The wedding cake cookie is one of many designs Kalorama Cookie Company offers. All photographs courtesy of Kalorama Cookie Company.
Last spring, after years of baking cookies for friends and family, native Washingtonian Patti Greenstein decided it was time to take the leap and turn her hobby into a business. “Brides are always looking for the next new thing, and I thought cookies have a lot to offer,” she says.
It turns out she was onto something. Kalorama Cookie Company, a gourmet bakeshop specializing in custom-designed sugar cookies, has spent the last year turning out delicious creations for bridal showers, bachelorette parties, and weddings. From brides looking for elegant cake designs to add to favor bags to grooms requesting sports-themed baked goods for their bachelor parties, Greenstein works with every client individually to design the cookie they envision.
We chatted with Greenstein about custom designs, flavors, and creative ways to include cookies on your big day.
Indie brides, rejoice: Your favorite Jeffrey Campbell platforms can be now worn down the aisle thanks to designer’s new bridal line. Cold Feet by Jeffrey Campbell features the Project Runway alum’s popular styles, such as “Lita” and “Damsel,” in wedding-day colors and feminine patterns. Designed with nontraditional brides in mind—those who, according to Campbell, “choos[e] to get hitched in backyards, urban gardens, on beaches and mountainsides, and on the steps of City Hall”—the line includes sky-high booties, studded brogues, quilted sneakers (with the words “I Do” engraved on them), and flat sandals all in the $89.95 to $179.95 price range. Wear the ultra-versatile styles on your wedding day and happily ever after.
Lauren and Joseph at their March 3, 2013, wedding in Old Town Alexandria. All photographs courtesy of Wade Chi.
By the time Lauren Sugierski and Joseph Kuchta got married on March 3, 2013, they had been dating for almost a decade. Wanting to keep their nuptials intimate and personal, they decided to ditch many conventional elements of a wedding and instead focus on celebrating their love. “I will never forget Joe saying that he didn’t care where we got married—that the only thing that mattered was that we were marrying each other,” says Lauren, who works for the federal government.
The couple met at the Georgetown Waterfront over Labor Day weekend eight years ago. After they’d eyed each other from across a bar, Joseph, a DC Police officer, finally asked for Lauren’s phone number. A first date at Carlyle restaurant in Arlington, which would later serve as their rehearsal dinner venue, ultimately led to a proposal at the Winery at La Grange in Haymarket, Virginia.
Photograph courtesy of Astrid Photography.
“When Randy calls, you say yes,” says Carin Rosenberg Levine, co-owner of Hitched bridal salon in Georgetown, on working with Randy Fenoli, star of TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress and Randy to the Rescue. For the uninitiated, Randy to the Rescue is a reality television show that follows the over-the-top bridal gown guru and his hair and makeup team as they travel across ten cities in America, bringing couture wedding dresses to brides. The show is in its second season of filming, and this time it was DC’s turn to get rescued by Randy.
As part of the show, Fenoli partnered with Hitched to set up a bridal pop-up shop at the Capitol Hilton last Sunday. Featuring 200 of Fenoli’s favorite dresses, as well as 50 of Hitched’s hand-selected picks, the event hosted 40 area brides on the hunt for their dream gowns. Hitched consultants helped brides-to-be narrow their options, while Fenoli popped in and out of the fitting rooms to advise each bride on the dress, accessories, hair, and makeup—part of what he calls his “head to hem” approach.
Kimberlee and Matthew at their October 20 wedding in Oxon Hill, Maryland. All photographs courtesy of Carly Arnwine Photography
When Matthew Murphy first met Kimberlee Ryan, the chemistry was instantaneous. A public interest environmental lawyer by day, Matthew was bartending at Rhino Bar & Pumphouse where Kimberlee, then a senior in college, picked up a few waitressing shifts during her winter break. The only thing standing in Matthew’s way from asking her out was that their boss happened to be Kimberlee’s uncle. “Everyone thought he was crazy to go for the owner’s niece, but we were both smitten,” says Kimberlee.
Lucky for Matthew, it turned out to be a risk worth taking. After a first kiss on New Year’s Eve, the pair dated for two and a half years before a snowy proposal at the Georgetown Waterfront. They would be engaged for just as long—Kimberlee decided to go back to school to become a nurse, thus putting their nuptials on hold for a bit longer than initially planned.
March 28: Designer Gown Sample Sale at Carine’s Bridal Atelier
Shop designer gown samples at this chic boutique from 5 to 8 PM. Carine’s Bridal Atelier will feature couture gowns from designers such as Marchesa, Carolina Herrera, and Monique Lhuillier at up to 75 percent off. Prices range from $999 to $2,699, and Fluffy Thoughts Cakes will sweeten the deal with complimentary cupcakes.
March 28: Sample Sale at Hitched Salon
Georgetown fave Hitched Salon is saying goodbye to many of its favorite couture gowns and making room for new ones with this blowout sample sale. Score designer dresses from Anna Maier, Amsale, and Lela Rose at up to 85 percent off. Book a private appointment between noon and 4 by calling 202-333-6162, or stop by the store from 5 to 8 for the open house sale. With prices starting as low as $500, you know it’s going to get crazy. Preview the sample gowns online, and dash right for your favorite one when the doors open.
Bonobos Guideshop in Georgetown. Photograph courtesy of Bonobos.
Pass this on to your fiancé: Bonobos, the once online-only retailer, recently set up a Guideshop boutique in Georgetown’s Cady’s Alley (right across from Kafe Leopold). The intimate space, staffed with expert fashion advisers, should probably be on your radar since it offers not only discreet, one-on-one sartorial assistance but also loads of wedding-day options. From beachside casual to cosmopolitan formal, there are pants, ties, shirts, and suits (like this gray cotton twill number, $425, which also comes in navy and khaki) to fit any nuptial mood. Those getting hitched this summer and still on the hunt for suiting should look into the new featherweight seersucker ($564 for a three-piece suit).
He’ll want to bring the groomsmen, too—let them choose from one of Bonobos’ playful ties (from $68). Setting up an appointment pays off; the staff at the Guideshop will even order in the party’s favorite beer, and offer a discount of 15 percent on clothing orders of five pieces or more. And no doubt your guy will like the extra attention.
Betsey Johnson can now add bridal designer to her fashion résumé with the launch of
a new line of party-inspired shoes, geared specifically toward the wedding market.
Johnson, who last spring declared bankruptcy and shuttered her eponymous stores, has
been making a slow and steady return to the fashion industry, with a lower-priced
dress line and a collection of activewear. A new reality show featuring Johnson and
her daughter, Lulu, also debuts this month on the Style Network.
The new bridal shoe collection, dubbed Blue by Betsey Johnson, is another step in
the designer’s comeback. The shoes go on sale to the public starting in April. With
designs from scalloped ballerina flats to ankle-strap stilettos and embellished pumps,
each with a signature baby blue sole, the collection ranges from $79 to $199. If something
strikes your footwear fancy, find it next month on Zappos or on Betsey Johnson’s site.
Erin and Joseph at their October 6 wedding. All photographs courtesy of Amy Raab Photography
Erin Waetjen and Joseph Ferraro’s first date got off to a great start. Having met at a mutual friends’ housewarming party in spring 2009, the couple immediately connected. A first date at Ireland’s Four Provinces, where they chatted for four hours, led to a semi long-distance relationship—Erin, now a registered nurse, was finishing her degree in Baltimore while Joseph, a software engineer, was based in Virginia. A year into the relationship, Erin took a job in the District and moved in with Joseph. It would be another year before a romantic proposal at The Homestead Resort, where Joseph took Erin under the pretense of celebrating her birthday.
While the bride and groom are—and should be—the focus of the wedding day, you can’t forget the other men in the wedding party: the groomsmen and best man. Treat them to something they’ll not only appreciate but actually use, well past your first wedding anniversary. Whether your party is made up of sci-fi fans or whiskey connoisseurs, we have 15 great gifts for every personality type.
