Last Weekend of the Summer

Well this is the last weekend of the summer, I can't believe next week is October. I love the summertime and usually dread fall because it means winter is around the corner.

But once fall does arrive I am reminded about how great it is. Nights get a little cooler, the mums are blooming and everyone is excited about carving pumpkins.

I noticed that my neighbors are putting out fall and/or Halloween decorations. So what is your favorite thing about the fall? the changing colors, the cooler temps, caramel apples - post a comment and let me know!!

New Gallery on Website

Gretchen and Jeff were married on May 12, 2007. Regeti's Photography did an amazing job capturing the moments at this wedding.


Check out Elegant Engagements Web page for the entire gallery of pictures.
www.elegantengagements.com 'Simple, Elegant, Outstanding'

Congrats to the couple who is expecting their first child in the spring!

Amy and Todd Happily Married

The Moon was sitting perfectly in the sky next to the Washington Monument Saturday night as guests danced the night away on the portico at DAR. Amy and Todd were married in a beautiful ceremony at St. Johns then guests dined on exquisite food from Occasions Caterers at the O'Byrne Gallery at DAR.

As soon as I get pictures from the photographer Carl Bower I will post them.

Enjoy Maui and Kauai Todd and Amy!!!

Ceremony Music

I came across a list of popular ceremony songs, even added a few of my own. Look beyond Canon in D....

Read through it and if you have any more suggestions or want to rave about your favorites, please leave a comment!

Bridal party or mothers processional:
Air on a G String, Bach
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Bach
Spring, Vivaldi

Brides processional:
Trumpet Voluntary, Clarke
Bridal Chorus, Wagner
Trumpet Tune, Purcell

Lighting Unity Candle:
Ave Maria, Schubert
When I Fall in Love, Nat King Cole
Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Recessional:
Wedding March, Mendelssohn
Rejouissance, Handel
Ode to Joy, Beethoven

Also please remember the proper way to write out the song and composer in a program is song then composer, separated by a comma.

Vera Wang at Khols

So have you heard - Vera Wang is now selling accessories and apparel at Khols. So maybe you didn't get that Vera Wang wedding gown but you can wear Vera Wang!

Check out her coverlets for your bed or even a great black handbag.

Many items are on sale this week-

www.khols.com

Sarah and Ariel

I don't think I have ever seen a couple more in love. Saturday night Sarah and Ariel made everyone want to be in love and to dance! Their wedding reception was at the Westin Gateway in Arlington. Westin's are always ready to do something different, for example they found this industrial shelving unit for me so we could display the cocktail hour food, check out the cool fork display.

The wonderful couple met salsa dancing and got to show off a little for a few dances at the reception. They looked incredible gliding across the floor together.

Sarah used a color pallet of gold and wine with touches of orange. Between the uplighting, the mix of square and round tables, the monogrammed gobo on the dance floor and the matching menus and escort cards to the amazing food and service this was one amazing event. To top off the great evening the guests made take away candy boxes from the candy buffet. Even adults like to remember being a kid once in a while.

Fun for Philly Brides

I was looking through a local Brides Magazine and came across 2 very cool and very Philadelphia type ideas.

What doesn't say The City of Brotherly Love other then the soft Pretzel and Yummy Gelato!

Philly Soft Pretzel Factory is now offering pretzels to be served at your reception and they will even customize them with your names and wedding date. Very reasonably priced.

Capogiro Gelato Artisans will put a cart at your reception and serve your guests. They have 346 flavors to pick from, how about a white chocolate or a raspberry. Rental fees start at $1000.

I think these are two great ways to add another layer of personalization to your wedding.

Southern Guide to the Perfect Wedding 3

The Wedding Cake - made the central point of the wedding reception. Long before Martha Stewart the southerners were making a statement using the wedding cake. Set on a table with beautiful heirloom linens surrounded by flowers, for all to admire.

Originally a symbol of fertility and feeding each other was the first act the bride and groom did together as a married couple. Recently many brides felt the cake was an afterthought, just something they have to have. I think the importance of the cake is coming back around, more and more brides are caring about how it tastes and making sure it is decorated a bit over the top and matches the rest of the reception decor.

In reading the book I was reminded about the history of the wedding cake. It was customary to send the guests home with a piece of cake in little boxes wrapped up in a bow. For little girls this was very exciting - they would go home and put it under their pillow for good luck.

1 Year Anniversary

Well I can't believe it - where has the last year gone?? Today is our one year wedding anniversary.

Here is a recap photo video from our special day from Annette Baudeloque - Classic Creations Photography

CLICK HERE

Or a recap of our wedding video from Blue Sky Films
CLICK HERE

Married Life is sooo Great!! Here is to another 49 years!

Its Also Baby Season

There are so many of my friends that are having babies this fall.
It kicked off Friday with my friend Emilie - www.emilieduncan.com, a wedding planner in Ohio. She gave birth to a beautiful baby Elizabeth Jane on Friday.

So what do you send a new mom? There is this great lady in PA that makes these cool diaper cakes. She uses pampers diapers and can make them in any color you want (pink and green, yellow, blue and brown etc). They are filled with goodies and the 'flowers' on top are baby booties!!

So I sent one to Emilie - to enjoy table top or to gradually take apart to find what is hidden inside. Congrats to Emilie and Randy on your new little baby Ellie.

(For more information on how you can purchase one of these let me know.)

Reception Advice

I had a bride recently ask me for some advice on how to spend time with her family and friends at the reception and still have fun.

Your guests come to the wedding to see you and your new husband so don't leave each other's sides!! Go visit family and friends together, dance together. Your guests will take your lead and feed off your happiness.

Stay together and they will come to you. I always find it weird when the bride is out dancing and the groom is outside. Its your wedding - enjoy together!

Wedding Graffiti #3

As you know I simply LOVE Wedding Graffiti!







I think this is a great idea if you are planning to do a 'wedding get away' and if your guests will see the car or limo during the daytime!

The name and logo are just $30
The Just Married and names are just $59

What a great detail to add to your big day!

The Busy Season

The month of September is a time for lots of changes but also a back to normalcy. Kids go back to school, routines pick up and wedding season is in full gear. Sept an Oct are as popular wedding months as May and June, probably because of the beautiful weather and the guaranteed color schemes.

I am most excited about September for 2 reasons - I was married one year ago in Sept and I have 3 awesome brides this Sept. Their weddings are going to be so fun. Their colors range from golds and wines, to black and red and finally navy; very unique to each couple and definitely OUT OF THE BOX.

More to come on them and I promise to post pictures.