We have some big news!

Wish Special Events is excited to announce its new name: Blue Canary Events.  Over the past year we have expanded our team to include wedding planners not only in the Washington DC metro area, but also in Baltimore, New York City, Los Angeles and the San Francisco bay area.  While our website and blog will be moving, the people that make up our company aren’t going anywhere.

Our planners are now in the following spots:

• Washington, DC
• Arlington, VA
• Fairfax, VA
• Alexandria, VA
• Leesburg, VA
• Baltimore, MD
• Brooklyn, NY
• West Los Angeles, CA
• Mountain View, CA

If you’re already a client of Wish or Blue Canary, then you know that our contract and your planner are staying the same.  For any engaged folks who are considering hiring Wish, please check us out on the new Blue Canary Events website.  You’ll find that our packages and pricing are all the same.  Be sure you read our awesome reviews on WeddingWire.com.

For wedding professionals in DC, Baltimore, NYC, LA, and San Francisco, we have a wonderful team of planners who are looking forward to meeting and working with you.  Please email us some information about your business.

So – what are you waiting for? Check out our new website!  We even have a new blog post up on the blog today.

“Most perfect wedding dress ever.”

Kate, you are flawless.

And look at this stunning courtyard (photo by Greg Gibson):

Needless to say, Tori and I were quite excited to see what they had done for the event, and we weren’t disappointed! (The rest of these pictures are by me):

As we walked in, the first thing we were greeted by were these GORGEOUS cakes, from the Fairmont’s in house pastry chefs. I mean, look at the detail on these!

Aren’t those little sugar strawberries so cute?!

And how about the bees and the little beehive on this one?

The cakes were sitting on these really cool tables that had mini chandeliers hanging underneath them — these would be great for cakes, or a cocktail hour.

All of the tables had AMAZING looking linens on them, provided by Party Rental, Ltd.

Tori was in love with this table, from the linen to the hot pink chivaris! I’ve never seen hot pink chivaris before!!!

My favorite was this amazing centerpiece — look at the wood vase! I’m so sad I don’t know who the florist was that did this, but it’s SO gorgeous:

We both thought this table looked cool, but wondered how comfortable those stools were. We were afraid to sit in them — look how high they are! For a shorty like me, I would probably have fallen:

Loved this centerpiece too, with the orange roses mixed with the orange tulips. The flat design is really interesting and creative, I think.

You know what else was on that table? Food!

Doesn’t that look yummy? Let’s look closer at some of the nibbles they had!

Desserts too!

This Peanut Butter “Snickers Bar” was my favorite thing all night…SO yummy!

(Love that plate too!)

They had a little lounge area set up with a cute centerpiece on the coffee table — perfect for an area to get comfy and chat!

But what I REALLY fell in love with in the lounge area were these pillows! OMG, I want them in my house RIGHT NOW!

They had some fun little stations set up throughout the room — here there was a tea station with all different types of teas, but they also had coffee and, my favorite, hot chocolate!

I also LOVED this beer pairing station — they had different beers paired with small bites, a really cute idea for a “man” station

Several vendors I’ve worked with before were there — Pablo from Freed Photography was taking pictures (you may remember him from Rob and Maya’s gorgeous sunflower wedding, seen here):

DJ Aaron from Chris Laich Music Services was there — he was the DJ at Diane and Allen’s reception at the Clarendon Ballroom (photo from their wedding here by Michelle Lindsay):

And I actually got to take a picture of Nour of Made Up Art at her booth!

She did the GORGEOUS makeup of Maddy and her bridesmaids last year (seen here), but this was my first time meeting her.  I hope to work with her again, their makeup was flawless!

My favorite part of the day, though, was when I fell in love. Not with a man, not with a woman…with a dress. Actually, two dresses. Oh, Hitched, why must you have such adorable employees wearing your gorgeous dresses?!?!?!

Both dresses were from Amsale, who is officially my new favorite designer. I mean, look how cute! Pockets! Cute neckline! LOVE!!

And this one? Look at that skirt! MUST HAVE!!!!!!! I don’t care that I’m not even engaged, I want one NOW! (I feel like Veruca Salt right now…)

Thank you, Fairmont, for a lovely evening! We had a great time, and hope to see you again soon!

Is that veil AMAZING or what?!?!  And how beautiful is this bride?!

Maggie’s gorgeous bouquet, and all of the flowers, came from Kendra at Greenworks, who did an awesome job!

The ceremony was held at one of my absolute favorite churches, Holy Trinity in Georgetown.  The bride’s room there has beautiful hardwood floors, and is a perfect place to take some last minute photos of the bride getting ready…

While the girls were putting on the last minute touches at Holy Trinity, the boys were having a last minute drink at the hotel!

Hmm…what’s that in the picture…is that a dog??

That won’t be the last time you see Journey, Maggie and Gareth’s adorable pup!

But wait, first we need a few more getting ready shots!

(Does Gareth look like an Old Hollywood star or what?!)

I loved this little guy — at the rehearsal, when I asked him to hand the best man the ring pillow, he just threw it at him.  I had to laugh out loud, it was so cute!

Once everyone arrived at the church, it was time to get things started!  Maggie and her dad waited outside…

And I began sending everyone down the aisle, starting with a bevy of adorable little ones!

I mean, how can you resist these faces?!?!

Then we opened the doors, and everyone stood for Maggie to begin making her way down the aisle with her dad.

I love the look on Gareth’s face here, like he’s not sure if he’s doing it right…

Does anything seem odd here?

If you’re wondering if Holy Trinity allows dogs: no, no they do not.  I’m lucky I haven’t been banned from the church for allowing this little visitor!  But it was really important to Maggie and Gareth that he be there…and look at that face, how can you resist?!?  (Plus, I swear, I didn’t know about it until the last minute!)  And look how happy he is for his mommy and daddy!

And look how well behaved he was for group pictures!

While Reston Limo shuttled guests over to the Ritz Carlton for the reception, the bridal party made their way around the streets of Georgetown for pictures.

This shot was only the beginning of Maggie and Gareth rocking out all night…

After they completed their photo safari, Maggie and Gareth were driven back to the Ritz by Drew at Secure Limo, where they went up to their gorgeous suite to take a few pictures on their balcony.

Do you want to know how amazing the staff is at the Ritz?  The bright green drink in Maggie’s hand was their signature martini — but Becky Jones, the Event Coordinator at the Ritz, was afraid the drink might spill out of a martini glass, so she had the bartenders pour it into a wine glass for her.  It’s little, but those little touches mean SO much to a couple on their wedding day!

One of the many things I love about Deb is how she takes SO much care to take detail shots of the day.  I mean, look at all of these great pictures!

Love the pink toenails

Some more gorgeous flowers from Kendra at Greenworks (I LOVE how those tulips are arranged!)

The delicious cake was provided by the Ritz Carlton as well

Maggie and Gareth did one of the cutest cake cuttings I’ve seen

I love their adorable reaction to one of the toasts as well…

And Journey makes another appearance — he now has a fan club!

Maggie and Gareth then kicked things off on the dance floor to, what else, Journey!

And then, I swear, I think that was the last time I saw them all night, because their AMAZING band, Round Midnight, kept them on the dance floor ALL NIGHT LONG.  These guys are seriously AWESOME!

Old and young rocked the floor all night with these guys, including the gorgeous lady below in gold — the groom’s total sweetheart of a mother!

Speaking of the groom’s parents, Gareth’s dad is the Chairman of Beleek Pottery, which is a famous Irish china and pottery company.  The favors were a beautiful porcelain vase with a shamrock on it to represent the groom’s Irish heritage, and a pair of Irish lead crystal champagne flutes from one of Beleek’s subsidiaries, Galway Crystal.

These were probably the most beautiful favors I’ve had at one of my weddings — I’m honored to have a pair of these flutes in my cabinet at home, but they’re so gorgeous, I’m afraid to use them!!

Maggie was, if you can believe it, my very first bride to do a bouquet toss (it’s even been a few years)!

But then it was Gareth’s turn…

This is probably one of the best wedding action shots I’ve ever seen — this guy got some serious air!

Congratulations, Maggie and Gareth!  It was a pleasure working with you and your wonderful families!

Happy Valentine’s Day, Wish readers!

I hope you’re all out there celebrating love, whether you’re getting married, in a long term relationship, newly dating, you’ve been married for year’s, you’re a newlywed, or your fabulously single, everyone has someone they love — go out there and celebrate them!!

The Indigo Bunting:

I had TONS of leftover red pictures, so today we’re going all red all the time!

Hmm, where to start?  Well, who doesn’t love flowers for Valentine’s Day, right?

Elizazbeth Anne Designs:

Some people love red roses, though!  How about this gorgeous bouquet from Fionna Floral:

Jasmine Star:

Jodi Miller Photography:

Marianne Todd Photography:

M Three Studio:

Vision Photographs:

K. Thompson Photography (LOVE her, LOVE this bouquet!)

Now, how about some flowers for the table…

Eleise Theuer:

Elizabeth Anne Designs:

JL Designs:

Leigh Miller:

Meg Perotti:

Aargh!  I don’t know where this picture came from, but I love it too much not to post it!

Studio Fleurette:

The Bloom Room:

Lighting and decor add great touches to your wedding, whether it’s as simple as ribbons in a tree…

Captured Photography:

Or as elaborate as lighting and lounge furniture…

David Stark Design:

District Weddings:

Fete NY:

Jennifer Domenick:

Kristen Steele:

A few more decor pictures…

JL Designs:

Minzilla:

Wedding Chicks:

Red is one of the easiest colors to incorporate into food and drink!

Bakerella:

Delectable Deliciousness:

I Am Baker (Oh, God…Red Velvet FUDGE!):

Kristen Steele:

Leigh Miller:

Intimate Weddings:

And for you stationery lovers out there, here are a few for you!

Emilie Inc.:

Fiore Fresco:

Gladys Jem Photography:

Martha Stewart Weddings:

And one last picture, from Offbeat Bride, just because I love the picture SO much!

Happy Valentine’s Day!  I hope you’ve enjoyed our red series!

If you’re having a wedding on (or very close to) Valentine’s Day, red and pink is the way to go!  There is no more perfect combination for a Valentine’s wedding than red, pink and hearts!

Anders Ruff:

Let’s start with the bride, of course!  Are you daring enough to wear a pink wedding dress?

Green Wedding Shoes:

Joel Flory Photography:

Vintage Glam Weddings:

The Sweetest Occasion:

How cute is Sara Bareilles in this Luisa Beccaria dress?  LOVE the red sash with the pink — this would be PERFECT for a Valentine’s Day wedding!

Not into a pink dress?  How about red?

Jessica Claire:

Love Me Do Photography:

Vision Photographs:

Victor Sizemore:

Offbeat Bride:

And don’t forget the shoes!

Gabriel Ryan:

And if it’s February, you’ll need something to keep you warm…

J. Crew:

Love and Lavender:

Etsy Seller Lilithist:

The little ones always look cute in red and pink!

Anders Ruff:

Captured Photography:

Green Wedding Shoes:

Now onto the bridesmaids.  You can do a mix of pink and red dresses, which is cute…

Elizabeth Anne Designs:

Martha Stewart Weddings:

Our Labor of Love:

Or you can go with red dresses and pink bouquets, like one of these Watters & Watters bridesmaids dresses:

with one of these gorgeous pink bouquets…

Signature K Events:

Or a great pink bridesmaids dress, like one of these from Jenny Yoo:

with a fun red bouquet!

Emilie Inc.:

Or mix it up for both you and your maids, and do bouquets with a mix of red and pink flowers — the possibilities are endless!!

The Schultzes:

Living Fresh:

Once Wed:

The Knot:

The Little White Book:

There are lots more places to use red and pink flowers than your bouquets…red and pink centerpieces add a fun pop of color to your tables:

100 Layer Cake:

Absolutely Beautiful Things:

Budget Savvy Bride:

Egomedia Photography:

Green Wedding Shoes:

Jessamyn Harris Photography:

Once Wed:

Roberto Valenzuela:

And because it wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without sweets, let’s look at some great red and pink sugary goodness!

Anders Ruff:

Bakerella:

Captured Photography:

Hostess with the Mostess:

Martha Stewart Weddings:

The Sweetest Occasion:

Monday is Valentine’s Day!  We’ll finish up this series then with “the best of the rest” of my red photos!

I mentioned this in my post about the University of Maryland , but with red and yellow, you have to be careful you don’t venture into Ronald McDonald territory when you’re going with this color scheme:

Red and yellow can, however, be a super fun, colorful, bright color scheme — you just have to do it right, like this bride!

In the Now Weddings and Events:

To me, the perfect red and yellow wedding is a picnic-type affair.  Think red and white checkered tablecloths…

Victor Sizemore:

Or a red or yellow linen with a burlap runner over it?

Style Me Pretty:

For centerpieces, I love mason jars and glass bottles filled with yellow and red flowers…

Ruffled:

Wedding Chicks:

JL Designs:

Style Me Pretty:

You could also do alternating centerpieces of red and yellow fruits, like a few simple bowls of cherries:

Some lemon centerpieces, like this one from Real Simple:

Love this simple grass with lemons in it from Yum Sugar.  This could be cute for an escort card table, too…

Gerbera daisies are the PERFECT flowers for a red and yellow wedding — red and yellow gerberas are so cheerful!

Jacobsen’s Flowers:

Lemiga Events:

Stephanie Klein Davis Photography:

Style Me Pretty:

Of course, gerbera aren’t the only yellow and red flowers.  I LOVE sunflowers for a red and yellow wedding — talk about cheerful!!!

Designs by Courtney:

Project Wedding:

Snippet and Ink:

The Party Dress (I LOVE this!!)

Here are some more great red and yellow flowers…

Amy Squires:

April Foster Events:

I LOVE Billy Balls (aka craspedia) — such fun little flowers!

Fiore Fresco:

Hostess with the Mostess:

JL Designs:

Speaking of JL Designs, how gorgeous are these bouts with raspberries in them?!?!?

Kimberly Brooke Photography:

Martha Stewart Weddings:

Mary Basnight Photography:

Once Wed:

Mantas Wright Photography:

Style Me Pretty:

HOW GORGEOUS is this altar from Project Wedding?!  Red and yellow work so well for a fall wedding!

One of the things I love about red and yellow is that you can really make it your own, even with something as simple as the bridesmaids dresses.  You can go with red dresses…

One Thousand Words Photography:

Yellow dresses…

Dan and Anne Almasy:

Lark Photography:

Or a combination of both!

Turnquist Photography:

You can also make your bar a fun part of your color scheme!

Hostess with the Mostess:

Lemiga Events:

Project Wedding:

Victor Sizemore:

Or carry the theme from your invitations on through the reception with your paper products!

100 Layer Cake:

Brooklyn Bride:

Green Wedding Shoes:

Lark Photography:

Oh So Beautiful Paper:

Stephanie Williams Photography:

Are you having a red and yellow wedding?  What elements are you using?

I love red and white.  It seems so simple, but a white wedding with pops of red just seems so cheerful and happy to me, it’s perfect for Valentine’s Day!

I love the girls red and white dresses, so I went in search of more red and white dresses, to see where I could find some good ones!

\

Debenhams:

Anna Hardy:

Anthropologie (no longer available, but still adorable!)

OMG!  How GORGEOUS is Chandra Wilson from Grey’s Anatomy in this outfit?!  And how great would it be for your maids?!

These two dresses from Forever 21 would be cute for certain types of weddings, but I’m a big NO on the black stockings.  NO, Forever 21, NO!

Kim Fox Photography:

Oops…I couldn’t find where these came from, but still cute, right?!

Raissa Gerona:

Offbeat Bride:

Of course, to pull off a red and white color scheme, the dresses don’t have to be red AND white, right?  You could do a gorgeous bridesmaids dress in red, with a pretty red or white bouquet!

Emilie Inc.

Jennifer Domenick:

Melanie Mauer:

Elizabeth Anne Designs:

Of course, you could also put the bridesmaids in white dresses with red bouquets…how gorgeous would these ladies look all carrying red bouquets with different blooms in them (with the bride with a white bouquet!)

I also like the idea of the bride, rather than carrying a white bouquet, carrying a bright pop of red against her white dress.  It really brightens up the day!

Amy Martin Photography:

East Side Bride:

Jubilee Weddings:

Married & More with Michelle:

Melanie Mauer:

Of course, red flowers aren’t just for the bride’s bouquet…how about a flower in your hair?

Daisy Varley:

Jose Villa:

There are so many gorgeous red accessories out there on Etsy, brides can go CRAZY with them, adding just a little, or a lot!

Alex Bridal:

Pur Designs:

Upstyle:

Las Lopez:

Pixel and Hank:

Storied:

Prettied:

But it’s not just your accessories you can get on Etsy for your red and white wedding — you can get EVERYTHING on there!!!  Your invitations…

ello there:

Frankie and Mae:

Bklyn Stitch:

Royal Steamline:

Your favors…

Tickle My Tummy:

Bees Knees Creative:

Cedar Tree Farm Soaps:

Decor…

Victorian Station:

Pomtree:

Le Maison du Vintage:

And many, many, many, MANY more things!

A few more non-etsy red and white inspiration photos…

Celebrations at Home:

East Side Bride:

Emilie Inc.:

Green Wedding Shoes:

Swanky Tables:

Studio Fleurette:

Do you love red and white as much as I do?  Are you getting things from Etsy for your wedding?

Red and Black is one of the easiest color combinations there is.  There are TONS of red flowers out there, as well as red accessories and red dresses, but there’s tons of black too — ribbon on your bouquet, black bridesmaids dresses, a simple black tux — this one’s a no brainer!

Amy Martin Photography:

Want some red flowers?  You don’t have to go with roses (although you certainly can!)  But how about tulips?

Or anemones…

or carnations? (Photo by Jennifer Domenick)

Gerberas?

Emilie Inc.

Or, one of my favorite flowers, dahlias!

This gorgeous bouquet was created by DC’s own Petal’s Edge Floral Design.  (Photo from Studio Diana via Project Wedding)

Pair a red bouquet with a black bridesmaids dress, and you have a chic color combination that works well throughout the year.  Here are some great black dresses (including quite a few you don’t have to go to a bridal shop to find!)

Amsale:

After Six:

Anna Elyse:

Banana Republic:

DKNY:

Kay Unger (via Saks):

Lane Bryant:

Pair any of those dresses with a red bouquet and you’ve got a gorgeous bridesmaid!  Of course, pair her with some hot red shoes too, and watch out, groomsmen!!!

Fiore Fresco:

Becker:

Our Labor of Love:

Vision Photographs:

What, bridesmaids get to have all the fun??

Kimberly Reed Photography:

100 Layer Cake:

Emilie Inc.:

Olivia Leigh Photographie:

Black and red are pretty easy for your decor, too!

Flights of Fancy:

Sarah Rhoads:

Style Me Pretty:

Wedding Aces:

And a few more red and black beauties to finish it out…

Amy Martin Photography:

Bellissima Vita Weddings:

Brooklyn Bride:

Emilie Inc.

Love these hair pins from Etsy seller Foundling:

One of my absolute FAVORITE photographers, Kelsey Thompson, photographed a gorgeous black and red bridal party!

Millie Holloman:

Olivia Leigh Weddings:

Are you going for a red and black color palette?

I know, I know — you’re thinking summer, 4th of July, Patriotic, right?  Well, yes…but not always.  There are various shades of blue, and if you pair them with red properly, you don’t have to look like the American flag…unless you want to, of course!

I’ve said this before, but the best way to avoid looking too “themey” is to use two colors primarily (red and white, red and blue, or blue and white) with just small touches of the other color.  For example, I love these bridesmaids dresses in varying shades of blue, and they would be perfect with red bouquets!

Andrea Hallgren Photography:

The nice thing about blue is that there are so many varying shades, it’s easy to use your favorite colors, but not venture into 4th of July picnic territory (again, unless that’s what you’re going for, in which case, do it up!!).  But with varying shades of blue and red, you can invoke a winter feeling…

A springy affair…

Goodlight Photography:

Summer on a California beach…

Marisa Holmes:

Or a Nantucket clambake!

Stacey Kane Photography:

There isn’t a single shade of blue that doesn’t go well with red, from navy:

To cornflower…

Rebekah J. Murray:

To royal…

Merriment Events:

You really can’t go wrong!  Even Martha seems to be a big fan of these colors!

How cute are these little nuggets and their white cardigans and red shoes?!?!

I’m probably not a red pants for men kind of girl, but I LOVE the bridesmaid’s outfit!

In fact, there are a lot of cute bridesmaids outfits out there in the red and blue arena…

Indigo Photography:

Kristen Leigh:

Kristen Gardner:

Scott and Tem Photography:

Wedding Bee:

How about some flowers for you?

Indigo Photography:

Cherry Blossom Weddings:

Jessica Claire:

Snippet and Ink:

I love fun tablescapes — if I had an unlimited budget for my imaginary wedding (which I do…since it’s imaginary…) I would go CRAZY with linens, dishes, glassware, etc.!!

In the Now Weddings & Events:

Michele M Waite:

Wedding Cabaret:

Love Lee Homemaker:

Elizabeth Anne Designs:

Berries are a great way to add these bright colors, especially in the summer!

Jodi Miller Photography:

Simply Recipes:

Modern Beet:

Making Banana Pancakes (I love the names of these food blogs!)

Of course, if you’re not a berry person, there are other ways to dress up your treats!

Bakerella

Kate Headley:

Wedding and Cakes:

Are you having a red and blue wedding?  Are you going for a patriotic theme, or are you using red and blue in other ways?