Here’s what you’ll find in the latest issue of C-VILLE Weddings: a month-by-month guide to planning, a DJ’s top songs, Albemarle’s new venue, real Charlottesville weddings and a sweet proposal at C’ville Pride Fest. Albemarle’s newest venue comes with a layered history. What to consider when hiring a caterer. Candy Girl answers: Who should be in […]
Weddings
What a weekend: A days-long celebration at Veritas Vineyard keeps the love overflowing
Chloe Hodson AND Elliott Watkins November 1, 2015 It all started with the suit. Elliott had a traditional tweed three-piece made in England, where he’s from, and the wedding planning unfolded from there. “That kind of created a theme for us,” says Chloe. “We tried to incorporate elements of England, like a traditional English wedding […]
Sweet romance: A soft palette warms a winter wedding
Maggie Gill and James Pacana March 12, 2016 It’s fitting that Maggie and James were married at a vineyard. The day the couple got engaged, they had been visiting one Loudoun County winery after another as, unbeknownst to Maggie, James’ surprise proposal was thwarted by a bachelorette party at each location. Once he was finally […]
Southern glamour: Sentimental details fill out an Old Hollywood fête
Sara Snell and Francis Eden | June 4, 2016 With the threat of a storm encroaching on their big day, Sara and Frank decided that, even though they had wanted to wait until they met at the altar, a first look before the ceremony made sense in case it rained (“We wanted to have a […]
Picture perfect: If you want to get your wedding published, the devil’s in the details
Your wedding day. The biggest (happiest, craziest, most expensive—insert your adjective here) day of your life. It’s you and your significant other, pledging to spend the rest of your lives together. But for many brides, it’s also become a goal to get their wedding featured in glossy bridal [...]
Won’t you stay awhile? How to give your guests the best accommodations
Your big day is notable for a few reasons—not the least of which is that it’s a great occasion to gather everyone you love in one room. But they’ll all need somewhere to stay at the end of the night. We talked to folks at Courtyard by Marriott, the Graduate Charlottesville and the Boar’s Head [...]
Hit list: Work with your DJ to tailor your tunes
Though DJ John Garland once had clients text him a picture of a wedding attendant from whom he shouldn’t take requests, coming up with a playlist is typically pretty stress-free. But that’s just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to hiring a DJ. Garland says, regardless of which DJ they’re [...]
Out etiquette queen, Candy Girl, answers: Do I have to reciprocate a bridesmaid invite?
Almost as much as you cannot wait to be a brand-new Mrs., you are giddy at the thought of your best buds standing up with you, holding your flowers, handing you tissues and pretending not to notice you getting all blotchy with happy crying. But as you fall hard into the gently curated arms of [...]
Let’s talk food: Harvest Moon guides us through the catering process
One thing we know to be true about wedding food: It’s an important part of a successful day. Harvest Moon Catering’s director of sales, Kelly Mahanes, agrees. “It’s the beginning of your story,” she says. A good caterer is there to guide you through the almost limitless options of cuisine and [...]
A historic event: A layered past brings gravitas to nuptials at Seven Oaks
Seven Oaks Farm in Albemarle County has quite the history. From its original owner, Reverend Samuel Black, the first Presbyterian minister in Albemarle County, to a more recent owner, Dave Matthews Band manager Coran Capshaw, the property has had its share of high-profile tenants. And visitors, [...]
#lovewins: An unexpected romance turns into marriage
Lisa Green and Amy-Sarah Marshall met four years ago, during the planning phase of Charlottesville’s first Cville Pride Festival, which Amy-Sarah founded. “I was a very happy single person, owned my own home and my dog and I had everything happily where I could find it,” says Lisa, a planning [...]
At long last: A free wedding win gives one couple a day to remember
Laura Kupke and Alex Field hadn’t gotten too far into the wedding planning process before they heard about A Wedding Collective, a collaborative wedding giveaway from Katelyn James Photography and Lexington venue Big Spring Farm. They beat out nine other couples by calling on friends, family, [...]
All dressed up: Five brides recall their gown-shopping stories
In some ways, finding the perfect dress is like finding the perfect partner: You have to try on a few before you get the right one. These five brides’ experiences were no different—it took a couple tries before landing on a winner. One even had her gown custom made. If only it were that simple! [...]
In on a white horse: An Indian wedding tradition makes quite a spectacle
As an intercultural couple, Lindsey Wilson and Anoop Shah wanted to incorporate elements of both Christian and Indian weddings, without having two separate ceremonies. Their solution? A traditional baraat—a groom’s procession to meet his bride—leading to the Christian wedding ceremony. You [...]
Time’s a-wastin’: Don’t let the stress of planning spoil your big day
If you’ve just gotten engaged, no doubt you’re both excited and daunted by the task of planning your wedding. We say, “Relax!” If it’s not in the budget to hire a full-service wedding planner, use this helpful timeline to cross some early tasks off your list (and wait a few months to start [...]
The in-crowd: How to dress a bridal party that stands out
Clothing for your bridesmaids and groomsmen is no place to cut corners or scrimp on style. Here are six ways local couples got it right. For the bridesmaids Printed (above) When one bride expressed an interest in floral patterns, her matron of honor suggested a dress she’d already purchased as [...]
Take it from them: Five Charlottesville wedding ideas we love
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then we’d like to flatter the heck out of these couples, whose special wedding-day touches provide bushels of inspiration this season. Living jewelry (above) After bookmarking a few photos online showcasing flower garlands on animals, bride Karen [...]
Summer 2015 C-VILLE Weddings: On stands now!
The summer issue of C-VILLE Weddings is on stands now. Here’s what you’ll find inside: Five ideas we love. What’s trending in cakes. A local org to babysit during your wedding. Tips for buying the groom’s ring. Why rain on your big day isn’t necessarily a [...]
It’s in the details: Five Charlottesville wedding ideas we love
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? Take your cues from these brides on everything from transportation to wedding day décor. For your bouquet (above) Your wedding day might feel a little stressful, but this bride had a little trick to ease her way down the aisle: She included [...]
Planner, take the wheel: Yes, you do need help coordinating your wedding. Here’s why!
It’s 45 minutes before the wedding ceremony. Your perfect up-do is up. Your airbrushed makeup is cover-model worthy. Your mother helps you slip into your custom-designed wedding gown, carefully laces it up and is tying the final bow when you hear it—the sound of priceless organza tearing. Your [...]
Still the one: Five years in, here’s what’s still useful from a wedding registry
It’s easy to go crazy with the scanner when you’re high on your engagement and planning a life together: That’s the throw pillow you’ll rest your head on while you watch movies together; that’s the wine cooler where you’ll store bottles for romantic nights in; that’s the toilet brush holder [...]
Pour it on me: Rain on your big day isn’t a big deal—honest!
Like most spring brides, Lindsey Kirchoff spent the week before her June 21 wedding habitually checking the weather, fearing the worst: rain. She had a backup plan (they’d just move the guests to the barn instead), but was insistent that the ceremony be at Mount Ida’s gazebo overlooking the [...]
To the rescue: Local Nanny Network provides on-site supervision
Not sure how to diplomatically ask that your guests’ children be excluded from your wedding? Hey, we don’t judge, but it might be easier just to hire a sitter. A new service is making that easy. Founded by child care professional Lisa Skillman in December 2014, Local Nanny Network guarantees [...]