UPDATE: We've got some sad news to report! DC Nearlyweds announced that they had to cancel this Saturday's show. Click here for an explanation. All those who purchased tickets through the show Web site will be automatically refunded. We'll keep you posted if we hear it's being rescheduled.

Got plans for Saturday? Now you do!

Our friends over at DC Nearlyweds are hosting the Wedding Innovator’s Design Challenge and Bridal Show on Saturday from 10 to 5. The show starts in Washington and will head to five other cities from here.

Head to the Liaison Capitol Hill (415 New Jersey Ave., NW) this weekend and catch this three-in-one event: a design challenge for event planners, a bridal show, and a silent auction benefitting Brides Against Breast Cancer.

Leading the panel of judges for the design challenge will be planner Diann Valentine, host of the new television show Wedding Day. The local vendor lineup for the bridal show includes Carine’s Bridal Atelier, Elegance and Simplicity, Blue Sky Films, and Fluffy Thoughts Cakes.

Need another reason to go? Washingtonian.com readers get a special discount! Take $5 off the $20 ticket price when you use the code TONIAN here.

More>> Bridal Party Blog | Wedding Guide | Wedding Vendor Search

Photo by Rodney Bailey.

“Washingtonian Bride & Groom: Unveiled,” our inaugural bridal showcase, took place this past Sunday at the Park Hyatt Washington, and this editor is still recovering. Is there such a thing as a fabulousness hangover? No doubt our event’s keynote speaker, Hollywood wedding planner Mindy Weiss, keeps a special potion in her (very large) Goyard totebag for such occasions. The wedding showcase was held in the hotel’s ballrooms, which were transformed into a meeting space where the sold-out crowd networked among many of Washington’s best wedding vendors. For such a cold, blustery afternoon, the mood inside the beautifully decorated ballrooms was festive and warm. Free Champagne and an enormous gourmet buffet (courtesy of Blue Duck Tavern executive chef Brian McBride) will do that, of course.

>> See more photos of the event by Rodney Bailey

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.

As any bride can tell you, finding the perfect wedding dress can be like finding a needle in a haystack. To answer some common questions, The Washingtonian turned to New Couture owner Alvin Thompson, a Washington native who is currently showcasing his latest collection of bridal wear at DC Fashion Week.

When did you first become interested in designing bridal wear?
I had promised a client I would do the wedding dress for her daughter, but at the time I wasn’t specializing in bridal. The mom of the bride told me I’d have to tell her daughter I couldn’t do it, but then she convinced me to do it. At one of the sittings, her maid of honor came in and said, “Oh, this has been such a wonderful process. When I get married, will you do my dress, too?” And then she got married a year later. I wasn’t feeling artistically satisfied doing general custom design, and doing bridal allowed my artistic sensibility to come alive again because the only restriction in bridal is that it’s in a range of beiges or pastel tones. I fell in love with it and have been doing it since then.

The choice between a dream wedding and a down payment on a house doesn't always have to be either or. Check out Friday night, rent-a-cake and other ways to save.

It's B.Y.O. costume at the wedding of Betsy Ross and Benjamin Franklin.

Ten reasons to love summer weddings. [via Ritzy Bee]

You sent out the recycled paper invitations, you served organic food at the reception, now it's time to pack your bags for your green honeymoon.

Beware of the carnation cake-turned sign in bulletin board. [via Wedding Dish]

Have bridal news to share? E-mail lshallcross@washingtonian.com.

Thursday morning, wedding planner Jen Stiebel of SoCo Events in Rockville swung by The Washingtonian to answer your questions. And answer she did! She was so intent on giving thoughtful replies to brides- and grooms-to-be that she stayed an extra 30 minutes, busily typing away, showing her vast knowledge of all things wedding in Washington. We tried to keep her all day but thought her bridal clients might not like that.

What are the top bridal-gown styles of the season? What are the "and guest" rules? Where can you cut corners without sacrificing quality? If you missed the chat, check out yesterday's transcript and read Jen's best tips for wedding planning.

Next week, we'll be rocking out with DJ Chris Laich. More details to come, but start submitting questions now! Chris will answer them Thursday at 11.
 

Want more Washingtonian.com online chats? Check out past Q&As with everyone from bartenders to other wedding pros, and submit questions to upcoming chats.

Being left at the altar didn't stop these women. One used her new-found infamy as a jilted bride to launch a career as an entertainment show host.

If you agree with our Reluctant Groomzilla that the best invitation is one delivered via e-mail, here are a few new reasons to love Evite even more. [via perfect memories wedding blog]

Honeymoon how-to's: book your plane tickets in your maiden name, take a second look at Switzerland, and stick to your budget.

If you throw a theme party, you really can wear that dress again.

"Kind of" engaged. That must be like "kind of" pregnant?

Have bridal news to share? E-mail lshallcross@washingtonian.com.