This wedding is classically beautiful — white cake, white lacy dress, and lots of roses. But it’s also exceptionally fun in a personal way with flip flops and happy, genuine smiles.

The warm fall colors in the bouquets reflect the wedding’s season: Kate and Mark were married October 23, 2010 at Westover Hills United Methodist Church in Richmond, Virginia. Their reception followed at Willow Oaks Country Club in Richmond. Thank you, Liz, for capturing and sharing with us this fun couple on the happiest day of their lives.

What a fun couple! I wish you many happy years together, Kate and Mark. Liz of Sincerely, Liz: Photography did a great job capturing the merry spirit of this gorgeous autumn wedding.

You know what else would be fun? Going to Bliss, a wedding conference event for brides-to-be! Check out this link for more information.

Brides, I want to encourage you to grab the newest issue of Bella while you can! It is their annual issue featuring a wonderfully informative section on weddings, just for you. Look especially for our new ad along with our full page (yay!) feature on Bliss, a fine wedding fair (register soon!!), and an article on how to use the web to your benefit for your wedding. So exciting!!

Take a peek at local shops and restaurants to pick up your copy of Bella, and I am so proud to have HCB associated with such a fine (and fun!) publication. Oh, and as a sidebar … I am SO proud of our very own HCB vendor, Jeremiah Guelzo, who snagged the cover spot again this year. Check out more of his work at Stone Blue Productions, and how fun to have HCB featured in an issue with such a beautiful cover by one of our vendors.

Once again, I am pleased to present The Exclusive, written by Rachel McLean of RS Exclusive, a mother-daughter full service event company. If you have any questions for this knowledgeable duo, feel free to email them to info@hillcitybride.com.

Wedding Etiquette

As event planners, we are constantly asked our opinion on what is and isn’t permissible when it comes to the details leading up to, and surrounding, the wedding day. For many newly-engaged couples, it can be difficult to decipher which rules and traditions of wedding protocol are essential, which traditions are out-dated and no longer apply, and which are simply at their (and/or their families’) own discretion, based upon their unique situation and desires.

A lot of emotion surrounds a wedding, and it can be easy to unintentionally step-on-toes, leave someone out, or overlook common courtesy. As a general rule, we suggest when evaluating a specific decision you ask yourself three questions: Is it respectful? Is it moral? Will it make my loved ones and I feel special and add meaning to my wedding day? If you can easily answer yes to these questions, then you’re on the right path.

While there are innumerable questions that can be addressed when it comes to the topic of wedding etiquette, we’ve compiled of few of the ones we get asked most. We hope they provide you with some added insight and direction when making decisions for your big day.

Who foots the wedding bill?

Tradition of old had it that the bride’s parents consumed the cost for most of the wedding, while the groom’s side paid for the rehearsal dinner. However, times have changed, and event costs are often divided between both sets of parents, as well as the bride and groom. For many families, the desire to help is there, but the finances may not. A good rule of thumb is to never expect, but always be grateful for help that is given. Having a handle on your available finances early on will allow you to set a realistic budget and pinpoint areas of specific need.

Engagement Announcement

Before you make it “Facebook official,” take time to communicate the news of your engagement in a personal manner to your loved ones and closest friends. There is a time and place for electronic communication, but this isn’t it. They will appreciate the consideration, and enjoy the opportunity to personally share in your joy. Once official calls have been made, it’s perfectly appropriate to tweet away, sharing your good news with the rest of the world.

Guest Attire

Having a formal, but-not-too-formal affair, but are unsure how to indicate it on your invitation? The use of either “semi-formal” or “cocktail attire” are appropriate, and will communicate in a simple manner to your guests what attire is appropriate.

Registries

It is never appropriate to advertise your bridal registry in your invitation, rather, save that information for you wedding website. Prefer cash or gift cards? Notify your bridal party and families, and ask them to pass the word along. Keep in mind that many major retailers now allow you to register specifically for gift cards. With any gift registry, be courteous to your guests by offering a range of affordable items to suit even the smallest budget.

Bridesmaids Gowns

Traditionally speaking, the bride is not responsible for covering the cost of her bridesmaids’ dresses or wedding accessories. Being asked to be in your wedding party is an honor, and your bridesmaid should be aware that certain financial responsibilities will be included with her acceptance of the role. This being said, it is important to be mindful of budget when picking out gowns for your bridesmaids. If you know finances are tight, try and choose a dress that is affordable for everyone or offer to cover some of the cost if the dress you choose is a bit pricey.

Eco-friendly

If you’re a practicing vegetarian or vegan, it’s perfectly acceptable to prefer an all-vegetarian or vegan meal at your wedding. However, keep in mind that many of your guests may not be used to a completely “veggie” affair, so it is thoughtful to offer a wide selection of popular items (i.e. pasta) to allow for varying tastes.

Dessert Only Reception

While a dessert-only reception can certainly be eye-catching, decadent, and lighter on the wallet, if your reception is held during the hours of a traditional mealtime, it is courteous to feed your guests something substantial. A person can only consume so many sweets before feeling ill. If you’re set on serving strictly sweets, adjust the timing of your reception to late afternoon so guests can plan to eat prior.

Toasts

While tradition has the best man giving the famed toast, today a couple can incorporate just about any one they wish in their time of tribute. The main thing to be aware of (in addition to the comfort-level of the individuals being asked) is time – keep the reception moving. While guests will enjoy sharing in good-natured levity and touching praise, after a certain point, they will get restless.

Thank you again to the ladies of RS Exclusive for their informative monthly column, “Ask the Exclusive”. I am looking forward to part two on etiquette for wedding next month. The RS Exclusive ladies will also be presenting a workshop during our upcoming event on February 26th, Bliss, a fine wedding fair … be sure to register for this no-miss event!

Here is a sneak peek into their session … Session 3 - Be the Bride – leave the details to someone else – Wedding planners know the inside scoop on the ins and outs of weddings, and they also are connected with the vendors that can make your day spectacular! The team of RS Exclusive will guide you as you learn exactly what benefits there are to utilizing a planner, and how they can turn your wedding into a stress free event.

Sometimes I just enjoy perusing different sites for ideas to personalize weddings, and I found some cute placecard holder displays. Some are super easy … a ribbon here, a clip there, a small patch of fresh grass … etc. I hope that you enjoy this little collection of photos!

If you are curious as to where these photos came from … it was Flickr and Martha Stewart weddings. Just scroll over the photos, and you will be able to see where they came from. Enjoy, and let me know if you have heard of any great ideas for displaying unique placecards.

Also, do not forget to register for our upcoming event, Bliss … it is just a few weeks away. Our newest advertiser is Riverviews Artspace, which is a great local venue where Bliss is taking place.

What a gorgeous and fun autumn wedding – and local, too! With passionately vibrant flowers and spunky bridesmaids, Lindsay and Kyle look like they had a ton of fun exchanging vows and celebrating their union with family and friends as the sun set. Take a look at these photos from Visions by Heather and read what Heather has to say about the experience herself.

On a sunny Saturday afternoon in October in the midst our local James River State Park (bordered by the Buckingham and Nelson county line), I would consider a picnic, a walk, or exploring nature with family.  But for Lindsay and Kyle it was the perfect place for their wedding.  At the bottom of a rolling hill amid closest friends and family with a beautiful mountain view they chose to say “I do.”

The details of their day were meticulously and thoughtfully planned … I could go on and on!

His younger brother and sisters played violins for their ceremony while special friends and family sang and read.  In the middle they shared in a sand ceremony pouring sand from the beaches they have lived in the past, including Charleston, SC, where they met and Ocean Beach, CA, where they reside together now.

She chose dresses for her attendants with complimentary fall hues, each alike in style but with a different accent color.  Bouquets of different flowers accompanied each attendant to coordinate with her chosen accent color.

We took an amazing walk around the park’s pond for some of the most stunning light so they could enjoy some private moments before the party began.

They celebrated each other, and being together following his recent deployment, in every breath.

Their song choices and music kept the floor active ALL night long, including a fun and fabulous surprise presentation of the “Charleston”, a floor filled homage to Ohio State with “Hang On Sloopy”, a special dedication to a friend’s anniversary with one of my very favorites from Dave Matthews Band “You & Me”, and of course the dance between bride & groom with a adorable less traditional tune of Plain White T’s “1, 2, 3, 4″.

Lindsay and Kyle “love”.  They love life, and family, and friends, and each other.  Openly and wholeheartedly accompanied by amazing laughter and adoring looks.  They are refreshing and make my heart smile.  I was truly blessed to be a part of their perfect autumn wedding day.”

Venue: James River State Park (local)
Flowers & Décor: inventivEnvironments (out of Charleston, SC)
Catering: Repast Catering (local)
Cake: Big BUNDTS & More (out of Chapel Hill, NC)

The warmth of the fall light and the smiles on everyone’s faces are contagious looking at these pictures! Thanks to Visions by Heather for sharing these with us.

For more great wedding ideas and to meet some more fantastic vendors, attend Bliss, a fine wedding fair, an upscale wedding conference designed to give brides lots of tips and ideas for the big day! Click here for more information about this February event.