Big weddings are great, but for some of us, less is more. As in, less expense, less stress, less planning. And there’s something thrilling about getting married without a net. Okay, we’ll just say it: Why not elope? Taking your vows with only a handful of witnesses means that you really can forego nearly all […]
Of all the details that go into planning a wedding, local experts say one shines as the difference-maker between perfection and paltry—lighting. “Lighting touches everything,” says Jake Anderson, owner of Lighting Professors. “And we’re seeing increased awareness of recognizing how important lighting is as an enhancement. We’re one of the first vendors couples are booking […]
Among the many ways to show the love to your wedding guests: Help them figure out where to stay when they travel from out of town. Some folks may appreciate a group rate at a big hotel; others might look to you to recommend a unique rental property. Depending on where your wedding is happening, […]
Is the standard wedding format a bit too—well, standard for you? “A lot of who we are is somewhat unconventional,” says Christie Jones of herself and her wife Mary Klavin. As they researched options for their April 2018 wedding, they realized that many venues were not only expensive, but “formulaic, and just not us,” she […]
Nothing says “instant keepsake” like a hand-lettered invitation, and plenty of local calligraphers are up to the challenge. Michelle Streeter of Ma Belle Calligraphy (above) works in a modern style and offers invitation suites along with fun extras, like a handwritten version of your vows, to display at the wedding and, later, in your home. mabellecalligraphy.com […]
Patrick McGettigan & Elliott Glass September 23, 2017, at Grace Estate Winery Photographs by Ryan & Rach Photography Throughout the night, Patrick and Elliott kept hearing from guests that the love and positivity in the tent was palpable. That was all the affirmation they needed. “From the very beginning,” Patrick says, “our focus had been on […]
Sarah Peck & Jonathan Elsasser June 3, 2017, at Panorama Farms Photographs by The Mallorys When planning a wedding, some people start with a beautiful linen, or a particular prop. For Sarah and Jonathan, the setting was the jumping-off point. “We knew we wanted to showcase the beauty of Charlottesville’s outdoors,” Sarah says, “and have a […]
Huong Doan & Eddie Sniezek July 1, 2017, at Keswick Vineyards Photography by Sarah Goodwin Less is more, and in the case of Huong and Eddie’s wedding, they knew that adding too much to their beautiful venue might detract from its impact. “We wanted to keep it elegant and simple,” Huong says. That meant a muted […]
Caitlyn Stego & John Anderson February 18, 2018, at Kardinal Hall Photographs by Amy Jackson The plan was, there was no plan. A stylist by trade, Caitlyn didn’t want to overcomplicate the planning process by matching patterns and colors. “I find it more inspiring to let the pieces that you find write the style of what […]
Floriza Hernandez & Jerome White September 9, 2017, at Trump Winery Photography by Michael & Carina Men in classic black-and-white tuxes, ladies in champagne. Gilded details, from the invitations to the cake topper. A reception area with high ceilings and extravagant chandeliers. Floriza and Jerome decided early on that they wanted their wedding to be elegant […]
We know, we know: You are a master of organization, and you have this wedding-planning thing totally under wraps. You are hiring your own vendors, crushing every target on your planning timeline and tracking the process in elaborate color-coded spreadsheets. Good for you! But have you considered what will happen when it’s your actual wedding […]
Describing love is hard. Describing the love you and your partner share in front of a congregation of family and friends? That’s hard enough to render any author speechless—even UVA creative writing professor and distinguished poet Lisa Russ Spaar. When couples ask Spaar for recommendations, her go-to, she says, is poetry. “Everything looks like a […]
It goes without saying that planning a wedding is stressful. And, on the day of the big day, the nerves are at an all-time high. Enter Liz Reynolds, who in 2014 started offering a yoga service to keep the jitters at a minimum. Reynolds had recently moved to town and, as a former professional dancer […]
Though never featured in formal wedding photos and usually tucked behind closed doors during the reception, the humble sheet cake has long played an important role in wedding planning, and for good reason. Sometimes referred to as a “kitchen cake,” a sheet cake can be prepared alongside the main, multi-tiered wedding cake, called the “cutting […]
Having been in the bridal industry for half a decade as a hairstylist, Brianna Adams was used to getting asked the same questions: “Where can I find pretty hair accessories?” or “Which piece will look best with my hair?” In other words, it was an easy transition from styling to retail, when she launched Mood […]
If you’re looking to add some greenery to your wedding venue, congratulations on your good taste—every space can benefit from some leafy décor. Plants and trees can refresh the eye and add texture and scale, helping you customize your site to the size and feel of your event. Not only that, greenery can be a […]
The dreamy vision of a beautiful outdoor wedding goes hand in hand with the reality of weather risk, but both soaking rain and punishing sun can be managed with a little insurance by renting tents in advance of the big day. “Rain is a factor that can’t be ignored,” says Lee French, project manager for […]
Choosing the perfect officiant is another great way to put a personal stamp on your ceremony. But if you’re planning to ask a friend to officiate your wedding, in Virginia there are a few rules. First off, throw out the internet ordination your friend spent 20 minutes obtaining; they aren’t recognized in our area. Now […]
If you’d like your rehearsal dinner or reception to have a vibe that leans more “sophisticated” than just plain “pretty,” consider one of the newer kids on the block—Common House, located just off the Downtown Mall. Common House is a three-story social club—members join in order to have access to food and drink, talks, co-work […]
An American bride, a French groom and a love so nice, they celebrated twice. The first wedding, a springtime fête in Saint-Malo, France, was “classic Hollywood, red carpet glam,” says Arnita. The second, a mid-summer affair at Keswick Vineyards, channeled the 2017 Christian Dior bridal couture collection—“cocktail glam, sequins and luxe materials.” “I wanted it […]
A repurposed Dairy Queen sign signaled to guests that they’d arrived at the right place—Finnson Oaks, the bride’s childhood home. Just as it was important to include a nod to the family business (the Petersons have owned Dairy Queens since the 1950s), Laura couldn’t have seen getting married anywhere other than the house she grew up […]
Though it wasn’t a phrase she’d ever heard before, “botanical elegance” kept ringing in the bride’s ears as she planned her big day. “I wanted our wedding to feel timeless and classic with subtle elements of nature,” says Laura. “It really inspired a lot of my decisions, from the décor to the signature cocktails.” The […]
Melanie wanted to elope. Susan wanted a fairy tale. So they went for the best of both words: a wedding that struck the right balance between elegance, glam and sophistication, but that also created a festive, warm and welcoming atmosphere for guests. In more practical terms, that meant a clean color palette—white flowers (lilies, hydrangeas, […]