Q: You’re a fashion blogger in the nation’s Capitol: What is the fashion scene like in D.C.?

A: The fashion scene in D.C. is very chic, fashion-forward and bold. Whether you go to a bloggers’ event, a ladies lounge or a new product launch, you’ll always find Washingtonians wearing stylish outfits.

Q: What are the current trends in fashion that you’re seeing at weddings across the country?

A: I’ve seen a lot of people wearing lace and neon dresses for the wedding ceremony, and floral prints and peplums for rehearsal dinners.

Q: How can wedding guests get playful with fashion, without outshining the bride?

A: A statement necklace or earrings are always a good accessory to highlight your outfit as well as colorful/fun shoes.

Q: What are tips for packing for a wedding weekend – domestic and abroad?

– Domestic: Make sure you pack print or fun color jeans versus your usual blue jeans with a nice blouse and a blazer. Jazzing up your travel outfit is always fun! This will help you be prepared in case you have to rush for a pre-rehearsal dinner outing and you have no time to change. Pack a statement necklace, fun clutch and simple top so you can wear this at after parties if you feel like changing from your wedding outfit.

– Rehearsal dinner: unless told it’s casual, pack two semiformal dresses that if you find out the wedding is not too formal when you’re already at the wedding place, you can use that one instead of your other more formal option. Find out if rehearsal dinner is at a garden or the beach, as this will tell you what footwear to pack.

– Wedding day: If you know you’ll be dancing all night in your high heels, it can’t hurt to have fold over flats in your bag so you can change late at night. Don’t worry about packing bobby pins, tissues and those; most brides have all those goodies in the bathroom for their guests. Nail polish always chips so I always bring the color I have on with me so I can reapply when needed.

– Abroad: The weddings I’ve been to abroad tend to be dressier than in the U.S. They’re usually black tie so pack long dress, high heels and a statement clutch. If the wedding is in Cancun, Tuscany or Provence then you know you have to pack summer friendly outfits, as you’ll be enjoying the beautiful sights. Make sure you bring your camera, power converter if you’re bringing a curling iron, as the power outlets are different in Europe and other places.

Q: If wedding guests want to give a fashion-forward gift to the bride-to-be, what do you recommend?

A: For a fashion-forward bride-to-be I would give her a fold over clutch by Clare Vivier (a girl can never have too many clutches), in a bold color or cool print (leopard) that she might not necessarily buy herself. She can take her fashion-forward gift with her on her honeymoon! If you really know her style, I would also consider giving her a funky, edgy and fashion-forward piece of jewelry. Studs are always a safe bet and look good on everyone, something like arrows or chevron style along with a spiky Stella & Dot renegade cluster bracelet will make her jump from joy.

Image of Maria Abad via Maria On Point: BCBG dress / Jimmy Choo sandals / Louis Vuitton vintage clutch // Collage courtesy of Maria Abad from Polyvore // Wedding guests via Caught the Light

Here are some ideas for the bashful bride:

1. Go to a new city: You may love to table-hop in NYC or dress for the white party in the Hamptons, but what made my bachelorette party special was going to a new locale. Everything is an adventure in a new city, which makes it instantly entertaining and provides a lasting memory.

2. Let go of the planning: You might be worried that your ladies have some tricks up their sleeves, but if you love them the way they love you, you need to trust them to make the right choices based on your interests. I had a hard time refraining from making reservations and time-coding my trip, but in the end it was more exciting not to know what was around the corner as opposed to landing with my itinerary.

3. Create a #hashtag: You may not like to bring social media into your wedding, but you can instantly have a virtual photo album of your bachelorette if you create a hashtag. When I returned home I immediately had hundreds of memories after only a few clicks on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And I didn’t have to play photographer.

4. Spread the word: You might be shy about being a walking advertisement, but it only takes a few words to be showered with attention. I was wary of being a glittery gaggle of girls, and opted not to pose with a crown. But we did mention why we were celebrating every chance we got, and it did reward us with more than a few special deliveries (nearly all of the champagne kind).

Each girl has a unique personality and favorite destination. For me, Miami was the perfect mix of waves, cocktails and beats. Our group scored by going boutique; The Gale in South Beach happily accommodated eight girls looking for a luxury spot without the hustle and bustle of large chain. Ensuring that our hotel had a pool and beach access gave us the convenience of limiting cabs and maximizing our time outdoors. For sun worshipers with a soft spot for hot jams, Miami is the ideal destination.

Now, if only we had known it was Fashion Week for Swimwear ahead of time…

Girls image via Getty Images and Huffington Post // Ocean and historical images via The Gale

Shunning advice I paired my favorite print shorts with my favorite bright top and sprinkled on copious amounts of gold accessories. I also decided to bring a clothing change. Yes, it’s high maintenance in theory, but if you’re willing to strip-down en route, you can’t really be classified as uptight. I was happy with my makeup and excited about my blowout; I had checked all of the boxes!

As prepared as I thought I was, when we arrived to the park what I didn’t anticipate was extreme nerves… Oh, the park is open to the public (duh)? And I have to exaggerate (it’s a camera)? Um, we’re really doing this shoot for three hours (sweat seeping through)?

Here are some lessons learned:

– Maria Vicencio came prepared. She and her husband (let’s please swap careers) had advised us to drink a lot of water and offered shots – not a bad option – to calm our nerves. It really did become important that we were well hydrated, and it’s best to bring extra bottles of water.

– We started out in the most private area of the park we could find, which helped us build confidence for the first 15 minutes of the shoot. It might seem odd, but if you have an arsenal of jokes to make each other laugh, you’ll be better for it.

– Wear comfortable shoes! Even an inch or two of heel can cause discomfort. You’ll be walking, and running, for a fair amount of time. So if you need those spikes in your shot, bring them with you and do a quick swap.

– The photographers want it all: joy, laughter, love, calm, longing… It’s exhausting, so a slow evening afterward is probably a good choice for most.

After three weeks of waiting we were thrilled to see ourselves looking happy as clams:

What was your experience like leading up to your shoot?

All images via Maria Vicencio Photography