The 2014 Bride Brunch Events are well underway and we couldn't be more excited! The Bridal Brunch is an intimate boutique style wedding planning event. The event presents leading wedding industry professionals to brides in cities around the United States, and includes a bridal fashion segment, delectable brunch fare, expert panel discussion, entertainment, and a fabulous gift bag. We started in NYC last year. Right after the event in NYC we received a notification from Tara Melvin, CEO of Perfect Planning Events in Washington, DC stating if we ever come to the Washington, DC area to do a bridal lunch, she would love to be the event planner to organize and create this fabulous event! Tara's inquiry was timely as we were in the process of looking for an event planner to help coordinate the next stop of The Bridal Brunch event which at that time happened to be in the Nations Capital! We quickly did our research and found that Tara has planned numerous events from weddings to corporate events and fundraisers. She also serves as President of the Association of Wedding Professionals of Greater Washington, DC., and is a former member of the Association of Bridal Consultants. Little did we know it would be such a pleasure to work with Tara, furthermore that she would exceed the planning vision we had dancing around in our heads from our weekly calls leading up to the event!
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We started the planning process with Tara last year along with our National Bridal Brunch Director, Fallon Carter from Fallon Carter Weddings. Things began to come together as Tara swiftly assembled an awesome team of local wedding professionals to join us. We consulted with Makya Rene Pryor from Mareta Creations who designed all of our amazing marketing collateral, event programs, menu cards, and signs.
Tara Melvin , CEO – Perfect Planning Events
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We have to start by saying thank you Tara Melvin for all of her hard work, and to the wonderful people at the Carnegie Library, Events DC! What an honor to hold an event at such a renowned historical place for the District of Columbia, (Click here to read more about the history of The Carnegie Library). The entire team welcomed us with open arms and the space provided the perfect backdrop for the event. Tara Melvin, her team from Perfect Planning Events, along with a select group of amazing wedding professionals truly transformed the space from floor to ceiling, even the walls were lit up with the Black Bride logo compliments of DJ Angie D Entertainment!
Image By: Michael Clark Photographers
Makya Renee Pryor from Mareta Creations Image By: Michael Clark Photographers
Mareta Creations
Fallon Carter from Fallon Carter Weddings
Image By Michael Clark Photographers
Brides and guest entered into the transformed Carnegie Library and were wow'd by beautiful decor provided by Showtime Events, Tierra Florals, and vendor displays. The atmosphere was just right as the smooth sounds of JJ&T Entertainment echoed throughout the venue, while DJ Angie D kept the party rocking all day! Delectable mini-cupcakes samples were a big hit compliments of Couture Cakes by Sabrina.
Image By: Michael Clark Photographers
Image By: Michael Clark Photographers
Image By: Michael Clark Photographers
Image By: Michael Clark Photographers
Images By: Michael Clark Photographers
One of the things we love to do at the brunch is educate brides and give them the opportunity to ask a pro to learn what's real about the wedding planning process. We worked with Tara to present the brides in attendance with an amazing panel of experts that consisted of Andre Wells of Events by Andre Wells, Miriam Liggett of Soliloquy Bridal Couture, Makaya Renee Prior from Mareta Creations, Sarah Zlotnick Fashion Editor from Wedding Wire, and CK Alexander from Love Ink! During the brunch service, Tara and Fallon warmed the brides up with an interactive Q & A, and the questions were non-stop after that!
Andre Wells, Charanna Alexander, Mariam Liggett, Makya Renee Pryor, Sarah Zoltnick
Images By Michael Clark Photographers
Image By: Michael Clark Photographers
The banquet area was set up with rounds of 10 that were adorned with the prettiest crushed silver linen from Gala Cloths topped with various unique floral's provided by Tierra Floral Designs. The brides dined in style using fine service-ware with seating provided by DC Rentals. We had a full course meal including bread pudding for desert that was scrumptious! Caribbean Caterers really went all out with a full service coffee bar, the food, and the service was impeccable. There were pretty custom Black Bride cookies placed at each place setting that was created by Kalorma Cookie, so yummy!
Image By: Michael Clark Photographers
Image By: Michael Clark Photographers
Image By: Michael Clark Photographers
Image By: Michael Clark Photographers
Image By: Michael Clark Photographers
Image By: Michael Clark Photographers
Image By: Michael Clark Photographers
Image By: Michael Clark Photographers
Tara Melvin, Andre Wells, BB CEO Mary Chatman, and Fallon Carter
Have you ever been to a bridal event where there were mini bridal salons you could shop? Well that's exactly what brides were able to do at the brunch. Our bridal fashion sponsors, Soliloquy Bridal Couture, and House of JonLei Atelier not only provided fashions for the fashion segment, but actually setup a small shop for brides to shop their stores inside the Library. Wedding professionals filled the Library with their stunning modern chic displays that created an atmosphere that was stately, and elegant for brides to mingle and chat it up with the pros. Hair and makeup was provided by local beauty pros, Defined by Deana LaRae (Hair), and Dawn Newson (Make-up).
Image By: Michael Clark Photographers
Image By: Michael Clark Photographers
Image By: Michael Clark Photographers
Image By: Michael Clark Photographers
Image By: Michael Clark Photographers
Thanks a million to Tara Melvin, and her awesome team from Perfect Planning Event, Fallon Cater, our amazing panelist for the educational Q&A, our emcee Robin Clemmons, Emerald Stewart and her gorgeous model friends, and an awesome group of DMV area wedding professionals who truly exceeded our expectations in creating an amazing experience for all who attended on March 9th. The Bridal Brunch, DC was wildly successful, we are so grateful for everyone's hard work and dedication. Thank you to all of the fine vendors and brides in attendance for your participation! A special thanks to Michael Clark Photographers, Frame Magic Weddings, Booth-O-Rama and Evelyn Alas for capturing the memories!
The Bridal Brunch is headed to Chicago in June!
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Thanks to all of our awesome Sponsors! Be sure to connect with them on the worldwide web!
Our Host and Event Planner
Tara Melvin and Perfect Planning Events Team
Venue
The Carnegie Library at Mt Vernon Square
National Bridal Brunch Director
Fallon Carter, Fallon Carter Weddings
Stationery/Signs/Menu Cards/Program/Marketing Literature
Mareta Creations
Catering
Caribbean Caterers
Decor
Showtime Events
Floral's
Tierra Florals
Linen
Gala Cloths
Lighting
DJ Angie D Entertainment
Entertainment
DJ Angie D Entertainment
JJ&T Entertainment
Photography
Michael Clark Photographers
Videography
Frame Magic Weddings
Fashion
Soliloquy Bridal
House of JonLei Atelier
Custom Dessert
Kalorama Cookie Company
Makeup
Dawn Newsome
Hair
Defined by Deanna LaRae
Rentals
DC Rentals
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