“Most perfect wedding dress ever.”

Kate, you are flawless.

AWWWWW!

Kim and Phil, a Wish couple, is working with Rebecca to plan their dream wedding.  Today we discovered they shared their engagement photos with Classic Bride!  The story was just too adorable to keep to ourselves and we thought you’d like it too.

Here are a few photos from Kim & Phil’s engagement session in Paris, shot by One and Only Paris Photography:

From Kim’s blog:

“Yet despite my magical morning, the afternoon was even better. P took me on a little adventure to find a special apartment where his aunt and uncle used to live, and on those little empty streets began to tell me how much fun he was having on our adventure… how he hopes we have more adventures… and he got down on one knee and proposed! After I said of course, I proposed right back. (He said yes!) A little later we remembered that we should have said Oui! so we said that, too.”

Click here for the full story on Classic Bride.  Congrats, Kim & Phil!  We’re really excited to be a part of your wedding in Virginia!

Kate Headley was Erika and Jamie’s AMAZING wedding photographer.  I mean, this girl takes STUNNING pictures — plus she’s a super sweetheart, and my former neighbor!!  I mean, look at this gorgeous photograph!

Okay, okay, so it doesn’t hurt that not only is Erika beautiful, but she has an AMAZING sense of style!  From her dress to her veil to all of the small touches throughout the wedding, Erika made everything look amazing — and she handcrafted nearly all of the elements!!!

That’s right, she Goccoed (is Goccoed a word?  Let’s say yes) the invitations (and the programs) herself!  I might need to recruit her to do my invitations someday!

The wedding was held at the perfect fall venue, Woodend Sanctuary.  Between the leaves falling, the deer walking up to the ceremony just to check out what was going on, and the cool, crisp smell in the air, you never would have guessed you were less than 10 minutes from DC!

As the wedding was in November, there was a chill in the air, but it was gorgeous outside, so we moved ahead with having the ceremony outdoors, like they had dreamed.  To keep her guests comfortable, Erika provided some beautiful wraps in their wedding colors of green, purple and cream for people to snuggle under!

Both before and after the ceremony, Kate took some lovely couples portraits — look at these two — so in love!

After the ceremony (officiated by my absolute favorite officiant, Amanda Tate – I recommended her to Erika and Jamie, as well as Hallie and Matt, one of my good friends from my Container Store days, and one of my couples next summer is using her as well!  Seriously — she’s the BEST!) the guests were treated to delicious food from Marco Polo. Seriously — the wedding was a year ago and I still remember the food!  They also got to see more of the couples adorable touches throughout the house.

These moss letters were hanging on the wall in Erika and Jamie’s house.  When I went to meet with them a few weeks before the wedding, I asked Erika “these are coming to the wedding, right?”  She hadn’t decided yet at that point, but they just seemed to fit in SO perfectly, we had to have them!  Also, the mason jar there?  It has a chain attached to it — we used a bunch of them outside during cocktail hour as it started getting dark hung on shepherd’s hooks — I LOVED that look, so simple, but so romantic!  (The lanterns, along with many of their items, came from…where else?  Etsy, of course!)

Guests then began making their way into dinner, after a stop at the beautiful escort card trees that Erika made.  She not only made the trees, but made the leaves and handpainted the guests names on them as well!

The girl is talented, right?!?!

After dinner, guests moved to the Great Hall for dancing.  Erika and Jamie had a beautiful first dance, choreographed by Erika’s “man of honor,” her sweet cousin!

Then the party REALLY got started, with one of my favorite DJ’s, Mike Bell, of My Deejay.  These guys are consumate professionals every time — I’ve worked with several of their DJ’s now, and they really are great!

While dinner and dancing were taking place, Kate had also set up a photo booth, complete with a chalkboard we stole borrowed from one of the offices there!

During a break in dancing, Erika and Jamie cut their cake.  I said it then, and I’ll still say it now, a year later.  It was, 100%, hands down, the best wedding cake I’ve ever had.  My assistant that day worked with me again at a wedding a few weeks ago, and she said “is the cake red velvet?  Remember that red velvet cake from that Woodend Wedding?  Oh my God, that was the best cake ever.”  And I totally agree.  I’ve had some delicious cakes in my day, but dear Lord.  Fluffy Thoughts really, pun intended, took the cake on this one.

I love the simplicity of it, as well as how Lara used twigs to tie in the theme of the wedding.  See that amazing tree trunk cake stand?  Another Etsy find!  (And OH MY GOD, was it heavy — that thing must have weighed 100 lbs.!  Okay, probably not, but it was heavy, you guys!!!)

As things were winding down, guests were encouraged to choose one of two favors that Erika and Jamie had thoughtfully picked out.  For those who had yards in which they could plant trees, they were given a tree to plant!

And for those who didn’t, they were given a smaller tree bulb, which could be grown in a pot.  How sweet and thoughtful is that!?

And, of course, everything was hand tied and tagged by the crafty couple

The gorgeous flowers were provided by Sidra Forman (I’m totally going out of order here, I know…)  Sidra was SUCH a sweetheart, and her little girl even came along for the delivery — what a cutie!

I just want to point out that I didn’t pin this boutonniere.  How do I know?  Because I would never leave a pin sticking out like that! (Still…gorgeous bout!!)

Seriously…who did that???  See, this is why you need a planner — proper bout pinning

To continue their tree theme, Erika and Jamie named their tables after types of trees

Congratulations on one year together, and on a beautiful wedding!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Aside from skin cancer (WEAR YOUR SUNSCREEN!!!), Breast Cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States.  Each October, organizations all over the country, from the NFL (check out Hines Ward below in his pink gloves) to Estee Lauder to Ford, and even Baltimore company Under Armour, join to promote breast cancer awareness, emphasize the need for early detection in the form of mammograms, and raise money for breast cancer research.

In addition to turning our blog pink for the month of October, we’ve decided to really highlight the pink!  So next week, we’re doing a series of pink posts.  Each day we’ll combine the color pink with another great color and show you how you can pink up your wedding, just like Shelby in Steel Magnolias (”My colors are blush and bashful, two very different shades of pink…one is much deeper than the other” )

To get you ready for the week, though, we wanted to show you some great ways that you can promote breast cancer awareness at your wedding!  You can  make a donation in lieu of favors directly to an organization that raises money for breast cancer awareness and research, which many couples like to do.  According to Charity Navigator, a great web site that researches charities and shows you which organizations make the best use of your dollars, some great breast cancer charities include Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund, and the National Breast Cancer Foundation.  Each site has information on various ways you can donate, whether it’s in honor of a loved one who was diagnosed for breast cancer or with general donation.

Another way to promote breast cancer awareness at your wedding, as well as to donate to the cause, is to do what’s been called “Shop for the Cure” — in other words, buy great products that also donate money to breast cancer charities!

Every year Bobbi Brown creates a product to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  This year it’s a gorgeous Shimmer Brick, which you put on over your blush.  You’ll shimmer wearing this on your wedding day!

I don’t like my brides to wear watches on their wedding day, but I’d make an exception for this gorgeous Coach watch!  For each watch sold in October, Coach will donate 20% of the proceeds to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation!

I absolutely LOVE Sephora…I’m not a makeup girl, and they have helped me MANY times with my makeup questions!  If you’re trying to get better skin for your wedding (I know I would be!) Sephora has this great Clarisonic Skin Care Brush, which clears pores and creates healthier looking skin.  AND, for each one sold, Sephora will make a donation to help fight breast cancer!

Doing a fun run with your girls the day of your wedding?  How about making these great t-shirts from the Susan G. Komen store

You were going to register for a KitchenAid Stand Mixer anyway, weren’t you?  (If not, you should…mine is like 60 years old and was my grandmother’s, and it still works like a champ!)  Why not register for this adorable pink one and KitchenAid will donate $50 to Susan G. Komen!

There are TONS of favors out there that promote breast cancer awareness while also providing your guests with something to take home.  You know my first place to look for favors is always my beloved Etsy, and they didn’t disappoint this time either!

OMG, I want these homemade caramels from Etsy seller Sweet N Spicey RIGHT NOW!

Or how about these delicious looking sugar cookies from Etsy Seller TR Brown?

Seller Katherine’s Naturals makes these beautiful goat’s milk soaps and donates 10% of the proceeds to Susan G. Komen

And then, after the wedding, you can even donate your dress to Brides Against Breast Cancer (or, if you’re still looking for a dress, check out one of their upcoming gown sales!  There’s one in my hometown of Pittsburgh on January 8-9…just a 4 hour drive from DC!)  One of my very first brides, Esther, got her GORGEOUS dress at a Brides Against Breast Cancer sale!

Stay tuned next week for our pink week series!

We are the PITTSBURGH STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!

So, after finishing college football week last week, this week we are featuring NFL teams in the lead up to Thursday night’s game kicking off the NFL season.  Naturally, we’ll be starting with the team that’s won more Super Bowls than any other NFL franchise (also because they’re my team, and I’m writing the blog posts), the PITTSBURGH STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Whenever you write PITTSBURGH STEELERS it must be in all caps, that is how great my love for them is

What?  Oh, this is supposed to be about weddings?  Right, sorry…I got distracted   (But how about Troy’s hair as your wedding hairstyle inspiration?  And you wouldn’t even have to insure yours for $1 million!!!)

The Steelers colors are technically black and gold, but their gold is really more yellow (unlike the gold of Wake Forest or the New Orleans Saints).  Black and yellow make for SUCH fun wedding colors, so putting together this post was a blast!

Let’s start with the bride (as weddings usually do!)

Jihan Abdalla Photography:

A white dress with a simple black sash and a bright yellow bouquet is PERFECT for a Steelers wedding!

Luna Photography

I love a short haired bride!

O.M.G.  How AMAZING is this dress with gold sash from Etsy Seller Chabri?!

Seriously…where was my life before Etsy?  This gold shrug from seller Elitewear is PERFECT!

Speaking of wraps…this one photographed by James Christianson is perfect for a fall wedding

And shoes…glorious shoes…

Perfect Bound

Victoria Souza Photography:

Black and yellow are SO easy to use for your wedding — your bridesmaids can wear black dresses, yellow dresses…SO many options!

Ann Wade Parrish Photography:

Rob and Maya’s wedding photographed by Pablo at Freed:

How great are these black cardigans for your bridesmaids?  Talk about something you’ll wear again…I’m wearing a black cardi right now!

When you talk bridesmaids (and the bride, of course) you talk bouquets.  Nearly every flower comes in yellow!!  (Well, not every flower, but a heck of a lot of them!)

Billy Balls…

Sunflowers…

Roses…

Ranunculus….

Eleise Theuer Photography:

Of course, if the bride wants to carry a white bouquet, there are lots of gorgeous options too, like using an amazing gold ribbon, like this bouquet photographed by John and Joseph Photography:

As always, I guess we have to let the guys share in the fun…how about this adorable bout from Etsy seller EcoLectic Events:

Or perhaps a lovely wedding gift?

Jenn Link Photography:

How about these ties for the groomsmen?

Or these cufflinks as their gifts?

And we can’t forget the kids, right?!  Jessie Cho Photography:

Confession time…this is my adorable niece   I told you we’re a family of Steelers fans!

Etsy Seller Y & E Bridal:

You can use your stationery to set the yellow and black tone

Doilies and Daisies Etsy Seller:

Mr. Boddington’s Studio:

Kate Webber Photography:

As the cheery sunflowers escort you into the reception, let’s see what black and gold wonders we can find there!

A Modern Proposal:

Jessie Cho Photography:

JM Visuals:

What else is in the reception?  CAKE!

Wedding Bee

And, of course, it wouldn’t be a Pittsburgh wedding without a cookie table!

And finally, speaking of Pittsburgh traditions, here’s something that every Steelers wedding must have (from Melissa and Jeff’s wedding with Wish!)

Are you having a Steelers wedding?  (If not, you should!!!)  GO STEELERS!  (Don’t worry, Skins and Ravens fans, I’m getting to you later this week…)

First up are some shots of the GORGEOUS flowers provided by Yellow Door Floral Design:

I loved the girls bouquets…I can’t wait to post some close ups of them!

The kids in this wedding (an adorable set of triplets!) were AWESOME!

I need to remember to ask Sandra at the Clarendon Ballroom who did this GORGEOUS cake!  The Clarendon Ballroom does in house catering, but outsources its cakes.  SO pretty!

I LOVE an involved groom, and Allen was a great one!  He designed a lot of the couple’s stationery items, including their programs and escort cards (check out the cute icons for dinner choices on the escort cards

Allen also purchased some great props for their photo booth — I can’t wait to see more pictures from this!

Stay tuned for pro pics in the next few weeks!

Ah, New Year’s Eve.  Some people go skiing, some people go to black tie parties, some people spend it drunk at a bar or, as we did when we were little kids, lighting sparklers and banging on pots and pans.  (Did other people do that?  Or was my family just weird?)  Some people, though, spend it getting married!  New Year’s Eve is all about celebrating new beginnings, so a New Year’s Eve wedding is PERFECT for that!  And what better way to make sure your friends and family are all around when the clock strikes midnight?!  Here are some great touches you can use for your New Year’s Eve wedding.

How cute is this idea, to put centerpieces in a champagne bucket?

Holiday ornaments can be put to great use for a New Year’s Eve wedding.  And not on a tree!

Martha Stewart Weddings:

Clocks are also a great way to decorate your space for the night (Martha again)

Taste of Home:

And, of course, you have to have noise makers around for your guests for when the clock strikes midnight!

When I think of New Year’s Eve weddings, I think silver and gold.  Sparkly touches are perfect for New Year’s!

I wish I remembered what blog I got this from — too cute!

I love this idea of everyone writing their resolutions and hanging them on the tree

Cute gold touches from one of my favorite party supply web sites, Plum Party

Martha Stewart Weddings:

You can even wear cute silver and gold touches like this bride’s gorgeous dress, photographed by Meg Baisden:

Or these hot gold shoes:

Or this ADORABLE flower girl’s shoes from Rachel at Millie Holloman Photography:

And of course, you have to end the night with the perfect send off, whether it’s a balloon drop:

A confetti drop (from Jessica Claire)

Or, of course, sparklers!

Millie Holloman Photography:

So what are you doing New Year’s Eve?

After years of happily attending weddings as a guest, wedding singer, bridesmaid, maid of honor or wedding planner, I will now attend my first wedding…. as a BRIDE!   My wonderful fiancé John proposed at sunset on the beach in Naples, Florida a few weeks ago while we were in town for  – you guessed it – a wedding!  I said yes…well, I’m told I squealed a bit but we’re pretty sure there was a yes in there.  Either way, the ring is on my finger and although the “happily-staring-at-my-own-ring-phase” isn’t quite over yet, I promise that I keep it to a minimum…well, at least in public.

So that means I’m planning my own wedding.  Although I can’t invite you all to join me on the big day, I can invite you along in the planning process.  You’ll get a unique look into planning a wedding from the perspective of a wedding planner-bride!   I won’t be able to share everything, but I’ll gladly let you in where I can.  Here’s some info on me that should give you a better idea of what’s to come:

1.)  I’m a hugely creative person with a big DIY side: expect lots of hand-made touches and plenty of attention to detail.

2.)  I’m very family-oriented: Yes, it’s my day (and John’s day) first and foremost, but since friends and family are so important to us, it’s really important to me that they be comfortable and have a lot of fun.

3.)   I don’t believe that “wedding” should be synonymous with “bankruptcy.”  It’s not about how much money you spend, but about how you spend it.  I hope to throw a wedding that’s chic, fabulous and memorable, without spending a small fortune.   Difficult?  Maybe.  Impossible?  Definitely Not.

I plan to have a lot of fun on this journey and will definitely still be planning weddings for others as well.  Wedding planning (especially as a bride) should be a fun and stress-free.    I plan to keep it that way!  So if you don’t get a regular post from me, assume that I’m busy planning my wedding or someone else’s and will post as soon as I find a few free seconds.

See you back here soon!

Let’s kick off with some pictures!  The professional images you see are from the very talented Kristen Leigh Photography.  Kristen is such a doll to work with.  Check her out if you’re looking for a photographer!  Images without her cute “K” watermark are ones I took with my iPhone.

Barbara at Growing Wild did a phenomenal job with Sarah’s bouquet:

Sarah’s green shoes pretty much sum up her personality.  Fun, vibrant, energetic, elegant, and unique!

Sarah and her ladies took some time before the ceremony to take portraits.  I loved this one:

Inside, the ceremony’s all set to go.  If you’re been in the Torpedo Factory during the daytime it looks totally different!  John Farr Lighting Design does an incredible job in making this building transform for events:

Sarah and her dad make it down the aisle:

A gorgeous wedding ceremony at the Torpedo Factory.  Sarah & Abs had a friend, Pastor Dave Saville, perform the service.  He was really wonderful!  It was light, touching, and heartfelt.  I really enjoyed working with Pastor Dave and happily recommend him to anyone who’s looking for a young and modern officiant.  It was a nice departure from the typical wedding officiants I see:

During cocktails, Kristen took photographs of the bridal party in Alexandria.  This cute spot is just around the corner from the Torpedo Factory:

Here’s what Kristen saw:

Kristen got some great shots of our newlyweds along the Old Town Alexandria waterfront.  This is near and dear to me since my husband and I took similar photos over three years ago!  I thought this particular one was so elegant….just a beautiful moment frozen in time while the rest of the world buzzes around them:

Couldn’t this easily be the front cover of a magazine?

Back inside, the party was in full swing!  To start, guests found their escort cards in these cute wheat grass boxes (provided by Growing Wild):

The other half of the Torpedo Factory (opposite from the ceremony) was set up for dinner even before guests arrived.  All we needed were chairs!  Once the ceremony ended and guests moved upstairs for cocktails, Windows Catering set the chairs in place around the tables.  I love this image because it shows a little bit of the wonderful lighting and centerpiece pinspots:

A few more shots of the reception area.  Nicole at Windows Catering is a doll to work with and her staff was phenomenal:

Look familiar?  Once the chairs were out of the way we used the ceremony spot as the dance floor!  Ray from Chris Laich Music Services did a great job keeping folks on the dance floor the entire night.  Doesn’t the space look totally transformed with funky lighting?

Windows’ accomplished pastry chef made the gorgeous and tasty cake.  Sarah & Abs chose to forgo the traditional cake cutting ceremony so this baby was just dislayed then sliced up by the caterer:

On a final note, I wanted to share a video of their incredible first dance!  Sarah and Abs must have practiced this for MONTHS.  Their guests were totally shocked at the last move…watch it and see what I mean!

Thanks, Melissa & TJ, for referring this wedding to me!  I’m honored you thought of me for your friends and am glad I got to see you at the wedding.

For more photos from this wedding, check out Kristen Leigh’s Blog.

Congratulations again, Sarah & Abs!

Thanks for sharing it, Dia!