summer weddings | stylish hand fans

Our favorite time year is definitely Summer. Tea length dresses, scrumptious strawberry lemonade, lightening bugs, receptions under the stars... We love the beautiful outdoor weddings. Although beautiful, heat is definitely an unwanted guest that could crash any summertime party. Beat the heat with these stylish hand fans...

source: Nostalgia At High Tea

source: beau coup

source: Paloma Sia Designs

source: Paloma Sia Designs

source: txiquisan

These fabulous fans would be used way past the wedding. Stay cool!

Happy summertime!

daytime garden party

Imagine a bright and crisp sunny day... The beautifully landscaped lush gardens and flowers... Your guests enjoying a vibrant signature drink on the portico or near a soothing water fountain... the buzzing conversation with the faint sound of jazz music playing in the background. Isn't this an inviting picture of a fabulous garden party? With day weddings becoming increasingly popular why not consider an amazing mansion to host your wedding.

Day events offer many benefits over an evening affair. Here are a few reasons we think these events are absolutely amazing:

Fabulous pictures : With all of the vibrant colors that surround a garden party you'll be sure to capture fantastic pictures of your wedding, from beginning to end.

Pricing couldn't be better : Day events are reasonably priced. Most venues offer a cheaper price when hosting your event in the daytime, as these are the times the venues aren't heavily used. There may also be other fees associated with an evening event, you may not need to pay for if holding a day event, such as a security guard fee.

Amazing visuals : See your stunning decor. You can finally see all of the details you put into designing your wedding, the intricate place card design to the venue itself. Take in all your amazing wedding day holds.

All day celebration : Holding a daytime event leaves room for an after party. Continue your celebration and party all night long.

If you are looking to hold a fabulous garden party, be sure to check out these amazing venues:

Oxon Hill Manor {MD} * Meridan House {DC} * Brookside Gardens {MD}

Happy planning!

Photo credit: Dept. of Parks and Planning Commission PG County Maryland, Holland Photography, Rodney Bailey and Meridian House, Brookside Gardens.

Happy 4th!

The Fourth of July is definitely one of our favorite holidays! Lots of fantastic food, drink, family and friends celebrating America's independence and the sacrafices our wonderful soldiers make for us every day!

Thank you so very much to our military soldiers and families for their service to our wonderful country! :O)

As you prepare for your bbq celebration, don't forget to add those special details... drink parasols.

To make them, you'll need wooden skewers that are a couple of inches longer than the glasses are tall. Color-photocopy the design onto white paper. (Or download and print this illustration here.) Cut out, then cut along dotted line on each. Create a broad cone by overlapping edges; secure using a glue stick or tape. Poke skewer through underside of cone's point.

Have fun making these drink parasols! We hope you have a safe and happy 4th!

photo courtesy of marthastewart.com