Puttin' On The Ritz

The Ritz Carlton in Tysons Corner, Virginia was the romantic setting for the wedding of Megan and David on December 29th. The weekend of activities started with a fun and flirty bridal shower at the Betsy Johnson store in Tysons II on Thursday evening. On Friday the wedding party and out-of-town guests spent the morning at a very cool bowling party and then everyone had a chance to chill before a ceremony rehearsal and a fabulous rehearsal dinner at Maggiano's.

The wedding day brought beautiful weather and a bride so in love with Monique Lhuillier gowns that she just had to have two! She wore the first ballgown type dress to the ceremony and a sleeker party gown to the reception. No wonder she couldn't choose between the two because each was so beautiful.

The ceremony which took place at a church in Reston was made even more special by the fact that the groom's father was the officiant. The walkway to the church was lined with luminaries and after the ceremony the guests were each given a custom labeled CD with a compilation of special wedding songs to play on the way to the reception.

The stunning reception flowers by Jose of Art with Flowers filled the ballroom at The Ritz in a lush winter wonderland. Jose added 200 Black Magic roses to a magnificent cake designed and baked by Duff Goldman at Charm City Bakery in Baltimore.

Fun elements like a photo booth, martini bar and monogrammed cupcakes as a take home favor ensured a good time for all. The decor of the ballroom was accented with a white dance floor (complete with a custom lighted monogram) and band stage by Mike Blondell at Accent on Events.

The wedding guests entered the reception and enjoyed delicious hors d'oeuvres as six strolling violins serenaded them. Later as the doors to the Ballroom opened, the swing and jazz sound of The Joker's Wild, a DC area band, drew people right to the dance floor. To finish out the party, the more contemporary sound of deejay Steve Burrows of MSE Productions filled the room.

A Sunday morning brunch wrapped up the weekend nicely at The Ritz and wedding guests who attended from all over the country made their way back home filled with happy memories.

Congratulations Megan and David!