Choosing the perfect Washington DC wedding venue can be a little overwhelming. Here’s some ways to make it easier.

Finding the perfect Washington DC wedding venue can be a very time consuming and exhaustive process. With so many options for ceremonies and receptions, a bride and groom may begin to feel overwhelmed. You can get married on a golf course, where you say your vows on the putting green and have an elegant reception in a country club. A water front wedding gives couples the option of saying I do at sunset while the waves lap against the shore. A traditional bride might want a more intimate ceremony inside a beautiful chapel. A garden wedding provides lush trees and flowers giving a charming setting that doesn’t need a lot of work. Backyard weddings offer a blank canvas, perfect for artistic brides to create the wedding of their dreams. These are just some of the many different types of venues available to couples.  When beginning the search for the perfect romantic spot to tie the knot there are a few things to keep in mind to help narrow down the many choices.

Decide on the style and theme of your wedding

You want to pick a venue that will display the type of style and or theme you want for your wedding. If you are wanting a tropical or beach ambiance, picking a venue with water will complete your tropical theme. A classic winter wedding could be done in a resort up in the mountains surrounded by bare tree branches, snowflakes and crystal accents. If a religious wedding is what you want, a church is a great setting to portray that style. Wooden pews and gorgeous stained glass windows complete the traditional chapel look.

Geographic location

If you have your heart set on a destination wedding, picking the country or city will help narrow down the choices. You already know the style of your wedding, now select a place that will help show that style. If you know you want to get married in the city or town that you live in picking a venue might be easier since you are already familiar with the area. Selecting places that will show off your already chosen style will make the decision that much easier.

Look at Your Guest List

You also want to consider how many people you are expecting at your wedding. If you know your guest list is going to be quite large, you will need a venue that will support that many people. There is no point in looking at a venue that will not hold as many guests as you want. If you are having a smaller wedding you won’t need as much space, so looking at smaller venues will be helpful in narrowing down the options.

Budget

When looking at Washington DC wedding venues, the final thing to think about is budget. Couples should talk about how much they want to spend on the location. The amount of money you want to spend on your wedding will determine where you will be getting married. Brides that are working within a smaller budget might love the idea of a backyard wedding where a lot of the details can be “Do It Yourself.” Brides with a larger budget might enjoy an extravagant wedding at a country club or resort. Regardless of how much or how little you want to spend there is a wide range of wedding sites that can fit any budget.

As you begin your search for the perfect Washington DC wedding venue, remember that this is meant to be a special time for the bride and groom. Knowing what you want will make the quest for the perfect spot even more enjoyable.  Congratulations on your engagement and best of luck to you.

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Learn How to Manage your Money with a Washington, D.C. Wedding Budget

Brides, as you start your Washington, D.C. wedding planning, one of your first goals is to create a budget. Since weddings allow you to celebrate in style, you’ll need to decide what that is going to look like before you start making purchases. Brides, now you can plan ahead, play it smart, and decide what’s realistically doable for you and your groom. Best of all, a wedding budget keeps you and your fiancé debt-free as you enter your marriage, and that’s truly something to celebrate!

To make the most of your money, follow these wedding budget tips. Then watch your wedding dreams come true for a price that’s worth the payment.

Start to Save.

Set a time with your fiancé to discuss wedding finances. Come prepared with honest details about your bank statement and spending habits.  Then decide how much money you can save each month for wedding expenses. Remember to establish a realistic figure. Also, consider if you’d like to dedicate any funds from your current savings accounts to your wedding. Lastly, make plans to achieve your saving goals.

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Do iPod Weddings Work? A look into the DJ vs. iPod debate for Washington D.C. weddings

Recently, the trend of iPod weddings has captured many brides’ interest. After all, with as much money as modern weddings cost, skipping extra expenses when you can do-it-yourself makes sense. But, D.C. brides, music is one area where you don’t want to skimp. Today we’ll discuss the real benefits of inviting a Washington D.C. disc jockey to keep your party alive, maintain the event’s schedule, and alleviate all stress to provide a memorable occasion for you, your groom, and your wedding guests.

bride and groom kiss on dance floor

Be free to enjoy your wedding!

Cutting the Cost

For a larger guest list, you’re going to need something stronger than a volume-maxed iHome to let everyone hear the music. You’ll need to rent a PA system, including speakers, stands, cables, a wireless mic, and a compatible iPod player. Continue reading

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Washington Brides, Do You Know How to Choose Wedding Rings to Represent your Love?

Whether your groom proposed to you on the coastal beach, at a romantic restaurant, or in his living room, he planned that moment just for you. Now in the midst of your Washington, D.C. wedding planning, you will prepare for another big moment involving another ring that truly matters. Washington bride, it’s time for you and your groom to select wedding bands together.

Just as your groom prepared for the proposal with his unforgettable words and a precious engagement ring, you both need to prepare for your wedding bands. Today, let’s focus on what you can do before visiting the jewelry shops. With these tips, you’ll know what to look for as you choose the right wedding rings that will represent your love for eternity.

The Basics: Budgeting that Money, Money, Money

Before visiting a jeweler, set aside time with your groom to speak about wedding rings. Together, you need to decide:

  • Do you want matching bands?
  • What is your budget?

When you arrive at the jewelry store, be honest with your jeweler about your budget. This way, you’ll only see what’s in your price range, which spares many brides the sorrow of seeing “the perfect ring” that just isn’t plausible. But when you stick with your budget, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for—debt-free beauty that represents your love for a lifetime!

The Look: Let’s make this ring match our relationship!

Find a design that either matches your personalities or represents a symbol you both respect. Continue reading

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Learn to work together with a choreographed “First Dance” for your Washington D.C. wedding

Learning choreography for my “First Dance” with my groom wasn’t only about our hope to spare our guests from boredom. My groom and I also wanted to learn something new together, and a choreographed swing dance to an upbeat song was just our style. Now that’s saying something, Washington brides. I hadn’t seen my groom dance prior to his selfless commitment to join me in this pursuit. But he put his best foot forward for our special day, much to my delight. While I was expecting to learn a dance we could always cherish as ours, it was what I didn’t expect that most impacted our relationship. You see, Washington brides, our first dance also taught us essentials for our marriage.

Capture the emotion of the moment with the movement of your first dance.

When my groom and I began working on our first dance, we functioned as two individuals with different ways of operating. We had to learn to communicate constantly and in a language we both understood. As we progressed, I learned to rely on my groom and he learned to lead. Soon, I learned to have the courage to support his decision and follow. Likewise, he had to learn to take risks to try steps he knew would thrill me and romance me, without my needing to ask for them. Throughout the process, I had to respect my groom, have patience, and allow myself to trust him with no inhibitions.

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Win a free subscription to BRIDES magazine at Washington Bridal Showcase

Love looking through the BRIDES magazine for wedding inspiration? So do we! That’s why we’d like to give you a free one-year subscription to BRIDES magazine to help you better plan your wedding. To receive this free offer, be one of the first 500 brides to attend the upcoming Washington Bridal Showcase on September 11, 2011, starting at 11:00a.m. in Washington Convention Center.

Brides, we want to prepare you with the best resources for wedding planning. By partnering with BRIDES as well as local wedding professionals, we can do that.

Want more information on the upcoming bridal show? Visit our website for Washington Bridal Showcase to learn what to expect, which wedding vendors will be exhibiting, and how to purchase tickets. You can also find a map and driving directions to the show through a BRIDES.com presentation of Washington Bridal Showcase as a local wedding resource.

Author: Allyson Siwajian

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“What Not To Wear” makeup artist Carmindy shares D.I.Y. wedding makeup tips

Washington, D.C. brides, are you planning to do your own makeup for your wedding day? If do-it-yourself is your style and you trust your abilities as a makeup artist, then dive into this video to gain practical makeup application tips.

In this clip, makeup artist Carmindy of TLC’s “What Not To Wear” brings you helpful hints to enhance your features, prepare for the camera, and maintain a natural appearance. Become a blushing bride, all while staying true to yourself! Learn how with this tutorial.

Brides, if you don’t feel comfortable completing your wedding day look at home, then hire a professional makeup artist. With years of professional experience and a wide array of products for every skin type, a wedding makeup artist can create the best look for your style and personality. Also, with her expertise, she’ll ensure your wedding day preparation is completely stress-free.

If you’d rather not pile on the pressure with D.I.Y. techniques, then view our list of recommended bridal beauty experts, hair stylists, and makeup artists on our website through the “Exhibitors” tab.

Want to meet these wedding professionals and exhibitors in person? Visit the upcoming Washington Bridal Showcase on September 11th at Washington Convention Center or on September 19th at George Mason University’s Patriot Center. You’ll discover all your local vendor and décor options, witness breathtaking fashion shows, and speak face-to-face with exhibitors to find the best fit for you. Find full-day tickets online for Washington Bridal Showcase, and take one more step toward your ultimate wedding day experience.

Author: Allyson Siwajian

Video as seen online for “Carmindy–Wedding.”

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Bridesmaids: Tips to Keep your Friends while Wedding Planning

Your bridesmaids are your closest friends and family. As the ladies who have stood by your side time and time again throughout your life, now they’re prepared to stand at your side to support you throughout your wedding. While you’ll likely have a long list of expectations for your bridesmaids, have you considered how you can help them succeed in return? Washington brides, read today’s bridesmaid tips to do your best for the women who are doing so much for you in anticipation of your special day.

With your groom as your new best friend, don't forget about your bridesmaids.

Beware bridezilla.

Sounds easy enough, right? But, brides, you have to remember what your bridesmaids are seeing. Communicate your hopes for the wedding day in manageable sessions, rather than one massive information download. Give them liberty to take a wedding planning break from time to time. Finally, remember to ask them about their lives and invite them over to just spend time together as friends. The wedding may be all about you, but you also want to still have your friends once the reception party ends.

Say, “You can wear it again” and mean it.

Despite the popular mantra, brides rarely choose bridesmaids dresses that can be worn again. To let your brides choose the best bet for her budget and style, let your bridesmaids choose their own gowns. As the bride, you can give guidelines (i.e. black tea-length dress) and approve the final purchase. Save yourself the stress of choosing these gowns, and let your bridesmaids find their best fit.

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Something New, Something Blue: Wear Colorful Bridal Shoes to your Wedding

Brides, let’s get a little bit adventurous with our wedding attire. Whether you’re a woman who appreciates traditional sophistication or you’re a modern lady who likes to live on the edge, this is one wedding trend that fits any style bride. Choose to liven your look with a pair of colorful shoes.

During the ceremony, your shoes will stay secretly hidden beneath your wedding gown. This gives you the full aura of being an elegant bride for your solemn vows and all ceremony photographs. But once you bustle your dress and the reception party begins, let your shoes elicit smiles from your guests while their bright nature energizes your steps on the dance floor.

Quiet Art Photography

Silly, Sassy, and So in Love! (My groom loved my shoes too.)

Bold ‘n’ Blue:  Go with electric with blue shoes. Especially sleek in a high heel and soft in a ballet flat, this color provides brides with “something blue” while also making a statement. Choose a shade that fits your personality, be it deep midnight or light periwinkle.

Classy Champagne:  For traditional brides who want to stay sophisticated, select champagne shoes. Just a few degrees cool of ivory, this color gives depth and dimension to a bride’s feet while also staying within the shades of cream for traditional bridal attire. Plus, you’ll actually be able to wear these suave shoes again to formal events!

Rockin’ Red:  There may be no place like home, but your upcoming wedding is the perfect place to adorn your feet with red heels. Leave the glitter to Dorothy, and choose a smooth sheen. Depending on your style, you can keep it sweet with 1940s-style red wedges or rock the aisle like a runway in daring red-hot heels that display fiery passion.

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Red, White, and Blue: Incorporate Fourth-of-July Inspiration into your Summer Wedding

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Independence Day! In honor of this week’s July 4th celebrations, let’s take a look at how you, Washington Brides, can tout your patriotism in a polished way for your wedding day. Gleaning inspiration from traditional Fourth of July trends, create a summer wedding that proudly displays the American spirit and stays classy!

RED, WHITE, and BLUE: Use this classic American theme for your wedding color scheme. For formal occasions, invite the groomsmen to don dark navy tuxedos with rich red ties and crisp white shirts. For informal events, consider dressing the guys in taupe suits, flashy red ties, and faintly blue shirts. Coordinate the bridesmaids in short, red-hot summer dresses for casual care or in luxurious, red-carpet gowns for elegant affairs.

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Posted in Bridesmaids, Cakes and Catering, Groomsmen, The Wedding Party, Themed Weddings, Washington DC Wedding Planning Tips, Wedding Inspiration Gallery | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment