loungescape in style!

we definitely love to chat and lounge! think of all the fabulous ways you can incorporate a stylish lounge area into your reception. Take a look at these amazing loungescapes...

we love to create unique and interesting loungesacape for our clients. are you looking to create a loungescape of your own? we'd love to hear about it.

Happy designing!

our favorite things : wedding dog collars

We're so in love with the wedding dog collars!

Our new client is thinking about having their dogs, Kiwi and Emma, serve as their ring bearers and shared this fabulous etsy seller {twigs & honey - by Myra Callan} with us.

Too cute! We can't wait until their 2010 wedding to see Kiwi and Emma wear their stunning collars!

Are you including your pets in your ceremony? If so, please tell us all about it. We'd love to hear how you are incorporating your beloved pets into your special day!

Happy planning!

bridal party : 3 incredible ways to say "thanks" {idea #3}

We are really excited about IDEA #3 -the Great Outdoors Adventure. How about taking your bridal party on a weekend excursion to enjoy nature at its best? Experience this adventure with Songer Whitewater - an amazing tour guide company located in West Virginia.

There's no better way to view the natural beauty of the mountains than by horseback. Take a guided horseback riding tour and enjoy the sights and sounds while riding along the beautiful wooded trails.

Next, ride on over to a good ole' bbq cookout. Enjoy a sumptuous country bbq feast together in the great outdoors! Don't forget to bring along the incredible edible smores. A camp fire and smores - a fantastic way to top off the meal!

Consider renting a cabin for you and your bridal party to make it a weekend event! Depending on the time of year you can also experience other outings as a group: whitewater rafting, hiking fishing and biking.

This excursion is definitely not an ordinary outing. Enjoy this great adventure experience together and create fun lasting memories!

Just another incredible and amazing way to say "thank you" to your bridal party for being a part of your special day!

Happy celebrating!

bridal party : 3 incredible ways to say "thanks" {idea #2}

Our next fun and fabulous IDEA #2 to say "thanks" to your bridal party would be to set up a group Night on the Town - in Washington, DC. What does this include? Dinner. Chauffeured limo ride. Tour the National Monuments at night. A private group instructed dance lesson at the end of the night.

Start the Night on the Town by having your bridal party meet you and your fiance at a central location to get picked up by Chariots for Hire. Hire a limo for the entire evening... You'll enjoy the Night on the Town without having to worry about who's driving or having to find a parking spot. Your driver will take care of all of these details for you.

Next, DC has so many amazing restaurants and is truly a foodie heaven... We too have a few favorites of our own. One of our few we highly recommend is Acadiana Restaurant. Acadiana offers the flavors, culture and the warmth of the seductive southern region. They offer the perfect balance of the old and new...taking advantage of the rich bounty found in the Mississippi Delta, Bayous and the Gulf of Mexico. The food if phenomenal. And what's nice about this restaurant is they have a private dining room too. You can truly enjoy the company of your bridal party without any distractions of the other restaurant patrons.

After dinner, get whisked away on a tour of DC Monuments at Night with KB Tours. This night tour is truly amazing! Seeing our National Monuments at night is really breathtaking and a must see for natives and those visiting our Nations Capital. We have personally taken this tour and found it to be one of the best tours we have ever taken! What a way to create memories with your bridal party, especially if your bridal party may be visiting from out of town.

Last, but not at all least, a private group dance lesson at Rendezvous Social Dance Studio. What a fun way to end the evening! This can also take a way any jitters your bridal party may be feeling if they may be a little concerned about dancing at the wedding. Hire a dance instructor to teach you and your bridal party a few fabulous dance moves. Everyone will sure to be a little more confident the night of your wedding when taken to the dance floor!

If you are looking to create your own Night on the Town with your bridal party we'd love to hear about it! Have lots of fun on your Night on the Town!

Happy celebrating!

bridal party : 3 incredible ways to say "thanks" {idea #1}

As you look for creative ways to say "thank you" to your bridal party for being apart of your special day, how about planning a fun and exciting get together in their honor?

IDEA # 1 : Take a group Wine Tour. What fun it would be for you and your bridal party to enjoy wine tours to wineries, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, and both historic and tourist destinations together. Local to our area is a great wine tour company, Virginia Wine Country Tours. They can assist you with everything from transportation to dining options for your group outing.

Consider making this a weekend trip to really enjoy this time with your bridal party. You can do this as far out as 3 months prior to your wedding.

Lastly, an idea for an amazing parting gift your bridal party. We found this wine tasting party gift from redenvelope.com. They can be sure to remember your wine country adventures for years to come with this fabulous gift!

Let us know if you would consider taking your bridal party on a wine country tour. We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Stay tuned for 2 other incredible ways to say "thanks" to your bridal party...

Happy celebrating!

cutting costs | bridesmaid "candidates" + personal florals

Working closely with many clients in the design and planning of their weddings, an item that comes to complete shock on many, many occasions is the cost of their floral design. Why? You surprisingly ask. LARGE BRIDAL PARTIES. We often get clients who have very large bridal parties of 6 or more bridesmaids and groomsmen.

When a couple decides on having a large bridal party {because they may be afraid of hurting someones feelings if they don't ask them to be in their bridal party or simply can't decide on who to have in their bridal party} there are many costs that should be considered for each bridal attendant: personal flowers, rehearsal dinner costs, hair and make-up, coordinating their wedding attire, attendant gifts, and the list goes on and on.


Back to the floral design... Did you know the average starting cost of a posy bouquet is $65.00 - $85.00, depending on your floral selections?

posy bouquet :: a small circular hand held bouquet.

So let's imagine for a moment you have a bridal party of 8 bridesmaids and 8 groomsman and your floral design budget is $3,500. With 8 bridesmaids you are looking at spending roughly $600.00 for posy bouquets alone. This is almost 1/4 of your floral design budget. As you can see, this is the cost for bridesmaids posy bouquets alone. We haven't even touched upon the cost of your ceremony arrangements or reception centerpieces.

Have you thought about... Having your bridesmaid "candidate(s)" sing at your ceremony or reception, read a beautiful love poem, serve as a hostess, play an instrument during your cocktail hour, assist you with assembling wedding favors? Think of all the other ways they can contribute and be involved in your wedding without you having to include them in your wedding party. Utilize their creativity and special talents to make your special day exceptional!

As you begin to talk with your fiance about your fabulous bridal party wishes... Consider the impact a very large bridal party will have on your overall wedding budget.

Happy planning!

photo credit: brides.com

honeymoon escape : bali

A trip to paradise. Bali is a one-of-a kind honeymoon destination that you will be sure to remember for a lifetime.

Bali, located on a small island in Indonesia, is just 140 Km by 80 Km and lies between Java, the most highly populated and influential of all the islands, and Lombok, one of the quieter and moderately slower paced islands. Like many islands, Bali has developed a world of its own. It not only captures what is special about Indonesia but also has a uniqueness of its own.

The Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay is an absolutely breathtaking place to celebrate your marriage union. Experience this intimate Balniese villa - with separate sleeping, bathing and living pavilions and ocean views from your plunge pool, dramatic hilltop and ocean side dining, a tranquil and exquisite spa. The activities are endless!

photo credit: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay

{Experience the amazing Bali attractions}

Elephant Safari Park. Don't leave Bali without visiting the truly unique and spectacular Indonesian elephants. Located in the cool jungle/forest of Desa Taro, the Elephant Safari Park offers you the chance to feed and interact with these wonderful creatures in a natural setting. A 30-minute elephant safari ride is available to those who wish to do more than just look. Then join in with the elephants as they take a bath, immersing themselves in the cool waters of the lake.

Gunung Kawi (Mountain of Poets) is an 11th century sanctuary with gurgling springs and rock-cut memorials to long-dead kings.

During your stay, be sure to try your hand at these other activities: Horseback riding at sunset, water parks, surfing, and much more!

Great resources on Bali:

Bali Guide

Bali Tourism Board

Trip Advisor

We hope you enjoy planning your honeymoon escape!

Happy honeymoon! :O)

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.