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

Fall in Love with Virginia’s Greenest Winery: DuCard Vineyards

Follow your heart along the country roads of Madison County, Virginia, to a boutique winery overlooking the Shenandoah National Park. You’ve arrived at DuCard Vineyards when you see the twining vines of their whimsical LOVE sculpture. Amid mountain views and rows of carefully tended grapes, you’ll find gorgeous indoor and outdoor sites for an elegant country wedding.

DuCard has been dubbed “Virginia’s Greenest Winery” for their environmental stewardship – from solar power and reclaimed wood to charging stations for electric cars. Natural materials appear throughout the construction and decor.

Ceremony sites include the “Mountain View,” looking across the vineyard and into the Shenandoah National Park, and “In the Vines” – an intimate site nestled among the vineyard rows.

Couples can choose an open-air or tented reception for up to 100 seated guests on the terrace with adjoining indoor space, or al fresco seating on the streamside patio. DuCard’s lovely cathedral-ceiling tasting room seats 30 with a bar, fireplace and couches besides.

Your bridal party will love the fully furnished Hilltop Cabin situated above the vineyard, with all the accommodations you need for wedding day preparations.

To inquire about booking your event, please contact Barbara Lundgren at 434.531.3247 or barb@barbwiredllc.com.

DuCard Vineyards – 40 Gibson Hollow Lane, Etlan (Madison County), VA 22719

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

2018 Couples' Choice Award

Happy New Year from the Barb Wired Team! As the year begins, we are thrilled to announce that we have been chosen as a 2018 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award Winner! We are truly grateful for the thoughtful reviews and feedback from our wonderful couples who have taken time to let the WeddingWire community know about their experience working with us. We are proud to be among the best in the Central Virginia wedding planning community, and we look forward to 2018 weddings.

Congratulations if you are a couple who got engaged over the holiday season. If your New Year’s Resolution is to get and stay organized with your wedding planning, give Barb Wired a call today. We can help you turn your vision into the stress-free wedding day you’ve been dreaming of!

Click here to book a free, no-obligation wedding consultation with the Barb Wired team of professional wedding planners.

Historic Charlottesville Venues for a City Wedding

There’s something irresistibly romantic about an old building. But your very modern wedding guests want to be within Uber-able distance of a nice hotel, and you’d like to enjoy your historic ambiance in a place that has cell service. In short, you need a historic wedding venue in the city. Lucky you: we’ve got some recommendations below, all approved by our experienced team of wedding planners.

The Paramount Theater

The Paramount Theater

A “grand movie palace” that first opened in 1931, the Paramount was meticulously restored and re-opened as a nonprofit performing arts venue in 2004. No detail was overlooked, from the historic marquee above Charlottesville’s downtown mall to the chandeliers and painted tapestries within.

You’ll feel like a star as you make a dramatic entrance from the Grand Staircase. You can host an elegant dinner amid the grandeur of the performance hall, or even say your vows onstage. The Paramount’s doors are just a short walk from several hotels, so encourage your guests to stay nearby and enjoy the historic downtown area.

215 East Main Street, Charlottesville, VA www.theparamount.net

The Jefferson Theater

The Jefferson Theater

The Jefferson was established in 1912 as a live performance theater. In those days, audiences went to see a vaudeville show, a silent movie, or live performers like the Three Stooges and Harry Houdini. A century later, the fully renovated downtown theater is now one of Charlottesville’s premiere concert venues for local and national acts.

As you dance the night away surrounded by the Jefferson’s vintage architecture, take a minute and sneak up to the balcony for a bird’s-eye view of your guests. They’ll be feeling the unique energy of a room that’s seen literally thousands of parties.

110 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA www.jeffersontheater.com

Fry's Spring Beach Club

Fry’s Spring Beach Club

This social club dating back to 1921 is tucked away in the historic Fry’s Spring neighborhood, just minutes from Charlottesville’s downtown mall and the University of Virginia. The setting blends urban convenience with the tranquility of a wooded estate.

You’ll want to play up the vintage vibe in the club’s historic ballroom, which can seat up to 200 guests and boasts a huge 30- by 60-foot spring dance floor. Invite your guests to stroll the club grounds and see the eponymous spring, whose waters made the spot a 19th-century spa destination.

2512 Jefferson Park Avenue, Charlottesville, VA www.frysspring.org

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