Our Post Valentine's Date Giveaway Winner Is...

How we wish we could give every couple who entered this fabulous prize! But for this contest, we could only have one winner and they are...

Claudia & Teresa, Alexandria, Va

"We would love to win well because we didn't do much for valentines day especially with my bday, Claudia, being 5 days after vday makes it harder and it would be nice to have a night out with my love and away from the babies! love them to death but an adult night is much needed :)"

Claudia and Teresa will receive a special night out as VIP's at the Al Sura Black Event this weekend, a red carpet interview and a very special couples dance!

Congratulations Ladies!

Say I Do's Great Post-Valentine's Day Date Giveaway

Say I Do!, Chiezda Speaks and The One Mic Stand with Simply Nay is offering one lucky couple a Valentine's Day do-over!

One lucky couple will be awarded A VIP red carpet black party experience with SimplyNay of the One Mic Stand.  Complete the entry steps below, we will select 3 couples to compete for this special date night out. The winner will walk the red carpet and be interviewed like the superstars they are. Enjoy the experience of Al Sura's Black Party from your VIP table. Where you will be served light
hor d'oeuvres and even be given the dance floor for a special slow dance just for you!

This fabulous giveaway is sponsored by Say I Do! LGBT Wedding Expo, Chiezda Speaks and Simply Nay of the One Mic Stand.

Your VIP Experience will be at the highly anticipated Black Party hosted by Al Sura in Washington, DC! Party will be held at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel from 8pm-2am.

For details about the event click here.

To enter you must:

• Like Say I Do! on Facebook
• Follow Say I Do! on Twitter
• Like the OneMic Stand with Simply Nay on Facebook
• Leave a comment telling us your names, city/state and why you would love to win!
• There are a few other optional entries as well that will increase your chances of being selected.
• ENTER VIA RAFFLECOPTER FORM BELOW

Remember, this event is this Saturday in Washington, DC. Only enter if you are certain you can attend.  Make arrangements for childcare, make your hair and nail appointments now :-)

We will be accepting entries from now until 10pm EST on Feb 20th.  We will then select 3 couples for the final round randomly via the Rafflecopter app.

The winning couple will be chosen by the Say I Do! team by Feb 21st, 11:30am EST!

Rules:
Open to residents who reside within in 4 hours of Washington, DC.
All entrants must verify that they can and will attend event if selected.
All entrants must submit picture to info(at)sayidoexpo(dot)com immediately upon completing the entries above.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Sponsors

  

The Say I Do! Love Brigade

Travelling from out of town for Say I Do? This one is for you...

Each year, we have couples from other states make their way to DC for Say I Do! We know that DC is an ideal destination for many who want to tie the knot, so this year we want to lend you some support!

If you reside in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Tennessee or any other state outside the DMV area, take the lead and join the Love Brigade!

Enhance your Say I Do! experience by connecting with other engaged couples who also planning to attend Say I Do! If you are interested in being the commander-in-charge for the Love Brigade in your state send an email to info(at)sayido(dot)com.

Be Our Sweetheart

Yes, Valentine's Day is over but we still want you to be our sweetheart!

We have been so overwhelmed with support and love from our fans that we thought of a way to work closely with a few of you who want to be part of Say I Do! help us break new ground and continue to provide resources for same-sex couples who are planning to marry.

Introducing the Say I Do! Sweetheart Ambassador initiative! 

If you love what we do and want to be part of our efforts going forward, we are looking for you! To learn more and to apply, send us an email to info(at)sayidoexpo(dot)com and we will send over details. 

Thank you!

Fascinated by Fascinators!

I must admit, I have an obsession with fascinators. Without a doubt, one will be making a cameo at my wedding. I love them because they are great for those who want to go the veil route, but also want to do something not as traditional.

The range of fascinators go from sleek and elegant to wild and funky plus everything in between.  Here are a few that caught my eye...

So tell us, are you a veil or a fascinator type gal?

3 Tips For Valentine's Elegance at Your Wedding

Love is in the air and while many limit Valentine's Day to just Feb 14th, many couples choose to carry out the Valentine's Day theme when they say "i do".

There are so many different ways to execute the Valentine's Day theme in your wedding without a million little naked cherubs showing up at your wedding!

Here are 3 ways to create the romantic ambiance that Valentine's Day requires in subtle ways at your wedding.

Think Color

Clearly red would be on the top of the list for Valentine's Day wedding themes. But also pinks, purples, whites and silvers work as well. Incorporate these colors throughout your wedding in various ways. Weave these color combo's through your wedding to create the theme.  You can also opt for for a more monotone event, choosing one color such as red for your wedding.

Great use of red as dominant color

Hues of pink and white

Think Romance

Remind your guests how sweet love is by weaving romantic phrases and sweet words throughout your wedding.  Your dessert table, can have a cute little plaque that says "love is sweet...indulge" or even but a cute little tag that says something similar on an edible wedding favor.

Soft lighting says ROMANCE!

Dessert!

Think Accessories

The little things make a big difference! How about a pop of color with some darling red shoes?

Photo credits:
www.iwannebeaweddingplanner.wordpress.com
www.indulgy.com

Do's and Don'ts for Your Rooftop Wedding

Rooftop weddings can be beautiful. Catch a stunning glimpse of a city skyline or overlook a sparkling blue ocean. You really have the chance to impress your guests (and take some awesome pictures) with a wedding on a rooftop. But before you book your ideal rooftop venue, we've got the scoop on some important tips every couple should know in planning a rooftop shindig.  We got a some help from planner Latoya Parnell of Something Blue Weddings for this piece.

Keep reading to learn the do's and don'ts of a rooftop wedding.

DO - Have a Plan B!! Mother Nature is a funny thing and unlike a tent which has covering a rooftop is open to the elements so unless you plan for the unexpected rainy day of having an inside space available you may be in a pretty pickle with nowhere to go.

DO - Consider an evening shindig. Nothing is more gorgeous, especially in the city than the illumination provided by the surrounding buildings.  This will give your wedding that extra ambiance and something special.  If you can catch sunset just in time to say "i do" that too would also make for stunning pictures. If you're having a rooftop wedding be sure to consider all the ways you can take advantage of the setting. Which brings us to...

DO - Remember that the sky is the limit. Play off the beautiful colors of the sky and the open airedness (I know this isn't a word. lol) or the space. Natural sunlight is a photographers best friend so let the world be your backdrop and try not to over decorate the space.

DON'T - Forget to check the sound. If you're having a wedding on a rooftop, chances are the wind is greater than on ground level plus with the other outside noises be sure to make sure you have the necessary equipment so that your guests can hear important announcements.

DON'T - Assume that everyone knows its your wedding day and will adjust their plans accordingly.  Flights are still scheduled (their path may be over your venue!) and other normal events will unfold. Some things, such as a plane flying overhead just as you say "i do" can be managed, by ensuring your wedding accounts for scheduled flights so you can plan around them.  Be sure to look into what other events are happening the day of your wedding, so there are no surprises!

And now, as a bonus, for our DC area couples (or those considering a DC wedding), here are 3 local venue options for a rooftop wedding.

Point of View - Rooftop Lounge, Washington, DC

Newseum - Washington, DC

Tabaq Bistro Resturant

2013 Ultimate Wedding Contest: Win $5,000 in Prizes Towards Your Wedding!

Share your love story and you could win $5,000 towards your wedding. Contest courtesy of Micheal's Craft stores, open to all couples.  To enter, click the banner below.

Virginia Residents: Witness for Marriage Equality on Valentine's Day

    

Virginia residents: Stand up for equality and join Equality Virginia and People of Faith for Equality in Virginia to Witness for Marriage. Events held on Feb 14th in Arlington, Hampton, Richmond and Winchester. 

See link below for details and to RSVP:

http://www.equalityvirginia.org/marriage

Click here to select an event to join.