Real Weddings: Anh Thy & Nghi

This past weekend we were honored to work with Anh Thy & Nghi on their wedding ceremony and reception. Their 65 person ceremony took place at the historic Woodlawn Plantation in Alexandria, Virginia. I can not say enough about the helpful and welcoming staff at Woodlawn. They were always willing to assist whenever we needed anything. The couple hosted a traditional Vietnamese ceremony, followed by a traditional American ceremony on the lawn of the plantation. Maryam Flowers provided the gorgeous ceremony and reception flowers for the couple. The orchid and crystal backdrop that she created looked absolutely gorgeous during the ceremony. After the ceremony the couple greeted 300 guests at the Waterford in Springfield. The venue was a perfect fit for Anh Thy and Nghi. The Waterford staff did a great job taking care of our Bride, Groom and their guests. The guests danced the night away with a live band (Red Sun) and really had a great time. We really enjoyed working with Anh Thy & Nghi, and wish them all of the best on their new journey together. A few non-pro pictures below: Woodlawn Plantation before ceremony setup: Ceremony chairs and arrangements set Beautiful backdrop created by Maryam of Maryam Flowers Ceremony underway Room for cocktail hour set and ready for our guests Placecard and favor table Centerpiece decorated with butterflies and pink rocks.

Candle centerpieces with butterflies. (The centerpieces looked amazing when we dimmed the lights).

The pink and white candy bar was a huge hit among the guests.

Honeymoon Spotlight: Aruba

It only seems fitting to showcase the beautiful island of Aruba, as that is where my husband and I honeymooned last August. We were blessed with a five day stay at the newly renovated Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino. Of the numerous resorts to choose from in Aruba, the Hyatt Regency is ranked at the top of the list. When researching a honeymoon location, we were looking for a luxury (but affordable) resort that had a casino, swimming pool, five star restaurants, and lots of entertainment near by. It is no secret that I enjoy a great meal and great company. What I loved most about Aruba was the food, friendly attitude of the locals, and gorgeous weather. Getting around the island was very easy and affordable. We had received a tip to take advantage of the local bus system, and it work out great. The Hyatt’s concierge attendant was a great help. He assisted us with booking dinner reservations and suggestions on things to do on the island. Aruba is only a three hour plane ride from Miami, which means more time vacationing, and less time traveling. Be sure to check out Madame Janette, Renaissance Mall for luxury shopping and Aruba Heli Tours for tours of the island. We can’t wait to go back to soak up the food, fun and sun!

Tell us, where are you honeymooning?

Wedding Registry: Kitchen Appliances

An exciting element to planning your wedding is registering for gifts for your new home and life with your spouse. This is the only time in your life that your family and friends will likely splurge and actually buy you something you like. A few of my favorite must have kitchen appliances that I registered for, and use on a regular basis: Rival® 6-Quart Stainless Steel Crock-Pot® $50 As a newlywed and business owner, my day is packed with phone calls, emails, meetings, etc. The slow cooker has become my dear friend providing easy but delicious meals for me and my hubby. I am a huge fan of the Rival Crock-Pot 3 in 1 cookbook and recently discovered the crock-pot blog. Keurig® Platinum Single Serve Brewer/Coffee Maker $175 I am not a coffee drinker, however we sometimes have guests over that ask for coffee or tea. The Keruig Single Serve Brewer is ideal for brewing single cups of your favorite coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Black and Decker® 6-Slice Toaster Oven $80 I love how big this toaster oven is. We use it to make toast, garlic bread and pizza in no time. Hamilton Beach® Smooth Touch Can Opener $35 I really like the design of this can opener. I am also a fan of the smooth edges that the can opener leaves. George Foreman Next Generation Grill with Removable Plates $75 No kitchen is complete without a George Foreman Grill. I am a fan of their stainless steel design and removable plates. The Foreman Grill makes grilling hamburgers and hotdogs quick and easy. Most items are available at Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Crate & Barrel Leave us a comment and let us know what some of your favorite registry items are!

Vendor Spotlight: Fusions Cuisine

Looking for a caterer for your upcoming wedding that stands out among the rest? Fusion's Cuisine is a favorite among Exceeding Expectations and our brides. We are always excited to work with their talented team of professionals. When our clients book Fusions, they are guaranteed five star service. We asked Fusions President Blaise Thompson and Executive Chef James Thompson to give us insight on why they are a Bride's Choice Award Recipient:

What makes Fusions Cuisine unique? We have a fine dining Executive Chef who is personally involved in preparing the food during production - not just line cooks and sous chefs. This makes a distinct difference in the quality of food that is produced. An Executive Chef has a different level of experience and expertise than everyone else.

How do you exceed your client’s expectations? We customize menus for our brides to reflect WHO they are and WHERE they are from. This allows the food to be an extension of their who they are and bring a very personal level of detail to the menu development. We procure the best products possible and are very particular about our staff on site. They interact quite a bit with guests and should be able to explain the food and help create a fine dining experience for the attendees.

What is your favorite item on your company’s menu? We have many food favorites - during the summer our sweet potato hash and our melon salad with sambal are two big favorite side dishes. Our Root Vegetable Gratin main entree is something vegetarians love for seated meals. The unique hors d'oeuvres our Chef develops for every event are always fun and intriguing. They are always a big "WOW!"

What’s one of your favorite trends? Favorite cooking trend: Mixing old and new cooking techniques. Dabbling in molecular gastronomy and using it where it makes sense.

Is there something you wish all bride’s knew about your job or the catering industry? The one thing I wish people would understand is good service really matters and good service is not cheap. You can't run a wedding (or any event) successfully without enough staff to set up, work the reception and handle cleaning in a timely fashion. They interact with guests from beginning to end. Having a reception properly staffed will make or break the success of the overall experience. Trust your caterer. They know what they are talking about.

Do you have wedding saving tips and advice for our bride's on a budget? Cost saving tips - while a champagne toast is nice, it's not always appreciated by all guests. Very few people actually drink champagne. Instead, offer champagne at the bar and let guests toast with a drink they already have in their hand. This easily saves a couple hundred dollars in glassware and champagne.

To learn more about Fusions Cusine, be sure to check out their website and five star reviews on WeddingWire.

Wedding Wednesday

Does anyone know what today is at Exceeding Expectations? Today is “Wedding Wednesday.” Wedding Wednesday is all about you, our EE Bride & Groom. This means that today you are responsible for taking an evening to enjoy each others company and remember why you fell in love! Wedding topics are off limits. There is to be no mention of wedding cake, flowers, your bridal party or anything related to the big day. Instead, take the day to check up on your fiancé and see what other things are happening in their life. Today’s Wedding Wednesday date is a classic: dinner and a movie. Grab a bite to eat at a local favorite and enjoy an evening showing of the latest blockbusters. Feel free to leave us a comment with your date ideas!

Quote of the Day

"There are three types of people in the world; ones who make it happen; ones who watch it happen, & ones who say, what happened?"

Real Weddings: Nicole + Nic

A few months ago I was contacted by a co-worker of one of my friend’s regarding a destination wedding. The bride (Nicole) called Exceeding Expectations and inquired about our Partial Planning package for her destination wedding in San Diego, CA. Nicole had booked a few of her vendors, but was still in need of a photographer, hotel room block, florist, Officiant, design assistance, and stationary assembly. After meeting Nicole, we were very excited and anxious to start working. Throughout the five month planning period, we researched and booked her remaining vendors. Exceeding Expectations also designed and handmade Nicole and Nic’s pocketfold invites and menu cards for their twelve guests. Veronica and I arrived in San Diego two days prior to Nicole & Nic’s big day. We ran errands for the couple and finalized the wedding details. Below are a few pictures we took with our camera. Working with Nicole and Nic was an absolute dream.

The beautiful La Jolla Woman's Club, La Jolla, California

Veronica hard at work decorating the altar.

Nicole wanted a white, blue and green dinner table. We used a white tablecloth and green napkins to add a "pop" of color for a clean crisp look.

Nicole and Nic's beautiful centerpieces made of blue and green hydrangea and limes provided by Whimsey Florals.

Exceeding Expectations designed and handmade the personalized menu cards for each guest.

The table is complete, and ready for dinner!

We used two large cylinder vases with floating candles, black rocks and orchids for the ceremony.

A few of the blue and green centerpieces and candles.

Nicole and Nic spoiled their guests with Godiva wedding cake favors.

Their flawless cake was made by FabCakes.

Congrats Nicole & Nic!

Get to Know Your Planner!

A few random things about me

(Geomyra Lewis: Owner, Professional Bridal Consultant)

1. My name is a combination of both my parents names: George + Myra = Geomyra
2. I have a one year old Maltese puppy that was given to me on my wedding day by my hubby named Cane.
3. I am the eldest of four children.
4. I eat ice cream every single day.
5. I started “EE” after graduating George Mason University and receiving the highest grade in the Wedding & Event Planning course.
6. My favorite detail that goes into a wedding is wedding stationary and wedding cakes!
7. I have a sweet tooth that is out of this world.
8. My husband and I go to the movies just about once a week.
9. I am on the hunt for the “Perfect” Margarita.
10. I am a shopaholic and addicted to celebrity gossip.
11. I am a die hard Redskins fan and have increasingly grown to love the Caps.
12. One of my favorite quotes: "When people show you who they are, believe them." - Maya Angelou
13. I have over 4,000 songs on my iPod including pop, hip-hop, opera, country, and gospel.
14. I am passionate about my clients and love all things wedding.
15. I am living my dream…
    

Signature Drink Spotlight: Electric Lemonade

Signature drinks remain a popular detail in today’s weddings. Not only is it a simple way to play up your wedding theme, it is also a way to save money. Some of our clients have opted to serve only a signature drink along with beer and wine during the cocktail hour. A full bar is then introduced during dinner. If you are hosting a summer wedding or dinner party with caribbean blue as one of your colors, you may want to try electric lemonade.

Ingredients: 1. Bacardi Limon

2. Blue Curacao

3. Sweet & Sour Mix

4. 7-Up Soda

5. Lemons

6. Sugar Rimmer

Recipe 1 1/4 ounces Bacardi Limon

1/2 ounce Blue Curacao

2 ounces sweet and sour mix

Mix (or shake) all ingredients and top with a splash of 7-Up. Garnish with lemon squeeze. Serve in a sugar rimmed martini glass with a lemon wedge.

Enjoy!

Wedding Gown Designer Spotlight: Simone Carvalli

It’s no secret the ladies of Exceeding Expectations love fashion and design. One of my personal favorite bridal gown designers is Simone Carvalli. While shopping for a wedding gown for my Hollywood Red Carpet themed wedding, I was constantly drawn to the designs of Simone Carvalli. From the Simone Carvalli website: “Simone Carvalli brings you couture bridal gowns made of the best 100% silk fabrics and the finest of French lace. Add in our unique and amazing fit fabricated with a brilliant technique that gives every bride an hour-glass shape. Round that out with our authentic Swarovski crystals and an affordable price. Combine all this and you have…Simone Carvalli .” Listed below are a few of our favorite designs. Be sure to make an appointment at Jeanette's Bride N' Tux Boutique to view the latest collection.

All photos copyright Simone Carvalli

Wedding Cakes from past “EE” Brides

We love wedding cake! Simply put, we love the creativity and thought process that goes into selecting the perfect wedding cake. There are hundreds of flavors to choose from, and even more designs. Featured below are cakes from some of our past clients. Let us know which one is your favorite! Nicole & Nic's Coconut Cream cake by Fab Cakes in San Diego, CA

Neopoltian (Strawberry Delight, Choco-Choco and Yellow Sun) by Edibles Incredible Linda Crayton Photography

Lisa Marie & Andrew's Mad Hatter strawberry cheesecake & chocolate raspberry cake by A Piece of Cake Kristin & Sean's pink and blue fondant cake by Lille Bakery and Cafe

Tisha & Rick's classic yellow and green fondant cake by A Piece of Cake

Selena & David's pink, white and lace beauty by Occasional Cakes

Lauren & Ben's pink and green confection by Cakes Unlimited in Charlottesville, VA Meredith Montague Photography

Exceeding Expectations Wedding & Event Management Company Blog

Welcome to the blog of Exceeding Expectations Wedding & Event Management Company!

Exceeding Expectations is a premier Wedding & Event Management Company in the Washington DC Metro area. We specialize in providing affordable, professional and reliable Wedding & Event Coordination.

We work with our clients to create events that fit their taste, and most importantly, their budget. We offer various levels of services including customized Full, Partial and Month of Coordination packages to meet our clients' needs. Our passion for planning and attention to detail will give you the peace of mind needed to enjoy your special occasion. Our team of experienced and certified professionals works hard so you don't have to. We take care of all of the elements that go into your event by managing vendors, creating detailed timelines and allowing you and your guests to sit back and enjoy the event. We believe time is money, and guarantee to save you both. Exceeding Expectations is the proud recipient of the 2009 Bride's Choice Awards™ which recognizes and honors vendors that demonstrate excellent quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value of cost and flexibility. Contact us today to learn how we will exceed your expectations! Exceeding Expectations is a proud member of the Association of Bridal Consultants, International Special Events Society and is Wedding Wire Rated.