An invite to the annual Hay-Adams
Love Brunch for wedding planners is a highly anticipated invitation. This year, when gorgeous Bella Figura invitations arrived in the mail box, beautifully calligraphied by Angela Welch, owner of Pen and Pauper, the buzz began. Will you be in town? Are you going?
Alison Okobi, Director of Catering at the Hay, launched the Love Brunch four years ago in the small private dining room off of The Lafayette restaurant with roughly a dozen attendees. (It snowed that Valentine's day and the traffic was a nightmare, causing attendees to be late.) Since that first intimate Love Brunch, and with the rooftop renovation providing ample space overlooking the White House despite the weather, the guest list has grown. This year, over fifty invitations were sent to area wedding planners and, unless someone was out of town, all attended.
Guests arrived to the front doors swung open by Lobby Ambassador Paul Carabello greeting everyone with a genuine smile - and remembering returning guests' names, to take the non-stop elevator off of the lobby to the top of the Hay. With gorgeous linens from Wildflower Linen and beautiful blushing floral decor from Barbara Hamilton, owner of The Ociana Group, the top of the Hay was transformed. Roses and cherry blossoms suspended from the ceiling, lush arrangements - in varying sizes and in varying containers - ran down the center of the two 30-foot tables. Ruffled chair covers picked up on the blush tones of the floral arrangements, and the crystal glistened in the sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
With music by Elan Artists, guests sipped champagne and enjoyed scrumptious passed hors d'oeuvres. The brunch menu was divine: Maine lobster, California artichokes and Sterling Caviar for the first course, and petite filet and sunny side up quail egg, with potatoes Anna, for the entree. Dessert , by the awesome Pastry Chef Josh Short, was a gorgeous Chocolate Hazelnut Souffle.
Upon leaving, each guest received a boxed rose cupcake prepared by Kendall's Cakes.
Above, left to right: Jamie Sears and Jessica Connolly Brown of Simply Chic Events; Sandi Hoffman of Sandi R. Hoffman Special Events and Terri Bergman of Terri Bergman Events; Director of Catering at the Hay-Adams, Alison Okobi, and Hotel Manager Colette Marquez.
Below, left to right: Amber Karson of Karson Butler Events with Alex Pare of Cherry Blossom Events; Terri Eaves, owner of Bash, and Kate Harlan with Simply Chic Events.
Below, left to right: Pam Barefoot, A Trendy Wedding and Jodi Moraru, Evoke; Jessica Connolly Brown and Jamie Sears of Simply Chic Events with Julie Savage Parekh, owner of Strawberry Milk Events.
Below, left to right: Sara Muchnik and Christine Godsey, with Engaging Affairs; Jodi Moraru with Michelle Taylor-Spearman.
The Love Brunch allows guests to slow down, linger over a meal with the industry's finest wedding planners, talk and catch up, savor the flavors of a wonderful menu served on fine china and crystal ... and imagine the possibilities of a wedding at the Hay! Thank you Alison Okobi and the Hay-Adams staff!
Credits:
Calligraphy: Pen and Pauper - Angela Welch
Invitations & menu cards: Bella Figura - Erica Henrikson
Flowers/Decor: The Ociana Group - Barbara Hamilton
Music: Elan Artists
Linens: Wildflower Linen
Cupcakes: Kendall's Cakes
Photography: Laura Luis of Three Lights Photography
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