Archive for April, 2010
Simple weddings – simply stated!
Beautiful! Check it out!
Happy planning!
A special thanks to Brides Know Best, BV Weddings, Manolo Brides, and Whole Blossoms
It’s pretty easy to green your wedding party. You can choose to have a small wedding party, just a Maid of Honor and Best Man, or not have a wedding party at all. You can choose a dress that’s neutral in color (black, white, navy, gray) so that they can wear it again. You can choose something second hand or vintage, or you can opt for a dress that’s organic cotton, silk, hemp, or bamboo!
There is a lot of choice!
Today, I choose to show you some pretty sustainable beauties!
Enjoy!
Happy Planning!
Thank you to Nimli and BTC Elements for these wonderful ideas!
We had a fabulous same sex wedding yesterday. I took some very UNPROFESSIONAL pictures as we were setting up. Take a look at the transition.
Venue: PG Ballroom
Colors: Tiffany Blue, Platinum and White
The background palette was white, and used small bits of the blue and platinum to make it spectacular.
Happy planning!
Planning a $5,000.00 wedding in DC is not easy. In fact, I think it’s one of the most challenging projects I have undertaken. Not only do you encounter all the normal stuff one encounters when planning a Washington DC wedding, you also have to deal with all the stuff one encounters when planning a Washington DC wedding inexpensively, and you have to deal with the unknown. You can get over all the other stuff, but it’s the unknown that can get ya – if you let it.
It’s Murphy’s law. You just have to plan for it. During the planning process, your car is going to break down, or the computer that you need is going to get a indestructible virus (that destroys your computer), or your furnace will break in the middle of winter. Something can – and will happen. It’s inevitable – how could it not? Especially if you take 6 months, a year – or more to plan your wedding. It’s going to happen – and if you are not ready – it’s devastating.
I’ve seen it.
So, what do you do When you are planning for a wedding on a tight budget in DC? You also have to plan for the unknown.
Some things that may help
1. Have all the wedding money prior to planning. Put it in a separate account.
2. Plan to have more than the money for your wedding. If you want to spend $5,000.00 on your wedding, have $7,500.00 in the account.
3. Have a disaster fund (this is important at all times). Just keep it going throughout life.
4. Discipline
5. Be proactive
Things you should not do
1. Call Lisa and cancel your entire wedding. Not good. Not good at all.
2. Become a nervous wreck. Bad Bridal Karma
3. Get crazy and squawk like a chicken. Bad idea
4. Take it out on your mechanic. Maybe – they are always a good target.
kidding!
I hope this post gives you some ideas of ways you can become proactive – and to prepare. Plan for the unexpected and you will plan for your budget DC wedding!
Happy planning!
This is a beautiful piece of music. Check it out!
Half Acre – Hem
The beat is a bit fast for the penguin shuffle, but with for a choreographed piece – priceless.
Happy dancing!
The Macedonian Oro
Did you know that the Hora originated in Ancient Greece? The dance was derived from the Khoros – and was danced in a circle – accompanied by singing.
I did not know that.
Homer referred to this dance in his poem, the Iliad.
Cool!
In fact, the Hora was not a Jewish dance until it traveled (via settlers) to Palestine from Romania in the early 20th century. Other traditional circle dances, also derived from the Khoros, can be found all over Eastern Europe and the Balkans. They are all danced in similar fashion, and include…
- Turkish and Romanian Hora
- Bulgarian Horo
- Montenegrin and Macedonian ora
Originally, the Khoros was danced to honor the gods in religious celebrations. It was performed as a circular dance performed in Athens in honor of the God Dionysus. There were variations of the ancient dance since each village had separate religious customs. Later in Ancient Greek Culture – centralized in Athens - it was associated with Greek tragedy, where a group of actors would sing together (choir) commenting on dramatic events taking place. When Christianity came into being, the circular dance was danced on religious holidays. In Romania, it’s common that the Hora is danced on Easter Sunday – as well as in town squares, and in celebration of weddings and other milestones.
The first Jewish Hora was brought by the Romanian folk dancer, Baruch Agadati, in 1924 when he created a Hora for the show by the Ohel Theater Company. This theatrical company toured the early Jewish settlements in Israel.
Hora Agadati, as it was called – became an instant hit!
And, that’s what I say – is history!
Happy planning!
Thanks to Forward.com for the terrific information
I tasted 8 delicious wines at the wine tasting last week – and I thought I would share them with you.
2007 Stephen Vincent Crimson
Double Gold Medal – San Francisco International Wine competition
Deep dark crimson color, with lots of black fruit in the nose. Soft tannins round out rich flavors of licorice, blackberries, and cinnamon. It’s perfectly paired with Chicken, beef, lamb, duck, turkey and pasta.
2008 Stephen Vincent Chardonnay
A terrific value – the 2008 Chardonnay offers attractive melony, buttery citrus, and tropical fruit characteristics as well as a hint of minerality. Elegant, fresh and medium bodied, it tastes far better than its humble price suggests.
2007 Don Ramon Grenache/Tempranillo
Ruby dark garnet in color, with an effusive creamy cherry with flavors that turn more towards deeper, darker black cherry and raspberry on medium bodied framework. A subtle earthiness underneath the bright fruit adds some depth and complexity.
2007 Bastide Beauvert Cotes du Rhone Red
A beautiful ruby red wine. Very fragrant with aromas of red fruit (currant, strawberry and cherry) with hits of black pepper and cinnamon. Medium-bodied and silky in the mouth with mature, round tannins. Enjoy with meats , grilled vegetables or cheese.
La Cabotte Cotes du Rhone Blanc
This is a dry white wine with aromas of summer fruits, white peaches, apricots and a hint of spice. The wine is very well balanced and has a long finish.
La cabotte Cotes du Rhone Rouge
Produced from Grenache and Syrah, with a touch of Cinsault and Carignan, it has a ruby red violet color. It has a soft mouth feel and is very pleasant with its cherry and black currant notes. Enjoy this with pizza, pasta, and various meats and cheeses.
La Cabotte Cotes du Rhone Village
Deep red in color with a complex nose showing red fruits and terrior. The mouth is full and powerful with notes of black currant and blackberry with shades of spice and resin. The tannins are silky and mellow. A perfect complement to small game, grilled meats and lamb.
And my absolute fav – the sweet…
Bellevue Sauvignon Blanc
Pretty stone fruits, gooseberry and yellow floral notes are profuse in the aromas. Delicious notes of ripe fruits grace the palette with enough acidity to keep it lively and refreshing. Drink alone or with a wide range of fare. It’s perfect for a hot summer day, a picnic, or an elegant brunch.
Visit Paul’s Wine and Spirits. Visit Steve or anybody behind the desk. They know what they are talking about!
Happy drinking!
I love the idea of having a brunch reception. It’s so crisp and clean and lively. The fresh fruit, freshly squeezed orange juice, pure maple syrup and mimosa’s scream “fabulous” on a warm spring or summer morning. I love elegant causal. There are so many interesting ways you can go! I love going simple and stylish in the background. Why not keep it white, and create color in the flowers and fresh fruit garnishes. Nicely planned touches of color is where it’s at! Check it out!
Clean and simple. I love it!
Happy planning!
Here are some very beautiful and unique gifts that you can give to your bridal party to thank them for playing an extra special roll and making your wedding day perfect!
Something for them to wear on the wedding day
and also…
for The Mind
The Body
and The Spirit
Happy gifting!
Thank you to Dream Green Weddings, Nimli, and Ecomodish for these lovely ideas
I wouldn’t say that I’m an advocate of picking a huge “theme” for your wedding – doing and overdoing by sticking it in your guests faces for 10 months and a day. Kwim?
It’s more typical, when I plan a wedding, that I get a strong sense for what the Bride and Groom wants, and together, we mature those special “desires”. From that planning – a small “theme” emerges that we can play on -elegantly – without abrasion and overdoing.
However, with such a wedding I’m proposing – one that is very short, sweet and simple, I think an established “theme” would not only be important, but imperative. I think that everything must be cohesive – from the dress, to the venue, to everything . A well developed and executed theme will be fun to plan and create an added interest on the part of your guests. You must choose your theme wisely. Choose a theme that’s easy to pull off in the space that you have – without much of an extra added investment.
So, what would I propose for the $5,000.00 wedding we are planning in the Art Center?
An art infused cocktail party. This is what it would look like…
Use a monotone background and create interest with bright colors in your bridesmaids dresses, garnishes and ribbons. For our 45 minute cocktail hour, 6-8 pieces/person will do. Offer Perrier and still water, with fresh fruit garnishes as a beverage.
Finish the evening off with simple cake and mingling.
Happy planning
Thank you to Stephen Voss ,Hello Bella, and Jennifer Hughes for the awe inspired pictures
