Wedding Day Sneak Peek: Cross Over To Cronauer

This past weekend was EVERYTHING it was supposed to be; beautiful weather, a stylish groom, a gorgeous bride, and literally, a circle of love around them. Virginia really is for lovers!

An intimate indoor ceremony, followed by a tented evening of dinner and dancing, on a perfectly tempered Virginia night is the magic memories are made of.  The love and light that showed up for this couple is one for the books. The plan, pops of pink that really allow the clean beauty of greenery to shine. I'd say mission accomplished.

Fabulous is bound to happen when your artist bridesmaids bring their own chalk!

And of course, a stolen moment to absorb it all.

The only hiccup of the evening is where it pays to have the Ambiance team in your corner. The escort cards were mistakenly printed without the guest dinner selection on them. Meaning, the wait staff doesn't know who ordered what. My team and I simply stepped in with the master list, and although it took some extra time, directed the waitstaff to each individual guest at every table.

I say it all the time, in all of your planning, there will still be instances you simply couldn't have planned for. This was a potential fire, that was snuffed out before it had a chance to start. The couple nor their parents ever had to leave their seats to handle the matter, all because of their decision to have, at minimum, a Day Of Coordinator.

One of my favorite moments...well people...The Father of the Bride. He owned his emotions and it was so raw and beautiful. It's the stuff you can't plan, fabricate, or capture again. On Wedding Day, our goal is to allow everyone to just be in the moment. During their father/daughter dance, he danced with  A so lovingly, held her so close, seeming to be taking in every breath of his little girl, now a married woman. I tear up just writing about it. It was beyond special.

The last detail, I'll share is probably one of the most authentic moments of the evening, literally, a circle of love. This moment was not planned, it just happened. Guests joined arm in arm, looking at lifetime of love in the making. Goosebumps, I tell ya, goosebumps.

I mean seriously, could there be any better way to end the evening?  The Cross over to Cronauer was such a successful, beautiful journey of emotion and joy. I am so lucky to have played a small part in the joining of two really cool families, in what I am sure to be, a long lasting love story for A + R. Now do you see how Forever After never gets old?

There are three other really special moments I won't dare to mention just yet. These are all photos I was able to snap during the day on my phone. I can not wait to see the finished professionally captured story laid out by one Stephanie Dee. Which means, amazing is still to come.


Our Amazing Dream Team:
Day Of Coordinator: Ambiance Special Events
Venue/Catering: Inn At Vint Hill
Photographer: Stephanie Dee Photography
Florists: Flower Gallery 
Cake: Gateau Distinction Cakes
Music: Dominion Wedding Entertainment
Transportation: Camelot Cars


#northernvirginiaweddings #virginiaweddings #virginiabrides #misstomrs 

#AmbianceInvites you to help yourself to the ONE thing every bride needs

Every Bride? C'mon...impossible. Each bride is uniquely different in her concerns, her vision, her plans for her day. This is 100% true. Yet, there are several steps of the planning process that are exactly the same for each Ms on her ways to Mrs.

Each bride-to-be will collect addresses of family and friends they intend to invite. The length of their list may vary but at some point there are bound to be one or more of the following:

engagement party invite,  shower invite, save the date, wedding invitations, RSVP card/return envelope, thank you card. 

Although, every bride-to-be may not choose a professional stationer or calligrapher for addressing, all these pretty pieces of paper have to be sealed and sent out some how. That's where we come in (insert superhero arrival theme music). That's right, telling the masses what every bride needs but doesn't know she wants...yet!

Envelope Moistener with Adhesive from Carlson Craft

The Envelope Moistener! Compiling a solid and correct list of addresses for guests is difficult enough. It is one of the most commonly dreaded tasks of wedding planning; only because few are thinking ahead to the actual sealing of a potential 300-500 envelopes. This moistener is ideal because of the adhesive, a smooth seal in a single stroke. Cheap moisteners with refillable water containers leave much room for error, most commonly spills that ruining envelopes and pre-written/typed addresses. Raise your hand if you like to do your work twice? No one...exactly. 

This tool is an inexpensive no-brainer for every couple announcing they are getting hitched. Throw one in a bridal bag for your Bestie, attach to a congratulations card for your daughter, neice, or neighbor. Be the knight in shining armor Groom by volunteering to seal envelopes for her (major brownie points). Better yet, treat yourself because you are the bride and now know you don't have to do this the hard way. 

CLICK HERE, to save your sanity or that of someone you love. 

Hugs, Kisses, & Best Wedding Plan Wishes,

Team Ambiance



#ambianceinvites #weddinginvitations #bride #groom #weddingstationary #weddinghacks #weddings #weddingtip #ido #weddingplanner #virginia #maryland #dc 

#AmbianceInvites you to Think Spring!

If Spring is your thing, #ambianceinvites you to say "Yes" to the Graceful Dogwood - Sep 'N Send wedding invitation. {More questions about Sep 'N Sends? Find a quick overview HERE.}

This invite features branches, leaves, and beautiful dogwood blooms. It's the perfect welcome to your Spring wedding. Create a beautifully themed day by layering this invite with an outdoor ceremony, rustic themed cake and branch centerpieces for your reception.

Ready to think Spring? Get the scoop below.

Details...Details...Details...

Print Type: Themography

Size: Invitation 5 1/8" x 7 1/8", Reception & Response Card 4 7/8" x 3 1/2"

Production: 3 days

Included: Invitation w/ blank white envelopes, Reception Card w/ blank white envelopes, and Reception Card with blank white envelopes.

Notes: Invitation Sheet is 10 x 7 1/8" with perforated detachable cards. Invitation, Response, and Reception Card will come delivered on one convenient sheet.

Order your sample of Graceful Dogwood or shop more invitation designs, HERE.

#wedding #invitation #weddinginvitations #sepnsend #dogwoodtrees #rusticwedding #naturewedding #springwedding #inspiration #pinkwedding #weddinginspiration #virginiaweddings #isaidyes #ido #bride #groom #militaryweddings #dc #md #northernvirginiaweddings #weddingplanner #eventplanner #weddingcoordinator

Authentically Ambiance Real Wedding...Jen & Gary

It was love at first sip...not Jen and Gary...but my first meeting with them at #Starbucks. The bride; brassy, sassy, and a little sarcastic. The groom; gentle, lighthearted and easy going. I instantly knew I was in for a treat with these two. The two were brilliant in being open to suggestions on how to best make vision meet their budget. Gary wanted Jen to have whatever she wanted. Jen wanted inviting, a touch custom, and all within budget. We did so well with our budgeting, we almost hired Vera Wang and applied for a patent on a cake projector (our inside joke).

*FYI: Brides dream, do, and say some of the funniest things while wedding planning. I am never bored.*

We roped off the main aisle with a Forever After sign, truly setting the tone for their life together. Jen and Gary wanted to make wedding day so special for the other, I had to keep separate files and email traffic to handle their "surprise" wish lists.Selfless love right from the start! It may be some of the most fun our team has had.

We were busy hiding muscle cars and photographers, arranging special snacks, meals, and of course, cupcakes for one gluten free flower girl. We customized booklets to hold their vows, created a flowing backdrop for their outdoor nuptials and ended the night with scratch off lottery tickets for all...(insert sigh) my heart cant help but be full.

After an emotional first look, this couple decided on Forever and picked up a life long cheerleader as well. This couple stole my heart and luckily adopted me as their very own to keep forever. Looks like I'm party of the family now. Welcome To Forever After Jen and Gary...xoxoxoxo.

Team Work Makes The Dream Work! Here are the fabulous vendors that help us shine.

Coordinator: Ambiance Special Events
Ceremony Location: Fort Belvoir Officer's Club
Reception Location: Fort Belvoir Officer's Club
Catering: Fort Belvoir Officer's Club
Photography: Reese Studios Photography
Flowers: Royalty Flowers Inc
Cake: Sweet Ladies Bakery
DJ: DJ Mike Pisfil
Hair/Make-Up: Audrey LeFevre
Favors: DIY

#ido #bride #groom #ambianceadores #wedding #purpleweddings #blueweddings #militaryweddings

#AmbianceAdores this "I Said Yes" FREE printable

I'm trying to figure out just how many ways to use this FREE printable sign from the Carlson Craft blog. Oh, you thought it was just for the bride-to-be? No way! Maybe I'll start taking pictures of me when I say yes to a new client or a new latte at Starbucks. It's just that cute! 

Lucky for you, this is an adorable and cost effective prop for your social media selfie or with your ring shot for your engagement session.  Best of all,  it's super easy to make; just download, print, cut, and glue/tape on a handle. 

Here's hoping you love this free find as much as we do...CLICK HERE for download and instructions. 

#ambianceadores #weddingprintables #bride #weddingsigns #isaidyes #inspiration #weddings #weddingplanner #VAweddings

Missed #bridalfashionweek? 5 Must See Looks!

Bridal Fashion Week...a chance to peek into the brilliant minds that continue to recreate and breath new life into the ways we love lace, silk, chiffon, and all things wedding.  

I think I have decided that I am totally going to Bridal Fashion Week next year in New York. My first goal for 2016. Last week, I glued myself to our Twitter and Instagram accounts to indulge myself in the fashions, inspiration, and glamour of it all, living vicariously through some of our favorite folks to follow on Instagram. Here are merely a few of our favorite looks from last week.

Runway magic...IG: southernweddings

Yes...it's an Ombre gown! #ambianceadores this post from IG: Martha_Weddings 

Love this "It's A Wrap" shot from designer IG: moniquelhuillier

Proof that daring and different can still be classy! IG:munaluchibride

Concepts leave room for so much imagination. We can totally see a bride wearing her flowers! IG: theknot

5 killer ideas for #somethingblue on Wedding Day

Inspiration is everywhere...even on Instagram! As proof, I offer you five fantastic and fun ideas for your #somethingblue on Wedding Day.

As a bonus, you may even find a new someone to follow for more creative inspiration. Be sure to start with us, IG: Ambiance Special Events.

#1. Can anybody tell me what is not to love about the bubbly bride and her blue cowboy boots? Everything about it makes me miss home, just a little! This bride looks sweet, sassy and true to herself! It takes one to know one and this Southern Girl approves!

#2. A Cotton Candy Machine! My jaw dropped when I saw this one! Pinch-able, sweet, and delicious bites of nostalgia are sure to remind your guests of happy times, putting them in the perfect mood to celebrate and enjoy. A few select rental  companies have them available for rent and they aren't that hard to work. If you're nice, maybe your wedding planner will throw in a staff member as an attendant. Having a planner has its perks!

#3. Vintage. Cartier! Nothing really more to say here. These two words are already a match made in heaven!!! 

#4.  Move over garter belts and nail polish...wearing #somethingblue just got a seriously subtle upgrade. 

#5. As cocktail hours and signature drinks cement their place on wedding day, why not invite all of your guests to enjoy your something blue? You'll definitely want to work closely with your bar/spirits provider and splurge on a tasting to ensure your cocktail is not only the right shade of blue but tasty to the palette. 

Have another #somethingblue idea you think we'll love? Post a comment below or send us a pic or link! Until next time...