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?

On Tuesday night about 100 local wedding professionals and a handful of brides officially “launched” the new Bridal Ring wedding community at a lovely gathering at the beautiful Glenmore Country Club. The Bridal Ring is the inspired idea of Jennifer Hamlin of Events with Panache and Elisa Bricker of Elisa B Photography who both saw a need in our community to provide support and guidance to brides & grooms as they navigate the often-daunting details of planning their big day. The Bridal Ring will be a forum for bringing brides, grooms and vendors together for their mutual benefit.

In addition to an informative website, The Bridal Ring is planning an ongoing menu of local events that will bring brides, grooms and vendors together. There are many upcoming events already on the calendar, each is planned for the last Tuesday of the month. Go here for details.
I know everyone wishes Jennifer and Elisa the greatest success with The Bridal Ring. Hopefully we’ll be posting about them regularly here on the Charlottesville Wedding Blog.

Check out more of the wonderful vendors at the yesterday’s show:

One more from Festive Fare... beautiful!

Delicious samples from Harvest Moon Catering!

Jeff Greenough Photography

The incredibly talented Jennifer Carroll of Jennifer Carroll Designs and Jennifer Carroll Events shared many of her creative offerings.

A couple of beautiful gowns from Kimberla's Bridal

Delicious and beautiful creations from Anita Gupta of Maliha Creations

Pat's Floral Designs, as always, had a fantastic display of their beautiful work.

More beautiful flowers from Jenn Pineau of Sugar Magnolias

I know that there were a number of vendors that I either didn’t get a photo of, or the photo I got is simply not good enough to post:
• The talented Jen Fariello of Jen Fariello Photography was taking bridal portraits all afternoon for the lucky brides that had signed up;
• Lucinda of Face Value Studio did makeup makeovers for lots of beautiful brides-to-be;
• DJ Rick Haggard;
• Gibson Rental and
• FDS Tents.

Thanks again everyone!

Thanks to Jennifer Hamlin of Events With Panache, all the wonderful sponsors, vendors and brides the first Sweeley Estate Winery Bridal Showcase was a great success. I had a wonderful time walking around visiting everyone and taking photos for the blog. I hope you’ll enjoy them!

Here's an overview of part of yesterday's show. Check out the wonderful projected logo on the brick wall by Blue Ridge Light Forms

A Goff Transportation (left) and Andy from Sam Hill Entertainment (right)

Albemarle Vingate Limousine's beautiful 1949 Fleetwood Cadillac Limousine

Allegra's Studio

Teri Edwards of Cakes Unlimited showed off some of her tasty creations

I enjoyed my delicious donut from Carpe Donut on my way home... yum!

Beautiful place settings from Festive Fare

Another beautiful table designed by our friends at Festive Fare Rentals

Lately I’ve neglected the “Bride Online” feature of this blog but when I came across Twigs & Honey I knew it was a sign that the time had come to pick it up again   Myra Callan started her business just last year “with the goal of introducing to others a completely fresh and modern interpretation of hair adornments,” and her pieces are absolutely beautiful and ideal for brides who want to add a unique and striking touch to their wedding day look.

Twigs & Honey, based out of Oregon, has both a website and an Etsy shop filled with wonderful pieces: floral and feather hair pieces, headbands, veils, jewelry, belts, shrugs/jackets and boutonnieres.  I just love Myra’s designs and am so happy that I can share them with you today… enjoy!
If you love Myra’s beautiful pieces be sure to also visit her blog to see her latest work. Oh, and I also wanted to mention that Myra does custom work too, so you can have a perfect, personalized look for your day!

Happy 2nd Birthday

to the Charlottesville Wedding Blog and a BIG Thank You… to all the beautiful couples who have allowed me to share the joy of their big days with my readers and the fantastically talented wedding professionals who have been featured here in the past 24 months… specifically, but in no particular order thanks to:

Barboursville Vineyards
Jillian’s Video Productions
Inn at Old Virginia
Oak Ridge Estate
Holland Photo Arts
UVA Gardens
Veritas Vineyard & Winery
DJ Derek Tobler
Clifton Inn
DelFosse Vineyards & Winery
Montfair Resort Farm
Boar’s Head Inn
Pat’s Floral Design
University of Virginia Chapel
Encore Quartet
First Colony Winery
The White Pig B & B
Piedmont Chamber Players
Madison Trio
The Dinsmore House
House Mountain Inn
Eve Watters
Blue Ridge Balloon Co.
Allegra’s Studio
Stonefire Station
Jennifer Carroll Events
Inn at Sugar Hollow Farm
Jen Fariello Photography
Jason Keefer Photography
Clover Forest Plantation
Ash Lawn-Highland
Rob Garland Photographers
Rafael Scarfullery
Keswick Hall
Peter Richardson Guitar
Adam Barnes Photography
Whitehall Vineyards
Weekday Wedding Company
Billy Hunt Photography
DJ John Garland
The Rosebrook Inn
Jennifer Colina Photoraphy
Montfair Resort Farm
The Linden Trio
Terra Voce
Maliha Creations
Pat’s Floral Design
Wintergreen Resort
Virginia Schweninger
Skyland Resort
Albemarle Baking Co.
The Colonnade Club
Jan Smith & Honeybird Music
Will Kerner Photography
Henna by Colleen
Hark Photography
Omni Charlottesville
Rock, Paper, Scissors
West Main Bridal & Couture
Albemarle Vintage Limousine
Dottie DiLiddo Photography
Happy Rickshaw
Adrienne Wager
Weehah!
Jennifer Caroll Designs
King Family Vineyards
Floral Images
Spin City Dance Studio
Hotcakes
Dominique Attaway Photography
Kimberla’s Bridal
Meredith Montague Photography
Glenmore Country Club
The 1804 Inn
University Florists
Blue Mountain Weddings
Jack Looney Photography
The Greencroft Club
David Jones Photography
Barb Wired
Kluge Estate Winery
Angie Brement Photography
Hedge Fine Blooms
Andre Hilliard Photography
Sam Hill Entertainment
The Event Company
Aimee Susanah Photography
Elan On-Site Salon Services
If So Inklined
Sarah Cramer Photography
The Photosmith
Elizabeth Larson Photography
CB Photography
Taviametal
Festive Fare
Eagle Eye Photography
20 South Productions
Cakes Unlimited
The AV Company
Easton Events
Skyline Tent Company
Rothwell Photography
Blue Ridge Floral Design
DJ Rick Haggard
Erin McDermott Jewelry
Farmington Country Club
Plumblossom String Quartet
Stoneblue Productions
Cityspa
Blue Ridge Light Forms
Harvest Moon Catering
Primitive Earth Soaps

Our local news & arts weekly, the Cville has it’s July issue of Unions out on the stands today… so, be sure to get your copy! You’ll find lots of great info. for your Charlottesville area wedding plus stories and tips to make your planning a breeze… From making your wedding greener to great local resources for pretty paper and classy shoes and real love stories, the Cville Unions supplement has tons of fun and useful content… don’t miss it!

If you’re planning a wedding in the Charlottesville area, the Charlottesville Wedding Directory will make your life so much easier… check it out… and happy wedding planning!

If you’re planning a wedding (or not) and love wedding blogs, like I do, you’ve probably seen a few out there in the Blogosphere… I haven’t shared my favorites in a while so today I’m happy to send you links to a few of the blogs that I read (or at least scan) every day. These blogs are not local to Charlottesville but are filled with stories, ideas, inspiration, instructions for various projects and tons more.

Most wedding blogs are, naturally, focused on the interests of brides in particular… which is understandable since statistically it’s the bride who undertakes a great majority of the planning.  However, today I discovered something quite unique (I think) a blog written by a groom, telling about his experience preparing for his own wedding which, apparently, is more than a year away.  It’s a relatively new blog written by “Dave” in Los Angeles… he calls it “Temple of Groom”.  Cute, huh?

So, I know that this post about wedding blogs isn’t specific to Charlottesville but since so many of the brides I work with are blog readers, I wanted to share a bit about my own wedding blog habit… and also to ask you if you’d let me know what your favorite blogs are. Very soon I’ll be sharing my favorite local Charlottesville wedding blogs… so stay tuned!

Style me Pretty ~ Weddings Unveiled WeddingbeeSnippet & InkEcochic WeddingsTemple of Groom ~ Brooklyn BrideBride’s CafeOffbeat Bride ~ Kiss the Groom Ritzy Bee

Send me a comment and let me know which wedding blogs are your favorites!

Liz Powers of Skyline Tent Company was kind enough to share this beautiful selection of photos that showcase some of the amazing array of possibilities that having a tent at your wedding offers. I have to admit I have a special fondness for tented events… there’s something lovely about being outdoors and yet protected from the elements while dining and dancing. As you will see from these images, Skyline Tent Co. teams up with lots of local vendors to create the look and feel that their couples want. I am so pleased to share these photos with you… thanks Liz!

↑ Skyline Tent Co.; Beehive Events; Festive Fare ↑

↑ Skyline Tent Co.; A Pimento Catering; Festive Fare; Beehive Events ↑↑ Skyline Tent Co.; A Pimento; Festive Fare; Beehive Events ↑↑ Skyline Tent Co. ↑↑ Skyline Tent Co.; A Pimento; Beehive Events ↑↑ Beehive Events ↑↑ Skyline Tent Co. ↑↑ Beehive Events, Keswick Hall ↑↑ Clifton Inn; Pat’s Floral Design ↑↑ Clifton Inn ↑

Be sure to check back in a day or two for lots more beautiful wedding tents!

Contact Information for Skyline Tent Company
~ website: www.skylinetentcompany.com
~ phone: 434-977-TENT (8368)
~ e-mail: info@skylinetentcompany.com

If you’re planning a wedding in the Charlottesville area, the Charlottesville Wedding Directorywill make your life so much easier… check it out… and happy wedding planning

Earlier this week Kathryn Kieffer of Festive Fare let me know that Katie Sale of Rock Paper Scissors will be leading an evening workshop on Thank-you note writing on Tuesday, April 28th from 5 – 7 PM in their showroom.  Kathryn writes…

“we will offer light refreshments and let you unwind after the work day and then a fun and informative session on thank – you notes. We’ll wrap up with looking at all the goodies that “Rock, Paper, Scissors” has to offer as well as new items that Festive Fare has introduced for spring. Let us know if you would like to join. Please R.S.V.P by 04.22.09 to 434.296.5496 or Kathryn@fesitvefarerentals.com and we can accommodate up to 15 people so please let me know if you would like to attend”

Festive Fare is located at 1745 Broadway St., Charlottesville…  thanks Kathryn & Katie… hope that you have a wonderful workshop!

If you’re planning a wedding in the Charlottesville area, the Charlottesville Wedding Directory will make your life so much easier… check it out… and happy wedding planning!