Posts Labeled ‘Alexandria’

Make a Wish: Collecting Sage Advice and Best Wishes from Guests

One of the best things about weddings and other special events is being surrounded by people you love and enjoy. Finding ways to capture their presence that day that are unique and fun will help you, as the Bride & Groom or guest of honor, remember long after the event who was there with you to celebrate on that day. It’s also a rare chance to solicit advice or other best wishes from those you most care about. Here are some clever ways from both Rex & Regina events and other sources to offer some inspiring ideas to help guests “make a wish.”

A popular trend at weddings these days is to have guests sign a picture frame mat which can later be added to a framed photo of the Bride & Groom.

Signature mat - photo courtesy of Aigner Weddings

Signature mat - photo courtesy of Aigner Weddings

At a recent wedding in Chevy Chase, MD (recap blog post to come soon!), the Bride and Groom invited guests sign His and Hers adirondack chairs which will later grace their front porch or yard.

"His" and "Hers" adirondack chairs were signed by guests at a wedding in Chevy Chase, MD; photo by Pablo Sartor of Freed Photography

For a Bon Voyage party, we set out a collection of assorted postcards and asked guests to fill in their best wishes for the guest of honor. Get creative with respect to which postcards you use according to the theme of your party. Vintage, letterpress or stamped options, like the one below, can be fun.

postcard by seasonaldelights, available on Etsy

postcard by seasonaldelights, available on Etsy

For a 50th Birthday Bash, we selected vinyl albums of the guest of honor’s favorite tunes and artists and invited guests to sign them. We later placed them in a fabric covered album frame to be displayed.

A retro twist on capturing memories

A retro twist on capturing memories

If you like the idea of a more traditional guest book but want to capture more than just a guest’s John Hancock, these wish books with envelopes for wish cards are perfect. The first is from the wedding of a wonderful couple, Jae & Raj, at River Farm in Alexandria, VA.

Wish guest book; photo courtesy of CB Photography

Wish guest book; photo courtesy of CB Photography

best wishes card & envelope guest book from Wedding Things

best wishes card & envelope guest book from Wedding Things

If you (or a relative or friend) is a quilter, I love the idea of having guests’ wishes and advice grace a beautiful, handmade quilt.

Wedding Guest Wish Quilt; photo by Agnes Lopez Photography, Jacksonville, FL,  courtesy of The Knot

Wedding Guest Wish Quilt; photo by Agnes Lopez Photography, Jacksonville, FL, courtesy of The Knot

I ADORE this clever idea captured by Paul Johnson Photography and posted on The Knot of asking guests to type a message to the Bride & Groom on an old-fashioned typewriter (man, I miss those!).

Photo by Paul Johnson Photography, courtesy of the The Knot

Photo by Paul Johnson Photography, courtesy of the The Knot

How fun would it be to customize a corkboard with the guest of honor’s initials (or even spell out a word) and invite guests to pin up wishes?! Perfect for an office anniversary or retirement party.

Monogram Corkboard inspired by Martha Stewart

Monogram Corkboard inspired by Martha Stewart

Katie & Philip: An Old Town Alexandria Wedding

I recently worked with a beautiful couple on their May wedding in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. From the start, I loved the concept for their wedding: intimate, casual elegance steeped in the rich history of the cobblestoned streets of Alexandria.

The ceremony took place at the Historic Christ Church where, inside, the pew George Washington and his family sat in when they attended the Church is perfectly preserved.

Historic Christ Church in Alexandria

Historic Christ Church in Alexandria

Following the ceremony, a bagpiper followed by the Bride & Groom marched triumphantly from the Church to the Lee-Fendall House just a few block away. Having all the guests join in the procession was so festive.

Bagpiper piped the Bride & Groom and guests from Church to the Lee-Fendall House

Bagpiper piped the Bride & Groom and guests from Church to the Lee-Fendall House

The Lee-Fendall House was the perfect venue for this intimate wedding. With tents in the back of the house, tables with soft blues and greens, and gorgeous floral arrangements featuring hydrangea, the reception transformed into beautiful garden party.

Lee-Fendall House

Lee-Fendall House

Tent and garden area were set for cocktails when guests arrived

Tent and garden area were set for cocktails when guests arrived

Beautiful floral wreaths, by The Enchanted Florist

Beautiful floral wreaths, by The Enchanted Florist

It’s so important to find ways to make one’s wedding personal. With a southern heritage, the bride & groom chose shrimp and grits for the menu. Guests loved not only food itself, but the beautiful presentation.

In Keeping with their Southern roots, Katie and Philip ensured shrimp and grits would be on the menu.

In Keeping with their Southern roots, Katie and Philip ensured shrimp and grits would be on the menu.

Katie and Philip danced their first dance to music played by the band, Groovetown.

The beautiful couple dances their first dance

The beautiful couple dances their first dance

In addition to a bride and groom’s cake, delicious pastries and cookies were served later in the evening.

Tiered pastry stands

Tiered pastry stands

It was a beautiful, special day from start to finish. Congratulations and many blessings, Katie and Philip!

Getting ready for the ceremony

Getting ready for the ceremony

Enjoying the party

Enjoying the party

A beautiful couple

A beautiful couple

Vendors:

Florist: The Enchanted Florist
Photography: Len Spoden
Catering: Splendid Fare
Band: Groovetown