Did you know DaVinci’s Florist has a blog?  Neither did we!  We’ve worked with them on quite a few occasions (here, here, here) and are always impressed.

They’ve posted some amazing photos of their work that are simply stunning.  Check these out:

For more, go check out their blog right now!

Remember the 2007 DC ISES expo?  Check out part one, part two, and part three if you want to see what you missed last year.

Last week, Ryan and I ventured to the Bethesda North Marriott where the DC chapter of the International Special Events Society was hosting it’s 2008 expo.  This is a spectacular trade show for event professionals that shows us what’s new in the industry and what the latest trends are.

What a beautiful hotel!  If you’re planning a larger wedding (400+ guests), this is a really nice new venue that would be ideal for a lot of people.  There are plenty of hotel rooms on-site, the ballroom is nearly new and is appointed tastefully, and the staff is used to acommodating a lot of people at once.  Here’s what we saw when we entered:

The ISES committee that put together the expo decided to go all out with a theme.  Last year’s James Bond theme was only tied into the event a little bit.  This year it was Cirque du Soleil!  You can really tell by all the beautiful lighting, swagged fabric on the ceiling, and crazy bright colors.  I liked this iridescent dance floor although it would hardly be appropriate for a wedding:

The center of the room held a huge circle of lounge furniture from Cort Event Furnishings.  Standing on the tables were Cirque-inspired performers who juggled, danced, and generally provided eye candy.  Cast of Thousands provided these characters.  There’s one in the center there wearing all black and another one off to the right with blue skin:

On the opposite side of the room, Arachne Aerial Arts did a fantastic Cirque-style performance:

One of the booths I was intriqued by was set up by Capitol Decor.  Remember when we visited their warehouse in January?  Apparently black and white damask is the hot new trend!  If you haven’t seen enough of this scheme on Weddingbee (here and here) or Junebug, you certainly will at weddings across the DC metro area over the next two years:

I liked the whole thing, really, but what really got me was the table.  Do you see how it’s a clear acrylic or lucite material?  There’s space to put stuff in between.  They used yellow roses and a layer of water:

Another little detail that struck my fancy was the damask votive holders.  Look how cute:

Another furniture rental company, Room Service, caught on to the damask trend too.  This company is new to the DC area and we’re glad to have another lounge furniture option:

Sadly I don’t remember whose booth this was and I already tossed the program (eek!).  Does anyone remember who had this cool display?  Again with the damask…those are actually removable vinyl stickers that can be applied to any surface:

The lights behind the panels subtlety changed colors!  Here it is in pink and purple:

Select Event Rentals had this beautiful mini tent set up with a tabletop display inside.  I love the ribbon inside the centerpiece vase instead of traditional clear water.  I also like the aqua-colored plates on top of the white square chargers:

American Furniture Rental set up this arrangement with funky blue suede furniture pieces:

As always, we saw a few of our vendor friends out and about at the expo.  Here’s Tonya from Blue Sky Films:

We also ran into the DaVinci’s Florist crew!  The owner Sharone is there on the left, his sister Sivan in the white coat, and Diana on the far right.  Jennifer from Syzygy Events is there in the middle.  Even when blurry they make a handsome group, don’t you think?

This proper lady was walking around, displaying brochures and candy on her tabletop skirt:

Party Rental had a beautiful table set up with all different combinations of place setting pieces:

Here are a few of my favorites:

If that weren’t enough sensory overload for you, they even had an Obama impersonator complete with a secret service agent (see his earpiece on the right?).  Obama got it right down to the American flag lapel pin.  Here he is posing with Ryan:

Remember Dora & Kaisorn’s sneak peek back in June?  I’ve had images from Cassidy DuHon for a while now and am so excited to share them with you.
The ceremony and reception were both held at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland.  Much like Meadowlark in Vienna, this is a public botanical garden.  Due to the size of the wedding we weren’t able to use their on-site events facility.  It’s not as nice or new as Meadowlark’s but it’s functional.  Instead we chose to tent a random flat space within the gardens.  Here’s a shot of the tent provided by Grand Rental Station:

Across the path we set up a small tent for Dora to dress in.  She didn’t want to walk an eigth of a mile from the visitor’s center’s public restrooms for the processional so we hooked her up with her own digs.  Here’s an image captured while she was getting ready.  Isn’t she gorgeous?

The rings are ready to go in a bowl from Palomas’ Nest:

Right next door we set up the chairs for the ceremony.  The chairs and decor are all provided by DaVinci’s Florist.  Did you know they have the cheapest gold chivari chairs in town?

The ceremony.  Rev. Bill Cochran performed the service.  Check out that ribboned gate DaVinci’s created:

My favorite image from the ceremony:

This photo might look familiar from the sneak peek!  I love the all-orchid bouquets:

Keep in mind that bouquets don’t have to match!  Here’s Dora’s all-calla bouquet:

After the ceremony we got lucky with the weather and were able to do some outdoor portraits.  I liked this one:

Meanwhile inside the tent the party was getting started!  DJ Brennan Sullivan from Bialek’s Music provided the entertainment.  I loved all the DIY projects Dora provided.  Here are some flowers we tied on her and Kaisorn’s chairs:

The all-orchid bouquets were matched by all-orchid centerpieces.  Check out the bamboo set inside the vase:

Instead of a guest book, guests wrote words of advice to the newlyweds:

OK so this isn’t a DIY detail but I thought the image was cool anyway.  This is how caterer Basikneads stacks their glasses at the bar!

All the kids at the wedding got their very own goodie bag:

The first dance:

The wedding cake was provided by Margie at Artistic Cake Creations:

If wedding cake weren’t sweet enough, check out this color-coordinated candy bar!  I really love how she used takeout boxes instead of the traditional cellophane bags:

Dora & Kaisorn — it’s been a couple months but I hope you both are doing well!  Looking at these images brings me right back to your special rainy day.  Even though we had a couple hiccups along the way I really enjoyed working with you both.  Congratulations again!

Recently we had the honor of coordinating Kinley & Drew’s big day!  We enjoyed our walkthrough at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club back in August and were excited for the real deal.  This Annapolis couple chose to get married on the eastern shore of Maryland, a beautiful part of the state.  While the talented Amy Raab will have some professional photos to drool over in a couple weeks, my photos will have to do for now.

A special shout-out goes to my associate Rebecca, who has served as a rockstar assistant at a few of our most recent weddings.  If you’re planning a wedding in Annapolis or the Eastern Shore (okay, or DC or Leesburg for that matter!), Rebecca really knows her stuff.

Kinley & Drew chose to see each other before the ceremony and get some of their bridal party photos out of the way.  Here’s the groomsmen hanging out by the shuttle bus from Chariots for Hire:

A bridesmaid shows of her bouquet, provided by DaVinci’s Florist:

Here’s the bride’s bouquet!  All white tulips, this gorgeous arrangement stayed surprisingly perky all day:

Getting a chance at some outdoor photos in front of the church with Amy Raab:

Historic Christ Church in downtown Stevensville, Maryland provided the perfect venue for their intimate ceremony.  This gorgeous building was built in 1880 and holds a large significance to the town and their local parish.  Here are the church doors sporting some hydrangea wreaths:

Inside, the church’s altar:

The pews sported these adorable galvanized pails brimming with white hydrangea and accented with a nautical-inspired navy ribbon:

The altar flowers were simple calla lilies set atop a cylindrical vase.  Gorgeous!

A quick look at the program cover, complete with nautical motif:

My BlackBerry took this one of the ceremony in action:

Over at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, Rebecca was setting up the reception.  Unfortunately due to the weather we weren’t able to use the rooftop deck.  The view from the deck looks out over this gorgeous marina on one side:

And this amazing view of the Chesapeake Bay on the other side:

Since the pouring rain was imminent, we opted to have the bar open in the covered cocktail area.  The rooftop area was open but most guests enjoyed the climate-controlled space.  The Garden Room has this great fireplace that we decorated with hydrangea flower boxes and galvanized lanterns:

Here’s a better view of the Garden Room.  Check out that nautical detail with the rope around the cocktail table:

The beautiful wedding cake was provided by Annapolis’ own Main Ingredient.  Check out the nautical rope accent coiled on the table:

Check out the detail on the top!  Can you believe the pastry chef did this freestyle on-site?

During cocktail hour, the Polaroid Guestbook was a hit!  If you plan to do this, don’t forget that Polaroid cameras will soon be extinct:

Seriously — people loved this thing:

I love these adorable escort cards!  Each name comes with a flag which guests match to the appropriate table.  The galvanized tray holds a sheet of foam which we covered with white rocks:

Here’s how Kinley displayed the table flags for guests to match up:

The reception room, all ready to go:

Centerpieces with simple hydrangea were provided by DaVinci’s Florist:

An awful photo of a beautiful moment.  Kinley and Drew enjoy their first dance:

Congraulations again, you two!  It was a pleasure working with you through the planning process and also spending time with you on your wedding day.  Our first experience at the Beach Club was a phenomenal one.  I hope you had a great honeymoon in the Outer Banks!

I almost fell out of my chair when photographer Greg Gibson sent me this images. Seriously. I’ve been around quite a few wedding images in my day and these just blew me away! They are from Arienne & Rahman’s wedding which took place over Memorial Day weekend this year. Greg’s photos are a far cry from the ones I put on the original blog post. Here goes:

DaVinci’s did a knockout job on the flowers:

This particular high school principal is a hottie!

A few last moments before entering the church. Can you spot me? (::I’m at the top of the steps, just to the right of Arienne’s hand::)

This image captures exactly how it felt to watch her:

They stared at each other like this through the whole ceremony:

Did you know you need a photo permit to take professional pictures in front of the DC monuments? Luckily the US Capitol doesn’t require this and it makes a great background for portraits:

I just can’t get over these portraits! I think Arienne & Rahman have their future cut out in modeling:

They even look amazing in black & white!

The Galleria at Lafayette Square, all ready to go:

Their big entrance:

First dance:

They looked so happy the entire day:

Getting emotional during a sorority tradition:

Windows Catering provided the cake. Yum-o! Thanks Danielle, for all your hard work:

OK…now we see where he gets his dashing good looks from:

There were SO many single ladies! These kind of bouquet tosses are fun:

Congratulations again, Arienne & Rahman! Seeing these photos reminds me of how wonderful your wedding day was. Everything was so filled with pure joy and the overwhelming sense of family. Thank you for including us in your special day.