Charlottesville wedding

Tricia & Cody's Glamorous Autumn Wedding

Tricia & Cody November 3, 2017

From the candelabras in the ballroom to her exquisite Calla Blanche dress, Tricia and Cody blew all of their guests away with all of the special details. Tricia, being anything but the typical bride, knew from the beginning she wanted a dress that made a statement. The fact the bridal salon had said no other girl had tried this dress was the icing on the cake.

The lace cap sleeves, ivory/nude color combo, with a sheer illusion back and cathedral length train made it breathtaking. The dressmaker let Tricia tweak a few things to make it her own. "I wanted more of a mermaid shape, so we added a full crinoline skirt underneath the bottom of the dress to really make the bottom pop, show the beautiful lace detail, and give that hourglass shape."

So imagine for a moment, this vision against the Autumn Virginia mountains at Trump Winery on a warm November day.....you have a beaming bride. The ceremony was held at the exquisite chapel on Trump Winery grounds where her train delicately swept across the marble floor to her "soon to be" husband, Cody.

The guests were invited to Trump Grand Hall where they enjoyed cocktail hour on the patio overlooking a full view of color. They later entered the ballroom enhanced with intricate florals and candelabras on shimmering linens. Cody secretly prepared a skit with his groomsmen reenacting his love story with Tricia. Laughs echoed throughout the ballroom as the groomsmen pretended to be their dog, Tricia, and Cody. The night ended with dancing, a sparkler departure, love and laughter as everyone celebrated Tricia and Cody's first few hours together as man and wife... #TriciaCrackedTheCode!

-Tricia & Cody, 2017

Mandy & Benjie: All About the Dress

Mandy & BenjieOctober 28, 2017

There is nothing more important than feeling like a million on your big day, and you should!

Mandy Gross, one of our incomparable 2017 brides, could not have said it better. She entered the shopping process relatively open-minded, wanting to find a dress with exactly that feel.

"I didn't want to rule out any one silhouette without actually trying it on for myself. So ball gown, A-Line, sheath--you name it, I tried it!"

As wedding professionals, we could not agree more. We recommend trying various silhouettes no matter what you “think” you have in mind.

"You only get married once, might as well try on all the pretty dresses and baubles while you're at it," Mandy said. "When I finally slipped into a gorgeous champagne lace trumpet gown by Kenneth Winston, I immediately knew it was the one! I added on a thin beaded crystal belt and a chapel length veil for good measure, and I most definitely felt like a million bucks on the big day."

"I came out of the dressing room with the biggest smile on my face and to the shrieks of 'Yes Girl!' and 'Say Yes to that Dress!' from my bridesmaids."

And as her directors can easily say, she absolutely looked like a million on her special day. From the strapless sweetheart neckline to the intricate beading on the train, Mandy was a dream to look at. She wore it so effortlessly throughout the gorgeous October day, with the warm fall light glistening from delicately placed beads.

You could see in Benjie’s big smile that this was the indeed dress for her, and this was the gal for him.

Vendors

Kenneth Winston Bridal Global Bridal Gallery Barb Wired Events Trump Grand Hall Dominique Attaway Photography Eric Stamer Catering Passionflower Cakes Harpist Eve Watters DJ Dennis Payne Tourterelle Floral Design Glam Squad Hair & Makeup Photo Booth of Charlottesville A&A Transportation

Relax, You’ve Hired a Wedding Planner

UVA Chapel WeddingSo. You’re about to plan your wedding – the biggest, probably most expensive, and hopefully most memorable day of your life. That’s a lot of pressure. And you’ve decided to hire an experienced professional to help you. Good call! See? You’re doing great already.

Along the way, we’re going to:

  • Help you stay on track with your to-do list, so you don’t arrive at your wedding day stressed and exhausted.
  • Help you find trusted, reliable vendors.
  • Help you stick with your budget.
  • Help you remember all the logistical details.
  • Listen, without judging, when you need to vent.

We just want to ask one thing from you: Relax!

When you start overthinking things, relax. This is why you hired us. It’s our job to keep track of every detail.

When you start worrying about what might go wrong, relax. We’ve seen it all before, and it’s our job to fix any glitch that might come up.

When you want to supervise every tiny detail, relax. We'll help you choose a great wedding team, and you can trust these vendors to get the job done right.

When your wedding is a week away, relax. We’ve got this. It’s time to put down that wedding checklist and go out to dinner with your beloved. Time to start focusing on the marriage instead of the wedding.

Most importantly – when it’s your wedding day and your guests have arrived, relax! Don’t waste a single minute worrying about the details. THIS is why you hired us: so you can enjoy a fabulous wedding day with your loved ones.

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Haven’t hired a planner yet? Click here to book a free, no-obligation wedding consultation with the Barb Wired team of professional wedding planners.

Historic Wedding Venues in the Charlottesville Countryside

If you’re looking for a wedding venue with distinctive character, a historic building or estate can be just the right touch. Your guests will imagine the love stories of a bygone era as you surround yourself with the romance of the past. Of course, it’s important to choose a well-maintained venue that includes a few modern comforts. Below are some of the best historic venues within a short drive of Charlottesville, vetted by our experienced team of wedding planners.

Lafayette Inn

The Lafayette Inn & Restaurant

Established in 1840, this historic landmark once welcomed stage coach travelers en route between the central Piedmont and the Shenandoah Valley. The building served as a Civil War hospital and later became home to the first local telephone exchange and the local newspaper.

Colonnaded porches surround the red brick walls of the three-story Federalist structure. The rooms are filled with natural light, antique furnishings, and numerous fireplaces. It’s a boutique wedding venue ideal for intimate weddings or larger groups.

146 East Main Street, Stanardsville, VA www.thelafayette.com

Highland

Highland

America’s fifth president, James Monroe, lived at Highland with his family from 1799 to 1823. His daughter Eliza was married on the estate in 1808. Recent archeological work on the estate continues to uncover new details about the president’s life.

The extensive grounds feature a choice of locations for your ceremony and reception. Popular spots include the Hilltop Pavilion, surrounded by rolling hills and mountain views; the rustic Event Barn, with indoor seating for up to 150 guests; and John’s Garden, an elegant floral and herb garden adjacent to the historic Presidential Guest House.

2050 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville, VA highland.org

Montalto

Montalto

The “High Mountain” commands sweeping views in every direction, encompassing Monticello as well as the City of Charlottesville and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Thomas Jefferson acquired 483 acres on Montalto in 1777, during the same time period that he built Monticello.

Charlottesville’s most famous architect never built any structures on Montalto, but in 1908, the owners at that time built “Repose,” an 11,000-square-foot American Country house. The house was carefully restored by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation in 2011 and now merges state-of-the-art technology with the warmth and elegance of the home’s original design elements.

1400 Mountain Top Farm, Charlottesville, VA www.monticello.org/site/visit/montalto-overlooking-monticello-home-robert-h-smith-center

Michie Tavern

Michie Tavern

The Tavern’s original proprietor, William Michie, signed the Albemarle Declaration of Independence in 1779. His upstairs Assembly Room served as a political and social gathering spot for the surrounding countryside. In 1927, the building was painstakingly moved 17 miles from its original location to the foot of Carter’s Mountain, where it became accessible to tourists visiting Monticello.

A taste of the 18th century awaits you, with servers in period attire ready to recreate the ambiance of a country inn. Guests may take a guided tour of the historic building before enjoying a Southern buffet in the candlelit dining rooms.

683 Thomas Jefferson Parkway, Charlottesville, VA www.michietavern.com

C-Venue simplifies your search for your perfect venue. Call 434.531.3247 or email barb@barbwiredllc.com to get started.