Julie and Dave were a referral from another planner. (I love those.) They had moved their date up an entire year and their current planner was no longer available. With their new date we had about three months to plan their wedding. Julie and I got right to work and started putting together all of…
The Tuckahoe Woman’s Club is located off of Cary St. in the Near West End/Windsor Farms area. They are an operational social club, however you do not need to be a member, or be sponsored by one, to have an event here. They allow outside vendors, and are focused on making your day everything you…
Tuckahoe plantation is the perfect venue to highlight the beauty and history of Richmond. Whether you have your ceremony downtown, or on site your guest will get to experience the city, its history, and its charm. Classical elegance and southern hospitality is what you will get with Tuckahoe Plantation. Built in 1733 The 2-story colonial…
Choosing your wedding party is not an easy feat. There are so many things to think about. Do you ask your family members, your best friends, your college roommates, your childhood bff? Ugh, it’s impossible to choose. The good news is that there are trends moving toward having smaller wedding parties, or not even having…
There are so many reasons why you should get your engagement photos taken. I know that it may be an added expense, or you may not have the time, but it’s definitely worth it. For most couples from the time they get engaged to when they get to the altar, it just flies by. You…
I can’t tell you how many times I have been in a consultation with a potential couple, and they say “I just really want an easy, relaxed, outdoor wedding. We are hoping to save some money by having our wedding at our family estate, lake house, backyard, insert private property here.” When I hear…
Oh The Jefferson. The cornerstone of Richmond Va. The Jefferson has been hosting luxury weddings since 1895. With the gorgeous Rotunda for cocktail hours, the sprawling staircase for a grand entrance and portraits, and the recently renovated ballrooms, this is a venue that makes a statement. The Jefferson is managed by a team of…
Oh The Jefferson. The cornerstone of Richmond Va. The Jefferson has been hosting luxury weddings since 1895. With the gorgeous Rotunda for cocktail hours, the sprawling staircase for a grand entrance and portraits, and the recently renovated ballrooms, this is a venue that makes a statement. The Jefferson is managed by a team of…
Taylor and Stu’s wedding was the first wedding I booked under Swoon Soiree. They are such a sweet couple and they have such great friends and family. Taylor wanted a very “fall” wedding. She couldn’t have had a prettier day. The trees had just turned, the skies were clear, and the air was crisp. …
Sarah Mitchell with sknowphoto and I were able to sneak away from the day-to-day grind and tour The Renaissance. I have been working on getting a tour with Tommy and Jon for sometime now but they are literally booked solid. If you have ever met Tommy or Jon, or seen the venue you know why.…
Alright. You have sent in your RSVP, booked your accommodations, and now you are staring at the fine print on the invitation that states the dress code. White Tie, Black Tie, Black Tie Optional, Creative Black Tie, Cocktail Attire, Festive, Dress to Impress, Beach Attire, Garden Party Attire, the list goes one. With so many options…
Guest lists are for sure one of the most difficult parts of planning a wedding. Your guest list is so tightly intertwined with your budget that even adding just a few people can put you over. We all know that the best way to reduce your spend is to cut your guest list. However, by…
Weddings are tough, and it’s hard to not get mixed up in what is popular and trendy. This is the first social event you are hosting as a couple and it should be something that feels like you. You don’t want to attend several weddings in the same year and realize that all of your…
I have been planning weddings for some time now. I have heard A BUNCH of proposal stories. Some have been amazing, and so sweet. Others could have used some guidance and a better plan of execution. This is the beginning of your lives together. This is the first step of your future as a married…
10. You don’t have the time. The average wedding takes about 200 hours to plan. Most of the time it takes up to 300-400 hours since you will spend extra hours vetting out vendors, sourcing your rentals, and orchestrating everything. There are a ton of people to hire. It takes time to find them and…
It’s not Champagne unless it comes from Champagne, France. If it comes from anywhere else it’s referred to as Sparkling Wine. Generally speaking sparkling wines DO NOT get better with age. If you are fortunate enough to have a properly stored vintage you may get lucky. Proper Pronunciation: •Dom Pérignon – Dom Peh-ree-nyon •Veuve Clicquot…
My sweet Francesca. Your wedding was full of raw and authentic emotion. I would not have wanted to ride the highs and lows of this event with anyone else. I answered my phone around 7am one morning. This is something I don’t usually do as my mornings usually consist of rounding up the wild boys…
I love giving and getting gifts. It’s my love language. There is something so fun about thinking about the receiver, wondering what they will like, how they will use it, and how it will make them feel. Who is on your gift list is telling you who is important in your life. It also puts…
This is one of the most common concerns I get as a proposal planner. Where do I put the ring? The average ring box is two inches thick. When you are wearing nice clothes and trying to keep the proposal a surprise this is tough to conceal. The option most people go with is to…
Upper Shirley Vineyards is an estate, winery, restaurant and wedding venue right on the James River. The venue is gorgeous. It is clean and modern, something that Richmond desperately needed. When you walk in the first thing you notice is all of the natural light. This is a photographers dream come true. The walls…
