Although I’ve known Ron Dressel of Ron Dressel Photography for awhile this is the first  time I’m sharing one of his weddings here on the blog.  Although I think every photo is absolutely lovely, I have to admit that the photos of the 2 ring bearers just stole my heart… just so, so sweet!  This wedding was even more special for Ron as Allison and Ryan are friends of his… here are a few words from Ron:

On August 20th, my good friends Allison and Ryan got married in Charlottesville, Virginia at Ash Lawn-Highland. Besides Ash Lawn-Highland being very historic as it was the home of former President James Monroe, it offers a gorgeous location for a wedding.  All the wedding details were beautiful from the vibrant bouquets prepared by A New Leaf Florist to the wedding cake dressed with fresh berries made by Hot Cakes. There were even colorful flip-flops available so the ladies would be comfortable during the reception.  The day was a perfect for an outdoor wedding complete with blue skies and warm sun. The ceremony was beautiful and full of love and heartfelt emotion. The ceremony was capped off by a kiss and loving embrace then the newly married couple made their way back down the isle to the cheers of their guests. Just after they exited I was able to catch a candid embrace between the hedges as the sun glistened behind them! During cocktail hour the bride and groom slipped away from the wedding party an had their own photo session at the entrance drive of Ash Lawn-Highland, which is lined by stately Ash trees. Afterwards we returned to the pavilion where they celebrated with their guests throughout the evening.

Contact Information for :
~ website: www.rondresselphoto.com
~ e-mail: ron@rondresselphoto.com
~ phone: 434-322-0737
~ blog: www.rondresselphotography.com

Additional Vendors
~ officiant: Rev. Claire Goodman (that’s me )
~ venue: Ash Lawn-Highland
~ caterer: Everyday Gourmet
~ flowers: A New Leaf Florist
~ cake: Hot Cakes
~ DJ: Rick Haggard
~ Hair & Makeup: Judy Hayward of Bristles

Earlier this month I was contacted by Josh Gooden with a link to his wonderful 2009 wedding cinematography reel … it is my pleasure to share it with you today!

A word from Josh:

Our team of storytellers creates cinema style films that capture and preserve one of life’s most precious moments. The following reel features recent weddings and engagement sessions from the Shenandoah Valley. From seeing you walk down the aisle, to hearing your voices as you exchange vows and rings, hearing the toasts, and reliving all the memories of the reception, we capture the details that you will want to watch over and over again.

Wedding & Event Reel | 2009 from Josh Gooden on Vimeo.

Contact Information for Josh Gooden Cinematography:
~ website: www.joshgooden.com
~ blog: http://joshgooden.com/blog
~ phone: 540-405-9532
~ e-mail: info@joshgooden.com

“What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the
present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may
overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead
to peace.”

–Agnes M. Pahro

…tomorrow the Charlottesville Wedding Blog will be back with more goodies for y’all …

Heather and Chase were married in May at the spectacular Blue Ridge Overlook at Nelson County’s Wintergreen Resort and, as you will see, the views were completely magnificent. Aaron Watson of Aaron Watson Photography completely captured the beauty of their day. Aaron has kindly shared another of his fusion videos with us today… thanks Aaron, and Congratulations to Heather and Chase!

Heather & Chase’s Wedding from Aaron Watson on Vimeo.

Grier & Tad’s Wedding from Aaron Watson on Vimeo.

Contact Information for Aaron Watson Photography:
~ website: www.aaronwatsonphoto.com
~ e-mail: info@aaronwatsonphoto.com
~ phone: 434-962-7143
~ blog: www.aaronwatsonphotoblog.com

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 were thinking that dance lessons might have to be nixed from your wedding budget or if you just prefer a workshop experience to the once-a-week option   you’ll definitely want to check out this lovely offering from Spin City Dance Studio (who is, by the way, the newest sponsor of the Charlottesville Wedding Blog!). Robin will be offering a Wedding Dance Workshop that could be exactly what you’re looking for. Robins tells me…

“Quickly learn dances to the most popular First Dance songs as well as Reception music – like swing, foxtrot, rumba, hustle, and more! You’ll learn the steps and cool moves for your special day! It’s a crash course in dance for you, your fiance(e), your parents and even your whole wedding party! Affordable prices from $50 per wedding couple, $80 for wedding couple and parents of either the bride or the groom, or $130-200 for the whole wedding party (depending on size). Please RSVP by email or phone call to reserve your spot in either the April 11th or April 18th workshop. PS: This dance workshop would make a great gift!”

Be sure to RSVP to Spin City right away:
~ phone: 434-242-8420
~ e-mail: robin@spincitydancestudio.com
Spin City Dance Studio is located at:
313 Second St., SE, Suite 108… downtown right near the Water Street Parking Garage.

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!

Amongst the many blogs that I follow there are, believe-it-or-not, a few that are not wedding-related (I know it’s hard to imagine, isn’t it?)  One of my favorites is called The Simple Dollar and it focuses on practical financial advice and information for regular folks, like me .  This past week The Simple Dollar has had a very good 5-part series written by Trent Hamm that I want to share with you.  It focuses on the stages of a relationship and how you can make financially sound choices throughout.  I hope that you will find some inspiration and useful information for this time in your life.  Here are links to these 5 articles:

A Reasonable Courtship

A Reasonable Engagement

A Reasonable Wedding

A Reasonable Honeymoon

A Reasonable Marriage

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 haven’t registered for this coming Sunday’s Bridal Style Show please don’t wait another minute! This is an annual show and Susan Sorbello of West Main Bridal and Couture does an fantastic job of offering our community a wonderful bridal event… Go here for information and here to register now.

• Date: Sunday, February 8th
• Time: 2 PM – 5:30 PM
• Location: Farmington Country Club

… see you at the show!

Don’t miss our local weekly news and arts paper, C-ville‘s, twice-yearly wedding supplement tucked into this week’s issue. It’s on the stands today and has lots of great info. and resources for your wedding planning… be sure to get your copy!

Hi Readers! As I’m sure you can tell the Charlottesville Wedding Blog is always a work in progress. It is my wish to continue to grow and develop this blog so that it will be more helpful, useful and interesting to couples planning their wedding in the area.

To help me learn what you would like to see more of here on the blog, I have created a simple little survey that I would love for you to take. Only 7 questions total and your input will be very helpful and much appreciated.

Click Here to take survey

THANK YOU – THANK YOU – THANK YOU

Earlier this year… wow, all the way back in January…. a couple I married asked 3 of their friends to come up and read these wonderful movie quotes at the very beginning of their ceremony. I thought this was a lovely idea because it so clearly reflected the personalities of the couple, their shared appreciation for romantic movies and their great sense of humor. Your ceremony reading choices can be truly creative and meaningful to you, not just what’s expected. Enjoy!

Quote from the movie The Notebook – “The best love is the kind that weakens the soul, that makes us reach for more, that plants fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. And that’s what you’ve given me. That’s what I hope to give you forever.”

Quote from the movie Love Actually – “Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think of the arrivals gate at the airport. General opinion’s starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don’t see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it’s not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it’s always there – fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the twin towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge – they were all messages of love. And if you look for it, I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that love actually is all around.”

Quote from the movie Fools Rush In – “You’re the one! You are everything I never knew I always wanted. I’m not even sure what that means exactly but I think it has something to so with the rest of my life! And I think we should get married! Right now!” ]]> http://www.charlottesvilleweddingblog.com/2008/11/wedding-reading-movie-quotes/feed/ 0