Elizabeth Duncan Events

Luxury Wedding and Event Planning in Washington DC and Europe

Venue Spotlight: The Hay Adams Hotel

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Hay Adams DC wedding garden style
Intimate Vineyard-Inspired Wedding at the Hay Adams Hotel

One of our favorite venues for a wedding in Washington, DC is the Hay Adams Hotel. Our clients often choose the Hay Adams for its unparalleled DC views (Hello, Mr. President!), light-filled event spaces, and luxury food and wine service.

The Top of the Hay is incredibly versatile from a decor perspective as well. At EDE, we love embracing the conservatory aesthetic as an inspiration for many of our weddings. Here are three different weddings to show you how the beautiful and versatile Hay Adams might be the ideal venue for your wedding.

J&G’s Vineyard-Inspired Wedding

A small wedding (35 guests) for a couple that wanted to create an exquisite dinner party for their nearest and dearest. We highlighted the DC view with a single “King” table and worked with the Chef to design an 8-course Chef’s tasting menu with wine pairings reflecting this well-traveled couple’s favorite destinations, Italy and California. Our decor was inspired by the formal gardens of Italy and the rustic elegance of California vineyards.

Intimate wedding Hay Adams Hotel
Intimate DC Wedding at Hay Adams Hotel

C&R’s Winter White Wedding

C&R wanted a small wedding highlighting the DC views with a classic, but chic design. This is a perfect example of how versatile the venue can be, with a more contemporary, simple design working just as beautifully.

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Chic Winter White Wedding at Hay Adams Hotel

J&D’s Garden Party Wedding

Our design for J&D’s Summer wedding of nearly 200 guests featured three different tablescapes of Summer blooms and colors with residential-inspired textiles and placesettings.

Summer Garden Wedding Hay Adams
Summer Garden Style Wedding at Hay Adams Hotel

If you’re looking for a classic DC location, with incredible views, natural light, and exceptional service for your wedding of under 200 guests, then be sure to add the Hay Adams Hotel to your list!

Featured On: United with Love

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One had so much fun designing our annual Runway to Table styled shoot. This year, the stunning Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Sidney Harman Hall provided the ideal backdrop for seven event designs inspired by this season’s hottest runway trends. Our first look, Check the Box, was featured on United with Love this week. Be sure to check back each week for a new Runway to Table inspiration.  For more ideas on incorporating this runway trend into your next event, check out our Pinterest board.

 

Runway Trend:  Gingham, plaid, check patterns

Designer Inspiration: Derek Lam

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Credits:

Styling: Elizabeth Duncan Events

Photography: Sweet Tea Photography

Floral Décor: Philippa Tarrant

Venue: Shakespeare Theatre Company Sidney Harman Hall

Printed Materials: Winifred Paper

Linens and Flatware: Party Rental

China, Glassware and Chairs: DC Rental

DIY Bread Sleeve Placecards

 

Featured: Say Squeeze!

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We had so much fun designing this citrus-inspired “Hello, Sunshine!” branding party with a few of our industry favorites, which is featured on Greenvelope.com today.  The signature bar highlighted local obsession, Don Ciccio e Figli artisanal Italian liqueurs, and the custom suspended shelves featured another local superstar, Jrink Juicery cold-pressed juices.  Decor of bright pops of yellow, orange, green and pink, with geometric patterns added zest to the party.  The custom Step and Repeat by Winifred Paper and custom swag boxes by Gift and Gander are two brilliant examples of how great design can make a lasting impression for your guests.

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We are so grateful to our incredible vendor partners:

Longview Gallery

Syzygy

Abby Jiu Photography

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Want to try some of our DIY projects at home?  Here you go:
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DIY Citrus Fruit Garland/Chandelier
Materials:
Cardstock or similar weight paper in citrus colors
scissors
fishing line
wooden dowels
Either make a template or free-hand cut in a pointed oval/leaf shape:
4 pieces of Yellow: 5″ long x 2″ wide
4 pieces of Pink: 6″ long x 3″ wide
4 pieces of Green: 4″ long x 1.75″ wide
Repeat to desired amount of fruit.  We also cut small green leaf accents.  Attached paper fruit to fishing line at desired intervals.  Attach garlands to wooden dowels.  These can be hung linearly to create a backdrop or clustered together as in the photo to create a “chandelier.”
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DIY Geometric Floor Pattern
Materials:
1 roll gaffers tape, orange
1 roll gaffers tape, yellow
measuring tape

We measured and cut the tape to create 4 squares that were 2ft x 2ft with 1 ft in between squares on all sides.  We then measured and cut the opposite color tape and centered for a 3ft x 3ft square.

 

 

2015 Design Trends

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We are thrilled to present our annual wrap up of fashion, interior design and food trends, now in it’s fifth year and still one of our most popular blog topics. First up, 2015 Interior Design Trends.

When designing for an event, we use a broad palette of sources – colors, textures, historical reference, balance, the taste and style of our client and the best way to function in a space. Interior designers are often using the same factors when they are working in a client’s living space.  For us, interior design is a natural source for event design.  A favorite local designer, Joanna Fletcher Abizaid with Cline Rose Designs, has added some interesting perspective as well.  Inspiration is everywhere, all you have to do is look!

 

2015 Interior Design Trends

Dark Blues

“‘Marsala’ might be Pantone’s color of the year, but dark blues are having a major moment in 2015. Blue is one of those universal colors that appeals to almost everyone, and it’s super versatile. Pair the saturated tone with blush, kelly green, or even black,” says Joanna.

EDE 2015 designtrends

Via Pinterest: http://www.myplumdesign.com

Mixed Metals:

Joanna adds, “Brass is still back in big way this year, but to keep it on trend, we’re mixing it with other metals. The trick is to keep the warm metals (brass and gold) aged, dull and /or brushed and the cool ones (the silvery tones) polished and shiny. Take it a step further and add a third matte black finish to mix.”

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Cline Rose Designs

Smoky Glass

We’ve noticed that glass in all it’s forms is always going to be a big player – from curios to tabletop to light fixtures.  This year, ditch the crystal clear and opt for some darker glass pieces for a little more mystery.

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Via Pinterest: dailytonic.com

Artistic Rugs

Have your floor be the centerpiece of your room with major statement rugs.

Suzani HGTV

via HGTV.com

Color Pop

Jazz up white walls or a neutral palette with an accent of a bold hue.

Via Pinterest: http://decoholic.org

Via Pinterest: http://decoholic.org

Bold Wallcovering – Tile & Wallpaper

Goodbye white subway tile or painted walls, hello bold patterns and colors.

 

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via HGTV.com

 

For more trends, photo references, and more, visit our Pinterest board.

 

Special thanks to Joanna at Cline Rose, and our fabulous intern, Caitrin, for their contributions!

#BTS: A Touch of Velvet

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We’ve been busy getting in the holiday spirit and have been drawing so much inspiration from gorgeous velvet. An incredibly versatile fabric that is equally comfortable in elegant, luxurious or modern, playful designs.  For more holiday inspiration, visit our Happy Holidays Pinterest board.

EDE Trend Velvet

 

Photo credits:  Dress, Pants, Bow Ties; Wreath, Placesetting, Tablescape; Ornament, Gift, Gift, Boxes

Runway to Table: 50 Shades of Gray

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Our fourth and final runway trend to be transformed into a fashion-forward event design is the color Gray.  An incredibly versatile color, it is perfect for everything from a Spring garden party to a chic dinner party or whimsical botanical luncheon.  Check out the pretty details captured by Sweet Tea Photography below.  Featured on United with Love and Junebug Weddings.

 

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Thanks again to our fabulous vendor team:

Photography:  Sweet Tea Photography

Floral Design: Sidra Forman Flowers

Equipment Rentals: DC Rental

Styling and Design:  Elizabeth Duncan Events

Featured on: Junebug Weddings

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We were delighted when Junebug Weddings contacted us about featuring our Runway to Table 2014 Photoshoot on the What Junebug Loves blog.  Check out all the pretty details of how we drew inspiration from this year’s hottest runway trends to design fashion-forward event designs.

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Thanks again to our fabulous vendor team:

Photography:  Sweet Tea Photography

Floral Design: Sidra Forman Flowers

Equipment Rentals: DC Rental

Styling and Design:  Elizabeth Duncan Events