Bridal Beauty Tip #2

TREND REPORT: Cookie Coffee Cups

While enjoying my morning cup of coffee and skimming Perez Hilton (I know, I know, but it is my shameless guilty pleasure) I stumbled upon a new culinary masterpiece, the cookie cup!
I immediately thought two things: 

1. My monogrammed ceramic coffee mug has now lost all appeal 

2. This could be the next big things at weddings!

Here is the explanation from the coffee company Lavazza

First you drink your coffee and then you eat… the cup! Cookie Cup is the edible cup designed by Enrique Luis Sardi together with the team at the Lavazza Training Centre and Cataldo Parisi, head chef of the confectioner’s kitchen at Number 10 San Tommaso. 

Cookie Cup is an example of the results achieved from research into food design: it’s not just about coffee, but also the container — because once you have enjoyed the dark beverage you can also eat the cup. The cup is made of pastry covered with a special icing sugar, which works as an insulator, and makes the cup waterproof hence allowing you to use the cup and then appreciate its taste, so to eat and drink coffee along with a biscuit at the same time.

Doesn't that look so delicious?!?  I can just see espressos, coffee, hot chocolate and more being served in these at weddings this Fall!

EVENT: Carine's Bridal Atelier Sample Sale

We had to post this gorgeous picture! We are swooning over the selection!  

Spend this evening with Carine's Bridal Atelier to view designer gowns at their Sample Sale!  

Details HERE

Ice Ice Baby

  After hearing the forecast of record heat today, the only thing I could think of writing about is ICE!  Ice can be transformed into amazing pieces of art at weddings.  Trust me, gone are the days of cheesy swan ice sculptures!  Cool down with some of ice images from our past clients!

Intermezzo sorbet served in custom ice cup!

Vodka bar made of Ice

Caviar on ice...why, yes, of course!

Special surprise for the groom, a Notre Dame ice luge!

An ice luge highlighting the couples' new last name!

One of our favorites...an entire bar made of ice! Complete with the couple's monogram!

Now I am going to use these images and daydream that my office is made of ice today!

{Photo Credits: 1&5-Isacson Studios, 2-4-Jennifer Lust, 6-Marais Photography}

EVENT: Sample Sale at Carine's Bridal Atelier!

Carine's Bridal Atelier

SoCo Events Featured in Washingtonian Bride & Groom!

We are absolutely thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with Washingtonian Bride & Groom on this piece by LauraWainman.  Check out the article by clicking the link below.

'How to Incorporate Children Into the Wedding of Your Dreams'

2012 BRIDAL TREND: LACE AND SLEEVES!

Brides can thank Kate Middleton for the 2012 wedding fashion trend -- long sleeves and lace!  We are thrilled that this trend might be here to stay.  The long sleeves and lace trend is a fashion forward twist on a very classic look.   

Think Grace Kelly meets Kate Moss.  

Kate Middleton

Not only was this look prominent on the runway during Spring Bridal Week 2012, but it has been embraced by celebrities.  We expect to see this elegant look for quite a few years to come.

Grace Kelly

Ivanka Trump

Drew Barrymore

Lauren Bush

Ashley Biden

Below are some of our favorite pieces from the Spring 2012 Bridal Shows.

Reem Acra 2012

Monique Lhuillier 2012

Carolina Herrera 2012

Real Weddings: The Meridian House - Washington, DC

If there were a wedding that defined the word “love”, it would be the marriage of Kara Frank and Brendan Williams-Kief.  The love that Kara and Brendan have for each other is evident from the moment you meet them.  They are lighthearted, carefree and such a joy to be around.  The love that they have for each other, as well as their friends and their family, is contagious. 

Kara and Brendan met in college.  There is no doubt that these two were always the life of the party. This couple knows how to have a great time!  To top it off, they have some serious dance skills!  Kara and Brendan didn’t leave the dance floor all night.  There were multiple VERY impressive “dance off” moments throughout the evening.  It was some of the best dancing that I have ever seen at a wedding.   

Kara and Brendan not only owned the dance floor, but they owned my heart that evening.  In lieu of favors, the couple made a donation to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, which raises money to help fight children’s cancer. 

The Ceremony in Linden Grove at The Meridian House

The Wedding Party

First Dance

The Dance Floor

The Send Off!

Click HERE to view the full gallery.

SoCo Events was hired as a “Month of Planner” to assist the bride and groom with the details and execution of their dream day.   Kara and Brendan had decided upon an ‘Elegant Garden Evening’ theme with a gorgeous color selection of navy blue and blush pink.  Their venue, The Meridian House, was perfect.  The Ceremony was held in the Linden Grove beneath a canopy of trees with hanging lanterns.  The sounds of the string quartet set the mood for a beautifully romantic evening.  The ‘first dance’ was to the song “Just Like Heaven” by the Cure.  Brendan was singing to Kara as they swayed under the beautiful chandelier with all of the guests surrounding them. 

This was followed by an elegant candle-lit dinner in the dining room and library with heartfelt toasts from the bride’s parents, maid of honor and best man.  The evening concluded with the newleyweds being sent off through a cheering crowd and sparklers to be whisked away in a vintage Bentley to their honeymoon destination of Portugal.

Wedding Date: September 17, 2011

Number of Guests: 150

Ceremony Venue: Linden Grove at The Meridian House / Reception Venue: The Meridian House / Photographer: Amy Raab Photography / Caterer and Wedding Cake: WindowsCatering / 
Invitations: The Written Word / Ceremony Music:  Ceremony Strings Quartet / Cocktail & Reception Music: Evan Reitmeyer – My Deejay / Florist: DaVinci’s Florist / Hair & Makeup: Bella Bethesda Hair Salon / Transportation: RegalLimousine / Wedding Gown: Monique Lhuillier Bliss Collection from Carine’sBridal with vintage style crystal belt

Planning101: Wedding Flowers by Season

As we move into the month of May where ‘April Showers bring May Flowers’, it made me think about the beautiful assortment of flowers available to brides throughout the year.  Living in an area that has four distinct seasons, our florists are fortunate enough to have access to quite a few floral varieties locally.  However, we realize that this is not the case for all of our brides.  

Since most brides begin planning their wedding a year out, we will focus on popular spring florals for this post.  If you are planning for next spring can use this list to determine if the florals that you have always dreamed of having in your wedding are in season and perhaps discover some gorgeous options that you didn’t realize existed. 

Always remember to be open-minded about your flower types.  You don’t want to have your heart set on one particular type to find out that it is naturally not available in the month you choose to get married. 

Anemone

blue, red, pink, white

Bells of Ireland

green

Boronia

pink

Casablanca Lily

white

Daffodil

yellow

 

Delphinium

white, blue

Hyacinth

 purple, pink, white

Lilacs

violet, white

Narcissus

white

Peony

pink, white

Ranunculus

white, pink, red, orange, yellow

Star Gazer Lily 

pink, white

Sweetpea

white, pink, red/coral, lavender/purple

Tulip

white, pink, yellow, red, purple

Waxflower

pinky purple, white

BRIDAL BEAUTY: Hair Tips

Preparing for your wedding day can be an incredibly stressful time for many ‘brides to be’.  To help you out, we have created a series called ‘Bridal Beauty’.   ‘Bridal Beauty’ is a series of beauty tips that will help you to alleviate some of the pressure that comes with planning a wedding.  We want you to sit back, relax and enjoy the process of prepping for your walk down the aisle.

The team at SoCo Events has held the hands of many brides through the process of creating their bridal beauty regiment and appointments.   We are here to share with you some of our best wedding day beauty practices. 

We are going to begin this series with ‘Bridal Beauty: Hair Tips’.  Taking proper care of your hair and scheduling maintenance leading up to your wedding day will make all the difference in a perfect hairstyle the day of your wedding.  It is just as important to stay on track with your beauty appointments as you do with the planning leading up to your wedding day.

The most important thing to remember: TIMING IS EVERYTHING! 

·       Trim your tresses!  Schedule a trim about 2 to 3 weeks out from your wedding day – this will allow for that awkward “just cut look” to subside and your hair will look fresh and healthy. Also, be sure you do not do anything drastic  - meaning a completely different hairstyle or color right before your wedding…you do not want to be stuck with a look that you hate on your big day.

 

·       Color, color, color!  Schedule any color or highlight appointments for approximately 10 days out – so your color is fresh and you have no roots to be found! Again, just stick to a color you know and love – this is not the time to see if Katy Perry’s latest electric blue color works on you.

·       Schedule your Stylist!  Be sure to find and book a hair stylist you are excited about working with to create your bridal look. Sought after stylists in the DC Metro area book up fast!  This is something you or your planner should book early in the planning process to ensure you get your first choice. Regardless of how great your stylist is, make sure you do a bridal hair trial.  This will give you the opportunity to discuss what styles might work best with your face shape, your gown and the overall look you want to achieve on your wedding day. There is nothing worse than having no idea what you want to do with your hair a few hours before you walk down the aisle. 

SoCo Events has great relationships with several fabulous stylists all over the East Coast.  If you would like a recommendation, please do not hesitate to email us and ask! info (at) socoevents (dot) com