Hill City Bride

Everyday E-session by Love in Focus – Mo & Emily

Warmer weather is finally here (yay!), and today I have some inspiration for you to possibly head out to our local trails and parks for your engagement session. Mo and Emily hail from England and had their engagement session in Bristol, but when I saw these photos, I immediately was taken to our own beautiful Virginia trails… it is amazing to me how similar the scenery is to ours. I hope that you enjoy the uniqueness of this couple as you see their love unfold through the images by Love in Focus.

Love in Focus England Engagement Session

Love in Focus England Engagement Session

Love in Focus England Engagement Session

Love in Focus England Engagement Session

Love in Focus England Engagement Session

Love in Focus England Engagement Session

Love in Focus England Engagement Session

Love in Focus England Engagement Session

Love in Focus England Engagement Session

Love in Focus England Engagement Session

Love in Focus England Engagement Session

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Craving more engagement inspiration? Just click here to see another lovely couple in love.

I Dream of an Engagement Session

Everything is all abuzz here at Hill City Bride for so many reasons, but one reason especially is that our I Dream of a Wedding couple is getting married … and in just TEN short days. I can’t believe it! Erika and Gabe are such sweethearts, and I’m excited that our vendors are such a big part of their day.

Special thanks goes out to Adam Barnes of Adam Barnes Fine Art Photography for donating his time and talents to give this great couple a beautiful engagement session. Enjoy!

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Here is a listing of the vendors who are participating in the actual wedding:

Co-Founder/Photography Coordinator – Allegra of Allegra’s Studio

Wedding Planning – Amanda Gray of Ashley Baber Weddings

Wedding Venue - West Manor

Reception Venue - Tresca on 8th

Wedding gown, Groom’s Tuxedo and Bridesmaid’s Dress - Celebration

Ceremony Decor - RS Exclusive

Bridal Party Flowers - Perfect Arrangement

Invitations and Monogrammed Cake Napkins - Farmbasket

Music - Music, Music and More Music

Cake - La Bella Torta

Catering - Cater This

Hair and Makeup - Bodyworks Day Spa & Salon and Mitchell’s Salon on 7th

Lighting - Castle Event Lighting

Reception Decor - Love Is in the Air

Videography - Lynchburg Live

Reception Photo Booth - The Virginia Photo Booth Company

PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM

Bridal Portraits - Sincerely, Liz: Photography

Engagement Portraits - Adam Barnes Fine Art Photography

Wedding Photography - Crystal George Studios

Reception Photography - Visions by Heather Photography

Behind the Scenes Coverage - KD Burke Photography

Album Design - Stone Blue Productions

KICKOFF PARTY

Venue - Terrace View by the James

Catering - Repast Catering

Photography - KD Burke Photography

To view more of our I Dream of a Wedding journey, just click here to view more posts. It’s such an exciting time!

Brides, don’t forget that Bliss, a fine wedding fair is coming up soon. Be sure to register here … so fun!!

Everyday E-session by Stone Blue Productions – Jason & Melissa

I am always raving about the beauty of Virginia, but I just can’t help it … especially when I receive submissions like this one that take place on Sharp Top Mountain at the Peaks of Otter. The views are breathtaking, and Jason and Melissa’s love is inspiring. It is such a beautiful location, and it just goes to show that no matter what your interests or vision, you really can have a creative, unique engagement session. Enjoy this beautiful collection of photos by Stone Blue Productions.

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To view more work by Stone Blue on our blog, be sure to click here. Have fun perusing!

Blogiday – Everyday E-session by Elisa B Photography – Stephen & Alla

We are on blogiday until January 3rd, so for now enjoy some oldies but goodies on the blog! 

I was so excited to receive this session from Elisa of Elisa B Photography … she is such a sweet and talented photographer (not to mention the fact that she balances that with being a wife and a mother!).

This session has a cute twist, and here is Elisa to share in her own words:

The couple, Alla and Stephen, were engaged just before these images were taken in a private (and surprise!) proposal. They were both students at UVA, which is how they met, and they planned this session on the UVA grounds to commemorate their time in Charlottesville together before moving.

How sweet is that? Elisa did a perfect job capturing their love during their Charlottesville engagement session, and I wish Alla and Stephen a wonderful life together!

Thank you again for sharing, Elisa, and we are looking forward to showing more of your work in the future.

Thanksgiving Blogiday – Ask the Exclusive – “Lets hear it for the boys: Before ‘I do’, comes the ‘Will you’?” – by HCB Columnist RS Exclusive

It’s Thanksgiving week, and we are taking a much needed blogiday! Enjoy the oldies but goodies that we have for you this week.

Many thanks once again to Rachel McLean of RS Exclusive for contributing this month. What an exciting phase of life … engagement! Have fun reading this special treat today complete with photos of the work of RS.

No, this isn’t a tribute post to Cindy Lauper, although I do think she is pretty fantastic. Rather, this is a nod of sincere acknowledgement, respect, and most importantly, an offer of assistance, for those of you men preparing to make one of the biggest and best decisions in your life: asking the love of your life for her hand in marriage.

We all know the familiar story: Boy meets girl. Boy and girl fall in love. Boy and girl plan the wedding of their dreams, say, “I do,” and then together, begin their “happily ever after.”

However, before there can be a wedding, there must first be a proposal – or so the story goes for most couples. And before there can be a proposal, there must be a man, crazy in love, eager enough to sell his car, motorcycle, guitar, or extra kidney if need be (okay, don’t sell your kidney, you may actually need that someday) to purchase the perfect ring and proclaim his undying love and devotion — in a spectacular setting — to the one whom he hopes will say “yes!” and become his future bride. (Whew, deep breath.)

While much ado is made over the bride-to-be as she prepares for her wedding day, often little attention or recognition is given to the valiant effort and fortitude shown by the hopeful, future groom-to-be, during the months and weeks leading up to the proposal.

Lets face it ladies, when it comes to the big day before the big wedding day, we have high expectations, and many of us have dreamed about what the moment should be like for years. We may say that “love is all that matters,” and while we know it does, deep down, we want (and hope) to be taken to the moon and back; to have a romantic moment of Jane Austin proportions; an off-the-charts, unique, and perfect engagement we simply cannot wait to share with our girlfriends and family members.

Given this knowledge, to say there is a little bit of pressure placed on you men to perform is an understatement.

We at RS Exclusive realize a lot of blood, sweat, and yes, sometimes even tears, go into this process. We understand how nerve-wracking the days leading up to the big moment can be, let alone how overwhelming it can be to choose the perfect setting for the day, fill it with a day or evening of romantic gestures, and then pour your heart out while on one knee.

Here’s some good news: you don’t have to go it alone. On the contrary, giving your future bride the proposal of her dreams is within reach, and you don’t have to have the budget of The Bachelor – or be a creative genius to pull it off.

RS Exclusive offers a “perfect proposal” packages to love-struck men of all ages who need – or just want – advice, direction, and the experienced know-how to add a polished touch to their plans and take the stress out of the planning.

Whether you’re looking for full-service, conception-through-execution assistance, or simply help fine-tuning and laying the final touches, event planners have the expertise and personal and professional connections to stretch your hard-earned money and give you the most sparkle for your buck.

The big day is yours, and should reflect everything that is special about your love and what makes you unique as a couple. We’ll help you take the stress out of planning and allow you to focus on what really matters: sweeping the woman of your dreams off of her feet, and together enjoying a perfect moment that you will cherish for the rest of your lives.

Here’s to you, our knights in shining armor. Without you we wouldn’t get to spend hours browsing through bridal magazines and trying on wedding gowns. You are our heroes, and we think you deserve a helping hand in making our dreams come true.

Each of these photos was taken during an actual surprise proposal that RS Exclusive arranged. Congratulations to Brian and Lauren on their engagement! The location was the Oakwood Country Club, where sparks first started between these two, and the engagement took place on their one year anniversary of dating. Photographs are courtesy of Sally Hahn.

Below are photos of the vineyard engagement of Chris and Rachel (yes, the Rachel who writes “Ask the Exclusive”!).

Below are photos from the rooftop engagement of Adam and Katie, which was also set up by RS Exclusive.

Guys, if you are considering a proposal, having help takes the pressure off, and it can be a lot of fun!