Booth number 1 at Martin's Tavern is still a popular spot for proposals.

Proposing on Valentine’s Day isn’t the most original idea, but hey, it is the day to celebrate love, so why not? In case you’re thinking about popping the question on or around February 14 (we recommend waiting until the 15th or 16th, just to fake her out), we asked Falls Church wedding planner Lesley Cohen of LelyCo Events and Venue Safari for some creative last-minute proposal ideas.

Presidential Proposal: “If your significant other loves presidents of the past, take her for a meal at Martin’s Tavern and request the booth where John F. Kennedy popped the question to Jackie,” says Cohen. [Ed. note: While the story of JFK proposing at Martin’s is sometimes disputed, the tavern is still a popular spot for engagements.]

Art Lovers: “Tour the National Portrait Gallery and propose in the Kogod Courtyard, which has been named one of the seven architectural wonders of the world by Condé Nast Traveler magazine,” suggests Cohen.

Love on Ice: “Grab an early bite to eat, and then head to the ice-skating rink at the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden,” Cohen says. “Nothing is more romantic than skating hand in hand; then you drop to one knee at the center of the rink for a fun and dramatic proposal.”

Are you planning a Valentine’s Day proposal? Don’t forget to get pictures of the big moment, and then send them our way at realweddings@washingtonian.com. We’ll post them on the blog!

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.

If you got engaged over the holiday weekend, congrats! You’ll probably want to spend the next few weeks celebrating and staring adoringly at your ring finger (and, we hope, reading your free copy of Washingtonian Bride & Groom and getting your tickets for Unveiled). But we know soon enough you’re going to start getting that age-old question from everyone from your coworkers to Great-Aunt Ida to that girl you’re friends with on Facebook but haven’t spoken to since third grade:

“So when’s the big day?”

And yes, we understand it’s tough to figure out where to start, whether you’re the first in your group of friends to get engaged or you’ve been to dozens of weddings. We’ve been there, and we know it can be overwhelming.

Don’t worry—we’ve got your back. We asked event planner Jeannette Tavares of Evoke to share her wedding planning timeline to help you get going on this adventure (be sure to take a peek at our vendor guide to select your pros). And we promise we’ll be with you every step of the way. Feel free to e-mail kforrest@washingtonian.com with any questions, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!

Trummer's on Main in Clifton is one of Ritchie and Pollard's favorite rehearsal dinner venues. Photograph by Chris Leaman

If you just got engaged, congrats! You may have already started buying a newsstand’s worth of wedding mags (including the new issue of Washingtonian Bride & Groom, we hope), but first things first—time to think about the engagement party. Normally, engagement parties are held two to four months after the proposal, and are planned by parents, close family, or friends, but oftentimes the couple will have input, too.

We asked event coordinators Laura Ritchie and Megan Pollard of Events in the City to share their five favorite area venues for engagement parties.

Trummer’s on Main, Clifton, Virginia

“This restaurant brings modern cuisine to a picturesque village. We love the onyx bar, which serves up creative cocktails, and the food, from award-winning chef Clayton Miller, is mouth-watering. The decor is warm and inviting, and the private dining area on the third floor would be ideal for an engagement party.”

Maria Cooke and Kelly Seizert of Ritzy Bee Events in Alexandria are known for creating whimsical and unique weddings, and of course, for their popular blog, Ritzy Bee. And now, the wedding planning gurus have written their first book, The Southern Living Wedding Planner and Keepsake: What To Do Before Saying "I Do." The book, written in conjunction with Southern Living magazine and Oxmoor House, intends to help brides stay organized and stress-free while putting together their wedding day. Alexandria photographer Kate Headley shot all of the pictures for the guide.  

The book won't be available until January 3, 2012, but you can you preorder it on Amazon.com—or if you're feeling lucky, head over to the Ritzy Bee blog to enter to win one of five copies.

Ritchie's lively and eclectic playlist will keep you and your guests dancing. Photograph by David Spence/Amy Raab Photography

Jake Ritchie of Dream Day DJs in Warrenton selects old-school dance favorites, new Top 40 hits, jazzy tunes, and even some classics both you and your parents will love.

Listen to his playlist on Spotify (if you don’t have Spotify, download it here).

Jewish marriage contracts, or ketubahs, are usually signed before the wedding ceremony, but they are meant to hang in a couple’s home for years to follow—so it’s important to find one that truly fits your style. Since we have a feeling some of you may be incorporating cherry blossoms into your wedding décor, we scoured the Web for the loveliest cherry-blossom-themed ketubahs we could find. Even if you’re not Jewish, many of these can be translated into English and used as a memento of your wedding day:

1. Falling Blossoms Ketubah by Stephanie Caplan, $300, theketubah.com

2. Sprigs Canopy Ketubah by Jennifer Raichman, $200, etsy.com/jenniferraichman