Proposal of the Month: March

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Sunday, March 1st, 2009

Couple: Brad and Lisa (DiNoto) Glassner
Wedding Date: October 25, 2008   
Guests: approx. 150
The Proposal (according to Lisa): I had been living in New York for years and had finally (much to the relief of the parents of this only child) decided to leave the very typical NYC firm where I’d worked since graduating law school at Harvard in 2004—the same class, I might mention, as Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde”! Months after making that decision in the abstract I’d managed to fill in all of the gaps—the notice I’d given at the old firm was up; I’d taken a job at a new firm in Tysons Corner; and my then boyfriend, Brad, was helping me to pack up the apartment.

In the midst of all of this, he came home one afternoon with lemonades from the corner deli for each of us and nonchalantly handed me one of them. My poor honey must have asked a dozen times if I was “sure it was okay.” It went something like this: “How’s your drink?” “Good, babe. Thanks!” “Doesn’t taste funny to you?” “Nope. Tastes normal. Why, is yours weird?” “Not really. Just wanted to make sure …”

A few minutes later: “It doesn’t taste like they added anything different?” {Strange look} “Don’t think so, honey. Tastes just like lemonade …” Another two minutes later: “Maybe you should check and make sure.”

Lather, rinse and repeat a few more times and, finally, I poke into the cup. Lo and behold, there IS a little something down there. After fishing around with a chopstick and teaspoon, the suspect ice cube had been extracted. And, lo and behold, I found my lovely engagement ring inside! Of course, the rest is history.

Wedding planner: Keith Jagdhuber (at Antrim 1844)   
Reception site: Antrim 1844 – Taneytown, Md.   
Caterer: Chef Michael Gettier (at Antrim 1844)   
Band: Onyx (via Washington Talent)
Rehearsal dinner: Wakefield Valley Golf Club – Westminster, Md.
Gown: Kleinfeld – NYC (gown); Jeanette’s Bridal – Manassas (bridesmaids)
Tux: Tuxedo House – Timonium, Md.
Cake: Karen Rodkey Cakes – Littlestown, Pa.
Hair stylist: Warren Brenner – Catonsville, Md.
Makeup: Laura Vaeth (MAC Cosmetics) – Towson, Md.
Florist: Betty’s Garden – Towson, Md.   
Photographer: Jen Lowe – Gambrills, Md.   
Videographer: None
Telegrapher: Custom Letterpress from The Pleasure of Your Company; calligraphy by Karen Schoelkopf   
Jeweler: Quest Jewelers (Huan Tain) – Fairfax
Additional info: Our photographer, Jen Lowe, has been such an extraordinary gift during this process. We felt like we were with a friend from day one—not to mention the fact that she’s simply an amazing talent. Our jeweler, Huan Tain, at Quest Jewelers is also incredibly gifted and a joy to work with. What’s more, we had a wonderful Cantor, Jan Morrison, who married us. She works out of Columbia, Md.

Proposal of the Month: January

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Tuesday, January 13th, 2009

Courtesy of Kevin Hurley

Couple: Lauren and Todd Barber
Age: 30
Wedding Date: 9/13/2008
Guests: 140
The Proposal: The day began with breakfast in bed, with a yellow rose and a note card with the letter “A” on the front. Inside, it said, “I love you because … of your acceptance of me.” So I thought, “oh, very cute.”

Then I got ready to go to work, went downstairs and on top of my day planner was another card with the letter “B.” It read, “I love you because … of your belief in us.” Then I get into my car and on the dash was “C,” and “I love you because … of your commitment to making our life together wonderful.”

Okay, so then I get to work and in my laptop was “D,” and “I love you because … of your devotion to your friends and family.” Then on my computer was “E” with the words, “I love you because … of your eyes and the way they look at me.”

So, at this point I knew something was up. (This was the day we were closing on our new house.) I ran out for lunch, came back around 1 p.m. and on my computer again was now the letter “F” with the words “I love you because … you’re fun to be around, sometimes (ha-ha).”

I went into a meeting with two women I work with at 1:30 and I start babbling away about work stuff, and then Becky says, “Well, we are not really having a meeting. Lauren, go pack your things and put them in your car.” Now, at this point I was freaking out. I REALLY knew something was about to happen. So, I get in the limo and the driver handed me a card that was handwritten from Todd, saying he loved me, and he gave me some instructions—basically don’t call him, that the limo driver will take me everywhere I need to go.

First stop: Elizabeth Arden in Fairfax. And the letter “G” was waiting in the car with the words, “I love you because … of your giving nature.”

Courtesy of Kevin Hurley

I got into the salon, and a rose and a Swedish massage were waiting for me; it was great, but good God it took me a while to relax. Before I left, I was handed a note with the letter “H,” and “I love you because … of your honesty and trust.”

I left the salon and the driver handed me another handwritten note telling me you will be going back to the townhouse and have 50 minutes to get ready; wear something nice. Wanting to wear something new and cute, I had the driver swing by Pentagon City and I ran into Bebe and told the girls, “I think I am about to get engaged in an hour. FIND ME A DRESS.”

So I got this hot little blue number. Then I was waiting in the car. For me: “I love you because … of your intelligence, independence and integrity (I could go on and on with the I’s)—this was one of my favorites! So I get ready and inside on the table of our house were some pink roses, chocolates and “J” with the words, “I love you because … of the joy you bring to my life everyday.”

So I got ready, ran back to the car, and in the car was “K,” “I love you because … of your kindness to everyone you meet.”

So we drive away. At this point I had no instructions, but had a feeling we were going to the new house. SO, I arrived, and Todd is standing out front, looking super cute! We walk around to the back; he was asking me if I was nervous. I told him I was freaking out! But excited. Then around back are six dozen roses in three gigantic vases, all different colors, SOOO pretty, with a blanket on the steps, along with a bottle of champagne, two glasses, and the letter “L” with the words, “I love you because …

Then he starts talking, and I thought to myself just keep quiet. SO, I start crying, he starts crying … he is babbling about love, friendship, I have no idea. I could not remember; I was so overwhelmed by the moment. He told me each of the cards were reasons he loves me; he said he tells me everyday he loves me, but never the reasons why!! SOO cute.

Then he popped the question, and I was crying so much I could not even see the diamond, but of course I said “yes”! He then told me how the cards were an anagram that each card had a letter that was slightly bolded, as to spell out “WILL YOU MARRY ME?” Of course I never figured out that part! SO, then we drank a glass, got in the limo on our way to dinner.

Long story short, we end up at the airport, and took a helicopter to the Inn at Little Washington! YES, it was amazing! Dinner was wonderful! SO, then we flew back, stopped by my mom’s and arrived home around 10:30, fell asleep, woke up the next day and realized it wasn’t actually a dream!

Wedding planner: Jamie Sears, Simply Chic Events
Reception site: Meridian House
Caterer: Catering Company of Washington
Band: Sam Hill
Rehearsal dinner: Cantina Marina
Gown: Hannelore’s
Tux: Sarno and Sons
Cake: Fluffy Thoughts
Hair stylist: Amanda Moran
Makeup: Tracy Madorma
Florist: Petals Edge
Photographer: Kevin Hurley Photography
Telegrapher: Dandelion Patch / Jennifer Gillespie
Jeweler: Charleston Alexander
Limo: Reston Limo
Additional info: “Absolutely love, love Petals Edge, the Catering Company of Washington, and Jamie Sears of Simply Chic Events, cannot say enough about them!”

Secrets of Spectacular Summer Soirees

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Friday, January 2nd, 2009

How to Wed in Style When It’s Sizzling

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)

Wedding Dos (and Some Don’ts)

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, December 18th, 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)

Fly Me to the Moon

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, December 18th, 2008

Honeymoons Tailored to Taste

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)

Bliss

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, December 18th, 2008

Feel, look, live beautiful … together

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)

Wedding Blues

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, December 18th, 2008

Discover something new and blue for the big day

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)

The Helpful Groom

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, December 18th, 2008

How the other half of the bridal couple can get involved

By Elizabeth Weiss McGolerick

Once placed on the finger, the engagement ring conjures a true sense of wonder and magic, as the bride thinks to herself: “I wonder how I’m magically going to plan this wedding all by myself?” And while she may look like she’s got it all together, that she knows exactly what to do and when to do it, chances are she doesn’t want to do it alone.

Sure, bridesmaids help, so do moms, sisters, aunts and friends. Yes, “it’s the bride’s special day.” But wait … who exactly is getting married if not a bride and a groom? After all, it’s one of the biggest days of his life, too. So how can an overwhelmed groom, who might feel a little ignored, figure out how to help his bride? Experienced Northern Virginia wedding planners have some suggestions.

How to Get Started
“Every groom should express his interests in the overall theme for the wedding, and the couple should come up with a unifying concept together. That will help bring out his other ideas,” said Meredith S. Tomasulo, a professional wedding planner with Elegant Engagements. A bride could be imagining an intimate garden ceremony while the groom might be thinking Hawaiian luau. Both the groom’s and bride’s visions of their wedding day are equally important, as is determining just whose thoughts are going to come to fruition and whose will remain a fantasy. Tomasulo, who has been planning weddings for seven years, said, “I like to work with couples to find out what is important to them, then offer suggestions to make the wedding special and unique.”

Financial discussions, too, ought to be had by both the bride and the groom. “Sometimes all the grooms are looking at is the bottom line and all the bride is looking at is the dream,” shared Carol Marino, wedding planner and designer for A Perfect Wedding in Fairfax. To meet in the middle, Sagewood Weddings in Alexandria advised that couples discuss expenses and the particulars of who will contribute to the cost of the day. Couples need to know if financial assistance comes with stipulations about who makes the wedding decisions.

On the Job
The groom has plenty of obligations when it comes to his wedding, but what he believes is important and what the bride believes is important may differ. According to Tomasulo, 31, the groom should offer suggestions, make it known if he wants something specific, help the bride when asked, and, most of all, show that he cares about marrying the woman of his dreams.

“I also think planning the honeymoon is still a priority [for the groom],” Tomasulo said.

Both wedding planners agreed that men often show the most interest in music and food choices. “Grooms would really surprise brides if they would take care of their personal wedding attire, renting tuxes and making sure all groomsmen have been measured and fitted,” said Marino, 53. More often than not, it’s the little things that count.

“The best thing a bride has done was to talk frankly with her groom about what wedding decisions he would like to be consulted on—some, all or none,” said Marino, who has worked on almost 500 weddings throughout the area. By knowing what to expect from each other at the start, and respecting those choices (within reason), couples can save each other from unnecessary squabbles down the road. Brides and grooms should make a plan of what they will each do—together and separately—to make their wedding day a reality.

Beyond Bridal
Not surprisingly, wedding planners believe the most important things a groom can do for his bride don’t always involve the actual planning of the wedding itself. “The groom can listen to his bride talk—all the time—about their wedding,” said Marino. “The groom’s biggest job is to show he cares about the wedding and to keep his bride calm and happy by offering her a sounding board and support,” even if that means humoring her worries about colors, shoes or favor boxes.

“Send a note when you are six months away from the wedding saying you can’t wait to marry her,” Tomasulo suggested. “If she mentioned something she really wants but isn’t sure what it costs or if it’s feasible, call the wedding planner and tell her. One of my grooms had me get dozens of purple rose petals to sprinkle on the church aisle as a surprise to his bride—she thought the cost was something they should cut out.”
Sagewood also imparts some words of wisdom for the wedding day, stressing the importance of brushing aside any trivial issues. “Focus on your ravishing bride and enjoy the company of loved ones there for you.” And, ideally, those sociable groomsmen will look out for the groom and avoid any unnecessary revelry the night before the wedding.

Grooming the Groom for Planning
Sagewood Weddings offers the following tips for flippant fiances:
Don’t procrastinate.
Choose ushers who are personable and can get the job done.
Present a unified front with your bride when working with vendors, friends and family.
Be open-minded.
“A wedding is a celebration. It is a great opportunity to be creative and unique,”
Sagewood advised. “You don’t have to use anyone else’s formula.”

Resources
A Perfect Wedding Fairfax; 703-691-0133; www.aperfectwed.com
Elegant Engagements Serving the D.C. Metro region; 703-819-5808; www.elegantengagements.com
Sagewood Weddings Alexandria; www.sagewoodweddings.com

(June/July 2007)

Zen Bride

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, December 18th, 2008

How one busy bride-to-be is keeping her sanity through flowers, cakes and tons of tulle

By Elizabeth Weiss McGolerick / Photography By Jonathan Timmes

Erin and Jeremy

Fourteen months after her engagement, Erin Fleming remains cool, calm and collected as she works her full-time job, finishes up her master’s degree, purchases a new home and makes trips to the gym—all while planning her wedding.

“I am trying to keep things as easy and stress free as possible,” Fleming said of her Oct. 6 plans to marry Jeremy Duarte. “I am a wee bit high strung—I’m sure my fiance would argue the ‘wee bit’ part—and think the easier the better.”

So how has Fleming made wedding planning easy? Maybe her year-long engagement allowed her the time to plan. Maybe following her regimented budget gave her peace of mind. Maybe she’s an organized bride who knows what she wants a how to get it. But can it all be picture perfect?

Getting to Know Them
Twenty-eight-year-old Duarte proposed to Fleming, 30, in April 2006. “We met at a local bar through mutual friends and got engaged a year later!” Fleming said. This striking pair shares an Irish heritage and Duarte brings his half-Mexican heritage to the mix. Both work as technical recruiters and recently bought a townhouse in Ashburn. Fleming wanted to be “completely settled in” before the big day so she would “know exactly what to register for.”

So what is this social couple hoping to create for their wedding day?

“Overall, we want elegant, simple, classic and fun,” Fleming stressed. But one small glitch in the peace of planning comes with the ceremony itself.

“We’re both Catholic but we don’t want a long, drawn out ceremony,” Fleming admitted. “So, against our parents’ wishes, we will have a minister friend of my dad marry us. It will be short and sweet with spiritual flair, prayer and blessings, but there will not be a mass.”

The families have accepted the couple’s choice, but that doesn’t make it any easier on Fleming.

Bride-to-be Erin Fleming switched bridal colors a few times before deciding on silver and blue - a happy coincedence for her Cowboys fan fiance.

“People are really just trying to help—everyone has a suggestion but you feel like you’re constantly turning people down. That’s been kind of tough for me because I’m a people-pleaser.” Fleming is grateful though for her agreeable family. “Saying no to my dad when he’s writing the checks is difficult,” she said, but both of Fleming’s parents are happy to help financially and encourage every decision to be in the name of the couple’s happiness.

“Pretty much once I’ve made a choice, that’s it. The matter is dropped.” Except, however, when her husband-to-be contributes.

When Fleming started making plans, Duarte seemed happy to let it all get worked out without his input. “When the decision was made, that’s when he’d want to put in his two cents and change everything!” she said. But Fleming isn’t complaining. In fact, she sounded quite proud when she explained that, “Jeremy likes to be involved and say that he’s had a hand in planning this.”

All About the Guests
As the bride and groom prepared for the dinner tasting, which was organized for them by the Hyatt Fair Lakes in Fairfax where the event will be held, Fleming joked, “Jeremy will definitely be involved with anything that has to do with food.”

And, indeed, the groom-to-be dug in, apologizing throughout for eating heartily instead of just “tasting.”

Though the formal environment made the tasting a little awkward—and no one really wants to be watched while they’re eating—Fleming didn’t let her nerves get the best of her. Working their way through course after course, all generously peppered with laughter, the couple made their final food choices.

Engaged couple Jeremy Duarte and Erin Fleming stay cool as they collaborate on the many details and decision-making involved with planning a wedding.

“We decided to opt out of the dessert course and add on an extra hour of open bar,” Fleming explained. “We think the cake will be plenty for our guests and they would rather keep on drinkin’!”

The self-proclaimed “salad freaks” certainly could have selected dishes that tickled only their taste buds, but Fleming and Duarte felt strongly that their celebration be about their guests.

“The only thing I remember about a wedding is how much fun I had. We both have a ton of friends in the area who all like cocktails and parties. So, good food, music, free-flowing drinks and a great vibe are the goal here. Of course, all done in a very classy manner.”

Touchdown!
With a little help from the Hyatt and its on-site coordinator, Fleming and Duarte are well on their way to creating the ambiance they imagine. Not only did the venue provide the couple with a food tasting, at that same meeting their chosen vendors offered samples of table adornments that made Fleming’s eyes sparkle.

“We loved the navy blue tablecloths, the white chair covers and the platinum bows on the chairs,” Fleming described. “It looked so rich and elegant. I liked them so much I’m sure that’s what I’m going to choose as my palette. I will definitely be renting all of those items for the wedding.”

Up until this point, Fleming chose silver, white and eggplant, but, she said, “I told the Hyatt’s coordinator we were thinking of changing. When my sister was visiting from New York and tried on bridesmaid dresses, one sample dress came in navy. It was gorgeous. My favorite color is blue, too.” The reception display sealed the deal.

And along with these color selections came a groom-pleasing coincidence.

“Jeremy is a die-hard Cowboys fan. He was thrilled that our color palette was going to be changing to Cowboys colors!” Fleming exclaimed. “Incorporating anything Cowboys into our D.C. wedding might not be appreciated because of all the Redskins fans,” she joked. So instead of going overboard with lone stars on napkins or Troy Aikman bobblehead dolls as favors, “We might do a Cowboys groom’s cake.”

All Smiles and Happy Feet
“I have budgeted about $2,000 for the photographer, but that doesn’t include prints,” Fleming admitted. “We can order those later.” And worry about the price later.

Although, the bride thought aloud, “I have heard from so many people that we should sink as much as possible into the photographer and video because that’s all you have left of the big day.”

When discussing vendors, Fleming said, “Recommendations are invaluable.” Each of the five photographers she and Duarte considered during their search was a referral. After lunch meetings and consultations, phone calls and one non-negotiable vendor, Fleming and Duarte finally settled on Enfocas Photography in Tysons Corner, on a coworker’s recommendation.

“The photographer was laid back and to the point,” Fleming said. “Her attitude, pictures and overall vibe” made the ultimate decision for the pair, with her personality really sealing the deal.

“Some of the other photographers, mixed with our personalities, would have been a complete nightmare. I need someone who is going to be chill when I’m acting crazy.” So even though the chosen vendor will cost a little more, “She seems well worth the money,” Fleming said. “I am so glad this worked out. We are going to use her for both photography and videography. It’s nice to have a one-stop shop. One more thing off the list!”

At this point, Fleming admitted cheerfully, “I am feeling really calm. I have so much else going on that I don’t have time to stress. Having a long engagement was helpful. It gave me time to enjoy being engaged, book things slowly and take my time.”

Girls Just Wanna Look Good
While Erin has maintained her wits throughout her planning, every bride gets stumped on at least one wedding detail. For Fleming, she just couldn’t settle on a bridesmaid dress. In October, she knew what shop she wanted to buy the gowns from and in what color (first platinum, then eggplant—a change actually made due to Jeremy’s thoughts). But throughout the following months her mind kept changing.

She wanted to appease all seven of her bridesmaids—a few of whom gave strict orders about “no strapless” gowns—but Fleming knew that, “Seven girls have seven different opinions! I definitely want my girls’ input but there are so many of them that I have to be careful.

“Each girl will wear the same dress. Deciding to have seven bridesmaids was the reason it was so hard to find a dress, but all the girls are happy with it,” Fleming explained. “Also, having a wedding in the fall limits you to long dresses, at least I think so. The whole process actually helped me decide my color palette, so even though it was long and drawn out it was worth it. I am very happy with the navy and silver!”

Unfortunately, Fleming would have to endure just one more change involving the bridesmaids’ gowns. With the dress finally selected and all the girls dutifully calling in to order the gown in their size, it wasn’t until when the next-to-last attendant placed her order that the shop owner realized the chosen gown was not available in navy blue.

Enter the mellow bride.

“I wasn’t upset because I wasn’t in love with the dress anyway, just the color,” Fleming admitted. Though it’s been a challenge to get seven attendants organized, Fleming said her girls have been cooperative. “I never had any choice about what I would wear when I was in weddings,” she said, so she wanted to provide options.

“Again, people-pleaser!” she laughed.

Bridal Best
Although Fleming made her first official hunting trips for her own bridal gown last summer with her mother in Florida she didn’t really get serious until last fall.

With her mother down south and her sister in New York, Fleming said, “I have to depend on who is here.” So, in November she hit the shops with a few of her bridesmaids, as well as her soon-to-be mother-in-law who, Fleming said gratefully, “has been like a second mother to me.”

Having someone by your side though doesn’t make getting in and out of silk and tulle and satin any easier. “Trying on dresses is exhausting!” Fleming said (not to mention nerve-wracking and uncomfortable—particularly when your photo is being taken for a magazine article in an overheated shop).

“There are so many to choose from. People browse online and the gowns never look anything like that in person. I had two I was so excited to try and didn’t like either one [once I was in the store].”

But after donning umpteen dresses, Fleming found herself returning to Bobbie’s Bridal in Fairfax. “The gown I tried there was really what I imagined myself in—simple and elegant. It fit well and I felt good in it.”

She also admitted, “I can’t fathom spending thousands of dollars on a dress I will wear once. I guess that’s the practical side of me.” And, to Fleming’s delight, Bobbie’s was the most reasonably-priced shop. The gown she fell in love with was priced under her budgeted amount. “Who would have thought?” she said.

But she waited a bit before making the actual purchase. “I want my mom to see it.”

Mama Said
Flowers, centerpieces and wedding cakes—the bride wanted her mom by her side for such aesthetic choices. Fleming knew in November that she would wait for her mother’s February visit to make these things happen. Even with a whirlwind weekend ahead of them, Fleming and her mother accomplished everything they set out to do.

“The flowers and photographers are the biggest expenses of the wedding thus far. I had done a lot of research so I wasn’t surprised, but one florist said so many brides aren’t aware. What I had budgeted and the quotes I received were only a few hundred off. Of course, my quote was less!”

And then came the sweetest trip—for the wedding cake. Two shops and a dozen or so cake and icing combinations later, Fleming, Duarte and their mothers agreed on a four-tiered, multi-shaped, vanilla cake with raspberry and chocolate layers.

“We’ll probably use fresh flowers from our florist to decorate,” Fleming explained. And it was just as much the palpable camaraderie the quartet felt with the baker as it was the satisfying goodness of the dessert that helped them to decide.

“We were there for hours and really connected,” Fleming said. “We got into all kinds of personal stuff, sitting around the table laughing like an Oprah Winfrey show!”

Now, with Fleming’s mother taking care of the invitations in Florida, “I don’t have to worry about them,” Fleming said relieved.

So What’s Left?
Despite all Fleming checked off on her list, a significant number of items still require some thought—organizing the guest list, registering, arranging hair and makeup appointments, choosing wedding bands, renting tuxes and selecting gifts for the attendants.

“I’m going to buy them something practical rather than a keepsake,” Fleming said.

Also calling for attention are some finishing creative spins for the reception.

“Menus are a neat added touch,” Fleming said. “I saw them done at another wedding and it’s a great way to add jazz to the tables and incorporate your colors again. The menus and guest place cards will be done professionally. I might create programs and table names myself; it’s definitely a way to save money. Besides, why else would you have seven bridesmaids if you can’t find things to make them do!”

How Much, Exactly?
According to Cost of Wedding, a website operated by The Wedding Report that provides statistics and market research for the wedding industry, the average cost for nuptials in the Northern Virginia-Washington, D.C.-Maryland region is around $40,000.

Fleming and Duarte’s budget is realistic for this area, having estimated that their ceremony, reception for close to 200 people, food and alcohol will run them—and their parents, who are helping financially—around $25,000.

“I would like to stay within $38,000 for the whole thing,” Fleming said. “So that leaves about $13,000 for flowers, dress, centerpieces, cake, music, photographer, videographer, rings, chair covers,” and whatever else might pop up along the way. “I am estimating everything on the higher end so there are less cost surprises.”

Fleming, as you can tell, is a planner.

Something Borrowed
A bride and groom can be whisked away from their wedding celebration in a limousine. But a fancier alternative to a white stretch might just be the rental of a luxury car.

“Our wedding clients tend to be people who enjoy the finer things, who want something different for their special day, who want their getaway car to be as elegant, luxurious, beautiful and stunning as they feel,” said Jumi Kim, founding partner of Capital Dream Cars in McLean. “The couple have taken great care to select the finest wedding dress, cake, flowers and venue, so why not the best transportation as well? The getaway car is an element the groom can get excited about, too—something special for him on a day that’s historically been so much about the bride.”

In a Bentley Continental GT or even a Ferrari, couples can get behind the wheel and set off together on their newest adventure. And for those who still want to be spoiled, Kim said, “We offer the finest chauffeured vehicles through our exclusive provider, including a wedding-white Rolls Royce Phantom and a two-toned blue Maybach.”

Forget the standard black, stretch limo. Turn heads with a classic car, even better if it’s in a shade of bridal blue!

Something Old
The word “vintage” means different things to different people. When it comes to weddings, brides can consider including vintage-inspired accessories or jewelry in their ensemble.

A little romance can be added to the wedding day when new “old” items are incorporated. GreatLookz Inc. is an online store that, according to CEO Marion Kiesling, specializes in hard-to-find bridal fashion accessories such as long gloves, wedding tiaras, lace parasols, hosiery, handkerchiefs and Victorian hats. Whether the bride is in search of items to highlight her look or gifts for her bridesmaids, the new but old-fashioned items at GreatLookz might be just the ticket for the romantic bride.

Other vintage suggestions? The bride or groom’s favorite childhood pillow can be used to display their rings. Vintage wine dating from the year that the bride or groom was born can be served at the reception. And any favorite trinket from childhood—a charm bracelet or locket to adorn the bride or even a toy to decorate the cake table—can be considered vintage enough for a wedding day celebration.

(June/July 2007)

What Saying ‘I Do’ Means in Northern Virginia

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, December 18th, 2008

With its wealth of natural beauty, historical import, unique blending of urban sophistication and down-home charm—it’s no wonder thousands of couples decide to wed in NorthernVirginia each year.

By Brin Frazier

Those planning to tie the knot just south of the Potomac are in luck. Not only does Northern Virginia offer a variety of spectacular ceremony and reception venues, it’s also home to some of the country’s most sought-after vendors. This is critically important. Because unlike the Beatles’ assertion that “love is all you need”—couples looking to make it official with an elegant affair also require a breathtaking space, fantastic food, inventive flower arrangements, music that grooves, and attire that wows. And these are just the basics.

So what’s the first thing couples looking to put on a spectacular wedding should do? “Hire a wedding planner,”says newlywed Leslie Distler, who enlisted planner Joan Sacaroab to help with her January 2006 wedding. “Unless you can be in two places at once, it’s necessary to have someone working behind the scenes.”

Sacaroab works with couples and vendors to prepare wedding day agendas in 15-minute increments. “My job is to help couples be prepared,” says Joan. “Many brides and grooms are planning the wedding themselves these days. It’s no longer the mother of the bride’s job, but it’s still a big job. Having a planner makes it much easier to balance working full-time and planning a wedding.”

As planner Tracy Dougherty’s website www.novbridal.com points out, “Wedding consultants are no longer an expensive luxury. We are an affordable, indispensable necessity!” This is true for many local professionals. “Many of my clients are very successful in their jobs,” says veteran planner Laura Weatherly, who started Engaging Affairs ten years ago. “They simply don’t have the time to put together the type of celebration they want to throw.”

Weatherly offers several different packages to accommodate her clients’ different planning styles. “After meeting with the bride and learning about the couple’s vision, I can generally tell what would work best for them, whether they need a wedding day only package, or someone to handle the whole shebang.” After a decade in the planning business, Weatherly is able to save couples time and money with her creative ideas and expert recommendations. “I encourage couples to be creative and take risks. When couples incorporate personal touches, the results are fantastic.”

Where should Northern Virginia couples begin when planning a memorable event? “With the venue,” says Carole Marino, wedding consultant and owner of A Perfect Wedding. “The selection process can be tough, especially with everything from restaurants to museums and estates to ballrooms and parks to choose from. But the good news is that [Northern Virginia] offers something for every type of style.”

“The best thing about Northern Virginia weddings is the beautiful, natural setting,” says Laura Weatherly. “The scenery offers something special year-round.” Her recommendations for best outdoor spots? George Washington’s River Farm in Alexandria and Middleburg’s Goodstone Inn.

Couples looking to wed indoors have a broad array of options. If you want to be sure the wedding day goes off without a hitch, consider the Ritz-Carlton hotels. “We wait at the door for our brides and grooms. From the minute they arrive, they are in our hands and completely taken care of until the moment they leave,” says Marie Steffany, director of catering at the Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City, which employs a full-time wedding concierge. “Here, couples get everything they want, whether it’s a wedding that’s completely traditional or very unusual. We can do it all.”

Many local vendors devote similar attention to detail. Alison deWitt, owner of Distinctive Floral Designs, which only handles weddings, gets to know her clients before developing her creations. The result is inventive, unusual arrangements. She’s been known to fill vases with anything from shells to coffee beans to feathers.

Northern Virginia’s top caterers also work closely with couples to develop wedding menus. Design Cuisine can incorporate family recipes into their creations.

Windows Catering does everything well, including kosher and allergy-friendly dishes. Capitol Catering offers tremendous flexibility for couples looking for serve up unusual fare.

“They make all my favorite foods better,” raves Erin Erlenborn, who hired Capitol Catering for her August wedding. “I just wish they had a restaurant,” she adds. “I would eat there all the time!”

For most, looking good is as important as the logistics. Fortunately, Northern Virginia provides some of the region’s best spots for fine wedding attire.

The bridal department at Saks Fifth Avenue in Tysons Corner is one of the best places to start the search for wedding day duds. “We have a great mix of designers,” says Stephanie Halmi, manager of the department. “We can outfit you for everything from a Hawaiian beach wedding to an evening county club event.”

Saks is also great for one-stop shopping, as it also sells tuxedos, bridesmaid dresses and bridal accessories such as lingerie, jewelry and shoes.

“Weddings in Northern Virginia are getting bigger and bigger,” according to Carole Marino, “but they’re also getting more and more personalized.”

How can couples achieve a unique look and feel?

Some suggestions: Hire Patty Collette at Patty Cakes to bake for you. She can design a cake to match your flowers and reflect your personal style. Enlist Carole Marino to help you plan a reception themed around your honeymoon locale.

Instead of favors, let your guests know you’ll be donating funds in their honor to a favorite local charity.

To help couples take advantage of all that Northern Virginia has to offer, we’ve compiled listings of the area’s top spots and most-recommended industry gurus to help in planning the wedding of your dreams. There are so many ways to put on an elegant, memorable, magical wedding—and no better place than Northern Virginia!

Tips for the Frugal

Put the honeymoon on hold
Couples struggling to save for both the wedding and honeymoon can spread out their expenses (and stress) by delaying the honeymoon getaway for a few months. Biggest pro: you’ll have another fabulous event to look forward to after the wedding ends. Plus, you won’t have to add “packing” to that lengthy wedding to-do list. Alternative solution: consider adding some of the honeymoon expenses to your on-line registry (HoneyLuna.com and DistinctiveHoneymoons.com can help you get started).

Throw a Petal Party
Stop torturing yourself with cost-crunching and let your mind blossom! Instead of the traditional bridesmaid luncheon, why not hire your favorite local florist to teach a flower arranging class for you and your girlfriends? Not only will you learn something new, but after the class, you’ll have plenty of reception-ready arrangements for a third of the cost.

Free O.J.! (and other breakfast items)
Select a hotel that offers a complimentary brunch for guests. Then ask the manager to deduct the number of overnight guests from the send-off brunch bill. Even if your desired hotel doesn’t offer this up front, try to negotiate it.

Let Them Eat (sheet) Cake
There’s no need to spend extra dough on dessert if you serve a scrumptious wedding cake. For those looking for skim even more: buy a small decorative cake for the formal cutting and purchase a sheet cake that can be sliced and served on plates.

Save Some Trees (and dollars)
Consider cutting out any superfluous paper. Do you really need save-the-dates? Programs? Menu cards? Email can accomplish a lot these days. Deliver engagement and wedding announcements electronically. Post directions and lodging info on your wedding website instead of printing and mailing.

Lighten Up
Select invitations with card sock that’s not heavy and you’ll save some coin on postage costs.

Stick Close to Home
If you’re thinking of serving wine from Napa, think again. No need to pay shipping costs on out-of-state offerings when Northern Virginia boasts a fabulous selection of local vino.

Let the Sun Shine
Consider a daytime affair. Perhaps a brunch or elegant afternoon tea? French toast is far more budget-friendly than filet mignon. And pitchers of Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s will run you much less than an open bar.

Make Friday the New Saturday
Think beyond the Saturday evening wedding. Not only is it economical, it’s very European. (Across the pond, weddings are generally Monday through Friday affairs.) Friday equals greater availability of reception venues. Added bonus: you’ll have an easier time reserving the vendors you really want (and you’ll be in a position to negotiate better rates than nighttime brides.)

Who’s Footing the Bill?
According to Northern Virginia’s top wedding planners, it’s no longer standard practice for the bride’s family to fund the wedding. “We’re seeing a real division of costs,” says Laura Weatherly, owner of Engaging Affairs. “Everyone’s contributing these days—the bride, the groom, usually both sets of parents.” Planner Joan Sacarob agrees. “Many of the couples getting married now have been out of the house for years. Most are in their late 20′s or 30′s. Many of them have great jobs and are paying for things all on their own.” So how much is the final bill? “The average cost of a 100-person wedding in Northern Virginia is about $40,000,” says Carole Marino, founder of A Perfect Wedding. “It’s a big expense, and paying has become a cooperative effort.”

(September 2006)