RECAP 2015 Capital Bridal Affair - Photography by Rodney Bailey

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On March 1, 2015 Favored Owner Yodit Gebreyes and one of our Favored Brides attended the Capital Bridal Affair (CBA) and Fashion Show at The Mayflower DC. If you have never been there, it is a beautiful hotel located downtown near the White House and the perfect venue for a luxury wedding. In October, we have the privilege of planning a wedding there and the CBA was the perfect event to get our brides creative juices flowing.

The official photographer was Rodney Bailey who has been voted the “Top Wedding Photojournalist” by Washingtonian Magazine since 1999. For more on Rodney Bailey and to see more of his amazing work, check out his website here: http://www.rodneybailey.com/index2.html#intro/home

 

 

 

#ThrowbackThursday: Wedding Trends Then and Now

The 1990′s The 1990′s was another decade of fashion change. The early 1990′s held onto some of the same styles, but as the years progressed, the styles became a little sexier and less traditional. Rock & Roll was the primary influence that changed this time period, slowly doing away with the big veil and long sleeved, modest wedding dress.

The early 2000′s

This is where personality prevails. The idea of making your wedding day your own has become more acceptable, and for good reason; it’s your day! As the years progress, creativity and using inspiration from years past, and future, has become more acceptable. Whether your invasion of the perfect wedding day is with all of the glitz and glamour or a casual picnic in the park, make it your own!

Here are some top trends shaping weddings now.

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Dramatic Opulence

Professionals are predicting a return to formality and dramatic opulence. “Say goodbye to Mason jars and burlap, and say hello to caviar and elegance,” says South Florida-based party planner Sara Renee Lowell . “Wedding vendors are sick of couples bringing in the same rustic, vintage inspiration photos. Opulence is in.”

Which means the return of dramatic floral arrangements on pedestals, gleaming candelabras, and loads of professional lighting (translation: no more simple strands of café lights). For a recent wedding, New York event designer David Stark created a luxurious reception with a formal French garden theme: Sculpted hedges around the perimeter of the venue and structured dinner table centerpieces were juxtaposed against a lush, romantic canopy of flowers and glowing lanterns suspended overhead.

Pictured: David Stark created a formal French garden theme for a recent wedding reception.

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Social Media Bans

With a smartphone in nearly every guest’s purse or pocket, wedding-day photos are almost guaranteed to appear in real time on social media sites. But more and more couples are politely restricting smartphone usage during the ceremony using cleverly worded signage (displayed at the venue’s entrance or printed in the ceremony program), as well as verbal reminders from the officiant.

“We’re going to see more and more ‘unplugged’ ceremonies in 2014,” says Renny Pedersen, Chicago wedding planner.. “Nothing is worse than seeing a beautiful photograph of the bride walking down the aisle marred by a bunch of cameras and iPhones. This way, the wedding photographer is able to get the most important shots, without any unobstructed views.” Bonus: Guests will also be more present during the ceremony. 

Pictured: A printed chalkboard sign by DesignSmithPaperArts asked guests to keep their smartphones and cameras in check. 

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Tapas-Style Tasting Plates

Family-style dinners were a huge trend last year, but they’re actually quite expensive to pull off, and the platters of food require significant table real estate, says Calder Clark of South Carolina-based Calder Clark Designs. So, what’s next? Bar-height tasting stations, where guests receive artfully plated, fork-friendly miniature meals prepared on the spot by stationside chefs. Experts say guests love the variety.

“Today’s couples are serious foodies, and they come bearing recipes and resolute memories from their favorite restaurants,” Clark says. “They want to include them in the reception, and there’s no easier way to do that than with the tasting plate—it’s petite, going back for seconds is totally kosher, and guests are able to be more experimental with unfamiliar foods.”

Pictured: For a wedding designed by Calder Clark, chef Johannes Klapdohr created an elegant tasting plate of Southern fried tomatoes drizzled with aged balsamic vinegar and accented with edible nasturtiums.

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Large Focal Points

Rather than decorating the reception with a slew of blink-and-you’ll-miss-’em D.I.Y. details, couples are more interested in decor that makes a statement. “The 2014 bride is ditching contrivances for oversize ‘wow’ factors like custom dance floors, vast patterned wall installations, and Versailles-worthy furnishings and lighting,” says Clark. “Our client is tired of littering seated tables with tchotchkes and is favoring the mantra ‘go big or go home’—in good taste, of course.”

As a result, couples are asking, “What will catch my guests’ attention when they walk in our tent?” Clark says. “Savvy couples realize that very few will remember custom-colored confetti packets at each place setting, but everyone will remember a nighttime ceremony lit only by 500 luminaries.”

Pictured: For recent wedding, Calder Clark designed an installation that served as a focal point: The 3-D wall was inlaid with boxwood topiaries arranged in a geometric pattern.

Source: Bizbash.com                                                                                                                                                                 Source: weddingsbylily.com

#ThrowbackThursday Taking it Back to the 1930s

We’re taking way back this week for Throwback Thursday; back to the 1930s!

        vintage style wedding gown

This vintage style wedding gown is sure to be a show stopper. Just look at those Jewels! All eyes will defiantly be on the bride when she walks down the aisle in this stunning piece.

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Add a little bling to the bride with this gorgeous brooch bouquet.

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Lets not forget about the bridal party! These ladies look stunning in their gowns.

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Photo by Jess Kornacki 

Capture the glamour of the 1930s with sleek and simple table settings. Mirrors, gold and crystal scream elegance!

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reception decor

You can go with either circular or rectangular guest tables for the reception. Round tables create a more intimate atmosphere where long tables create an open feeling. And don’t forget, lighting is everything! Placing candles on each table gives a space a more romantic vibe.

Flower purl cake

And what’s a party without cake? This beautifully crafted cake can serve as more than just a delicious desert. The elegant flowers and shimmering pearls can add to the decor of the wedding. Instead of having one large cake, try placing one of these as the center of each guest table. It’s sure to be a crowd pleaser!

Favors

These vintage dictionary word necklaces make the perfect party favor. You can customize each one by selecting your own word or phrase.

Now here are some tips on how to create your own 1930s themed dream wedding.

The Dress 

            If your thinking early 30’s then you need to be looking for a fitting flowing gown, and be considering slippery higher sheen fabrics. Cowl Necklines, curved trains and even medieval sleeves can be a major part of the overall look.              The most exciting thing about planning a 1930s wedding is choosing the clothing. You can either find genuine vintage pieces, or have reproductions made. Many bridal shops have brilliant selections of vintage style gowns, and you can find some specialists online that actually reproduce vintage wedding clothing.

 

Groom

Okay, so the bride is now perfectly dressed and ready to dazzle come the wedding day. What's left to complete the stunning vintage picture? Why, the groom of course!Making a comeback, popular tuxedo can be thought of as a much more modern wedding choice. In fact, during the 1920s and 1930s, the morning suit was the usual choice for weddings. It wasn't until the 1930s that the tuxedo began to work its way into acceptable wedding attire.Go trendy and pick up a tuxedo; they’re making a comeback anyway! The original vintage suits of this era are truly spectacular as well; if you can find one in your size, snap it up!

Venue/Entertainment

Use the entertainment of that era as inspiration to create a 1930s-themed wedding. The 30s was the golden era of the lindy hop, a type of swing dancing popular from 1935 to 1945. This exciting partner dance that features slides, jumps and throws is entertaining to watch, so if you are feeling adventurous you could hire professional lindy hop dancers as the entertainment for your wedding reception. Other popular dances from the 1930s include the foxtrot and the rumba. Take lessons to learn either of those dances and perform it as the first dance. Another option is to invite the wedding guests to join a conga line during the reception. Conga lines were popular in nightclubs in the 1930s so if it was ever time for a conga, it’s definitely at your 1930s wedding.