Bridal News

Who doesn’t love Ruth’s Chris Steak House? That sizzling plate of choice cut beef, delicious sides (love the spinach!) and signature service - all hallmarks of a great restaurant.

Now you can have the Ruth’s Chris experience at your wedding venue as the restaurant now caters. Ruth’s Chris offers three wedding packages from which to choose - and each has a lot of great options, starting at $80++ per person. Your event specialist will take care of all the details - from food & beverage to service ware and linens. You provide the hungry guests!

To learn more about Ruth’s Chris Catering, contact Sales Manager Ellen Fatigati at 703.848.4293 or email salestysons@ruthschris.com. And be sure to visit www.ruthschris.com/catering.

No, not that one - it’s budget! Everyone couple has one. To help you make the most of yours, Cynthia Damico, owner of Design in Bloom, has given me permission to reprint a recent article that will give you insights on how you can best utilize your floral budget.

Use One Flower for Savings

You love hydrangea? Roses? Great! The more blooms you use of one type of flower, the greater your cost savings in the long run. Bulk discounts come to your florist when she/he uses cases and boxes of blooms, so be savvy and get those savings passed on to you. Every time you add one more different type of flower to an event, you don’t buy just one bloom - you very often buy an entire bunch. If all those blooms can be used, great! If not, you’ve just paid for something you’re not using. Not great.

Be Reasonable About Color

If I had a nickel for every discussion on “pink” I’ve ever had, I could retire today. Flowers are living things and their growing conditions very often influence their final shade. If you absolutely have to have a particular color, like your shoes, you’re going to have to dye it and hope for the best. Of course, this comes at a price. To avoid the must match problem, use different tones and shades within one color to have designs that “go” rather than “match”.

Don’t be a Flower Snob

Carnations have come a long way, baby! The underdog workhorse of the flower world is back and bigger (and more colorful!) than ever. Designed with an eye toward modern trends, they can be a wonderfully budget friendly flower. Mums can also add a full and glamorous feel to a design if used well, and again, budget friendly!

By working with a reputable floral designer with a strong background in weddings, you can come up with great design at a reasonable price. To schedule a consultation with Cynthia, call 703.659.3888 and visit www.designinbloom.net.

Chrysis Entertainment offers a wide variety of DJs and musicians for your wedding day - but did you know that they can handle your lighting and decor needs as well?

Bethany Wright, Events Director for Chrysis Entertainment, recently sent these “before” and “after” photos, showing the difference lighting and draping can make - especially if your event is in a somewhat cavernous space.

Chrysis Entertainment transformed the venue for Event’s DC “Hollywood Nights” Invitational Showcase by providing dramatic exterior and interior lighting and effects, staged decors and draping. The agency also served as Master of Ceremonies and provided entertainment with a live hybrid band playing classic standards, as well as a DJ.

The event was held at The Carnegie Library, located at Mount Vernon Square in DC. It’s a big, beautiful space, but with its soaring columns and marble, it can feel a bit cold and aloof.

“It’s a common problem,” says Bethany. “It’s a grand setting to be sure, perfect for accommodating guests and wedding ceremonies. Granite columns and marble interiors need the right effect to make them warm and personal. We deploy illustrative draping and lighting to realize your vision for the altar in your ceremony.”

Options for lighting and draping a blank canvas of an event space are limitless. “Some may choose to flood the room with their wedding colors,” says Bethany. “Others may opt for the dusk and sparkle of twilight. You can bring the bright of dawn or the glow of sunset in rays behind the bridal party. And soft draping of fabric forms a backdrop that is stunning and intimate.”

Lighting and draping will draw the eye to the main event and perfectly frame the occasion, whatever your vision. Adding an altar treatment to your ceremony will make the difference between a good photo and a splendid image.

To learn more about Chrysis Entertainment, call 202.238.9011 and visit www.chrysis.org.

If you’re thinking about a honeymoon or destination wedding in the Caribbean, you’ll want to check out this Webinar hosted by Dreams & Destinations Travel - it’s Sandals and Beaches Resorts Caribbean Night. Mix yourself a tasty tropical drink and log on to this informative online seminar on Tuesday, September 18, 7:30-9:30pm.

You’ll learn about some of the most romantic and innovative resorts in the Caribbean, touring Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia, Turks & Cacos and the Bahamas. And you’ll hear about the great specials currently offered by these award-winning, all-inclusive resorts. Book your honeymoon within two weeks of attending this webinar and receive a $250 resort spa credit (travel conditions apply).

The webinar is available via computer, tablet or smartphone. The presentation takes about an hour and Sandals Specialist Melinda Webb, owner of Dreams & Destinations, will be available to answer your questions.

Space is limited, so reserve your webinar seat now at http://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/917122335. And if you have any questions before the webinar, you can reach Melinda at info@wheredreamslead.com.

I asked Krysta Ardigo, owner of Invite Me, to serve as my intrepid reporter at the annual National Stationery Show in NYC. Here’s what she found …

This was our first time attending the National Stationery Show. I literally felt like a kid in a candy store! My husband Ryan accompanied me to the show and he was a great sport. Before the show, I planned my route, since there are over 3,000 vendors. Over the years I’ve developed relationships with many wonderful vendors, but never met them in person. I mapped out the locations of my current vendors, as well as new vendors I wanted to learn more about - I was on a mission to find something different!

In searching for fresh, contemporary designs, I found two designers. Noteworthy Collections offers fun invitations, announcements, stamps and collegiate items. I love that they carry party invitations for every kind of event - especially different themes of bridal showers, including around the clock showers and garden party showers. Another company I fell in love with was Ann Scott Designs. Their designs are classic and feature a hand-illustrated look for a style all their own and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and occasions with invitations, greeting cards and note cards.

I was also on the lookout for embellishments to use for my custom invitations. I already work with a few box companies, as well as the Buckle Boutique who was in attendance at the show. The company is located in Texas so it was nice to chat in person for ideas and suggestions. They not only carry crystal buckles, but also crystal sheets that can be used for laying on invitations and wraps. Another popular embellishment is twine. Whisker Graphics was on my list of vendors to check out. They offer twine in a variety of colors including three holiday colors.

The most unique find came from Hamlet Products. This husband and wife team specializes in acrylic invitations, favors, keepsake boxes and cake toppers. I am really excited about working with this vendor. My favorite invitation was the simple clear acrylic invitation with beveled edges. It can be placed in a battery operated light stand which reflects colors off the invitation. There are several sizes and plenty of colors to choose from, including solid and see through acrylic, mirror colors, glitter colors and marble colors. These invitations are not only for weddings, but perfect for bat/bar mitzvahs, anniversary parties and Sweet 16. We can also design matching guest books and table numbers.

One of my new favorite companies for custom designs is SoHo Paper, located in New Jersey. They really had one of the nicest, most creative displays at the show. To show their paper samples, they laser cut butterflies and placed them “flying” by their sign. It was a beautiful way to showcase their paper and their custom laser cutting department. Laser cut invitations were very popular at the show and I have worked with SoHo Papers to design a few.

These are just a few of the samples we found at the National Stationery Show. We’re really excited to work with our new vendors so we can offer a wide variety of invitation styles in all price ranges. And we’re already looking forward to the NSS in 2013!

Great job Krysta! Are you looking for something special in save the dates and wedding stationery? To learn more about Invite Me, visit www.invitemeinvitations.net or call 703.798.1992.

Northern Virginia brides are busy women - and planning a wedding can be like a second job. There are so many things to consider and so many vendors to ponder. This is where a professional wedding planner can help you save time, stress, and yes - money.

Professionals planners will review your vendor contracts to make sure you aren’t making any costly mistakes and getting the best value for your dollar. And because experienced planners have a go-to Rolodex of trusted wedding professionals they work with on a regular basis, they can often negotiate preferred pricing for their brides.

Johanna Goossens, owner of Simplicity Events, is offering a Fall Cheer Special for her brides. Book her planning services by December 15th and receive 10% off your package. Johanna has an extensive background in hospitality management and can handle all the details of putting together the perfect reception.

To learn more about Johanna and Simplicity Events, call703.398.7617 or email johanna@simplicityeventsonline.com.

Etiquette doesn’t have to be stale and stuffy. On September 25, The Dandelion Patch will host a Wedding Etiquette Tea from 2pm to 4pm at the Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner. Enjoy high tea with Anna Post, etiquette guru and great-great granddaughter of Emily Post. Receive a swag bag full of goodies, including an autographed copy of “Wedding Etiquette: The Definitive Guide to You Wedding Experience”. Fashions provided by Love Couture. Cost: $65 per person. For more details, visit www.thedandelionpatch.com/annapost.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a big supporter of local bridal salons. I believe this is a time to receive personal attention and enjoy the experience of shopping for the dress of your dreams. Ruth Sutton, owner of CurvyGirls Bridal in Fairfax recently sent me an email to show the pitfalls of buying your gown on line …

I had a bride who came in recently to shop for her gown. After she said YES and we toasted with champagne, her mother said, “Now we need to talk about the price”. We explained that our store sets its prices as recommended by the manufacturer and we sell at the lowest price allowed. If we were caught selling it at a lower price we risked having the entire line pulled from our store. The mother said she had seen the same dress on line for less. We explained that our manufacturers only deal with “brick and mortar” shops and do not sell to on line merchants. These dresses are either knock-offs or illegally obtained by these on line stores. No manufacturer will stand behind these dresses and the bride is taking an unbelievable risk on the most important piece of her wedding.

I did some research and found a site that sells many different manufacturers. It looks very “legit” since it is highly rated by the Better Business Bureau and has other stamps of approval. Here’s the big “however”. The following is taken directly from the FAQ’s on their website.

“Authenticity Guarantee:

You are guaranteed to receive a brand new, authentic designer gown as advertised in the title. We do not sell knock-off gowns, store samples or defective gowns. All gowns are ordered directly from the designer advertised, just as you would order from any bridal salon.”

So I called one of my manufacturers and asked how can this be when they do not sell to on line merchants? The manufacturer said, “We DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES sell to on line merchants and will not stand behind the merchandise they sell.

So the next question is: Where are the dresses coming from if not directly from the manufacturer?

I think the answer can be found in the following, once again taken directly from the on line website.

“Low Price Guarantee:

We are a personal buying service with access to a large number of buying opportunities. Some manufacturers/designers prohibit direct account holders to sell their merchandise over the Internet. For this reason, we act as a liaison between the Internet market and local brick and mortar shops. We do not have direct accounts with, nor are we affiliated or endorsed by, most manufacturers. However, our long standing reputation is proof you can have your dream gown at an affordable price! As we are internet based we can pass cost savings to you. Your item will be ordered directly from the manufacturer through our partner boutique.”

If a salon is selling to an Internet market, they are doing it without the permission or authorization of the manufacturer. The manufacturer I contacted said they do not authorize the sale of their dresses to third parties to then resell.

In the case I mentioned earlier, the bride was a size 20. There are precious few shops where she could go and try on a couture gown that actually fit her so she could see how magnificent she looked. Your local bridal salon is there to provide quality service, from the moment you try on your gown to the last stitch in the alterations.

Brides, please support your local bridal shops!

Our area is home to all branches of the military – from Quantico, Fort Belvoir and Fort Meyer to the Naval Yard, Andrews Air Force Base and, of course, the Pentagon. I asked wedding consultant and retired military officer Vanessa L. Baldwin of Elegant Beginnings Professional Event Coordinators to provide some tips for planning a military wedding. She is the author of “The Military Wedding: A Guide to Planning, Traditions and Unexpected Situations”, published by AuthorHouse.

People assume that the planning for every wedding is the same—buy the dress, secure the venue, hire the vendors, design the ceremony and reception, etc. However, there are situations that face the bride or groom marrying a military person that most couples do not have to face. In addition to embarking on a new journey as a married couple, the military wedding is the beginning of a whole new way of life and culture. Here are a few tips to consider if you are planning a wedding that honors military heritage and traditions:

www.robcannonphoto.com

1. Select a military chapel, Officers’ Club or a venue of historic or military significance for your rehearsal, ceremony or reception. Find out the eligibility criteria to use the venue and how soon you may submit your application. Many military chapels are in high demand as a wedding ceremony venue.

2. Send Save-the-Date cards to your friends and family to provide plenty of time to make arrangements to travel to the wedding.

3. Provide Base Security or the Provost Marshall with a list of your guests and vendors to ensure they are able to gain access to the installation. Call the base or post security office to confirm what information you must provide.

4. Provide your guests and vendors with special wedding day instructions regarding identification, security procedures, and arrival times. You want your guests and vendors, who have never visited a military installation, to know what to expect.

5. Include military traditions in your wedding such as including the military rank on the invitations, using the Service song of the bride or groom’s branch of military service as the recessional, exiting the chapel through a saber or sword arch and cutting the wedding cake with a saber or sword.

6. Be sure that all uniforms worn by the wedding party are of the same level of formality as the groom’s uniform. Although it’s the uniform that makes the military wedding, you may also have people in your wedding party that are not military and not in uniform. Just be sure the civilian attire of your civilian wedding party member is of the same formality as the uniforms. If the bride is in the military, she may still wear a beautiful wedding gown.

7. Encourage your guests to send wedding gifts to your home and not to the wedding ceremony or reception. This is a considerate gesture toward the family so they will not have to be concerned about transporting the gifts from the reception venue to their home after a long day. Also, your gifts may need to be unwrapped for security inspection at the entry gate.

8. Respect the chapel rules and restrictions. Many military chapels are historic landmarks so there are restrictions to preserve the building as much as possible. The restrictions may appear to limit what you can do, but it really means you need to be more creative.

9. Consider wedding insurance if your military fiancé deploys often or is scheduled for deployment.

10. Remember to apply for an identification card for you or your spouse after the wedding or honeymoon. If you are the military person, don’t forget to get a new identification, if there is a name change.

I asked my client Mille Baldwin, owner of Sweet Memories Heirloom Pastries, to dish on dessert bars for my readers.

Dessert bars are finding their way into more and more wedding receptions. Why?

First and foremost, dessert bars offer your guests a non-cake option as their sweet treat (sadly not everyone eats cake). Dessert bars can be budget friendly and result in less waste at the end of your reception than the comparable candy table.

Dessert bars are a way to stretch your cake budget. Priced by the piece, you can mix and match dessert bar items – getting four or five treats in place of one cake serving. So if the budget is tight, you can reduce the amount of cake needed and still have an elegant, tasty alternative and no one will feel slighted or think you are skimping.

And while stretching the budget, dessert bars present a lavish appearance. They give you, as a couple, the opportunity to express yourselves through color, flavor, texture and custom details, giving your guests another dimension of decadent fun and another décor element to look at and comment on. Dessert bars can be great conversation starters for a group of people who generally do not all know one another.

Finally, dessert bars are fabulous if you are partying into the night. Open your dessert bar after the cake and coffee have long been served and to give your guests a pick me up before driving home. Dessert bars are perfect in their ability to be flexible. Have a mix of sweet and a touch of savory if it’s late in the evening – they are fully customizable, making them completely “you”.

If you have a sweet tooth and want to learn more about dessert bars, visit www.sweetmemoriesheirloompastries.com and take a tour through the Wedding Galleries.