Archive for May, 2010

Congratulations Alison & Jeremy!

Monday, May 24th, 2010

Alison & Jeremy chose Rose Hill Manor in scenic Leesburg, VA for their wedding — I wanted to share some photos of their big day!  Special thanks goes to Julia MacInnis, wedding photographer extraordinaire. First, Rose Hill:

pino01

While R&R Catering & Wish were setting up downstairs, the girls were getting ready upstairs.  Check out the vibrant bouquets that Linda from Heaven on Earth Wedding Flowers brought:

pino02

Doesn’t Alison look like a princess?  Her big dreamy dress fit the wedding perfectly:

pino08

::le sigh::  Julia really creates some stunning photos:

pino10

This is the “OK, let’s get married!” look:

pino05

Rose Hill has a magnificent brick terrace that’s perfect for an outdoor ceremony.  This is also a great site for a tent if you have a really large wedding:

pino12

Aren’t these two adorable?

pino13

Big bridal parties are always a logistical challenge but they sure are a lot of fun:

pino15

Rose Hill keeps their grounds pretty manicured.  See what I mean about how pretty Leesburg is for a wedding?

pino16

Back inside, R&R Catering’s chivari chairs, gold chargers, and white pintuck linens await the reception:

pino06

If you’re going to have a favor, it might as well be chocolate.  Edible favors are definitely the way to go, especially cute personalized ones like these:

pino07

Here’s another view of Rose Hill Manor, looking down from their second-floor balcony:

pino18

Look who caught the bouquet!

pino21

Congratulations, Alison & Jeremy!  For some more photos of this wedding, be sure to visit Julia MacInnis’ blog!

Laura

Congratulations Julia & Chris!

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

I have known this bride for a LONG time.  I began my career years ago at Wolf Trap and one summer, had a WONDERFUL intern named Julia.  Fast forward over 10 years later, and I see on Facebook Julia’s getting married!  I email her to congratulate her, and she says “oh, and by the way, I need a planner…”  Of course I signed right up!

Speaking of Facebook, that’s how Julia and her amazing husband Chris met, years ago, when Facebook would send you people in your area that you might like.  Chris thought he “might like” Julia and little did he know, on a cold night in January, 2010, he’d be marrying the girl he thought he just might have a connection with :)

The night started with a ceremony at the beautiful Centreville United Methodist Church, the church Julia has wanted to be married in her whole life!  Music for the ceremony was provided by the Cherry Blossom String Quartet (well, not the whole quartet…Julia is usually their violist!)  (All photos by the super Liz Hough)

houghphotography41

Julia planned every last detail but Chris, a graphic designer, designed all of the paper pieces, including the menus, invitations, and programs!

houghphotography22.JPG

I absolutely LOVE this photo of the couple, just after they were married, at the church’s entrance.  How gorgeous is that vintage fur stole, compliments of the bride’s grandmother?

juliachris14

After the ceremony, everyone headed to the Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks to start the party.  This Marriott has a GORGEOUS cocktail area, made even more beautiful by the lighting from Swank Audio Visuals:

wedding flower girl

(Of course, an adorable flower girl in your picture doesn’t hurt!)

Guests found their seats with these winter-themed pine cone escort cards, which were a labor of love for the whole family!

juliachris2

Throughout the planning, Julia kept talking about the “wow” factor in the ballroom.  Well, she definitely got it!  With a combination of the already beautiful ballroom:

Chandelier

Linens from DC Rental:

wedding reception kiss

More lighting from Swank:

wedding gobo light

…and my favorite part, the centerpieces!  Chris and Julia had three different centerpieces.  Two of them were provided by a Wish favorite, Barbara Von Elm at Growing Wild:

houghphotograpy35.JPG

houghphotography34.JPG

And the third was designed by Julia and put together by my beautiful assistants and me! (and which you’ve seen before, as they’re for sale!)

Juliatrees11

The trio of centerpieces came together for a GORGEOUS reception room.  When Julia and Chris had their first look, the bride was definitely wowed!!!

Speaking of wow, I was wowed to find out that Julia’s friend from high school, Sally Kwok, has only been in business as Cake Bee for a year.  Look at her gorgeous cakes!

houghphotography27

(The small bride’s cake was based on Chris’ design from the invitations!)

houghphotography28

The groom’s cake combined the groom’s three loves — coaching youth football, Caps Hockey, and, of course, Julia :)  Sally has a food printer which printed the corporate logos to give the cake a realistic Verizon Center look!

In addition to the two cakes, Chris and Julia had a pie and ice cream station!

houghphotography40

As if that wasn’t enough sugar, Julia’s mom baked mini breads for guests to take home, sealed with the couple’s custom monogram (again, created by the groom) and gave them the recipe for the bread to bake at home!

wedding favors black white

A few more gorgeous pictures of the day:

wedding bride flower girls

wedding bride bridesmaids

wedding white boutonniere

Wedding place setting

wedding monogram gobo light

wedding cake cutting

Congratulations, Chris and Julia!  Thanks for letting me be part of your wonderful day!

Rebecca

Kelly & Jason’s Photographs

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Last spring we posted about Kelly & Jason’s wedding at Hollin Hall in Alexandria, VA.  I can’t believe I never shared their professional photographs, shot by Heather Z Photography!  Without further ado, here’s the day through Heather’s lens.

Here’s Hollin Hall, looking regal:

hollin-hall-alexandria-va-wedding

On the wedding day, it rained and poured all morning.  Kelly had wanted an outdoor ceremony in Hollin Hall’s beautiful boxwood garden but the forecast was looking grim.  We were watching the radar and trying to play weatherman, keeping hope out for what looked like could be a break in the clouds.  Meanwhile, there was nothing for Kelly to do but get ready:

black-white-wedding-necklace

Barbara at Growing Wild always makes the most stunning arrangements:

Blue-purple-wedding-bouquet-iris

Kelly had the sweetest bridesmaids — don’t they look like fun friends?

bridesmaids

I especially loved her light blue flats — perfect for their intimate, elegant, yet casual wedding:

blue-bridal-wedding-flats-shoes

The rain did indeed break just before the ceremony but the ground was too muddy to hold a ceremony in the spot we had wanted.  So – Kelly opted for Plan B and we moved the ceremony into the main house.  Here she is, getting ready to go down the steps and straight down the aisle:

bride-stairs-black-and-white

I thought the indoor ceremony was just perfect.  We used pillar candles on the mantle and the altar floral arrangements on the floor.  Rev. Wesley Peyton performed a touching wedding ceremony like he always does:

indoor-wedding-ceremony

And they’re married!  This is always my favorite moment at every wedding:

just-married

While their guests were enjoying cocktails, Kelly and Jason made use of some clear skies and headed into the garden for some portraits.  I’m so glad they were able to get some pictures outside:

kelly-jason-bride-groom-garden

Don’t these guys make a handsome pair?

kelly-jason

Another cute detail — Jason’s white rananculus boutonniere:

groom-white-rananculus-boutonniere

Back inside, the cute escort cards are held up by wine bottle corks:

wine-cork-place-cards-wedding

I love when couples display family photos to share with their guests — I think it helps the two joining families connect:

wedding-family-photo-display

Outside, the rain was still drizzling but the dinner tent was nice and dry.  Check out these gorgeous tables:

blue-wedding-table

We thought long and hard about the color of these chairs.  I think the natural wood color really makes the blue pop out, don’t you agree?

blue-brown-white-wedding-reception

I couldn’t resist showing you their wedding cakes!  Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe is one of the couple’s favorite spots so it was only fitting to have cakes from there.  While Heidelberg does make some amazing traditional wedding cakes, Kelly & Jason wanted to share their favorite flavors with their guests.  This way, everyone got a flavor they loved!

heidelberg-pastry-shoppe-arlington-va-wedding-cakes

bride-groom-wedding-cake

Of course the cake aftermath isn’t pretty — but it sure is tasty!

wedding-cake-aftermath

Kelly & Jason — I know you guys have already passed your first anniversary so I hope you had a lovely first year of marriage!  I fondly remember your wedding day and hope you both are doing well.  Congratulations again!

Laura

Related Posts with Thumbnails
Follow Wish Special Events on Twitter

Follow Wish Special Events on Facebook

Subscribe

Share/Save/Bookmark

Style Me Pretty Little Black Book Certified wedding planner washington dc northern va virginia md maryland

Washingtonian magazine best wedding vendor wedding planner wedding coordinator dc md va washington dc maryland northern virginia

Weddings, Wedding Venues
2011 Bride's Choice Awards | Best Wedding Photographers, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Cakes, Wedding Florists, Wedding Planners & More

So You're EnGAYged same sex lgbt wedding vendor dc md va

We contributed to a book! Really!