District Bride Guide is your local wedding resource for wedding planning in the Washington DC metro areas inclusive of Virginia and Maryland.
Meet the DC Wedding Bloggers:
SUNDAYS
Katie MacGregor grew up and still resides in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area. She currently works in the hospitality industry and loves helping brides coordinate any and all aspects of their wedding. She is a graduate from Clemson University with a concentration in Travel and Tourism. She loves being a recent newlywed and enjoys the beach, fashion, horseback riding, traveling, and all things wedding and events. She also contributes to her own personal blog “Tales of a Wedding Belle” http://talesofaweddingbelle.blogspot.com/ , about all things fabulous.
MONDAYS
Sharia is one half of the design duo known as Socialite Event Management. An event planner for over 9 years, Sharia is a master of the “fête”. Her experience includes everything from intimate family occasions and weddings to a black-tie gala for an Ambassador. An alumna of Hood College and The George Washington University, Sharia is equipped with all the glitz, glamour & ingenuity to ensure events are unique, exclusive and under budget!
In her spare time, Sharia is constantly on the hunt for unique décor pieces to feature in eventscape designs. In addition to styling events, Sharia has a passion for fine papers, great friends and scoping the newest event venues to hit the market. (Did we mention she’s obsessed with planning events?!)
TUESDAYS
Heidi Kallett is the CEO and President of The Dandelion Patch, a 15-year-old fine stationary store with locations in Vienna, Reston, and Leesburg, Virginia as well as Georgetown in Washington, DC. She has grown The Dandelion Patch by more than 425% since1994. Heidi serves on many non-profit boards and is a member of several area chambers of commerce and professional organizations. She is a past President of the Junior League of Northern Virginia and the current President-Elect for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Greater DC chapter. Additionally, she is a SmartCEO Brava! Women’s Business Achievement award recipient as well as a Washington Business Journal Women Who Mean Business Rising Star.
Ariana Gestson is both a fashion enthusiast and seasoned bridesmaid. She currently works as a freelance fashion design consultant and contributes to the lifestyle blog she designed and co-founded called ExploreInCouture.com. Her design work has given her the opportunity to work in activewear, with editorials, and even in couture bridal! She is constantly on the look out for new fashion trends in bridal and is excited to share her advice!
WEDNESDAYS
Sarah is a DC transplant, who spent most of her childhood vacations visiting family in the area and later moved to DC to attend The Catholic University of America. Post-college Sarah and her fiance moved to Boston where she began her career in Health care Non-profits and event management, however just recently returned to DC. Sarah has been planning events since her days as President of her class in High School, planning proms and graduation. She is thrilled to be planning her September 4,2011 wedding here in the DC area with an “anthropologie”, DIY, big Italian wedding feel! When Sarah isn’t blogging, she is enjoys gallivanting around DC with her fiance and their beloved pup!
THURSDAYS
Liza Bourkard is coming back to DC after a 4-year stint around the country and bringing DBI Events along with her. Liza began her career as an Event Designer in NYC, working with such clients as Conde Nast and EcoTools (Alicia Silverstone’s eco-friendly make-up line). Her experience working on high-end weddings in modern NYC as well as more classic weddings in Virginia has allowed her to gain an all-around and fresh perspective on wedding design. If she’s not out at a local farmer’s market getting inspiration from locally grown flowers, you can find her looking for unique containers and unusual fabric patterns in vintage stores. Liza’s passion for design is clearly reflected in her work – whether a garden wedding or a Four Seasons rooftop wedding – every detail matters. She’s excited to be sharing fun and creative decor ideas with all the District Bride Guide readers!
Casie has lived in (and been in love with) the DC area her entire life. She attended the University of Maryland has pursued her career in the DC metropolitan area. Her dreams of planning a classic Maryland wedding finally became a reality when her boyfriend proposed in Hawaii.
Her passion for DIY crafty projects, personal touches, afternoons in Georgetown, picnics on the mall, Bay side crab feasts and shopping for statement pieces are sure to be an influence as this bride takes to the city to plan her perfect day.
FRIDAYS
Jendayi Croom is a young professional who has worked at The Boeing Company, Essence Magazine and most recently, The Washington Post. Her personal pursuits and future dream job include writing and photography. Penning for cross continental blogs, online magazines and newsletters, Jendayi is always looking for further writing opportunities and is excited to share her ideas through new avenues. She currently lives in the Washington, DC area and is a few short skips away to becoming the new Mrs. Jendayi Jackson.
COMMUNITY MANAGER
Violet headed straight for DC upon graduation from the University of Michigan. An Art History major, she was drawn to the vibrant arts world and unique energy of the city. She spends her free time exploring Washington’s museums, restaurants and neighborhoods. She looks forward to surveying creative local businesses that are leading the way in making dream weddings come true.
