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Pro Advice: 5 Reasons to Hire a Planner

May 31, 2011

Should I or shouldn’t I? When it comes to wedding planning, you are either all about it, or couldn’t care less. Regardless of what camp you reside in, it can be stressful just knowing where to begin. Enter: the wedding planner. We’ve seen the movies and heard the stereotypes. Thankfully, Janice, owner of Bellwether Events, wrote two great posts for us: Five reasons to hire wedding planner, and five reasons not to hire a wedding planner. If you are on the fence, unsure of what to do, read through Janice‘s advice on both sides of the issue. I think you’ll find it helpful as you set out to plan your wedding. Take it away, Janice:

Photo Credit: KateHaus Photography

Budget
If you have never spent $50,000 (just a random number that I picked) on one event/night/party before, this is going to stress you out. How much to spend and what things are you overlooking are just two of the many questions that will haunt you as you work on your budget and begin to hire vendors. I think you should hire a planner because they have spent that much on one event/night/party before. They can tell you what things in DC, MD, and VA actually cost (as opposed to the estimates in the online tools you may come across), and they will make sure that nothing is overlooked.

Time
Maybe you are having a short engagement, or maybe you have a super demanding career leaving little down time for your personal life. And, possibly you don’t have any/many local friends or family members who can help you accomplish wedding-related tasks during this time. These are all great reasons to hire a planner. Wedding planners are here to do the legwork for you, and to help you have a normal life while you plan your wedding so that you can enjoy your engagement with your fiance. We will keep your planning process moving forward, and make sure that everything actually gets done so that your wedding day is magnificent.

Confusion
There are so many magazines and blogs that you could spend hours pouring over. There are seemingly infinite wedding professionals in the Washington, DC area that you could look into. Where do you start? How do you narrow your focus? A planner will help you with this. A planner knows about all the beautiful things on the blogs, but will help you find your own wedding theme or feeling. A planner knows a lot of local vendors and will be able to point you in the direction of those that match your budget, taste and style.

Trust
After you look at about eight websites, send about five email inquiries, and have two to three in-person interviews, you will find the one. Your wedding planner. Your new friend and confidant. Someone who you like and trust to help you plan your wedding events. You will trust them to point you in the right direction, keep you on course, and reel you in when you get distracted. You will trust them to do their job and make the wedding day smooth and stress free. They will understand what you want and make it happen without you having to worry about it.

Attitude
This is what is overheard at my weddings: People keep asking me if I am stressed out, but I’m not at all! There is no better testimonial to me from my brides. Wedding planning should be fun, and if you are getting guidance from a professional that you like and trust, you will really enjoy the experience. And, that will show on your face and in your smile on the wedding day, and in the photos that live on after the wedding.

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Thank you, Janice, for your words of wisdom! For more from Janice or if you are looking for a wedding planner in the DC area, be sure to visit her website.

Check back in a bit because we will have Janice’s five reasons to not hire a wedding planner.

Looking for more help? Check out our tips and advice page.

*Bellwether Events is one of our fabulous sponsors. For information on our editorial policies, please click here.

12 Comments

planning and budget / Tips & Advice

Pro Advice: How to Become Your Own Planner

December 23, 2010

Planning your wedding is overwhelming to say the least. Where to start, how much money to spend, what to wear and the guest list! Oh, the guest list! We have Pavaune Pearson, owner of Invited, with a few tips for how to (sort of) become your own wedding planner. Read on for a few of Pavaune‘s tricks of the trade…

Photo credit: Pereda Photography

I want to let you in on a little secret, since I feel as an engaged couple it’s vital that you know these things. While it is fabulously convenient to have your own professional wedding planner by your side, if you can work it into your budget, I also understand 100% that not everyone can! The fact of the matter is you won’t be able to gain all the knowledge we have in the span of time it takes to plan your wedding, but you can at least get in on a few tips from our years of experience.

You Won’t Know if You Don’t Ask
Chances are you’ve never planned a wedding before, so you don’t know all the in’s and out’s of the industry. You don’t know what to look out for or what could go wrong. The key to making sure all your bases are covered? Ask the professionals. Ask your photographer what things have gone wrong at past weddings, and how he’s prepared to handle those things if they happen at yours. Ask your florist what flowers can’t survive the summer heat, or which are best acclimated to the cold. Ask your photographer when the best time to take your portraits is so the light complements your skin. Ask away! Do not be ashamed or afraid! We love when you ask questions!

Don’t Be Afraid to Use Color
Some brides come to me wanting too many colors. Some don’t know how to begin to pick their colors. While other brides are downright afraid of color. Don’t be afraid of color! Color is one of the best places to let both your personalities shine. Figure out what your two favorite colors are. (This is a great place to get him involved!) Once you’ve established your two favorite colors (i.e. pink & blue, red & yellow or purple & green), figure out shades of either that will work for your season! I’m a big fan of using any color no matter the season just tweak the shade to work with the weather! Hot pink won’t work in winter, but a nice tea rose pink will work great! The best way to balance your two color options is with a nice background neutral to complement both. The best options are browns, blacks, grays, whites, tans, etc. The important thing to remember is: do not be afraid of using color, just remember to balance the colors with a neutral and you’re
golden!

Find Inspiration Where You Least Expect It
I speak to many brides who seem to look only in wedding magazines for ideas for their weddings, and every time I ask them, Why?! Look everywhere for inspiration! Do not limit yourself to wedding magazines and websites. Look at home decor magazines and hobby magazines. Look at graphic design blogs and advice blogs! Look outside when you’re hiking or at the beach. You might find just the right color of blue you want, or the perfect shade of peach. One of the best ideas I’ve ever gotten for a wedding was on a camping trip while admiring the moss on the trees. Laying moss along the backdrop of the escort card holder for a rustic wedding was beautiful, practical and chic. Do not limit
yourself! Inspiration is everywhere!

I’m ready, are you!? Thanks, Pavaune, for giving us a few wedding planning tips. For more from Invited, visit Pavaune’s website here.

For more tips, check out our advice page full of information from the wedding professionals in DC, MD and VA.

4 Comments

planning and budget / Tips & Advice

DIY vs. Pro Wedding Day Makeup Tips

October 1, 2014

The key to taking beautiful photos during your wedding in the Washington DC area starts with a flawless complexion, and a great place to start is with your wedding day makeup. If you were considering doing your own makeup”hold that thought! Today Lelia of Lelia Marie Photography. is here to share her professional advice on why some things are best left to the pros. She teamed up with Jacquelyn, a local makeup artist from Enlightened Styles, to show us the difference between doing your own makeup and having a professional take charge of your bridal beauty. On that note, take it away, Lelia…

As a photographer, I’m a huge advocate of having professional hair and makeup done for your wedding day. There are so many things a pro can do (including making it look great for photos”not just in person, applying it so it stays on all day, and staying on time!) that don’t happen when it is done by the bride. However, I frequently get brides who do their own makeup. So I teamed up with Jacquelyn of Enlightened Styles to see if there really was a difference, photographically, between DIY makeup and the pros.

We had two different girls come into my studio, so that the light and the background was consistent. The only thing that we changed was their makeup. They did their own makeup first (as if they were getting married, not just every day makeup) and then Jacquelyn did what she would normally do on a wedding day. Both of these girls know how to work with makeup. They aren’t total novices, but even with their knowledge (and the fact that they looked fine in person!) the professional makeup was so much better in photos! And these were taken in an ideal and very forgiving lighting situation. On a wedding day when the sun is harsh or the lighting is dim I’m sure that Jacquelyn’s makeup would be even that much better.

Having seen the difference I can’t help by encourage ALL brides to have professional makeup done! The pros know all the tricks to keep your makeup lasting and looking good all day! They know how to make it look good in photos without looking (or feeling) like you have a ton of makeup on in person. With their help think of how great you will look in all your photos!

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A big thank you to Lelia for sharing this great bridal beauty advice, and Jacquelyn for putting together these looks! If you’re on the hunt for a local wedding photographer, be sure to check out Lelia Marie Photography.

Are you looking for more local wedding ideas and advice? Be sure to look through our DC area wedding idea galleries and find wedding advice from local DC area pros. If that isn’t enough, check out our collection of local DMV weddings from the real world and the best DC area wedding vendors who make it all happen.

4 Comments

fashion and beauty / Hair & Make Up / Tips & Advice

Setting a Wedding Day Photography Schedule

August 6, 2013

There is likely nothing you’ll want more than for your DC area wedding day to go according to plan, in a timely and organized manner. As the big day draws closer, you and yours will need to start considering the finer details of your wedding planning, specifically the wedding day photography timeline. After choosing a Washington DC area photographer, it’s crucial to communicate and take into account the following with your photographer: the quantity of family portraits, the comfort level of a first look, the number of photo locations and the estimated travel time. But, where does an already busy couple-to-be begin!? Today, DC area wedding photographer Susie of Inspired Photography is here to ease your worries and offers her professional advice on what creating a wedding day photo schedule means. And stay tuned Susie returns next week with more advice! Take it away, Susie¦

Photo Credit: Inspired Photography

Creating a photography schedule for your wedding day is a critical part of making sure your day flows well. Photos are what you’ll have as a visual reminder of your day, and to make sure you have time to get all the photos, it’s important to plan it ahead of time rather than wing it on the day of your wedding! Your photographer or planner will be able to help you plan out your schedule to best match your wedding day; however, here are a few things to keep in mind when you are thinking about the schedule.

Enjoy Your Day

The top priority when I’m creating a schedule for my couples is not that I have all day to create amazing portraits of the couple. Yes, I want to have adequate time, but I don’t need 4 hours of only the couple in order to create those amazing portraits. I tell couples that it’s always a balance of finding enough time for taking photos and having them in with their friends and family enjoying the day. Of course, portrait time also means you get a little time to yourselves during the day, and we make it a great time.

Photo Credit: Inspired Photography

Consider the Lighting

If you’ve been looking on Pinterest and seeing beautiful sunset photos, but want your photos taken at 2pm so you can enjoy your reception, the sky won’t be a sunset sky. If you want that super soft, dreamy look, you’ll probably need to schedule your photos for some time between 30-45 minutes before sunset. If you can’t do all the photos at that time, you can consider having your photographer take you out of the reception for 10-15 minutes (maybe while the guests are eating dinner), and get a few of those photos, while still doing most of the portraits before sunset.

Consider Your Venue

You’ve chosen your venue because it has specific things about it that you love. With that said, if you’ve always imagined a garden feel to your photos, but you’ve chosen a venue in the city, chances are that’s not going to happen. Keep in mind that whatever feel the venue has is what will show on your photos. If it’s a sophisticated, ornate building, your photos will have a very different feel than if you’ve chosen to get married in a vineyard. Both will give you amazing photos, just be aware that your photographer can’t change the background in your photos.

Now that we’ve gone over the things to consider while creating a photography schedule, I’m going to put a few sample photography schedules that I’ve created for weddings over the years. Keep in mind, every schedule will look a little different because each wedding is unique. This may or may not work for your day, but hopefully it will give you a starting point!

Photo Credit: Inspired Photography

Sample Photography Schedule with a First Look

2:30 Photographers arrive, photograph details and bride getting ready
3:30 First Look
4:30 Wedding Party photos
5:00 Family Portraits
5:30 Finished with formal portraits, couple can relax before the wedding
6:00 Ceremony begins
6:30 Immediately after ceremony, take couple out for a few more photos
7:00 Couple can relax or go join cocktail hour until introduced at reception
7:30 Introduced at reception
First Dance
Toasts
Dinner Served
At the end of dinner: father/daughter dance, mother/son dance
Dance floor open
Cake cutting
Bouquet/garter toss
Dance floor open
Last dance

Sample Photography Schedule without a “First Look”

3:30 Photographers arrive, photograph details and bride getting ready
4:30 Bride & Bridesmaids
5:00 Groom & Groomsmen
5:30 Finished with formal portraits, couple can relax before the wedding
6:00 Ceremony begins
6:30 Immediately after ceremony: Family Photos (10-15 min), Wedding Party (15 min), Bride & Groom Alone (30 min)
7:30pm Introduced at Reception
First Dance
Toasts
Dinner Served
At the end of dinner: father/daughter dance, mother/son dance
Dance floor open
Cake cutting
Bouquet/garter toss
Dance floor open
Last dance

Remember, all photographers work a little differently on a wedding day with their schedules. Talk to them about what will work best for them and you, and you’ll be able to come up with a wonderful schedule so you can enjoy your day, plus get amazing photos!

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Have you planned your photography timeline yet? Let us know! Thank you so much for the great advice, Susie! If you’re looking for more wedding photography advice or for an engagement or wedding photography, be sure to check out Inspired Photography.

For more advice on wedding photography, you can check out our entire photography week series that is full of great advice and you can browse our list of the best wedding photographers in the DC area.

Photo Credit: Inspired Photography

4 Comments

Photography / planning and budget / Tips & Advice

Five Tips for Planning a Wedding at Home

April 9, 2013

There’s no place like home! If you and yours are thinking of a backyard wedding celebration, stop right there! It’s not as simple as it sounds, but it can be done if you are properly informed. Fortunately, we have all of the answers and then some for you! Washington DC wedding planner Janice, owner of Bellwether Events, has explored weddings at home in their entirety in her new (free!) e-book The Elegant At-Home Wedding. Today, Janice is here to share a few more tips for pulling off a fabulous wedding at home! In addition to the e-book, be sure to take a look at her new at-home wedding planning blog where she shares more of her expertise on at-home nuptials, too! And on that note, take it away, Janice¦

Photo Courtesy of “The Elegant At-Home Wedding”

Hello UWL readers! I am Janice Carnevale, Washington DC wedding planner, and I recently released an e-book (and launched an accompanying blog) to help couples plan elegant at-home weddings. Today I am going to share my top five tips for planning those at-home weddings. I should warn you that this is not about cutting costs. I know it is common to think that an at-home wedding is the cheapest option out there, since there is no venue rental fee. But there will be many other costs you will incur to make the home or yard comfortable and safe for your wedding guests, so a backyard wedding is often the most expensive venue one could chose. These are hardly glamorous topics. I’m talking about tents and permits here because I know you are smart enough to put a welcome banner on the door. I hope you enjoy!

Lock the Doors

Clients often laugh (somewhat nervously, I think) when I tell them that we are going to lock the doors to the house and not let anyone inside. But I am dead serious. Do not let wedding guests inside the house. If you do, you will be opening up the home to unknown dirt and damage. And to busybodies who will wander around and poke their nose into the homeowner’s stuff. I’ve also seen homeowners giving tours of the house instead of relaxing and celebrating with the newly married couple and their guests at the wedding out in the backyard. How rude! Now, I do know what you are thinking”you wanted to use the restrooms in the house. But I implore you to reconsider. Residential septic systems are not at all built to handle the hundreds of flushes your guests would put them through during a five hour event. Isn’t avoiding a septic disaster in the middle of your wedding worth the investment in renting a restroom trailer? I’d say so.

Get a Big Tent

If you are planning a wedding in the DC metro area, you will likely rent a tent for your wedding reception. Our weather is too seasonal and unpredictable to truly risk going alfresco. So when you are selecting your tent and mapping out your floor plan, I recommend you err on the side of too big rather than too small. This will give you the greatest flexibility in case you have to enact a “rain plan” and do something (like your ceremony or cocktail hour) in addition to than your dinner and dancing under this tent. Plus no one ever complained that the wedding tent they were in was too comfortable and spacious.

Plan for the Worst

You must map out in advance for what adjustments will need to be made to your plans if the weather is not ideal on your wedding day. I don’t care what the almanac, the tarot cards or the tides predict. If you are going to take on the responsibility of being the venue of your own wedding, you have to be ready to handle anything. I’m talking about extreme heat, extreme cold, wind, rain and lightning. All of these scenarios should be examined and dealt with. A windy day will mean your tall centerpieces should probably be low. Impending thunderstorms mean that you need to have an evacuation plan. A hot day means extra ice and water, extra set up time, and lots of fans. Talk about your options for each of these scenarios with your wedding professionals in advance and make a plan. As the day gets closer, and you can look at an actual weather forecast, tweak your plans as necessary. Listen to the professional advice you are getting, and make a smart decision, not an emotional decision.

Lighting, Lighting Everywhere

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again”spend as much as you can on lighting at your wedding. Regardless of the venue, it will work wonders for your photos and for the ambiance of the event. And with at-home weddings, it is even more important to consider lighting all the spaces your guests and staff will be visiting. By this I mean the bathroom, the valet station (or parking area), the catering tent, and all the paths in between. Don’t skimp on the landscape lighting. You don’t want anyone tripping and hurting themselves because they were walking around in the dark.

Do it Legally

Make sure you obtain the proper permits for your wedding and protect your investments in your wedding with event insurance. Most localities will require a permit to install a tent, which is usually obtained through the fire marshal’s office. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions when you are investigating this. Most permit regulations are designed for events open to the public that last longer than one day and where alcohol may be sold – things your wedding (presumably) are not. Submitting the paperwork to apply for a permit is a pain in the neck to handle, so if you can afford to, pay your tent company a small fee to handle them for you. There may be other permits you need to apply for, so do your research. Something else you will definitely want to invest in is event insurance. First, check with the home insurance carrier and see if they recommend or require an additional rider for the event. Secondly, you may want to look into an additional policy from a different carrier, as it may be better to file a claim with them than with the home owner’s insurance carrier.

I hope these tips are helpful to you as you plan your at-home wedding. You can find more information in my at home wedding planning e-book and on my blog. Good luck and happy planning!

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I feel so inspired, don’t you!? Thank you so much for sharing your advice, Janice! So, what are you waiting for? Download the e-book or if your backyard or any location wedding is in need of a fabulous planner, be sure to check out Bellwether Events.

From food and entertainment to fashion and beauty, we’ve got it all covered, so take a look around the blog and read more tips and advice from local wedding pros in the DC area!

2 Comments

ceremony and reception / inspiration and ideas / Tips & Advice

Tips for Choosing a Wedding Caterer

July 31, 2012

The wedding reception is often the most memorable occasion for your guests, so when it comes to food, it’s important to you select the right DC area wedding caterer. After all, one of the most common questions you’re asked after attending a wedding is about how great the food was! Today, we have Amit Gulati of Spilled Milk Catering here to share his professional advice on what you’ll need to know when it comes to choosing a caterer. Food certainly helps to set the tone of your wedding – so why not make it a culinary experience for your guests! Take it away, Amit¦

Photo Credit: Emily Clack Photography

At Spilled Milk Catering, we feel honored to be a part of weddings and to help make that special day unforgettable. Before beginning the process of searching for a wedding caterer, brainstorm some ideas of what is most important to you and your partner.

Review Your Catering Options

Heavy hors d’oeuvres or dinner? Sit-down or buffet? Modern or traditional? Though I do should be the answer to the one and only important question on your wedding day, the endless number of other questions that loom about wedding planning can seem just as daunting, not the least of which is the food. How do you create a menu that reflects you and your partner’s backgrounds and experiences together? How do you serve a full meal on a budget? And how do you know when you’ve found the right catering company?

Know Your Budget

Most companies will want a sense of your budget to help them put together a proposal that’s within your limits. Additionally, most companies can also provide rentals, including tables, linens, silverware and bar set up, though many venues may have some of these items available. If you’re interested in price shopping, you can ask the catering company to give you two copies of a proposal one with just food and beverage, and the other including the cost of rentals. This will help you get a feel for pricing and what makes the most sense for you.

Photo Credits: Emily Clack Photography

Be Familiar With Reception Venue

Once you have an idea of what your budget and priorities are, think about your venue. If you have already selected one, it’s worth talking to them to find out if they allowed outside caterers and if they have a preferred caterers list, which lists caterers they recommend and that are familiar with the space. If you don’t yet have a venue, you can work this into your selection process by asking potential venues about their catering policies.

Personalize Your Menu

After you’ve got all the logistical kinks ironed out, its time to focus on the fun stuff the food! Think about what’s important to you, and make sure to find ways to have the food reflect who you are! From appetizers reminiscent of what was served at an engagement to a meal combining both partners’ ethnic backgrounds, we have done it all. Spilled Milk Catering has earned its reputation for excellent service by working with brides and grooms from start to finish to make sure everything detail is perfect. And, of course, delicious!

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Is anyone else hungry?! Thanks you for sharing great advice, Amit! If you’re in the market for a wedding caterer in the DC area, be sure to check out Spilled Milk Catering and visit their website to get a yummy sneak peak at what they offer!

For more catering choices, check out our full list of local Washington DC area wedding caterers. And, you can browse around for loads of wedding inspiration and ideas.

8 Comments

Catering / food and entertainment / Tips & Advice

Refined Dover Hall Estate Wedding

May 22, 2020

Diane and Tyler incorporated thoughtful details that reflect who they are as a couple throughout their Dover Hall Estate wedding weekend. With the grand estate serving as the backdrop; they incorporated grays, oranges, plums, and navy into their wedding color palette. Diane and Tyler recently moved to another country, so travel was a main focus for their wedding! Using luggage tag escort cards to display where guests were seated, they that also doubled as favors. Their custom wedding crest incorporated a tulip, which is also seen as a symbol of a declaration of love. The Tulip is the most famous flower from Holland and often used as the icon of the Netherlands – their new home! Having met in Texas, not only did they have a bridal party but they also had a house party so they were surrounded by great family and friends all day long! Salsa dancing has been an important, fun part of their relationship so for their first dance they choreographed a dance to La Vida Es Un Carnival performed by their live band.

Tell us your proposal story: “I had never put much thought into what type of proposal I would want so looking back I’m always so surprised that Ty knew the perfect way to propose me. It was a Friday night and Ty told me he had a surprise weekend planned, starting with a nice dinner on Friday (the clues that a proposal was coming were there but I truly didn’t pick up on them!). Friday came and I loved the idea of dressing up for a nice dinner just because. After dinner he took me the Lorenzo Hotel in Dallas for rooftop drinks and a stunning view of the city. When we headed to a hotel suite I was confused but confusion immediately turned into amazement. I walked through the maze of twinkling lights hanging from the ceiling with photos and messages detailing the road map of our relationship. And at the end he asked me to embark on the greatest adventure of becoming husband and wife. It was so personal, reflective, and intimate.”

Tell us about your vision: “When we started this process we knew we wanted a one-stop-shop for a venue. Easy logistics, for us and our guests, was very important because we knew the majority would be from out of town. Our vision was a versatile venue set in a classic or traditional setting. We both wanted a timeless look that embodied us. Luckily we found Alana, our wedding planner, and she really made that happen. We worked together to create an elegant vision that had a classic look with detailed. personal touches. We were able to weave in themes like our love of travel, our move to Amsterdam, and affinity for good cocktails! In terms of colors I don’t think there is anything more beautiful than fall in Virginia, especially at Dover Hall. We wanted to use Dover and the fall backdrop as the foundation for our aesthetic. Since Dover itself is such a statement I didn’t want to overwhelm the venue which is why I loved having a fall color palette that brought out the rich colors of the season and the venue while creating a romantic and classic atmosphere. “

What was most memorable to you both: “Reciting our vows was our favorite part of the day and the most memorable moment. We both wrote our vows so it was a very intimate and personal. There are very few times in life you make a declaration of love and commitment in front of all your closest family and friends..it was a powerful moment. We designed the ceremony ourselves so it was very special to us. Our first dance is a moment we will never forget. As Ty and I started dating we began salsa lessons with a few friends. It was so much fun and brought us closer together. As a tribute to that we did a surprise, choreographed salsa first dance. It was so much fun and people were so surprised! “

Advice for engaged couples? “My advice to couples planning their wedding would be to enjoy the process and really reflect on what is important to you and your family.Weddings are about the journey (the process) and the destination (the big day)! Your wedding is a huge event so it’s easy to get stressed, worry about every detail, and get stuck in the weeds. Instead be flexible, focus on the items that really matter to you, and trust in your vendors…they have done this before! And while finding the perfect place setting might seem absolutely vital, remember all that really matters is that both end up at the alter saying” I do””

The following Wedding professionals contributed to this Dover Hall wedding:

1 Comment

Real Weddings / Real Weddings - Black Tie / Real Weddings - Blue / Real Weddings - Modern / Real Weddings - Orange / Real Weddings - Virginia

Romantic Charlottesville Vineyard Wedding

April 20, 2020

Hello lovelies! As most of you noticed, we took a few weeks off to navigate these uncertain event times in in the midst of COVID and our changing lives. We knew that, while we love sharing beautiful weddings with you each day; it was not the best timing for those planning and sharing their weddings with us. Taking a few weeks off allowed us to help in our community to sew masks, support our fellow event professionals, and regroup with our families! We are excited to be back to blogging beautiful inspiration, to guide our DC Wedding planning couples as they look forward to their wedding dates!

Today’s ethereal blue Charlottesville Vineyard wedding is the perfect way to kick up back into Virginia wedding inspiration! Jen and Sean had the best of both worlds with their dual wedding ceremony day. The couple had the intimacy and reverence of a small catholic wedding ceremony for close friends and family and was then able to share their moment again with their guests, overlooking the hills of Veritas Vineyard. The reception started with a bang; as the wedding party welcomed the pair with confetti cannons and cheers! As for the decor, elegant blue with a touch of gold was found on everything, from the centerpieces to the menu text, and also the napkins. Raw silk ribbons, textured beveled stationery, and elegant gold touches brought together the elements that make this wedding so romantic feeling. Thank you CCS Events for sharing their Charlottesville wedding with us today!

The following DC wedding professionals contributed to this Charlottesville Vineyard wedding:

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Real Weddings / Real Weddings - Blue / Real Weddings - Classic / Real Weddings - Summer / Real Weddings - Virginia

Fun Raspberry Plain Manor Wedding

February 14, 2020

There are a few things we learned about our bride Heather, in today’s Raspberry Plain Manor Wedding. She loves dance, loved ones, photography, her now husband and The Capitals. Every single one of these things are incorporated into their wedding day. The moment guests entered the Virginia wedding estate, they knew it would be a perfect day! For starters, on June 15th in Virginia… it wasn’t hot. Check the box for a positive start to the day. Being a wedding photographer herself, the bride knows the importance of a schedule and stuck to it all day! Ryan and Heather had a sweet first look and the day went off without a hitch from there. They shared their love and vows in front of a room full of friends and family. Once made official, it was time to party. Ryan and Heather LOVE the Washington Capitals. How do you pull off the ultimate wedding surprise? Have Slapshot enter the wedding reception to greet all the guests. This is a great way to incorporate DC into your big day. Thank you to Carly Rehberg Photography for sharing their Raspberry Plain Manor with us today.

Whats your proposal story? “Ryan originally wanted to purpose at a Capitals hockey game. He could not get to my dad in time to do that. He did not want to purpose until he talked to my father in person. Ryan knew my grandmother who was 92 at the time really meant a lot to me. When we planned on visiting her with my dad (after he finally got to talk to him in person) he also let my grandma know what he was going to do. Ryan took me to a special place in Chesapeake Beach, Md. in front of the water where my grandfather had a special brick for being in the military (Ryan is in the military as well). Ryan purposed by his brick and where my grandmother could see it all happen as well as my dad. I had no idea he had it planned. I was completely taken away and excited. “

What was your wedding vision? “My vision for our wedding was for it to be beautiful and comfortable. I photograph weddings and really wanted to go to a venue that I had never been to before. Ryan loves historic areas, that was very important to have a piece of what he loves involved. We went to a bunch of venues together and we both fell in love with Raspberry Plain Manor. It had wonderful staff, areas for photos inside and outside. The groom and bridal suite were perfect! It had easy access for any elderly as well.

The colors we picked were a steel blue, light pink, light green, with a touch of gray and accent of gold. We picked those just because they were light and airy. It felt perfect for a summer wedding”

The special traditions we did: “I had my grandmother’s brooch on my bouquet (other family members used the same one when they got married) We did had a special candle for the unity candle. During the reception – We did this thing (that we have done at many weddings) called “tie limbo” where two groomsmen tie their ties together and guests do the limbo. We also had – Slapshot the Washington Capitals mascot come to the beginning of the reception. This was more of a tradition for Ryan and I as the Washington Capitals brought us together and we really wanted a touch of the Capitals at our wedding somehow.”

Advice for couples planning “Our advice for couples planning their wedding would be to take your time, do your research, if you have family/ friends that have knowledge with signs, flowers, etc. ask for their help and advice. For decor such as frames, signs, candle holders; choose ones you can reuse in your home. Selling your used wedding decor you won’t use after is very smart- people are always looking for things. Take a step back and think what are the things you remember the most about weddings. Don’t stress on the little things…As long as you and your guests enjoy the time celebrating two people becoming one, that is what truly matters.”

The following Washington DC wedding professionals contributed to their wedding:

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Real Weddings / Real Weddings - Military / Real Weddings - Summer / Real Weddings - Virginia

Silver and Cobalt City Winery Wedding

January 27, 2020

Over the weekend scrolling through Instagram, we saw so many fabulous receptions to kick off the 2020 wedding season! Are you planning your wedding this year? If so, check out our DC wedding section, or scroll through the Local Wedding Advice to hear from any of our trusted vendor partners. If you were married last year or had a great client who was; we are looking for colorful and detail driven wedding submissions for our upcoming publication calendar. Today we are sharing a vibrant blue City Winery wedding inspiration to kick off this weeks fresh planning ideas. From the brides utterly romantic blue bridal gown, to the sparkling maids dresses; we can’t get over the pretty details in this wedding party fashion choices! Thank you to Laurentina Photography for sharing it with us, and scroll through for more fashion inspiration!