The Mariott Marquis DC: What a hotel!

I had the great pleasure of touring the new Marriott Marquis in downtown D.C. last week, and I think I fell in love.

Before I share more information about the hotel here are some facts about the Marriott family and brand.

1. The Marriott brand evolved from J. Willard Marriott's nine-stool root beer stand that grew into the Hot Shoppes brand.
2. This venture began in Washington D.C.
3. The D.C. Marriott Marquis marks the 4,000th hotel, bringing the Marriott journey full circle
4. A replica of the nine-stool root beer stand has a home in one of the hotel's restaurants

The hotel has 1,175 rooms and ample event space. 14 floors above ground and 14 floors below, this hotel is an architectural wonder. The vast lobby creates pockets for relaxing, working or to be social without getting overwhelmed by other guests. 

The Marquis ballroom is over 30,000 square feet and the hotel has an additional 75,000+ of event space to accommodate meetings or events of any size. 

The hotel has inside access to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, walking distance to Chinatown and metro accessible. 

I can't wait for my next excuse to stay a night in the city. This will be my first choice.

A Little Piece of Elegance: Chandeliers

An outdoor wedding does not mean you have to sacrifice some of the elegant features of a ballroom. Chandeliers are the perfect decor piece that brings the indoors outside. This piece of decor costs a pretty penny, but installing one at the ceremony structure, or a few at the reception goes a long way.

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Belle the Magazine

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Preston Bailey

Final Countdown: 2 Months

Your wedding is 2 months away! You are checking of your final tasks and anticipating the final countdown. Hopefully you enlisted an event coordinator to take on the stress and ensure all of those little details, that you can skip over due to stress, is checked off!

1-2 Months Away

• Develop system for organizing RSVPs
• Apply for marriage license (research requirements for your state)
• Finalize wedding day timeline (ceremony and reception coordination)
• Finalize seating
• Finalize playlists with DJ
• Finalize fittings and attire
• Book appointments at spas and salons
• Book transportation
• Final dress fitting
• Confirm honeymoon reservations
• Pack for honeymoon
• Write Thank You notes as gifts are received
• Order Wedding Programs
• Follow up with guests who haven't RSVP's
• Give final count to caterer
• Break in wedding shoes
• Purchase wedding accessories
• Decide and purchase wedding party gifts
• Finalize Bridal Shower plans

Flower Tip! White Anemone and Ranunculus

The white rose is a very common wedding flower. It is a global symbol for romance and passion. Many brides choose to hold a bouquet of white roses at their weddings, but some what to try something different. For the bride who wants an alternative to the rose, I recommend anemone or ranunculus. Both flowers, a part of the Ranunculaceae family, are different from the rose and create beautiful bouquets, centerpieces and decor.

Anemone

Said to be the creation of the Goddess Venus, the anemone has a sweeter feel than the rose. Perfect for an outdoor wedding, the anemone has a signature look of two colors. The middle of the flower is of a darker hue. 

Available Fall to Late Spring

Ranunculus

The Tecolote Ranunculus, the most commonly used species, can be mistaken for a rose, but its abundant petals create a more lush look similar to ruffles.

Available Spring to Early Summer

None of these pictures are my own*

Fuchsia and Blue Inspiration

Summer wedding mean lots of color! Here is an inspiration board that is bright, fun and whimsical.

Pump Up The Music!

A crowded dance-floor, an energetic DJ and a party atmosphere is the perfect scene that most brides and grooms aspire for. A great playlist is the first step to ensuring that this dream becomes reality (plus a great DJ). I prefer a blend of hits from different eras, providing the perfect energy and plenty of favorites that everyone will enjoy. I personally love to mix classics with current Top 40 Hits, but today I will focus on the past ten years to avoid my own Top 100 list. Here are some hits from the past decade that will get your guests on (and keep them on) the dance-floor!

I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas

Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO

Dynamite - Taio Cruz

Give Me Everything (Tonight) - Pitbull feat. AfroJack, Ne-Yo and Nayer

Tik Tok - Ke$ha

Just Dance- Lady Gaga feat. Colby O'Donis

Applause - Lady Gaga

Sexy and I Know It - LMFAO

California Girls - Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg

On the Floor - Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull

I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) - Pitbull

Shots - LMFAO feat. Lil John

Raise Your Glass - Pink

Teach Me How To Dougie - California Swag District

One More Time - Daft Punk

Sexy Back - Justin Timberlake feat. Timbaland

In the Ayer - Flo Rida feat. Will.I.Am

Single Ladies - Beyonce (Perfect to get the ladies up for the bouquet toss)

Hey Baby - Pitbull feat. T-Pain

Wake Me Up - Avicii

Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke feat. Pharell and T.I

Work B**ch - Britney Spears

Timber - Pitbull feat. Ke$ha

Can't Hold Us - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Thrift Shop - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Do What You Want - Lady Gaga feat. R. Kelly

Royals - Lorde

Tipping Cheat Sheet!

Tips are not an obligation for the Bride and Groom, so do not consider it mandatory to provide one. A tip is a token of gratitude for wonderful service, beyond what is contracted of the vendor. Make sure you read your contract thoroughly; Some vendors and caterers include gratuity in their final cost. Most company owners do not expect a tip, they are normally reserved for employees. A personal note, glowing online review or a professional wedding day photo is a wonderful gesture of gratitude instead.

Plan to budget for gratuity when creating your list of expenses. Plan to distribute the tips at the conclusion of the event. Prior to the wedding, ideally the night before, allocate the funds into individual labeled envelopes and trusted to a bridal attendant, trusted family member or the wedding coordinator.

Here is a Tipping "Cheat Sheet" to help you with any tipping confusion:

Wedding Planner: Tipping your wedding planner is optional, based on service. Situations in which you may want to tip as a "thank you" include the planner going above and beyond their obligations, or a large discount you may have received. 10-20% of their contracted price is a great number.

Caterer: 15-20% is an appropriate range if gratuity is not included in the contract. You can also offer $50-100 to the chef and $20-50 per server.

Photographer and Videographer: Tips are not expected if they are the owner(s) of the company. $50-200 is a nice gesture if they do not own the company. $50-100 per shooter if there are more than one. The amount of shooters will be stated in your contract.

Officiant: Officiants normally do not accept tips, but a $100 donation to their church is a wonderful way to say thank you. If the Officiant is non-denominational, consider giving them $100 as a tip.

DJ: Most DJs carry their own equipment, transporting it to the location of the event. 10-15% is a great way to show appreciation for bringing the energy to your reception.

Band: $25-50 per musician/band member

Hair and Makeup: Like any professional salon visit, a tip of 15-20% of the total bill is expected but not mandatory.

Transportation: 15% if not included in the contract.

Floral and Decor: Florists do not expect a tip, but if they do an exceptional job, you can consider giving a 10-15% tip

Keep This In Mind When Choosing Your Venue

Finding your venue is an exciting step in your planning process. Once you find what you and your bride/groom believe to be the perfect location for your event, it is easy to forget some important questions that need to be asked and details to remember. 

Each couple is different and the process of choosing a wedding date is unique to each. Some couples go to different venues with an exact date in mind. Others are more flexible with only a certain month as their criteria.  Whichever couple you are, have an idea of your wedding date when exploring possible venues. You will be able to find out the availability right away, and that may immediately effect your choice.

Looking for that perfect venue can be overwhelming, but  the choices are easily narrowed down by your guest list. Make sure you have a number for your guest list before you start your search. You want to make sure that your venue has the proper capacity to hold your guests. Ask the capacity of each room if you plan on using more than one for your ceremony and reception.

You have your number, and are touring the space, but don't forget that your guests are not the only number you have to keep in mind. Make sure to ask how many guests can fit in the venue comfortably seated for the ceremony, and with tables for dinner. Do not forget the dance-floor! For example, you will need at least 448 square feet (16' x 28') of dance-floor space for a wedding with 150 guests.These tables and the dance-floor take up more space than you may originally realize, and a room that fits 150 people, will not fit that same number after all the decor is set up.

Pricing is always important. Ask about the pricing structure and what the price entails. Is there valet parking? What is the type of lighting installed? Is catering in-house or is there a list of approved outdoor caterers? What type of chairs, tables and tableware are available from the venue? Will you have to order some on your own? What are the bar options?

Logistical questions about access to venue for vendors, restrictions and the amount of staff available that day are acceptable questions to ask as well. You can never have too much information. 

Some couples decide to find their venue before they hire their wedding planner and do not know what to ask. Make a list of important points you want in your venue and keep notes on each venue you visit. You will find the perfect venue for your special day.

Open-Bar versus Consumption Bar

Bride and Grooms are faced with a lot of decisions during their planning, but an unexpected decision couples encounter is deciding between a Consumption Bar or Package Bar. 

Choosing a Consumption Bar, you are charged a confirmed price per each drink that is consumed during your event.  You only pay for what you and your guests actually drink.

Choosing a Package Bar, you are commonly given a price based on the amount of guests for your event and the total amount of hours your event will be. This price is charged regardless of the amount consumed during the night.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself when contemplating which bar suits you:

1. How comfortable are you with not knowing your bill until the end of the night? Consumption bars are not totaled until the end of the event. 
2. What is your guest list like? Are there more young adults? Children? Does your family like to party? If you have a group that like to drink, a flat rate would be best to avoid any surprise costs at the end of the night.
3. How long is your event? Guests will typically consume on average 1-2 drinks an hour. You can consider closing the bar at a certain time of the night (i.e for dinner, instead serving wine and/or champagne for toasts).

Another option for controlling costs, is to request a limited selection for the bar. You can choose beer, wine and a signature cocktail for the night, instead of a full bar of top shelf liquor.