Bridal News

This is the time of year when wedding venues like to showcase their properties with beautiful room decor and delicious food. Some will also feature fashions and other wedding pros. We have a full lineup of bridal open houses over the next several weeks. Remember, it’s always best to call for details and to RSVP.

Add these events to your calendar and find yourself a venue!

Inn at the Olde Silk Mill, Fredericksburg: 2/5, 12-5pm. If you’re thinking nearby wedding weekend, think historic Fredericksburg. Tour this truly unique venue, an 1880’s silk mill. 1707 Princess Anne Street. 540.371.5666.

River Creek Club Bridal Tasting, Leesburg: 2/17, 6pm. Enjoy full dinner fare and cocktail hour reception while you preview this beautiful space. 43800 Olympic Boulevard. 703.779.2022.

Rockledge Mansion Open House, Occoquan: This historic manor home is open to brides 2/19, 3/18 and 4/15, 3-6pm. 440 Mill Street. 703.357.7033.

Stonewall Golf Club Bridal Event, Gainesville: 2/19, 11am-3pm. Tour the club, enjoy the food, meet the vendors. 15601 Turtle Point Drive. 703.753.6156.

Harbour View Bridal Fun Day, Woodbridge: 2/19, 12-4pm. Live music, fashion show and inspirational lounge setups. 13200 Marina Way. 703.910.4273.

Piedmont Club Bridal Open House, Haymarket: 2/24, 6-9pm. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine, vendors and lots of door prizes. Pre-register and enter to win a complimentary bridal shower, courtesy of Piedmont Club. 14675 Piedmont Vista Drive. 703.753.5922.

Heritage Hunt Bridal Fair, Gainesville: 3/4, 11am-3pm. Tour the club, enjoy the food, meet the vendors. 6901 Arthur Hills Drive. 703.743.2005.

Continental Event Center Bridal Open House, Manassas: 3/11, 11am-2pm. Fashions, food and fun! 9705 Liberia Avenue. 571.208.1208.

Hilton Garden Inn Menu Tastings, Fairfax: 4/18, 6/12, 9/13, 6pm. Complimentary for you and up to 3 guests. 3950 Fair Ridge Drive. 703.667.9363.

The bridal shops are buzzing this month with trunk shows, grand openings and sample sales. Here’s a list of upcoming events to help you find the dress of your dreams!

Keep up with salon news. Visit www.bridesandweddings.com

Leesburg Bridal Blow Out Sample Sale (2/4-19). This is the biggest sample sale of the year. Save 20%-70% on discontinued gowns from top manufacturers. Prosperity Shopping Center (707-E East Market Street), Leesburg. 703.777.8822. www.leesburg-bridal.com.

Soliloquy Bridal Couture Fashion Show & Reception (2/9, 7pm). See a wonderful variety of gowns from fresh designers. 754 Elden Street, Suite 103, Herndon. 571.449.2580. www.soliloquybridal.com.

Gilda’s Bridal Grand Opening (2/12, 2-6pm). Gilda is known throughout the Washington DC for her bridal beauty services and now she’s opening a couture bridal salon. 2304 Gallows Road, Tysons Corner. 703.641.8444. www.gildasbridalcollection.com.

Blush Bridal Boutique Carrafina Trunk Show (2/24-26): Featuring gowns in sizes 18-28. 7332 Atlas Walk Way, Gainesville. 703.753.8303. www.blushbridalboutique.com.

Demetrios Bridal Salon at Macy’s Trunk Show Schedule: In addition to the 2012 Demetrios lines, the salon is now also showcasing this year’s collection by Eliana Moore. Located in Macy’s at Tysons II.703.902.4330. www.demetriosbride.com.

COSMOBELLA: FEB 17-19
ELIANNA MOORE: MARCH 2-4
DEMETRIOS: MARCH 23-25
ELIANNA MOORE: APRIL 20-22
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE EVENT: MAY 11-13
COSMOBELLA: MAY 18-20
DEMETRIOS: JUNE 1-3
OREASPOSA: JUNE 15-17
DEMETRIOS PLATINUM 2013: JUNE 22-24
ELIANNA MOORE:  JULY 6-8
DEMETRIOS: JULY 27-29
COSMOBELLA: AUG 10-12
OREASPOSA: SEPT 7-9
DEMETRIOS: SEPT 21-23
DEMETRIOS PLATINUM 2013: OCT 12-14
ELIANNA MOORE: OCT 26-28
DEMETRIOS: NOV 9-11
OREASPOSA: NOV 30-DEC 2
COSMOBELLA: DEC 14-16

No, not that kind - you already have the love of your life! My inbox is full of emails from my venue clients who have upcoming dates still available, along with some very special savings. Here’s the rundown. To keep up with venue availability and offers, be sure to check out the Quick Clicks page of bridesandweddings.com. And be sure to let them know you saw them on the Brides & Weddings blog.

Unique Venues:

The Briar Patch B&B: This lovely B&B, located just outside Middleburg, is a favorite of NoVA brides. If you’re planning a wedding weekend, May 25-27 is still available. For pricing details, go to www.briarpatchbandb.com/wedding.htm or call Henriette Buell at 703.327.5911.

Gala Cuisine at Foxchase Manor South: Host your wedding at this Manassas banquet hall during the month of February and receive 50% off your reception; hold your event and March and save 35%. This is a great place for an ethnic wedding. Short-term planning, no problem! Call 703.335.5131 and visit www.galacuisine.com.

Fairfax American Legion: This is not your father’s legion post. The venue features a patio and fireplace and is located in the heart of Fairfax City. Book your wedding reception during the month of February and receive 10% off your bill (excluding bar sales). Make sure you mention Brides & Weddings and receive your white table linens at no extra charge. Call 703.273.2250 and visit www.fairfaxpost177.org.

Tower Club Tysons Corner: This private club features a beautiful, soaring atrium for your wedding ceremony. March 10, July 7 and 14, August 4 and 11 are still available. Book one of these date and the club will waive your facility fee - a $750 savings. Call 703.761.4250 and visit www.tower-tysons.com.

Country Clubs:

Bowling Green Country Club: Located in Front Royal, this club features beautiful views of the mountains. Hold your reception in February or March and pay only $250 for the room fee. Call 540.635.2024 and visit www.bowlinggreencountryclub.net.

Hidden Creek Country Club: The “hidden jewel of Reston” has the following dates available: Feb. 25, March 2,9,10,16, April 6,7, 13 and May 11. Book one and receive a complimentary room rental - an $800 value. Call 703.437.5222 and visit www.hiddencreekcc.com.

Heritage Hunt Golf & Country Club: Host your wedding reception at this gorgeous Gainesville club from now through August and receive 10% off your total bill. Call 703.745.2005 and visit www.heritagehuntgolf.com.

Piedmont Club: This beautiful club, located just off Route 15 in Hayamarket, still has April 28 and May 12 available. Book one of these dates and receive 10% off your wedding package. Piedmont also has special rates for Friday/Sunday weddings. Call 703.753.5922 and visit www.piedmontclub.com.

Osprey’s Landing: This club has a beautiful view of Belmont Bay. Book any Friday Wedding in May and take 50% off your room fee, 10% off your food and top it all off with a free champagne toast. This offer good for the month of February only. Call 703.494.1935 and visit www.ospreyslanding.net.

Regency at Dominion Valley: This classic club as a two breathtaking outdoor ceremony locations. April 28 and May 5 and 26 are available. Choose from a 5-1/2 hour reception package at $110 per person or a 5 hour package for $100 per guest. Call 571.261.3335 and visit www.eventsatregency.com.

Hotels:

Springfield Hilton:This conveniently located hotel has the first two weekends in March available and wants to turn on the lights in the ballroom with your reception. Host your event March 2-4 or March 9-11 and receive 25% off your wedding menu. Call 703.971.8900 and visit www.springfieldva.hilton.com.

Mason Inn and Conference Center: There are still some great Saturdays left at this new property on the Geo. Mason Campus: March 17, 24,31, April 7, 28, May 5, 12, June 12, 19, August 18, 25, September 8, 15, October 20, 27, November 10, 17 and December 22 and 29. Book one of these dates and receive a color linen upgrade for up to 12 tables. And if you’re a Mason grad, you’ll receive 12 breakfasts in the hotel’s restaurant the day after your wedding for your out of town guests. Call 703.865.4517 and visit www.acc-masoninnandconferencecenter.com.

Hilton Washington Dulles: Located just off Route 28 in Herndon, the hotel features big, beautiful ballrooms. May 5, 12, 19, 26, 27, June 2,6, and July 27 are still available. Book one of these dates with an $8000 budget and receive 10% off the bill (pre service charge and tax) along with complimentary wine service. Call 703.478.2900 and visit www.dulleshilton.com.

Northern Virginia is home to people from all over the world and the words “fusion wedding” have become a part of the reception planning vocabulary. And weddings with international guest lists often face special, short term planning needs.

If this sounds like your wedding, you’ll want to check out Gala Cuisine, the in-house caterer for Foxchase Manor South. located at 8310 Chatsworth Drive in Manassas. Host your wedding during the month of February with Gala Cuisine and receive 50% off the venue fee and catering. And if you hold your wedding in March, you can take 35% off the bill.

Gala Cuisine can prepare a variety of international foods and offers personalized menus to suit your taste and cultural background. You can choose from three options for your venue rental: the basic package includes use of the space, tables, chairs and dance floor; the next level covers the basics and gives you an upgrade with linens, china and service personnel, and the top package includes a customized menu and cocktail hour.

Each weekend, Foxchase Manor South is open to brides to tour and meet with Gala’s wedding specialists. The venue is open 10am-5pm on Saturdays and 11am-4pm on Sundays.

Gala Cuisine also provides off-premise catering. To learn more, call 703.335.5131 and visit www.galacuisine.com.

Krysta Ardigo, owner of Invite Me Invitations, was kind enough to send me this post for the Bridal News Blog on “Save the Date” cards. I think you will find her advice most helpful.

Once you’ve selected your date, ceremony and reception venues, it’s now time to start thinking about sending “Save the Date’s” to your guests. These announcement cards are especially important if friends and family are far away from where your wedding will be held. And if you are planning a destination wedding that requires special travel arrangements, it’s good to give your guests plenty of time to plan.

Weddings are also becoming multi-day events, so a “Save the Date” helps guests with their calendars. If your wedding is occurring on a holiday weekend or during a high travel time, you’ll want to give your guests plenty of advance notice. Popular wedding dates, like the recent 11/11/11, and popular seasons, such as Fall in the DC area, also deserve advance notice. And if a major event is planned in the city around the date your wedding will be held, your guests will want to reserve their accommodations early.

Sending a “Save the Date” helps your guests arrange time and allocate expenses, increasing the chances they will attend your special event. It’s best to send “Save the Date’s” six to nine months prior to the “big day”. If your wedding is particularly far away or coincides with an event outlined above, you should potentially send a “Save the Date” as much as one year in advance.

“Save the Date’s” present a perfect opportunity for you to convey “personality” that you may choose to forgo for your more formal invitation. A destination theme is captured in a luggage tag, airplane, or passport. Photo cards, magnets, or classic card designs are the perfect simple, yet elegant, solution if you haven’t decided on the “theme” details of your wedding.

Great advice Krysta! To learn more about “Save the Date’s” and invitation options, schedule an appointment to visit Krysta’s studio by calling 703.798.1992. And be sure to visit www.invitemeinvitations.net.

I had the pleasure of recently delivering the new edition of Brides & Weddings to the Waterford Foundation. These are the great folks who have worked so hard to preserve the historic character of the charming village of Waterford, just west of Leesburg. They are also the dedicated volunteers and staffers who put on the annual Waterford Homes Tour & Craft Exhibit.

If you’re looking for a truly unique, countryside, shabby chic wedding, you’ll want to check out what the town, established in 1733, has to offer. Construction is currently underway on an addition to the Old Schoolhouse. This venue is slated to open in April and can accommodate up to 160 guests. The large stone terrace makes a perfect ceremony spot and there lot’s of natural light streaming into facility. There’s also a stage that’s perfect for either a head table or your musical entertainment.

The Old Schoolhouse sits on top of a hill overlooking the village and you’ll have a wealth of photographic opportunities - from meadows to an old mill. And if you want to have your ceremony at a separate site, the historic John Wesley Community Church is available.

For guest accommodations, consider the nearby B&B’s - The Pink House is in the heart of the village. And, of course, Leesburg offers a variety of hotel options.

To learn more about the Old Schoolhouse, John Wesley Community Church and how you can take over the town of Waterford for your wedding day, call 540.882.3018 ext. 113 and visit www.waterfordfoundation.org.

If you’re Outer Banks bound for your destination wedding, you’ll want to check out the new ceremony site available at The Currituck Club in Corolla, NC. Located between the Atlantic Ocean and Currituck Sound, the club is clearing a site on the 7th hole of the golf course for wedding ceremonies, one of the most picturesque spots on the course. Imagine exchanging your vows as the sun goes down over the beautiful sound. The ceremony package includes a wedding arch, chairs, setup/breakdown and ceremony coordination. Your guests will use the Currituck Club’s neighborhood trolleys to be shuttled to the ceremony site. After your nuptials, your guests will be transported back to the charming clubhouse for your reception.

The Currituck Club is offering some special incentives for select 2012 wedding dates: Book one of these dates and save $300 on your facility fee: April 28, May 4, 11, 12, June 2, 16, July 7, 14. And if you book your wedding in August, you’ll save $500 on your facility fee and the bride & groom eat free at their reception.

To learn more about planning an Outer Banks wedding and The Currituck Club, contact Private Event Director Ashley Earnhardt at 888.453.9400. And visit www.thecurrituckgolfclub.com and Ashley’s blog,

If you’re an “encore bride” you’ll want to check out the Remarriage Showcase on March 10 at River Creek Club in Leesburg. You’ll start the day with an elegant champagne brunch and then tour the vendor showcase featuring travel, wedding planning, and custom invitations. There’s even an encore bridal fashion show. Get expert advice on family law, finance, stepfamily coaching and door prizes! For more details and tickets, visit www.remarriageshowcase.com.

Osprey’s Landing has a great deal for any Friday wedding in May 2012. Take 50% off your room fee, 10% off your food and top it all off with a free champagne toast. Save big bucks on this Friday special. Act fast - this offer is only good until March 2012.

This beautiful country club, located on the Occoquan River at Belmont Bay in Woodbridge features a spacious ballroom with floor to ceiling windows and patio and can accommodate up to 175 guests. To take advantage of this special Friday offer, contact Catering Sales Manager Katie Tierno at 703.494.1935 and visit www.ospreyslanding.net.

Gilda is known throughout the Washington Dc area for her bridal beauty services. Now you can find your dream gown at her new bridal salon. Come see this beautiful selection of unique wedding gowns with European flair at her grand opening on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2-6pm. Gilda’s Beauty & Bridal Collection is located at 2304 Gallows Road in Tysons Corner. To RSVP, call 703.641.8444 and visit www.gildasbridalcollection.com.