Bridal News

Spring is coming and the folks at Grandale Farm, located just west of Leesburg on Harpers Ferry Road, are getting ready to put in their crops. Meanwhile some great events are popping up in March. Check out their roster:

Grandale Farm Restaurant

Get out of the house and hear some live music! Marty Fair will appear Mar. 4; Andy Hawk is set to play Mar. 11; The Acoustic Burgoo will appear Mar. 18; Steve DeVries will return for a Mar. 19 engagement, and Jake and the Burtones round out the musical calendar on Mar. 25.

On the first and third Friday of every month, Grandale Farm Restaurant offers a 4-course meal with wine pairing for only $45. And on April 4th Grandale will host an Easter outing for $35 per person. What a great way to check out the place and food for a possible rehearsal dinner!

In addition to the restaurant, Grandale has an assembly hall for smaller receptions and grounds for tented events. They also provide off-premise catering. To schedule an appointment with Executive Chef Author Clark, call 540.668.6000.

Cindie

Here’s a wonderful opportunity to save 20% on your reception package for your May, June or July wedding - and receive a great Honeymoon Package as a thank you - from the folks at the Hilton Washington Dulles.

Hilton Washington Dulles

Wedding Specialist Maggie Boshra has the following dates available at her beautiful hotel, located just off Route 28 near Dulles Airport: May 1, 8 and 22; June 5, 12 and 19, and July 24 and 31. This hotel has several rooms and can host anything from an intimate affair of 50 to a grand celebration of 700.

To schedule a tour of the property, call 703.834.1991. And don’t forget to mention that you saw their offer on the Bridal News Blog!

Cindie

Brush Strokes Salon in Herdon is getting their brides ready to show some skin this Spring wedding season with a new collection Jane Iredale cosmetics. Called Perfectly Nude, this line is composed of flattering colors that know how to multitask.

A healthy complexion is the most beautiful makeup you can wear! To check out the Jane Iredale line, visit Brush Strokes Salon at 711 Pine Street and be sure to ask about their wedding day hair & makeup services. For more info call 703.435.8002.

Cindie

I dropped by to see my friend Mandy Kerns at Harbour View in Woodbridge the other day. This brand new site on the banks of the Occoquan is a must-see when you are touring reception venues.

Mandy wanted me to pass along this upcoming event: Harbour View will be hosting the 11th annual “Rock the Red” Gala on Saturday, March 20th, 6:30-11pm. This event benefits the Prince William Chapter of the American Red Cross. There will be a reception, dinner, dancing, silent auction and door prizes. Musical entertainment will be provided by Lionel Ward and the New World Band. Attire is Rock ‘n Red and Flashy!

Tickets are $100 per person and sponsorship tables are available. For more details, call the Prince William American Red Cross, 703.368.4511 ext. 408.

Cindie

My clients, Bakers/Owners Cassie Lauterette and Kourtni O’Grodnick of Sweet ‘n Sassy Cakes, will be on hand this Sunday, March 7th, dispensing tasty treats at the Springfield Comfort Inn bridal open house. This event, located at 6560 Loisdale Court, will be held from 2-6pm and feature local wedding professionals and a food tasting. Convention Service Manager Stephanie Lawson and her staff will be available to show you their banquet space and discuss your wedding reception and rehearsal dinner options. Admission to the open house is complimentary.

Located in Loudoun County, Sweet ‘n Sassy specialize in custom cakes. Not only can they produce an award winning wedding cake (Kourtni took a top honor with her design in last Spring’s National Capital Area Cake Show), they love to design theme and character cakes - perfect for a groom’s cake or rehearsal dinner dessert. To learn more about their work and to schedule a consultation, call 703.371.5845 or 571.263.0217.

Cindie

Event Manager Tony Sossa of the Compass & Anchor Club in Sterling wanted me to pass along to my readers that he has July 31st available for a wedding reception. Mention Brides & Weddings and receive 25% off your wedding buffet package.

Compass & Anchor offers a great reception for the value-oriented bride, with prices in the $51-$75 range. The club, housed in a converted dairy barn, features lots of natural light, two floors and great staircase that’s perfect for ceremonies. To tour the facility, call Tony at 703.547.7870.

You can find lots of great reception site offerings on the Quick Clicks page of the Brides & Weddings website. Just be sure you tell them that you saw it on Brides & Weddings.

Cindie

I dropped by to visit with Jonathan Mervis of Mervis Diamond Importers in Tysons Corner the other day to bring him more copies of Brides & Weddings of Northern Virginia to give to his bridal customers. Jonathan told me Mervis is having a Trunk Show next weekend, March 6th and 7th, at their Rockville location (1775 Rockville Pike).

If you’re planning a Spring or Summer wedding, this is the time to buy those wedding bands. Designer Diana will be there - for a preview, check out the beautiful and classic wedding bands on the Mervis website. Couples attending the trunk show will receive a free engagement portrait session by photographer Alexander Morozov, courtesy of the jeweler.

Happy Shopping,

Cindie

Trish Langley, bridal hair & makeup specialist and owner of My Mobile Salon, saw my recent post on veils and sent me some great tips on bridal hairstyles to pass along to my blog readers.

Incorporate a detail from your gown. Braiding or twisting of fabric can be duplicated into the hairstyle. Look to texture. Soft wispy hairstyles complement full-skirted tulle gowns; smooth gowns with a smooth, shiny hairstyle of knots or rolls.

Natural curls? Enhance them and work with them – keep your look soft. Straight hair? Don’t expect a set to last all day, wear it up. If the curls are pinned in place there will be less worry.

Medium length hair can be curled and worn with a sparkly headband or tiara to dress it up. Or simply tuck some hair behind your ears and use one of the very popular decorative hair clips to hold it back.

If your dream is to wear your hair up and you have a few months to grow it out, go for it. Medium hair is versatile; try some looks with your stylist at least a few months ahead of time. This helps to chart out the growing process.

Give a short style fullness in the crown area and back. Sweep the hair off to the side and save curls for the back. Don’t touch curls while they are warm, it loosens them. Don’t brush curls out – it will look frizzy and dated. Top your do with a tiara or clips.

Thanks Trish! I’ll be sharing more of Trish’s ideas on hair and headpieces in an upcoming post soon. To schedule a consultation with Trish about your hair and makeup call 703.856.2617 or email mymobilesalon@aol.com

Cindie

Nothing completes the bridal look quite like that right veil and headpiece.  In addition to the currently trendy bird’s nest look, there are many options for your consideration. Here’s a quick style lesson on veil lengths:

Blusher: Worn with informal and semi-formal gowns and great for brides with short hair.

Elbow: You can’t go wrong with this one. Worn with semi-formal and formal gowns.

Cascade: Fingertip: Works well with gowns that have short trains or no trains.

Waltz: Floor length, looks pretty with any dress.

Chapel: Worn with formal gowns. Extends about a foot from the back of the dress.

Cathedral: The most formal of veils, very dramatic. Works with gowns with trains.

To help you find the perfect veil and headpiece to complete your wedding day look, White Swan Bridal has a special sale through March 30th. Mention Brides & Weddings and receive 30% off!

White Swan Bridal is located at 425 Maple Avenue West in Vienna. Hours are Monday-Friday, 11am-7pm and Saturday, 9:30am-5pm. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are always helpful. For more information call 703.255.9032.

Happy Shopping,

Cindie

The last week of February is full of bridal events. Here’s a quick rundown of all the things going on in Northern Virginia.

On Thursday, Feb. 25, Terry Jones of Cruises Inc. and her fellow members of Distinctive Impressions will be hosting a bridal open house at Annalee’s, located in the Brambleton Town Center in Ashburn. Free admission, tasty treats, great wedding advice & goody bags filled with gifts & savings.

Saturday, Feb. 27, head over to the Fort Belvoir Officers’ Club and the annual Bridal Fair, from 10am to 2pm. Meet with over 50 area wedding professionals and admire the great view of the Potomac from this reception room. Tickets are $7 at the door.

Sunday, Feb. 28, offers a full slate of venue hopping. Harbour View, located on the banks of the Occoquan in Woodbridge, is hosting an open house from noon to 3pm. R&R Catering will be providing the feast. Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 at the door. Call 703.451.2798.

From 11am to 4pm, brides can check out the TIG Wedding Expo at the Sheraton Crystal City with free admission. Then head over to the Crystal City Marriott Wedding Showcase, from 11am to 3pm, and be sure to visit with one of my favorite florists, Exotica. To RSVP call 703.413.6548.

And if you’re in the mood for a drive out in the Loudoun countryside, check out the open house at Notaviva Vineyards from 11am to 5pm. Chef Author Clark of Grandale Farm will be providing the culinary delights. Free admission.

To keep up with all the happenings, visit this blog’s calendar or the Quick Clicks page of www.bridesandweddings.com. And when you’re at these events, be sure to pick up your complimentary copy of Brides & Weddings.

Cindie