Baby's Breath is Back!

Baby's breath is BACK! Long are the days of sprigs of baby's breath in bouquets, boutonnieres and centerpieces. It's coming back but in full force! I remember wearing in my hair a cluster of baby's breath with a loooong ribbon attached at my elementary school graduation. Well wait a minute, my middle school graduation too. And I think I might still have those bundles of memories. [I've very aware I was a loser.] Since the 90's, style trends have evolved [read: I used to wear a fanny pack on the reg] and so has baby's breath--in a huge way.

Huge clusters of baby's breath can look like whimsical clouds. Such a light, elegant touch to any ceremony or reception. Not to mention, these sprigs of loveliness are quite inexpensive.

They can add a touch of opulance by mounting full bouquets on top of huge stone vases or candelabras. Putting them in old tea kettles or watering cans can add a touch of rustic, chic for low centerpieces. Having your maids carry them is a gorgeous way to penny pinch, without hindering style.

Check out these pictures and ideas that I scooped up from the wedding web:

{photos in order: realsimple, dan henderson photography, realsimple,

savannah wedding planner, the knot, last two from savannah wedding planner}

How about you? Are you planning to use the beautiful, yet inexpensive option of baby's breath in your upcoming wedding? Have anymore ideas for baby's breath you'd like to share with readers?

Something Bridal...for you!

I am so excited to share this upcoming Richmond Bridal event with you! The evening of August 27th, the new Lemaire Restaurant at the Jefferson Hotel will host a cocktail party for area brides and friends to mix, mingle and enjoy FREE goodies! It will feature yours truly, Vera Wang cosmetics, Macy's registry, the Salon at the Jefferson and Blooms at the Jefferson. Throughout the evening, we'll be raffling off Vera Wang perfumes and cosmetics and hair and make-up trials from the Salon. Sample the new and fabulous Lemaire menu while sipping on custom signature cocktails. Once you put your mouth around any of these things, trust me, you will want to book a dinner, luncheon, brunch or special date night at this beautiful restaurant!

So bring your mom, sister, bridesmaids, fiance, or just fly solo--there will be plenty of fun and friendly faces to meet! You'll be able to bounce around wedding planning and designing ideas with other area brides, discuss vendor reviews and even pick my brain for neat little DIY projects or fun ways to express yourself on your big day! Did I mention the delicious cocktails and complimentary hors d'oeuvres?!

Contact London Ray at Lemaire to RSVP. 804.649.1629 or lray@jeffersonhotel.com.

Updates!

I apologize for the delay in posting! LK is busy putting the finishing touches on a backyard "Southern Derby Soiree" {post and picture to come!} and vamping up the website that will launch shortly. We've got a beautiful engagement shoot, save the dates, DIY by LK, attic hunting and much more to come here on D+D. Don't forget about us while we're busy doing all these things!

In the meantime, check out these creative Save the Dates found on Style Me Pretty and created by the talented Marilyn Chien:

Picture of Love

I want to take a step back from my typical event-related posts and delve into my emotional, sappy side. Now, I got into this business because I love organizing and planning things. I love being creative and designing spaces. And I love seeing a client’s reaction to all the beautiful things. I see wedding things all day. Whether it’s exploring a talented vendor or just simply looking at stunning photographs. I’m surrounded by sappy, romantic, lovely moments. This one, not even wedding related at all, topped my book in utterly exuding love.

I was taking an evening jog in the local park—brand new (pink!) running shoes and feeling great. Getting exhausted, I tried to convince my legs to go just a mile further. As I turned the corner and headed towards the fields, I saw something that was totally purifying: a young, proud father practicing tee ball with his barely out of diapers two-year-old. Imagine the most adorable, blonde, wobbly boy with a grin from ear-to-ear and a cackle you can hear for miles. Unbalanced, he stepped up to the homemade plate and swung the plastic bat, just barely hitting the ball off the tee. The mother, holding an infant child on the sidelines, cheered for the boy and he ran around the miniature bases with his father chasing after him. I slowly approached, as to not disturb his concentration, but I was too late. The little boy saw me and so proudly stepped up to the plate again. He swung the bat five feet from the tee and obviously missed. He looked back at me to make sure I kept watching. His dad came up to him, set him in position, and counted to three, “SWING!” they said. He hit the ball off the tee and hysterically laughed as he was chased around the bases to home.

Maybe I was just in a rare, extremely emotional state, and maybe my description doesn't do it justice, but this caused the tear swells. This moment painted the most exquisite picture of the meaning of family, the meaning of marriage and children and love. I couldn’t stop smiling. I love love. And I love, when you’re least expecting it, something shows you very apparently its meaning.

Go Rams, Go!

I had the recent privilege of working with VCU Athletics to help plan two huge events: a Young Alumni Association Draft Party and the Celebration with the Celebrities for the Shaka Smart-John Rollins Golf Charity Classic. Because I will release all of the photos from each event with the big launch of my website; for now, you just get a wee-little peek:

The Young Alumni Event was held at Blackfinn in downtown Richmond, Virginia. Toni, the event manager over there, was beyond fabulous and helpful with organization and suggestions for signature cocktails. I was able to create little Ram flags as a touch of VCU personality!

One of the most talked about events in Richmond for VCU was the Shaka Smart-John Rollins Golf Charity Classic that happened June 29^th and 30^th at Salisbury Country Club in Midlothian, Virginia. I was graciously given the opportunity to help plan the kick off to the tournament, Sunday Night Celebration with the Celebrities, which included a cocktail party with a silent and live auction. At the Richmond Raceway Complex’s Torque Club, sports celebrities from the worlds of college basketball, the PGA TOUR and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series joined forces to raise funds for the Ram Athletic Fund, The John Rollins Foundation and the Hermie & Elliott Sadler Foundation.

With the Torque Club being fascinating already, I was able to add to the drama using 36 inch balloons and creating simple, elegant centerpieces for the cocktail tables, incorporating a subtle sports theme. Defazio’s catering did a wonderful job with the food. [CBS 6 was even there!]

Thanks to the photographers, Eddie Johnson and Brandon Chinn. Big thank you to Alex and Justin from VCU for letting me barge in on the décor and being so organized, Keith, Vic (and Justin!) for lugging the awkwardly-gigantic balloons there, and Mike and Norwood for being just plain awesome.

Can’t wait to show you more when we launch LK!

Shoe Expression

A recent trend that has sort of stuck to me is the non-traditional wedding shoes thing. Maybe it's because we're wearing bright orange flats for Britt's wedding, or maybe its just a little peek of excitement under that gorgeous dress. In perusing the 'net, I've come up with a few shoe inspirations for you:







And my ultimate favorite:
Perfect little fun touch, yes? What about you? Found any cute shoes that you're planning on sporting during the big day? Got any cute suggestions for brides-to-be? Let D+D know!

{photo credit in order: Sarah Rhoads photography; Dallas Brides blog; Sarah Rhoadsphotography; Eric Hegwer photography; Kelly Oshiro Events; Katy Regnier; JCrew shoes from Snippet & Ink; featured in Bubbly Bride}

Drink Confession

In an effort to stay true to everything I post on this blog, I have a confession. When I was suggesting signature cocktail recipes, I gave you a "delicious orange drink recipe". I lied. And here's how I know:

To keep them on track, I scheduled a "let's make some decisions" meeting with my sister and future brother-in-law. We were doing a a great job plowing through wedding lists, making decisions, placing orders--they even made their own To-Do lists! Towards the bottom of my own check list was signature cocktail options. Now as you already know, they did not have the option of having one, but only the option of what it would be. Our conversation was as follows:

Me: "So have you decided on a signature cocktail or two?"

Brittany: "No."

Me: "Well I made some suggestions on my blog a few weeks ago. Did you guys read them?"

Ben & Brittany: [looking at each other in guilt] "Uhh...no?"

Me: [in a crazy high-pitched voice] "Ah! My family doesn't event read my blog! NOW, I am very aware no one reads my blog but me! I can't believe this..."

So after I head to the computer to pull up my blog and read some suggestions, it just so happens that Brittany and Ben have the ingredients for the first drink. I enthusiastically agree its time for a break and the drink making commences. Now I want to preface this next statement with at the time I created this drink and got reviews on it, it sounded DELICIOUS (for gin drinkers of course). It fit the orange theme, Ben loves gin, so I thought it would be perfect.

[was not prepared for picture taking that night.]

[spillage from my lack of bartending skills]

It was disgusting. And I mean disgusting. Ben's face says it all:



So I will warn you now. Unless you ABSOLUTELY LOVE mimosa and gin. You will not like this drink. And because I am the first to admit, I make mistakes and will fess up to them: this drink sucks. BUT I am positive the blueberry one is delicious.

Off to the beach with the family for the weekend.

And I promise, from now on, I will make a valiant effort to post more frequently.