Happy Valentines Day!!

Hello my lovelies! Happy Valentine's Day :) Does anyone have any romantic plans for this evening? 

Brennan and I will end up having a quite night at home. We went to Baltimore on Sunday and literally felt like we were going to blow away walking around the Inner Harbor. I love aquariums and it had been years since I've been to the one in Baltimore. They also have some really nice places to eat walking distance, so I thought it would be the perfect little day trip!!  The aquarium was packed, but I still got my close up of the sharks. For those of you that don't know, I'm a SUCKER for sharks (actually, like totally obsessed). 

We had plans to eat at Phillips and get some seafood, but it had been so long since we'd been to Chipotle we ended up changing out plans and just walked over there!! SO romantic, right? 

I hope you all have a great day and are staying warm!!

Till next time, happy planning!

Happy Wedding Day Lisa!!!

Today, on this totally gorgeous day in Miami, AVE's lead planner Lisa is in Miami tying the knot!!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the rain holds out for you!!!!

If it DOES happen to start, you can at least get some super cute pictures in your Wellies, and don't forget to just OWN IT!

Till next time, happy planning!!

photocredit: Elizabethanne.com and Leographia Weddings

Washington Bridal Showcase

Last weekend I had the pleasure of meeting hundreds of lovely brides at the Washington Bridal Showcase at the Patriot Center. I love going to bridal expo's because I get to meet so many Brides in one place, but I also get to reconnect with vendors and meet new ones. 

For all those Brides and Grooms that signed up to get my special "Bridal Show Discount" you should have something in your inbox! If you haven't received anything, let me know :)

Sorry the picture's kind of blurry. It was taken with my iPhone.

Till next time, happy planning!!

2012 Bride's Choice Awards

AVE is excited to announce that we have won the Bride's Choice Award again for 2012! We are thrilled and it's an honor to have such great brides and grooms that recommend us for these awards. 

Fall Place Card Ideas!

If you haven't noticed, Fall is pretty much my favorite wedding season. Though I love getting a tan in the summer, I loathe for my gloves, scarves, and sweaters year round. 

There are so many cute ways to do your place card, but my favorites are...fall oriented. Check out these super cute ideas below!

Getting to Know You!

Hey Everyone! We're here introducing Ashlee Virginia Events newest team member, Lisa Anderson. She was born and raised in Prince George's County Maryland, but has been living in Northern Virginia since 2003. Lisa has played volleyball and softball for over 15 years, and is a die hard Redskins fan who enjoys a good day of football. You could say she's a "girly-girl, tom-boy" who loves to get dirty but also loves to get pretty, and dress up.  Her favorites are pizza, ice cream, movies, the beach, design, and WEDDINGS!






Lisa is not only keeping busy with Ashlee Virginia Events, but is also overseeing her own upcoming wedding. She is marrying a firefighter she met in a local grocery store....and the rest is history! Lisa and Jason are due to tie the knot in early February of 2012, and we all can't wait to see how it turns out.

Cheers to Lisa and Jason and welcome to the AVE family!

Signature Drinks for the Season!

Hello Everyone! Long time no talk! Things have been CRAZY over here at Ashlee Virginia Events. Ashlee got married in September and Lisa has been tying up the loose ends for her February wedding so that she can relax over the holidays.

This Fall has been busy, but amazing. The leaves are beautiful shades of red, yellow, and orange and the weather, for the most part, has been good to us. Some of our favorite signature drinks are perfect for the Fall season. We thought we'd share a few recipes to add a personalized touch to your special event. 

Mulled Red Wine Sangria

Ingredients

·       1 bottle Spanish red table wine

·       1/4 cup fresh orange juice

·       1/4 cup brandy

·       3 tablespoons sugar

·       1 orange, thinly sliced

·       1 lemon, thinly sliced

Directions

Combine wine, juice, brandy and sugar in a medium saucepan over low heat and heat until the sugar has melted. Add the orange and lemon slices and let simmer for 5 minutes. Serve in heat resistant glasses.

Cranberry Spiced Sparkler

Ingredients

·      8 fresh cranberries

·      1 tsp. Pumpkin spice Agave nectar ***

·      Splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice

·      3 oz. Champagne or sparkling wine

Directions

In the bottom of a mixing glass, muddle the cranberries, agave nectar, and lemon juice. Then add ice and the champagne or sparkling wine and gently fold. Strain out into a champagne flute. Top off with an extra splash of wine.

Garnish with 3 floating cranberries

***to make pumpkin spice agave nectar, simply combine 1 cup agave nectar with 2 tsp store bought pumpkin pie spice (comes ground), and stir.

Pumpkin and Apple Cider Cocktail

Ingredients 

·       1 1/2 ounce pumpkin purée

·       1 1/2 ounce vanilla vodka

·       2 ounces apple cider

·       1 1/2 ounces spicy ginger ale, such as Bruce Cost

 Directions 

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the pumpkin purée, vodka, and apple cider. Shake for 10-15 seconds. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice and top with ginger ale and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

We hope you enjoy these as much as we do ;)