Win a Wedding at The National Harbor!

Are you a bride that has always dreamed about having a wedding at the National Harbor but aren't quite sure how to pull it off? Well today is your lucky day! The National Harbor, the WeddingWire and 94.7 Fresh FM have an incredible contest going on where you can WIN your rehearsal dinner, wedding and reception.

Enter to win the romantic, waterfront wedding of your dreams at National Harbor. National Harbor is partnering with WeddingWire and 94.7 Fresh FM to bring one lucky couple from the greater Maryland, DC, and Virginia area an amazing spring wedding, right on the Potomac.

With help from our team of professionals, we’ll take care of the dress, rehearsal brunch cruise, wedding ceremony and reception.

After the winning couple is announced on April 16, they’ll meet with the National Harbor team to get ready for the big day, Sunday, April 26, 2015!

Contest ends on March 30^th.

Among many prizes, the package includes:

• Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties at Bobby McKey’s
• Rehearsal brunch cruise onboard the National Elite
• Wedding gown, jewelry, veil, and groom’s tuxedo provided by House of JonLei Atelier
• Professional photographs and album by WEPS
• Hair and makeup for the bride
• Wedding and cocktail reception at The Sunset Room by Wolfgang Puck
• Wedding reception on The Pier by several National Harbor restaurants
• One-night stay in the Suite at AC Hotels by Marriott at National Harbor

For more details and to enter: http://www.nationalharbor.com/destinationwedding/?utm_source=FacebookContent&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=DestinationWeddingEntryPeriod

#FavoredFriday: Catoctin Hall- Make 12/13/14 Your Wedding Day

#WeddingWednesday: Fall Outdoor Wedding Tips and Ideas!

Fall is just around the corner and that means bonfires, apple cider, pumpkins and yes...pie! Fall colors are gorgeous and make it a great season for an outdoor wedding. Here are some fun creative ways to incorporate some of your favorite fall festivities into your big day! I don't know about you but when I think Fall I think pumpkins and hayrides. Orange might not be your fist choice for decor so consider painting or even decorating pumpkins to add that fall feel to the scene. Switch things up a bit by getting rid of traditional ceremony seating and going instead with hay barrels. As beautiful as an outdoor wedding might be we all get a little chilly after a while. Help guest combat the cold by offering blankets to keep them warm. If you really want to heat things up bonfires are the way to go. They will get your guests warm in no time and can actually be quite romantic. And if you do choose to have a bonfire then its only right that you have s'mores! Pre-made kits make the cutest favors! If your venue doesn't allow open pits of fire or if you just don't have the extra space you can still have a s'mores bar. Just use small burners to roast the marshmallows. Its a great substitute for a sweets bar. Speaking of sweets; instead of going with the usual cake for dessert try offering up some fall flavored pumpkin and apple pie.  

#TipTuesday 10 Tips for the Perfect Outdoor Wedding

If you've decided to have an outdoor wedding, congratulations! Outdoor weddings are romantic and beautiful. However, they aren't as easy as they may look. Outdoor weddings come with additional caveats and pitfalls, but if you follow these tips, you'll be sure to shine on your wedding day.

1. Make your guests comfortable Think about what the weather will likely be at the time of day and month of the year of your outdoor wedding. Sunny and hot? Don't leave your guests uncomfortably melting – have your ushers give guests ice-cold bottles of water as they are seated. Consider printing your wedding program on a fan so that guests may cool themselves. Don't forget to have plenty of sunscreen on hand as well. For a very warm location, look into renting large electric fans (don't forget a generator) and/or a tent to shade the suns rays. If it will be cold and damp, make sure you tell guests that so they can wear extra layers. A simple xeroxed insert will do. You might want to have lap blankets on hand, or rent portable heaters.

2. Have a backup plan What will you do if it rains? The ideal outdoor wedding location has an indoor location waiting just in case. Many brides and grooms opt to have their ceremony outside and reception inside. In a pinch, the tables can be scooted to the back of the room during the ceremony. A tent is another option, but only for light to moderate rain storms. A heavy rain will soak the ground underneath, leaving guests with soggy and muddy shoes. Make sure any tent you rent is sturdy so it won't flip over, and that it has thick and weighted sides.

3. Plan for Wind Many outdoor weddings suffer from windy conditions. Avoid light fabrics like chiffons and china silks in your dress and the bridesmaid dresses. Tell your hairstylist that you'll be having an outdoor wedding so she/he can plan a style that won't leave you looking like Cousin It! Men in the wedding party should use pomade or other styling product. Again, tell your guests in a printed insert so that they can plan accordingly. And of course, make sure your tent will stand up to gusting winds or find an indoor backup plan.

4. Can everybody hear? When you picture your dream wedding at the beach, you're probably not hearing the roaring of the waves, the rushing wind, or the local kids running and screaming around you. Look into renting a sound system with clip mikes for the bride, groom and officiant. Your DJ or band may be able to easily arrange this for you.

5. Decorations One of the bonuses of an outdoor wedding is the natural beauty around you, lessening your need to decorate. But you still need to do some work. Visit the site a week before your wedding to make sure the grass is mown, the ground raked, and the flowers have bloomed. If your wedding is at a public park, you may want to ask the groomsmen or friends to do this the morning of your ceremony. If it's been an especially cold season, you may need to supplement the flowers with some potted bulbs from a florist. Other decorations you may want to consider include an arch or trellis to focus the ceremony and frame the bride and groom as they say their vows; strings of lights or lanterns in the trees; luminarias; torches; or farolitas.

6. Make things tasty outside Does your caterer have experience planning an outdoor wedding menu? Make sure they're planning things that will keep well outdoors in the heat. Avoid things like mayonnaise salads or dishes which must be served cold.

7. Don't leave your guests parched Since alcohol is dehydrating, consider serving a variety of lemonades, teas and punches. Be sure to have plenty of ice and water around as well. For a fancy cocktail, why not serve a classic mint julep or a mojito? The mint will refresh and cool your guests.

8. Those pesky flying things Be sure to put out citronella candles or a bug zapper so that your guests won't spend the whole ceremony swatting at the air.

9. Here comes the sun Consider timing your outdoor wedding for sunset where your guests will see you take your vows surrounded by the warm glow of the sun. Those having a daytime outdoor wedding should orient the ceremony so that the sun will be on guests' backs rather than in their eyes.

10.Permits Don't forget to contact your city parks department or other local government to get a permit for an outdoor wedding. Be sure to ask about rules concerning trash removal, candle or torch lighting, and pre-wedding photography.