Real Wedding - Valerie & Alex

Hello hello everyone -

Apologies for not posting yesterday - we're prepping for a wedding so it's pretty hectic around here :)

Today we're sharing one of our weddings with you. The lovely couple, Valerie & Alex, got married at The Cloisters in MD and their affair was nothing short of garden chic. The couple wanted an organic look that was venue-appropriate. We took their color palette of purple and sage green and created natural bouquets, bouts, and centerpieces.

Joe, of The Happy Couple Photography, did an amazing job of capturing this gorgeous wedding so please hop over to the Happy Couple blog to check out more images but here's a little preview:

*all images property of The Happy Couple

Friday Happy Hour: CurvyGirls Bridal

We've got a great new bridal store to tell you all about!

CurvyGirls Bridal just opened their flagship store in February in Fairfax. We recently went to the store while dress shopping with a friend and had the pleasure of meeting the owners and learning more about their philosophy.

Kim, Senior Fashion Consultant and Ruth, Owner

The CurvyGirls experience is a unique one. They say they had the idea to start their store after noticing "a difference not only in the choices of style and selection of gowns that curvy brides were offered in bridal shops in our area, but also the lack of customer service that all brides, regardless of size, were forced to endure."

Their gowns are front and center, for brides to see and touch. Their goal is "for all brides to experience the same excitement and joy of shopping for their wedding gown."

Their beautiful and sophisticated shop features a highly-personalized shopping experience with gowns by Manuel Mota, La Sposa, Pronovias, Allure and Sophia Tolli. They have a wide range of prices, from $600-8,000. (And they also sell accessories, bridesmaid dresses, tuxedos and formal wear!)

They sell gowns in all sizes, but specialize in gowns in sizes 12-32. Their motto is "you describe it and we'll design it" and they offer in-house customizations and alterations.

CurvyGirls Bridal is located at:

3903-M Ridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22033 (Appointments strongly encouraged)

703-539-8777

http://www.curvygirlsbridal.com/

Another Feature of DBI Events!

Hey guys - happy hump day! Friday is almost here :)

Just wanted to quickly mention that we were featured on Tales of Wedding Belle blog yesterday! Check it out here.

Katie is an awesome event designer and it just so happens that she's THE gal to contact if you're looking to host an event on a rooftop - she's the event coordinator at The Rockville Rooftop. Stop by her blog and say hi, especially if you're looking for a venue space!

Locally Grown - I'll take that

I can't believe it's Monday already!!!

This weekend was pretty much brilliant with a combination of friends, farms, and fashion and I'm sad to see it go. BUT I do have some great pictures to share with you all.

On Saturday I got an opportunity to head out to a local farm and learn about all the flowers they are growing. Since they are one of my new suppliers I had to check it out! I got to four-wheel it around the acres while learning about different local plants and flowers. Here are a few shots of their fields and flowers:

The view before you hit the fields

Snapdragons, zinnias, cosmos, statice, etc

Beautiful Amaranthus (or as they call them on the farm - dreadlocks)

I, of course, had to pick up a few buckets of flowers -how could I not?! They were so bright and fresh and wonderful (the flowers AND the owners lol). Since we were heading to a bbq that night I threw together a quick organic arrangement for the hostess. Voila:

Since opening our doors we always strive to be "green" - from the environmentally safe chemicals to donating leftover arrangements to local hospitals - and having found an amazing local grower just helps us achieve this even more. To all you environmentally conscious brides - we do offer packages including ALL locally grown flowers - just ask :)

Wishing everyone an amazing week ahead. Check back later when we show you how to put together that red, white, and blue colors for the Fourth of July without being tacky :)

A sneak peak at one of our weddings

Hi everyone - happy Friday!

As the week is wrapping up we want to thank everyone for reading our blog and for all of you who follow us on twitter! It was a fantastic week here and we can't wait to share with you about everything in the works.

Until then we have a sneak peak of a wedding we did back in May - more photos to come next week!

The bride carried a full bouquet of french fuchsia tulips - they created a beautiful pop of color in all the photos!

Images (property of) by Roman Photography

Capitol Romance Feature

Hello readers - just wanted to quickly mention that we were featured on Capitol Romance today! Check out the site - it's full of fantastic wedding ideas and pretty pictures that are sure to inspire.

An Insane Friday - Why Not

Good morning everyone! Happy Friday!

Today we have a busy agenda and our morning is starting off with a lovely meeting with an extremely talented graphic designer (check back for who it is and what they do super soon) and a cup of joe. And tonight we head to the Brides Against Breast Cancer VIP event with a very entertaining bride :)

We have a pretty HUGE weekend so make sure to check back early next week to learn about it :) and enjoy yours!!

Weekend Recap

Hello and happy Monday everyone! What an insane weekend but at the same time totally amazing.

Our Friday kicked off with one of the most entertaining client meetings ever - a fantastic family with a great sense of humor and a fabulous vision for the big day decor. I'm so excited to get started on their proposal.

Saturday began early - 5:30AM - and we headed off to NYC for the Renegade Craft Fair in McCarren Park Brooklyn, NY. The fair was full of different vendors, to include Jay McCarroll - winner of Project Runway! He looked fab and his booth was one of the most creative ones we saw. Check it out below - how awesome are the robots holding up the clothing rack???:

We found some amazing ceramists so get ready for customized DBI Events pieces. We'll highlight these vendors later on in the week. Here's a pretty vintage booth with interesting glass containers:

Sunday was another fun client meeting - modern, lavish vision - who can argue with that?? Amazing venue, beautiful color palette, and a super sweet couple....swoooooon. Time to get the creative juices flowing.

Stay tuned for what's to come this week - summer has definitely kicked off and we can't contain ourselves!

Ranunculus and A Rooftop Shoot

Hello Monday and welcome back everyone. As this is the season of ranunculus and bright spring colors we decided to put together a ranunculus/brunia bouquet for a recent photoshoot at the Rockville Rooftop. We'll be putting up more shots from that day at a later date. Enjoy!

Coordinating: DIYva Designs

Flowers: DBI Events

Photography: Arts Group Photo

Dress: P. Lawrence

Location: Rockville Rooftop

Michelle VanTine Photography

Today we'd like to introduce to you (and some of you already know this talented gal!) a fabulous photographer Michelle VanTine. She's a DC transplant and we are SO lucky to have her!

Michelle has been a commercial photographer since 2005. Her style is vibrant, creative, and out-of-the-box. I love her compositions and her love for adding bright colors to the frame. She loves unique locations and funky props. And her personality alone will get you comfortable and in the spirit of doing an amazing shoot!

Check out some samples of her work! (all photography from www.michellevantinephotography.com)

Contact her here.

DIYva Designs - You Need to Check These Girls Out

Today we'd like to introduce you to a fabulous DMV (DC, MD, VA) vendor - DIYva Designs (pronounced "diva" designs). This great event design company has a very innovative approach to event planning and they offer fantastic services like dessert bar designs, custom head accessories for the big day, customized invites, and much much more. Artsy, creative, and business-oriented these girls offer it all. Check out their site here. And click here to check out their blog!

Happy New Year!

It's a new year and DBI Events can't be more excited. This year is already shaping up to be a busy one, full of fantastic opportunities. We have fun projects in the works and are super excited to be partnering up with some great vendors in the Metropolitan DC Area! Be on the lookout for styled shoots, private event shows, weddings, and lots of beautiful DIY goodies.

This past weekend I hosted a NYE dinner and of course had to decorate. I used white and silver tones to create a few festive bouquets to replace traditional centerpieces. These bouquets sat at an angle in different shaped glass vases - creating a fun yet informal atmosphere (and oh yea...those white Akito roses smelled out of this world!). Check out the images below!

We want to wish everyone a happy, healthy, and successful 2011. Can't wait to see what the new year has in store!

Don't Just Dress Up Yourself - Dress Up Your Napkins!

Table decor isn't just a centerpiece - it's all about the details. It can be as simple as dressing up your napkin. Check out some great inspirations (and easy DIY ideas) below:

Evoke a Victorian Christmas with place cards that resemble elegant paper scrolls.

Napkin holders made from felt holly leaves and a jingle bell - how appropriate!

Ribbon isn't just for wrapping presents.

Crepe-paper anyone?

Tree-shaped napkin rings cut from pretty patterned paper.

Thanks to Martha Stewart for these fabulous inspirations.

Check out District Bride Guide!

Good Morning Everyone! As you know, today we're announcing something special and it's finally here! We are really happy to be guest-blogging on the fabulous District Bride Guide - a fantastic resource for Brides in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area.

Check out our post here.

Green Weddings - And We're Not Talking about Color Palette

Growing up in California I learned about recycling before I learned how to read. Over the years this has stuck with me and I still cringe when I see someone tossing a soda can in the regular trash section. DBI Events strives to be eco-friendly and we green as many of our processes as possible - from using environmentally safe cleaning products to buying locally grown flowers.

If you're an eco-conscious bride you can absolutely have a "green" wedding. Whether requesting your florist to use locally grown flowers and recycled materials or having your caterer use only local and organic produce, it is doable. For more green tips and local resources to make your eco-friendly wedding a dream come true check out this fabulous site we recently discovered - www.greenbrideguide.com . They cover anything from decor to honeymoons to green registries!

Even if just one part of your wedding is eco-friendly you're already helping Planet Earth!

A Farmer's Market does a Girl some Good

The best part about traveling (even if it is domestic) is discovering what that region has to offer. This past weekend I was in Matthews, NC and found the cutest farmer's market ever. It was so community driven - they had cooking classes (how to cook with what's currently available), music, tastings, and a pepper roasting machine (free to use).

I, of course, was there to purchase flowers and hot peppers. Mamaw's Shine Flower Patch was beyond adorable - the lady had flower buckets filled with lisianthus (primarily purple) and a whole bunch of wild flowers. To my surprise everything was sold by stem so I got to collect exactly the flowers I needed and my bouquet of 30 stems came out to a mere$18 - boy do I love farmer's markets. Here are a few photos of the bouquet I arranged in my hotel room :)

If you're ever in Matthews or Charlotte, NC I strongly suggest you check this place out. They have amazing baked goods and fresh locally grown produce. To check out their website click here.

Eco Party - Because it's Eco Friendly

A few weeks ago I had the unfortune to go to a Party City. (I say unfortune because party stores to me are super cheesy - I imagine 6 year olds running around a picnic table wearing birthday hats and destroying balloons or a super bowl party with paper plates with a sports team logo on them.) I was there to pick up some basic placecards but ended up wondering up and down the color and theme-coordinated aisles. And although majority of it was non-applicable one section did catch my eye.

I came across a whole section of eco-friendly goods - from plates to napkins to utensils. The brand that I liked the best is called Eco Party - they make items from bamboo and everything is biodegradable. No worries - the items don't look like paper items you get at Costco - they look like a set of wooden plates and utensils (very country chic). They are not only good for the environment but they also can create a very beautiful table setting when dining outdoors (parks, beaches, and gardens). These items are also very durable, affordable, and can be tossed in the trash after use.

Click here to see what is available. And remember - having an eco-friendly party is the coolest thing around. It's all about sustainability.

Design Inspiration - Bridget Vizoso

Today's Design Inspiration is very special because Bridget Vizoso is the designer who gave me a start in this industry. I was an intern at her company, The Designers' Co-Op, and not only learned a great deal but became obsessed with floral designs.

Bridget is extremely talented - she is very artistic and a creative thinker. She understands flowers - their shapes, movements, colors, and textures (her bouquets are out of this world!). She's not scared to experiment with new materials (whether it be fabrics or adhesives), which allows her to create stunning flower containers, table decor, and in some cases even costumes (check out the 8th Annual Tulips and Pansies: A Headdress Affair).

Bridget received her degree from Parsons School of Design and worked with various amazing designers such as David Stark. Her work has been featured in Brides, New York Magazine (to include the Wedding issue), The Knot, Elle, and Traditional Homes.

Bridget's fearless attitude towards trying new things to achieve a unique and creative result inspires me to explore new techniques and ideas and to constantly strive to be better in my designs. And her willingness to give people like myself an opportunity in the biz should inspire us all to be compassionate and giving. This week we salute you Bridget Vizoso! Thank you for being such an inspiration!

*all images from The Designers' Co-Op flickr page.

Folies Bergere Collection Finally Here!

I'm SO excited to let all of you know that Folies Bergere, our bridal accessories line, has officially launched!

The line is inspired by Folies Bergere, a music hall established in Paris in 1869. Each piece is named after a prominent female performer. Each piece is made from a collection of materials such as feathers, gemstones, tulle, and organza. The mixture of materials and the extra flash reflect the time period when Folies Bergere was fully thriving - 1890s to 1920s.

The collection features accessories for brides looking for the "wow" factor or a simple addition to an already extravagant outfit. We also make custom bridesmaid pieces to match the bride's accessories.

You can purchase the items here.

I hope you love it and we'd love feedback!

*all images property of Designs by iBi

Top 10 Wedding Guest Book Ideas

Guest books in some shape or form make an appearance at almost all weddings. Another book to sign, another book to put away on the bookshelf to get dusty - ummm NO! Below are my Top 10 Guest Book ideas that will wow your guests as well as give you a keepsake you can actually showcase/use as home decor.

10: wish bowls - place these at your tables and have guests write wishes that you can later read/put in a wedding scrapbook

9: special item that reflects the couple - if you're musicians have your guests sign a guitar. Baseball fans? How about signing a baseball?

8: quilt - send swatches of fabric along with your invitations so that guests have time to write something very special and bring it to the wedding. Then just assemble the fabric into a quilt.

7: wedding tree - have people leave a fingerprint along with their signature comment on a printed tree. It'll create a "leafy" effect that you can then frame and hang in your new home.

6: postcards - collect postcards from where the two of you have travelled and have guests sign these. Or prestamp them and have guests send them to you at a later date.

5: wine bottles - have your guests sign wine bottles with a silver sharpie. Label each bottle "1st Anniversary" "2nd Anniversary" etc and open each one accordingly. This will allow you to enjoy the "guestbook" annually.

4: coffee book of favorite places/something special to you as a couple - coffee books usually have tons of pictures and plenty of space for your guests to write something special.

3: plates - OBV! As you saw in yesterday's post plates make great guestbooks. Your guests will sign them and you will hang them. Win win.

2: photo booth - this idea we LOVE. Who doesn't love photobooth photo streams? Your guests will have fun taking photos - they'll get to keep one copy and the other copy goes into a book that the guests sign.

1: time capsule - this is definitely our favorite. Your guests write messages for your 1 year 5 year and 10 year anniversary and drop it into a tin can and you open these up at the appropriate anniversaries. How amazing will it be on your 10 year anniversary to open up a time capsule with your family and friends' warm wishes??? For premade time capsules check out Gifts Baskets Etc.