Tanya and Al December 11, 2010

Getting married can bring stress, but planning a wedding inside your new home can bring additional stress. Tanya had met with me only a few months ago with nothing done yet, but she knew she wanted to get married in her home. Tanya and Al’s home is beautiful, but laying everything out can be difficult with spacing so the guests are comfortable, and making sure Tanya’s vision comes true.

When we first met Tanya, she said was inviting 75 guests, so we planned on less to show. Well…all of her guests attended the wedding, which is wonderful because most of them traveled to be here with them!

The ceremony took place in her family room, which we quickly changed to a lodge/dance area. The living room, located off the family room, held extra seats, cocktail tables and a very comfortable couch. Then, the deck was tented with clear sidewalls overlooking the water. We placed the bar under the tent with additional seating, a fo’ fireplace, and cocktail tables. I loved watching the guests move from room to room and really enjoy themselves.

Tanya and Al have fun on your honeymoon!

Tiffany and Kyle November 20, 2010

Tiffany and her dad first met with me just a few months prior to her wedding. She was so quiet and easy to decide what she wanted. Both her ceremony and reception was held at The Founders Inn and Spa.

What a beautiful day both Tiffany and Kyle had, the weather was warm and just perfect to have the ceremony outdoors! The centerpieces were simple, yet so beautiful, all the guests wanted to take one home. I had to hide one just so the couple could take one home for themselves.

Tiffany’s mother spent a lot of time with the details of the wedding cake. For someone who has not made a wedding cake before, you could not tell. It was not your typical white wedding cake but it was what the couple wanted. It was amazing and the guests talked a lot about it throughout the evening.

Cherie and Cale November 13, 2010

I was happy to meet Cherie at Wedding Week Virginia at the beginning of the year. She had her location selected and was ready to jump in to all the other details. With her “very involved as he could be” fiancé overseas, she did a great job keeping up with the details while attending school full time and working. During the entire wedding planning, she was so sweet and dear to everyone and me.

Cherie and Cale’s ceremony was at First Baptist of Virginia Beach, it was decorated with touches of starfish and beach accents. After the loving couple married, they ran through a toss of lavender outside.

The reception followed at the Sheraton Oceanfront. The room was decorated with lots of hand-done beach décor; everything was so beautiful, you would have thought they were store purchased. The kids had a fun treasure chest table with goody bags and lots of fun activities. The “big” kids had many fun activities as well, as they danced all evening.

I will miss Cherie and Cale’s open hearts and love for each other.

Looking forward to sharing details and pictures from Sam Hughes Photography!

Kelly and Chris October 16, 2010

I first met Kelly over five years ago when she was a bridesmaid in a wedding I was coordinating. Her mother had asked for my card because they both knew her sister was getting engaged really soon. Within two months, I received the phone call that Kim, her sister, was engaged. Well this is how it all started with a great new family I have joined!

Kelly first met Chris just a few months before her sister’s wedding. After a long series of bad dates, Chris broke the streak. Kelly always imagined her wedding day as a little girl; I do believe her dreams came true.

Kelly and Chris had their ceremony and reception at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk. The ceremony had a romantic glow in the room from Blue Steel Lighting, with everything decorated in black, white and touches of green. The reception was stunning with alternating linens, floral arrangements with black feathers, flavored popcorn favor station, chocolate fountain, midnight snacks and Hotcakes Band having everyone on their feet all night long!

Looking forward to sharing pictures from Dana Duncan Photography!

Kara and Jose October 9, 2010

This fall wedding season, I have been very blessed with wonderful couples and families! Kara and her mother met me and hired me immediately, that same evening I received an email from Kara. She was already expressing the stress relief both she and her mother felt. She could not believe how fast I replied and accomplished tasks; I was happy to know that I was already making her wedding planning enjoyable. Kara and Jose exchanged vows in her home church in Hampton; it was beautiful inside and outside. During the ceremony, Kara and Jose gave his son, now their son, a very special gift to remind him that he is very important in both of their lives. The reception followed with a trolley ride to The Chamberlin. It is always wonderful to see almost all the guests dancing all night and I mean all night!

Thank you to Keith Cephus Photography!


Thank you to Jim LeTempt Video

Sarah and John September 25, 2010

Where do I start with Sarah Sybert…first, she took advantage of the “One Stop Wedding Shop” inside Maya Couture. She purchased her gown, bridesmaids’ dresses and rented tuxedos at Maya Couture. She hired Char’s Floral Design, Keith Cephus Photography, LeTempt Video and me with CMT Event Planning. She saw the great value and how easy it was to do all her planning under one roof. She would come in for a dress fitting, and then meet with me, or talk to Char about a few flower ideas. She never had to worry about going from one place to the next or worry if all her vendors would be great on her wedding day. She saw how we all work together as a team and she knew by using all of our services her wedding day would be perfect!

Sarah traveled often to help her family and friends, but she was always on top of the wedding planning. When I finally met John, I knew why they both chose each other. As I told Sarah, you can tell they are a prefect puzzle piece together.

Sarah and John married on Little Creek Snug Harbor on a grassy area overlooking the water. The guests enjoyed the reception inside Snug Harbor.

I know Sarah and I will remain close friends, I am looking forward to many more events with her.

Thank you Keith Cephus Photography.

Thank you LeTempt Video Productions.

Missy and James September 18, 2010

Missy rented a beautiful home in Sandbridge for her ceremony and reception, but she needed a little help in pulling it all together and making her vision come true. Missy and James are both in the military; he was out to sea for most of the planning. Missy would be called at different times without knowing, so she was also out to sea for most of the planning. She did not return until the Thursday prior to her wedding.

Missy was always calm, a little stressed, but always smiling and remembering what the day truly was about, saying “I Do” to the man she loves. Watching James and Missy together was so much fun as they were always hand in hand and smiling at one another like no one else was around.

Everyone enjoyed the reception under a tent, with great food and all-night dancing.

Rachel and Ricky September 18, 2010

Rachel and her mother were so wonderful to work with! The first time I met Ricky, he was in his sheriff’s uniform and told me he had a warrant for my arrest. Great way to meet the groom - after that I knew this was going to be fun!

Rachel married in her church, New Life Providence; it was a beautiful ceremony. Rachel and her mother did a wonderful job designing the layout.

The reception followed the ceremony at the Portsmouth Renaissance Hotel; guests were greeted with mimosas, as it was a morning wedding. During the reception a lady named “Pretty” sang a solo to “At Last,” her name described her voice perfectly; she is a truly talented woman. It was a beautiful solo; you would have thought she was lip singing the song. Everyone enjoyed the brunch style foods, with pasta, an omelet station, French toast, carver and so much more.

I will miss the talks her mother and I had, but I am looking forward to sharing pictures from MC Photography.

Tiffinie and Shawn September 4, 2010

Tiffinie and Shawn had a large wedding party of 26! The wedding party was so wonderful to work with; for 26 men and women they were all on time, helpful, nice and ready to do whatever it took to make it a wonderful day! Tiffinie’s bridesmaids danced down the aisle as the men greeted them with their flowers and escorted them to their places. The ceremony was beautiful as her children gave her hand to Shawn.

Following the ceremony was a fun filled evening at the Filipino Cultural Center. Shawn had surprised Tiffinie during the garter removal; he and a few of his groomsmen danced and sang “There Goes My Baby” by Usher. Tiffinie and all her ladies had some surprises too as they soon changed into their dance clothes and performed a few dances of their own.

Jenny and Glenn August 28th

Jenny’s maid of honor Trisha referred Jenny and Glenn to me. I had helped Trisha plan her wedding a little over three years ago. Jenny had planned to marry at the Founders Inn, but she had a concern about not getting married catholic because her family is catholic. In addition, it was always her dream to get married in a catholic church. I introduced her to a priest that would be able to marry her at the Founders. Her concern was Glenn was not going to be here until the week of the wedding due to the military. She would email me and tell me she had a hard time getting a hold of the priest and again Glenn is not home. I told her to keep with it, he is a busy priest, but she would love him. Soon I heard the great news, she was not only getting married by the priest, but she became a member of the church and would be married in the church. Her dream had come true!

Jenny and Glenn’s ceremony was beautiful and filled with loving family and friends. The ceremony was followed by the reception at the Founders Inn. The theme was romance and the room was filled with romance just by watching the couple together all night. You can see and feel the love they have for one another.

Kristen and Jason August 21st

Kristen and Jason hired me because they both were not going to be in Hampton Roads due to school and military. In addition, neither of their parents lived around here. We would hold what I like to call “Power Meetings,” where we get in as much as we can all in one day. Kristen and Jason came to a Holiday Cocktail Party I had at the store, met almost all of their vendors, and hired them. Then, Kristen and I would meet and get all the other details locked in before she was off to school. When Kristen and Jason were finally back together in Hampton Roads the week before their wedding, we had a food tasting and a few last appointments. This way they were still able to experience food tastings and all the fun stuff, even if it was the week prior.

Kristen and Jason had a military wedding in a Methodist church on Shore Drive. It was a joy to work with the church coordinator. After the ceremony, buses transported the guests to the new Water Table in Rudee Inlet. The view over-looked Rudee Inlet during a fishing tournament; the beach-themed room was decorated with bamboo chairs, chocolate seashells and little touches of beach here and there.

This couple was great to work with. All the planning they did together, even if he was out to sea, they would involve each other in every detail. Jason looked at Kristen as if she was the only beautiful woman around. Kristen lit up the room with a glowing smile and laughter.

Looking forward to sharing pictures from Amy Stills Photography.

Nina and Antoine August 14th

Nina and her mother interviewed me sometime in 2009; over seven months later, I received the exciting phone call that they wanted me to help plan Nina’s wedding. I was very thrilled to be a part of this special day. With the wedding only eight months away, we got things moving quickly.

The warmth of the sun shining through the 30-feet glass windows greeted guests as they walked in to the Rotunda at the Half Moone in Norfolk for the ceremony. Nina was not only given away by her parents, but by her one and a half year old daughter as well. Their daughter was by their side as they exchanged marriage vows.

Soon, the wall to the reception opened and guests walked into a stunning room filled with tall centerpieces, candles, a chocolate fountain, a grand wedding cake, a violinist, and so much more. It did not take guests long to get on the dance floor.

Thank you MC Photography.

Fiesta Backyard Party July 25, 2010

It is always enjoyable to plan different events; this weekend I had a great time planning an outdoor fiesta party. The variety of vibrant colors, tall umbrellas, and a margarita machine made the event nothing but fun. Even though it was one of the hottest days of the year, everyone had a great time!

Amy and Chris's Wedding July 10, 2010

Amy, Chris, and Susan (Mom) started with me, although Amy was still unsure if she wanted a coordinator for her wedding. Mom knew she wanted extra help along the way, especially with Amy living a distance away and the numerous details to come with a wedding. I believe that soon after talking with me more frequently, Amy enjoyed having someone to answer her many wedding questions.

Amy was the type of bride who knew exactly what she wanted, but finding it was not so easy; Amy never gave up though. With her determination and lots of searching, she found the perfect linens and décor for her wedding.

Amy and Chris married at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk. The ceremony was decorated with cylinders, flowers and candles from Daevid’s Florist. Her cousin sang “Ave Maria” as the grandparents and parents walked down the aisle. This was a tearful moment for most who had known her uncle.

Soon after cocktail hour, the guests greeted the newlyweds as they entered the reception decorated as a garden theme with countless candles. The band, Strictly Business, played amazing music keeping everyone dancing all night long.

I hope Amy and Chris enjoyed their well-deserved honeymoon.

Thank you to Mobbs Photography!
To see additional pictures visit our fan page on facebook:
Amy and Chris

Kim and Curtis Wedding Founders Inn July 3, 2010

Kim and Curtis first met with me having the same concern as most brides – How am I going to get all of this done without losing my mind? However, the thing about Kim, she was organized and already had so much completed. I enjoyed watching the couple make decisions together about the wedding, reception and decorations. You could see the wonderful connection between them.

Kim and Curtis married outside at the Founders Inn followed with an intimate reception inside. During the ceremony, not only did Curtis exchange vows with Kim, but also with Kim’s daughter, Sarah. I think it was very special that Curtis wanted to let Sarah know that not only is Kim important to him, but so is she. Sarah is a lucky girl to have such a wonderful new stepfather.

Megan and Mike's Wedding in Yorktown June 19, 2010

Megan and Mike came to me about nine months ago with a dream and a budget. After visiting several other coordinators who had told them their dream would not be within budget, I knew I could help make their dream come true!

Megan’s dream was to get married in the backyard of the home she had grown up in. Little did I know how beautiful her home was, complete with a red barn, over looking the water and enough land to do whatever you would want on. Her parents were nervous to see if this could be done within budget and the amount of work it would take to have the wedding in their backyard. I assured them that on the weekend of the wedding they would be enjoying family, getting nails done, and having a great time. I kept my promise in making sure everyone enjoyed the weekend and wedding.

This wedding was so much fun for me. Megan was open to any ideas I had and trusted me to know I would make her vision a reality. Megan and Mike enjoyed seeing how each detail came together piece by piece; from the tent going up to chairs for the ceremony, tables, linens, and all of the fun details around the yard.

As the guests pulled into the long gravel driveway, parking directors helped to make sure parking for 200 was organized. The guests passed a large white tent as they walked or were escorted by golf cart to the back of the house for the ceremony. After the ceremony, guests walked through a garden to the cocktail hour located on the other side of the home. Soon after, the guests walked to the tent to enjoy a fun night of eating and dancing!

As the night grew dark the grounds lit up with lights all around the yard, complete with fire torches to light the path back to the guests’ cars.

Megan, Mike, and their families were wonderful to work with. I will miss them dearly. I know her father could not have been happier to know we all helped make his daughter’s dream come true!

Thank you Sam Hughes Photography!

For additional pictures of Megan and Mike visit our fan page on facebook:

Megan and Mike

Claire and Will's Wedding May 30, 2010

Where to begin with this wonderful family? I have been planning Claire and Will’s wedding for over 14 months and it has been such a joy the entire way. There is something about a backyard wedding under a big white tent that is so amazing. Even my senior assistant who has done many weddings keeps going on how this backyard wedding was by far her favorite.

The couple got married in a catholic church in Sandbridge, then a trolley escorted the guests to a beach house in Sandbridge. As the guests entered the cocktail hour in the Southside of the grounds they where greeted with the couples’ favorite white wine garnished with a Pungo strawberry. Guests enjoyed cornhole, backyard games and walks on the dock by the bay.

Soon guests crossed over a bridge to the tent for the reception. Claire and Will started the reception by wowing their guests with an amazing first dance. Soon Dad had everyone laughing with tears in their eyes as he gave a wonderful greeting. The night continued on with dancing, laughter, rain (I don’t think anyone even noticed) and nothing but great times.

Ann, the bride’s mother is one of the most organized women I have met. Not only did she plan the wedding, but her son had graduated the weekend prior and she catered a 65 person event. On Thursday before the wedding, she had a pig pickin’ for the neighbors who helped make the wedding possible, followed by rehearsal on Friday, and the wedding on Saturday, wrapping things up with a brunch on Sunday. Plus so much more going on in her everyday life. I will miss the short story emails from Ann, she has been such a pleasure to get to know.

Thank you to Mobbs Photography!

For additional photos of Claire and Will's wedding visit our fan page on facebook:

Claire and Will