Wedding Planning Tips

February 23, 2018

A Valentine’s Day Adventure with Atelier Ashley Flowers

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Last week I had the honor of joining Atelier Ashley Flowers during her #TuesdayTakover of the Washingtonian Bride & Groom Instagram story. When she asked me to capture some moments throughout the day, I was thrilled! Washingtonian Bride & Groom is one of my favorite publications, so obviously I was excited. We were also joined by Lindsay from Urban Chic Media, who played a big role in editing and uploading all the videos!

Ashley planned a beautiful day filled with fresh flowers, sweet treats and helpful wedding advice – perfect for a Valentine’s Day edition! And in case you missed it, I’m sharing a recap. Get ready for some behind-the-scenes fun!

First stop: Atelier Ashley Flowers for floral tutorials and all the pretty Valentine’s Day flowers!!

She had the most beautiful set-up in her studio, and it was so fun learning how to create your own arrangement (shown below). If her work looks familiar, it’s because she worked with me on a gorgeous City Tavern Club wedding in Georgetown this past December!

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To get to the rest of our stops, we needed a ride – thanks Fleet Transportation for helping us out!! We had the BEST day thanks to our driver, John. Not only were we able to get everywhere we needed to go (while staying on schedule), we also had a great time along the way!

fleet-transportation-alexandria-virginia-transportation-wedding.jpgNext we stopped at the Enchanted Florist in Old Town Alexandria. Cooper, the adorable pup, greeted us at the door! And we had a great time talking about all the Valentine’s Day orders.
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The luxurious Morrison House was next on our list of stops!! We hung out in their charming lobby to talk with Kelley Cannon Events about the latest wedding trends. And in case you were wondering, The Morrison House is the perfect place for an intimate wedding!! If you’re looking for a sophisticated space in charming Old Town Alexandria, check them out – and then give me a call so I can capture all the moments!
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The day wouldn’t be complete without a flower delivery!! Ashley made a quick stop at Elegance by Roya Bridal Atelier to drop off some pretty blooms. I couldn’t resist stepping in and taking a few photos of their gorgeous shop!!

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You guessed it, we found some sweet treats along the way! Ashley planned a stop at Blüprint Chocolatiers on King Street, and it turned out to be an amazing choice. We all sampled some chocolates (of course), and Erin from Erin Tetterton Photography shared some tips about rainy wedding days!
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More flowers are coming your way! This time, they’re from the incredibly talented team at Sweet Root Village. They took over the story while we were there, showcasing their studio space and flower arrangements. While they did, we decided to hang out in hammocks. And now I want to have some of my own! They were so relaxing.
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By this time, we were pretty hungry, so we stopped by Restaurant Eve for a tasty lunch! Their website says it’s “a restaurant based on Irish hospitality, gracious service and supreme ingredients.” And I’m happy to report it exceeded all of those expectations! I enjoyed every bite, and I’m now counting down the days until I can go back.

Joining us was Tiffany from Simply Breathe Events. We had a blast talking about wedding trends, planning and toasting to an exciting year ahead!
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Next, we headed to Bishop Boutique to meet with Janice from Bellwether Events! We chatted about shoes (brides, choosing wedding shoes in a shade of blue is a fun way to incorporate color into your big day) and looked through some of our favorites at the shop!
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Janice also showed us some cute Valentine’s Day cards at Penny Post, a paper goods boutique. It was my first time in the store, and oh my goodness I wanted to buy all the things!!! So many cute gifts and cards!!

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Helen Olivia is another florist boutique in Alexandria, and we couldn’t resist stopping by to see their Valentine’s Day orders in action! The shop was filled to the brim with beautiful arrangements, and they all smelled so good. I also learned they host private workshops for those interested in floral arrangements, which sounds like so much fun!

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We’re off to the city!! Ashley scheduled a trip to the luxurious 5-star Mandarin Oriental Hotel in DC. But first, we had to make a Starbucks run! You guessed it, I got a mocha. I can’t resist!

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This was one of my favorite stops on the trip!! When we got there, we met with Sarah from Sincerely Pete Events and Michael Deltette, the Director of Catering Sales. The hotel itself is gorgeous, and we had a wonderful time in the Empress Lounge enjoying cocktails and delicious small plates. As you can imagine, the weddings here are so stunning! If you’re looking for an elegant and luxurious wedding experience in the city, you should  definitely check them out!

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Sarah shared some wedding trends when it comes to personalizing your big day!! She said many people are leaning towards locally sourced drinks from their favorite local brewery, winery or distillery. I have to say, I think this is such a good idea! Why not bring something unique and special into your day?
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A few examples of the delicious bites we tried!! I honestly can’t pick a favorite because I loved them all. It was the perfect way to unwind after an eventful day!
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Cheers to an amazing day!!

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