Events to a T

Seychelles I Do – $100

zappos

An all while wedding or party can look so clean and crisp. I love idea of all that white against white, linen, plates, flowers, it can look so expensive and glamorous!

Wedding Planning

Onedaybox

Bridal Banter

Hostess with the Mostess

Manolo for the Brides

Bellissima Vita

pinterest

Wish Upon a Wedding has a new website, check it out and get involved!

Join Hitched Salon Thursday, July 21st or Thursday, August 18th for Hitched Styling Night featuring accessories by Enchanted Atelier from 5-8pm. RSVP: 202.333.6162 or appointments@hitchedsalon.com

Meet Sprinkles Cupcakes founder Candace Nelson July 13 3-5pm, July 14 1-3pm at Sprinkles DC or July 14 5-7pm at Sprinkles Congressional Cupcake Wars in the Rayburn HOB Foyer.

Brenda’s Wedding Blog is giving away a wedding garter from La Gartier

Hostess with the Mostess is giving away personalized stationary from TearDrop Weddings. So cute!

Junebug Weddings is giving away 8 place settings from Mikasa!

Yesterday I was walking down the street and I saw this yard with pinwheels spinning around happily and it made me so happy. I forgot how much I love pinwheels and how much I have all of my life! They can add such a carefree, colorful, whimsical feel to any event and can be used in so many capacities!  I must learn to make them immediately!

the knot

wedding window

esty

odelma

You are just my cup of tea

Manolo for the Brides

Ginger Designs

As You Wish

Tamryn Kirby

Contemporary Bride

I love the look of an entire wedding party (ok bridesmaids) in white or ivory or something close to white. I think it looks so chic! I don’t believe there are many brides willing to give up the tradition of being the only one in white. But if you are one of those brides, you can create an ultra chic look that is amazing!

David Wittig

the knot

weddingbee

Twirl Talk

Examiner

Many couples feel very strongly that they do not want to see one another before the wedding. I love this tradition and believe there is nothing like seeing your grooms face for the first time while you are walking down the aisle. However, when you are thinking about your timeline and where you can fit in all of the portraits you need, sometimes it is just smarter to see each other before hand. But worry not, the new trend of the “first look photo” can still capture your wonderful moment!

Emily DeWan Photography

Kate McElwee

pinterest

Wedding Dresses

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pinterest

pinterest

Green Wedding Shoes

Valentino Pearl Bow D’Orsay Pump – $995.00

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flickr

Hold an event for 15 guests or more at Smith & Wollensky before September 18th and we’ll include a Complimentary Charcuterie board for you and your guests.

With their Sunshine on Sale package, you can steal away for an extra night at Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina. Now through December 31, 2011, book two nights and get the THIRD NIGHT FREE.

Hitched Sample Sale Soiree Thursday, July 14th, from 5pm-8pm [first-come, first-served—no appointment necessary!] Although no appointment is necessary, please RSVP to info@hitchedsalon.com.

Savvy Deets Bridal is giving away a $50 coupon to Beau  Coup

Christos Trunk Show at Hitched Salon July 15th-July 23rd, 2011 [appointments during normal Hitched business hours. Please remember all gown trials are by appointment only!] RSVP: 202.333.6162 or  appointments@hitchedsalon.com

Brenda’s Wedding Blog is giving away a $75 shopping spree at Precious Invitations

No, not THAT F word…FRIEND.  As in -  Planner: “do you have a photographer yet?” Client: “my friend will be doing that”.  Cue ringing in our ears and our hearts dropping. When a planner hears “my friend will be doing that” what we instantly fear is a. no contract, b. no experience (or no paid experience anyway), c. limited understanding of how to work with other vendors and their mutual client, d. no communication with them prior to the event, e. a disappointed client.

Of course I’m making very broad strokes here and I want to point out that I had a recent client whose friend did her makeup and she looked beautiful. That being said I’ve had more clients who used friends for photography, videography, DJ, flowers and their results were not what they hoped for. Nor what I had hoped for for that matter. As a planner, we count on all of the other vendors to come through (and vice-versa it is a collective effort) to make a wonderful event for our client.  We count on photographers to know exactly how much time they need to get all of the family photos done and to provide photos to other vendors as a way to prove their perishable work. Same with all of the other vendors, we need them to understand how long it will take them to set up, etc. We all count on one another to be professionals and when someone is not, everyone has a problem.

The problems with the “F” word don’t stop there and are more importantly about the clients who use their friends. We understand that planning a wedding is not cheap and everyone wants to save money any way they can here and there. So if your friend wants to get into videography and has the equipment, why not use them right? What if you are disappointed in your video? Can you tell your friend that? Even if you’ve paid them, would you feel comfortable complaining? Will it hurt your friendship in the end? And what if you didn’t pay and you don’t like something, then do you have the right to complain? What if it isn’t your friend, but your friend’s friend, will your friend be offended if you don’t like their friend’s work after they’ve tried to help you out?

The bottom line is that everyone wants to save money, but do you want to do so at the risk of your wedding or event? Everyone has to start somewhere and I will forever be grateful to my first clients. However, be realistic about what is important to you. If you don’t really care that much about the music and you know your friend is competent and you can put them in touch with your planner, then go for it, save yourself some money. But if flowers are the most important thing to  you, then trust that task to a professional. Doing something right the first time will always save  you  money in the long run!

Amanda and Memo were married in May at Glenview Mansion, but traveled from Nicaragua for the wedding. The bride (who is from the area) and the groom (who is from Nicaragua) run a wonderful organization there through their church. They were so laid back and full of joy throughout the entire planning process, despite being so far away. Their families and friends could not have been happier for them and constantly mentioned what wonderful people Amanda and Memo are.

The ceremony and reception included touches of their home in Nicaragua with bowls for communion they brought from home, their friend playing a song in Spanish on his guitar, the toasts were translated into Spanish and the favors were the couple’s favorite coffee beans from home. They also brought their own rum from Nicaragua and their specialty cocktail was a mojito.

Congratulations Amanda & Memo!

Casey Templeton Photography

Casey Templeton Photography

Casey Templeton Photography

Casey Templeton Photography

Casey Templeton Photography

Casey Templeton Photography

Casey Templeton Photography

Casey Templeton Photography

Casey Templeton Photography

Casey Templeton Photography

Casey Templeton Photography

Planner: Events to a T, Photography: Casey Templeton Photography, Ceremony Venue: Damascus United Methodist Church, Reception Venue: Glenview Mansion, Rentals: Capital Party Rentals, Cake: Fluffy Thoughts, Catering: Festive Foods, DJ: Brennan Sullivan, Flowers: EDGE Flowers