A Great Charlottesville Area Wedding Resource
If you are an internet person (like me) you have probably discovered dozens of websites that have links to vendors for all of the various products and services that you might need for your wedding planning… so finding resources is not necessarily the challenge, in fact you could easily be overloaded with information – but finding the ones that are most helpful and targeted to the Charlottesville area can be a challenge.

Cville Weddings is a wonderful site created by Jessica Clark. When Jessica was planning her own wedding in Charlottesville a couple of years ago she became frustrated trying to find the services she needed… this website is her brilliant response to that challenge… I know you’ll love it! Be sure to tell any vendors you know who are not listed on Jessica's site to sign up so that we can build an even stronger resource for future brides and grooms in the Charlottesville area!

Each month I'll share with you some of my ideas and resources on creating a more eco-friendly celebration. There are so many wonderful ways to have a fun, beautiful, delicious and sustainable event... check back weekly for more info.

When purchasing your engagement ring and wedding bands consider starting with a conscious alternative to diamonds that are mined in war zones and fund conflicts called "blood diamonds". My own engagement ring is a beautiful Aquamarine with 2 white sapphires. Nevertheless, if you have your heart set on having a diamond there are many routes to go, here are some ideas and resources:

• choose a vintage ring - whether it's a family heirloom or an antique find.
• consider a lab-created diamond, check out Green Karat.
• diamonds that are mined in Canada or Australia where "blood diamonds" are not an issue: See: Brilliant Earth; Cred Jewellery or Leber Jewelry's Earthwise line.
• also, look for diamonds that are certified as "conflict free" under the Kimberley Process, an ongoing effort to reform diamond mining in Africa. On Amnesty International USA's website you can download the Conflict Free Diamond Buyer's Guide for information and guidance as to what questions to ask your jeweler.
  

Get off to a great start in your new life together and set the tone for your future with the purchase of a beautiful ring that expresses your love and promotes your highest values.

Check back next week for another Green Wedding tip!

A video of your wedding day is something you and your families will always treasure and Jill Rose of Jillian's Video Productions is the very best you'll find! Jill will capture your day beautifully and professionally. Her artistry, sensitivity and technical know-how are second to none and the finished product that she provides to her couples is a priceless masterpiece.

One of the best reasons that I know of to have your wedding video-taped... other than as a lasting memory of the day for generations to come ... is to allow those who were not able to attend, elderly grandparents, siblings with small children who can not travel and anyone else who sadly has to miss your big day, the opportunity to share in your happiness in a way that only video permits.

Jillian, and her crew (she always has 2 cameras going) use the best equipment available and somehow seem to be everywhere at once... capturing the important moments in a documentary style. She also does mini-interviews with your guests so that later you'll get to see and hear your friends and family's love and best wishes for you. What could be better?

Check out Jill's website for samples of her spectacular work!

Lots of people are in love with their animals... including me (I have a dog and 3 cats) ... and want to find a way to have them participate in their wedding ceremony. Believe it or not I've actually had 2 brides carry their dog down the aisle instead of a bouquet! Generally speaking I'm always very happy when critters are included and there are many ways to do it. In the photos here you see Herbie the Love Bug (that's his full name) wearing his doggy tux. He was well behaved enough to actually stand up (or sit down) with the groomsmen through the entire ceremony. I'd have to guess that Herbie had more pictures taken of him than the bride did! Herbie's Mom (the bride) was a veterinarian so dogs and horses were an important part of the day. The other pup here, Coltrane, was the ring bearer in his parent's ceremony. When it came time to bless and exchange the rings he trotted right down the aisle (accompanied by a friend of the couple) with them tied to his collar with a ribbon... another big hit, naturally!

So, if you are thinking of including your beloved pet in your ceremony don't hesitate to find a way... ask your Minister or Officiant to help. Sometimes a couple will tell me that their dog is just too excitable to actually participate. Then, at the very least, the couple will have some pre-wedding photos taken that include their pets. After all, they're an important part of the family and including them in the celebration makes perfect sense!

This past Saturday I got to drive up to beautiful Barboursville Vineyards (in Orange County) for a lovely, small wedding. Jill and Bruno had a very sweet and personal ceremony in a long, narrow room overlooking acres and acres of vineyards with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background. Barboursville Vineyards is one of those venues that offers a wonderful variety of options... they can accommodate a large crowd but also have perfect spots for the smallest of weddings. I'm not a big wine person myself but I've heard that theirs is the best! Also, their award-winning Palladio Restaurant, the 1804 Inn, and the ruins of Governor Barbour's mansion (designed by Thomas Jefferson) makes this particular Vineyard a place with something for everyone.

Speaking of wine... Bruno and Jill chose to include a Wine Ceremony as part of their wedding. This is a lovely ritual that involves the blending of wine from 2 carafes into a wine glass after which and the Bride & Groom share a bit together. The mixing of the wines (one white, one red) can symbolize the joining of their lives, it can also symbolize their promise to walk through life together, sharing both the bitter and sweet parts of the journey. A Wine Ceremony is a lovely addition to a wedding and is especially appropriate when the wedding is at a winery!

I've been thinking about starting this blog for weeks... no, months! So tonight I'm just jumping right in there. It may not be perfect to start with but at least it's in process. As an Interfaith Minister and Wedding Officiant I create and perform dozens of wedding ceremonies every year. In the process I have the opportunity to meet and spend time with every kind of couple and lots of wedding vendors from near and far: photographers, caterers, musicians, DJ's and on and on. Over the years I've learned a lot and this blog is my attempt to help you... the bride and groom who are planning their wedding in the Charlottesville area.

I've got lots of ideas about the content of this blog... but only time will tell! I invite you to come back often... or subscribe to my feed... so that you can keep up with my posts. Also, please feel free to send in any questions or comments and I'll try to address them for you as well. If I don't know the answer, chances are I know someone who does!