Possibly the cutest chair signs ever. Photograph by Jodi Miller Photography

So many genius ideas in this Virginia wedding, captured by Jodi Miller Photography. Love how the couple incorporated origami cranes into the decor (what an incredible ceremony backdrop), and those stick figure wedding invites are too cute.
—Love & Lavender

One of the highlights of our Unveiled showcase on January 22 will be two panel discussions featuring some local wedding experts—wedding planners, music experts, florists, invitation pros, caterers, videographers, and more. And we want your help to come up with questions to ask our panelists. Send us a wedding query you think one of these experts can help you with, whether it’s an etiquette issue that has you up at night, a request for some unique décor ideas, an inquiry on first-dance songs . . . you get the idea. Whatever your question, you’ll be entered into a drawing for one pair of tickets to the Unveiled event—and, of course, we’ll be sure to ask your question at Unveiled. The contest ends on Tuesday, January 17, at noon, so start brainstorming questions today!

Win a honeymoon package at the Viceroy Anguilla hotel at our Unveiled event. Photograph courtesy of the Viceroy Anguilla

Our Unveiled wedding showcase, featuring dozens of the area’s top vendors, a fashion show and appearance by Reem Acra, and more, is just 11 days away, and we hope you’ve purchased your tickets already. If you need yet another reason to do so, today we have a sneak peek of just a few of the fabulous door prizes you could win—including a honeymoon in gorgeous Anguilla.

The Perfect Honeymoon Package

Courtesy of Perfect Honeymoons & Holidays Travel

The package includes four romantic nights and five days at the stunning luxury Caribbean resort Viceroy Anguilla.

Ultimate Wedding Makeover

Courtesy of Carl Ray, makeup artist at the George Salon Four Season Hotel Washington, DC

Enjoy a special bridal trial in addition to wedding-day makeup at the George Salon. (Makeup will be done in-salon only). Includes lip color and blotting papers for your wedding day.

Pilates Class Pass

Courtesy of Fuse Pilates

Enjoy a month of unlimited mat and apparatus classes (including reformer, circuit, jump interval, and chair) at Fuse Pilates in Dupont Circle. Fuse also offers a free consultation with its resident health coach to get you, your groom, or even your bridal party on the right track for overall health and fitness.

Look Regal in Reem

Courtesy of the Bridal Salon at Saks Jandel

One lucky bride-to-be will enjoy a $1,000 gift certificate toward the purchase of any full-price Reem Acra bridal gown at the Bridal Salon at Saks Jandel. The prize cannot be combined with any other offer, and expires six months from date of issue.

Get your Unveiled tickets today to have a chance to win one of these prizes!

Totally unique country club chic. Photograph by the Observatory

The general consensus is that country club weddings are always ultra-classic affairs. Well, this Congressional Country Club wedding, photographed by the Observatory, certainly turns that notion on its head. The cocktail tables rock my world (those green linens are incredible!), as did the reception centerpieces—such unique and wonderful blooms and branch displays.
—WeddingWire: The Blog

Simone Carvalli gowns are fashion-forward and glam. Photograph courtesy of Simone Carvalli

If your New Year’s resolutions include getting buff for your wedding day, Chevy Chase Bridal wants to help. For the entire month of January, when you purchase a wedding gown at Chevy Chase Bridal (designers include Legends by Romona Keveza, Badgley Mischka, Rosa Clara, Douglas Hannant, Justin Alexander, and lots more), you’ll get a free one-month membership to the Equinox gym in Bethesda. This includes gowns purchased at the upcoming Simone Carvalli trunk show January 13 through 15, during which you’ll receive 10 percent off gowns by that designer. Call 202-363-9301 to set up your appointment. Happy shopping—and working out!

World-renowned wedding gown designer Reem Acra will make a personal appearance and show some of her newest creations at Unveiled. All photographs courtesy of Reem Acra

Our big Unveiled wedding showcase is just weeks away, so if you haven’t already purchased your tickets, get on it! At the event you’ll be able to meet with local vendors, check out their portfolios, and pick your favorites—from photographers to planners to florists and more—in a totally relaxed environment (hello, Champagne!). It’s truly a one-stop-shop for wedding planning. Click the jump for a list of the amazing vendors who will be participating:

Kate Middleton-inspired gowns, like this one by Heidi Elnora, will be hot in 2012. Photograph courtesy of Heidi Elnora

Color Schemes

This year, feature shades from the same color family rather than just choosing two distinct hues, says event planner Amber Karson of Amber Karson Events.

For au courant color, reach for Pantone’s shade of the year, Tangerine Tango, which has burst onto the scene with bold reddish-orange flair. Try adding splashes of vibrant pinks and blues to the mix, or temper the hue with pretty pastels.

Fashion

“Color is moving in and finding staying power,” says Miriam Liggett, owner of Soliloquy Bridal Couture in Herndon. More brides are choosing soft blush- or rose-colored gowns, or pairing white dresses with colorful shoes and bedazzled sashes.

If you loved Kate Middleton’s wedding dress, here’s some good news: Royal-wedding-inspired gowns with lace sleeves are all over salons. Designer Heidi Elnora’s delicate designs exude classic elegance.

If you want your dress to have a free-flowing, romantic quality, go for a shirred chiffon skirt. Portland designer Sarah Seven creates gowns fit for a goddess with her draped styles.

First-Dance Songs

The latest first-dance songs are neither Top 40 tunes nor old classics. “Couples seem to be putting a lot more thought into finding that one song that really speaks to them, as opposed to going with the old standbys, “ says Evan Reitmeyer of MyDeejay. Modern, quirky tracks like “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros have made appearances on the dance floor. So have Daniel Lee Kendall’s “Lost in the Moment”—which gained traction from a recent television commercial—and the Avett Brothers’ “January Wedding.”

Food

Have a guest list full of foodies who love creative flavors? Try a variation on the standard cupcake. Brianna Alcorn of Windows Catering anticipates savory—not sweet—mini cupcakes becoming a popular cocktail-hour staple. Look for combinations like lobster and Manchego cheese with fresh chive crème icing.

Wedding Cake

For wedding cakes, try a mix of something old and something new. Go traditional on the cake’s design—think vintage piping and ornate textures—and nontraditional on the inside, says Lara Stuckey, owner of Fluffy Thoughts Cakes. Play with seasonal flavors: Fresh strawberry cake on a hot summer day has a nostalgic, Grandma’s-shortcake quality, while pumpkin cake with salted caramel frosting sets the perfect mood for fall.