The cake display looks delicious – a midnight treat to welcome the new year!  Love the party hats! What a fun way to say hello to 2010!

The fabulous vendor team:

Venue: The Hay-Adams

Wedding Planner: Elizabeth Duncan with Pineapple Productions

Florist: Jack Lucky Floral Design

Photographer: Deb Lindsey Photography

Band: Backstage

Cocktail Music: Bel Canto Strings

Make-up: Leah McKay

Hair: Christophe Jouenne

Dessert Display: Just Cakes

Wedding Cake: Kendall’s Cakes

Lighting: Frost Lighting

Linen/Chairs: DC Rental

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!

Wow.  What a beautiful wedding.  A big thanks to Andrew for always keeping us updated on his fabulous work!

First up, a Real Wedding sent to us by none other than Andrew Reilly.  If you’ve checked in with us before, you’ve probably heard about our obsession with Andrew.  He is a wedding photographer with an artistic edge.  His photos are, well, brilliant.  And, he just may be the nicest guy around.

Amir and Subha were married on May 23, 2009 at The Hay-Adams Hotel.  Their ceremony was held in the John-Hay Room, with cocktails, dinner, and dancing held on the roof of the hotel overlooking the White House.  Here’s the first rounds of photos… More to come in a bit!

Aimee Dominick, of A. Dominick Events, pulled together an amazing event and, in her own super-talented way, accounted for every single teeny, tiny detail.  Lucky for us, photographer Andrew Reilly was on hand to capture the magic.

Amazing, right?  Not only was the wedding incredibly beautiful, but it was also extremely fun. Yes, that was an ice luge.  And yes, that was a Beatles cover band flown in for the occasion!  Planner Aimee Dominick knows how to throw a show-stopping party!

In fact, I was just over at The Hay-Adams, and they are STILL talking about this fabulous wedding!

A HUGE thanks to Andrew Reilly for sending us these unbelievable photos.  For hours of browsing fun, check out Andrew’s blog!

Here is the first round of photos I promised.  Take them in, then I’ll give you a little insight (and more photos) in a bit.  I’m totally smitten over this wedding.  It just may be my favorite so far this year.

And this is only the first round of pics!  Aren’t you in love already?!?  I know it’s getting late, but I still have more to come!

After Cheree designed the District Weddings logo, I then created this idea board from the cherry blossom picture.  I thought about the most beautiful, most elegant, most perfectly “D.C.” wedding — one that incorporated the color of the gorgeous cherry blossom in little ways, without being too over-the-top.  

Here’s the picture…

And here’s the idea board that came from it…

Photos: A Bryan Photo (Jenny Yoo bridesmaid dresses in Paige, Lucy, and Kayla styles…available at Hannelore’s and Promise…for the savvy bride); Invitation by Dauphine Press available at Hitched Salon in Georgetown; Bridal gown seen on A Bryan Photo; Bouquet and Ice Sculpture from Martha Stewart Weddings; Bride and Groom from brides.com

While we’re on the topic of D.C., my absolute favorite D.C. hotel is The Hay-Adams Hotel.  I love many others for their service and quality, but The Hay-Adams is my most favorite because of its beauty.  Located right across the street from the White House, this hotel is drop-dead gorgeous.  From the front drive, to the ornate lobby, to the plush bedding, to the view from the rooftop, The Hay-Adams, in my mind, is one of the best hotels D.C. has to offer.

After creating the cherry blossom board, I used this picture of The Hay-Adams…

…to create this board of ideas…

Photos: Groom from brides.com; Christian Louboutin “Satin d’Orsays” in Ivory…available at Saks Fifth Avenue in Chevy Chase; Bouquet by Martha Stewart Weddings; Table setting on brides.com; Invitation by Dauphine Press…available at Hitched; Champagne glasses on brides.com; Bridal bouquet on Martha Stewart Weddings

From this board I see an April wedding at The Hay-Adams Hotel!

Still to come…a fun giveaway in honor of our one month anniversary!

If you have a question, concern, idea, or if you would like to submit pictures of your wedding to be featured on District Weddings, please shoot me an e-mail (devon{at}districtweddings.com).  I would love to hear from you!  

Be sure to sign up for District Weddings In Your Inbox to receive our Weekly Recap, as well as exciting news on upcoming events, giveaways, and more.  Plus, the first 25 readers to sign up will receive a delicious raspberry-buttercream flavored District Weddings lip balm!  

Thanks for taking time today to visit District Weddings.  Please join us again tomorrow for a special tribute to the Inauguration of our 44th President.

Vendors for Real Wedding: The Hay-Adams

Wedding Planner: Aimee Dominick, A.Dominick Events

Catering: Alison Okobi, Director of Catering, The Hay-Adams Hotel

Flowers: Surroundings Floral

Rentals: Party Rental Ltd

Photography: Andrew Reilly

Music: Johnny Artis Band

Invitations: Cheree Berry Paper

Transportation: Atlantic Services Group

Hair: Elegant Hair by Giselle

Makeup: Kim Reyes Makeup

Cake: Kendall’s Cakes

The rooftop view isn’t the only advantage of having a wedding at The Hay-Adams.  The food, service, and ballroom are just as amazing.  The golden sunlight of the rooftop contrasted against the deep reds of the ballroom–this hotel is quintessentially autumn in D.C.  

Did you see the beautiful red cherry blossom programs that doubled as escort cards?  They were designed by nationally-known invitation artist, Cheree Berry.  On the inside cover of each calligraphed program is the guests’ table number.  Such a cute and practical idea!  

Although Cheree Berry Paper is based out of St. Louis, she might as well be a D.C. vendor.  She conducts consultations over the phone and sends proofs via e-mail.  Not to mention, she ships directly to you, or to your calligrapher.  All reasons why Modern Bride named her one of the top 25 Wedding Trendsetters of 2008!  I am especially indebted to Cheree, as she designed the beautiful District Weddings logo.  When you have a minute, check out her site.  Her designs never cease to amaze me.

Katie and Mark chose to have their ceremony in a church in Georgetown.  An added bonus — unique modern shots of their wedding party set against a lovely historic backdrop.

I love fall weddings.  The colors, the leaves, the crisp air… We are so lucky to have a wonderful fall season in D.C.  It is a perfect time for weddings in our area.

Coming up — pictures from the rooftop cocktail reception and the stunning ballroom.  Wait ’til you see the view from the roof of The Hay-Adams.  Breathtaking.