Cats, Cars, and Cabaret: Caren & Ed’s Amazing Wedding

June 3rd, 2010 § 1 comment

Caren and Ed are two of the loveliest people I’ve had the privilege to get to know through Rex & Regina Events. One need only to have seen the joy, respect, and love their friends exhibited toward them at their wedding celebration to get a small glimpse of how special they are. Caren’s girlfriends went so far as to sing a special musical number in Caren’s honor and Ed’s siblings and parents each gave a very special toast/roast to celebrate him and his new wife.

Caren & Ed’s wedding was not only fun and joyous, but reflective of their personalities and passions, as well. They are the proud parents of two adorable cats, Bago and Goon, who, while not present at the wedding, were amply honored. They are also passionate about cars and their Alfa Romeo Spider provided a sporty backdrop for some of their photos.

The wedding was captured beautifully by Anne & Bill Holland of Holland Photo Arts and came to life courtesy of some amazing vendors, named below.

Congratulations, Caren & Ed!

Caren & Ed

aisle runner flanked by hurricane candles nestled in wheatgrass

vine-wrapped chuppah with white floral accents

the ceremony under the chuppah

wheatgrass and tulip floral centerpiece as guests entered

escort cards were later nestled in the wheatgrass arrangement

special roasted coffee beans with Bago & Goon's photos were set in the wheatgrass at the end of the evening for guests to take home

the centerpieces reflected the wedding's light green and cream color palette

children's meals were marked in a whimsical way on the escort card

the cupcake tower was topped with a custom small cake for the bride & groom to cut

a kiss during the cutting of the cake

a stunning bridal bouquet

the mothers carried small, hand-tied posies

a surprise musical number performed by the bride's friends

enjoying the toasts and roasts

The beautiful bride

descending the marble staircase at Hotel Monaco

The Alfa Romeo

A sweet ride

Bago and Goon send their best wishes

Photography: Holland Photo Arts
Floral: Petal’s Edge
Baker: Fluffy Thoughts Cakes
Music: Ray, with Chris Laich Music Services
Venue: Hotel Monaco, Washington, DC
Makeup & Hair: Victoria Stiles

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Ana & Socheat: Modern Meets Time-Honored Tradition

October 12th, 2009 § 0 comments

I recently worked on a beautiful wedding that merged major modern flair with sacred, time-honored traditions.

I met Ana & Socheat while working on weddings for their friends Hyun & Tae and Sophia & Matt. The couple’s wedding reflected both their chic, modern taste and their Filipino and Cambodian heritages. (Sophia & Matt’s wedding was featured in the Spring/Summer issue of The Knot magazine. Check it out here.)

Ana looked absolutely stunning! Her bridal bouquet was exquisite and we adorned it with a special rosary that her mother got for her.

A gorgeous bouquet

A gorgeous bouquet

The bridesmaids looked beautiful in Vera Wang dresses in the same color but different styles. The light pink bouquets provided a wonderful contrast.

Beautiful bridesmaids bouquets

Beautiful bridesmaids bouquets

One of the things I loved about Ana & Socheat’s wedding was the way they incorporated traditions from their Filipino and Cambodian roots. The two were glowing as they said their vows and exchanged rings.

The Ceremony

The Ceremony

The traditional Filipino veil ceremony took place within the marriage ceremony itself.

The bride and groom don the veil

The bride and groom don the veil

Chris Baltazar is one of my favorite photographers to work with. Why? Because he gets amazing shots like these that transform the space and that totally capture the spirit of the couple.

The very modern and very fabulous Bride & Groom

The very modern and very fabulous Bride & Groom

The Bride & Groom go for a ride

The Bride & Groom go for a ride

Silver, fuschia, and black accents gave the room the modern feel the couple was going for.

The uplighting in the room helped give the space a very modern vibeThe uplighting in the room helped give the space a very modern vibe

The table and place settings echoed the silver, fuschia, and purple color scheme.

The menu card

The menu card

Chocolate truffles for each guest

Chocolate truffles for each guest

I see a lot of wedding cakes, but honestly, this has to be one of my favorites. It fit the scheme so well and it really reflected the Bride & Groom’s modern taste.

Beautiful cake from Edibles Incredible

Beautiful cake from Edibles Incredible

The dancing at this wedding was incredible!  Here the couple slows it down with their names shining behind them on the dance floor.

Slowing it down...

Slowing it down...

Congratulations, Ana & Socheat!

Photography: Baltazar Photography
Venue: Hyatt Crystal City
DJ: K2 Productions
Florist: Petal’s Edge
Lighting: Swank
Linens: BBJ Linen
Makeup: Picture Perfect Makeup
Hair: TruBeauty
Cake: Edibles Incredible

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Let them eat {wedding} cake!

October 8th, 2009 § 1 comment

Dessert has been on my mind these days… which quickly leads me to thinking about wedding cakes. Here are a few that I love for Fall weddings:

All too often brides feel obligated to choose a white wedding cake. But why, when there are so many beautiful options for a chocolate-frosted cake?

Fall Cake featured on Brides.com, photo by Miki Duisterhof

Fall Cake featured on Brides.com, photo by Miki Duisterhof

gorgeous fall cake from Alice's Tea Cup, courtesy of Brides.com

gorgeous fall cake from Alice's Tea Cup, courtesy of Brides.com

Marzipan and gum paste embellishments can be a nice way to add a pop of color to a cake.

Marzipan-embellished Autumnal Cake featured on theknot.com, photo by Modern Wedding Photography

Marzipan-embellished Autumnal Cake featured on theknot.com, photo by Modern Wedding Photography

Asian-inspired cake in autumnal hues featured on Martha Stewart

Asian-inspired cake in autumnal hues featured on Martha Stewart

Chestnut and golden-hued cake from Cakework, featured on InStyle Weddings

Chestnut and golden-hued cake from Cakework, featured on InStyle Weddings

This vibrant orange cake taps into a traditional Fall color in a modern way.

four-tiered cake by Chocolaz Artisan Cakes, featured on InStyle Weddings

four-tiered cake by Chocolaz Artisan Cakes, featured on InStyle Weddings

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Laura & John: Southern Charm in Chevy Chase, Maryland

July 15th, 2009 § 1 comment

One of the best things about working with clients on a wedding is not only getting to know them better but also getting to know their family and friends. I had such a wonderful time working on a recent wedding in Chevy Chase, Maryland, in large part due to the fabulous wedding party, family, and guests. Both from the South, the Bride and Groom and their families were such a delight and from start to finish their energy, kindness, and joviality were contagious.

The evening wedding was held at The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Chevy Chase with a reception for 280 guests following at the Chevy Chase Club.

The Bride and Groom arranged to see each other prior to the ceremony. Their “first look” was captured by Pablo Sartor of Freed Photography. Photos of the Bride and Groom were taken on the grounds of the Club.

The Bride & Groom's first look

The Bride & Groom's first look

A kiss on the lawn of the Chevy Chase Club

A kiss on the lawn of the Chevy Chase Club

A very smart looking couple

A very smart looking couple

A single gardenia graces the Bride's hair

A single gardenia graces the Bride's hair

The groom had ten groomsmen and several ushers; prior to the ceremony they relaxed and watched some golf in the Club’s Tap Room.

Groomsmen enjoy watching golf on TV at the Club before the ceremony

Groomsmen enjoy watching golf on TV at the Club before the ceremony

The bride’s two sisters were her maids of honor and her brother and sister-in-law were also in the wedding party.

The Bride with her two sisters, her brother, and her sister-in-law

The Bride with her two sisters, her brother, and her sister-in-law

The large wedding party included two flower girls and a ring bearer.

The Wedding Party

The Wedding Party

The Bridal Party

The Bridal Party

Laura was absolutely stunning in a dress from Hitched, makeup by Kari from Erwin Gomez Salon, and hair by Chris from Ipsa.

A stunning bride

A stunning bride

As guests arrived, they passed the gorgeous bridal portrait and wedding cake, and were invited to sign “His and Hers” adirondack chairs in lieu of a guest book. The Chevy Chase Club is known for its white adirondack chairs dotting the back lawn of the Club so these special chairs will serve as a reminder to the Bride and Groom not only of all of the guests that celebrated with them that day but also of the unique location of the reception.

The Bride's portrait and the wedding cake

The Bride

His and Hers adirondacks

His and Hers adirondacks

His and Hers adirondacks

His and Hers adirondacks

The Club did an amazing job on this four-tiered wedding cake, with each tier separated by clusters of hydrangea. But the cake was special for more than just its appearance. The mother-of-the-bride, an exceptional baker, provided her own special recipe for the Club to make and they did so perfectly. The cake was delicious!

A special wedding cake

A special wedding cake

The Bride and Groom do the honors

The Bride and Groom do the honors

A delicious dessert

A delicious dessert

The Southern tradition of a groom’s cake was met with a new twist at Laura and John’s wedding. Instead of a cake, the groom chose an assortment of pies which guests sampled throughout the evening.

Peach pie

Peach pie

Key Lime pie

Key Lime pie

Chocolate mousse pie

Chocolate mousse pie

A mixture of tall and low arrangements of white roses and hydrangea filled the room, thanks to the talented Sue Morriss.

Sue Morriss' beautiful floral designs graced the ballroom

Sue Morriss' beautiful floral designs graced the ballroom

Later in the evening, the Bride and Groom treated guests to flip flops, white workout headbands that read “Dancing Machine” in gold, and single floral blooms for the women to wear in their hair. They also partook of the bouquet tossing and garter traditions.

The garter tradition

The garter tradition

The dance floor was full all evening, thanks to the fabulous sounds of the 12-piece band, Highway Star.

Guests enjoy the festivities late into the night

Guests enjoy the festivities late into the night

After all the guests cleared the ballroom to get ready for the Bride and Groom’s send-off, the Bride and Groom danced one last song alone.

The very last dance of the night

The very last dance of the night

Sending off the Bride & Groom

Sending off the Bride & Groom

Congratulations, Laura and John! Wishing you countless blessings!

Photography: Pablo Sartor, Freed Photography
Flowers: Sue Morriss
Caterer: Chevy Chase Club
Band: Highway Star

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America’s best birthday cake.

July 4th, 2009 § 0 comments

Happy Birthday, America! Birthdays should always be celebrated with cake. And I can think of no better cake to celebrate our country’s independence than Ina Garten’s most fabulous flag cake.

Barefoot Contessa's Famous "Flag Cake"

Happy Fourth, everyone! Have a slice (or two) for me!

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Missy & Brian: Natural Elegance

June 29th, 2009 § 3 comments

When I first met with Missy and Brian and learned of their vision for their wedding, I was instantly hooked. Featuring elegant tones of warm browns, natural greens, and ivory — all very earth-inspired tones — and set in the beautiful grounds of Woodend Sanctuary, the design ultimately reflected a classical, formal elegance without being “stuffy.”

The wedding began with a beautiful ceremony under a birch chuppah, the perfect complement to the tree-lined Grove in which the ceremony took place.

The ceremony under the nature-inspired chuppah

The ceremony under the nature-inspired chuppah

The ceremony in the Grove at Woodend - a magical setting!

The ceremony in the Grove at Woodend - a magical setting!

Guests moved from the Grove to the Lawn to enjoy cocktail hour. Passed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails were served by Occasions Caterers‘ impeccable staff.

Guests enjoyed passed hors d'oeuvres outside

Guests enjoyed passed hors d'oeuvres outside

Dinner took place on the tented terrace, from which guests could admire the nearby woodlands. Gorgeous flowers for the wedding were provided by Growing Wild and were in keeping with the nature-inspired color scheme.

The Tented Terrace

The Tented Terrace

Low centerpieces featuring shades of green adorned each table

Low centerpieces featuring shades of green adorned each table

The tablescape reflected the natural surroundings with its cream, brown, and green elements

The tablescape reflected the natural surroundings with its cream, brown, and green elements

Not officially on the guest list, but these onlookers were more than welcome at the party!

Not officially on the guest list, but these onlookers were more than welcome at the party!

Night falls over the festivities

Night falls over the festivities

The wedding cake was adorned with brown satin ribbon, a white sugar flower, and a whimsical topper providing a nod to the wedding venue: The Audubon Naturalist Society.

A gorgeous -- and delicious -- wedding cake provided by Occasions Caterers

A gorgeous -- and delicious -- wedding cake provided by Occasions Caterers

Music and dancing were important elements to Missy and Brian. They chose a 1940s-style band with a very vintage look. Talented and versatile, Raggs and the All-Stars played a variety of music throughout the evening.

Raggs and The All-Stars

Raggs and The All-Stars

The Bride and Groom hoisted by family and friends

The Bride and Groom hoisted by family and friends

Congratulations, Missy and Brian!

Photography: Visual Sketch
Catering: Occasions Caterers
Band: Raggs and the All-Stars
Flowers: Growing Wild Floral

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