The Williamsburg Wedding Blog

What to Consider When Choosing a Private Home or Estate Wedding

Fantastic new post from Williamsburg Wedding Design on the World According to Weddlady blog today - a great read if you're trying to decide how to hande a tented wedding, or a wedding at a private home or estate.

We've traveled from Providence Forge to Deltaville and many points in between to plan and execute home weddings. We even planned an incredible "front" yard wedding at a cabin near Frazier Park, California. Private homes are definitely among my favorite venues. This style of wedding is meaningful, intimate and often far more complicated than expected.

You can read the article by clicking here.

Don't forget, you can follow Weddlady on Twitter and join our Facebook Fan Page to keep up with the latest news from Shayna Walker and Williamsburg Wedding Design.

Pretty Pictures: Venues in and around Williamsburg, Virginia

More pretty pictures from Williamsburg Wedding Design and our incredible photographer colleagues:

 

Church at Historic Jamestowne, Photo courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design

Church at Historic Jamestowne, Photo courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design

The Williasmburg Winery, Photo courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design

The Williasmburg Winery, Photo courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design

Wren Chapel, Photo courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design

Wren Chapel, Photo courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design

Wren Chapel, Photo courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design

The Contemporary Art Center of Virginia Beach, Photo courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design

 

Wallace Manor, Providence Forge

Wallace Manor, Providence Forge

Warner Hall, Gloucester, Photo Courtesy of Creative Worth Photography

Warner Hall, Gloucester, Photo Courtesy of Creative Worth Photography

Warner Hall, Gloucester

Warner Hall, Gloucester

The Williamsburg Lodge

Colonial Heritage Club, Photo Courtesy of Brad Howe Photography

Colonial Heritage Club, Photo Courtesy of Brad Howe Photography

Colonial Heritage Club, Photo Courtesy of Brad Howe Photography

Colonial Heritage Club, Photo Courtesy of Brad Howe Photography

 

Historic Mankin Mansion, Richmond, Photo Courtesy Brad Howe Photography

Historic Mankin Mansion, Richmond, Photo Courtesy Brad Howe Photography

Bay Creek Resort, Eastern Shore

Bay Creek Resort, Eastern Shore

 

Bay Creek Resort, Eastern Shore

Discovering the Art of Calligraphy

Hop on over to the World According to Weddlady Blog this morning to read an expert interview with Jennifer Gillespie of Calligraphy by Jennifer. By far the prettiest post you'll see anywhere today thanks to Jennifer's beautiful work!

Calligraphy: An Interview with Expert Jennifer Gillespie

Coming up soon - a real Williamsburg wedding through the photography of Carol Hayes.

You can easily keep up with all the latest in Williamsburg weddings by becoming a Fan of Williamsburg Wedding Design on Facebook or by following Weddlady on Twitter.

Pretty Pictures: Receptions in and around Williamsburg, Virginia

Going with my "Pretty Pictures" theme, enjoy some of my favorites from receptions in and around Williamsburg, Virginia. These are all Williamsburg Wedding Design (formerly Weddings by Shayna) coordinated weddings from Wedding Day Management through Full-Service Production. If you'd like more information on something you see, drop me a line a shayna{at}williamsburgweddingdesign{dot}com or call 757-592-3365.

If I were as techie as I'd like to be and not such a blasted perfectionist, these would be in flashy slideshow form with something like "How Sweet It Is" playing behind it. So promise you'll sing to yourselves while you scroll, and I'll try to get over my compulsion NOT to post slideshows unless they are perfect in the future!

Sifting through these photos has reminded me of how much I truly adore my clients. Each of these images brings back so many memories - great time of year to reminisce and also to look forward to the future!

This is a Part I of who knows how many. I'm trying to glean fun photos from dozens of our weddings, so bear with me. Parts 2 - 2000 (okay, maybe not) are on the to-do list.

Enjoy!

Ford's Colony Reception, Photo Courtesy of Brad Howe Photography

Williamsburg Wedding Design Provided Wedding Day Management Services

Ford's Colony Reception, Photo Courtesy of Brad Howe Photography

Ford's Colony Reception, Photo Courtesy of Brad Howe Photography 
 

 

Williamsburg Winery, Photo Courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design

Williamsburg Wedding Design (Weddings by Shayna) provided full-service wedding production and design

Williamsburg Winery, Photo Courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design

Photo Courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design

Virginia Beach Reception, Photo Courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design

Williamsburg Wedding Design Provided Partial-Service Wedding Production

 

Virginia Beach Reception, Photo Courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design

Virginia Beach Reception, Photo Courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design

 

Ware River Yacht Club, Photo Courtesy of Creative Worth Photography

Williamsburg Wedding Design provided Partial-Service Wedding Production and made contributions to design

Ware River Yacht Club, Photo Courtesy of Creative Worth Photography

Ware River Yacht Club, Photo Courtesy of Creative Worth Photography

Ware River Yacht Club, Photo Courtesy of Creative Worth Photography

Ware River Yacht Club, Photo Courtesy of Creative Worth Photography

 

Warner Hall, Gloucester - my amateur photography (the awesome Monica Sigmon has the really good stuff!)

Williamsburg Wedding Design (Weddings by Shayna) provided Partial-Service Wedding Production

Warner Hall, Gloucester

Warner Hall, Gloucester

Warner Hall, Gloucester

Warner Hall, Gloucester
 

Newly-engaged couples looking for September '10 dates, let me tell you, the competition for venues and the best vendors is heating up. This isn't marketing for me, this is strategy for you. You have about a week before the January bridal shows - make your contacts now and get ahead of the game. Wait too long and you could get left behind.

Choosing Your Vendors Exclusively By Price? Read On.

Money is precious - your wedding day is too. Price is always going to be a consideration when choosing wedding vendors, but it should never be THE consideration. Williamsburg wedding planner Shayna Walker of Williamsburg Wedding Design just posted an article at the World According to Weddlady addressing price shopping and wedding vendor selection. It's an important read so don't wait.

Pretty Pictures: Ceremonies in and around Williamsburg, Virginia

I keep starting these epic posts to review all of the possible places to get married in and around Williamsburg, and I keep deleting said posts. They get all wordy and involved, I get a headache, and I'm not sure they help anyone at all. I like useful information and sometimes I get caught up too much in the presentation.

So, I'm going to attempt to spread it out a little bit with a mini-series called "Pretty Pictures".

Simple? Yes.

Random? Totally. 

Helpful for couples choosing a wedding location? I hope. You can let me know!

These weddings were coordinated (day-of through full-service) by Williamsburg Wedding Design between 2005 and 2009. Photo credits will appear with each picture, unless I took the photo (and trust me, you'll be able to tell!). If you want to know anymore about the ceremony or site, please feel free to contact me at shayna(at)williamsburgweddingdesign(dot)com. I tend to be friendly and very rarely bite!

This could be more artistically presented, but I know how couples are starved for any real-life photos of weddings in the area, so for now this is a start. I'll post more random photos soon!

Enjoy!

 
Williamsburg Winery (pre-Gazebo), photo courtesy of Brad Howe Photography

 

Above - Williamsburg Winery, photo courtesy of Brad Howe Photography

 

Above - Two Rivers Country Club

Above, Jamestowne Island (a special exception was made for this location due to an employee relationship - most weddings on the island are held in the Historic Church)

 

A ballroom ceremony at the Omni Newport News hotel (can you tell who took this photo? Be nice.)

Omni Newport News Hotel

St. Bede's Cathedral, Williamsburg, photo courtesy of Brad Howe Photography

Outdoor ceremony at Warner Hall, Gloucester

 

The Chapel of the Sir Christopher Wren Building of the College of William & Mary, Photo courtesy of Brad Howe Photography

Private Estate in Williamsburg, Photo Courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design

St. Bede's Parish, Williamsburg

 

Private home, Deltaville, Photo Courtesy of Brad Howe Photography

 
 
Historic Church at Jamestowne Island, Williamsburg, Photo Courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design

 

Save-the-Date Advice on the Weddlady Blog

Check out Williamsburg's wedding planning extraordinaire, Shayna Weddle Walker (sure, self-proclaimed at times) and her latest post at the World According to Weddlady blog. Find out when to start planning  if you're newly engaged and hoping to plan a 2010 wedding (hint, NOW, not January), and how to get started with save-the-date invitations.

Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia is now allowing private events on its grounds (though, not weddings...yet) - could our first Monticello bride be far behind? I hope not. What an incredible venue that would be! The story: http://bit.ly/4Z5TDM

Planning for Guest Safety - Transportation and Alcohol at Weddings

I posted an article today that every bride should read on The World According to Weddlady blog. Williamsburg brides and grooms, I implore you to read it and plan ahead. I'll even give you the tools you need to get your guests home safely - a list of transportation companies and their contact phone numbers will be found below the link to the article.

The death of a loved one on your wedding day is no way to start your new life if it can be avoided. Please plan ahead.

Safe Rides for Wedding Guests at The World According to Weddlady blog

Dreams in Motion Limos (mini-shuttle and limousines): 757-817-1122, www.motionlimo.com

Oleta Coach Lines, Inc. (motorcoach and executive coach service): 757-253-1008, www.oleta.com

Yellow Cab of Williamsburg (cab service): 757-722-1111

Safe planning...Shayna