UPDATE!  PHOTOS FROM FREED ARE HERE!

So…anxious to see the rest of the party?  Sorry I cut you off so suddenly after Part 1!

Back on the street level of the house, we peer down the steps into the all-concrete basement at the Halcyon House:

Capitol Decor named the party The Garden of Good and Evil.  An eerie and dark theme lends itself to all sorts of awesome decor possibilities:

Check out the trees to the left and the right, as well as the tree-shaped lighting done by John Farr Lighting Design:

A better view of the lighting along the wall:

I really loved the cocktail tables, which featured a natural-themed centerpiece on top and a lit chandelier underneath!

I mean really.  When’s the last time you’ve seen a lit chandelier underneath a table?  The Capital Decor team is so creative!

I also really liked these spindly-looking wooden tables, clustered against a wall.  They have a certain Tim Burton-esque feel about them, don’t they?

It’s unfortunately impossible to tell, but do you see the artwork in the center?  That’s a piece by the home’s owner.  Built up around it is a metal truss system with a stage on top.  Guess what!??  That’s the DJ booth!  DJ Chris Laich was spinning and mixing for us all night:

Check out the awesome shelf setup for the bar.  I thought this was a wonderfully creative way to display the bar glasses instead of the usual 6′ rectangle skirted table you see at typical events:

Well Dunn Catering provided all the drinks and munchies for the party.  Here’s one of their rolling signature drink carts.  This bartender was mixing up a fancy martini for my friend and fellow wedding planner Sara Bauleke:

So then — the party switches gears!  Obviously the indoor space was the Garden of Evil, no?

Outside in what must be the home’s driveway or alley, the Garden of Good was swinging!  In the center, Capital Decor had a big beautiful urban-themed bar.  Check out the huge US Capitol Dome piece!  There’s also the big awesome graffiti wall behind them (another Capital Decor piece).  Again, check out how they displayed their glasses on shelves behind the bar:

Here’s a ground-level view of the bar.  I love the metallic feel…perfect for an urban event.  I know it’s hard to see the US Capitol Dome because it’s lit so brightly but trust me…it was pretty darn awesome:

Here’s another view from above.  I’ve never seen umbrellas this gigantic before!  Check out the size of the chairs towards the bottom center.  This umbrellas must have been 10-12′ in diameter!  Another cute detail is the Lincoln Memorial prop behind the food station.  I love these DC-themed props!

Here’s another view of those gigantic umbrellas.  Look at the ratio of their stands to the umbrella!  Ridiculous!

Off to the very right you can see green lighting of the ‘Evil’ party through the windows.  I really liked the combination of the blue linen and red chairs for their cocktail seating area.  This color combo was popular on wedding blogs about a year ago and I’m just now starting to see it show up at real events.  What do you think of the blue/red color combination?

Here’s another view of that seating area.  I love the big red vinyl sofa!  How awesome is that thing?  The mirror on the table is pretty phenomenal too:

Thanks for inviting us to your event, Capital Decor!  We really had a B-L-A-S-T and it’s always great to catch up with familiar faces.  Cheers!

UDPATE!  PHOTOS FROM FREED ARE HERE!

Earlier this month, we were invited to attend an industry party for event professionals only!  I love this time of year, when local companies invite their colleagues to an evening out and show off the things they can do.  This particular event was hosted by Capital Decor and Events, a props/staging/decor company.  Remember my post about their gorgeous warehouse?  Yep, that’s the same company!

We arrived to the Halcyon House in Georgetown, a phenomenal estate in the center of the historic district.  Walking in through what seems like the back of the house, it’s not extremely impressive.  Just a standard brick facade in Georgetown.  THEN you go upstairs and out the ‘front’ door.  Check it out!!

Can you believe this thing is smack dab in the center of Georgetown?  Check out all the phenomenal rooftop garden space they have, designed by L’Enfant himself:

Does it look familiar?  Wedding photographer Justine Ungaro just got married here a couple months ago:

The expansive space is perfectly suited for outdoor wedding ceremonies or cocktail hours.  Did you know that the Halcyon House is a private residence?  It’s the home of a fabulous modern sculptor, who displays his work nearly everywhere you look:

This thing goes on and on!  They even have a pool up there!

You really can’t argue with a view like this!  That’s the Key Bridge, stretching out towards Rosslyn in the distance:

Back inside, the upper level is set up with furniture like a regular home.  This is perfect for indoor cocktail parties in case the weather doesn’t cooperate:

In one of the rooms, Capital Decor had set up three beautiful fall tablescapes to tease our imagination!  They used all kinds of fun things, including rose-colored champagne glasses, a playful swirl-patterned linen, and even artichokes and eggplants in the centerpieces:

It was romantic and dim in the room so please excuse the lack of detail here.  The two centerpieces are overflowing with purple orchids.  On the table, three green beaded lamps are clustered in the center, drawing the eye down to the table:

This table was a bit more modern, with tightly packed rose centerpieces and green-colored water goblets.  I especially loved the way the napkins are set…horizontal like a bow tie:

So if those tables are just for show, where’s the party!?  Well, it was in the basement!  I have too many photos to share with you today but will follow up in Part Two, coming tomorrow.  Be sure you check back to see all the fabulous decor pieces.  For now, here’s a sneak peek of the entrance:

A few weeks ago, Laura and I traveled up the beltway to Potomac to check out a place I had heard a lot about, but had never seen, The Bolger Center.

The Bolger Center is an unusual local venue.  Originally built as a convent, it was later sold to the US Postal Service as a training facility.  Although it is still owned by the USPS, it is operated as a hotel and conference center.  You can definitely see the Post Office influence throughout the venue in some really cool ways:

The first thing we saw was the Pony Express Bar & Grill.  See what I mean about the cute Post Office references?  I LOVED this space.  I completely pictured either having a rehearsal dinner or even a casual reception in this space!

Sorry my pictures are kind of dark!  You walk into the grill, and immediately see these adorable cocktail tables and a shuffleboard table.

To the right is a great, HUGE hardwood bar, and then another large area to put additional seating, buffet tables, or even use the pool table!

One of my favorite parts of the space, though, is the HUGE courtyard right outside.  If you were using the indoor space for a reception, this would be a great cocktail area, or even a cool area for a ceremony:

One of the nicest things about it is that a large portion of it is covered, so even if it rains, you’re protected!

The Bolger Center landscaping and gardening staff must be the hardest working guys in Maryland.  There are acres and acres of land there, and yet, not a piece of grass seems out of place.  The lawns were beautifully mowed, the trees were in great areas to provide shade to every courtyard area, and the flowers are apparently in bloom all year round!  There are even adorable fountains throughout the property:

The above path leads to the GORGEOUS Stained Glass Hall.  This hall used to be a chapel, back in the days of the nunnery, and can now be used for either a church-like ceremony or for a great reception.  The hall holds about 120 for a ceremony and around 180 for a reception.

Here is the room set up for a conference.

I seriously couldn’t get over the gorgeousness of these windows!

Here’s a picture of a wedding ceremony in the Stained Glass Room.  Pretty, no?

Another option for your ceremony (or your reception, if you wanted to use a tent) is in the front of the building.  This HUGE grassy area is large enough for thousands for a company picnic, so it can obviously fit any size ceremony or reception, and there are dozens of places to choose from, all of which have great views!

The next area we saw was the courtyard outside of the larger ballroom:

Annette at the Bolger Center sent me some great pictures of an event that took place in this courtyard at night:

That courtyard leads to the larger indoor event area, the Ben Franklin Ballroom.  Unfortunately, right now the ballroom is, well…not too pretty. However, hooray, hooray, they’re renovating it as we speak, and in January it will be GORGEOUS!  Check out the pictures of the renovation!

The room is HUGE, and the renovations are going to make it VERY popular for all kinds of events, but especially weddings!  The Ben Franklin Hall can hold almost 500 people, so it’s perfect for a large wedding.

If it’s raining or cold, the ballroom also has a great indoor area for cocktail hour.  Again, keeping with the postal theme, how cute is this?!

Finally, one of the best parts is that the rooms are INSANELY affordable!  There are plenty of rooms for you and your guests, so you never even have to leave the grounds.

So if you’re looking for a great venue in Maryland, definitely call Annette at the Bolger Center at 301-983-7000.  She’s great, and will set you up at a really great venue!

Gerry at Petal’s Edge Floral Design sent over some information on classes they offer.  What a great way to learn about flowers!  We’ve worked with Petal’s Edge many many times and they always do a wonderful job.  If you haven’t checked out their cute shop in Old Town Alexandria, this is your opportunity:

Bridal Bootcamp.  Want to save money but feel insecure about your ability to provide a professional look to your wedding flowers?  Join this intense one-day, weekend workshop and learn how to arrange flowers with industry experts.  Course covers flower selection and care, design tips, and common mistakes.  $150 per person, which includes the cost of flowers and box lunch.  
Saturday, December 5 or December 12.  10 am – 2 pm.

Flower School.  Love flowers and want more experience?  This series of classes takes place over three evenings and is appropriate to the person who wants to learn about how to buy, care for, and arrange flowers.  Several methods of flower arranging will be covered.  Classes are hands-on with flowers that students take home after class.  $250 per person.

Wednesday – Friday, December 2 – 4 or December 9 – 11.  6 – 9 pm.

 

Winter Workshop.  Join us for holiday-inspired flower arranging projects.  Take one class or both.  Course includes the cost of flowers, all supplies, and a holiday masterpiece to take home.  $100 per session or $150 for two.

• Floral Topiary: November 30, 6 pm. Use an uninterrupted mass of carnations to create a festive tabletop tree.

Dining table centerpiece: December 7, 6 pm. Winter fruits and vegetables add a conversation piece to this unusual pairing of flowers and holiday greens.

I recently posted about Volanni, one of the most creative floral design companies in the area.  Lisa just sent me some gorgeous photos of a floral screen they put together.  It really speaks for itself.  Check it out:

I love the pinks, oranges, yellows, reds, and purples together. What a stunning combination!

Can you imagine this behind the bride and groom as they exchange vows?  I think this is a great alternative to the traditional “two vases with pillars” altar decoration.  Plus it could be moved behind the sweetheart table and re-used at the reception!

Volanni also created a matching centerpiece for this client’s party.  I love how it’s complimentary but not exactly the same:

What do you think about the pink/yellow/orange/purple/red combination?  Are multi-hued weddings going to be a new trend?  Sasha Souza would be proud!

Last week I visited Capitol Hill in DC to check out a wonderful wedding vendor.  Volanni is a fantastic 5-year-old floral decor company and I was shocked that I hadn’t met with them earlier!  Michael Lanni and Lisa Abdou create some phenomenally gorgeous pieces of floral art for events.  I especially liked their philosophy on honesty and integrity within the wedding industry.  They source eco-friendly and organic flowers whenever possible and are maintaining responsible business practices.  It’s a company you can feel good about working with!

Here’s my visit to the shop.  The big wooden doors fit perfectly with the urban vibe:

Stepping inside, a totally different feel!  Michael’s there in the center, Lisa off to the left, and one of their floral designers hiding off to the right.  I had to point him out since he was shy about having his picture taken.  Do you see him?

Volanni has an extensive collection of unique vases and vessels:

I could rave and rave all day but the pictures really speak for themselves.  Check out some of their designs:

Check out the size of these peonies!

They have a rather extensive collection of vases and props, like this gorgeous chuppah.  Even if you’re not Jewish I think this piece is a great focal point for a ceremony:

I was particularly head over heels for this arrangement, which I saw in their shop.  It’s so vibrant, textural and simply lush.  I love how the color combination is unexpected but cohesive.  It looks like it popped out of an Anthropologie store.  I keep seeing something new every time I look at it:

Gorgeous, no?  Check out their website for more inspiration!  I like how their style is edgy and modern in some cases but can also lean on the romantic/eclectic side.  If you’re looking for a florist, please tell them I sent you.  You can email Michael or Lisa or give them a call at 202-547-1603.

Looking at caterers?  Windows Catering is hosting an open house!

Email Brianna or call 703-752-9452 to RSVP.  See you there!

Way back in February, Jodi and I ventured into DC for an open house by R&R Catering at St. Francis Hall, located on the grounds of the Franciscan Monastery in the Brookland neighborhood of NE DC.  I was unexpectedly out of the office for a bit, time got away from me, and now I am more than fashionably late on this post.   I hope it’s worth the wait though!

R&R put on a wonderful display, but we were surprisingly taken with the venue itself. It’s a hidden gem in DC and should definitely be on your list of venues if you’re looking for a unique, affordable, gorgeous backdrop for your ceremony and/or reception.  All of our camera shots came out too dark, so these are unfortunately provided by the venue… although it’s much better to visit in person!

From the brick walls to the wrought-iron chandeliers and sconces, it’s uniquely breathtaking and has a very “romantic renaissance” feel. The hardwood floors are just beautiful… no dance floor needed!

The venue can hold up to 250 and the layout lends itself to some unique options in terms of “flow” for the evening.  There are long hallways on either side of those arches that can hold more tables or be used for more tables, buffet lines, candy buffets, dessert stations or cocktail hours! 

  
The modest rental fee also includes use of the smaller gardens just next to the building, the kitchen,the terrace overlooking a small pond (great for cocktail hour), the stage (perfect for a band) and access to the beautiful (and larger) gardens across the street for wedding party photos.   Although you can’t get married in these larger gardens, there are other options on site, including St. Francis Hall itself! on-site parking. Security assisted us with parking and made us feel more than safe in an unfamiliar neighborhood.

The rental fee also includes a few other perks like padded chairs, tables, sound system (with mics) and projector screen… as well as some

Cara at St. Francis Hall is fantastic and was happy to offer some great discounts to Wish brides, one of which includes free use of the facility’s gold ballroom chairs and tables.    If you’re looking for a unique, romantic and gorgeous venue, be sure to check out St. Francis Hall… and leave some time to walk around the gardens while you’re there!

::: Cristin :::

Recently we visited Oxon Hill Manor in Maryland.  Just across the bridge from Old Town Alexandria, Oxon Hill has become a popular wedding venue since reopening in 2007.  It had been undergoing a renovation and unfortunately caught fire while work was being done.  Now it’s completely overhauled and GORGEOUS!  Check out this beautiful wedding venue.

At the entrance there is a stately driveway and a large circle, ideal for a classic car or limousine to pull up:

Just inside the front door is this foyer space.  I like the black and white tiled floors and the tapestries on the wall.  This is a perfect spot for a guest book and escort cards or even an indoor cocktail hour:

Just past the foyer, you can look down the hallway.  Oxon Hill has several wooden furniture pieces that fit the style of the house:

Here’s the Dining Room with parquet floors and beautiful woodwork.  This room can fit approximately 50-60 seated guests:

On the other side of the house, the Drawing Room is great for dinners.  It can seat another 50-60 guests:

Up the spiral staircase is a bridal room that’s perfect for a bride and her bridesmaids to get ready:

Here’s the bridal room with lots of natural sunlight and seating:

The bridal room even has it’s own restroom!  I think this bathroom is larger than the one I have at home:

One of the bigger appeals of Oxon Hill is the amazingly manicured gardens.  This lawn overlooks a rectangular pond with fountains and is a great spot for ceremonies:

Looking to the right you see another on of their gardens.  In the distance you can see the Potomac River:

If you’re looking for a wedding venues then please consider Oxon Hill!  I think you’ll love it at first site like I did.

A few weeks ago we attended a party hosted by Elan Artists.  Elan is an agency that promotes wedding bands, DJs, ceremony musicians, photographers, and videographers.  This particular event was a band showcase, featuring the phenomenal entertainment that Elan can provide for weddings.

Seasons Restaurant at the Four Seasons in Georgetown was the venue.  Janet Flowers created some phenomenal floral pieces including the welcome table design you see below.  The nice-looking images were taken by Carlos Andres Varela of Cava Weddings.  The rest are mine:

I also liked these smaller color-themed centerpieces:

Gabriela New York Bridal Salon brought models to showcase their unique gowns:

Carl Ray did the great hair and makeup:

Of course there were yummy cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake:

I wish I had videos of the bands to show you!  You can see videos and learn more about the bands on their own websites.  We were entertained by Nation, The Source, Raggs & the All Stars, and Truth Groove.

A special shout out goes to Frost Lighting, who can make any space look cool!  For more photos and a different perspective, check out the Ritzy Bee Blog.