TOPICS OF INTEREST
FLIP-FLOPS
Yes, I'm talking
about the things that go on your feet. Whether you're a guest or a bride, flip-flops are a great "shoe"
option at a garden wedding. They're so comfortable. Of course, they wouldn't be suitable everywhere. But
they fit here. In satin or rubber, with or without bling, they're sassy. And fun.
And perfectly acceptable. (Tell mom I said so!)
VISITING GLEN
GARDEN
We're delighted to show folks around Glen Garden. If
you're considering a wedding here, you certainly want to make an appointment to visit and see what we're all about. Sometimes
you want to come without an appointment. We understand how you feel. You're excited. But then you risk
interrupting someone else's appointment or (even worse) ceremony. So please call or email before you come
out. And we'll do our best to give you our undivided attention when you're here.
ABOUT FACE
I've
never been a gal who put a lot of time and money into her appearance. Like most Southern gals, I do know the importance
of wearing pearls and of NOT wearing jeans EVERYWHERE. But when faced with whether to spend money on a plant or
get a manicure, the plant wins every time. So why do I recommend that you have your hair and makeup
professionally done on your wedding day? Because IT'S YOUR WEDDING DAY! On that day, there's no better place to
put a few extra dollars than on YOU! You will love the way you look. Your groom will love the way you look.
Sometimes it takes a professional to achieve that come-hither look that you might not wear any other day.
FIRST TASTE/FIRST TEST
We're all familiar with the "first sweet taste of marriage" -- the cake! But
we recently had a "first test of marriage" out here, and it was anything but sweet. Weddings
can be stressful. Unexpected things sometimes happen. When they do, how will you handle it? You've
heard the expression: "Don't put off 'til tomorrow what you can do today." Sometimes that doesn't
apply. If you can avoid reacting to an unpleasant situation until after your wedding day, do so. After
a good night's sleep, you'll be better able to handle your "first test of marriage."
CEREMONY MUSIC
Some
people are multi-talented. Take my friend Teresa, for instance. She plays piano, clarinet, bagpipes, and
probably more instruments that I don't know about. She and another gal have formed Shenandoah Winds, a delightful
duo of flute and clarinet performing a variety of popular and classical music. Perfect for a garden ceremony.
And very reasonable (shenandoahwinds@gmail.com). If you want a change of music for the reception, you're welcome
to use our sound system. Just bring your CDs, or hook up your ipod or computer.
NO INVITATION NEEDED! At a winter cottage wedding, the newlyweds
invited Baile to join them for a photo in the snow. No problem. Baile loves attention. And who
is Baile? Why, he's our beloved, orange, slightly obese, polydactyl cat. He doesn't mean to steal the spotlight,
but he did walk the aisle and lie on the bride's train during one garden ceremony. You can't imagine the relief
I felt when the bride smiled with delight! Whew. It's not like I can control him. I try without success
to keep him behind closed doors during garden weddings. He's an escape artist. If you're having a wedding
here, you will most likely see him wandering the grounds. He may even show up in some of your photos, invited
or not.
CHOICES
When
we started Glen Garden Weddings, we had practical couples in mind who wanted an intimate garden ceremony with a minimum amount
of stress and expense. For colder months, we now offer intimate ceremonies in the cottage for 20 or fewer
guests. A small reception with cake and coffee is an option. Of course, some couples prefer
to share the moment with only each other's company. Also, an excellent choice!
PROCREATING ISN'T PARENTING
At a recent wedding, I found myself repeatedly telling
(I ask children if they are hungry; I don't ask them to behave) a group of children to stop running
willy-nilly throughout the reception area. The parent of one child approached me, informed me that running is what
children do, and if his child wanted to run, he could. I informed him that children are welcome here as long as they
are supervised at all times, and if his child wanted to run, he was welcome to do so out in the pasture under the supervision
of his father. If you bring your child to a wedding here, please consider it an opportunity to parent that child. Talk
to him beforehand about the event and include consideration for the property and other guests. Ask if he would
like to bring an activity to amuse himself (such as a hand-held game -- no crayons or markers, please). Let him run
and play earlier in the day before he arrives here. And when all else fails, be prepared to supervise him while he runs
around the pasture. If you're not up to the task, hire a sitter.
THE RED, WHITE, & BLUE
During a July 4 wedding, the bride had us decorate the chairs with our navy, ivory,
and burgundy sashes. She invited guests to wear their patriotism. Most dressed in red-white-and-blue. Some
wore patriotic hats; others wore festive pins. The bride added red-white-and-blue table decorations. Everywhere
you looked were reminders of our country's birthday. The bride's dress was even white with a burgundy sash. In
case you think it sounds tacky, it wasn't. It was really beautiful, and the guests seemed to enjoy getting into the
spirit of the day. (Now if I could just find a bride who shares my fondness for Hallowe'en!)
WHAT ABOUT MUSIC?
If you have a friend who is willing to take charge of the music for you, we have a sound
system out here which you are welcome to use. It takes CDs, or you can hook up an ipod or computer (just don't
ask us how to do it because we don't know). Whether you use our system or hire a DJ, here are some music suggestions:
(1) Don't play easy-listening music (such as "Lady in Red") while your guests are arriving. Traditional
songs such as "Canon in D" and "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" get your guests in the mood for a wedding! (2)
Unless you really love it, skip "The Bridal March." It's sooooooo '60s. Instead, walk down the aisle to an
instrumental version of a song you love. It can be a soft version of a traditional song like "Trumpet Voluntary,"
an instrumental version of Phil Collins' "Groovy Kind of Love," or "The Four Cellos" by Apocalyptica (or
is it Metallica?). (3) Play a variety of music during the reception so that all your guests (young and old)
will enjoy at least some of the songs being played.
CLOTHES MAKE THE GROOMSMAN?
It's absolutely
amazing to see the transformation in the male members of the bridal party during a ceremony. During rehearsal,
they joke with their buddies to the point that it's sometimes hard to get their attention. But once the ceremony
begins, all dressed in suits or tuxes, they walk ceremoniously from the covered deck to their positions under the pergola.
And then instead of just letting them stand there and look pretty, we put them to work. As each bridesmaid approaches
the steps leading down to the ceremony deck, a groomsman steps forward to assist. The groom does the same
for his bride. Those guys take their roles seriously. Looks like clothes really do make the groomsman!
GUESTS & CHILDREN (AGAIN!) This message is
for guests! If you're not sure who is invited to the wedding, check the names on the invitation envelope. Only
those people are invited guests. If your child's name is on the invitation, he is invited to the wedding. However,
children may not roam unattended. So if you want him with you at all times, bring him along. Otherwise,
hire a sitter and enjoy the time to yourself.
VIRGINIA
IS FOR LOVERS!
If you are planning a wedding for 50 or fewer
people (that's 48 guests including bridal party and children old enough to walk), we welcome you to Glen Garden. We
cannot comfortably accommodate more than that per event. If you think an out-of-state relative (whom you haven't
seen for more than a decade) won't accept your invitation to be a guest at your Virginia wedding, think again. Lovers
of history, the beach, the mountains, and D.C. will travel across the country to not only celebrate with you
at your wedding, but to enjoy everything else the state has to offer. Virginia IS for Lovers!
LESS STRESS
Many brides approach
the big day feeling stressed to the point of wanting it all to be over. In
a recent wedding magazine, one bride said, "We decided not to have any attendants and just walk down the aisle side-by-side;
it became just about the two of us making this journey together." Isn't that what it's really all about?
NOT EVERYTHING IS EXPENSIVE!
On
a recent TV show, a newly married bride and groom were asked to describe their favorite wedding moment. Theirs was
a platinum wedding, costing well over $1 million. What do you think their answers were? Walking into the reception and
seeing $500,000 in flowers and lighting? Cutting into their seven-tier cake? Feasting on lobster and caviar?
Or having 300 of their closest friends sharing the happy occasion? NO! Both the bride
and groom agreed: Their favorite moment was seeing the look on the other's face as the bride was walking down the
aisle. THE BEST PART OF THEIR WEDDING COST NOTHING AT ALL.
BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY
Some guests over-indulge. It
happens. We want people to have a good time and get home safely. If you notice a guest who's had too much
to drink, give him a ride home. He can leave his car and come back the next day to pick it up.
CAKE TABLE One of our 2008 brides
had a darling cupcake/candy table in lieu of a cake. The cupcakes were festively displayed in lace-like paper covers
on tiered cake stands. Candies were "self-serve" with little baggies that had custom stickers on them. Very
cute and creative. But my favorite part of the whole table was the monogrammed table runner! What a great keepsake
from a special day!
SPEAKING OF CAKES . . .
The round, silver cake tray we've purchased for your cakes is 14" in diameter.
If you're planning to use it, be sure to let your baker know the size so that your cake doesn't arrive on a board larger
than 14 inches.
SECOND MARRIAGE?
So it's your second (or third) marriage. Shouldn't your friends and family be happy for you? Don't you deserve
a celebration? Doesn't your marriage deserve recognition? This may not be your first marriage. But
it's your last! Isn't that what really matters?
