from Hello to Hitched

Wedding Cake Giveaway

Virginia-based Fluffy Thoughts Cakes is giving away a FREE wedding cake to a local member of the armed forces in honor of Veteran's Day! These cakes are delicious and oh-so-beautiful, and we're envious of the lucky couple who gets to slice into a complimentary one on their big day.

A stunning cherry blossom cake by Fluffy Thoughts

Entries must be received by this Sunday, November 1st. To qualify, the bride or groom must be a member of the military and getting married in the DC-metro area in 2010. To enter, send an email to [email protected], and include your name, phone number, wedding date, wedding location, a photo of the happy couple, and a brief explanation of why you should win one of these drool-worthy creations! The winner will be selected on Veteran's Day (November 11th). Good luck!

Happy Halloween!

Whether or not you celebrate Halloween, this time of year is perfect for throwing a stylishly spooky soiree! Whether you want to go all-out with costumes and a black and orange color palette, or simply want to incorporate some subtle, spirited flair, we hope to provide you with a little inspiration.

One of our favorite things about October is the ever-so-versatile pumpkin. While we normally like ours in the form of pie and flavored lattes, weaving pumpkin details into your wedding is a great way to integrate Halloween without being too literal. Use pumpkins of all shapes and sizes to decorate the entry way of your reception site, scatter them underneath your chuppa or arrange them to denote your alter. We also love the idea of carving pumpkins in patterns that mimic lace (how bridal!).

 

Perhaps you’re looking to throw a glamorously gothic fete with sleek, black details. It’s easy to transform your reception space into a Haunted Mansion with simple floras and flickering candles. Let these amazing details get you in the macabre mood!

Looking for a way to incorporate costumes into your wedding while avoiding that one guest showing up in full Freddy Krueger garb? Why not hand out Venetian style Masquerade Ball masks to your guests as the exit your ceremony?

For a creative alternative to the traditional guest book, set up a photo booth (or even just a Polaroid camera) where your guests can take photos with fun props (think hats, wigs, and masks). You’ll be sure to have Halloween-inspired pictures of your friends and family that you will want to keep for a lifetime!

[Photo Credits: 1,2,&5 Martha Stewart Weddings, 3,4,&6 The Bride's Cafe, 7 Source, 8 Source, 9 Love Life Images]

Adele Wechsler Trunk Show - November 6th & 7th

Mark your calendars, brides-to-be... next weekend, Hitched will be hosting our first ever Adele Wechsler bridal gown trunk show!

We are elated to announce the launch of Adele Wechsler's eco-couture bridal line here at Hitched. Adele's designs allow brides to have luxurious, couture gown options that are eco-friendly by using gorgeous fabrics like vegetable dyed and hemp silks.  The one-of-a-kind fabrics really make for a truly special collection - we are excited to share it with you!

At the trunk show, you'll have the opportunity to try on lots of Adele Wechsler gowns, including those from her latest eco-couture collection. If you'd like more information, or to schedule an appointment, please give us a call [202.333.6162] or shoot us an email [[email protected]]. We hope to see you there! 

To celebrate the launch of Adele Wechsler's collection here at Hitched, we'll be featuring a "week of eco-chic" starting on Monday... so stay tuned!

[Photos courtesy of Adele Wechsler]

They Got Hitched! - Jessica & John [Part II]

We left off just before the ceremony at Jessica and John's nuptials. Here's some more eye candy from Andrea Kelly (check out her blog for even more photos of this fun-filled wedding), as well as great details from Jessica!

Jessica: It was inevitable that after our wedding ceremony at St. Jane Francis de Chantal in Bethesda, Maryland, our reception would follow at the location of our first date -- Bethesda Country Club.  Since John and I both wanted our reception to represent our laidback-yet-classic style, we chose to have a cocktail hour with miniature versions of our favorite foods served as hors d'oeuvres - - think cheeseburgers, shrimp corn dogs and pigs-in-a-blanket.  A formal three course dinner (complete with Georgetown Cupcakes!) followed in the ballroom thereafter. 

 

The flowers and décor were inspired by my Mom and put into fruition by Da Vinci Florist of Silver Spring, Maryland.  After I purchased my dress at Hitched, my Mom made the comment that I should chose a very delicate flower to go with my dress since it had a lot of detail.  Out of the blue she commented on how she thought a lot of baby’s breath bunched together would be perfect and it truly was!   John and I elected to carry this theme into the ballroom by dressing up enormous amounts of baby’s breath on top of tall gold candelabras. 

 

Our entertainment for the evening was a surprise for the groomsmen, most of whom were John’s fraternity brothers at the University of Maryland.  To reminisce the good ol’ days, John thought it would be fun to hire the Midnight Movers, a band who often played at their fraternity parties.  The groomsmen loved our surprise, as did the rest of our guests who enjoyed dancing to the oldies but goodies.

The things you can’t see from our pictures is that on July 18, 2009, John and I were blessed to spend the entire day with ninety-two individuals, plus one special lady from above, who have immensely touched our lives and helped us become who were are today.  

Congratulations, Jessica and John! We truly appreciate having the inside perspective on how you were able to accomplish such a magnificent event. We are sure that the rest of your days will be filled with laughter and love as husband and wife, and we wish you all the best!

[All photos by Andrea Kelly Photography]

All the details:

Happy Couple: Jessica and John Sadler

Wedding Date: July 18, 2009

Ceremony Location: St. Jane Francis de Chantal

Reception Location: Bethesda Country Club

Photographer: Andrea Kelly Photography

Gown: Judd Waddell from Hitched

Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale from Hitched

Ceremony Musicians: Cherry Blossom Strings

Reception Entertainment: Midnight Movers

Flowers: DaVinci Florist

Bakery: Georgetown Cupcake

Hair: Christi at Salon Red

Makeup: Meredith Seidel, Make-Up Design

Transportation: Lasting Impressions

They Got Hitched! - Jessica & John [Part I]

We were so lucky to meet Jessica (Hepburn) Sadler and be a part of her beautiful wedding. Jessica was not only a stunning bride, but her sweet disposition and ability to remain poised during what we know was an extremely difficult time for her was truly inspiring. Her visits to Hitched were filled with both laughter and tears, and after developing such a close relationship with her, we are especially excited to share her special day.

Jessica: John and I first met while working in offices directly beside each other as attorneys at a prominent Maryland law firm.  Shortly thereafter we were going on our first date, and an over-the-top proposal followed less than a year later at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa in Farmington, Pennsylvania. 

When it came to wedding planning, our approach was anything but normal.  Shortly after our engagement it became evident that my Mom’s ten-year battle with cancer was coming to an end.  As a result, John and I changed the wedding date four times to try and ensure that Mom would be attendance. But, sadly Mom passed away before our big day.    

A sweet photo of Jessica and her mother

I purchased my dress during my first visit to Hitched for a Judd Waddell trunk show last October.  Judd Waddell was at Hitched for the trunk show and quickly pointed out that he had a new dress with him that I should try, which was straight off the runway and not yet in the wedding magazines.  Sure enough, Judd was right—it was the dress!  An added bonus came a few days later, when Hitched called me to let me know that Judd made a pencil sketch of my dress for me to keep.  

Hitched was a godsend throughout the entire wedding planning process.  With the passing of my Mom and a pretty demanding job, Hitched was a one-stop shop.  Truly, it was a busy girl’s dream come true!  From the get go, Carin and the rest of the staff at Hitched made sure that choosing the most important dress of my life (as well as the bridesmaid dresses) was delightful.  Not only was Hitched the prefect bridal boutique, but the staff continually provided us with the assistance we needed to ensure that our wedding day was the best day of our life! 

 

Stick around... there's more to come from Jessica and John's gorgeous day!

[Photo Credits: Andrea Kelly Photography]

To Necklace Or Not To Necklace?

That is the question.

Our thoughts: When it comes to accessorizing for the big day, necklaces should always be an accoutrement as opposed to the show stopper -- that's reserved for YOU (and the dress, of course). Here are a few things to consider:

Wearing a necklace with a simple, clean-lined gown can add a bit of pizazz and really bring the whole look together. If you’re wearing a dress that’s all about the fabric (with minimal lace and beading) and you really want to make a statement, consider something more elaborate—maybe even with a hint of color.

It's always beautiful when the necklace maintains the style and feel of the dress (whether it's vintage, romantic, or whimsical).

The neckline of the dress plays a key role in the type of necklace you choose. If you're wearing a gown with an interesting neckline, evaluate whether it’s already focusing attention to your face (which is the goal, of course!), and whether a necklace is even necessary at all.

Remember, sometimes less is more! If your necklace is particularly intricate or grand, think about keeping the earrings simple (e.g. diamond or pearl studs), or choose hair accessories that are on the small end of the tiara spectrum.  It’s your wedding and you want to make sure you look like yourself (but fabulous, of course)!

Finally, stick to your personal style! If you are a fuss-free kind of gal, go with something basic, or keep your neck bare (hey there, gorgeous collarbone!). If your attire is typically a bit more funky or glamorous, don’t be afraid to try something a bit more chunky or with some serious bling. If you’re still unsure—make an appointment to revisit the sample of your dress to test out your jewelry options, or try them out with your gown at one of your fittings.

[Necklaces 1,2,3,&6 from Tiny Jewel Box; 4,7,&8 by Erin Cole; 5 by Tu Vida]