A big weekend event is not for everyone. Sometimes a quiet get-away with all the trimmings is a wonderful alternative.  For Stephanie and Sam this was a great choice and today I’m happy to share a selection of Rob Garland’s beautiful photos of their “elopement plus one”… the “one” being Stephanie’s beautiful daughter, Mackenzie.

Stephanie & Sam booked their Boar’s Head Inn wedding through my Weekday Wedding Company and we had a wonderful time planning all the details together: wedding cake, hair & makeup, ceremony choices, video, flowers and more.  After the ceremony Stephanie & Sam’s sweet friend, Angie, swept MacKenzie off to a fun sleep-over and they enjoyed their quiet dinner celebration together at the Boars Head Inn’s Old Mill Room.

It was a lovely autumn day and, as always the Boar’s Head Inn was a beautiful venue with every detail handled perfectly.  Congratulations to the new family: Stephanie, Sam & Mackenzie!

If a high quality, no-fuss wedding for you and up to 25 of your friends and family sounds good please give me a call anytime: 434-296-9885. Also be sure to check out the Weekday Wedding Company website to see all the wonderful packages that are available. ~ Claire

Last weekend was one of those times when I felt completely confident that I am doing exactly what I was born to do… create and perform wedding ceremonies! Not only did I get to spend time at 4 of the most beautiful places anywhere on the planet (that just happen to be right here in C-ville) with 4 wonderful couples, but I got to work with many of my favorite colleagues… one of whom is Billy Hunt and his excellent assistant, Jeremy, who kindly sent me these photos of Carl and Charlotte’s Saturday elopement at the Clifton Inn. Yes, it was sweet, sweet, sweet! (Sorry for all the gushing )

Contact Info. for Billy Hunt Photography:
~ website: www.billyhunt.com
~ phone: 434-872-0178
~ e-mail: billy@billyhunt.com

Sunday was the most spectacular autumn day: crisp, colorful, sunny and cool… perfect! The 16 mile drive North on Rt. 20 to Barboursville Vineyard from Charlottesville was truly spectacular. As soon as I drove up I could see the horses in the field and hear the geese on the pond in the distance. As I walked up the road to the Inn I felt absolutely blessed to be doing what I do!

Kelley and Jay chose to have their morning ceremony in the octagonal garden behind the 1804 Inn and then have lunch at the award-winning Palladio Restaurant over at the Vineyard. What a fantastic choice for an elopement.

I also got to meet Lynn Russenberger, the Innkeeper of the 1804 Inn who obviously works very hard to maintain this beautiful and historic Inn in good order and loves her job! Please give Lynn a call at 434-760-2212 or drop her an e-mail at 1804inn@barboursvillewine.com to find out more. Also, be sure to spend a few minutes at the website to see photos of the beautiful rooms and learn more about the history of the 1804 Inn, the adjacent Barboursville ruins, the Palladio Restaurant and the Vineyard itself.

Enjoy!

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of performing a wedding for Jean and Joe. With just the couple, photographer Rob Garland and myself present, Jean and Joe spoke their vows to each other in the courtyard of the Dinsmore House, a wonderful little B & B on Main Street, near the University. Jean and Joe came to Charlottesville to elope because Joe had wonderful memories of his days at the University of Virginia as both an undergrad and graduate student and wanted to share this place with his love, Jeanie. After the ceremony we all piled in my little car to scoot down the street to the Rotunda where Rob took some wonderful photos of the couple. Enjoy a small selection of Rob’s beautiful photos:

If you think you might like a small weekday wedding visit my Weekday Wedding Company site. Also, please visit Rob Garland’s website and blog to see lots more of his amazing work. You can also reach Rob at 434-293-3332 to see if he is available for your date.