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.

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.

 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!

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

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?

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

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

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

Wedding Flip Book by Celeste Studios | InsideWeddings.com

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)

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

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

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!

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

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.

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.

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

DCCWC 2nd Annual Luxury Wedding Event!

February 6, 2010

at the Stephen Decatur House

$35 tickets

Register HERE!

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....

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!

Featured in Brides Washington!

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

Check it out!