When I saw this wedding by Crystal George Studios, I just knew that it had to be on the blog for several reasons. For one, it was photographed by Crystal (if you haven’t gotten to know her, you should!), and I know the bride, Caitlin. She’s a sweetie, plus her wedding is filled with color and details. This wedding also features the many talents of Love Is in the Air, the ladies who truly can do it all.

Enjoy these photos, and be sure to check out the vendor list at the end. Ross and Caitlin, I wish you all of the best and many wonderful years together!

Photography: Crystal George Studios

Ceremony: Snidow Chapel, LC

Reception: The Rotary Club, Boonsboro

DJ and Lighting: Official Entertainment

Catering, Cake and Decor: Love Is in the Air

Hair & Makeup: Arte De Capelli

Bridal Dress: Church St Bridal, YWCA

Also, don’t forget to register for Bliss, a fine wedding fair by clicking here!

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

Well, I am always up for an adventure (I like to call them “field trips” … channeling my grade school days!), so when Amanda Gray of Ashley Baber Weddings invited me for a fun day out to visit Blenheim, I just couldn’t say no. We had a great time chatting and riding to the near-Charlottesville destination, and I was truly impressed.

I do want to clarify and say that if I were you, I would definitely head on over to their website to see more stunning photos as these were just snapped with my iPhone while I was there … I even saw some fantastic decorating ideas, too (most of which came from the store, Curious Orange, in Charlottesville … I definitely need to take a trip to that store!).

Ok, on to some photos …

This is part of the main house of Blenheim … I love the old farm piece on the wall accompanied by the reclaimed lumber “shelves” and flooring. I picture this spot being the perfect place for a brunch or luncheon on the day of the wedding. Notice the window … this unique shape is all throughout. Beautiful!

As part of the same room (see the reflection in the mirror?), there is a comfortable seating area, which is perfect for lounging and conversing.

Blenheim also has a winery (did I mention that it is owned by Dave Matthews?), and Dave does the art for their specialty bottles each year. I also LOVE the wreaths above the mantel in the kitchen, which are made of paper from old books … how ingenious!

Of course, showing off the big, beautiful bathroom is a must … brides will have plenty of room for getting ready and pampering.

The grounds are beautiful, and this is the perfect spot to put a tent for an outdoor reception. The possibilities at Blenheim are endless with all that they have to offer with the layout of the property and its collection of buildings.

The building below is actually a small chapel … complete with a fantastic bathroom and a loft upstairs. This space can be used for a small ceremony of around 20 people, and it is the perfect solution for a quaint, intimate wedding.

Again, my iPhone doesn’t do the property justice, but the library building is so intriguing! It could be used to house the cake for an outdoor wedding or as a reception area for a small wedding. It also has the unique windows, and the chandelier is made out of slats from an old wine barrel. There are so many eye-catching touches around the Blenheim property.

I am happy to have been able to share all about Blenheim with you, and thanks goes out again to Amanda for inviting me! Visit the website of Blenheim for contact information on heading out to the property yourself … you can even make a day of it and take in the stunning views at their winery. If you do stop by, tell Kathy that Hill City Bride sent you! Oh and for pricing (it’s very reasonable!) and a history of the property itself (along with other photos), just click HERE.

As soon as I was introduced to my first Nancy Drew book as a young girl, I was hooked. As the star of stories filled with suspense and anticipation, Nancy was level headed, smart and resourceful, much like her male counterpart, Frank Hardy of The Hardy Boys mysteries. Just like a thrilling novel, love can hold the same secrets of the unknown while causing feelings of intrigue. So, armed with the memories of staying up late at night to read the children’s mysteries and a love for books, I propose a twist of fate… a secret unlocked within the City of Seven Hills. Meet our Frank and Nancy, whose life together begins when the books debuted in the 1930s, as they play out their story at the Old Jones Memorial Library in the historic city of Lynchburg, Virginia.

This fourth installment in our weditorial postings focuses on the library itself… the actual room that housed the books, complete with lingering shelves, glass flooring and a mysterious feel. With scenes also set in the main hall and the attic, the feeling of mystery lingers on for Frank and Nancy. Enjoy!

As soon as I was introduced to my first Nancy Drew book as a young girl, I was hooked. As the star of stories filled with suspense and anticipation, Nancy was level headed, smart and resourceful, much like her male counterpart, Frank Hardy of The Hardy Boys mysteries. Just like a thrilling novel, love can hold the same secrets of the unknown while causing feelings of intrigue. So, armed with the memories of staying up late at night to read the children’s mysteries and a love for books, I propose a twist of fate… a secret unlocked within the City of Seven Hills. Meet our Frank and Nancy, whose life together begins when the books debuted in the 1930s, as they play out their story at the Old Jones Memorial Library in the historic city of Lynchburg, Virginia.

As a sidebar, I would also like to mention that our “models” are a real life couple… both local students who were dating at the time of our photo shoot, but they are now engaged. We like to think we had a little to do with their true to life love story, and we wish them many happy years together!

Ok, on to Frank and Nancy…

What do you think of when you hear New Orleans? A city that survived? A party that never ends? A place rich in history and architecture? Well, all three of those present themselves as a trifecta in this amazing wedding photographed by Crystal George of Crystal George Studios.

Like New Orleans, Emily and Courtney are a couple who had been through a lot as individuals before their life paths crossed, and this wedding has a Mardi Gras theme, creole style food and a building that has beautiful lines. It is also a great example of a DIY feast for the eyes!

Emily had each of her bridesmaids give her a pair of their own comfortable shoes to make over for the wedding, so she presented each of her attendants with an upcycled version of their shoes along with fun masks to wear. Their bouquets were also functional for the wedding, yet they were comprised of several pieces that could be worn as brooches and accessories long after the wedding was over. Being a hair and makeup artist, Emily also did the hair and makeup for herself and her bridesmaids… quite a task on her own wedding day!

Emily also wrote an article for the pages of clutch, the bride’s guide to have and to hold, and you can pick up a copy locally or click HERE to see more of her wedding photos and read her wedding story starting on page 64. Ok, enough reading. It’s time to enjoy this beautiful wedding.

Photography: Crystal George Studios

Hair and Makeup: Bodyworks Day Spa & Salon

Ceremony Venue: Grace Memorial Episcopal

Reception Venue: The Aviary

Bride’s Dress: Vera Wang at David’s Bridal (customized)

Maid’s Shoes & Masks: Customized by Bride

Cake: Family & Friends

Catering: Avenue Foods

Bouquets: Custom by Skull Fly

Decor: Kasey of Boudoir and Tabitha of Skull Fly

Band: Almost Brothers

Lighting: Castle Event Lighting

Videography: Lynchburg Live

Tux: Men’s Wearhouse