So, pretty much the only reason I created this blog was to put down details of my wedding so that future brides have tried and true accounts to read from. I used word of mouth A LOT as well as "Google" searches, so I figure this can be a huge help to brides.
Ceremony:
We are getting married at the University of Virginia Chapel. I can't lie, my dad set this up, but it seemed easy enough and it's a gorgeous setting. It may be hard to get the date you want since it books up so quickly, but definitely try to get it! You must also work with your photographer on lighting. It's quite dark in the Chapel and the sun shines in different areas. Just a heads up!
Reception:
The Elk's Lodge...I seriously am so excited about this location. We have been working with Kevin and he has been easy to get in touch with and very cooperative. The best part of the Elk's Lodge is the HUGE dance floor. Kevin is willing to set up the room however we want it, which is very nice. They also offer tablecloths for a very reasonable price. Another great aspect of this location is they serve food. So you do not have to get a caterer to come in for the event. They have a bartender on site and can get you any drink you wish. It's really a great, fantastic, awesome deal.
Flowers:
Besides getting married at the Chapel and having an awesome reception location, the thing I am MOST happy about are my flowers. Eric at A New Leaf is the best in town if not the Commonwealth and country. He likes to meet with brides (and grooms if they are brave enough to attend!) to get an idea of their personality so he can match flowers to them. He had books there so I could point and say "yes, I like this one". It made it very easy for this non-flower educated gal. Just last week I asked him to do a mock up of my bouquet and it is PERFECT! It's EXACTLY what I want to carry on my special day. He is also doing my center pieces for the reception and he did mock ups of those. Again, I was blown away with how perfect they came out. My idea for the bridesmaids was to have flowers match their personalities. I told Eric about each of them and he picked a flower. Each bridesmaid is happy with the choice! Hands down Eric has been the best person to work with during this planning process. USE HIM!
The Dress:
The dress, the dress, the dress! Does anything else really matter? I think not. Except maybe the ring! I went to Bella Rosa in Richmond, Va to find my dress, which is about an hour away from where I live. The sales consultant was so amazing. She really listened to what I wanted and only pulled dresses that I would actually try on and buy. She didn't give me any goofy, expensive ones to get commission. Like I wrote earlier, she really listened to me. I found my dress on day one of dress trying on. Pretty impressive I know! This past weekend I went for my first fitting and had the owner overseeing my alterations. Pretty nice touch to have the owner make an appearance. We were and are so happy with Bella Rosa that my mother ordered her dress from there. She received a 10% discount for doing so. (Writer note - I actually convinced my mom to step outside of her boundaries and buy a fun dress to wear!) So, I strongly suggest going to Bella Rosa for your oh so important dress.
The Rings:
There is only one place that I will now buy jewelry from. Edited - there is only one place my fiance/husband will buy jewelry from and that is Reines. Lynn has been our very personal consultant and she is the BEST! We heart her. I am actually surprised we are not inviting her to the wedding. My fiance bought me a pearl ring for my birthday and I loved it so much I asked if they could put a diamond in where the pearl was. THEY DID! It was a special, one-of-a-kind ring that Reines had to design and build. Again, the owner was involved with the process. This is one of the reasons I like Reines and Bella Rosa, very personal touches every time you go in. I am buying my bridesmaids their jewelry from here because they are such a great company.
Photography:
This was probably one of the harder aspects of the planning to deal with. Everyone I spoke to had a recommendation, but they were all REALLY expensive. So I did some emailing, asking around, MySpace and Facebook posting, and I finally came across Ran and Linda Henry. I told them what my budget was and expectations and they were able to come through for me. I had a college friend recommend them, so it helped hearing from someone who actually saw their work. Ran and Linda are both working the wedding, which I think is neat to get two different perspectives. I am really excited about their pictures! The best part is they give you ALL of the pictures they take since it's digital. Great for my future husband who LOVES to play around with pics.
I do also have to put a plug in for Michael Johnson. He is originally who we really wanted, but Michael was taking a break from photography to go back to school. However, Michael did write me to say he is back in the picture business. Which impressed me that he remembered that I contacted him. If I hadn't already put down a deposit, I probably would have gone with Michael. His website is AMAZING!!!
Invitations:
Oh boy! This has been a long process to find one we liked, but we did it! Seal-n-Send is who we are using. It's pretty neat because everything is in one! So, the reply card is attached to the bottom, guests rip it off, put their response and send it back. Almost like a postcard. I think it's swell.
Hair:
I am using Arlington Hair Studio. My sister-in-law used them for her wedding, so I knew for myself they do great work. I am having Jan do my hair (she is fantastic) and Brooke and Kerri will be doing my wedding party's hair. I am lucky in that Arlington is within walking distance to my work, so it's been easy planning my appointments and getting there. It's also close to the hotel and the Chapel, so travel time will be minimal.
Nails:
We will be getting our nails done at CitySpa. I have never been there or know anyone that has. It looks pretty though and the lady on the phone was really nice. I'll let you know how it goes!
Rehearsal Dinner:
Our dinner will be Olivate which is a new, family-owned, restaurant in Charlottesville. Since they are new they have never done a rehearsal dinner before and since I have never been married I don't know what to do either. So it's been a learning process but I can tell you their food is great!
Hotel:
Residence Inn by Marriott is where our guests will be staying. It's close to a highway, close to the Chapel, and it has really nice rooms and great workers.
Speakers:
When you have your reception at the Elks' Lodge you have to bring in your own DJ or your own speakers. We are having a friend look over our iTunes play list, so that means we have to bring in our own speakers. We are using a place called Heinz which was recommended to me by a co-worker/friend who is in a band. So I 100% trust him.
Songs:
We are having a Catholic ceremony which means you need to pick music from a very strict list. If you need someone to play for you, James Sivley is doing ours and I am very happy with that. He pretty much told us what he usually plays and what he likes. Here is the list-
- Entrance of the Mothers: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring BY: Johann Sebastian Bach 1685 – 1750
- Entrance of Bridesmaids: Canon in D BY: Johann Pachelbel 1653 -1703
- Entrance of the Bride: The Prince of Denmark’s March (Trumpet Voluntary) BY: Jeremiah Clarke 1674 – 1707
- Offertory: Ave Maria
- Recessional: Hornpipe (Water Music) Allegro Maestoso George Frederic Handel 1685- 1759
Wedding Cake:
We are not having a wedding cake, but if you do, go to Chandler's, they're great. We are having doughnuts from Spudnuts and ice cream from Dips-n-Sips. Both places have been agreeable and easy to work with. Plus they are delicious!
Contact Info for Vendors:
University Chapel - http://www.virginia.edu/newcomb/space/chapel.html
A New Leaf Florist - http://www.newleafflorist.com/
Bella Rosa Bridal - http://www.bellarosabridal.com/
Reines Jewelers - http://www.reinesjewelers.com/
Blue Mountain Weddings Photography - http://www.bluemountainweddings.com/about.htm
Michael Johnson Photography - http://www.mikejphoto.com/
Seal-n-Send Invitations - http://www.seal-n-send.com/
Arlington Hair Studio – 434-244-9990
CitySpa - http://www.cityspa.com/
Olivate – need to get a number!
Residence Inn by Marriott - http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chori-residence-inn-charlottesville/
Heinz Musitronics – http://www.heinzmusitronics.com/companies.html
Spudnut Doughnuts - (434) 296-0590
Dips-n-Sips - (434) 974-4343
I think that may be all for now. Who knows, maybe this little blog will turn in to something more! But for now, I send you best wishes and congratulations. Our planning has not been stressful AT all, quite easy actually!
Good luck!
