Local Mini-Moon Ideas

Whether it’s the depressed economic times or the extended honeymoon is planned for a more convenient time, couples have asked me for suggestions on where to go for a mini-honeymoon immediate after their wedding. Sure, there are destinations across the U.S. that you can choose from, but how about some places within driving distance; some place far enough to feel like a real, romantic getaway but not too far that you spend a lot of time traveling. I personally like Bed and Breakfast type inns in quaint little towns. Here are some ideas.

The Clifton Inn, Charlottesville, VA

Photo courtesy of The Clifton Inn in Charlottesville, VA

This is one of those places that is often listed in the Washingtonian Magazine for romantic fall weekend getaways and I hear their food is fantastic. Monticello, Jefferson’s home, is near by as are some wineries.

Goodstone Inn, Middleburg, VA

Photo: Goodstone Inn and Estate

I’ve done several weddings in Middleburg and always thought it was a picturesque town.

The Inn at Perry Cabin, St. Michaels, MD

Photo: Inn at Perry Cabin

Hubby and I spent an impromptu weekend at Easton, MD on the eastern shore 2 years ago and had the opportunity to drive around St. Michaels as well. What a beautiful and relaxing area, especially if you love the water like we do! Perry Cabin has a spa also. What’s not to like? Elizabeth Bailey, a planner in Baltimore, wrote a blog post review about her trip there.

Although I have not stayed at these inns before, they are on the list of places to go the next time I have the urge for a quick getaway with the hubby.

Let me know your experience if you have been to any of these places or if there are others you recommend!

Read: Washington Post Wedding Week

An annual feature, the Washington Post is at it again with this year’s rendition of Wedding Week. There is a variety of articles on the usual wedding planning topics but it looks like the newspaper is focusing more on stretching your budget on items like the honeymoon, catering, and much more. Check it out.

Tying the Knot: A Pre-Marriage Workshop for Couples

Amidst all the dress shopping, the linens picking, the food tasting, I always encourage couples to take a time-out from the planning and have a date night where they are not allowed to talk about the wedding and remember what this wedding is all about. Try to reconnect with each on a human level, not at a bridezilla vs. groomzilla level.

It is so important to work on the relationship/marriage part and sometimes, you lose sight of that. And unfortunately, hubby and I have seen a few friends get married and then divorced recently and we sometimes wonder if these couples might have benefited from pre-martial workshops and whether the issues that caused their divorce might have surfaced during such a workshop. Because we got married in the Catholic church, we had to go through pre-cana and even though we have a very open relationship and we discuss everything, we were glad to have a priest as a 3rd party when we talked about certain topics (because you know you can’t lie in front of a priest … ah catholic guilt!). Take a look and see if this opportunity might be for you.

Tying the Knot:  A Pre-Marriage Workshop for Couples

If you are planning to marry or are considering engagement, come explore your relationship and the skills needed to handle the challenges that arise when couples share their lives.  Jewish values and traditions provide a strong context for a safe and supportive group discussion.  Topics to be covered include marital roles and expectations; religion and spirituality; personality differences; communication styles; managing conflict; decision-making skills; intimacy and finances; and social and leisure activities.

Tying the Knot is being offered at the JCC of Northern Virginia, the JCC of Greater Washington in Rockville and the Washington DCJCC.  For specific dates and additional information, please visit www.jccnv.org, www.jccgw.org or www.washingtondcjcc.org.

Postage Rates Increase on 5/11/09

Notice to those sending out and/or budgeting for Save-the-Dates, invitations, and response cards in the near future: the US Postal Service has announced a postage rate increase effective May 11, 2009. To mail up to a 1 oz. letter first class, it will cost you 44 cents. The rate increase also affects postcards, which will now cost 28 cents to mail.

If your RSVP date is after May 11, be sure to enclose the proper postage on your response card envelopes.

Go: Glenview Mansion

Glenview Mansion

If you are looking for a mansion for your wedding or special event, one of our favorite hidden gems is Glenview Mansion in Rockville, MD. We were there back in June for Joan and Ben’s wedding and had a lovely time (go back and read what we wrote about its advantages and challenges). We found out that they  have select Saturdays and Sundays available for rental, even during the popular months of June, September and October.

Contact us for available dates or contact Glenview directly!

Tell us what you think of our website!

As small business owners, we are always trying to improve upon customer service and our websites are really important part of our business. So when you visit a vendor’s website, any vendor including us, what do you think of it?

If you wouldn’t mind, please click on the link below and answer 9 quick, easy questions about different design aspects of wedding vendor’s websites. I promise, this will only take a few minutes of your time!

http://www.questionpro.com/akira/TakeSurvey?id=1152739

We won’t record anything about you other than what state or country you are from – we don’t even ask for your email address so no spam or anything like that.

You will likely see this link on lots of other blogs and sites – this survey is being shared all over the blog-o-sphere so please take the survey only once.

If you have additional comments on the subject, please feel free to email me with those and I will share them with the other wedding vendors who are participating! We can’t wait to hear what you have to say!

(If you are a wedding vendor and would like to participate, just copy this post to your blog and email emilie {@} emilieduncan {.} com – She will send you the results once we have closed the survey in March)

Thank you in advance!

Travel: Bodega Bay, CA

Bodega Bay Lodge view

Over the Christmas holiday, I did manage to take some time off and hang out with my family. For the second year in a row, we decide to explore the towns within driving distance of the Bay Area. Check out my trip report to Bodega Bay,California.  This would be a quaint venue for a destination wedding. The Bodega Bay Lodge has event spaces available for groups.

Go: Clarendon Ballroom

The Clarendon Ballroom in Arlington, Virginia is still an often overlooked special events venue. Since I had my own reception there, I am a bit biased. I recently went back for a tasting with a client and was reminded of how great the food and service are there. Although the maximum capacity is 200 for a sit-down event, I think 150-180 is the most comfortable. We have a great experience every time we work there: Suzann & Michael, Jane & Kevin, Greg & Haiying. Did I mention they do off-site catering too (Katie & Chris)! Executive Chef Patrick can cook up just about anything but he does a great BBQ and is excellent at using seasonal products. We are looking forward to working there again in April and October.

Advantages:

• Location: in the heart of Clarendon, it is also located across from the Clarendon Metro Station
• Valet parking included in package
• Chivari chairs, tables and standard linens included in package
• Unlimited a la carte menu choices (good for those who want variety in their food choices)
• Want a big dance floor

Disadvantages

• Unlimited a la carte menu choices (not good for those who have difficult making decision … you know who you are)
• You need to be OK with the art deco style decor
• You need to be OK with the fact that it is a bar at other times (although you would never know it since they clean everything top to bottom before a private event)
• No hotels within walking distance

You can have your ceremony in the front lounge section.

Photo above courtesy of Limelight Photography.

Or you can have the ceremony inside the ballroom area.

Photo above courtesy of Imijination Photography.

How about a sushi station?

Or a Hawaii Station?

Or a Traditional Comfort with Cuban Pork Loin and Roast Turkey?

Above 3 photos by Emilie Inc.

Reston Limo: $100 Winter Special

($50 off Sedans, Vans or SUVs!) Blackout dates apply: January 16-22 & February 14, 2009 4-hour minimum reservation requirement. May not be combined with any other offer or discount. New reservations only.

Reston Limo is my go-to transportation company as their drivers are reliable and courteous.  If you are still in need of transportation for your event, take advantage of this promotion!

2009 Bride’s Choice Awards Winner!

2009 Bride's Choice Awards

WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced that Event Accomplished has won the 2009 Bride’s Choice Awards™!

In its inaugural year, the Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and honors vendors from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellent quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value of cost and flexibility. This year’s recipients represent the top three percent of WeddingWire’s vendor community, which includes over 100,000 wedding vendors from across the US. That means Event Accomplished is one of the very best wedding planners.

Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the company, the Bride’s Choice Awards are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds through surveys and reviews.

“We are excited to launch this annual award program to honor high-performing vendors based solely on the experiences of our WeddingWire community,” according to Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “This year’s recipients have set the bar high, exhibiting excellent service and expertise in the wedding industry.”

We would like to thank our past clients for speaking on our behalf and helping us win the 2009 Bride’s Choice Award!