Washington Bridal Show Case

The Washington Bridal Showcase takes place THIS SUNDAY, October 4, 2009 at the Bethesda Marriott. The LAST Bridal Showcase of the year!

When you attend the Washington Bridal Showcase, you will find more fashions, more new ideas and more choices than you can imagine. With spectacular runway fashion shows and aisle after aisle of displays from the Washington area's most trusted wedding professionals, you will find everything to make your wedding day extraordinary.

See the latest bridal fashions, taste samples from caterers and cake bakers, audition musicians, view the work of numerous photographers and videographers, discover new ideas and find expert advice. Many exhibitors offer show specials and money-saving discounts for show attendees. Everything for your wedding is here!

If you are among the first 500 brides to attend you will receive a one year subscription to Modern Bride Magazine included in your ticket price. Plus, every bride can register to win thousands of dollars in gifts and prizes, including a honeymoon cruise.

The Washington Bridal Showcase is THE bridal event of the season. Miss it and you will have to wait months until the next show. Whether you are just starting your planning, finishing up the details, or anywhere in between, you will find exactly what you are looking for. Come early and spend the day!

Healing Heels Event Recap

The Healing Heels Dance Event hosted by LaQuisha Hall, Mrs. Maryland Galaxy 2009 and The Sophisticated Affair was a successful event. Special thanks to Mrs. Daphne Hicks, owner of Fitnance, for coming out and teaching us some very nice line dances and a big thanks to Adrienne Watson Carver, Mrs. Maryland International 2009, for donating her studio, Studio A Dance Studio. We had a fun time line dancing while raising money for Stop the Silence:Stop Child Sexual Abuse.

Tips for Buying Your Wedding Dress

Most brides are very eager to purchase their wedding dress right after their boyfriend pops the infamous question, "Will You Marry Me?"; however, buying a wedding dress is something that you should take your time with. Try to visit different bridal shops to see what they offer. Do not feel obligated to purchase your gown during your first bridal shop visit. As you look for that perfect wedding dress, keep these four(4) tips in mind:

1. Just because a wedding dress doesn’t sport a designer label inside doesn’t mean it’s any less beautiful or special. Discount wedding dress shops can be a gold mine for spotting gems and unique designs for less.

2. Take bridal accessories with you as you shop to see how your dress will look with shoes, bags, jewelry and other bridal attire items you plan to wear the day of your wedding.

3. If you just have to have a designer wedding dress, but you're working with a limited budget, find a skilled seamstress and take her a photo of your dream dress to replicate.

4. No designer uses the same size chart. Therefore you should always try on a wedding dress before you purchase it. This may seem like a no brainer, but it is an important detail nonetheless. At some events like Filene's Basement's Running of the Brides, you cant take your time like you would on a less-hurried shopping excursion, so keep that in mind before shelling out your hard-earned money on a designer gown.

Twitter Thursdays

Follow your Sophisticated Event Planner on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NicoleMBrown and find out what she is doing on Twitter Thursdays. Tweet her and she will be sure to tweet you back.

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Technology has really made it easy for event planners to connect with customers, vendors and other event planners. It also makes the job a lot easier at times. When I reflect back on the planning process of my first destination wedding, I say to myself, "What would I have done without TECHNOLOGY!" I was able to communicate with so many vendors outside of the USA without having to leave several voicemail messages or listen to the phone ring thousands of times in my ear before someone answered. I was able to send a quick e-mail and receive a response within the hour. Technology has truly become our best friend!

Football Themed Garters

For all of my brides who are marrying Football Fanatic Fiancés, here is a little something that will make him smile even more and be a big score at your reception...Football Themed Garters. Order his favorite team and give him a big surprise when he goes to remove it from your leg. You may want to order a second garter to throw away, because he may not want to part with it. Below are pictures of Sports Garters from Garters by Kristi (http://www.gartersbykristi.com/) and she sells the Garter Keepsake/Toss Set.

The Groom's Cake

In the past, the groom's cake was actually called the wedding cake, and what we now think of as the wedding cake was referred to as the bride's cake. Over time, the terminology was reversed, but superstition surrounding the groom's cake was not lost. According to an old myth, if a single woman sleeps with a piece of the groom's cake under her pillow, she will dream of the man that she will marry. The first groom's cakes were reserved for guests to take home as a memento of the wedding. For this reason, they were usually made of dark, heavy fruitcake since it is durable and keeps for a long period of time. Contemporary groom's cakes, however, are not bound by old traditions. In fact, the groom's cake is a perfect opportunity to express creativity. Many grooms like to have the cake decorated or shaped into something that reflects one of their hobbies, or something the couple enjoys doing together. Check out these Grooms Cakes: