Amanda and Hunter: Virginia Beach National Golf Course Wedding

Virginia Beach National Golf Course Summer Wedding

Rain clouds, lightening, and a downpour could not keep Amanda & Hunter down on their big day.  The clouds rolled in and rained on their ceremony site but cleared up just in time for them to walk down the aisle. The weather had been off & on but towards the end of the night, they got lucky with a double rainbow!

These two met through a mutual friends at a party - "Nothing fancy", Amanda states. They had known each other for a few years and then lost touch. But as fate would have it,  they ran into one another and rekindled their friendship. Amanda said "After seeing each other for the first time after a couple of years it was all she wrote! We have been inseparable ever since!"

Their first date consisted of Sushi. Hunter is a relax laid back type of guy whose ideal date night would be snacks and snuggling, while Amanda would love a planned out night from Hunter FULL of surprises. Little did she know the most important question she would have to answer was going to be a complete surprise!

Here is Amanda's version of their proposal story.

"It was My grandma’s 70th birthday (also our annual Christmas party) with both Hunter and I’s ENTIRE family (like 85 people!).  Of course it wouldn’t have been a Christmas party without Santa and Mrs. Claus in attendance. Santa pulled a box out of his big red bag after reading stories  to the kids. Santa pulled out an ornament from his bag and  inside that magical gift, was Hunters wedding proposal, asking me to marry him. When I turned around Hunter was down on one knee with our whole family and friends standing around! He somehow managed to keep the secret from me along with my entire family for THREE weeks! Biggest surprise EVER!"

Virginia beach National was a great backdrop for their wedding. Lush green grass, a rainbow & cotton candy clouds that lit up the sky. Perfect ending to a perfect day!

Ceremony: Virginia Beach National On The Green

Reception: Virginia Beach National On The Green

Florist: Sherry Grothman, The Flower Events & Gal 

Cake: GiGi's Cupcakes at Hilltop 

Invitations: Zazzle 

DJ: Bill Hale with Hale Entertainment VA Beach 

Dress: Studio I DO

Tuxedos: Philip Michael Fashion For Men 

Hair: Stacy Nemes with Shear It Up & Haleigh Bailey with Chop the Locks 

Makeup: Tamara Owens 

Ice Sculpture: Ice Art 

Violins: And I Love Her Violins 

Amy & Nick: North Landing Beach Camp Ground Virginia Beach VA

Ya'll get ready to read one of the best love story's around. It all began as a friendship on the middle school bus ride. It was 8th grade when these two met but it was not until 10th grade they actually started dating. They say the best marriages start out as friendships, and I am a firm believer.

This love story has accumulated some fun stories over the past 13 years. For instance their first date adventure. These two headed out to watch the sunset in Nick's John boat. Super romantic right?! Well, on the way home it was dark and that poor little john boat took a beating. A piece of wood was lurking in those dark waters and just like a magnet, the boat & wood piece collided. That dent from their first date still remains on their little john boat to this day. 

Fast forward 11 years later to the sweetest proposal story. Nick had taken his sister Jessie (one of Amys best friends) to help him pick out the ring. Jessie was ECSTATIC to share this secret but did her sisterly/best friend duty and kept her lips sealed. The poor girl did not realize just how long she would have to wait to share this big news with her family and friends. She said the only time she could share this news was when she was out of town, she would tell every stranger she met because she just could not contain her excitement for these middle school sweet hearts.

The day FINALLY came... 2 years later. Jessie could shout it from the rooftops and welcome her new sister in law to the family! 

Amy & Nick had moved into their newly built home on the island, on the drive to their new place,  Nick told Amy he wanted to stop and check out the water (or birds) on the causeway. She thought, what a cute thing to do- not thinking anything of it.  Nick said he wanted to take a photo so he set up his phone to take their photo and that is where he popped the question! 

These two are the definition of outdoorsy & adventurous. When they told me about their wedding venue, I knew it was the perfect location. They spent the weekend camping in cabins with all of their friends & family at the North Landing campground. They spent the morning tanning on the beach then exchanged their vows on the beach (dodged the crazy thunderstorms!) & partied all night in the pavilion to the Billy Joe band. Wasn't Amy just stunning in her gown?! They had an awesome taco spread and seafood dishes by Zest and cupcakes created by Mal's half baked. Thanks to all of the vendors below for making the day extra special!

Flowers: Jessie Pfeufer (best MOH ever)

Caterer: Zest

Cupcakes: Mals half baked

Tent: Distinctive rentals

Coordinator: Sunkissed Events

Venue: North Landing Campground

Brides Make up: Shannon Lighthart

Bridesmaids Make up: Kara Kight 

Band: Billy Joe Trio 

A Derby Wedding Stylized Shoot Inspiration: Virginia Beach VA

Welcome!!! It is our first Blog post on our official Launch day!!! We had an awesome weekend with margaritas and derby hats, along with my sister Graduating college! My sweet baby traveled like a champ on that 5.5 hour ride up to Radford (praise Jesus!) and she did amazing during the ceremony. It may have rained Saturday but it did not hold us back from watching Morgan walk across that stage, or catching the newest Kentucky derby winner.

This past weekend was one of my Absolute favorites. May is usually the time when spring arrives and it always feels like a fresh start. What better time to showcase our new website we've been working so diligently on?! The goal was to add vibrant fun colors to our site and what sport event comes to mind first? The Kentucky derby shows off fashion, colorful hats and beautiful animals like no other sport.

A year ago I started planning out this branding session with a team of Hampton Roads finest vendors. I wanted bright colors along with an equestrian touch. Growing up around horses you cant help but swoon over their beauty. One of my main goals when a bride sees my work, is that she falls in love with the vibrancy and contrast. I wanted to marry the bright eye popping colors from the Derby along with that equestrian vibe into this stylized session. Jamie Leigh events did a fantastic job matching the mint hue I love and shades of peony pink that I do adore so well! Lets be honest, mint can be a tricky color pairing with other colors. It can end up too green mint or too blue mint. She nailed it on the head! 

Enjoy our Stylized Kentucky derby Wedding Inspiration!

Vendors:

Dress: Studio I do

Coordinator/Stylist: Jamie Leigh events

Cake:Rachel Bakes

Venue: Private Residence

Floral Decor: Blushing floral designs by Alexandra

Linens: Waterford Event Rentals

Bobby & Ashley: Historic Post office Hampton VA

A Sunday Brunch Wedding at the Historic Post office Hampton VA

This wedding was the ultimate Sunday Brunch. Beautiful venue, Great live music (would you expect anything less from a DJ?!), two flower doggies (Penelope & Lilly) and energetic wedding guests. The only decision to make was choosing between a mimosa or bloody. You could find any breakfast dish you'd like, whipped up by Chef By Design. The evening ended with tasty sweets from glazed donuts (TO DIE FOR). 

This story all began In high school. Ashley actually sat right next to her future best man during their high school graduation. She and Bobby never connected until after she moved back home from college. Then Ashley & Bobby were introduced through mutual acquaintances.

Bobby picked up Ashley on his motorcycle for their first date. She had never been on one. He drove her around to Southland for some old fashioned BBQ until the rain clouds put a hault to their date. They stopped by his parents house where they ate steak and potatoes, Ashley's all time favorite meal ever. She says she knew she was going to marry into the family that day. After that first date- they we inseparable from that moment. 

Every year they try to take two vacations, one warm and one cold, when the wedding world allows them to break free.

When Bobby popped the question, it came as a complete surprise to Ashley. She knew for sure, a month before the proposal, in Aruba it was going to happen. They went to a jewelry store (the same place his mothers engagement ring was from) and Bobby custom designed her ring. 

But the proposal did not happen there. The morning after Thanksgiving, Ashley had set up a photoshoot at a local park. Little did she know, Bobby had that ring in his pocket. She turned around and saw him down on one knee. She froze in complete shock. Luckily the photographer was there to tell her to give him a kiss!

They chose their wedding date 2.18.18 because both of their birthdays fall on the 18th of their month and Bobby's parent's anniversary is the 18th. What better day to celebrate?

The wonderful vendors who made this day possible:

Venue:  Historic Post Office

Wedding Planner:  Baxter's Creative Events

Caterer:  Chef By Design

Florist:  Petal & Vines

Officiant:  Thomas Lane

Rentals:  Big Top Entertainment

Chiavari Chairs & Bridal Party Chair Sashes:  Waterford Event Rentals

Makeup Artist:  Anne Bianchi 

Acoustic Band:  Jacob Vanko

Wedding Cake:  Lisa Johnson

Donuts:  Glazed Donuts

Videography: Neeks photo

A Fairytale Fall Wedding: Danielle & Ryan The Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront

On a very cold November day, Ryan and Danielle ....wait, let's start somewhere in the middle with a pair of shoes. Don't all good stories start with a shoe? After Ryan and Danielle fell hopelessly in love while working at Isle of Capri, after the romantic proposal snuggled up in their first home, after a dream trip to  Paris, the wedding planning began. Fast forward to Danielle's shoes. A girl doesn't just run out and buy the very first pair of shoes she sees for her wedding, no! Shoes are important. Shoes have something to say. (only a woman understands this, so gentlemen, just indulge us for a bit) The perfect pair for Danielle  were dainty, ivory, sparkling, jewel-kissed Badgley Mischka heels named Barbara. Yes, named Barbara. Maybe you didn't know this, but good shoes have names. Danielle was amused for a bit until all of sudden....something clicked. Barbara.

Danielle's beloved grandmother had passed away and wouldn't be at her beautiful grand-daughter's wedding. Or would she? Barbara must have been smiling down from heaven as she watched the wedding preparations and we are pretty sure those shoes sparkled just a little more so that the bride to be would fall in love with them.  See, shoes are pretty magical. These were picked out all the way from Heaven! Wasn't that worth starting in the middle!?

Now, to the very cold November day....Danielle and Ryan vowed their loyalty and love at Star of the Sea in Virginia Beach amidst gold dresses and very smart suits.  Family and friends smiled from ear to ear, but not as much as the bride and groom. Joy poured from their hearts and shimmered across their faces. This was a dream come true.

They'd come a long way from doodles in a reservation book and steaming bowls of pasta. They had found their forever. Ryan married his princess, that is what he always called her and Danielle, well, that amazing girl gets to be a princess for life.  The couple posed and laughed their way through Seashore State Park alongside their wedding party. It was a blur of beads and jewels and satin and trees. Freshly fallen leaves carpeted their footsteps and sunlight danced through the forest by the bay. 

They were greeted by everyone they love in the appropriately named Atlantic Ballroom inside The Wyndham on 57th Street. The ballroom had been transformed into a Parisian fairy tale. Tall plumes of white ostrich feathers graced each table. A carriage fit for the princess herself stood aglow, casting its light and magic upon the guests.  

All of this is just a teaser for the real surprise....as if tables drenched in white and gold and princess carriages could be topped. Cue the first dance. Ryan surprised his new bride by choosing A Whole New World and having each of Danielle's uncles waiting in line to dance with her. Through tears of joy, the bride was surrounded by love and danced the night away. Pop. Fizz. Clink. Happily ever after, indeed.

Ceremony Location: Star of the Sea Church

Reception Location: The Wyndham on 57th Street

Hair stylist: Amanda Stainback (of Salon OH!)

Make Up: SB makeup artistry (Sydney Balmer) 

Tuxedos: Kenneth Cole (Groom had a different tux than groomsmen)

Bridesmaids Dress: From Vow to be Chic. The Gemma dress by Theia (in gold)

Florist: Wayne Jones Florist

Centerpieces: Bride’s mother purchased ostrich feathers and Eiffel tower vases online, Norfolk Wholesale arranged and delivered the centerpieces. 

Music: Litt Keys (Chris Hall & DJ Litt/Mike Littman)

Invitations: Printed by Virginia Beach Printing 

Cake: Rice Krispy Treat Cake & Chocolate Tortes made and provided by groom’s mother (Kathy Arcese)

Dress: Sottero & Midgley: Amélie (in Champagne)

Shoes: Badgley Mischka: Barbara (in ivory)

Other: Day of coordinator; Astrid White