Photo: Kristi Odom

When you are honed in on who you are and stay true to that, magic happens at your wedding. I know it’s going to be a unique wedding when the First Dance song is the salsa tune, Fuerza de Voluntad by Lesly Daily. More to come on this Latin infused modern wedding. Happy Weekend! Vicky

Here is the Bialek’s lineup. You must RSVP to attend so call 301.340.6206 or email today to reserve your space for any of these upcoming performances! View all these great bands at their website

DOCTORS ORDERS Friday, March 9, 2012 at 8:00pm at Jerry’s Music, 5040 Boiling Brook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852 301.907.6900 *Saw them at a showcase a while back and would describe them as a classy variety band.

BROADSOUND Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 8:00pm at Jerry’s Music, 5040 Boiling Brook Parkway,Rockville, MD 20852 301.907.6900

KALEIDOSCOPE Saturday, March 24, 2012 at 11:00am, Troutman Residence, 13813 Hidden Glen Lane, North Potomac, MD 20878 301.977.0141 *Loved Kaleidoscope at a wedding from a few years ago. Great female lead vocals. Variety band and great for motown with their outstanding horn section.

The lower level Boot Bar. Photo: Hill Country BBQ Market DC

Venue: Hill Country BBQ Market

Food & Drink: Started in New York, Hill Country opened last year in the Penn Quarters area.

Private Dining Options: Hill Country has 1 private dining option and 1 semi-private option. The Boot Bar downstairs is the place to be! It can seat 120 comfortably, or 200 standing, and can be divided into 2 private spaces. It features its own long bar and a stage for live music. Upstairs in the main dining room, they have a raised balcony area (semi-private) than can hold about 20 guests.

Their private dining meals can be served buffet style or family style. Their Barbecue Chowdown Package is $55pp ++ and includes 4 courses. Their Family-Style seated menu is $45pp ++. Open bar package is $20pp per hour. Please contact Rachael Carney, Catering and Events Manager, for your updated menu.

Transit & Parking: The closest Metro rail stop is Archives Metro Station. Valet parking available for $10/car on the weekend and for weekday event, please inquire with the restaurant.  There’s also a parking lot behind the restaurant with street access just a couple doors up from its entrance.

Advantages:

• The large space downstairs can accommodate a large group.
• You can invite those not invited to the rehearsal dinner to join in for a welcome party afterwards.
• There is a stage for live music option.
• Guests staying at the Hotel Monaco or Courtyard Marriott in Chinatown can walk to the restaurant.
• Centrally located, a good option if your reception is at Newseum, Hotel Monaco, Ronald Reagan Building, Andrew Mellon Auditorium, Harman Center for the Arts, and many other hotels and venues in the downtown area .
• Your guests can wander around Penn Quarters and Chinatown area before or after dinner.

Challenges:

• Evening rush hour can be a nightmare in that area.
• Traffic and crowds can also be an issue if there is a sporting or special event at the Verizon Center.

A sunny February day for a ceremony in the Paris Ballroom of Hotel Monaco Washington DC. Loved the bright orange and green arrangements by Petals Edge that flanked the wedding party. Photo: Jay Moore

The bridal gown and bridesmaids dresses were custom made by Sheryl Kelm. Photo: Jay Moore

Loved the bright and cheerful bouquets by Petals Edge. They complimented the navy blue bridesmaids dresses nicely. Photo: Jay Moore.

I loved the poster size Save the Date, which was framed for display on the escort card table. Photo: Jay Moore.

Venue: Hotel Monaco Washington DC

Photographer: Jay Moore

Floral Design: Petals Edge Floral Design

Music: MyDeejay. Evan Reitmeyer.

Cake: Fluffy Thoughts

Bridal Gown and Bridesmaids Dresses: Custom design by Sheryl Kelm

Coordination: Event Accomplished, Vicky Choy

The ballroom transformed after the ceremony for the reception. Love the warm lighting and the mix of table shapes. The paper pom-poms also appears as napkin rings! Photo by Kate Hasuchka

Venue & Catering: Clarendon Ballroom. You know I love Sandra Hoehne, Director of Catering, and Chef Patrick. Kristin and Brian said their favorite meal is Thanksgiving dinner. So Sandra and Patrick designed a comfort foods menu that was inspired by a Thanksgiving feast, but made it sophisticated for a wedding.

Check out these grilled cheese and tomato soup served during cocktail hour! Photo by Kate Hauschka

Photography: Kate Hauschka

Music: Bob Artman, ArtmanDJs

Floral Design: Devers Design Group. Other than Michael being so fun to work with, one of the reason we chose Devers was that given February weather, we wanted someone who can still deliver the flowers in case of snow. Devers was just down the street from the Clarendon Ballroom.

Lighting: John Farr

Rehearsal Dinner: Lyon Hall. Their 2nd floor private dining space is a fun choice. Read our review here.

Guest Hotel: Westin Arlington Gateway. The Westin is a good choice not only for its location but the hotel has a modern, zen-like esthetic which provides a beautiful backdrop for photos.

Braving the February weather for a photo outside! Photo by Kate Hauschka.

Colors: We worked primarily with teal, fuchsia, and navy blue, with a pop of white.

Design Concept: Kristin loved paper pom-poms so we had them everywhere. She was also a huge Beatles fan and you will see that reflect in some of the design details. We used vinyl 45 records with Beatles albums as table numbers and some of Kristin’s collectibles as decor. We found a bunch of old records and used them for decor (Freecycle was a treasure trove of giveaway records). The ones we chose were all love songs. Kristin had given Brian a slinky as a gift a long time ago and Brian loves playing with it so that inspired us to give mini Slinkys as favors/escort cards and as a holder for the table numbers. Check out the photos by Kate Hauschka.

The album guestbook. Photo by Kate Hauschka

The Beatles album Table Names. Photo by Kate Hauschka

The Slinky escort cards/favors. Photo by Kate Hauschka

The escort card table welcomed guests after the ceremony, featuring those paper pom-poms. Photo: Vicky Choy

How Do I Submit My Announcement?
You may submit your announcement by email or fax to the addresses above.
Please include your name, mailing address, home and daytime phone numbers when you submit your announcement. You may write your own announcement. See the checklist at the end of the guide for helpful hints.

How Do I Submit A Photograph?
The easiest way is to email your photograph to weddings@washpost.com. The photograph must be a JPEG, TIF, BMP, EPS or PDF file with a resolution of at least 300 dpi. The original photograph can range in size from wallet up to 8’ x 10”. No negatives or slides are accepted. The Post does not guarantee return of photographs. If you are sending a photograph taken by a professional, photographer, please include their name so we can include a credit line in your announcement.

When Do I Have To Submit My Announcement?
In order to be published in the Sunday Style and Arts section, we need to receive your announcement and photograph no later than 1:00 pm on Mondays. We will then send you a proof of your announcement for your approval. We need to receive your approval and payment no later than 1:00 pm on Tuesdays.

How Do I Pay For My Announcement?
All announcements must be paid prior to deadline. We accept MasterCard, Visa and American Express.

What Sizes Are Available?
There are no set sizes for these announcements. The size depends upon the amount of text you’d like to include in your announcement and the size of the photograph. The two main formats for celebration announcements are single and double column. See the guide for more information.

How Much Does It Cost To Run An Announcement?
The exact cost depends upon the size of your announcement. There are approximately eight lines of text in a column inch, and the rate is $50.00 per inch per column. Announcements with photographs range in cost from $300 for a short single column announcement. A small double column announcement costs approximately $600.

Venue: Virtue Feed & Grain

Food & Drink: Contemporary American. The team behind Restaurant Eve, Eamonns/PX and The Majestic brings a fun modern American tavern. Mixologist Todd Thrasher from Restaurant Eve also oversees the libations here.

Private Dining Options: Virtue has 1 private (Game Parlor) and 1 semi-private space available for private parties.  Their plated or family style menus for Fridays and Saturdays are $75++ and include 3 hours, welcome Hoptail & Canapes, and 3 Course Dinner. The Game Parlor can also host a cocktail style reception at $50++ for 2 hours and includes Welcome Hoptail, Select Beer, Select Wine, and 8 passed or displayed hors d’oeuvres or mini desserts. Please contact for Jeana Connaughton, Private Events Manager for your updated, customized menu.

The Game Parlor has a pool table, vintage arcade games and TVs as well as fantastic views of the Potomac River. I saw them put a hard tabletop over the pool table to make it a dining room table, seating up to 22 guests. The Game Parlor can host up to 50 people standing.

Game Parlor. The windows in the back open up to a beautiful view of the Potomac River. Photo: Virtue Feed & Grain

At the top of the stairs is the “Stage,” which has a long banquet table seating up to 16 guests. There is curtain that can drawn for privacy.

The 2nd Floor Stage Table. Photo: Virtue Feed & Grain

You can also reserve the upstairs Bar and/or lounge area, a great space for a welcome party. A menu of hors d’oeuvres can be ordered in advance.

Hightop Tables

Transit & Parking: Street Parking is available and there are several parking garages along S. Union Street.  The nearest metro station is the King Street Metro.

Advantages:

• Great gastro-pub style food & fun beverage options
• In the heart of Old Town Alexandria
• Can host both the rehearsal dinner and have other guests join later for a welcome party
• Near other bars for other “Welcome Party” options
• Within walking distance from some hotels
• Ideal spot for weddings being held at venues like River Farm, Torpedo Factory, George Washington Masonic Memorial or Mount Vernon, or hotels (Hotel Monaco, Lorien Hotel)

Challenges:

• No dedicated parking
• For seated dinners, the spaces are ideal only for small groups.
• Old Town Alexandria can be very congested during high tourist seasons

What do you win? The winner will get a free 1-2 hour Love session with me (Whether it’s an engagement session, a post wedding session, a portrait session) and have their story and session posted on the blog for all eyes to see and share in the fun!

To Enter:

1. Like the Kate Haus Photography Facebook Page

2. Write your story in 1000 words or less and send it off to k@katehaus.com with the Subject line: Love my story!!

The contest ends on the 28th of February and the winner will be announced March 5th. **In order to win you must be located within 100miles of the Washington DC area. And schedule the photo session before February 2013.

Here is the Bialek’s lineup. You must RSVP to attend so call 301.340.6206 or email today to reserve your space for any of these upcoming performances! View all these great bands at their website

PHOENIX Friday, February 3, 2012 from 7:30-9pm at Perfect Sound, 5524 Tuxedo Road, Hyattsville, MD 20785 301.322.9400:

DOCTORS ORDERS Wednesday, February 8, 2012 from 8-9PM at Jerry’s Music, 5040 Boiling Brook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852 301.907.6900 *Saw them at a showcase a while back and would describe them as a classy variety band.

KALEIDOSCOPE Friday, February 17, 2012 from 7-9PM, Troutman Residence, 13813 Hidden Glen Lane, North Potomac, MD 20878 301.977.0141 *Loved Kaleidoscope at a wedding from a few years ago. Great female lead vocals. Variety band and great for motown with their outstanding horn section.

BROADSOUND Wednesday, February 22, 2012 from 8-9pm at Jerry’s Music, 5040 Boiling Brook Parkway,Rockville, MD 20852 301.907.6900

Here is Washington Talent’s lineup. Be sure to visit their website for more information. All performances are held at their Rockville, MD studio.

Encore Tues, Feb 7th

Spectrum Mon, Feb 13th

ONYX Thurs, Feb 16th *Super high energy band from a wedding a few years ago. You can’t really go wrong with this band.

Prime Time  Tues, Feb 21st

Millennium Wed, Feb 22nd *One of my favorites, featuring American Idol finalist Travis Tucker. Not only are they are great variety band, but the thing I love the most was their strip down acoustic set during dinner. It really shows off the talent of the performers.

Black Tie Mon, Feb 27th