::Disclaimer!  The photos in this post are purely inspirational and not from events that Wish Special Events has planned or coordinated (except where noted).  We can re-create what you see below for your event but these are not a part of our portfolio::

I’m sad our week of fall posts is ending, I absolutely love Fall! Hopefully some of you will incorporate some of these ideas (and then send us the pictures!)

We’re finishing out the week with fall bouquets.  I have TONS of pictures, so let’s get started!

Better Homes and Gardens had a feature a while back that had some beautiful bouquets in it…

I love seed pods in bouquets…

As we’ve previously established, wheats and hays are great ways to add a fall element to your decor, so why not in your bouquet?

Photos Unscripted:

Photo by the amazing Becker:

Martha Stewart Weddings:

Some great fall bouquets from our friends, the Regetis:

And, to close it out, a few bouquets with my favorite fall flower (okay, I realize I said that about mums. How about my favorite fall bouquet flower?) Dahlias…

In Style Weddings:

Holly Heider Chapple Flowers:

Michael Norwood Photography:

Sarah K. Chen:

Thank you so much for following us this week for our fall extravaganza!  I hope you got some inspiration!

::Disclaimer!  The photos in this post are purely inspirational and not from events that Wish Special Events has planned or coordinated (except where noted).  We can re-create what you see below for your event but these are not a part of our portfolio::

Continuing on in our week of fall weddings, today we are focusing on the ceremony.  From the dresses to the accessories, to the decor, there are many ways to bring fall into your ceremony.

Let’s start with the attire.  Although many (almost all) dresses these days are either strapless or sleeveless, there can be quite a chill in that night air in the fall!  Etsy (Oh, how I love you, Etsy) is a great resource for a little cover up (or you can do like my bride Meghan did last October, and just borrow your planner’s coat!)

This gold scarf from Etsy seller larimeloom is a beautiful color for fall:

Or how about this GORGEOUS bolero from Etsy seller Bonzie:

I could go on and on about the wonders of Etsy, but get on there and see for yourself!

I’m not sure where the gold wraps in this photo from Parker Photographic came from, but they beautifully offset the girls’ brown dresses.

Speaking of the ladies, there are lots of great options for fall bridesmaids dresses:

Even the bride can add a fall touch to her dress.  For example, I am IN LOVE with this bride’s gold dress, featured on Little White Book!

Of course, the men can get in on the fall attire as well!

And don’t forget the kids, either!

Also for the little ones are their little accessories, such as ring bearer pillows:

Or baskets and pomanders for the flower girls.  I like the idea of them dropping leaves instead of flower petals.  Plus, if your wedding is outside, you probably won’t have to clean them up!:

Paper elements, such as programs and reserved seating signs, are also a good way to bring in your fall theme.

Regetis:

Kris Drake Photography:

Of course, we can’t forget about the ceremony decor…

How amazing is the mist coming off of this pond…

Kelley Photo and Design:

Jose Villa Photography:

Tomorrow, we’ll finish up our week of fall posts with fall bouquets — don’t miss it!

::Disclaimer!  The photos in this post are purely inspirational and not from events that Wish Special Events has planned or coordinated (except where noted).  We can re-create what you see below for your event but these are not a part of our portfolio::

Continuing with our WishCandy week of fabulous Fall, today we are focusing on Fall Centerpieces.  Centerpieces are one of the best ways to bring your theme into your wedding.  There are SO many gorgeous fall flowers and other fall elements, that there should be no shortage of amazing ideas for you!

Let’s start with the flowers, since most people think of flowers when they think of centerpieces.  I love fall flowers, because not only are they beautiful, often they’re more affordable!  (I don’t know why this is…you should probably ask a florist, or anyone who knows more about flowers than me; which is pretty much anyone).  Mums are one of my favorites, but pretty much any flower can be found in reds, oranges, and whatever colors make you think of fall!

Of course, it wouldn’t be fall without pumpkins! Big or small, pumpkins and gourds are a great way to add fall elements to your centerpiece.

Another great fall element to add to your centerpieces is apples.  Apples, again, can allow you to create a beautiful, but inexpensive, centerpiece.

Okay, this one probably wasn’t THAT inexpensive, but just think of how much it would be if you replaced all of those apples with flowers!  See what I mean?

Speaking of inexpensive, what about using leaves?  Talk about cheap, you can get them right from your yard!  (Okay, well, not my yard, we don’t really have trees, or much of a yard, but you know what I mean)  And it still looks elegant!

As I mentioned in the fall receptions post, wheat is also a beautiful, rustic element that can add to your table.

Kevin Monahan Photography:

And finally, here are a few more that just didn’t fit into any of the above categories, but are awesome fall centerpieces nonetheless!

What else do you think of when you think of fall centerpieces?

::Disclaimer!  The photos in this post are purely inspirational and not from events that Wish Special Events has planned or coordinated (except where noted).  We can re-create what you see below for your event but these are not a part of our portfolio::

Yesterday we started our week of fall wedding festivities.  Even though it’s summertime (or almost summertime) it’s time to start focusing on the details of those fall weddings!  Today we’re looking at various elements of the reception, from the decor to the favors (but not the centerpieces…they get a whole different post!)

Fall can lend itself to some really cute favors.  These boxes can be filled with candy or other treats.  Although in this photo they have the couple’s name and wedding date on them, they could also double as escort cards.

Fall is the perfect time to offer preserves as a treat.  Pumpkin and apple butter are two of my favorites!

Another delicious treat…Pumpkin bread!

If you have a fire pit, like I featured in Monday’s post, you could even have a fall favorite, s’mores!

Fall also lends itself to great ways for guests to find their seats in the form of escort cards.

L’Amour de Vie Photography:

Lisa Kyle Photography:

Martha Stewart Weddings:

Photography by Alexander:

And then, of course, there’s decor for the reception itself.  I think wheat can make a beautiful (and inexpensive) addition to a fall themed wedding…

I absolutely love cider, whether it’s the hard or non alcoholic version.  This cider bar, complete with pewter mugs, is amazing!

How cute is this picnic table?  And check out the pumpkins on the chandelier!

Table numbers can also be a good way to reflect fall elements…

Or these gorgeous floral initials, which decorated the back of the bride and groom’s chairs…

Food, of course, is a perfect highlight to the flavors of fall.  Think pumpkin soup, cranberries, heavier fall cheeses and fruits, and anything else that makes you think of the season!

And then there are the “finishing touches” that make the reception perfect, like the linens…

Parker Photographic:

The gift table…

M Benedicte Verely Photography

Or, even the cooler…

What fall elements are you putting into your reception?

::Disclaimer!  The photos in this post are purely inspirational and not from events that Wish Special Events has planned or coordinated (except where noted).  We can re-create what you see below for your event but these are not a part of our portfolio::

Yes, yes, I know.  Summer is upon us; I’m going to make a confession here.  I hate summer.  Okay, hate might be a strong word, but, well, it’s my least favorite season.  I know…blasphemy.  But, guys?  It’s hot.  I mean, really, really hot.  And I have big curly hair that does not do well in the heat.  And, as pretty much anyone who has ever met me can tell you, I get in a not so enticing mood when its hot.

Wait, what were we talking about?  Oh, right, my favorite season…FALL! Fall is football (Go Deacs!), sweaters, new pencils and notebooks, cider and pumpkins, hay rides and corn mazes.  Fall rules, no question.

Many couples are planning their fall weddings as we speak.  I mean, October is only 5 months away!  Brides are flipping through magazines, surfing the internet and right clicking on photos galore to show their florists, planners, moms and friends their inspiration.  So we thought we’d help them out by featuring an entire week of Wish Candy, focusing on fall weddings.  Today I’m just using random “fall inspiration” photos to give you an idea.  Later we’ll focus on centerpieces, bouquets, and other fall goodies!

I would love my bridesmaids (or maybe all the guests?) to go on a hayride, like in this photo from Valls Photographic:

I LOVE this fire pit; how cute to have a little fire pit at your wedding!  Of course, you’d probably have to have it on a private farm or something along those lines, I can’t imagine many wedding venues will allow a fire that size.

A fall wedding at home allows for some great decoration, such as these corn stalks and pumpkins.  Not to mention, you and your friends probably have a lot of decorations already in your attics and basements that you can use!

When I think fall, I think rustic barns.  I have been in love with this photo since the first time I saw it, although I have no idea where it’s from, its beautiful…

I love these simple candles from Martha Stewart – they can be used pretty much anywhere, and then reused in your home!

Also adorable from Martha! This garland, made of mini pumpkins and gourds.  I might just make this for my house this fall!

Join us tomorrow, when we talk about more fall wedding goodies!

The Washington Post is featuring wedding and engagement stories from couples in the DC area.  Do you have a unique engagement story or a beautiful wedding to share?  Email me to find out how you can be in the paper!

Nearly three weeks ago, Kelly & Jason tied the knot!  Kelly booked Wish for our Partial Planning services so we spent a lot of time working on the wedding together over the past year.  It’s always so fun to see ideas turned into reality on the wedding day!

Hollin Hall was chosen for the wedding for a couple of reasons.  First, this place has character!  The house sits on the property of the Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church and has been well-maintained over the years.  It definitely has some historic charm.  Second, there are beautiful manicured boxwood gardens behind the church.  There’s one particular section of the gardens that’s perfect for outdoor wedding ceremonies and features a pretty white garden gate.  Third, it’s affordable!  The property can be rented for MUCH less than many of the other wedding venues in the area (Collingwood Library, River Farm, and Mt. Vernon’s restaurant).

Unfortunately we’ve had a rainy start to wedding season in DC.  The forecast has been “scattered thunderstorms” for about a month now.  Nearly every Saturday has included a passing storm and it’s been tricky for those weddings with outdoor ceremonies.  In Kelly & Jason’s case, the rain threw off a few things.  Luckily we were still able to use the tent for the reception but the ceremony had to be moved inside at the last minute.  The chairs, ribbons, and floral pieces were all set before the first few drops started falling.  Then the skies opened up and it poured.  Kelly was a little crushed when we made the decision but I thought it turned out beautifully anyway.  Rev. Wesley Peyton performed an intimate ceremony and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.  Pillar candles on the mantle made the Fireplace Room at Hollin Hall glow.  It was so romantic:

Just after the ceremony, the weather broke and we were able to use the outdoor Wisteria Porch for cocktails.  Unfortunately I didn’t get a photo but you’d love this spot!  Behind the house there is a brick porch with an arbor completely covered in Wisteria vines.  Twinkling Christmas lights were woven in between the beams.  The flowers were blooming and fragrant….guests loved the spot and kept coming back there through the night.

Meanwhile, the reception tent is looking good on the front lawn of Hollin Hall.  The tent itself is from Rent-All Center in Alexandria.  The chairs came from our friends at Party Rental, Ltd.  Splendid Fare Catering did a wonderful job setting things up:

Our bride Kelly made these pretty table numbers out of unique greeting cards!  The back side of each made a fun conversation piece for the guests.  The beautiful floral centerpieces are from Barbara at Growing Wild Floral Co.:

I also liked these escort cards.  Kelly and Jason cut slits in a ton of wine corks for this unique display:

Guests enjoying their dinner under the tent:

This is an awful photograph but it shows a pretty detail.    We used pillar candles in the grass to line the walkway from the house to the tent:

Instead of a traditional tiered wedding cake, this couple wanted multiple flavors of cake from the Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe in Arlington.  I don’t remember all the flavors but they were DELICIOUS!  Kelly’s mom found all the cake stands (some vintage from their family) and the table looked beautiful.  You can also see the altar flowers being recycled next to the table (this is where the ceremony took place) and the bridesmaids bouquets decorating the spots in between the cakes.  Kelly’s bridal bouquet is in the center:

I’ll share professional photos from Heather Z Photography when I have them!  Working with Heather is always a pleasure and she has such an artistic eye.  Special kudos also goes to Matt Grason for his fabulous jazz ensemble.

Congratulations, Kelly & Jason!  I hope you guys were thrilled with every second of your wedding day.  I look forward to keeping up with you as you continue on life’s journey.

::Disclaimer!  The photos in this post are purely inspirational and not from events that Wish Special Events has planned or coordinated (except where noted).  We can re-create what you see below for your event but these are not a part of our portfolio::

One of my brides asked me the other day if I thought it would be okay to do pies instead of a wedding cake.  Are you kidding me?!  Who doesn’t love pie?!  In fact, I especially love weddings that get creative with their desserts whether they include cake on the dessert table or just do away with it altogether.  Below are some great ideas for desserts for your wedding.

One way to go is to include other desserts with your wedding cake.  A lot of caterers include dessert as part of their catering package so why not add some great, fun sweets to the mix?  This is great for guests who don’t like cake or for those who want to try a little (or a lot) of everything:

Amy Squires:

Or, like my friend Julia is going to do for her wedding, you can serve pies instead of cake.  I like these mini key lime pies photographed by Jennifer Davis:

Check out these mini pies from Bernie’s on Main in Alabama:

Or just go for full-sized pies.  Make sure your caterer will help cut and serve these…it could get pretty messy otherwise!

Paul Johnson Photography:

Dev Khalsa Photography:

I’m from Pittsburgh :::GO STEELERS::: and in western Pennsylvania (and I’m told parts of Ohio as well) you simply cannot have a wedding without a cookie table.  The mother of the bride and her friends bake approximately one million cookies (or the local bakery, should you be unfortunate enough to not have an amazing cookie baker mom).  Here are some great wedding cookie tables:

Of course, leave it to Martha to take a giant table full of cookies (Do you SEE how many cookies are on that table above?!) and make it look perfect and dainty (I mean, tongs?  That’s not how we roll in the Burgh):

Or you could go the adorable trendy new route, and serve milk with your cookies!  (I am IN LOVE with this genius idea…it is going into my imaginary Clooney wedding binder):

Love Life Images:

Riverbend Studios:

Siegel’s Portrait Design:

Okay, I’ll admit it…I’m like Homer Simpson when it comes to doughnuts.  Who doesn’t love these sweet treats?  How awesome would this be at your wedding!

You could also throw your guests a curveball.  Here’s banana pudding, photographed by Jason Wallis:

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes, photographed by Arising Images Photography:

Mini Cupcakes:

Ice Cream Sundaes:

Or even S’mores!

Finally, I’m coordinating a wedding in July at Glen Echo Park, one of my FAVORITE venues.  To embrace the amusement park vibe of their venue, Hallie and Matt (who you may remember as our contest winners), are having three desserts instead of wedding cake:

1. A cotton candy machine:

2. A Snow Cone Machine:

And 3. an ice cream truck!

I have no idea where they found the ice cream truck guy, but the Snow Cone and Cotton Candy Machines are coming courtesy of Talk of the Town.  I’ve never worked with these guys before, but check out their web site — they have SO much awesome stuff you can rent for your wedding, party, or, you know, Tuesday.  Remember my aforementioned love of doughnuts?  Oh, I am SO renting this for my next party:

Are you having non-cake desserts at your wedding?  Tell us your ideas!

This past weekend was the wedding of Catherine and Eric.  I only met these two recently and was thrilled to be their wedding day coordinator.  Catherine was so organized and she hired an all-star team of vendors for the big day.  Of course I had to take some photos…I’ll explain as we go!

The day started at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Alexandria, VA:

The traditional wedding ceremony was simple, beautiful, and sweet:

Catherine’s family belongs to the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA.  The club’s ballroom made a perfect backdrop for the wedding reception.  Here’s the front

One of the really great things about the ANCC is their rooftop deck.  There’s a semi-permanent tent that’s the perfect spot for cocktail hour:

From their location on a hill, the vantage point is great.  You can see the Washington Monument off to the left:

Here’s our assistant, Caitlin, setting out the escort cards:

The wedding had a vintage theme to it.  Guests were welcomed at the club with these beautiful cards, made with vintage-style paper:

Unfortunately, 20 minutes before cocktail hour was supposed to start, the dark clouds rolled in and it started pouring.  We had to move inside to this room, which was ready and waiting thanks to the ANCC.  Although it would have been nice to use the rooftop deck, this room was perfectly sized for the group and a great alternative:

While the cocktail hour got underway, the bridesmaids arrived from the photo session in Old Town Alexandria.  I loved their knee-length dresses.  This is the first time I’ve ever seen white bridesmaids dresses but I thought they were gorgeous!

Around the same time, the bride and groom rolled in too.  Catherine’s parents surprised her with a vintage Bentley from Regal Limousine.  Their driver, Rich, was really attentive and helpful:

Following the vintage theme, Catherine & Eric chose to put a twist on their guest book.  Instead of a traditional signing book, they asked guests to write a note to them on a vintage postcard:

Here’s a sampling of some of the cards:

The ballroom, ready to go.  Up on stage you can see the Moonlighters doing their sound check.  A BIG kudos to Rebecca Del Balzo at the ANCC, whose staff was fabulous the whole night:

Another detail I really loved were the table centerpieces.  Catherine, Eric, and their families and friends made these amazing paper flowers.  They collected pretty silver teapots in all shapes and sizes to use as vases.  It was a perfect touch for the tables and an even better conversation piece for the guests:

The reception gets under way:

Catherine & Eric decided to get cupcakes from Whole Foods in lieu of a traditional wedding cake.  Guests went crazy for those cupcakes!  Below, wedding photographer Tristan Spinski captures the newlyweds cutting a mini cake:

To round things out at the end of the night, Catherine chose to do a traditional bouquet toss.  I especially liked what happened at this moment.  Check it out:

Congratulations, Eric & Catherine!  I hope you guys have a wonderful mini-moon and an even better honeymoon later this year.  It was a pleasure working with you both and maybe I’ll see you at one of your friends’ weddings soon!

Earlier this week I attended an industry party co-hosted by Martin Andrews at Blue Sky Films and Chris Laich, owner of a top-notch DJ/music company.  These two guys threw a fun party last year but set the bar quite a few notches higher this time around.  Check out the beautiful National Museum of Women in the Arts:

Room Service event furniture rentals provided all the fun lounge seating:

Avalon Caterers poured blue martinis and dished up some yummy munchies:

Me with wedding planner Sara Bauleke and photographer Kurstin Roe:

I especially love how the NMWA looked once the sun went down and Frost Lighting’s handiwork started to show:

The images are stolen from Rodney Bailey Photography’s slideshow of the event.  Click here to see all 174 images!  Rodney and his team of photographers never miss a beat.

A special kudos goes to Marc Park valet services.  When I pulled up to the museum there was a line of at least 7 or 8 guys standing at attention.  They were quick to get my car and brought it back in just a few minutes.  The Marc Park staff really knows their stuff.

For a great wedding DJ in the DC area, check out Chris Laich.  He and his crew are always utmost professionals and I enjoy working with them.  For phenomenal wedding video, Blue Sky Films is the one to book.  (Remember Blue Sky is the one that can do Super 8 film?)  Tell them I sent you!