all newlyweds. Who wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about relaxing on the beach of a tropical island next to their new spouse?

But many people don’t plan accordingly, under-budgeting and corrdinating poorly. Luckily couples can now call up the wedding planner’s close relative, the honeymoon planner, so that their romantic getaway truly is smooth sailing.

Teresa Belcher, president of Honeymoon Islands Inc., in Fairfax, has been planning honeymoons for 27 years. She’s turned her passion into a company that pulls in $1-1.5 million each year. With couples putting all of their time, energy and resources into the perfect wedding day, a honeymoon planner often comes in handy when planning for the relaxing and romantic trip that trails their magical day.

Belcher speaks with the couple to find out what they are specifically looking for; getting down to the “nitty grittys,” as she calls them, really helps her zone in on what the couple would enjoy.

“Finding out the couple’s expectations is the most important thing,” she said. “I want them to paint a picture for me, and it’s also important that they’re on the same page with each other.”

Belcher recommends that the couple sit down with each other and make a “T-chart,” with pros on one side and cons on the other. Each person should make his or her own list and then exchange them to see what the other expects out of the honeymoon. More often than not, each person has different ideas of what they want. Then they should write a chart together about what they want as a couple and prioritize what they’re not willing to give up over what they are.

Couples should consider what they like to do during the day and night, the importance of a beach, dining and nightlife. Would they like to hibernate or venture out at night? What amenities would they like? What don’t they want? Where have they traveled together in the past and what did they like and not like about it?

Then comes the budget. Belcher says that eight out of 10 couples budget so much for the wedding and barely anything for the honeymoon, spending thousands of dollars on a 20-minute ceremony and reception and only $4-5,000 for a seven-day trip.

Belcher recommends going by the 50-percent rule. She believes every couple underestimates their honeymoon budget by half, so they should take what they have budgeted and add 50 percent to that.

“The bottom line is to ask if they want to increase their budget to meet their expectations or to lower their expectations to meet their budget,” she said. “You can’t buy a champagne honeymoon on a beer budget.”

Couples also should keep in mind their planning timeline. While most couples get engaged one to two years in advance of their wedding, they don’t necessarily need to start planning the honeymoon right away. Reservations should be made six to 10 months prior to the honeymoon with the balance paid two months in advance.

A major advantage to working with a honeymoon planner is that they have more help on their side as opposed to planning by themselves. Belcher claims that honeymoon planners have the benefit of buying power; with connections at the hotels and airlines, they can take care of all the details. Also, planners have a 24-hour customer service number that you can call if there’s a problem on the trip, as opposed to trying to fix things alone.

“The difference is that the couple is only looking at the bottom line while honeymoon planners look at the whole picture and the bottom line,” she said.

Kenneth and Courtenay Brown enlisted the help of a honeymoon planner when they were planning their honeymoon to Maui at the Kea Lani Resort.

“Our honeymoon was over-the-top luxury and relaxation. Nothing could’ve prepared me and my husband for the Kea Lani. There is no other hotel on Maui that can compare, it even trumps the Four Seasons in my estimation,” Courtenay said.

When the Browns arrived to their room they found long stemmed strawberries, chocolate fondue and champagne.

“Needless to say, those items were the catalyst to a fabulous honeymoon,” she said.

There are also other perks to working with a honeymoon planner, such as the gift registry some use. This works best for couples who already have their home furnished and also for second-timers. Couples can register with their planners for a gift registry, and their guests can help pay for the honeymoon.

(December 2007)

Dana Schwartz & Vanessa LaFaso Stolarski

Your heads are spinning with details of your big day and dreams of living happily ever after. Ease into your life together with ideas for before, during and after your walk down the aisle.

Digital Days of Our Lives
Wedding planning clicks into place with helpful online tools

While the term “bridezilla”may be used loosely these days, it’s pretty clear that modern-day brides know what they want and have done their homework for making it happen. The modern-day bride’s best friend? The Internet.

Susan Smith, a planner with Simply Elegant Weddings in McLean, believes that the Internet is the number one planning resource for brides. See if your wedding colors coordinate with your bridesmaid dresses, blog with other brides and even design your own wedding invitations.

We’ve compiled some useful planning websites to help the bride who wants to have control over her wedding.

But use the Internet sparingly. Smith recently discovered that research suggests, not too surprisingly, brides have let wedding planning take over their lives.

“I actually learned in a meeting that the majority of brides are on the Internet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m,” she said.

Tying the Knot Made Simple
Some websites look at the big picture for couples, taking care of checklists, budgets and wedding web pages for guests to view. Most of these sites also have message boards and blogs for brides to ask other brides for advice and opinions.

WeddingWire is a free site with social networking capabilities, a local vendor search feature, comparison shopping and wedding planning tools all based on their database of more than 15,000 vendors. Brides can use the interactive question and answer section and discussion section for advice and the helpful links page to post websites and articles they like for other brides to use.

Ewedding offers free services with a premium service of $9.95 monthly or $89 for the year. The premium service gives couples options like unlimited photo space, a guest book, an online R.S.V.P., honeymoon information, registry, maps and directions for out-of-town guests.

All of these sites offer couples a wide selection of wedding ideas and tools that are streamlined in one space, which eliminates the potential to confuse the details.

Meredith Tomasula, a planner with Elegant Engagements in Alexandria, said websites such as Wedding Wire are a great place to start doing research, but advised brides-to-be not to get too lost in all of the information.

“The best thing about the Internet is that they get to see all of the ideas and concepts online,” she said. “But brides actually can get really overwhelmed with all of the options that they need a planner to help them hold it all together.”

Dresses for Success
David’s Bridal has taken wedding dress shopping to another level. With their “Dress Your Wedding” tool  brides can experiment with different trends, colors, fashions and accessories to create the wedding dress of their dreams. From there they can visualize what their whole wedding party will look like with matching bridesmaid dresses and tuxedos—personalizing it to the point of hair colors and styles, facial features and skin tone options.

Brides can view how dresses would look up against a background specific to the location of the wedding, from a beach to a formal banquet room. Add flowers to see how the colors would coordinate with the dresses. Up to 10 personal wedding albums can be saved and shared with friends and family members, and visitors can save their scenes and return to work on them when they have more time.

“The dress tool is very beneficial for brides, especially because brides are so Internet-savvy these days. They can go online and try different things out instead of having to go to a store and pick Dress A off of the shelf for their bridesmaids,” Tomasula said.

Carin Rosenberg Levine, owner of Hitched Salon in Washington, D.C., thinks it’s a great idea for brides to spend time online when searching for their dresses, especially to avoid surprises like high prices.

When it comes to doing research on dresses online, Rosenberg Levine said it’s also beneficial when brides come prepared to her store, and she definitely recommends that brides visit designers’ websites to learn about what kind of dress they might want.

Pictures in a Snap
Couples painstakingly plan for a wedding a year or two in advance, all for the day to pass in a flash, so photographs are crucial. Searching for photographers online is made easy by the websites mentioned earlier, but what about sharing your photographs with guests so that they can relive the day with you? Many photographers are now posting the wedding photos online for the couple and guests to view and order online.

“Photographers putting the wedding photos online is very popular these days; it’s an easy way for friends and family members to see the pictures and order them, which they never really had the opportunity to do in the past,” Tomasula said.

There are also several ways to share photos with guests and create scrapbooks, including those offered by websites such as www.snapfish.com and www.kodak.com.

DIY R.S.V.P.
Creating the perfect wedding invitation has become virtually painless. Couples are now using websites to create free wedding templates that they can print out at home. Websites such as Southworth (www.southworth.com) and The Paper Mill Store provide printer-ready templates that not only allow the couple to personalize their invitations exactly how they want to, but also save a lot of time.

Tomasula said that although printing invitations up for showers and bridal parties is popular, she has noticed that most brides still don’t mind paying extra for their wedding invitations.

“They want to touch and feel the paper; they don’t want a cheap invitation to go out for their special day,” she said.

However, with the help of any craft store, do-it-yourselfers can find the paper, stock and embellishments that suit their tastes and bridal theme.

Flowers and Colors and Blogs, Oh My!
Do you want to experiment with different color palettes, but just go crazy with all of the paper swatches? Are you not sure what flowers are in season for your wedding? Is your best man the worst speechwriter of all time? Enter Bliss! Weddings. The wedding color palette tool helps mix and match different color swatches to find the best-looking combination. The floral generator is a database that helps brides search for flowers based on color, season, bridesmaid dresses and even region of the country.

The tongue-tied best man will find another helpful tool on the site: Bliss! Weddings has a wedding toast generator that takes the bride’s, groom’s and parents’ names and allows the user to choose the introduction section, content section and closing section, resulting in the perfect wedding toast.

Wedding planners, too, are creating websites that detail their services, as well as their own blogs. Tomasula started a wedding blog on her company’s website to keep clients up to date on trends in the planning business. “Blogs are huge right now; it’s a personal way to connect with the brides. They want to read something more personal rather than articles that are up on websites for the general public.”

Many wedding planners advise doing research and staying organized online, but note that nothing beats seeing your flowers or meeting your photographer in person.

“The Internet is a great tool for learning and exploring,” Rosenberg Levine said. “But brides still need to be open-minded when they go to do their planning. Things that look good online might not always look great in person. Use the Internet as a resource, and be open to changes that may happen.”

(December 2007)

By Elizabeth Weiss McGolerick

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” is an Old English rhyme that typically stands for the four objects a bride adds to her wedding ensemble or carries with her on the wedding day. But this compilation of good luck charms is non-specific and the tradition need not be relegated to just the bride.

Whether keeping with tradition or aiming for originality, there is no right, wrong or incomplete way to incorporate “old, new, borrowed and blue” into any wedding. This tradition can be scattered lightly or liberally throughout any wedding day when brides and grooms take a few moments to think outside of the box.

Moë’s C.L.I.C.K. Bag / Courtesy of MOË

A Dress Renewed
While brides rarely find occasion to wear their wedding gown again, accessories can be enjoyed far past the wedding day. Moë offers a silk-ruched Anah C.L.I.C.K. bag in virtually any color of the rainbow for the blushing bride.

“My C.L.I.C.K. bag gets its name from its contents, every woman’s essentials: cell phone, lip gloss, ID, cash and keys. This bag is the perfect way to tote whatever necessities you need to stay picture-perfect on your special day,” said Mary Rambin, designer and founder of Moë. Bags can also be a great gift for a bride’s attendants, Rambin said, whether they match the bridesmaid gowns or are personalized in each girl’s favorite color.

Couture designer Aimée Lauren also believes that brides can take the wedding day with them. Having heard from so many women that they never want to take their wedding gown off, Lauren had no problem deciding which way to go with her latest collection at Aimée Lauren Studio in Woodbridge. “I’ve included many extras that can be worn again—modified obi sashes, mini ‘corselettes,’ as well as reversible shrugs and an ultra-chic satin hoodie with beaded cuffs.” Instead of the bride’s wedding gown becoming an instant memory, it can remain new.

Lauren also suggested, “That beautiful hand-embroidered shrug you wore with your wedding gown, now paired with jeans and Manolos, is just one way to celebrate your first anniversary.”

Lauren, who has worked with style-setters like Sarah Jessica Parker and Gwen Stefani, also has a personal message. As a breast cancer survivor, Lauren is a strong advocate of early detection and sews a pink ribbon into each gown she creates.

“The pink ribbon is a special reminder to my brides to do their breast exams and stay healthy. Your health is the best gift you can bring to your wedding. It is the unspoken part of ‘I do’,” Lauren said.

Trish Thackston Designs offers a line of delicate cancer support bracelets, earrings and necklaces made with a sterling silver awareness ribbon and freshwater pearls, accented by Swarovski crystals in the cancer awareness colors of the bride’s choice.

“Her wedding day is one of the most important days in a woman’s life; a time when they want to have all of the people they love with them to help celebrate their happiness. It is a time when the absence of a loved one who has been lost to cancer or who is too ill to participate is keenly felt and when the gift of having overcome a cancer diagnosis is celebrated,” Thackston said. She donates a portion of the proceeds from the sale of her cancer support designs to the American Cancer Society.

Icing On the Cake
Today’s pastry chefs prove that blue food really does exist. Leslie Goldman-Poyourow of Fancy Cakes by Leslie believes in the art of an edible conversation piece.

“Anything goes these days for your wedding cake design,” said Goldman-Poyourow, “but adding blue, the hottest color this season, gives your cake a fresh twist.”

As the reception centerpiece, couples can think outside the box with a wedding cake dressed in a bridal blue fondant accessorized by anything from flowers to edible bows and lace.

Brides and grooms find another opportunity to show their personality with a creative cake topper. Retro plastic brides and grooms are all the rage, as are monograms of the couple’s names. You Top the Cake polymer clay cake toppers are custom-made to reflect hobbies, humor and physical characteristics of the bridal couple.

“Every detail is in there: the shape of the face, the hairstyle, clothing, skin color and height difference,” said Michelle Sharon, co-founder of You Top the Cake. “People love to add pets and, if they’re having a second wedding, to add their children. No one wants the same fairytale, cookie-cutter wedding.” Sharon offered.

Trish Thackston’s Prostate Cancer Awareness bracelet / Courtesy of Trish Thackston

Accessorizing is often the easiest way for a bride to incorporate blue into her wedding day, whether she chooses to conceal the blue under her dress via a garter, undergarments, underskirt or lingerie, or decides to showcase the tradition in her ensemble. Jenny Johnson from Jeanette’s Bride ’N Tux Boutique in Manassas said, “Sometimes blue is incorporated into the bride’s headpiece with blue beading. It can also be added to the gown with a sash, ribbon or embroidery.”

Johnson said that brides rarely wear blue shoes, but this choice might perfectly suit a gal’s quirky side on her wedding day. After the ceremony and photos, brides can kick off their classy heels in favor of a comfy pair of true blue slippers.

The groom, too, can participate with a pair of baby blue socks, boxer shorts, handkerchief or tie given to him by his lovely bride. For the bride who wants to wear blue but who can’t quite make the shade fit into her color palette—having already opted out of blue contact lenses, blue nail polish or blue eye shadow—there are other creative ways to invite blue to the wedding. Engagement photos are taken before the big day, but couples can choose to wear blue for the photo and display the picture at their wedding reception.

A Toast to Something New
To complement their sweet wedding cake, new husbands and wives can invite guests to toast the wedding day with a personalized cocktail. Couples can ask their bartender or caterer to develop a special new drink, named just for them. More adventurous folks can request blue cocktails created thanks to the liqueur blue curacao.

According to Ruth MacBean, a caterer with Teatime Delicacies, Inc. in Burke, “A different way to go would be to make a blueberry simple syrup. This could be used to color any drink as well as add flavor. It could be added to vanilla vodka or drizzled on top of any existing drink. Or consider skewering three or four berries for garnish.”

For guests who prefer caffeine to curacao, Alba Espresso Service, an authentic Italian espresso bar caterer, serves the metro area.

Suedy’s Koo-Ki Sushi / Courtesy of Llyod Hryciw/NDD creative

“Adding an espresso bar is a new twist on the coffee and dessert part of your reception,” said Kathy Ciccarello of Alba Espresso. “Instead of just plain coffee, guests can custom order their cappuccinos, lattes and espressos with a variety of syrups. We even make hot chocolate with whipped cream for the non-coffee drinkers!”

Coffee lovers can enjoy a sweet little nibble with their cup o’ Joe. If couples choose to offer their guests additional sweets along with wedding cake, they may want to consider the fun new treats from Suedy’s Koo-Ki Sushi. Described as “the art of sushi in chocolate,” Koo-Ki Sushi’s unique, handmade cookie confections are designed to resemble popular sushi shapes, chopsticks, lucky cats and sake cups.

“The in-fashion thing is to have a full dessert table. Koo-Ki Sushi makes a beautiful display around the cake for guests to enjoy alongside their cake. It’s also an unforgettable take-home favor,” said owner Karen Sasaki.

Sapphire to Stay
Sergio Rojas, general manager of Dominion Jewelers in Falls Church, said, “We definitely have couples coming in looking for color in their wedding bands.” Any regrets from color-loving folks later? According to Rojas, the answer is no, especially when it comes to blue.

“I have noticed that couples really love the color. It’s going to be with them for the rest of their lives and they really want it to be a part of their bands.” As for what stones to choose between, blue can be found in diamonds, blue topaz, tanzanite, blue zircon and aquamarine.

For daring couples who want to exchange more than wedding rings and vows, the celebration can be commemorated by taking the plunge to get matching blue tattoos. Whether going the celebrity route with visible pairs of dice (not recommended) or inking initials in a discreet spot, there is no more permanent way to say “I do.” Temporary or henna tattoos are alternatives for the fun-loving but needle-wary.

(June/July 2007)