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Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
Style expert Monte Durham pauses for a photo with the mother and daughter team from Sheeka's Sweets.
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Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
Style expert Monty Durham pauses with a guest Sunday at the Alexandria Wedding Showcase.
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Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
Style expert Monty Durham pauses with a guest Sunday at the Alexandria Wedding Showcase.
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Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
Wear Ever Jewelry Owner and Curator Jennifer Park shows off her custom jewelry Sunday at the Alexandria Wedding Showcase.
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Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
Sanderling Resort's Danielle Santopietro-Miller, director of catering and Ashley Roy, catering sale and planning manager, talk destination weddings with style expert Monte Durham.
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Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
Style expert Monte Durhan pauses for a photo with friends Sunday at The Alexandrian.
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Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
Sarah Hanlon (seated), associate digital editor for The Knot, enjoys the brunch with fellow guests Sunday at The Alexandrian.
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Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
A floral bouquet designed by House of Jeanne Flowers at the 2022 Alexandria Wedding Showcase.
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Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
Guests at the Alexandria Wedding Showcase pause for a photo at the champagne brunch.
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Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
Brunch-goers pause for a photo at the Alexandria Wedding Showcase.
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Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
Monte Durham, Kate Barton and Dan Via Sunday at the 2022 Alexandria Wedding Showcase.
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Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
Monte Durham pauses for a photo with friends Sunday at the champagne brunch.
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Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
Guests at the champagne brunch pause for a photo Sunday at the Alexandria Wedding Showcase.
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Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
Sam Kasten, owner of Umbrella Dry Drinks, talks to a guest at Sunday's Alexandria Wedding Showcase.
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Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
Guests pause for a photo at Sunday'a VIP brunch before the Alexandria Wedding Showcase began.
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Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
Guests at the champagne brunch pause for a photo at the 2022 Alexandria Wedding Showcase.
The Alexandria Wedding Showcase got underway Sunday morning with mimosas, selfies and advice and tips for brides.
Monte Durham, an Alexandria resident best known for his fashion director role on "Say Yes to the Dress-Atlanta," and Salon Monte on the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria, doled out advice at a pre-showcase VIP champagne brunch in his typical witty style to the delight of the crowd.
Before the Q&A began, guests dined on frittatas, breakfast potatoes, bacon, fruit salad, coffee and mimosas (both with and without alcohol), served courtesy of King & Rye and Umbrella Dry Drinks at The Alexandrian. Lovely bouquets of flowers in a peach and cream color theme were designed by Celia Laurent, owner of House of Jeanne Flowers. Award-winning harpist Nadia Pessoa performed romantic wedding classics.
Durham showed off small purses sure to be a hit with the newly married, with the word "Mrs." spelled out in Swarovski crystals, available to order at Salon Monte.
Fresh off a visit to the bridal market in New York City, Durham also discussed some of the trends he saw there with the brunch crowd.
"The mermaid is kind of passe," said Durham. "The biggest trend? No beading. There are two reasons for that — one, we've had so much beading. Some of our brides look like pageant girls," he quipped. Instead a more sleek look is in. "So we're back to silk satin," he noted. The other reason for less beading? The availability of supplies due to the pandemic.
Another trend Durham noted are higher neck bodices, similar to the neckline worn by socialite Paris Hilton at her recent wedding that was reminiscent of Grace Kelly in 1956.
Coinciding with more conservative necklines, "we're seeing a return to holding weddings in religious facilities," he said. In Alexandria, brides also enjoy holding their weddings outdoors, he said, and advised brides not to worry about the weather, because all venues come up with a contingency plan.
Another wedding tradition Durham noted that should see a comeback these days: Formal portraits — a great gift for parents and in-laws as a thank you present, he noted.
When asked what some brides regret at their weddings, Durham said that many regret not saying hello to their guests! "You didn't get to say hi to your guests who have traveled, spent money, time, given you a gift, and you didn't even say hi? That's what I hear the most, is that brides regret not taking time to go to each table or not acknowledging everyone. Take a few minutes and say hello. I think we should bring the receiving line back."
Makeup trends: "Due to the mask, it seems like nobody's worrying about anything but false eyelashes," he quipped. "It's driven the focus onto the eyes." There are three things he noted that brides can do to make a quick change on their wedding day: "Red lipstick, chandelier earring and a smoky eye pencil."
In response to a question from the audience about tips for trying on dresses at a bridal salon, Durham suggested going by yourself, bringing the shoe height you plan to wear to your wedding and being open minded.
Before visiting a bridal salon: Have a budget in mind, ask about gowns that are discontinued and don't discount looking at off the rack gowns, he said.
And the best day of the week to shop? He recommends "Thursday nights," since some stores are usually open later and it is less busy.
He said there's no substitute for trying on gowns. "I can tell you what's going to look great on your figure and I can tell you what's going to be perfect for your venue, but I cannot tell you how that dress makes you feel."
After the brunch, guests headed in to meet with all of the vendors in The Alexandrian's ballrooms.
Thank you to our vendors and sponsors!
Alexandria Pastry Shop
3690-H King St.
(703) 578-4144
2. The Alexandrian
480 King St.
(703) 549-6080
3. American Horticultural Society/River Farm
7931 E. Boulevard Dr.
(703) 768-5700 x114
4. Blissful Design & Decor
10204 McKean Court, Great Falls
(602) 828-1971
5. Christine Robinson, McEnearney
109 S. Pitt St.
(240) 925-7100
6. Completely Coordinated
2219 S St. SE, DC
(219) 508-2330
7. The Easy Pour Mobile Bar (located outside of The Alexandrian during the showcase)
(571) 408-6181
8. Emily Nicole Photography
Alexandria
9. Greenheart Wellness
Various locations
(571) 418-0927
10. Office of Historic Alexandria
Various historic properties
(703) 746-4554
11. Honeywood Rentals
Annapolis
(443) 906-3994
12. House of Jeanne Flowers
13. Lorien Hotel and Spa
1600 King St.
(703) 894-3434
14. Made in ALX
(703) 239-4592
15. Main Street Home Loans
19775 Belmont Executive Plaza, Suite 350
Ashburn
(703) 474-7435
16. Mayweather Boxing & Fitness
526 N. Henry St.
(571) 295-4078
17. Penny Post
1201 King St.
(703) 888-1515
18. Salon Monte
210 S. Union St.
(703) 217-7077
19. Sanderling Resort
1461 Duck Road, Duck, N.C.
(877) 300-0624
sanderling-resort.com/weddings/
20. Sheeka's Sweets
@sheeka_sweets
21. Steve Johnson Photography
1263 Dartmouth Court
(703) 399-5319
22. Sweet Surprise Balloons
sweetsurpriseva.com/sweet-surprise
23. Umbrella Dry Drinks
@umbrelladrydrinks
24. USA Guided Tours
701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC
(202) 733-7376
25. Wear Ever Jewelry
1112 King St.
(703) 299-0921
26. Willa Weddings & Events
11b S. King St., Leesburg
