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!

Vendor Spotlight: Dolly Pearl

We're swooning over this adorable women's clothing line, which we think offers a refreshing alternative for fashionable bridesmaids attire.  The also have some super cute separates on the website, which makes it fun to mix and match the textures and colors!

Inspiration to Reality: a candy coated daydream

Inspiration:  a candy coated aqua and peach daydream.  This board is ultra feminine, romantic and soft.  It combines the best of a few worlds:  the chicness of Paris, the salt of the surf and sea, and the whimsy of a vintage carnival.  There is one place in the world that I've been that actually comes close to being a real, live place that resembles this board (minus the beach)....the summer carnival inside the Tuilerie Gardens in Paris.  Magical!

Reality:  here's a peek of the booth we designed at the St. Regis for the Engaged Magazine show back in March around this ethereal palette.  The name of the table was "From Paris, with Love" as an ode to the Tuileries which this inspiration board so reminds me of.

We used shiny white flooring to cover the hotel carpet.
And don't you just love the chandelier + lucite coffee table?

The custom tablecloth overlay was made from beautiful sheer and beaded fabric I purchased in the Indian District of NYC.

Mini Cakes from The Cake Courtesan

Hair by Remona/Gown by Chevy Chase Bridal

I love using opal and milk glass - so ethereal.

From Paris, with Love - Paper goods provided by Little Bit Heart

My assistant Colleen, and myself during the show.

Also a big thanks to DC Rentals as well as Perkins Productions for all their help with lighting/draping + florals!