Grooms, are you looking for a special gift to get your groomsmen? If you want to splurge, a monogrammed Montblanc pen could be the perfect thing. Handsome, practical, and personalized — all make it a special gift idea. There are several different ways you can have the pen monogrammed, including a selection of different fonts. My favorite is initials on the clip of the pen.
These bride and groom signs, offered generously for free from The Wedding Chicks, are perfect for resting over the bride and groom’s chairs at a wedding, engagement party, or shower. They signs can be customized by color and downloaded for free here.
I had a wonderful time working with Katherine and Allen on their wedding. One of the things I loved about the process was watching how they interacted with one another. It was so evident that each, in a beautiful way, brought something out of the other that no one else could. They lit up around each other and had fun together.
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
Clients I work with are always looking for special gifts to give to their wedding party. This Tiffany Cigar Tube would be a great splurge for groomsmen. Fill it with a great cigar and when your guys are celebrating the evening, they can smoke their blunts in style!
Tiffany Cigar Holder
Why not add a little levity when giving your next wedding shower gift or wedding present? Attach to your present these trivia books designed to test the bride and groom’s knowledge about their new spouse, like “Has he ever shot a bow and arrow?” It’s bound to create some laughter (and hopefully no fighting!).
Newlywed Quiz Books available from www.spoonsisters.com
With every wedding there are a few bumps along the road. For Patty and Jasper, one of those “bumps” included the original wedding reception venue not living up to its end of the bargain. Ultimately, we had to void the contract and move the reception to another location. That “bump” turned into one of the best things that could have happened for their wedding day. The new location, Hotel Helix in DC, proved to be the perfect space for the club-like feel the couple was aiming for.
Patty and Jasper celebrated the traditional Korean wedding ceremony, the paebaek, the day before the wedding. The next day, they had a traditional ceremony at St Andrew Kim Catholic Church followed by a reception there for parents and the church community. Following that reception, Patty and Jasper’s friends all went to Hotel Helix for food, drinks, and dancing for the rest of the night.
The party at Helix was high-energy and hip, and included lots of fun food, a vodka bar, and amazing music spun by local deejay Russell Belicek with Chris Laich Music.
A few months before the wedding, photographer Ethan Yang went to New York City, where the couple lives, to shoot some engagement shots. Urban and incredible!
The paebaek ceremony was colorful and symbolic. Elders on the groom’s side of the family offered words of wisdom to the couple and the ceremony included a tradition that predicts how many children the couple will have. They ceremony was both joyful and meaningful.
The marriage ceremony took place at St Andrew Kim’s Catholic Church in Olney, Maryland.
The bride and groom and the entire wedding party had a great time throughout the day, enjoying each moment including the dance-filled party at Hotel Helix which lasted late into the night.
Wedding Invitation: SugarB Studio
Photography: Ethan Yang Photography
Reception Music: Russell with Chris Laich Music
Flowers: Petal’s Edge
Venue: Hotel Helix, DC
We’re remodeling our kitchen in a couple of weeks and so I’ve begun the process of cleaning out cabinets and drawers in preparation for the new cabinets. It’s amazing what kitchen tools we’ve accumulated over the years. As people who love to cook, we’ve become “gadget and appliance freaks,” always loving to try new tools.
But the process of purging and sorting has really made me think about what the essential tools of the kitchen really are. What are the things that I could not do without? Here’s a list of my essentials — which I’d highly recommend adding to any registry!
All Clad Measuring cups and spoons — I am in love with these measuring cups and spoons and am still grateful to the friends who gave them to us as a wedding present! I love that the 1 cup measuring cup has marks for smaller quantities like 1/4 cup and 3/4 cups, that way I don’t have to dirty multiple measuring cups. They are also very sturdy and feel substantial in the hand.
All Clad measuring cups and spoons
Kitchen Aid Mixer — Makes the perfect batch of chocolate chip cookie dough. Need I say more?
Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer
Heat-resistant silicone spatula — I use this when I cook, when I bake… it is my go-to mixing spoon and I love that I never have to worry about it melting.
OXO heatproof silicone spatula
Nesting bowls — I use these every day. Ev-er-y-day! I keep them in the cupboard in two sets so that they are easier to lift out.
glass nesting bowls
Colander — I prefer this type of colander to the large mesh colanders as the latter are very hard to clean — especially after draining pasta.
Footed Colander
Creamer — My Apilco Creamer comes in handy for not only serving up cream with coffee, but also when making small batches of vinaigrettes or for serving sauces.
Apilco Porcelain Creamer
Zester — We use this microplane zester way more than I ever would have imagined. It is easy to use and washes fairly easily, too.
Microplane Rasp Grater
Whirly Pop — OK, this may not be an essential, but I really can’t live without it! My husband and I love homemade popcorn and the Whirly Pop makes the best popcorn we’ve ever had.
Whirley-Pop Stovetop Popcorn Popper
My iPhone is chock-full of apps: Epicurious, Zagat, Dragon Dictation, Scrabble, ESPN, OpenTable, Nike+, Shazam, Pandora…. I suppose apps say a lot about a person. (Apparently, I am a food-obsessed word nut who likes to workout to music while keeping up with her favorite teams?!?!)
There is one app I am sure every bride-to-be is feverishly downloading these days: the Tiffany & Co. Engagement Ring Finder. The app allows you to browse Tiffany’s settings, view carat weights, and find the perfect ring size. The ring sizer is so easy to use — just hold up one of your rings to the screen and adjust until it matches. And, of course, for those whom subtlety eludes, one’s favorite customized ring can be e-mailed. Hint. Hint.
Tiffany & Co Engagement Ring Finder app
customize your own ring
ring sizer
I had such a pleasure working with Kristin & Carl as they prepared for their recent wedding at The Mayflower. Yes, they were planning a beautiful wedding which was fun to work on, but the real joy for me came when I saw not only how they loved each other, but also how evident it was that they really are each other’s best friend. They were kind to one another, laughed heartily together, and showed great love to both of their families. A sweet couple!
I also loved the way they made their wedding personal to them — right down to a Mets groom’s cake and processional music that the bride had been dreaming of for years and years.
The parents and grandparents entered to “Like A Prayer” and the processional, including the bride, walked in to “Don’t Stop Believin’” — both played beautifully by the Cherry Blossom String Quartet. The bride wanted to enter at a certain point in the song and we were able to time it perfectly so that the doors opened and the beautiful bride processed down the aisle. Later at the reception, one of the bride’s closest friends sang a toast to the tune of “Don’t Stop Believin’” — a fitting tribute!
The groom chronicled the wedding preparations in the Washingtonian’s Tales From the Groom blog. Be sure to check out his witty posts!
The fabulous photos below were taken by Merkle Photography and tell the story of perfect wedding day!
Congratulations, Kristin & Carl!
pinning a groomsman (with some antics in the background!)
adding the finishing touches
A stunning bride
A sweet "First Look"
The wedding party at the Jefferson Memorial
The couple at the Jefferson
Gorgeous!
Preparing for the walk down the aisle
The ceremony took place in the Chinese Room at the Mayflower
Introducing... Mr & Mrs Carl and Kristin Monaco!
The Grand Ballroom was a beautiful backdrop for the reception
Ready for guests to enter
Encore had the crowd on the floor all night
The couple enjoys toasts from their dear friends
The ceremonial cutting of the cake
In honor of the groom: A Mets cake
a monumental kiss
Venue: The Mayflower
Photography: Merkle Photography
Florals: The Mayflower
Makeup: Aisha Alves, Picture Perfect Makeup
Hair: Sarah Bombard, Premiere Makeup
Ceremony music: Cherry Blossom String Quartet
Reception music: Encore
Groom’s cake: Furin’s
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
The Rex & Regina Blog shares both trendy and traditional ways to extend gracious hospitality through weddings, other social occasions, and at-home entertaining. Learn more about Rex & Regina.
