Still feeling a little giddy from all the festivities of the holiday season? Perhaps Santa (or your special fella) left an extra sparkly bauble in your Christmas stocking? If so, congratulations! Now that you’re ready to start planning a dream-come-true wedding, let the editors of Washingtonian Bride & Groom be your guides.

A ticket to “Washingtonian Bride & Groom: Unveiled” on Sunday, January 25 at the Park Hyatt Washington will let you play the glamorous bride for a day and give you front-row access to the following:

• Celebrity party planner and headline speaker Mindy Weiss, who will give you A-list wedding tips and sign copies of her latest book, The Wedding Book: The Big Book for Your Big Day

• A ready-to-wear runway fashion show featuring wedding gowns by Monique Lhuillier and mother-of-the-bride fashions

It’s no secret that the holidays are a popular time to pop the question. If Santa left you a box under the tree with something sparkly inside, you’re probably hot on the trail of wedding planning already. But before you decide on the venue, you might want to take a daytrip to Charlottesville.

If you book your wedding at Clifton (1296 Clifton Inn Dr., Charlottesville; 888-971-1800) by January 31, in addition to helping you plan your big day, the hotel will throw in a five-night honeymoon in a Paris penthouse—for free.

Tiffany Jackson choreographed her first dance with Chad Quinn at their wedding in Upper Marlboro. (Photograph by Jennifer Smoose)

What’s In

■ Bright colors. Brides are making bolder choices when it comes to flowers and bridesmaid dresses, choosing such hues as tangerine, mango, and pomegranate.

■ Mini foods. Small passed appetizers like whipped potatoes in a sherry glass and one-bite desserts—tiramisu in a demitasse or Key-lime pie on a stick—give guests a taste of something delicious without having to sit down.

■ Celebrating ethnicity. More menus and song playlists are honoring couples’ family backgrounds. At one recent wedding, Occasions Caterers set up a buffet that included both Chinese food and a Jewish deli station.

■ Signature drinks. Caterers and couples are concocting cocktails that match wedding colors or mirror the event’s theme—such as a sake martini for Asian-themed nuptials.

■ Going green. From serving organic and local foods to using biodegradable containers for centerpieces, couples are throwing more ecoconscious celebrations.

■ New first-dance favorites. Think less Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight” and more Nina Simone’s “My Baby Just Cares for Me.” DJ Chris Laich of DC says that for first dances, couples are choosing everything from Kenny Chesney to Paul Anka remixes to punk rock by the Suicide Machines. One couple recently walked down the aisle to Coldplay.

I'm incredibly excited to tell you that Washingtonian Bride & Groom, The Washingtonian's new magazine, arrives on area newsstands today! For more than 20 years, The Washingtonian has been writing about and reviewing the local wedding scene, and now, the the first time, we've created a stunning 240-page luxury magazine filled with the best stories, photos and advice for discerning brides and grooms. Over the past few months, I've gotten to know many of the talented florists, event planners, jeweler, caterers, and photographers (to name a few) who've contributed to the new magazine, and I'm thrilled to present them and their work to you.

Planning a wedding in Washington? You’re not going to want to miss this event. Let “Washingtonian Bride & Groom: Unveiled” send you down the aisle in style.

Once you’ve read the new Washingtonian Bride & Groom (on sale today!) from cover to cover, grab your calendar and put a big red circle around January 25. Join The Washingtonian, the area’s top wedding experts, and other brides- and grooms-to-be at this ultimate wedding showcase, “Washingtonian Bride & Groom: Unveiled.”

The showcase will be held at the Park Hyatt (24th and M sts., NW; 202-789-1234) from 11:30 to 3. Need a few reasons to come?

Planning a wedding in Washington? You’re not going to want to miss this event. Let “Washingtonian Bride & Groom: Unveiled” send you down the aisle in style.

Once you’ve read the new Washingtonian Bride & Groom (on sale Monday, December 15) from cover to cover, grab your calendar and put a big red circle around January 25. Join The Washingtonian, the area’s top wedding experts, and other brides- and grooms-to-be at this ultimate wedding showcase, “Washingtonian Bride & Groom: Unveiled.”

The showcase will be held at the Park Hyatt (24th and M sts., NW; 202-789-1234) from 11:30 to 3. Need a few reasons to come?

Photo courtesy of Andy Kushner Entertainment.

Your wedding day is a sacred day in the life you’re starting with your significant other. But let’s be honest, it’s also one big party! If you’re like most couples, you hope your guests will drive away saying that was the most fun they’ve had in a long time. What’s one sure-fire way to make that happen? Find a good band. If you’ve decided to go with a band instead of a DJ but you’re not sure how to pick the right one for you, help is on the way. We asked local music man Andy Kushner of Andy Kushner Entertainment for his top tips for booking the best band.

Know your party atmosphere. Think about the atmosphere you’d like to have for your wedding celebration. Is it an elegant affair with an emphasis on food, conversation, and music in the background? Do you prefer an all-out dance party in which music is the focus? Or perhaps you’d like a combination where the party begins with toned-down music and after dinner the band cranks up for dance music. And what styles of music do you prefer? Once you’ve created your vision, it’s time to look for a band.