LelyCo Events

2011-11-16T11:54:00.000-08:00

We are thrilled to announce our new project www.VenueSafari.com check us out! The site launches on December 1st, 2011.

LelyCoEvents will still accept a limited number of wedding planning clients per year. Contact us at info@LelyCo.com for more information.

XO,
Lesley

2011-10-10T18:30:00.000-07:00

Check out Sarah & Todd's Jamaican Destination Wedding on the Destination I Do Magazine Blog!

http://www.destinationidomagblog.com/2011/10/destination-wedding-jamaica-tropical.html

2011-05-31T11:06:00.000-07:00

JAMAICA!!!

I had the honor to work with Sarah, Todd and their families for a little over a year in planning this INCREDIBLE wedding weekend at Round Hill in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Round Hill Resort & Villas is the perfect location for a destination wedding. Not only was it insanely picturesque but the staff at the hotel and the vendors they hired were very detailed and dependable. The bride & groom used a pineapple motif and pink and orange colors through out their invitations and all of their on-site paper products-- the welcome letters for their guests, menu cards, programs and more. The guests spent their days laying on the beach, water skiing, sailing the resorts glass bottom boat, etc. and their evenings celebrating Sarah & Todd. It was a wedding their guests (and I!) will never forget.

Photography by Michael Saab

Bride walked down the aisle to Train's "Marry Me" - magical...

The ridiculously cute parents-of-the-bride

Welcome Events:
Thursday evening's poolside cocktail party and Friday's Beach Barbecue Rehearsal DInner

2011-05-15T11:23:00.000-07:00

Updates!

We are back from an INCREDIBLE destination wedding in Jamaica... I cannot wait until the professional photographs come back so I can share them with everyone!

I also wanted to share these amazing photographs by Deb Lindsey of a client's Fall wedding (I am a little late posting these :) ) at The Fairfax, Embassy Row. I am absolutely in love with the ceiling in this room.

2011-02-26T12:31:00.000-08:00

2451 Centreville Rd # I6, Herndon, VA 20171

2011-01-25T15:21:00.000-08:00

LelyCo Events is honored to have been chosen for the WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards for 2011. This award recognizes the top 5 percent of local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate quality and service excellence in the wedding industry.

Thank you to our amazing clients for voting for us!

2010-12-28T12:00:00.000-08:00

2011 The Knot Best of Weddings "Editor's Pick"

We are thrilled to have been chosen again this year and honored to be an "Editor's Pick." Thank you to our fabulous clients for voting for us!

2010-12-17T13:16:00.000-08:00

Washingtonian Bride & Groom Magazine

We are thrilled that one of our client's weddings is featured in the new issue of Washingtonian Bride & Groom magazine. Carly & George had a fantastic summer wedding in Annapolis this past July. Click here to see our original post about their wedding!

2010-12-15T13:41:00.000-08:00

Hilary & Noah

August 7th, 2010

St. John's + The Fairfax, Embassy Row

Photos by: Charlie Archambault for Greg Gibson Photography

To me this wedding is "classic Washington"... the St. John's Church ceremony, the simple yet stunning details, gold accents, ornate chandeliers, a classic car... I could go on and on.

Hilary's stunning dress

A very sweet father, daughter moment just before the ceremony began.

Portraits in Lafayette Square

An amazing cake to mirror the design of Hilary's dress... by Fluffy Thoughts

Guests were welcomed to their seats with Historical Chocolates in gold boxes with ivory ribbons complimenting the ornate gold rimmed chargers and champagne flutes. The black chivari chairs and pintucked black linens were a beautiful contrast to the ivory and gold.

The dance floor was packed ALLLL night long thanks to their amazing band, Spectrum.

Congratulations Hilary & Noah!

2010-12-03T10:12:00.000-08:00

Lynley & Matt

St. Alban's & Old Ebbitt Grill

I have to say, I think the Bishop's Garden at the National Cathedral might be the ultimate place for wedding portraits. Lynley & Matt are the definition of a fun loving couple. They are silly and sweet. Take a look at these incredible photos by Rachel Naft of RMN Photography and you will see what I mean. Thanks so much for letting me be a part of your big day!

Congratulations on a spectacular evening!

2010-08-10T10:17:00.000-07:00

Check out our client's Mary & Trevor's wedding featured on the District Weddings blog! Click below to visit their fabulous blog!

Westin Grand Wedding

2010-08-04T18:24:00.000-07:00

Carly & George

Annapolis, MD

July 2010

US Naval Chapel & The Annapolis Yacht Club
Photography by Matt Mendelsohn

Carly & George's wedding was perfect. For brides seeking the key to a perfect day...take a few cues from Carly & George! They filled their day with fun details-- Mariachi band, cigars, and a beautiful waterfront location but most of all their sheer, genuine happiness on their wedding day was contagious. The guests had the time of their lives. No one said it better than their photographer, Matt Mendelsohn. Check out his commentary and more photographs here.

2010-06-17T08:53:00.000-07:00

Leslie & Gavrie

Woodend Sanctuary

May 31, 2010

Photos by: Sarah Hodzic of Blink Photography

Leslie & Gavrie had an amazing wedding at Woodend Sanctuary in Chevy Chase, MD. The day was filled with fun, laughter, and beautiful details. They chose to play up the natural beauty of Woodend with herb favors, beautiful potted plants on tables and natural colors. Leslie looked unbelievably chic in her tea length dress and bird cage veil.

Joel and the crew from Occasions served a delicious meal including a dessert buffet with "piles of pies" (unreal!). Sarah Hodzic's vintage style perfectly captured their day.

2010-05-13T14:51:00.000-07:00

Events at Carine's Bridal Atelier:

SPRING SAMPLE SALE – April 18th from 12pm to 3pm

Gowns priced from $999.00 to $1,899.00
Rivini Trunk Show May 20-22

Click here for more information!

2010-05-11T04:51:00.003-07:00

Upcoming Events from District Weddings Blog

Posted using ShareThis

2010-03-31T14:19:00.000-07:00

http://juliannesmith.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/new-stylish-wedding-garter-collection-launch-party-the-garter-girl-by-julianne-smith1.jpg

2010-03-02T09:03:00.000-08:00

Check us out on YouTube thanks to www.mykateparkerwedding.com

It is an amazing website for both brides and vendors. The site utilizes technology that allows brides to customize the details, vendors, etc that they view on the site by style, budget and more. There are also sections of featured weddings, inspiration boards, and advice for outstanding vendors.

2010-02-23T07:46:00.000-08:00

Megan & Pete

Caneel Bay, St. John USVI
Photos by Blue Glass Photography

St. John is one of my favorite destinations so I was beyond thrilled to plan this wedding for Megan & Pete at the luxurious Caneel Bay Resort. They filled their wedding day with tons of fun details... plane escort cards (Pete is a pilot), late snacks for the "sleepy heads" and the "party animals" and more. There was a quite a bit of rain in St. John that weekend but it did not put a damper on the beauty, fun or love at this event.

2010-02-22T09:12:00.000-08:00

From DailyCandy Weddings
Jewel of the Aisle

Love these whimsical bouquets that last FOREVER. I think the bride's bouquet is a great option to have in a form that can be kept just the way it is forever ....please do real flowers for everything else ;)

Check out my other post below about Etsy seller Milkpod studios bouquets!

2010-02-12T07:20:00.000-08:00

Create a Crate and Barrel Wedding Registry for the chance to win a $100,000 wedding!
Visit this link for information about entering this contest: http://crateandbarrel.com/ultimatewedding

2010-02-12T05:37:00.000-08:00

Google + StyleMePretty.com = Amazing Wedding Tools

Yesterday, Google and the fab wedding blog StyleMePretty.com launched a suite of wedding Google docs for brides & grooms! They range from guest lists to to do lists to seating arrangements and more....

They are a great resource...especially with the capability of being able to share the documents with your fiance and/or parents ...or not :)

But....do not be fooled...the "All-in-One Wedding Planner" will not replace your highly experienced, real live Wedding Planner. Ha!

You can check them out HERE!

What are you thoughts?

2010-02-10T08:30:00.000-08:00

Peacock Wedding Ideas From Blooms By Martha
Stunning peacock wedding details as featured on WeddingChicks.com !

2010-02-09T10:06:00.000-08:00

I am a MAJOR sucker for anything on Etsy.com - love these stunning, unique (and long lasting!) bouquets from Etsy's Milkpod Studio featured on junebug Weddings

2010-02-09T08:13:00.000-08:00

Check this out, fun idea for your coffee table or post wedding bridal party gifts

Wedding Flip Book by Celeste Studios | InsideWeddings.com

2010-02-09T08:11:00.000-08:00

DC Wedding Venue Resources

Points to consider:

- Capacity- how many guests are you inviting? Will they fit in the space comfortably without too little or too much extra space? Don't forget to consider the back up space for inclement weather as well.

- Formality- does the venue match the black-tie or casual, preppy wedding you envision?

- Cost- per head food & beverage cost, space rental fees, etc. Consult your planner to avoid unexpected costs that may relate to that specific venue. DO NOT forget about tax and gratuity!

- Existing decor-- look at the carpet, walls, ceiling etc. will the colors and style work with the decor you have in mind for your wedding? You do not want to work against the existing decor.

- Location- think about cabs, valet, parking availability and cost for you and/or your guests. How far is it from your ceremony venue (if applicable)?

Resources:

DC Photographer, Rodney Bailey's website - Rodney has an entire gallery organized by photos of different DC area venues, it is a great resource!

Blogs: District Weddings- DC Wedding Blog, You can search by type of venue with their drop down menu or look through different posts for featured weddings locations.

Google. Search for blogs and through google images of weddings that have taken place at different venues to see if different ways to spaces are set up and decorated. Also, ask the venue contact to provide pictures if you are interested.

Here are a few pics of some of the amazing dc wedding venues we are lucky to have here!

Pictured below The Fairmont (photo by Matt Mendelsohn), Meridian House (photo by Matthew Worden), The Park Hyatt (photo by Vantage Pictures), The Four Seasons (photo by Kate Triano)

2010-02-02T16:50:00.001-08:00

It's in the details...
unique displays!

It's not just about WHAT you display... it's HOW!

Check out this amazing display of DC area "Local favorites" from DC wedding planner Elegance & Simplicity photograph by The Observatory:

The new edition of InStyle Weddings featured some eye-catching displays, here are a few:

We did a wedding in St. John USVI last year that had a great late night snack display. Two tables...

one with sliders and vintage Coca-Cola bottles for the "party animals"... a second table with cookies and cartons of milk for the "sleepy heads"... The guests loved it and were taking pictures of the display and of each other with the snacks! Such a fun touch!

This is a great opportunity for an added personalize touch-- be creative! Think about interesting ways to display snacks, favors, etc for your guests!

Are there any interesting displays you have seen or ideas you have?

Yellow and Orange dessert display from trendsettingwedding.com via Jesi Haack Weddings, Candy tower photo by Megan Sorel via StyleMePretty.com, Jillybean bar photo by Natalie Norton via InStyle Weddings

2010-01-23T07:08:00.000-08:00

White & Light

...with a touch of green

Here are a few pictures of Alana & Josh's wedding at the Park Hyatt. This wedding was the definition of stunning, simple elegance. Pictures by Dennis Kan of Michael Bennett Kress Photography

2010-01-11T10:44:00.000-08:00

Mary & Trevor's Wedding in The Knot DC, MD, VA Magazine!

Great pictures of their amazing wedding at the Westin Grand in Summer '08.

BUT! The Knot left out their pugs from the spread! Poor girls :) Check their wedding out in the mag and HERE!

2010-01-10T16:57:00.000-08:00

Summer Lovin'

The weather is nasty and I cannot wait for warmer weather to arrive. Here are a few details I love for summer weddings!

Fill these with ice and add bottled water.... or better yet Sofia Coppola's little cans of champagne (complete with pink straws!) www.themacbethcollection.com for buckets. You can monogram and customize them!

A Vintage-y banner over an outdoor late night sweets display. Etsy.com seller Earmark

Surprise your guests with fun linens for the cocktail hour! The last linen makes me want to throw a party just so I can use it! :) linens from Party Rental Ltd

2010-01-05T08:38:00.000-08:00

LelyCo Events The Knot Best of Weddings 2010 Pick

We are thrilled to be chosen for this award! Voted for by our amazing clients (thanks!!!) as one of the winners in the category for DC Wedding Planner.

2010-01-05T07:06:00.000-08:00

How cute are they?

I love keeping in touch with my former clients. Many of them have kids now or babies on the way. Check out these adorable pictures of Kevin & Andria Schwind (whose 2007 Annapolis wedding I helped plan). Photos by Ryan Zook.

Best of luck guys! I hope to meet your little girl soon.

2010-01-03T07:28:00.000-08:00

Carine's New Year Sample Sale
Sunday, January 17th, 2010 at 12pm-3pm

Please join us at our final sample sale of the season. Designer gowns will be priced as low as $999 to $1,899, marked down from original retail prices ranging from $3,000 to $9,000 - a fantastic savings for brides! Carine's Bridal Atelier offers custom alterations on-site in their Georgetown boutique.

Designers include: Angel Sanchez, Carolina Herrera, Junko Yoshioka, Karl Lagerfeld, Kenneth Pool, Melissa Sweet, Monique Lhuillier, Platinum Collection, Reem Acra, Rivini, Rosa Clara, St. Pucchi, and The Vineyard Collection.

Visit their website for more information: http://carinesbridal.com/samplesale.htm

2009-12-30T08:23:00.000-08:00

DCCWC 2nd Annual Luxury Wedding Event!

February 6, 2010

at the Stephen Decatur House

$35 tickets

Register HERE!

2009-12-27T16:58:00.000-08:00

Stacey & Jason

May 2009
Omni Shoreham Hotel

Photos by Freed Photography
I am very late posting these! Stacey and Jason had a beautiful ceremony in the one-of-a-kind garden at the Omni in DC. We were VERY lucky the rain held out for them!

Stacey & Jason are both avid cyclists and named their tables after different places they had gone biking together. They also posed with their bikes and with cycling shoes on in their wedding day attire. It's all about the personalized details!

The evening was full of dancing, fun and wonderful food...and they sent their guests home with Krispy Kreme donuts! A sweet way to end the evening....

2009-12-27T16:52:00.001-08:00

Washingtonian Bride & Groom
UNVEILED

Their wedding showcase...with vendors, tasting, bridal fashions and more will be taking place on Sunday, January 24th from 11:30-3:00 at the beautiful, Mandarin Oriental Hotel!

Click HERE for more information and to purchase tickets!

2009-11-23T09:24:00.000-08:00

Featured in Brides Washington!

Sheerin & Adam's amazing DC wedding was featured in the Fall/Winter 2009 magazine!

Check it out!

2009-01-14T10:07:00.000-08:00

DC Couture Wedding Consortium FREE Bridal Show!

Saturday, January 31st at the Decatur House

Advance registration is required...check out their site for more info:

http://www.dccwc.com/2009bridalshow.htm

2008-09-29T09:38:00.000-07:00

Sheerin & Adam

August 23, 2008

St. Matthew's Cathedral & National Museum of Women in the Arts

Sheerin & Adam had a stunning wedding last month. They chose late summer colors--- purples, greens, golds, etc. it all came together beautifully. Both Sheerin & Adam have wonderful families who were so excited to watch them say their vows and celebrate together. The evening was warm and memorable with touching and funny toasts, lots of dancing and even a special performance by Adam and his groomsmen!

Check out the pictures below from Chris Baltazar to see the elegant details of their wedding...

Beautiful flowers by Petal's Edge...

2008-09-10T07:19:00.000-07:00

Mary & Trevor

August 16, 2008

Westin Grand

I sat here trying to think of one adjective to describe this wedding and while many came to mine "so MARY" (and Trevor!) is really what described it best! Mary & Trevor's wedding was preppy, chic, fun, whimiscal, laid back, beautiful, magical, etc etc....but most of all SO THEM!

There were so many great details to this wedding-- the adorable striped bowties, unique "gift box" centerpieces (by John at Yellow Door!), perfectly matching favor boxes, fun linens... I could go on and on. Oh! And the pugs! Chloe & Gracie were the wonderful "Flower Pugs" for the day and even appeared in the processional. It was too cute.

Check out the fantastic pictures below from Chris Baltazar (I got to work with him 2 weekends in a row, lucky me!)-- I am blown away by the color, clarity and awesome angles of his work. Check out his blog for a few more pics as well.

Congrats Mary & Trevor! Keep in touch!

2008-09-07T15:22:00.000-07:00

Katie & Ray

July 12, 2008

Meridian House

Katie & Ray had a spectatular wedding at the historic Meridian House in DC in July. Pink and green were everywhere- perfect for a DC summer wedding. Not only was it a beautiful wedding, but it was also quite the party. The dance floor was packed late into the night. The florals were incredible (by Petals Edge!) and Katie picked some great linens that really made each room unique-- toile in the garden for the cocktail hour, a sherbert stripe sheer in the dinner room and a bright pink twill in the dancing room...I love linens, if I haven't said it before :) Check out the great pics from Matthew Worden below!

2008-09-06T08:04:00.000-07:00

Natasha & Wade
May 17, 2008

St. Matthew's Cathedral & The Fairmont

Photographs by Matthew Mendelsohn

Natasha and Wade had a great DC wedding in May-- it was a beautiful spring day filled with laughter, smiles and fun. They were married at the magnificant St. Matthew's Cathedral (see picture below) and had a reception following at the Fairmont Hotel in Foggy Bottom DC. Red flowers and gold details were found in every aspect of the wedding from the invitations to the programs to the cake and centerpieces.

They both have wonderful families that helped make the day memorable. They are both down-to-earth, kind people who know how to have a great time-- I love the blog entry about their day by their photographer, Matt Mendelsohn ... check it out here. He captured the day perfectly not only with his pictures but with his words.

2008-06-02T16:44:00.000-07:00

Christina & TJ

St. Patrick's and Hotel Monaco

April 26, 2008

My first wedding of the spring season was Christina and TJ's wedding at St. Patrick's Church and the Hotel Monaco in DC's Chinatown/Gallery Place neighborhood. Every detail was perfectly pulled together with reds and blacks and their reception was highlighted with fantastic lighting by John Farr and flowers by Petal's Edge. The wedding had a fun, modern feel that reflected their personalities. Pictures courtesy of the wonderful Lori Love...

Congrats Christina & TJ! :)

2008-04-05T17:18:00.000-07:00

Mary& Trevor (and Gracie too!)

Here are just a few of my clients, Mary & Trevor's engagement pictures by (the wonderful) Chris Baltazar. These two are adorable and so much fun....check it out!

last but not least... Gracie!

2008-01-04T09:49:00.000-08:00

Congratulations Andria & Kevin!!!
December 29, 2007 ~ Annapolis, MD
St. Anne's & Sheraton Annapolis

Photos by the wonderful Kate Triano !

Andria & Kevin were married in Annapolis on December 29th. Their ceremony was held in the historical St. Anne's Church on Church Circle in Annapolis. It was a military wedding with members of both the Navy and Army in attendance. The bouquets and cocktail hour were highlighted with reds and greens to follow the holiday season whereas their reception was all white resembling a winter wonderland. It was a magical evening-- congrats! :)
Andria's beautiful dress
Outside the church... check out the 1941 Caddy on the right!
Winter Wonderland!
Thank you Andria & Kevin!!!

2008-01-02T12:07:00.000-08:00

Jennifer & Brendan
December 1, 2007
St. Matthew's Cathedral & The Westin Grand
Photos by: Lori Love! Jennifer & Brendan had a fantastic wedding on December 1st in DC. The day began with an afternoon ceremony at the breathtaking St. Matthew's Cathedral followed by dinner and dancing at the Westin Grand in the Promenade Ballroom (one of my favorites!).

Jennifer, Brendan and their bridal party stopped off at the Capitol building in between the ceremony and reception to take pictures. I love how they turned out!

Scroll down to see more of the wonderful details that made their day unique!

Cocktail hour at the Westin... it was gorgeous lit up with tons of candlelight.

Beautiful flowers by John Duffy at Yellow Door!
Adorable favor boxes-- filled with chocolates shaped like the Capitol building

Yum...
Wedding cake

Congratulations Jennifer & Brendan!

2007-11-09T04:55:00.000-08:00

More engagement pictures!!

Sheerin & Adam had these amazing engagement pics taken by Chris Baltazar. They are so much fun... hilarious and sweet... I am sure Chris had a blast shooting these pictures!

2007-11-07T09:04:00.000-08:00

Katie & Ray

These two are getting married next summer at the beautiful Meridian House in DC. Don't they look like J. Crew models?

Thank you to their wonderful photographer, Matthew Worden for these great shots!! :)

2007-10-23T08:49:00.000-07:00

LelyCo Events goes on the road!

LelyCo Events will be closed October 24- October 28 and again from November 1- 5 for Destination Weddings... we will have limited access to email and voicemail but we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Here is a sneak peak of one of our stops....

photo hospitality.com

2007-10-18T11:48:00.000-07:00

Rachel and Jordan

Park Hyatt Washington
Photography by: Jon & Sarah McBride of Vantage Pictures

Rachel & Jordan's wedding at the Park Hyatt Washington was elegant and chic. From the first day I began working with Rachel and Jordan they had a clear vision of what they imagined for their day and it was wonderful to watch it all come together!

The ceremony was beautiful-- submerged orchids lined the aisle as they were married under a white chuppah covered in Jordan's tallis (prayer shall). The cocktail hour featured stations of foods from around the world-- Asian food (complete with fortune cookies!), a Mexican station, Mezze, and Antipasto stations... and the lavender colored signature martinis were a huge hit!

The ballroom glowed with shapes of cherry blossoms and branches reflected in purple lighting against the draped walls. The centerpieces were stunning... the band was great-- I am not exaggerating when I say there were times through out the night where NO ONE was in their seats!

And I cannot forget to mention one of my favorite ideas Rachel & Jordan had for their wedding reception--- a sundae station! Brownies, sprinkles, chocolate sundae served in adorable little sundae glasses! (oh and... instead of the standard wedding cake, their's was chocolate chip brownie instead of CAKE!). Lots of sweets for a very sweet couple (I'm cheesy I know, but its true!)

Mazel Tov, Rachel & Jordan!

2007-10-03T05:35:00.000-07:00

Mao + Chris!

Mao + Chris! I love these two! They were married this past Sunday at the Four Seasons in Georgetown and their wedding was gorgeous! A perfect day for a ceremony in the hotel's courtyard, followed by cocktails outside by the C&O Canal and then into the Corcoran Ballroom for an evening of delicious food and non-stop dancing.

Chris is an awesome local wedding photographer ....I know my clients who are working with him will be excited to see these pics! :-)

Photos below by the wonderfully-talented-fun-to-work-with, Kate Triano:

2007-10-02T05:14:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Jennifer & Martin!

Dominion Valley Country Club

Photos by: Len Spoden

Jennifer & Martin were married September 22nd at the Dominion Valley Country Club in Haymarket, VA. It was a perfect day for an outdoor ceremony. The ceremony and reception were decorated in beautiful fall inspired colors of eggplant and chocolate brown. Kirkabees played great music all night and Manassas Cakery created a modern, white frosted cake dotted with purple orchids.

It was a beautiful evening with heartfelt toasts and memorable moments. Jennifer & Martin made quizzes for the guest tables with questions about how they met and other details about their life together. Jennifer & Martin are a kind and down-to-earth couple- you could truly feel the warmth of love their guests had for them on this happy occasion!

2007-09-18T12:47:00.000-07:00

Random photos of some of our past weddings & events!! Enjoy!

Photos above by Matthew Worden

Photographs above by www.RodneyBailey.com

It is hard to see, but in the above are customized cigars for the guys and Godiva chocolate cigars for their dates that we had created for an alumni association's 10th anniversary event. They were a big hit!

Photographs above by Domino Arts and Imagine Pro

2007-09-12T06:09:00.000-07:00

Love it!
I just had to post these engagement pics Kate Triano shot of my clients Mao & Chris....they absolutely reflect how fun and cute these two are together....

2007-09-03T07:18:00.000-07:00

LelyCo Events is featured this month in Washington Woman magazine about destination weddings in their article, "Destination Anywhere!" Check us out in the September issue, you can pick up a copy at most DC area Whole Foods and Borders Books, see their website for other locations - www.WashingtonWoman.com.

2007-08-19T07:52:00.000-07:00

Jennifer & Brian

A Colonial Style Wedding

Photos by Glenn Barnett Photography

Jennifer & Brian were married at Blessed Sacrament Church in Alexandria followed by a beautiful reception at the Mt. Vernon Inn! Their reception started with a cocktail hour in the garden and then guests moved inside for a true American style meal complete with cherry pie! Light pink and chocolate brown were their colors and they were found in everything from the bridesmaids dresses to the favors. Ivory and pink roses and calla lilies were used in the centerpieces and Jennifer's beautiful bouquet. The dance floor was packed all evening and the Inn looked beautiful lit up at night.

What a wonderful couple! Best wishes Jennifer & Brian from LelyCo Events!

2007-08-03T04:57:00.000-07:00

Blogs I love!

Check them out......

Style Me Pretty

Faye & Greer

The Preppy Wedding

2007-07-13T11:47:00.000-07:00

It has been crazy over here-- I was slammed with weddings in May & June (I know, I still have some I need to post about!! :) ) and my 2008 clients are busy bees booking venues and vendors... picking out color schemes, invitations, linens, dresses, etc. etc. I am enjoying every minute of both aspects-- helping my clients through the process as well as being on-site to see the whole picture come together.

As my clients know... I REALLY love speciality linens...here are a few of my faves right now from BBJ Linens (bbjlinens.com) :

2007-06-19T11:53:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Kirsten & Mike!

Photos by Daniel R. Peppel of Portraits of Life Kirsten and Mike had an amazing, beautiful wedding at Lowe's Island Club in the Cascades. Their colors: pink, black, and white and a polka dot patterned followed through out. Each table had a beautifully uplit centerpiece of submerged pink tulips with scattered petals. In lieu of table numbers they named each table for a golf course or golf player in honor of Mike's love of golf and their reception's golf course location! Kirsten wore a stunning white silk dupioni gown and her bridesmaids wore black silk dupioni tea length dresses.

They had a very memorable getaway!!! At the end of the night, guests lined the entrance of the country club holding lit sparklers as Kirsten and Mike escaped to their "Just Married" golf cart!

Kirsten and Mike-- congratulations from LelyCo Events-- you and your families were truly a joy and honor to work with!!!

2007-06-19T11:51:00.000-07:00

Great find for bridesmaids and hostess gifts!

Click here to visit Blue Tulip!

They have great totes, jewelry, gourmet food baskets and tons of items that can be personalized.

Some of our favorites:

Beach Accessories Basket-- filp flops, "wet bikini" bag, and beach friendly wristlet-- perfect for a bridesmaids gift at a beach wedding!

For a "garden party" themed bridal shower: Chocolate truffle flowerpots!

And for the wonderful hostesses of your bridal shower or other events this trio of beautiful scented candles.

Enjoy! :)

2007-03-06T12:51:00.000-08:00

Check Out This Amazing Wedding Style Blog:

StyleMePretty.com

StyleMePretty.com has amazing tips and ideas for brides with information on everything from fashion to flowers to favors and more. Invitation designer, Abby Jean is the host of the blog and creates beautiful "Inspiration Boards" for brides like the one below she created for my client, Mary's Summer 2008 Pink & Green wedding (Big thanks to Mary for introducing me to this great site!).

Top Row: Martha Stewart flowers, pink party dress by Milly, over-sized table cards; Center Row: Cake on Wedding Style, China featured on Domino, Dress by Judd Waddell on Brides; Bottom Row: pink flowers on Brides, Heidi wrapping paper, Stationery by Sugar Paper

2007-02-13T08:24:00.000-08:00

I heart slideshows!

There is no better way to show off your amazing wedding memories then with a slideshow set to music. When I see a great slideshow from a wedding (even ones I did not attend!) I feel that I was there through the whole day... its an amazing way to watch the story of your day unfold.

Check out this one from Rodney Bailey:

http://www.rodney-bailey.com/lelycoevents

2007-02-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

Personalized Paper Products!

Some of my favorite wedding/event related items are all of the amazing paper products that you can find to personalize your day. A great way to weave a couple's personality through a wedding is by selecting a motif or monogram to use on everything from the programs to the menus to the favor boxes.

I recently visited Lynne Sandler of Lettering by Lynne and was absolutely astonished at everything she has available... personalized napkins... out-of-towner boxes and bags with matching water bottle labels and snack boxes... beveled, engraved, letterpress and thermography invitations...programs...placecards...seating charts... calligraphy...

I could go on and on...

And not only does she have an amazing selection... the items she has are beautiful and can be customized with special fonts and colors.

If you are the type of person that has a vision in your mind of what you are looking for or have not found something that fits what you want... Check out HiliBanjo.com . She has an amazing talent of creating customized invitations, programs, save the dates and just any printed item you could imagine! She can arrange for any type of printing and paper for the designs she creates. Here is a sample of one of her designs... check out her website for more.

2007-01-19T06:14:00.000-08:00

This year's wedding trend---

the popular wedding date!!! 7/7/07!

Couples Choosing 7/7/07 As Their Wedding Date For Extra Dose Of Luck

January 18, 2007 8:34 p.m. EST
Nidhi Sharma - All Headline News Staff Writer

Sacramento, CA (AHN) - Though marriages are made in heaven, the dates can be decided on Earth, especially if it's as lucky as 7/7/07. In a bid to have a string of lucky sevens in their wedding date, the prospective brides and grooms are choosing July 7 or 7/7/07 - as the date appears in print, to get married. Since number seven has long been associated with luck, the couples believe that having all the number sevens in their anniversary date would give them an extra dose of luck.

According to wedding planners, the date is gaining popularity in every state of U.S. Thousands of churches and reception sites have been booked in advance by couples who hope to begin wedded bliss on the lucky date.

AP quotes Tonya Simmons, wedding specialist with Boomtown Casino Hotel on the outskirts of Reno, as saying, "It's the most popular date - ever."
Many believe the popularity of date is due to recent interest in numerology. The increased demand for a particular date will also drive up costs for everything from caterers to florists.

Furthermore, a lot of prospective brides hope this particular date - 7/7/07 will help their husbands to remember their wedding anniversaries.

Personally, I think its for the reason they mention at the bottom!

Thanks to my Aunt for sending along this article! :)

2006-12-16T16:43:00.000-08:00

Viva Las Vegas!

I am here in the "Wedding Capital of the World" aka Las Vegas. Every year 100,000 couples get married in Vegas (source: Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce). When it comes to weddings in Vegas... anything goes! From Elvis impersonator-performed ceremonies to costumed Roman solidiers welcoming guests (I saw this today!) the sky is the limit in Las Vegas.

Photo credit Caesars Palace

I had the opportunity to see a few of the wedding chapels at Caesar's Palace and they are beautiful. Caesar's Palace has a team of 10+ wedding coordinators that execute every last detail of your day and everything is pre-packaged so decision making is simple.

Photo credit ElvisChapel.com

For all of the info on Las Vegas weddings checks out http://www.lasvegasweddinginformer.com/

http://www.lvchamber.com/wedding/

2006-11-28T10:29:00.000-08:00

Invitations are here!

We have partnered with Checkerboard to bring you invitations, save the dates, announcements and othe printed paper products. The site allows you to order samples and view a preview of your invitation instantly!

Check out a few of our favorites:

Something Modern

Loving Letterpress! - and this one too!

A Classic

Floral

Ok, I could go on and on for days-- check out the site, there is something for everyone and every budget!

2006-11-12T12:58:00.000-08:00

" 'Tis the season... to get engaged!"

With Thanksgiving and the rest of the winter holidays around the corner I was reminded of an article I saw last year about the stats of holiday season engagements. 'Tis the Season to Get Engaged by Buck Wolf reported that, "November and December account for 26 percent of marriage proposals.." Also, check out the article to read about a few interesting proposals!

A few other wedding stats I ran across:

~ August is the most popular month to have a wedding

~ Today's brides worry most about going over budget, but are most willing to splurge on a great photographer.

~ The average bride was 22 in 1980, 25 in 1990, and 25.1 today.

Check out this link for more Wedding Stats & Trends from Hallmark.

2006-11-02T09:15:00.000-08:00

Hot off the Press!

Check out LelyCo Events in the Fairfax County Times bridal section this month! We are featured in the "Strike Up the Band" article. Pick up the insert for great ideas and local wedding resources.

2006-11-01T16:45:00.000-08:00

Featured Event

Photos by www.RodneyBailey.com

Jennifer & Ernest's Wedding
Dominion Valley Country Club~ Haymarket, VA

An outdoor ceremony was planned on the lawn overlooking the pond, golf course, and hills of Virginia. As dark clouds loomed later in the day we were unsure if we would be able to proceed with the outdoor ceremony. As the planner, I coordinated with the country club to postpone the set up for as long as possible. I knew my bride had envisioned her ceremony to take place on the lawn and I wanted to her dream day that she had imagined. Meanwhile, Carly from Affordable Arrangements set up the ceremony flowers (wreaths tied with chocolate brown ribbon with an accent of hypercium berries and bags of ivory rose petals) indoors in case of any sudden change of weather. Finally, we decided togo forward and set up outdoors and hope that the weather held out.

As guests began to arrive, they mingled outdoors and found their seats as the talented Chris Dunn played music on his guitar. The weather was still a bit cloudy outside when the processional began. As Jennifer and her father exited the building to walk down the aisle, the sun appeared and put a "spotlight" on their beautiful ceremony.

The reception was quite the party! The ballroom looked classic and elegant with centerpieces of tall calla lilies. The band, Carte Blanche, kept the dance floor filled all night - the bandleader, Ira, did an amazing job as the MC. The guests feasted on delicious crab cakes and filet mignon and a chocolate fondant "skyscraper" from Manassas Cakery. The cake uniquely tied together their colors by having metallic peach and ivory "windows" on the tall chocolate brown treat! Godiva chocolate bars covered in peach, ivory, and brown graphic paper flanked the cake.

As you can tell by the wonderful work of the photographer, Tabatha Luskey, one of Rodney Bailey's associates- it was an incredible day! It was a joy to work with Jennifer, Ernest, and their families!

Details that made the day:

~ Weaving the colors of ivory, peach, and chocolate brown through everything: the programs, flower girl's dresses, the ceremony decor and favors.

~ Jennifer's Vera Wang sheath was gorgeous. She wore a 50's era "pouf" veil that was stylish and unique.

~ Their cake by Manassas Cakery was made to look like a skyscraper, a nod to city where they met... New York City.

~ The family made a candle lit, Martha Stewart-esque picture display of wedding photos of their parents and grandparents.

Congratulations Jennifer & Ernest!

More pictures:

2006-10-28T06:07:00.000-07:00

Brides & Grooms Against Breast Cancer

Today is the DC area Brides Against Breast Cancer gown sale!
If you were unable to make it, check out other dates and cities on their website http://www.makingmemories.org/calendar_of_events.html .

Also, check out other ways you can support the fight against breast cancer with Grooms Against Breast Cancer http://www.makingmemories.org/grooms_against_breast_cancer.html or create a Pink Bridal Shower, check out information here: http://pinkenvelopeproject.org/pep_bridal_shower.html.

Check out this link to see how you can support the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation by giving donation cards as favors at your wedding reception http://pinkenvelopeproject.org/pep_wedding_reception.html .

2006-10-17T16:33:00.000-07:00

Frequently Asked Questions regarding Wedding Planners and LelyCo Events

1. Why should I hire a wedding planner? My hotel/venue has a wedding coordinator do I still need a planner?

As your wedding planner, I will help you create, plan, organize and execute a successful wedding. It is my job to make sure that your wedding day is perfect and goes just as planned. I will visit your vendors with you to make sure that they understand exactly what you envision for your wedding day. The wedding planning process is an emotional one and it is important to have a planner to make sure the process goes smoothly. The job of a hotel/venue Wedding Coordinator on the day-of is just like any other vendor, to take care of their piece of the puzzle. They will be making sure the food and space are in order, and if it is a hotel, they will be helping with your hotel room block and other guest requests. The best way to put it is, as your planner, I oversee the entire puzzle.

2. What makes LelyCo Events unique? What is your experience?

I plan events and weddings because its something that I love. Many wedding planners take on as many weddings as they can, I only take a limited number of clients a year. I want to know every detail, memorized as if it were my own wedding. I will give my complete attention to each client without being spread too thin between many clients. I am here to be your advocate, assistant, and often times problem-solver!

I have been working in the events industry for 8+years. I have worked on planning and executing conferences, celebrity charity events, radio station stunts/events, private events, etc. Also, I have a Master's Degree from the George Washington University with a concentration in Event & Meeting Management. You can read more about my experience on our website, http://www.lelyco.com/.

Also, I am a recent bride! In March 2006 I married my wonderful husband Seth in Tampa, Florida. I understand the stress and pressure of being a bride. I also understand that there is a BIG difference between ivory and white and that it is important to match everything to a certain shade of green! So your requests are not crazy to me! I even hired a Wedding Planner for myself and it was 100% the best wedding decision I made!

3. What is a design brainstorming session?

These are a series of meetings where we create the look, feel, and design of your event. We will start with talking about what you imagine it will look like as your guests enter. We will bounce ideas around until we create a vision for your day. We will work to weave your colors, theme, or feel through out the entire event without making it cheesy or overdone. The final product is simple, elegant and unique.

4. What is your pricing? Can you customize packages?

Day-of coordination (which begins about 4 weeks before the wedding) begins at $1,250.00 depending on the complexity and size of the wedding, please contact us for pricing information for other planning packages . Every client is unique and has different needs so we customize packages for each client.

For more details on our packages visit the Social Events page at http://www.lelyco.com/, click on each package to see what services are included. Please contact us for more information at Info@LelyCo.com.

5. Once I have hired a planner, what happens next?

We will meet and discuss your wedding so that I can get a better understanding of where you are in the planning process. You may have just gotten engaged and have no idea where to start or you may have booked a few vendors but are unsure what to do next. We will put together a budget plan and begin/finalize booking major vendors. From there I will help you coordinate the details from invitations to entertainment to transportation. As your planner I will be at your side through out the process and on the day-of to ensure that your vision is realized.

2006-10-15T09:37:00.000-07:00

Wedding Trends and Tips!

The After Party!

Many couples are planning parties after their weddings. Some of the parties are just a continuation of the reception and they hire a DJ to take over after the band or have the current DJ to stay later and change the music to more "club" type music. Other couples are having parties in hotel hospitality suites. We have seen couples have gourmet Jell-O shots with a menu that names each Jell-O flavor after different members of the bridal party.

Items to consider:

How late will my venue allow me to keep my ballroom- will there be an extra charge for a few more hours?

Closing time? Do I need to extend the bar service? If so, should I include beer, wine and liquor or limit it to beer/wine only or you can order a limited number of signature drinks?

Noise! If you have a party in your hotel hospitality suite, make sure to let your hotel contact know. Keep the noise to a minimum because you do not want to disturb other guests in the hotel.

Late night snack: consider ordering pizza, donuts (Krispy Kreme will deliver with a minimum order), or warm chocolate chip cookies and shot glasses of milk. You can also use this idea to give guests as they exit your reception.

Unique Tables

Brides are looking for unique ways to decorate their tables.... some are choosing colorful linens, personalized menus, and some are having their florists create different centerpieces for each table.

Ideas:

Alternating tall and short centerpieces on each table

Some brides choose to have unique cakes as centerpieces - this is actually a great idea for budget brides-- you have your centerpiece and cake all in one!

Colorful linens are a great way to pull together your wedding colors without breaking the bank. You can even use your venues ivory or white linens and then spice it up with a bright colored napkin!

The New Guestbook

There are many alternatives to the traditional guestbook. We are seeing everything from customized photo books that guests can autograph to "wishing wells" where guests can leave special notes for the newlyweds. Some couples choose other items to be signed that reflect something about them such as a giant bottle of wine for wine lovers, a poster of the college where they met, or engraved platter to display in their home. A framed matted engagement picture is a great traditional option to collect your guests signatures.

Mini Hors d'oeuvres & Desserts

Instead of getting bigger, things are getting smaller! Mini grilled cheese sandwiches with shot glasses of tomato soup to entire displays of desserts like mini creme brulee and mini tartlets are hot at weddings. Some couples are asking the cake bakers to create mini versions of their cake or cakes that looks like gifts to be placed at each guests seat.

2006-10-10T09:26:00.000-07:00

A-List 2006 DC's Best

LelyCo Events was a nominee in the "Best Wedding Planner" category of the WUSA Channel 9 A List Washington DC's Best Local Businesses.