Photography: Meg Runion

Photo Credits: The Knot; Martha Stewart Weddings; kojo designs

Founded in 2007, Apres Peau (“after skin”) is the vision of prominent Washington dermatologist, Dr. Tina Alster, to create the ultimate gift gallery of modern and tasteful luxury gifting.  The gallery features architecturally-based gifts from housewares to stationary to accessories, created both by specialty designers and for the exclusive Apres Peau private label.

The “Washington DC Chocolate Tour” chocolate bars are exclusively designed for Après Peau, and pays tribute to a Washington DC landmark, and with witty flavors like Washington Monumint, Georgetown Toffee, Smithsonian Salty Pretzel, and Key Bridge Key Lime, they make for a superb favor for any Washington wedding.  In addition, they are happy to customize the bars to fit customer needs as well as individually package them in a variety of ways.

Here at District Weddings, we just LOVE Après Peau – their classy yet one-of-a-kind items are right up our ally!  Be sure to contact Jessica at jessica@aprespeau.com for more information! Après Peau is located at 1430 K Street, NW.

Snapshot Studio by Love Life Images – A photobooth-type setup that includes a frame housing a camera and flash with umbrella and white backdrop. The camera is operated by remote control, so the guests can take their own pictures.  On-site printing available.  Two-hour and Five-hour rental options.

A few of the great pics captured by the Snapshot Studio (look at the fun props!)…

Booth-o-Rama – A 4-ft wide photobooth with capacity for up to 12 people.  Push button operation.  Four sequential snapshots. High-res immediate 4″x6″ print-out.  On-site photobooth attendant.  Four-hour rental with option to purchase additional hours.

Photos: Booth-o-Rama (left); Martha Stewart Weddings (right)

Classic Polaroid Cameras – Set up your own photobooth by hanging a backdrop and putting out polaroid cameras.  Guests will gladly take their own pictures!  Affix photo corners to your guest book in advance, so guests can easily slip in their photos and leave you a sweet message…

Photos: Martha Stewart Weddings

So many fun photobooth options available right here in the D.C. area!

New York-based Event Planner Amy Atlas is the QUEEN of dessert bars.  I’m sure you’ve seen her work before.  Somehow she finds a way to hand-pick the most perfect, most coordinated, and most delicious candies and confections.

Designing a lovely dessert bar is harder than it looks.  First, pick a simple color palette, then design the bar around one or two points of inspiration.  

Look at this oh-so-chic dessert bar by Amy Atlas….

It is important to vary the heights of the elements on your table, while keeping the vessels and colors consistent.

Amy designed this Lavender Snowflake dessert bar for the Elegant Bride  and the Wedding Library’s Wedding Event at the New York Palace.  Take a break from work today and escape to Amy’s fabulous website and blog….she is the BEST at what she does!

If you are creating a dessert bar for your wedding, here are a few local places to look for beautiful candies, amazing chocolates, and other sweet novelties.

Chocolate Moose – Washington, DC

Artfully Chocolate Kingsbury Confections – Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC

Chocolate Chocolate – Washington, DC

My personal favorite… Candy Kitchen – Ocean City, MD; Fenwick, DE; Bethany Beach, DE; Rehoboth Beach, DE; Virginia Beach, VA

Looking forward to receiving that one special item off your registry?  Tell us what it is and you’ll be entered to win a $100 gift certificate to JC Penney!  Thanks, JCPenney, for sponsoring this great District Weddings giveaway!

Only $14.99 at Bliss Weddings Market, there are tons of cities to choose from!  LOVE them!

Photos: The Knot

As I was browsing the Michael’s Arts & Crafts website, I came upon this fun project.  What if you used these pots as place cards, then guests could take them home as favors?  A wonderful two-for-one eco-lovely DIY project (DIY = “Do-It-Yourself”)!  I love it!

Photos: Michael’s Arts & Crafts; Pottery Barn

The pots on the right used to be sold at Pottery Barn.  I just checked their website and it doesn’t look like they are currently carrying them.  The ones on the left are a DIY project — much more affordable and twice as fun!  

Here are the instructions for creating these Chalkboard Pots (courtesy of Michael’s):

Materials – Valspar Chalkboard Spray Paint; Terracotta Pots; Newspaper; Chalk Sticks; Masking Tape; Potting Soil; Something to plant in the pots (herbs, flowers, etc.)

Step 1 – Start by masking off the rims of the pot, as this area will be left unsprayed.  (Another option – You can choose to spray the entire pot like the ones featured in the right picture above.)  Lay down newspaper to protect the surrounding area.

Step 2 – Take the Chalkboard Black paint and spray over the unmasked area of the pots.  Leave for 15 minutes, then apply a second coat.

Step 3 – Leave to dry thoroughly for at least 60 minutes.  (While you are waiting, you can finalize your guest list and practice writing your guests’ names on a scrap piece of paper.  Alternatively, you could contact a local calligrapher to see if he/she could write the names in chalk.  I’ll work on getting you the name of a local calligrapher who can do this.)

Step 4 – Once the paint is dry, write the name of each guest on each pot using the chalk.

Michael’s Locations in the D.C. area – Falls Church, Vienna, Fairfax, Alexandria, Rockville, Springfield, Wheaton, & Reston 

Love, Love, LOVE Michael’s!