Want to get married at a pizza place? Here’s your chance.
Fast casual pizza chain &Pizza has put out the call for couples willing to tie the knot next month after it officially opens its newest location at 1375 Kenyon St. NW.
The pizzeria will become a “Vegas-style wedding chapel” on Pi Day, March 14, according to a press release. (more…)
No need to go any further than the neighborhood for your upcoming wedding. (Courtesy Melanie Hudson)
Borderstan Welcomes new contributor Melanie Hudson. Email her at melanie[AT]borderstan.com
When my husband and I got married last year, we wanted it to be as simple as possible. For us, that meant looking around our own neighborhood of Borderstan for the best wedding options, without having to trek all over the DMV for deals. We wanted to support local businesses as much as possible, and supplement with inexpensive things online. The result? It was surprisingly easy to create a Borderstan wedding that was personal to us and showed off the best parts of our neighborhood to friends and family – and didn’t break the bank entirely.
Here’s Part One for how to make your wedding easy and source it in Borderstan.
Get the Sparkly
You don’t need to look further than Connecticut Avenue to find high quality diamonds, gemstones and antique pieces.
- Tiny Jewel Box, 1147 Connecticut Avenue NW
- Boone & Sons, 1025 Connecticut Avenue NW
Lock Down the Party
You’ve found The One, now find your fairytale location. From small, intimate spaces to blow-the-roof-off hotel ballrooms, Borderstan has venues for the engagement party, rehearsal dinner and the wedding reception itself. Plus, plenty of spots to stash your future in-laws instead of on your sofa.
- Longview Gallery, 1234 9th Street NW
- The Washington Club, 15 Dupont Circle NW
- The Whittemore House, (Woman’s National Democratic Club), 1526 New Hampshire Avenue NW
- Carnegie Institution for Science, 1530 P Street NW
- Meridian Hill Park, (flash mob wedding!), Between 16thStreet NW, Euclid Street NW, 15th Street NW and W Street NW
- Josephine Butler Parks Center, 2437 15th Street NW
- The Meridian House, 1630 Crescent Place NW
- The Mayflower Renaissance Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Avenue NW
- Donovan House Hotel, 1155 14th Street NW
- Darlington House, 1610 20th Street NW
- Tabard Inn, 1739 N Street NW
- Heurich House Museum, (Brewmaster’s Castle), 1307 New Hampshire Avenue NW
- The Dupont Circle Hotel, 1500 New Hampshire Avenue NW
Craft your Guest List
Don’t just change your Facebook status from single to engaged. Let everyone know they’re invited to the celebration with engraved invitations, trendy letterpress cards or less traditional handwritten notes.
- Written Word Online. We all mourned the loss of this upscale paper store in Logan Circle, but they still operate their letterpress shop online and print custom invitations.
- Copenhaver, 1301 Connecticut Avenue NW
- Pulp DC, 1803 14th Street NW
Dress the Part
Borderstan has fashion grand enough for a walk down the aisle and hip enough for the honeymoon. And don’t forget your guests – there is plenty for them to wear, too.
- Rizik’s (bridal, accessories and formal wear), 1100 Connecticut Avenue NW
- Current Boutique (women’s new and consignment dresses galore — get your something borrowed here), 1809 14th Street NW
- Lettie Gooch Boutique (women’s dresses and accessories), 1517 U Street NW
- Propper Topper (women’s dresses and accessories), 1350 Connecticut Avenue NW
- Lou Lou (jewelry and accessories to make your head spin), 1601 Connecticut Avenue NW
- Alton Lane (bespoke menswear), 1506 19th Street NW
- Brooks Brothers (made to measure and off the rack men’s suits and accessories), 1201 Connecticut Avenue NW
- Johnston and Murphy (men’s shoes and accessories), 1150 Connecticut Avenue NW
Pamper Yourself
Most importantly, shed your stress with day-of beauty treatments. Take care of the little things that will make all the difference: hair, makeup, nails, waxing, and for men – a clean, close shave.
- Blue Mercury, 1619 Connecticut Ave NW
- Mimosa, 1706 Connecticut Ave NW
- Immortal Beloved, 1457 Church St NW
- Blondie’s Hair Studio, 1910 18th Street NW Second Floor
- Salon Blu, 1339 14th Street NW
- Grooming Lounge (for men), 1745 L Street NW
If you do have any other suggestions from around the neighborhood, please let us know.
The Wedding: Who will survive it? (Luis Gomez)
Scott Thompson writes a biweekly column for Borderstan.
From Scott Thompson. Follow Scott on Twitter @foureyedblond or email him at thompson[AT]@borderstan.com.
One month from today, my sister Anne’s wedding kicks off in Louisville, Kentucky.
In the 11 months since my sister emailed a photo of her wedding ring and my father said “Am I the only one who thinks that a small destination wedding is a good idea?… Anyone?” I have learned quite a few things about marriage, family, and the definition of black bean muneta. Given the rash of weddings taking place across the United States this fall, I wanted to share 12 before-and-after lessons and best practices – specifically targeted at brothers and sisters of the bride who find themselves in the eye of the organza hurricane.
Part One: What to Expect While They’re Projecting
1) The film Father of the Bride will no longer be seen as a romantic comedy to be enjoyed.
It is a documentary to be studied.
2) Throwing the phrase “Well, the Wedding Planner said…” into a conversation is the equivalent of throwing a Molotov cocktail.
In your mother’s mind, the wedding planner is a welcome goddess of ideas, innovation, and trusted experience. In your sister’s mind, she is Rasputin.
3) The acronym “DJ” = “Diplomatic Jockeying.”
You mother will want a band. Your sister may/will choose a DJ. Your sister’s fiance will demand Paul Oakenfold. Your father will demand Paul Simon. All attempts by a sibling to enter the fray and propose a diplomatic solution will fail — crushed beneath the weight of “Do you know who is paying for this wedding? Do you?” and “We are NOT playing ‘Nights in White Satin’ by the Moody Blues at my wedding! Is this a joke?”
4) You will know every detail of every wedding you did not attend.
Odds are you turned down numerous invitations to weddings of your parents’ friends’ children due to prohibitive travel costs. Fret not. By the time your sister walks down her own aisle, you will know every detail of every decision behind every passed appetizer and floral arrangement at each of those weddings.
5) Your mother will become a meteorologist.
The moment your sister decides to have an outdoor garden wedding, your mother will become a full-time weather barometer. Every day, for at least six months, you will know precisely what the weather is like in your home town and how it bodes for your sister’s wedding. In most instances, your mother’s phone calls will mirror either Al Roker (“Hi! I don’t know about you guys, but we are having SUCH a gorgeous day — I hope it’s like this on your sister’s wedding day) or Tyra Banks. (“You have no idea what I’ve been through!!”)
6) Your father will become an ostrich.
“How’s the wedding planning going, Dad?” “Everything is fine.” “But what about the fight over the bridesmaids dresses and groomsmen outfits?” “Everything is fine.” “Are they speaking to each other?” “Everything is fine.” “But I thought…” “Everything is fine…everything is fine… everything…….”
To be continued….
