Elegance & Simplicity - Engaged & Green Blog » Wedding Planning

Sneak Peek from St. Michael’s, MD

Katie Martin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:16:28 +0000

We have more from Amanda and Matt’s Wedding…stay tuned!

Caitlin & Dan’s Meridian House Reception

Katie Martin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:30:21 +0000

Continuing on from Wednesday and last week, I wanted to show you the details from Caitlin and Dan’s reception. The above is simply one of my favorite designs from 2011. We used plums inside the vase with orchids as well. The orchids and hanging votives created such a stunning effect at night.

We placed little keepsakes of rosemary and wheat for each place setting. The wheat symbolizes fertility and the rosemary symbolizes fidelity!

The gorgeous cake designed by Design Cuisine!

In addition to the cake, Design Cuisine also made a gorgeous dessert bar!

The day of the wedding we were all so worried about the snow, but I think Caitlin and Dan would agree – it made for remarkable and beautiful portraits for them!

Congrats to Caitlin & Dan!

Have a great weekend!

Photography by Greg Gibson

Caitlin & Dan’s Snowy Wedding Day

Katie Martin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:30:16 +0000

We gave you a sneak peek of Caitlin and Dan’s snowy wedding last Friday…here is the second installment! As the snow and the rain fell down throughout this Saturday in October, we knew we would have to use the backup tent! So we jazzed it up with our hanging glass lanterns in jewel tones and set up the ceremony chairs along with fun lounge furniture.

We loved designing her beautiful bridal bouquet with purple calla lilies, dianthus, purple delphinium and red cymbidium orchids.

We are still so in love with their purple umbrella! Stay tuned…on Friday we will show more details from the reception inside the Meridian House!

Photography by Greg Gibson

Meridian House Sneak Peek

Katie Martin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:36:02 +0000

Here is just a quick sneak peek for the weekend for a wonderful wedding we can’t wait to showcase next week! Remember when it snowed back in October? Yep! Caitlin and Dan do too! Love this shot of them by Greg Gibson that day! Stay tuned and have a wonderful weekend!

The Kiss

Katie Martin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:30:24 +0000

There is usually no shortage of kissing at weddings – but these are some of our favorite kiss photos over the past few years!

Enjoy!

Photos (left to right, top to bottom): Kathy Blanchard at Rust Manor, Jennifer Hughes at the Engineer’s Club in Baltimore , Documentary Associates at Decatur House and Lafayette Square, Mary Kate KcKenna at Thorpewood, Love Life Images at the Ourisman Family Home, K. Thompson Photography at Brookside Gardens

Green Wedding Bands

Katie Martin — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:30:48 +0000

So you just got engaged! Congrats! You have the engagement ring – now its time to get those bands! Make sure you go green with your bands as it is super important for the environment!

If you love buying online - Brilliant Earth is the way to go! They are the most reliable eco-retailer for conflict-free diamonds on the internet.

Keeping it green locally means finding a company that does everything locally and does not buy from conflict miners and does the craftsmanship here! Our favorite and only recommendation for this is Dominion Jewelers! A small shop in Falls Church that makes jewelry for other larger stores in the area and keeps the price low for their direct customers. Ethical and easy to work with!!! Be sure to ask for Carol or Marsha! Set up an appointment with Carol and tell her we sent you by emailing her at carol@dominionjewelers.com!

Congratulations on your engagement – let us know where you got your ring and how you are keeping it green!

Merry Christmas

Katie Martin — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:30:51 +0000

Wishing you and your families the best Christmas ever as you spend the holidays with your new families!

(Banner from Etsy)

Halcyon House Wedding

Katie Martin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:30:13 +0000

Here is our final installment of photos from Lillian and Henry’s wedding at Halcyon House from their very talented photography Ken Luallen!

We loved her beautiful stationery! We decorated the trellis with simple greenery and white lisianthus.

It was such a gorgeous day with so many beautiful and interesting details!

Congrats again to Lillian and Henry!

Gifts for the little ones

Katie Martin — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:30:47 +0000

Let’s face it – some of you want kids at your wedding and some of you don’t! It’s pretty much one or the other. If you fall into the “Well – we don’t want kids at our wedding, but my brother has a baby and a toddler that I really want to be present” category – then there will be at least some kids at your wedding.

No matter what – kids somehow make it to weddings – either with babysitters at hotels or just at the rehearsal. Here are a few gifts for the little ones that are coming to your wedding that are easy on the environment and will show how much you love the little ones that do come!

(above is our favorite little organic grape plush toy from Pure and Little!

Having an outdoorsy wedding? This cute wooden tractor from The Wooden Wagon is perfect for the little guys!!!

We love these bags and bean bags from Cocoon Couture! Handmade and perfect for your flower girl or Junior Bridesmaid!

Of course with the holidays here – you can always send a gift like these in the mail reminding them about how excited you are to have them in your wedding!
Tell us what you are planning for your ring bearer or flower girl gifts!!

Katie’s Picks!

Katie Martin — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:30:40 +0000

Don’t forget to check out our own Katie Martin’s Editor-in-Chief’s picks in the current issue of Eco-Beautiful Weddings Magazine!!! We just love this purse (made from all biodegradable materials!)

Eco-Beautiful Weddings Winter 2012 Issue is Live!

Katie Martin — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:30:09 +0000

The Winter 2012 Issue of Eco-Beautiful Weddings Magazine is live! Click on the cover to see!!!

Wedding Drink Style

Katie Martin — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:30:05 +0000

A few of our favorite drinks from over the years…

Ginger lime mojitos from Design Cuisine with our straw escort card tags in Stewarts Soda Bottles – Photos by Kathy Blanchard

Wonderful Cocktail concoctions from Farmers & Fishers from our article in Eco-Beautiful Weddings – Photos by The Obsvervatory

Cucumber water station from Main Event Caterers (photo by K. Thompson Photography) with sodas from our Green Wedding Giveaway (Photo by Documentary Associates + The Observatory)

Ronald Reagan Building Sneak Peek

Katie Martin — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:30:03 +0000

Can’t wait to show you the photos from this wedding! One of our gorgeous weddings at the Ronald Reagan Building that we did in November! Above is our mandap with curly willow, delphinium and orchids going up the sides along with our gold aisle aisle runner and stage cover. We also provided the floating candles and orchids.

Orange Wedding Style

Katie Martin — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:30:07 +0000

Gorgeous fun wedding cake from The Knot with orange drink stirrers from Bab’s Etsy Shop

Our own gloriosa lily bouquet with our in-house lanterns (photo by Roman Grinev)

Fabyan Orange Gown via Wedding Inspirasi with beautiful earrings from Rachelle’s Jewelry Box

Orange Brocade Kitten Heels from BHLDN with our menus and orchids (photo from Documentary Associates)

Holiday Style

Katie Martin — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:30:04 +0000

A few of our favorite things for Holiday Wedding Style…

Our green cymbidium bridal bouquet (photo by Documentary Associates) with Green Bunting Pennant from BHLDN

Green and Red cake via Perfect Wedding Day with Green Wedding Dress via Flickr

One of our favorite holiday bouquets we have done with holly berries, roses and rosemary (photo by Amy Deputy) with our green cymbidium cake topper (photo by Roman Grinev)

Our green hypericum berry lapel with green shoes via The Knot

Happy Thanksgiving

Katie Martin — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:30:16 +0000

From our families to yours – Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Weekend!

(photo via Etsy)

Red Wedding Style

Katie Martin — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:30:42 +0000

Red is making a comeback…Get Ready!!

Our sexy red backdrop with candles – photo by Documentary Associates

Red Shoes Via Santa Barbara Chic Blog

Red Invitations via Invitation Crush

Red accented cake by Maggie Austin Cake

Our own red rose wreath and red peony posy

Blue Wedding Style

Katie Martin — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:30:36 +0000

Yummy Blue…

Top to Bottom, Left to Right:

One of our beautiful brides in her beautiful blue dress at Woodend Sanctuary- Photo by Heather Z

Blue Cake by Cakes by Design from a wedding we did last year at the Engineer’s Club – Photo by Jennifer Hughes

Gorgeous Blue Garter from The Garter Girl

Blue Veil by Ossai as seen in the summer issue of Eco-Beautiful Weddings – Photo by Marta Locklear

Lapis Champagne Flutes from BHLDN

Gorgeous Blue Shoes from one our brides at the Decatur House – photo by Rodney Bailey

More from Amanda + Matt’s Wedding

Katie Martin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:30:01 +0000

Another installment from Amanda and Matt’s Wedding out in St. Michael’s, MD. Truly a beautiful wedding with a wonderful couple! Got these photos from Matt Mendohlsohn’s Blog as he was their photographer that day!

This was one of the most hilarious things I have ever seen while a bride gets ready!!! Amanda did not really have bridesmaids…so…all of her close friends decided to bring the worst possible bridesmaids dresses and wear them for her while she was getting ready! It was hilarious! I am so glad Matt took a photo of all of them! Just goes to show how much fun everyone had that day!!

Just a lovely photo of a lovely bride with her new hubby!

Loved all the wonderful moments from this day!

Congrats again Amanda and Matt!

Halcyon House

Katie Martin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:30:22 +0000

The ultimate Georgetown location for DC brides and grooms is the Halcyon House. A few weeks ago – we were there for Lillian and Henry’s wedding. They wanted simple decor for their arch…where we added a cocculus garland and white lisianthus accents.

We also had our signature Manzanita branch escort card table arrangement complete with wheat grass as the guests entered the reception.

For the centerpieces we had a mix of tall and low ones. Low centerpieces had local hydrangea with garden roses and echeveria. The tall centerpieces had trumpet glass vases with local hydrangea and white mini calla lilies.

As soon as we get the professional photos back – we will post them!

Go Green For the Holidays

Katie Martin — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:28:31 +0000

Getting ready for the holidays now that November is here? Here are few ways to keep it green while you are planning all your fall and winter holiday events!

Biodegradable Ribbon - Cream City Ribbon

Organic Pussy Willow Wreath - Vivaterra

Recycled Gift Wrap - Paper Mojo

Of course – when baking and cooking – always look for fresh and local ingredients…Maybe this is the year you finally take that trip to the local coop market!

Arts Club Sneak Peek

Katie Martin — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:30:34 +0000

The same weekend as Lili and Andrew’s wedding (see last week’s post) we had Tracy and Christopher’s wedding at the Arts Club of Washington. Above is a sneak peek from their wedding with this cute little bouquet that we made for the flower girl with garden roses.

Stay tuned for more from their wedding tomorrow!

Come out tonight!

Katie Martin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:30:33 +0000

Have nothing to do tonight? Yep – it’s a Tuesday and we are having a fundraiser. You see this house – it was built by hundreds of donors on facebook that raised $15,000 over a few months to build this home in Haiti. What? Yes a home costs only $15,000 to build in Haiti and we are raising this much money tonight and more at Longview Gallery in DC. Tickets will be sold at the door!

You get to meet Bryan Voltaggio, RJ Cooper, Matt Hill, Mike Isabella and Spike Gjede – bid on silent auction and art items and more!

Come out!!!

Learn more by clicking here!

Happy Halloween!

Katie Martin — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:30:49 +0000

No Halloween wedding style post today – we are out celebrating with our families today! Here is my little guy back in 2006 – one of my favorite photos of him!

Have a great time today!!!

secretly fancy fridays – j.crew edit

Candace Ourisman — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:30:28 +0000

while i consider myself to have an eclectic and interesting style, i do undoubtedly always lean towards the all american classics. so what happens when the mother ship for all american classics becomes eclectic and interesting??? you get jcrew!!! (most notably over the past 5 years). in honor of one of my favorite buttoned up with a wink companies, i am giving my own personal and secretly fancy edit for jcrew’s wedding ensembles for fall. enjoy! be sure to take a look at my own secretly fancy blog, where i run free!

the brides…

the “dinah” gown is fabulous in that audrey hepburn kind of way

understated elegance in this glamorous “amelia” gown

intricate and a bit fashion forward, the “georgiana” is a dream

the aptly named “waterfall” gown is the picture of movement, without overwhelming the bride.

the maids…

this chic beyond words bridesmaid dress is perfection

the sweatheart neckline will flatter most bridesmaids and this color is to die for!

not in the bridesmaid category however this would be STUNNING for a fall wedding!

prabal gurung teamed up with j.crew to create this cocktail dress that would be a show stopping and secretly fancy bridesmaid dress

xx,

secretly fancy

We have some tickets left for you!

Katie Martin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:30:34 +0000

We still have a few tickets left for the Up From Under fundraiser next week for those of you who have been holding off!!! You will literally change someone’s life!

Nicole Wolf went to Haiti right after the earthquake and it literally changed her life. She is now dedicated to building homes for Haitians no matter what! Yes – that is a tent in the background and people are STILL living in tents all over the capital of Haiti. Change that tent into a real home. With our goal of just 120 people coming to this event – it will build an entire home with just the ticket sales!!! So all of you matter and know that your ticket will literally build someone’s home!

Email me at katie at eleganceandsimplicity dot com to learn how to get a $25 discount off a ticket to the fundraiser next week. Your money goes such a long way. AND…you get to meet Bryan Voltaggio (plus 4 other amazing chefs like RJ Cooper…), bid on amazing silent auction and art items and meet crazy cool people! Come out and live it up while bringing Haitians Up From Under at the same time!

Light Pink Wedding Style

Katie Martin — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:30:28 +0000

Pink Monique Lhuillier Bridal Gown and Light Pink Wedding Shoes via Flickr

Pink Bow Tie for your groom with Gorgeous Light Pink Bike Design Invitations via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Our pretty rose, calla lily and freesia bouquet with our light pink hydrangea with ranunculus and freesia bouquet

Gorgeous cake we helped to design with Cakes by Design along with these fun lemonade signs from Carla David for a gorgeous wedding at the Ronald Reagan Building - Photos by Ralph Alswang

Babies Breath Bouquet – Brookside Gardens Sneak Peek

Katie Martin — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:30:25 +0000

So I have never made a bouquet like this since I have been making bridal bouquets since the year 2001!!! It is the 1st bridal bouquet I have made with mostly babies breath along with waxflower and queen anne’s lace accents. The bouquet was absolutely fitting for their very “Alice in Wonderland” vintage style wedding at Brookside Gardens. I will show more of the reception decor next week! Stay tuned and have a wonderful weekend!

Build a Home in Haiti and Meet Bryan Voltaggio

Katie Martin — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:30:31 +0000

Yes – you are invited to meet Bryan Voltaggio, RJ Cooper, Mike Isabella, Matt Hill and Spike Gjede on 11/1!

Why? Because we are raising funds to help build homes in Haiti! Countless numbers of Haitians are still living in tents in Haiti after the earthquake and now you can help solve this problem and help educate Haitians directly by just attending the Up From Under event! Now through 10/25 the tickets are selling for only $125! The tickets will go up to $150 after the 25th! 100% of your $125 goes towards building a home. An entire home only costs $15,000 and we can only have about 200 guests for this event. So as you can imagine – with you buying your tickets and everyone else who is coming – we will build at least one home with you just walking in the door with your ticket!!!!!!!!

We will also have a silent art auction and other goodies that are being auctioned off from sports memorabilia to unbelievable jewelery and more! (Think early holiday shopping) and again 100% of those proceeds go to building homes as well!!

Here is one of the families we are currently supporting with this project:

Here is the Shadrac family – currently living in tents. Sam, in the middle with the yellow shirt, has a story to tell and loves sharing and is working his way to stay educated and to help others around him!

Come out and meet these amazing chefs, eat and drink and learn all about what Up From Under is doing for only $125. Think of it as a holiday gift to yourself and the Shadrac family!

To buy tickets - click here or on the invitation above!

Carnival Wedding Style

Katie Martin — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:30:31 +0000

Credit – Top to Bottom, Left to Right

Pinwheel Save the Dates from Etsy with the beautiful Momentum Headband by BHLDN

Our gorgeous lanterns at the Ronald Reagan Building as photographed by Documentary Associates…Learn how to make your own caramel popcorn via Ruffled

Cotton candy via flickr at 2941 Restaurant with gorgeous DIY invitations as photographed Kelly Prizel

Caramel and candy-coated apples from the Dutch Country Farmers Market from a wedding we did at Glen Echo – photographed by Documentary Associates