Today I am happy to announce… that my own primary website has been officially re-launched with it’s brand new design and I’d love for you to visit: Sacred Ground Ceremonies. Many thanks to my wonderful designer, Michelle Martello of Minima Designs and, of course, to all the fabulously talented photographers whose beautiful images grace the site.

I know this is a little different from what I usually share here on the blog, but I love this song and if I were planning my own wedding now, this what I would like to have sung… I hope that you enjoy it too.

Today’s the day! … the new blog design I’ve been hinting at is finally live today! So now I can tell you  how it all came together … it started with Eric Kelley (of Eric Kelley Photography) who said, “Claire, what do you think about having my amazingly talented friend, Brandon, do a re-design of your blog?” That was many months ago. Well let me tell you… Eric’s amazingly talented friend, Brandon of Creed Design, is just that… he and I have been working on this project: discussing and tweaking the design details for awhile now (the red bird was my idea but absolutely everything else is Brandon’s talent) and today’s the day I get to share it with you!

But wait, there’s more!  To go along with the re-launch I decided it was time that the blog have it’s very own Facebook page.  So, please check out the new page today…. And, if that weren’t enough… The Hook’s Weddings supplement is out today and the Charlottesville Wedding Blog, along with 3 other lovely local (mostly) blogs are featured.  Check out pages 20 – 22.

Huge thanks to:

• Brandon Wooten of Creed Design for his mad talent and brilliant design.
• Eric Kelley for getting the whole thing started and for the fun photo shoot so I’d have a new photo to go along with the new blog!
• Lora Kelley (of Lora Elaine) for my first-ever on-site (their living room hair & makeup session pre-shoot.
• Joel Williams of Blog Tech Guy who did all the behind-the-scenes technical side of getting the new design up and running
• Stephanie Garcia for the fun interview for The Hook article.I’d love to know what you think of all the changes here on the blog… please leave a comment or hop on over to the new FB page and let me know.

Ok, you’ve got to love this…. this little competition in the NY Times Opinion section attracted dozens of silly and creative submissions. Here are a few of the ones I liked, but you really must check it out ’cause there are so many more… maybe you have an idea to submit?

Last night Ike Allen (Publisher) and Jennifer Carroll (Creative Director) hosted a wonderful launch party for their newly in-print The Wedding Planer magazine.  When you’re out and about ’round town be sure to pick one up… it’s a great local resource.  Big Congratulations to Ike and Jennifer on a beautiful and informative first issue.  I know we all wish you much success!

Here are a few shots from the X-Lounge party Last night:

Happy Wedding Season Everyone!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

The Hook in the snow!

This issue is very special to me because on pages 24 & 25 they’ve featured a very sweet article about lil ol’ me! And, if that weren’t fantastic enough, in another article on pages 28 & 29 they featured a wonderful couple of mine, Brittany & Keith, who I married last autumn up above beautiful Albemarle County in one of Blue Ridge Balloon Company‘s balloons.  You might remember the post I did here on the blog about this wedding back in  October.

Thanks to Stephanie Garcia who wrote both articles and also to the wonderful Jen Fariello with whom I had a great time taking pics  for the article one afternoon over at West Main Bridal & Couture. Thanks Stephanie… Thanks Jen!

Hi Everyone: I’m writing today to let you know that tomorrow I am leaving town for a month of travel in India.  This is a journey that I’ve wanted to make since I was a teenager and it’s finally happening!  So, I wanted to let you know that I will be gone from January 14 through February 16th but, fear not, the blog will go on!  I have a minimum of 4 posts per week queued up and ready to go so there won’t be any gap in your ability to get a dose of Charlottesville weddings here on the blog.  With my ability to access my e-mail somewhat questionable while I’m away it may take a few days for me to be able to approve comments or respond to any messages you send my way… but I promise I’ll get back to you just as quickly as I can.

Lastly, the Best-Of series was planned to run through December and January only but because I’ve received so many wonderful submissions it will be continuing into the first part of February as well.

Thanks to my readers and all the wonderful Charlottesville wedding professionals for your unwavering support of the Charlottesville Wedding Blog… I’m looking forward to all the wonderful 2010 weddings we’ll get to enjoy together!

Many Blessings,

Claire