Find the perfect dress—and make a difference in the life of someone who needs it. This weekend, the Making Memories Cancer Foundation is holding a Brides Against Breast Cancer tour of gowns at the Milestones Bridal Expo. The dresses are donated by designers, retailers, manufacturers, and past brides, then sold at deeply discounted prices. Although some are valued in the thousands of dollars, the prices at the tour top out at around $800. The proceeds from the sale are donated to the Making Memories foundation, which grants final wishes to women with terminal breast cancer. And if already have a dress, the Milestones Bridal Expo could have something for you: There’ll be food, raffles, fashion shows, and lots of prizes. VIP night ($25 for brides, $15 for guests), Friday from 7 to 10, lets you have the first crack at the dress selection. Saturday ($7) 11 to 5, Sunday (free) 10 to 5. Get tickets here. Crowne Plaza Hotel (8777 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring).
If you’re more nervous about the first dance than you are about the ceremony, get a tip or two from the pros at the Wedding Dance Workshop Sunday at 3:30 in the Wedding Dance Specialists’ Alexandria studio. The fee ($25) for the 90-minute class gets you instruction in the basics of dancing with a partner plus a few slow dances. It’s a great way to ease into private lessons—attendees get discounts for future classes. And don’t worry—you don’t have to trade partners. Sign up online here; directions to the studio will be given once you’ve registered.
Envisioning a green wedding that has nothing to do with the color of the bridesmaids’ dresses? Get tips on hosting an eco-friendly wedding at the Blue Ridge Bridal Boutique Show at Morven Park (17263 Southern Planter La., Leesburg) Sunday from 1 to 4. From compostable flatware and cutlery to carbon-minimizing photo albums and Green Globe-certified travel on the honeymoon, this is good place to start planning a globally conscious wedding. And forget gyms or auditoriums—the Boutique Show will take place on the outdoor Croquet Court. (The 218-year-old Morven Park estate, with its Greek Revival mansion and views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, might be a good site for your ceremony, too.) Tickets are $12 each, $20 for couples. Register for the show—a Zero Waste event—here.
There’s nothing like wedding planning for finding great free tastings. Foxchase Manor (8310 Chatsworth Dr., Manassas) is holding an open house and tasting with R&R Catering Thursday, October 29, from 5 to 8—and it’s free. This is R&R’s 20th year providing open-house tastings. Reserve your spot by calling 703-369-3638 or visiting here.
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