Photoshoot for Engaged! Magazine

We are thrilled to share our recent collaboration with Engaged! Magazine.  We had the honor of again styling the dress feature for the newest issue.  Unlike the last issue at Keswick Hall, this was shot in a studio instead of on location, with more of a whimsical/fashion vibe.   With only one model and twelve dress changes, this meant that each dress/shot was a complete set change as well as hair/makeup change.  Also adding to the mix: a stubborn English Bulldog with separation anxiety.   It was a long day - but certainly worth it!  The model, Jamie Bowersox, looks like a living Barbie doll - I had so much fun styling and dressing "Barbie" all day...a bit nostalgic.  We had so much fun working with this uber-talented team of vendors - enjoy and stay tuned for a behind the scenes video in our next post!

Photography - David Hartcorn

Gowns - Betsy Robinson, Love Couture, Riziks

Jewelry and Accessories - Betsy Robinson, Tabandeh, Nordstrom, Henri Bendel

Hair - Murat, formerly with Four Seasons DC - 202.277.7646

Makeup - Carl Ray, Four Seasons DC

Bouquets - Janet Flowers

Shoes - Neiman Marcus

Furniture - DC Rentals

Cakes - Ritz Carlton DC

Champagne - Moet & Chandon

Production, Props and Styling - That's us!  Strawberry Milk Events

Stubborn English Bulldog - Actually my father's, but I'm accepting offers on his behalf ;)

Sugarplum Room Design at the Willard

 iPhone picture - not bad!

We had an amazing bridal show last week at the Willard Hotel put on by Engaged Magazine.  We found out as we were driving home from the show that our room had been featured on the 6 o'clock news - channel 9/CBS!  We were able to catch it again on the 11 o'clock - such a nice surprise!  Here is a sneak peek at our room design in the Crystal Ballroom complete with Sugarplum Fairy live centerpiece. We also had a snow machine rigged into the ceiling so glistening, real snow flurries were gracefully falling on the center of the table so it appeared as if she was twirling in her very own little snow globe. Needless to say, we had visions of sugarplums dancing in our heads for awhile!  Carte Blanche from Elan Artists were a vintage vision in white and provided superb entertainment!  A huge thank you to Steele and Christina at the Willard for their hard work hosting the event and making it all happen!

Special thanks to the talented team who contributed to the Crystal Room's design:

Greenworks Florist - flower design

Allison Barnhill Designs - paper goods

Elan Artists - Carte Blanche music

Party Rental + DC rental - table settings/rental items

Syzygy - drape, staging + lounge vignettes

Willard Pastry Dept. - cakes + sweets

Washington Ballet - sugarplum fairy

Moet Hennessey - Champagne Bar

A big thanks to Jennifer Lust + Steve Canning for the below pictures of our room!

Engaged! Magazine Bridal Show - March 4th

Come visit us at the Willard!  We will be transforming the Crystal Ballroom into a magical winter wonderland.  Tickets + more information here.

A Night at the Four Seasons

I recently had the pleasure of attending a fabulous spa slumber party at the new chic Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore!  The hotel along with Engaged Magazine hosted a group of DC wedding planners to come check out the new property.  We were indulged with some serious pampering - ie, an amazing facial and superb 5 course dinner in Wit & Wisdom tavern.  The next morning we had a beautiful breakfast and really got the full tour.  The modern hotel is pretty much all glass with sweeping views of the downtown harbor from every angle.  I never wanted to leave my suite!  Thank you SO much to Katie Shannon (CSM) and Martha Morningstar (DOC) at the Four Seasons for being hostesses with the mostest.  I can't wait for my first wedding here in February!

Stunning Style for Engaged Magazine

Strawberry Milk Events was recently honored to style a wedding dress feature for the most recent issue of Engaged! Magazine.  The shoot took place over two days in Charlottesville, VA at the luxurious Keswick Hall - an Orient Express property in Virginia hunt and wine country.

I was inspired by the tuscan villa feel of Keswick, and came up with a palette of lavender, mustard yellow and orange accents.  Here is the inspiration board we created for the shoot:

If you know anything about me, you know I LOVE mixing old and new.  For this particular shoot, the modern Ikat tablecloth really set off the old world feel of vintage books, candlesticks and urns that we used.  Enjoy the pictures and make sure you pick up a copy of the latest issue of Engaged! for the full 24 page spread which includes details about dress and accessory designers as seen on the model!  I hope to put the actual editorial pages *as seen in the magazine* up here soon.


Magazine: Engaged!
Shoot Location: Keswick Hall | Charlottesville
Stylist: Julie Savage | Strawberry Milk Events
Flowers: Pat’s Floral Designs, Amy Potter | Country Way
Makeup & Hair: Cataanda J
Hair Specialist: Remona Soleimani

Cake:  Kendall's Cakes
Paper Goods:  Little Bit Heart
Photography: Laura Luís | Three Lights Photography