Bridal News

Sample sales are a great way to get a deal on a wedding gown. If you’re in the market for a wedding dress or your mom needs something for the wedding - or maybe you want a cute cocktail dress - check out the Semi-Annual Sample Sale at Blush Bridal Boutique in Gainesville.

All items in stock are 25% off, with wedding gowns starting at under $100 and special occasion dresses selling for $25 and up. Blush Bridal Boutique is located at 7332 Atlas Walk Way. To schedule your appointment, call 703.753.8303 or email info@blushbridalboutique.com. And be sure to visit www.blushbridalboutique.com.

If you and your sweetie are in high wedding planning mode, then mark your calendar for June 2nd at the Riverside Conference Center at 95 Riverside Parkway in Fredericksburg. The Virginia Wedding & Event Network (VAWE) is hosting their Summer bridal fair from noon to 4pm.

With 60+ local wedding vendors, this fun, interactive bridal show offers something for everyone - even the grooms! You’ll see - and be able to try on - the latest bridal gowns courtesy of Ava Laureene Bride. The Video Game Rover is offering a $150 prize to the couple with the best score of the day and GoWed.co will have a $250 prize for a lucky groom!

Tickets are $10 at the door - but you can go to www.vawenetwork.com and score a FREE PASS just by registering.

Holding your wedding ceremony at the same location as your reception is a smart idea, especially if you have a lot of out of town guests. It offers convenience and an easy transition between “I Do” and “let’s party!”

It can also offers some great savings - book one of these dates at Stonewall Golf Club in Gainesville and get 1/2 off your ceremony site fee - an $850 savings!

August 3 and 31, September 7 and 21.

Conveniently located just off Route 29, Stonewall Golf has an amazing terrace overlooking Lake Manassas that’s perfect for outdoor ceremonies. Host your cocktail hour in the Brass Cannon Restaurant and then enter the lovely Magnolia Room, featuring lots of natural light, accommodating up to 150 guests. Customized menus are in the $51-$75 price range - a great value for an elegant country club.

To schedule your tour and consultation, contact Jeanna Hilton at 703.753.6156 and visit www.stonewallgolfclub.com.

Mark your calendar for next Sunday, May 19th, for the DMV Wedding Showcase, to be held at the newly renovated Springfield Hilton. The newest, and billed as the hippest, bridal show in Washington, will offer one stop shopping for brides & grooms.

And speaking of grooms, the gentlemen will be admitted to the show for free! Tickets are just $5 online and $8 at the door. To get yours, go to http://dmvweddingshowcasemay192013.eventbrite.com and be sure to visit www.dmvweddingshowcase.com.

If you’re looking for a special Mother’s Day gift or bridal bling, be sure to attend the Spring Designer Trunk Show at May Jewelers, May 11-13, 10am-6pm. At this private event, you’ll save up to 50% on their entire collection of exquisite jewelry, including diamonds, colored gems and platinum creations. Enjoy complimentary refreshments and hors d’oeuvres, free henna and enter their special raffle drawing.

May Jewelers is located at 8032 Leesburg Pike next to Tysons Corner Center. For more details and to RSVP for this event, contact Vincent at 703.448.0866 or email rsvp@mayjewelers.com. And be sure to visit www.mayjewelers.com.

Continental Event Center in Manassas has some great Summer dates open on their calendar. Book one and save a cool grand ($1000) on your venue rental - July 6th, 13th and 20th.

Located on Liberia Avenue near the Prince William Parkway, Continental Event Center features two lovely rooms that can accommodate both your ceremony and reception. Built with weddings in mind, Continental offers a great list of preferred caterers to customize your event. There’s plenty of free parking and nearby accommodations for your out of town guests.

To learn more about Continental and to schedule your appointment, call Jim Hester at 571.208.1208 and visit www.thecontinentalcenter.com.

Each month, Historic Rosemont in Berryville hosts a Mother/Engaged Daughter tea. Admission is complimentary and includes a 3-course tea, tour of the manor and grounds, tips from top wedding pros, a hair & makeup demonstration and door prizes!

The next tea is scheduled for May 25th. Seating is limited - to RSVP for this event, call 703.879.5683. And to learn more about Historic Rosemont visit www.rosemont1811.com.

It’s almost time to turn the page on the calendar to a new month - here are some great date night ideas coming up in May at the Workhouse Arts Center. Did you know that the Workhouse Gallery is available for rehearsal dinners, ceremonies and wedding receptions? There’s also a tented space for larger events. To learn more about renting this unique venue for your special event, call 703.584.2900 and visit www.workhousearts.org.

May 3 - Dinner and a Movie (8pm): This month’s presentation is the comedy musical Momma Mia! $39 per person.

May 4 - Mason Cabaret Presents: The Millennials! (8pm): Enjoy the most exciting new composers in cabaret. $25 per person, cash bar available.

May 10 - SingleMarriedGirl (8pm): Previewed at the Capital Fringe Festival. $20 general admission, $15 military, $10 student.

May 11 - 2nd Saturday Art Walk (6-9pm): Over 100 artists! Free admission.

May 17 - Sixth Generation Concert (8pm): Baby boomers - here’s your blast from the past rock & roll! Tickets $10-$15.

May 18 - Ballroom Social Dance (7:30-10:30pm). Take a mini dance lesson for just $5. Admission to the dance is $10 per person. Complimentary soft drinks and cash bar available.

May 18 - Chef’s Table (8-10pm): Learn some new cooking techniques from a professional chef, then enjoy dinner! $80 per couple.

May 25 - Cool Cow Comedy (8pm): National comedy acts on your local stage. Two shows. Tickets available at www.coolcowcomedy.com.

Private Events Director Leslie Collier of Tower Club Tysons is back with some more thoughts on wedding planning - this time, she tackles the topic of eco-friendly weddings in honor of the recent Earth Day.

Now that you’ve said yes, selected the perfect date and scored your dream dress, why should your wedding day be anything less than spectacular! But what happens after the party’s over? Where do all those beautiful things go?

Weddings easily top the list for being full of waste and not very earth friendly. If you’d like to maintain a lavish celebration - and at the same time reduce your event’s thumbprint - here are a few key ways to get you started!

Host your wedding and reception at the same location. Simple enough, right? Not only are you providing your guests with a beautiful venue, but the convenience of one location means fewer guests on the road (and getting lost) = less gas use and less pollution.

Rent instead of buying. From a fabulous farmhouse to a bustling city club, rentals area a fabulous way to transform any venue. With so many options available, from linens and lighting to chairs and flowers, the only limit is your imagination.

Reuse & re-purpose. Using your ceremony flowers throughout your reception not only saves you money, but you can later give them to a hospital or senior center. And your bridal party can donate their stylish fashions to local community organizations to be used by students for high school dances and proms.

Thanks, Leslie! Are you looking for a unique summer wedding venue, but can’t stand the heat? The Tower Club Tysons has the best of both worlds with a 35′ atrium ceiling and panoramic views from the Blue Ridge to DC. There are still a few 2013 dates left, so call Leslie at 703.461.5250 or email leslie.collier@ourclub.com. And visit www.tower-tysons.com.

If you find your wedding timeline has made a radical shift and you need to plan in a hurry, Grand Atrium in Tysons Corner has the following Summer dates available. Mention this blog post when you book one and save 10% on your reception: June 22, July 13 & 20, August, 3, 17 & 24, and September 7th.

Located on Gallows Road, this venue offers a private club atmosphere on two levels. There’s a huge dance floor (which is also terrific for ceremony set up), a cozy fireplace (looks great with candles - even in the Summer!), wonderful walls for showing photo montages and monograms, and best of all, a caring, attentive staff.

To learn more about Grand Atrium and to schedule your tour, contact Lucy Fletcher at 703.698.0228 and visit www.grandatrium.com.