January 2021 Newsletter
We're Looking Ahead to Some Really Great Trends
Grant & Deb Photographers
Happy New Year! We hope the start to your year has been full of promise of the year ahead. It's been so fun seeing posts from our favorite vendors with their resolutions and exciting things they have coming up. We're looking forward to the upcoming weddings, many of which were rescheduled from 2020. While many wedding trends come and go, there are some that stand the test of time. But the thing to keep in mind about a trend, is that you don't have to participate. If you don't love the color that's trending that year, don't use it! If the wedding gown trends aren't your style, choose one that is. Your wedding should be about YOU! But here are some of our favorite 2021 trends we see on the horizon.

Some trends seen in: The Knot

Photo details
Planning: Inspired Events by Kelly
Beauty: Darling & Dapper
Flowers: Jeff's Flower's of Course
Venue: Events at Holly Ridge Manor
Rentals: Big Top Entertainment
DJ: Colonial DJs
Dress: Studio I Do Bridals Virginia Beach
The Pantone Color of the Year
@pantonecolor
Every year the company Pantone announces the colors of the year! For 2021, Pantone's Color of the Year is a combo: Illuminating and Ultimate Gray. Illuminating is a bright and cheerful yellow that would be stunning for a spring or summer wedding. Ultimate gray is a staple color- a neutral that can be used with so much! We can't wait to see how couples choose to incorporate these colors into their weddings.
Photo Details
Planner: Baxter's Creative Events
Catering: Cuisine & Company
Entertainment: Hype Entertainment, LLC
Lighting: Stage Right Lighting Weddings & Special Events
Photography: David Champagne Photography
Gown: Studio I Do Bridals Virginia Beach
Flowers: Leslie Hartig Floral Design
Rentals: Distinctive Event Rentals
Bakery: Incredible Edibles Bakery
Beauty: Humble Hair, LLC
Venues: Hilton Norfolk THE MAIN, The Chrysler Museum of Art
Transportation: Superior Executive Transportation, Inc
Tents and Mood Lighting
As so many people choose to keep their weddings outdoors, tents will be necessary. And a late night party will need the perfect lighting. An incredible lighting company can help you design lighting for your tent so that it's functional, but also beautiful. Twinkle lights or string lights are a really romantic way to illuminate your space and add a lovely ambiance. Here are some of our favorite rental and lighting companies for you to chat with about creating an outdoor tent oasis!


Photo Details
Planning: The Main Event by Emily
Sparklers & Flowers: The Main Event by Emily
Dress: Milk & Honey Bride
Dragon Studio
Another way of adding lighting to your space is with a gorgeous chandelier that will wow your guests. It can truly transform your space from simple to glam.

Photo Details
Venue & Catering: The Historic Cavalier Hotel  
Planner: The Happy Hour Hostess 
Linens & Chairs: Waterford Event Rentals 
Lighting & Drapery: Blue Steel Lighting 
Floral: Palette of Petals 
Cake: Incredible Edibles Bakery
Going All In On Flowers and Greenery
Vivid Expressions LLC
If ever there was a time to embrace nature, it's when we all need a bit more beauty. Go over the top with florals at your wedding this year. Take your flowers and double them! Just go for it! You can truly transform your space with color, texture, nature, scent...so much. But flowers CAN be expensive, so stick with flowers that are in season to cut costs. Here are some of our favorite florists in Hampton Roads:
Justin Hankins Photography
Photo Details
Planning: Emily Weddings + Events
Videography: Intellect Media
Floral: Isha Foss Design
Lighting: Blue Steel Lighting  
Catering: Cuisine and Company
Baker: Incredible Edibles Bakery
Linens: BBJ Linen
Rentals: Distinctive Event Rentals 
Venue: Chrysler Museum of Art
Fun and Interesting Seating
Kirstyn Marie Photography 
Regular chairs have their place, but switch it up with fun seating throughout your space. Vintage rental companies usually have settees and high back chairs or seating with beautiful textures and patterns. Vintage rental companies reupholster pieces with such lovely fabrics. You can also use benches for your reception space! We love the idea of mixing it up and using multiple types of seating for your ceremony space. Wooden pews and upholstered benches look so much more interesting and cozy than traditional chairs.

Photo Details
Venue: Aberdeen Farm 
Planner: Antonia Christianson Events 
Catering: Cuisine & Co. 
Linens: Waterford Event Rentals 
Floral: Palette of Petals 
Stationary: Kara Anne & Co. 
Hair & Makeup: The Posh Pair 
Bridal Gown: Studio I Do Bridals 
Lighting & Drapery: Stage Right Lighting 
Cake: Incredible Edibles Bakery
Finding the Humor
Heather Hughes Photography, Chrysler Museum of Art
If 2020 taught us anything, it was to find the fun and joy in every moment. Remember to laugh, plan funny dances at your reception or be silly during your formal photos. ENJOY IT. Even if, and especially if, things don't go quite as you planned. Make the best of the moment because at the end of the day, you still get to celebrate your love and commitment to each other.

And make sure you get a great photographer to capture every moment. Here are some of our favorites:
Food That's Fun!
East Beach Catering
While steak or chicken might be the typical dishes served at a wedding, that doesn't mean YOU have to serve those. While you want to keep your guests in mind when you plan the food, you also want to serve things you love too. If brunch is your favorite meal of the day, throw a brunch wedding! Serve warm pancakes or your favorite crispy bacon. If late night meals are more your thing, surprise your guests with after dancing warm chocolate chip cookies with cold milk or a gelato food truck!
“Being someone’s first love may be great,
but to be their last is beyond perfect.”

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