For all of you brides out there, one of the evening’s highlights will be the incredible “Get Hitched in Georgetown” wedding contest and giveaway, where DC-area couples will compete in several entertaining, must-watch activities, for a chance to win the ultimate Georgetown wedding.

More than 20 Georgetown merchants have teamed up to create the “Get Hitched in Georgetown” wedding package.  The grand prize includes all the ingredients to a truly unforgettable wedding day such as a designer wedding gown, tiered cake, five-star wedding suite, custom invitations and even a waterfront reception.  On Fashion’s Night Out, one lucky engaged couple will walk away with the wedding of their dreams.

For more information and to enter to win, visit here. Good luck!!

With unique jewelry from Charles Schwartz and Sons, stunning make up by Nour Kazoun of MadeUp Art Makeup and sleek hair by Bridal Hair by Remona, sister models Shirin and Shaudi Malakooti looked absoletly charming.

Guests enjoyed delicious cupcakes from Fancy Cakes by Leslie and gift bags from the Four Seasons.  Thanks to Julia MacInnis for sharing the photographs! What an all-start team!

The autumn color palette, the moss, the full blooms – wow, I LOVE it!  The ceremony took place in the Dahlgren Chapel in Georgetown.

If you have been lucky enough to dine at the Four Seasons, you know that their food is out of this world.  On the night of Claire and Harley’s wedding, over 300 guests dined on a quadrant plate menu, that included Crabcake with Vegetables slowly Poached in Olive Oil, Bell Pepper Roue and Micro Greens; Slow Cooked Short Ribs with Celery Root Puree & Whole Baby Heirloom Carrots; Korean BBQ Shrimp with Tropical Fruit Salad, Chili Oil; Mushroom Carpaccia with Tomato Brunoise & Micro Greens Garnish – YUM!

The service was a la minute so everything happened in real time.

The dessert was a tasting portion of the bride’s favorite of traditional apple crisp with Four Seasons flair of housemade cinnamon ice cream.  Later in the evening, the hotel served traditional wedding cake.  And, guests got down to one of the best bands in town, Sound Connection by Andy Kushner Entertainment.

The fabulous vendor team:

Venue: The Four Seasons, Washington, DC

Floral/Decor: Amaryllis

Photography: Freed Photography

Planner: Michele Hodges Events

Band: Sound Connection by Andy Kushner Entertainment

Lighting: Frost Lighting

Rentals: Party Rentals Ltd.

Videography: Suburban Video

Transportation: International Limo

Location.  Location.  Location.  My mission – find a reception location close to St. Matthew’s Cathedral.  Since two-thirds of the invited guests are from out of town, it was important that the ceremony and reception be close to one another. One of the last things I need to worry about are out of town guests trying navigate around a city that is already confusing in broad daylight!

You never consider how many places there are to have a wedding until you start planning one!  Historical sites, restaurants, museums and hotels are just a few of the many options you have. Looking for special amenities?  That is also something to consider when choosing a venue.  On my wish list – someplace close to the church, a place that gives me undivided attention, and last but not least, options for me so my guests can have an experience they will never forget.

For lack of a better word, I wanted someplace with “wow factor” potential. It was also hard to ignore that ever since I was little, I imagined having a reception at some fabulous hotel…I guess that settles that. Let the hotel search begin.

After hours of internet research, and calls to almost all of the Washington hotels to gage availability, I finally decided to visit my top 5 choices – The Four Seasons, The Hay-Adams, The St. Regis, The Willard, and The Ritz-Carlton.

All of the hotels were no more than a 10 minute car ride (with traffic) from St. Matthews; passing the proximity test.  Check.  The venues could hold anywhere from 150 to 1200 people.  (Good to know in case I want to charge a cover charge.)  They all had very different styles – boutique, classic “Washingtonian” and classic yet contemporary.  Wow – this is going to be much harder than I thought!

In the end, I choose a venue that best represented the day that I had envisioned since childhood.  The Four Seasons is where Will and I will begin the next chapter of our lives.

The Season’s Julie Barrow was absolutely wonderful!  After showing me renderings for the hotel’s renovations of the main space and the addition of the new restaurant Bourbon Steak, she gave me so many great reasons for me to have my wedding there. Here are the top three -

1. I would have total wedding space exclusivity (sweet)!
2. I could design a multiple-course dinner menu that includes wine service, desert, and a personalized cake.
3. Last but not least – I would get a first anniversary gift – a three-night stay at any Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

Knowing that Will and I wanted our special day to be one of a kind, I had no doubt that he would also love the venue.  After bringing him back to see the space and meet Julie, we signed on the dotted line.

Now that we have the reception location booked, it is time to find someone to make my dreams a reality.  Time to hire a wedding planner…

From 5:00pm to 10:00pm next Friday, Engaged! in Washington will allow guests to experience five of DC’s most luxurious wedding venues, The Four Seasons Hotel, The Hay-Adams, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis Hotel, and The Willard as each would look for an actual wedding.

Guests will also meet the people that make fabulous weddings happen, linger and look, ooh and aah, and then take a limo bus to the next venue for more eye candy!

Photographers at each venue will take portraits, wedding planners and florists are designing knock-out spaces to wow guests, bands and DJs will play music, models from area bridal salons will be wearing the latest bridal fashion, hair and make-up artists will work their magic on attendees – first come, first served!

Click here to purchase tickets today!

We hope to see you there!