This past weekend I was fortunate to find myself performing a wedding ceremony for Laura and James in the Italian Garden at Maymont in Richmond. Maymont is a 100+ acre estate, garden, arboretum and Museum right in the City of Richmond. Although I haven’t spent as much time as I’d like exploring all of the beautiful buildings and gardens I can say that what I have seen of Maymont is truly unique, diverse and especially amazing to find right in a large metropolitan area.

Maymont’s website provides comprehensive information about it’s history and facilities as well as about the property’s availability for weddings and other events. Even without a detailed knowledge of Maymont’s history I can tell you that it is a charming place for a wedding with many locations to choose from. As you can see here the Italian Garden is a beautiful columned site and the Japanese Garden which is just down the hill is equally attractive with a lovely waterfall and bridge that makes it unique.

So, whether you’re looking for a wedding venue or just want to spend a beautiful day in the park Maymont shouldn’t be missed. To inquire about the availability of your date and to set up an appointment for a walk-through please contact Maymont’s rental coordinator at 804-358-7166, ext. 309 or e-mail rentals@maymont.org.

This beautiful couple, Jessi and Brent, got married yesterday at Richmond’s Omni Hotel. The Omni is a contemporary, luxury hotel in the historic Shockoe Slip neighborhood of Richmond. This hotel can accommodate pretty much any kind of event from small and intimate to a sit down dinner for hundreds in their ballroom.

Jessi and Brent’s wedding fell somewhere in between. Their ceremony included many lovely Jewish elements including a beautiful chuppah that the bride designed herself and the traditional Seven Blessings in Hebrew and English that were offered by friends of the Groom’s family. Afterwards their 130+ guests went downstairs to the Mayflower room for an evening of fun and dancing.

The Omni is a great choice if you want everything you need in one place and lots of wonderful staff to help with every detail. It is also in a great neighborhood with dozens of restaurants, bars and shops within a short walk from the front door. I spent a good part of Saturday afternoon at the Shockoe Espresso & Roastery just a block and a half down Cary St.

Jessi and Brent had an amazing surprise… just as they were lining up to walk into their reception and be announced as “Mr. & Mrs….” Richmond’s Mayor (and former Governor), Doug Wilder walked up and introduced himself. Their photographer came dashing out to capture the unexpected moment. You just never know who you’ll meet at the Omni!

If you think The Omni Richmond might be the place for your wedding please visit their website or give them a call at: 804-344-7000.

I’d been hearing about the Jefferson Hotel for years but, until this past weekend, hadn’t actually had an opportunity to see it for myself. It is unlike any other place I’ve every seen… “grand” doesn’t even begin to accurately express what this hotel is like. From the huge semi-circular entrance to the grand stairway and stained glass ceilings it is certainly one of the most upscale and beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen. Every detail of this hotel was obviously given a great deal of attention.

The Jefferson was first opened in 1895, built by land developer Lewis Ginter and no expense was spared in his creation. In 1901 and again in 1944 the hotel survived fire damage and was restored along the way and even used as a movie set. In 1993 the renovation and restoration that brought the Jefferson to it’s current appearance and status as a five-diamond and five-star hotel were completed. If you are interested in a more complete history of this historic location plus stories about the alligators in the fountain at The Jefferson be sure to spend a bit of time on their website’s history page.

Katherine and Jason’s wedding was what gave me the opportunity to spend a bit of time at The Jefferson. Their 90 guests joined them for their ceremony in the Flemish Room and then gathered together in the Rotunda Lobby (under the beautiful domed stain glass ceiling) for cocktails while the bride and groom spent some time with their photographers. Although I did not stay for the evening’s dinner reception and dancing it was set up in the Empire Room and was absolutely beautiful in every detail.

It is obvious that The Jefferson hosts many weddings, everyone on their staff that I came into contact with was extremely helpful and professional and no facet of Katherine and Jason’s big day was overlooked. James Harris, the Catering Manager that planned and and facilitated Jason and Katherine’s wedding with them handled every detail with grace and good humor.

If you are looking for a truly one-of-a-kind venue and are want the the best of the best in an historic Virginia venue I would recommend you visit The Jefferson. And if this isn’t exactly your style or in your budget I would still invite you to visit the Jefferson because it is a beautiful Virginia landmark and a place worth experiencing.

You can contact The Jefferson at 804-788-8000 or 800-424-8014.