We featured the engagement shoot of Hitched couple Morgan and Rich a few months back, and they just sent over these snapshots from their wedding this past weekend. We couldn't wait to share them with you! Morgan was glowing in her fitted Amsale gown, and the bridesmaids were just too cute in polka dot silk Simple Silhouettes dresses from Hitched Maids.
A huge congratulations to Morgan and Rich. We can wait to see more images from your big day!
[Photos courtesy of the happy couple]
Our guest blogger Freddy is back today with an amazing recap post from her big day! To refresh your memory, Freddy and her now-hubby Chris won the wedding planning giveaway we hosted awhile back with A. Dominick Events. Get ready to get teary-eyed... this one's a beauty!
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Hello everyone! I’m back!
I can’t thank you enough for having followed alongside me throughout some of my wedding planning journey! It’s been so fun writing for Hitched, and I am thrilled to share our wedding day recap with you!
The day started very early for me. I had been pretty sure that after a food-coma-inducing rehearsal dinner at Neyla (yum!) and a post-rehearsal mixer at Chadwick’s (which I highly recommend to anyone looking to throw a casual get-together – they were so nice and wonderfully accommodating!) I would be sleeping in as long as my schedule would allow. But I just couldn’t keep my eyes shut after I realized at 5am that today is the day!
Since I had a few hours before I had to be at Okyo Salon, I re-read some of the emails that Chris and I had sent one another after we’d first met. Reading them made everything that was about to happen feel even more incredible – that we went from being thousands of miles apart to having our friends and family come from all over the world to celebrate our wedding. It was a wonderful and calm moment that made me feel so, so grateful.
After I had my hair done, I went back to the bridal suite of the Park Hyatt to get ready with my mother, mother-in-law, sisters, and all the bridesmaids. We had about 15 people in one room, but getting ready with all my best friends was so much fun! Our wonderful photographer, Abby Jiu came to the suite around 1:30 to take some getting-ready photos.
After we’d finished, I headed further into Georgetown with Abby to do the “first look”. I initially had some reservations about doing a first look – there seems to be something so special and classic about the groom not seeing the bride before she walks down the aisle. Chris and I did decide to see one another before the ceremony so that we could have a few more minutes to take portraits. This ended up being one of the best decision for us – I was SO excited that I think I would’ve melted down had I not seen Chris until I walked down the aisle! Also, I am totally a Kristin Bell when it comes to emotions (please tell me you’ve seen her sloth meltdown video on Ellen! It’s a must see! If I’m not between a 3 and a 7 on the emotional scale, I am crying hysterically. Of course it was no different on our wedding day. I love the photos of the first look, and I’m so glad it was just the two of us. It was a wonderful, intimate moment.
If there are any brides out there who are scared that the first look may take away from the walk down the aisle, don’t be. Ours didn’t at all. If anything, it allowed me a little more calm and in-the-moment throughout the ceremony.
Chris and I chose to do a full Catholic mass for our wedding. Chris’s sister, a graduate of NYU’s MA program in vocal performance, was kind enough to be the cantor for our ceremony. She completely wowed the crowd! During her rendition of Ave Maria there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Even my uber-composed groom got a little teary!
After the ceremony we headed to Chris’s alma mater, Georgetown, to take some bridal party photos. You’ll notice that some of Chris’s groomsmen are just little guys – that’s because he decided to make all his brothers and first male cousins his groomsmen! They are adorable and funny and I am so glad we included them in the wedding.
While our family and friends headed to the Park Hyatt Washington for the cocktail hour, Chris and I had a few moments to ourselves in our suite. I asked Abby to take a few shots for us in the room, and she came up with these beautiful photos of us laying down and taking a little breather:
Then came our oh-so-fun reception. Check out the amazing work our florist John Duffy from Yellow Door Floral did! I was awe-struck when I first walked into the ballroom. I absolutely love how everything turned out, and all credit here really needs to be given to our vendors and coordinator Cindy Bastron at A. Dominick Events.
Our entrance into the reception was one of my favorite moments of the entire day. Walking into a room and seeing every single one of your loved ones cheering for you is a humbling and amazing feeling. I wanted to freeze time for that moment and memorize the expression of joy on each person's face. To know that people are that happy for the love you've found is the most wonderful feeling. I still get tingly just thinking about it!
What did we do then? We ate, we drank, and we danced the night away.
I was trying to think of some very sage piece of wedding advice that I could pass along to other brides-to-be, and I think the most important lesson I learned was one of letting go. There comes a time during wedding planning when even the most type-A bride has to throw her hands up and just let it be.
Thank you so much for sharing in our big day! And thank you Hitched for allowing me to share these little snippets!
-Freddy
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A huge congratulations to Freddy and Chris! We're so glad to have had even just a small part in your wedding experience. Best wishes to you for an amazing future together.
Be sure to check out Abby's full blog post, complete with vendors and tons of photos!
[All photos by Abby Jiu Photography]
There are so many options when it comes to outfitting your best gals for the big day. Some of our favorite bridesmaid dresses of the season are the ever-so-versatile, ever-so-chic covertible dresses from Jenny Yoo-- 'Keira' [knee length] and 'Aidan' [floor length] in luxe chiffon. These dresses are the perfect choice if you want your 'maids to look cohesive but still be able to show of their personal style. Check out some of the many ways to wear these stylish numbers!
It's inredible how many looks you can get from just one dress! To make an appointment to see the Jenny Yoo dresses in person, contact Hitched Maids [appointments@hitchedmaids.com, 202.333.6162].
If your girls are wearing these fabulous frocks, let us know how they chose to style them. We'd love to see these pretties in action!
[Board 1 Bridal Party, Board 2 Unbridaled Austin]
We're sure that all those wedding planning tasks have trumped the menial task of spring cleaning, but we've got the perfect excuse for you to sort through your closet and get rid of those dresses that haven't seen the light of day in ages.
For the month of April, we invite you to stop by Hitched to donate your gently worn (and dry cleaned) formal dresses, shoes, handbags, jewelry, unused make-up (like sample cosmetics), and "nice" shopping bags (think Bloomie's or Neiman Marcus) to benefit Princess for a Night!
What: 6th Annual 'Princess for a Night' Dress Drive at Hitched
When: April 3rd-May 11th [Feel free to drop off anytime during our normal business hours]
Why: To help make prom dreams come true for girls in our community!
Note: While we truly appreciate any donation, please keep in mind that velvet or wintery dresses, soiled items, outdated items, casual dresses, or items for mature women likely can't be used.
We are especially in need of dresses for petite (size 0-2) and full-figured young ladies (sizes 18+). All of these items will go to deserving girls in our community who, due to the great expense of prom attire, might otherwise not be able to afford a dress for this special night.
This is the perfect time to get rid of all of those bridesmaid dresses you knew you'd never wear again while making a girl's taffeta, silk, or satin dreams come true!
Show your best gals how much you appreciate the love and support they've given you over the years (especially during your often-stressful wedding planning process) by outfitting them in bridesmaid dresses that they'll actually be excited to wear! Join us for a week of dress trials and discounts during our Amsale Bridesmaid Trunk Show, March 22nd -30th!
Amsale's bridesmaid dresses are chic, sophisticated and modern, so it's no surprise that they're a favorite among Hitched bridesmaids-to-be. At the Bridesmaid Trunk Show we'll have tons of Amsale dress options to try, so grab your girls and be prepared to be wowed by bridesmaid dresses that they'll love. For this week only, we'll be offering 15% off of any Amsale bridesmaid dress!
If your girls are local, just have them make an appointment that week to come in to choose their dresses and complete their purchase. Have some out of town bridesmaids who can't make it to the store, but would also love to take advantage of the discount? No problem! Simply have them email or fax their completed forms and payment during that time frame, and we'll take care of the rest.
In order to be eligible for this promotion, each bridesmaid in your bridal party must complete her order forms, submit them to Hitched, and pay for her dress in full March 22nd – March 30th, 2012. The entire order must be completed and ready for submission to Amsale no later than March 30th, 2012 in order for the 15% discount to be applicable. Orders completed after March 30th will not receive the 15% Trunk Show discount.
What: Amsale Bridesmaid Trunk Show
When: Thursday, March 22nd - Friday, March 30th
RSVP: 202.333.6162 or info@hitchedsalon.com [Remember, bridesmaids need an appointment to try on the dresses]
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Wouldn't it be great to check one more huge item off of your to-do list before the New Year? How about solidifying your bridesmaid dresses? The gals over at Anna Elyse have made an offer that will be tough to refuse-- all of the dresses in their oh-so-chic slender silhouette (one of our faves!) will be 20% off between now and December 31st, 2011!
To make an appointment to check out these beauties or place an order, contact Hitched Maids [202.333.6162; appointments@hitchedsalon.com].
