It may be the dead of winter, but wedding planning for spring/summer nuptials is already in full bloom.
Take a recent event hosted by Urban Stems, the D.C.-based flower delivery service limited to city limits. (Appropriately, the event was held smack dab in the middle of Chinatown, at The Loft space at 600 F St. NW).
Here’s a roundup of five vendors that can help make a wedding–or any party–even better.
IDA ROSE
Event specialist duo Laura Held and Jordan Von Lange are the “it” wedding planners of the moment in the D.C. area. Good luck booking the hot duo, but it’s worth a shot in order to throw an over-the-top event that’ll have guests talking for years.
Fluffness
Cotton candy machines are so in right now, and this one puts a healthy spin on the sugar-on-a stick staple. A pink machine provides the eye candy, and the real (organic!) candy it spins feeds all age groups (for kids’ birthdays, baby and bridal showers, weddings, and corporate events). Choose from 20 signature flavors, and edible toppings and cones can be added to the mix for a little extra.
Heartful.ly
Take getting a blender or bedspreads one step further, by simultaneously giving back to a nonprofit. This wedding registry lets couples pick from more than 1,000 vetted charitable projects to support, with real-time donation tracking, tax-deductible donations, and updates after your wedding to stay on top of the gift that keeps on giving to those in need. Martha Stuart Weddings backs the site, calling it “the perfect registry destination.”
Urban Stems
Starting at $35, Urban Stems’ fresh flowers can be delivered in mere minutes to D.C. residents (now cities like Austin and NYC can get in on the insta-flower action). Its wedding service just launched, in which brides can customize an affordable bouquet for their special day, with free limited delivery. Fill out its online form to be contacted by a wedding expert to learn more.
via ONEHOPE
Wine typically flows like water at events, so the tab might as well be partly poured into a good cause. Primarily produced in collaboration with Rob Mondavi Jr., ONEHOPE provides award-winning wine with a measurable social impact. By the numbers, more one million meals have been provided, 56,000 trees have been planted, and 1,000 vets have been supported.
Tickled
The party can now live on forever, in photo format. The party host picks a background (at the event it was an off-white linen backdrop with flowers) and guests can capture silly (and drunk) moments in a flash. The photo booth lets you save, share and print pics off their website (photos are available within 12 to 24 hours). The $600 rental for two hours includes props, delivery and setup, and access to the online gallery.
