The Williamsburg Wedding Blog

If you are still looking at a wedding in Williamsburg in June, July, August, September or October, I actually have a few options for you. Some are offering booking incentives. June appears to be a great last-minute option at more than one facility as most early bookings this year went to fall. Call me! 757-592-3365.

If you can take the heat (or plan well for it) there are still LOTS of venues available in Williamsburg in July. I've managed to root out some genuinely good Saturday options in September, and one or two in October as well. And Sundays are looking great throughout the year if you are up for a non-traditional day. You can always contact me at 757-592-3365 for an extra hand in identifying your perfect Williamsburg wedding venue!

Faces of Williamsburg Weddings: Jennifer Litterst, AIFD, My Favorite Things

We continue our Faces of Williamsburg Weddings blog series with My Favorite Things and owner Jennifer Litterst!  

 
 
  

Who are you?

 

Hi!  I am Jennifer Litterst, AIFD owner of My Favorite Things, Floral and Gift.  I have been a floral designer for over twenty years, working in Richmond and Northern Virginia before moving to Williamsburg and opening my own shop fourteen years ago.   My passion has always been flowers, taking root as a small child in my dad’s greenhouse.  I still get excited when a box of fresh flowers arrive at the shop from Equador.  And aaahhhh, the fragrance!

 

 

What makes your services unique?

 

Floral design is an art. The wedding is the designer’s blank pallet, and flowers are the medium.  Each wedding is unique.  As a result, I work closely with my brides to select colors, styles and looks that best portrays her personality and taste.  The initials AIFD at the end of my name, guarantees creativity and consistent quality which sets My Favorite Things apart.  I am one of twenty-two floral designers in Virginia to have the AIFD designation for excellence in design.  I have presented education programs on bridal work to fellow AIFD members and florists across the country.  Because of our reputation for attention to detail and quality of design, My Favorite Things was selected to create florals for notables including, Queen Elizabeth II, President George Bush, Governors Kaine, Warner and Wilder.

 

 

 

What is my favorite aspect of Williamsburg Weddings? 

 

Besides the fact of Williamsburg being a great destination wedding location with it’s history, attractions and variety of venues, my favorite aspect of the “burg” is it’s size.  I have had the opportunity to work with amazing wedding professionals in this area.  It is great to get on-site the day of a wedding with vendors, who seem like old pals, who all work together as a team to make the event perfect.  You just don’t get that camaraderie in big cities.

 

 

 

If you could bring a celebrity wedding to Williamsburg, and you could provide floral design, who would you choose?

 

I have long had a crush on Johnny Depp.  If he ever decides to marry Vanessa Paridis, or better yet, leave her for me, (my husband would understand) I would love to design his wedding.  I envision something very sultry and mysterious with gothic undertones, in shades of reds, deep pinks, hot oranges and purple.  Giant antique urns overflowing with fragrant flowers such as orchids, roses, and peonies everywhere. Other decorative touches would include, dramatic lighting, lots and lots of candles, luxurious fabrics of velvet and brocade, and a thick carpet of rose petals.  Ooops, OK, I’m back from my little fantasy wedding.  A girl can dream…can’t she?

 

Thank you Jennifer! We have provided the contact information for My Favorite Things below:

 

My Favorite Things Floral and Gift

4345 New Town Avenue # 105

In the Green Leafe Building

Williamsburg, VA 23188

 

www.Eventsinbloom.biz

www.myfavoriteflorist.com

My Favorite Things On Facebook  

e-mail:  eventsinbloom@verizon.net

 

757-229-7673

 

News

Hello Williamsburg brides, grooms and friends!

We've been quiet this week while working on multiple product launches, and I assure you that we are returning to our regular posting schedule immediately. First, we have a few news items to share though!

For Williamsburg-bound couples, we're excited to announce that we are publishing our Where to Wed bridal guide again. We first launched the guide in 2005 and 2006. Strange circumstances and a hectic planning calendar postponed our next issue indefinitely - but we will publish the new, annual "Where to Wed: Williamsburg, Yorktown, Providence Forge, Newport News" bridal guide in early spring!

The bridal guide is my very own "baby" (it's not much older than my real kids come to think of it) and I love that we are bringing it back. Expect it to be full of practical advice, local information and as always, pretty pictures!

If you would like to pre-order a copy, please email me at shayna{at}williamsburgweddingdesign{com}. Businesses interested in advertising in the guide may use the same email and should contact me asap.

On a larger scale, I will launch an exciting, 14-month long research tour this morning (6 AM Eastern), which you can read all about at our industry blog: Life in Weddings.

On Thursday morning, make sure you check in early (or subscribe via the RSS feeder in the top right hand corner of this blog and be the first notified) to read all about Jennifer Litterst and My Favorite Things in our next "Faces of Williamsburg Wedding" profile. This special series is coming to an end in the next several days, so be certain to catch the last great pros we feature!

There are other projects in the works as well, and we can't wait to share them with you as they are ready. We are busy planning with our 2010-2011 wedding clients and in just a few short months will kick off our regular wedding season with events which we are enthusiastically anticipating. Never a dull moment at Williamsburg Wedding Design!

Faces of Williamsburg Weddings: Laura Reeves of The Catering Company and Williamsburg Manor

Today's profile is of one of Williamsburg's premier caterers, The Catering Company and owners Laura and Craig Reeves - folks who I always enjoy working events with, and who consistently make me break my diet with tempting, creative food (sigh)!

 

  

 

Please introduce yourself and your company:
 
My name is Laura Reeves and my husband Craig and I own The Catering Company and the Williamsburg Manor Bed and Breakfast. Craig and I met and began working events in Williamsburg together over twenty years ago and now we are proud to be one of the largest off- site caterers in Williamsburg.  We also love welcoming guests to our our bed and breakfast where we hold numerous events, everything from weddings to homecoming parties. When we are not working we are spending time with our daughters Casey and Carter, traveling, and researching various cuisines and cultures. 

 

  

What makes your services unique?
 
Our services are unique because our clients are unique. We do not offer packages, instead each menu is completely customized for a specific event. The only limitation is your imagination. Because no two events are the same we are challenged to consistently stay innovative and creative and our clients events reflect our dedication to their vision.   The Catering Company is an all inclusive company, we own all of our own China, Glassware, Flatware, Table Linens & a Warehouse Full of Decor Items.  We are a very visual company and believe people eat with their eyes.  The combination of wonderful food, great staff and artistic presentation make every event something to be remembered.   I mentioned our great staff....we are very lucky to have wonderful people to work with.  Our event staff is full energetic, happy and well dressed with companies Yes We Can philosophy.

 

 

Why do you love Williamsburg weddings?
 
I love Williamsburg weddings because it is the only town where you could have an actual fife and drum corps perform as you walk down the aisle :) More than just that though Wiilliamsburg is a beautiful town full of history and elegance and it makes an absolutely amazing destination wedding location. Also, since it is still a small town brides are able to work closely with vendors and receive more specialized one on one attention. 
 

 

If you could bring one celebrity wedding to Williamsburg, and you could cater it, whose wedding would it be and why? 
 
Craig and I play the fantasy wedding game all the time actually. We have been petitioning for years to have Oprah's wedding in Williamsburg. The mental image of her and Stedman walking out of Wren Chapel is just too fun. It would be great for tourism in the area, she has fabulous taste and an unlimited budget... what more can you ask for in a fantasy bride? Also, before we retire we would love to cater one of those "Super Sweet Sixteen" parties on MTV, we can't let our girls watch them though because we don't want them getting any crazy ideas :)

 

Thank you Laura!

 

You can reach Laura, The Catering Company and Williamsburg Manor at:

 

The Catering Company
108 Ingram Road #18
www.williamsburgoccasions.com

Williamsburg Manor
600 Richmond Road
www.williamsburg-manor.com

757-220-8011

800-422-8011

williamsburgoccasions@gmail.com

 

Faces of Williamsburg Weddings: Carol Hayes, Carol Hayes Photography

Our first Faces of Williamsburg Weddings blog series is coming to an end. I am so pleased to feature a photographer with "mad skills" and an incredible heart. Please enjoy her profile and photos!

 

All photos in this post are courtesy of Carol Hayes Photography.

 

 

Please introduce yourself.

I am Carol Hayes of Carol Hayes Photography. My husband and I have been shooting weddings together for over ten years. We owned a wedding photography business in North Carolina before moving back to Virginia (we both grew up here ) to be closer to our families. We love what we do and that passion shows in the images we create.

 

Though we always work together we each have our own distinct styles. Lee has a wonderfully innate talent for capturing phenomenal documentary images. He can capture the essence of people and the "presence in a room" better than anyone I know. I have a more "fine art" feel to my work which comes from formal training ( I have an MFA and have won many local and national awards for my fine art photography). Together we make a great team!

 

What makes your services unique?

 

1.Two formally trained photographers that simply love creating images.

2.Our unique blend of styles, giving each couple images that are unique to them and their wedding.

3. Exceptionally high level of service before, during and after your wedding day. We complete our images and albums in a timely manner! Check out the rave reviews on our website www.carolhayesphotography.com.

 

 

What is your favorite aspect of Williamsburg weddings?

 

I think one of my favorite things about Williamsburg weddings is  actually something we overhear from guests at each event. Guests rave about unique venues.  From the intimate Williamsburg Manor and the option packed William and Mary Alumni House to the old world charm of the Williamsburg Winery.  Guests also love that before and after the wedding there is a lot to see and do in Williamsburg. From Busch Gardens to Colonial Williamsburg, guests have fun at the event as well as all weekend.  Williamsburg also has wonderful southern charm mixed with rich culture and deep roots in history.  Williamsburg has it all and guests just love it!
 
 

 

If you could bring one celebrity wedding to Williamsburg, and you could photograph it, whose wedding would it be and why? 

 

Hmm ...Pitt and Jolie  or maybe Prince Harry & ........  he seems like a lot of fun.

 

 
Thank you Carol! You can reach Carol Hayes Photography by using the information below:

www.carolhayesphotography.com

757.867.8303

cehphotography@gmail.com

Our hearts go out to those suffering in Haiti. As we have in previous disasters, Williamsburg Wedding Design will donate 10% of all new booking fees through March 1, 2010 to the Red Cross. We are keeping the people of Haiti and the international community in our prayers.

Outdoor Ceremony Venues in and around Williamsburg, Virginia

If you are looking for a venue for an outdoor ceremony in or around Williamsburg, check out these:

Williamsburg:

• Two Rivers Country Club
• The Clubhouse at the Settlement at Powhatan Creek
• The Williamsburg Winery
• The Alumni House of the College of William & Mary
• The Williamsburg Community Building
• Legacy Hall
• Colonial Heritage Club
• The Williamsburg Lodge
• The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Building at Colonial Williamsburg
• Providence Hall House, Colonial Williamsburg

Farther Afield:

• The Inn at Warner Hall
• Yorktown Freight Shed
• York River State Park
• Eagle's Nest (Charles City)
• Jasmine Plantation

For more information on any of these locations, feel free to contact us at shayna{at}williamsburgweddingdesign{dot}com. We are always looking for new venues. If you have a location in mind, please contact us to set up a site vist at 757-592-3365.

March Your Cocktail Hour to the Beat of a Different Drummer

A great way to personalize your wedding day is to choose ceremony or cocktail hour music that reflects your unique music taste or background, be it a cocktail pianist, a fife & drum corps, a harpist or even a Mariachi band. 

 

Williamsburg is home to an amazing professional fife and drum corps, as well as a Celtic harpist, a hammer dulcimer performer, bagpipers and many traditional wedding musicians. You don't have to do what everyone else does. What better way to share your favorites with your guests than to choose a special live musical act?

Photo courtesy of Brad Howe Photography.  The musicians pictured performed with Williamsburg Field Musick.

Looking for class on a budget? If you're from a larger metropolitan area like DC or New York, but are considering a wedding in Williamsburg, you'll find local services to be a bargain compared to bigger cities. Our food & beverage minimums are lower and even the best of the best in wedding vendors does not sustain metro pricing. There are some hidden costs - you have to ship in some of the more contemporary rental pieces and even linens, and shipping rates can be steep. In general, though, you can have world-class service at small town rates. So give us a call! 757-592-3365