Local Find: Maria’s Windows

Another fantastic alternative wedding guestbook idea comes to us this afternoon from Maria’s Windows!

Maria used to be a Naval Officer turned Social Worker turned Stay at Home Mom/Artist and she began making stained glass mosaic windows after leaving her position at the VA Medical Center Psych Ward.  She figured she needed a break from the chaos. Maria was referred to us by the lovely Fabienne, of Wedding Muse.

Maria is also a recent newlywed and she decided to use an old window & stained glass for her guestbook at her own wedding. What a beautiful  and unique idea!  This could also make a beautiful backdrop for your ceremony (as another DIY Altar idea!).

(Maria’s Window Guest Book)

Maria shares:

I made a window for my wedding that people signed in lieu of signing a book. In the panes of the window I put a picture my daughter drew and one of our invitations.  Fabienne attended the wedding and she thought that other brides might be interested in the same.  We initially planned to put a photo from the wedding into one of the panes, but my daughter’s picture was so lovely we kept hers.  I have done other windows on commission to include birds, flowers, trees and various designs.

Check out some more of her work:

 

More information:

Windows are made to meet an individual’s preferences to include color of frame and glass. Preliminary drawings are provided for approval to ensure customers are pleased with the concept.

More from Maria:

I have made windows  to match the decor of a baby’s room. (Ryan photo), as well as to decorate the office of a urban renewal executive (tree photo). As I said earlier frames can highlight photos, invitations, and can include other items in a multi-media fashion.  Basically it can include anything that can be attached to the frame or placed within the mosaic.  I want to make them as personal as possible.

Thanks to Maria for sharing with us today!!

Real Capitol Wedding: Brynn & Kyle

Thanks to Two Bright Lights, I have yet another feature to share from the wonderful Amie Otto Photography !! A double whammy of sorts… if you will.

I absolutely loved the Regan Airport engagement shoot Amie shared with us last week, but this wedding feature will knock your socks off even more! There are a TON of DIY and offbeat elements throughout ~ a couple that truly did things their own way and I have ALL the details (and pictures!) for you!

Let’s first meet Brynn (name love!) and her new husb, Kyle:

My husband and I are both originally from Northern Virginia (both born in Alexandria Hospital, in fact) and we love the outdoors, so we wanted to have a very easy-going, relaxed, wedding….a big party for our friends and family. Our wedding budget was $30k and when we first started looking around Northern VA, we had a hard time finding what we wanted for a reasonable price. We have both always loved the simplicity and beauty of the countryside/farms and so we were searching for something outdoorsy along those lines.

You will quickly see why Brynn & Kyle were drawn to this amazing farm location, but it doesn’t hurt that the weather looked like absolute perfection too!

Brynn shares all the juicy details:

We actually found our venue, Chanteclaire Farm by sheer luck. My Aunt and Uncle own a cabin in Deep Creek Lake, MD and Kyle and I went up to look at The Wisp Resort as a potential venue….disliked the cold feel of the reception area…and on a whim, my Aunt said we needed to check out this farm. We showed up on a Saturday, there was a wedding going on, but the owners Fred and Christiane (former Nova natives) were so nice, they invited us in and showed us around. We were sold instantly, everything we were looking for. We went back the following weekend and booked it. Christiane is a french chef and actually makes everything from scratch in her kitchen (in the barn) – the food was amazing.

^love this shot Amie ~ so cool!

On the dress…

The dress – I am not a dress kinda gal, so it was tough for me to find something I felt comfortable in…not too sequiny/lacy/etc. I went to Leesburg Bridal in Leesburg, VA and the selection and staff there were amazing. I found my dress without having to deal with the overwhelming feel of going to David’s Bridal. I was looking for something simple with a flare of traditional. I got my dress and veil (and bridesmaids dresses) from Leesburg Bridal. I also got a “party dress” from JCrew – to change into halfway through the reception (a simple long white dress).

I am obsessed with Brynn’s shoe selection and her clutch! Seriously – so unique, and I love the practicality of a bride in flats. (Especially ones on a budget from DSW!)

The shoes – I got my shoes from DSW – since the wedding ceremony was outdoors, I wanted to be comfortable (and not fall over) – so I went with flats.

Brynn on her garter:

My husband is a huge Chicago Cubs fan, so I got a Chicago Cubs garter from Etsy. He loved it! He’s also a huge Washington Capitals fan, so an amazing friend of mine made a Cubs baseball hat and a Capitals hockey puck cakes – we surprised him at the rehearsal dinner. They were so awesome.

I LOVE this tidbit!!!!!

My husband and I really loved the movie Up. …There is a part of the movie where the couple meets as kids and exchange grape soda pins and create their own adventure club. Well, my husband found the pins on eBay. He wore his under his jacket at the wedding and I had mine in my purse.

You just have to read more to see the inside of this barn venue ~ vintage furniture, DIY floral vases, a “tree” theme, and a chandelier!!

Read the rest of this entry »

Real Capitol Romance: Kendra & Kevin

Today’s real capitol romance feature comes to us from Stefani Chung Photography. Stefani beautifully captured the adorable engagement session of Kendra & Kevin amidst the Cherry Blossoms in Washington, DC.

I am loving Kendra & Kevin’s style. I also love the shade of pink that Stefani manages to get throughout this entire shoot. To me, it gives the shoot an almost dream-like appearance and it’s just divine.

Kendra tells us the story of how her and Kevin met…

We met at a holiday party through mutual friends. One could say it was love at first sight or that Kendra picked Kevin up at the snack table. Kevin liked her cardigan (vintage) and she liked his dance moves (wild and unrestrained).

Our first date was at a dive bar, where we had beers and shots, which led to an uninhibited conversation (the first of many), but not our first kiss. That would come later on a bridge in the middle of winter…4 years later Kevin was down on one knee – on that same bridge – asking Kendra to be his wife, as strangers cheered from balconies.

A whirlwind romance, Kevin swept Kendra off her feet with his good looks and Trini-love of just having a good time, and Kendra caught Kevin off guard with her innocent looks and spicy attitude. She was born on Friday the 13th and he was born on Easter Sunday – who knew , that two Aries would be so good at keeping each other in balance? But we are.

Proposing on the same bridge that they had their first kiss on?! Fantastic job Kevin and best of luck to the both of you on your upcoming wedding!!

Thank you again to Stefani Chung Photography for sharing these images

Love this one!!!

This one is also my fav ~ two cool kids in their stylin’ shades. Awesome!

Wedding Music That Doesn’t Suck: “Geraldine”

Sometimes my husband listens to music that I don’t always care for ~ or sometimes he plays a song, and I am SHOCKED that he likes it/is listening to it. An artist that produces this type of music scenario in our relationship is Chuck Ragan.

Mr. Ragan is a bit too country/folk for me ~ but his lyrics are poetic and this particular song is beyond perfect for a mother – son dance song at a wedding. Just look at these lyrics:

And I must call on your sweet soul
In the times when we walk
In shadows of sorts
I cherish the mother you are.

Uh. I am crying right now as I type this because of how perfectly amazing and appropriate this song is for a mother son dance. Don’t even attempt to argue with me on this one, you will fail.