1) SugarB Studio. What a great name! Tell us what it represents and a little bit about the firm.

When I decided to start my own small graphic  design firm, I played around with a lot of different name ideas.  As I think many of my corporate clients know, it’s all in the name so I wanted to get it right!  I knew from the get go that I wanted to incorporate a “B” in some fashion as both my maiden and married names begin with the letter B. Interestingly, a bee is a sign of creativity hence the suggestion of a bee you see in the brand.  Finally, I drew from my southern upbringing of where women are thought to be ‘sugar and spice and everything nice.’  I’m a savvy business owner but who says I can’t be sweet to boot and so sugarB was born!‬

2) You work with an array of clients from brides to corporate clients. For brides, what is it that they should be thinking about when they are considering their stationery suite for their wedding?

Getting married is such an exciting time, I love being even just a small part the joyous occasion!  When thinking about wedding stationery, I think brides should focus on two things in the beginning that will help to set the stage for other elements of the wedding to fall into place.  Firstly, brides should consider the holistic picture of all the printed material they will need from start to finish of the event – everything from the save-the-date cards to escort cards, invitation to thank you notes.  Secondly, brides should consider what mood or tone they want to set with the stationery.  Remember, the stationery will be the first thing that guests will receive, so if you want your wedding to be formal and traditional versus modern and playful, the stationery should reflect this!  Hiring a graphic designer to create a custom suite of materials adds a unique touch to your event.  Designers can often assist a bride through some of these steps to visually translate who the couple is to paper.  From invitations to table numbers, sugarB studio can do it all!

3) What trends are you seeing in stationery design these days particularly in wedding stationery?

I always try and remind my clients, that the most important part of their wedding is that they are getting married to the person they love – it so important to remember that!  With all the hubbub around the ‘big day’, sometimes brides (and grooms of course) lose track of that.  The biggest trend I have been seeing in wedding suites is couples are using the invite as an opportunity to tell a story, their love story. My clients want an invite to be a reflection of them as a couple – how they met, what activities they like doing together or how they spend their time together.  Getting it right for a bride and groom is the greatest reward of the entire process and I can’t think of anything I would rather do!

4) I understand there is a sugarB baby? What does that specialize in?

About 10 years ago, my mother taught me to knit. Ever since then, every autumn I would knit myself a new scarf (you can imagine how many scarves I have!).  When a dear friend had a baby boy, I decided to try knitting him a hat and the simple cap was born.  Soon I was knitting hats for all my expecting friends, and the simple bear and simple bunny were added to the family.  My friends loved the individuality of the caps and the thought that went into each one and began asking me to knit hats for their expectant friends.  In early 2009, I decided to share the hats with the public and launched www.sugarbbaby.com and thus sugarB baby specializes in hand knit hats for newborns to one year olds.  What is great about it is that since I make each one to order, a client can specify size, style and even color – I am open to all requests!  I think a handcrafted gift is so much nicer than a store bought one that is made in who-knows-where and I love creating thoughtful, handmade gifts that can be treasured for a lifetime.

Their wedding was a great reflection of them — fun, elegant, and natural. It took place at Rust Manor in Leesburg and was captured in these gorgeous photographs by the talented Leah of Studio Juno.

The cocktail hour was set on the garden lawn accompanied by music from an acoustic guitarist. In the tent, the female guests were treated to pashminas to cut the evening chill. Beautifully packaged Haribou gummy bears — the bride and groom’s favorite — were given as favors. Vintage milk glass arrangements warmed each table and reflected a spectrum of pinks in keeping with the pink and grey-themed event.

Congratulations, Katherine & Allen!

Photography: Studio Juno
Dress: Priscilla of Boston
Makeup: Harmony from Picture Perfect Makeup
Ceremony: St. Francis Episcopal Church, Great Falls, VA
Florist: Growing Wild Floral Company
Reception: Rust Manor House & Nature Sanctuary, Leesburg VA
Caterer: Festive Foods
D.J.: My Deejay
Reception Lighting: John Farr Lighting Design
Rentals: Party Rental Ltd.Transportation: Atlantic Transportation Services
Calligraphy: Meant to Be Calligraphy

Hillwood, the former of estate of the always-fashionable Marjorie Merriweather Post, has partnered with top bridal purveyors to help bring even more glamour to one lucky bride’s wedding day. The winner will receive:

• -A $1500 certificate toward a Vera Wang wedding gown from The Bridal Salon at Saks Jandel
• -Manolo Blahnik shoes from Neiman Marcus
• -Jewelry by Tiffany & Co.
• -Day-of make-up by Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas

Brides may enter to win beginning June 15 at the Bridal Bash that Hillwood is hosting. Click here for Sweepstakes rules and instructions.

via Hillwood

One of the treasures of the DC museum community, Hillwood Estate Museum and Gardens, is hosting a spectacular bridal event on June 15, 2011, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Hillwood is the former estate of Marjorie Merriweather Post, heir to the Post cereal fortune and a fashionable and fascinating socialite.

The Museum’s newest exhibit, Wedding Belles, open from June 18, 2011–January 1, 2012, features Post’s wedding dresses, along with those of her mother and daughters.

The Bridal Bash is a wonderful opportunity for brides to preview the exhibit and to be inspired by bridal elegance. Bring your bridesmaids, mother, and mother-in-law and experience the showcase that Hillwood has assembled:

Enjoy a glass of champagne and live music, and don’t forget to sign up for Hillwood’s Wedding Belles Bridal Sweepstakes. The evening promises to be fabulous — if you are a bride, don’t miss it!

Tickets may be purchased online for $35 or for $45 at the door.

All images by Studio Juno (another favorite!).

The two are an amazing couple — not just for their talent, but for their kindness and warmth. Their wedding was held at a friend’s private residence in Maryland, right on the water and was a beautiful reflection of a very special couple.

Photographer: Meg Runion
Caterer: Basikneads
Florist: English Rose Garden
Music:  Jeff with MyDeejay.com
Pies: Mom’s Apple Pies in Leesburg, VA

via Holly Chapple Flowers

My current floral obsession is cabbage roses. Several of my brides are using them in their bridal bouquets this year and I feel like I am seeing them everywhere. Holly Chapple’s photo above shows Patience cabbage roses that just arrived at her shop. While I love all the colors that cabbage roses come in, I have to say that Patience is one of my favorites. Cabbage roses remind me of peonies, so if you are a peony fanatic, cabbage roses can be a really nice complement as you’ll see in some of the bouquets below.

via Martha Stewart Weddings

via Alexa Jayne Weddings

via Blooms by Martha Andrews

via Everyday Minerals