Free (Or Fairly Cheap) Parking

Although winter is right around the corner and outdoor weddings are not the best choice... it is a good idea to set dates for 2011 spring, summer and fall weddings (or 2012). There are so many national and city parks in every state! These parks are gorgeous for ceremonies and even can have a reception space. In DC there are some great places where you can see the sites and still have a beautiful park view! Depending on you location the park may be free or very cheap to rent out for the ceremony and/or reception. Although there are some parks that may not be suitable for a wedding, some parks are perfect.

Of course everyone knows about central park in NYC, but it is truly beautiful and has many great places for a wedding ceremony! Central park does run some fees for using it, but if you live in NY or Jersey this may be the perfect choice for your wedding. In Washington, DC you have the National Mall, Constitution Gardens, George Washington Memorial, and other memorial parks (http://www.nps.gov/nacc). This places are also amazing for engagement photos! Also... a wedding on the tidal basin near the Jefferson memorial in late March or early April would be amazing with the cherry blossoms! When you think of parks you may not think of the beach, but there are some great beaches that are covered by the National Parks or may just be a public beach. Like I have said a million times it is always important to look into all your venue options, you may just be surprised at what you find!

There are so many options around your area so look at different parks and memorial parks. There are also some great national houses and places that are frequently used for weddings! I love the idea of having more than one engagement picture shoot. In DC why not go to the memorials, a park, and a local location you love? With a good planner and vision you can make any place a beautiful wedding location.

Photos Courtesy of:  

www.hollandphotoarts.wordpress.com

www.Dayofdreams.com

www.paulrutherford.net

 www.elizabethsolaka.com

www.valdorama.com

www.wengphotography.com

www.walkinnewyork.blogspot.com

Robgreer Photography

www.visitingdc.com

www.ultimatebeachweddings.com

Color of the Week: Lilac

I am loving this fall weather...besides the rain... but I love being able to wear a light sweater and flip flops. I also love the fall colors! Leaves are already beginning to fall from the trees in an array of greens, yellows, oranges and browns. Yet for a fall wedding you don have to try and fit your colors into this scheme. I am in love with lilac this fall and winter season! It is so amazing in the softness of the purple but the boldness of it as well. There are also great flowers that have a similar purple hues, especially lilacs! Lilac, or any similar purple hue, can be a great primary or secondary color at a wedding or event. I love the lilac color with  soft greens and yellows in a vase or paired with white flowers to make the purple stand out. The purple color can be paired with bright green and blues for a spring or summer wedding as well! Or pinks with an accent of brown! The color pairs great with white, black, silver and gold, so any chairs or accessory's will look great against the lilac background.  

I made a collage of some of the great pictures I found using lilac. Hope I inspired some to use the color in their next event or wedding... or just incorporate it into their homes and lives.

www.primadonna.com

www.cakecentral.com

www.italianlakeswedding.com

www.paperpassion.com

www.maisiefantaisie.co.uk

www.davidsbridal.com

www.elizabethannedesigns.com

www.beautifulpaper.typepad.com

Candy is Dandy

As promised I am letting you all know about another favorite reception food idea at weddings and any event. This one I have loved for a long time and even seen it done at some weddings, but TheKnot.com article reiterated my love...for CANDY! Can't think of a great guest favor? A Candy Bar is a great, easy, cheap and cute way to keep every guest satisfied. Just provide your guests with cute bag or boxes that have your wedding date or something about the wedding on them and have the guests fill them up with their favorite candy. You can have as many or as little variety due to your budget and want. Most caterers will supply you with jars and/or scoops for the candy. You can also find great jars and use ribbon in your wedding colors to tie around the jars. Make cute signs with each candy name and a sign telling your guests what to do. I also love this idea for a child's birthday party or even a corporate event... everyone goes giddy over candy!

Make the experience as if your guests are walking into a candy store where they can pick whatever they want! Find some great penny candy like pop rocks, candy rocks, button candy, Swedish fish, candy necklaces, etc. You can add in some of your favorite candy as well... like I love raisinets, sour patch kids and hot tamales. Plus, always have some of the classic candy choices: M&M's, skittles, starbursts. It is also a great way to incorporate some cultural candy if you or your fiance are from another country.

A lot of this candy can be bought in bulk and at wholesale prices. Plus, having some candy left over is NEVER a bad thing. You can always give the candy to other families in the neighborhood or donate it to a local troop or teacher. Or eat it all yourself : )

** Look at craft stores and online for bags. This is a great opportunity to save some money and just purchase personalized stickers and cheap candy bags and do yourself. Candy bags can be paper or plastic, but choose what you like and is easiest to fit your budget!

Pictures from: GetMarried.com (Ashley’s Bride Guide, Brideandgroom.com, Amy Atlas Old Fashion Candy Bar, Hannah Elaine Photography)

Lets Take a Flight

You got to love Mondays... here in DC it is muggy and rainy and gross outside. Made me want to stay home in my PJ's, watch a movie and crack open a beer or bottle of wine. Unfortunately, I got up and made my way to the train and got into work. Thankfully though I get great newsletter emails from many different wedding sites and received one that just tickled me pink. TheKnot.com had a great story on new wedding food ideas and I could not resist but to read it. I love almost all of them and will share more and more of my thoughts and what I have seen in the coming days. I chose to pick one of the most interesting and best ideas I saw.

Beer and/or Wine Flights!! Oh my I am in love with this idea. Weather you have an open bar or not this is still a great way to incorporate your love of beer and/or wine into the meal and have your guests experience great food and wine/beer pairings. You can do either beer and wine or chose one for all your guests or have everyone get to do both! If you do both but are having your guests choose one, have your guests choose which flight they want when sending in their food choices so that you know how much you need to buy alcohol wise. I think doing both but having your guests choose one is the most money efficient and fun, since your guests are not stuck to one thing if they do not like it. I also love that if you are having some kids or underage people at your wedding to get some great flavored sodas and juices to have them experience it as well. They won't really understand the food pairing part, but what a great way to keep kids involved and interested during the meal and not felt left out. You could also have this choice for people who maybe are not drinkers so that they as well do not felt left out.

The wine/beer is served in smaller tastings, not a whole glass but enough for a couple sips, allowing guests to get the tasting experience. You can work with your planner/caterer or by yourself to pair different wines and beers (and soda/juice) with different foods. This is easiest if you have maybe 3, 4 or 5 courses...anything more than that and it may be overwhelming. You can do a soup or appetizer courses, regardless of if you already served apps, salad course, main meal course (or 2 if you want), and a dessert course. I think chocolate and beer/wine pair great together, so the chocolate course can be something small or even just a small bark of chocolate you buy from the store for the guests. With each course pair what you like and what is said to fit with the food selection. With beers, go with some great micro brews or local beers, and with wines as well choose wines you like and try and get some local wines into the mix.

If you and your fiance are like me and my boyfriend we love trying new beers and wines and pairing foods with them. We also have friends who love it as well, or at least the beer and wine drinking part. This is great for guests to be involved in the meal and you can print out cards that say what beer and wine go with what dish. With local wines and brewery's, call them and tell them what you are doing, they may be able to get you a discount or something special since you are featuring them at your wedding. It never hurts to call and ask and most places are super nice! This is also a great thing for both you and your fiance to do together during the planning process and should be relaxing and fun... go to wine festivals or beer festivals or look into visiting winery's/brewery's to find some great drinks and see how they recommend pairing.

I hope someone puts this into their wedding... I already know I will when it happens!

(if you are subscribed to TheKnot.com the story is called "15 Creative Menu Ideas").

Destination of the Week: Paris, France



photo property of Studio Cabrelli





Known as the city of lights, Paris, France is one of the most romantic cities in the world. I personally have never been to Paris, let alone Europe, but I have always wanted to go. I love the old buildings and the culture of Paris that it makes a great place for a wedding or a honeymoon. Paris is picture perfect and has so many great places to get married or stay. The first one that comes to my mind is the Eiffel Tower, a picturesque metal statue standing over the city. Just think about having your wedding photos with that as the background. For art and history buffs there is a ton to do in Paris with Notre-Dame and the Louvre, plus many other museums to visit! PLUS there is amazing food in Paris from the pasta and pizza to the gelato you cannot go wrong. Like most locations there are great companies in Paris and many hotels/venues may offer the help of a planner. It is smart, like always, to research and talk to people who work over in Paris. Also, check on information about actually getting married in France and make sure you fill out any forms that are necessary.

If the city is not your seen there are great chateau's littered across the countryside of France. This is great for a romantic and more down to earth reception.  I also love France in general for a honeymoon as well. There are so many great places to visit and you are so close to many other countries and locations to visit. I recommend planning out where and what you want to go see and taking the train around, which is the main means of transportation.

I LOVE that there is also the Seine River in Paris and you can take boat cruises for your reception where you get the see the whole view of Paris while riding around. If you don't know I do enjoy a boat cruise! I love this idea because you get to show all your guests this great romantic city all at one time.

http://thumbnail-of-life.blogspot.com/2009/06/paris-trip.html

Like all destination weddings, you may have to cut down the invite list and think long and hard about how much you want to spend. If you want to save money... probably not the best idea, but great for a honeymoon since there are many things to do and see. Paris is the city of lights and romance, what a great place for a wedding or honeymoon to romance the love of your life. I also just love looking at all the amazing pictures of Paris and dreaming about my future trip there!

This is a great site for reading up about having a wedding in Paris and what needs to be done... http://www.parislogue.com/weddings

Here are just some more amazing pictures I found... Enjoy!

http://gallery.actsofvolition.com/photo/39914?honeymoon/travel



http://www.erichegwer.com/travel/black-and-white-photos-in-paris



http://www.erichegwer.com/travel/black-and-white-photos-in-paris