Champagne Wishes

02/11/2024

We’re so happy for you and can’t wait to see where life takes you. Congratulations on your new journey together! 💍✨

31/10/2024

With so much to plan, it’s easy to overlook a few small (but important!) details that make your big day run smoothly. Here are 10 things to double-check as you finalize your plans:

Vendor meals – Don’t forget to include meals for your vendors in your catering count. 🍽️

Tips for vendors – Plan to tip your vendors at the end of the night, including your planner, caterers, and band/DJ. 💸

Marriage license – Make sure to get this taken care of well ahead of time! 📜

Seating chart signage – Have a clear way to display your seating chart on the day.

Emergency kit – From bobby pins to a Tide pen, an emergency kit can be a lifesaver. 🧰

Guest transportation – If your venue is remote, make sure your guests have a way to get there and back. 🚐

Gratuity for service staff – Some venues don’t include gratuity, so it’s smart to budget for it.

Cake cutting fee – Some venues charge extra to cut and serve the cake—be sure to ask. 🎂

Sound system for the ceremony – Especially for outdoor weddings, you may need a mic or speakers. 🎤

Post-wedding cleanup – Have a plan for who will handle the cleanup at the end of the night. 🧹

Don’t let these little details catch you off guard! Taking care of them ahead of time means you can relax and enjoy every moment.

26/10/2024

Today, we’re celebrating not one but three amazing couples tying the knot! Wishing Becky & Scott, Kira & Michael, and Elizabeth & David a lifetime of love, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Thank you for letting us be part of your special day. Here’s to a beautiful journey ahead! 🥂💖

19/10/2024

Congratulations, Jordan & Daniel! 💍🎉

Your special day has arrived, and we couldn’t be happier for you both! Wishing you a day filled with love, laughter, and all the memories to last a lifetime. Here’s to a beautiful future together! 💖🥂

17/10/2024

Being a great wedding guest isn’t just about showing up—it’s about supporting the couple and celebrating their big day in the best way possible! Here are some key ways you can make sure you’re the ideal guest:

* RSVP on time 🗓️ – Let the couple know if you’ll be there as soon as possible to help them plan everything from seating to catering.

* Book hotel rooms early 🏨 – If the couple has a hotel block, don’t wait! Rooms can fill up fast, and this ensures you’ll have a place to stay nearby.

* Stick to the dress code 👗 – Respect the couple’s wishes and avoid wearing white or anything too close to it (unless you’re specifically told it’s okay!).

* Be present 📵 – It’s tempting to snap a lot of photos, but try to be in the moment during the ceremony. Save the selfies for later at the reception!

* Respect their wishes ✨ – Whether it’s an unplugged ceremony or social media guidelines, follow what the couple has asked to make sure their day goes as planned.

* Be mindful of the timeline ⏰ – Arrive early, settle in, and be ready to celebrate! Weddings can be carefully timed, so your punctuality is appreciated.

* Share any dietary restrictions 🍽️ – If you have specific dietary needs, make sure to let the couple or the venue know in advance, so there are no last-minute surprises.

* Engage with the celebration 🎉 – Sign the guest book, join in on the fun, and participate in activities like sparkler exits or photo booths—it makes the day extra special for the couple.

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15/10/2024

Your groomsmen aren’t just there for photos and speeches—they can help ensure everything goes smoothly and help manage stress levels. Here are some tasks you can hand them for the big day:

* Help with setup and breakdown 🛠️ – Whether it’s moving decor, transporting items, or setting up, they can lend a hand to keep everything running smoothly.

* Lint-free duty ✨ – Assign one groomsman to keep everyone looking sharp by managing delinting duties for the groom and crew.

* Ties & pocket squares 👔 – If you’re going with non-clip-on ties, make sure a couple of groomsmen learn how to tie them. Assign the same, or another, to fold the pocket squares and help with this on the day.

* Curate a fun getting-ready playlist 🎶 – Setting the right vibe while everyone gets ready is key! Have the groomsmen take charge of the tunes.

* Keep the groom relaxed 😌 – The guys can help maintain a relaxed, fun atmosphere to keep any pre-ceremony jitters at bay.

* Plan the bachelor party 🍻 – Give them the responsibility of organizing and executing a memorable bachelor celebration.

* Act as ushers 🪑 – Have the groomsmen welcome guests and show them to their seats during the ceremony.

* Stay ready for anything 🤵 – From grabbing drinks to handling any last-minute requests, groomsmen should be ready to step in and help.

* Ensure all essentials arrive at the venue 🎒 – Make sure one groomsman is responsible for double-checking that all of the groom’s necessities—like shoes, cufflinks, or tie—arrive at the venue.

* Be the designated driver 🚗 – For a responsible ending, assign someone as the DD for the groom, bride, or even their parents.

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12/10/2024

Happy Wedding Day, Kristianna & Laith! 💍✨

Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness as you begin this beautiful new chapter together. Cheers to your love and your forever! 🥂💖

10/10/2024

Your bridesmaids aren’t just there for moral support—they can play a huge role in making sure your big day runs smoothly! With that in mind, here are 10 tasks you can ask them to help with that will take a load off your shoulders:

* Create a getting-ready playlist 🎶 – Ask your bridesmaids to put together a fun playlist that keeps the energy light and fun as everyone gets ready.

* DIY project assistance 🎨 – Have them help with last-minute DIY projects, like filling bud vases with flowers or assembling wedding favors.

* Enlist the artsy bridesmaids 🖌️ – If anyone is creative, ask them to design or put together signage for the big day.

* Emotional support 💖 – Their most important job is to keep you calm, positive, and emotionally supported during all the big (and little) moments.

* Final dress fitting assistance 👗 – Make sure at least one bridesmaid is there to learn how to bustle the dress. You don’t need the whole crew unless you want it to be a big moment.

* Stay calm on the big day 😌 – Bridesmaids can help by keeping you calm and centered when things get hectic.

* Post-wedding clean-up 🎁 – Ask your bridesmaids to help pack up gifts, decor, and any other items after the celebration.

* Keep the bride fed and hydrated 🍽️💧 – Make sure someone is on snack and water duty to keep you feeling good before the ceremony!

* Makeup & hair touch-up kit 💄 – Assign one bridesmaid to have a small kit ready for any makeup or hair touch-ups during the reception.

* Bathroom duty 🚻 – Ask one or two bridesmaids to help you with your dress in the bathroom (trust me, it’s a lifesaver!).

Your bridesmaids are there to make sure you’re feeling your best and stress-free—don’t hesitate to lean on them for these important tasks!
neill.photo

05/10/2024

Wishing all the love and happiness in the world to our couples today—Daniel & Patrick and Melanie & Luke! It’s going to be an unforgettable day, and we’re so excited to celebrate with you. Cheers to love, laughter, and a lifetime of happiness! 🥂💖

03/10/2024

We’re thrilled to share that one of our weddings was featured in Virginia Bride Magazine! This wedding was absolutely stunning, and it’s no surprise this beautiful couple, Isabella and Joe Bondi, were highlighted. We had the pleasure of working with such amazing vendors, and the day couldn’t have been more perfect! 💍✨

Check out the full feature in the link in bio! 🌸

VENDORS

* Venue: James Monroe’s Highland –

* Photographer: William Sumner Photo –

* Planner: Champagne Wishes –

* Officiant: Pete Hardesty –

* Rings: Stuller –

* Gown: Willowby by Watters –

* Formalwear: Jos. A. Bank – and Men’s Wearhouse –

* Flowers: FlowerGirl Cville –

* Rentals: MS Events – and Beggars Banquet Rentals

* Catering: Dayton’s Tavern – and The Local –

* DJ: Mark Allen, Class Productions.

* Cake: Baked on the James

* Accommodations: Oakhurst Inn and The Forum Hotel

Congratulations to the lovely couple, and thank you to all the wonderful vendors who made this day unforgettable! 💕✨

02/10/2024

There are lots of tasks that are easy to forget about on your wedding day. Be sure to go through the list to decide who will take care of them!

• Answering vendor questions as they arrive 📝

• Showing vendors their setup locations if they’ve never been to the venue 🗺️

• Setting up decor and signage if you’re unable to the day before 🛠️

• Making sure you have your shoes, lip gloss, bouquet, and pinning down those flyaways 💄💐

• Grabbing you a bite or drink during cocktail hour (if the caterer doesn’t already do this) 🍽️🍷

• Running out to get more alcohol if needed 🍾
• Adjusting the timeline when things don’t go exactly as planned ⏳

• Communicating with the rental company if something was forgotten 📦

• Ensuring your personal items are packed up and sent home with the right people 🎒

• Making sure all final payments and tips get to vendors at the end of the night 💸

• Relaying any end-of-night notes from vendors to you the next day 📬

• Setting up your private dinner space if you’ve requested one 🍴✨

• Carrying and fluffing your train, especially as you walk down the aisle 👗

• Checking with vendors before each section of the timeline to make sure they’re ready before guests are asked to move 🎤

• Helping guests navigate the property or find lost items 🧳

• Setting up your grand exit for that perfect send-off ✨🎉

If you don’t have an answer for who will be handling all of these, then it’s your day-of coordinator—that’s where I come in! 😉

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27/09/2024

24/09/2024

12 Maid of Honor Duties on the Wedding Day 💍

Being the Maid of Honor is such a fun and special role! Your job is to make sure the bride feels amazing and stress-free, so she can just enjoy the day. Here are a few things to put on your “To Do” list, in order to make sure the day goes as well as possible!

1. Make sure the bride eats and drinks – She’ll need the fuel to get through the day! 🍽️💧

2. Help with the train – Whether she’s walking down the aisle or just around the venue, you’re on train duty! 👗

3. Fluff the train and hold the bouquet at the altar to keep everything picture-perfect. 💐

4. Set up any DIY decor that the bride worked hard on and wants displayed just right. 🎨

5. Assist with setup and rehearsal the day before to make sure everything is ready to go. 🛠️

6. Stay in touch with the coordinator – That way, the bride doesn’t have to worry about keeping track of the timeline. 🕒

7. Keep the bride’s essentials handy – Phone, lip gloss, anything small she might need. 📱💄

8. Give a speech – Share some heartfelt (and maybe funny) memories! 🎤

9. Pack up the bride’s personal items at the end of the night so nothing gets left behind. 🎒

10. Make sure she snacks and drinks water – Keep things balanced while the drinks are flowing! 🍾💧

11. Have tissues ready – For all the happy tears during the ceremony. 😭✨

12. Touch up her hair and makeup throughout the day – Have a quick kit ready to go! 💋💄

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03/09/2024

Tips for Booking Hotel Rooms for Family Traveling In 🏨✈️

Room blocks are designed to make lodging easy and sometimes more affordable for your out-of-town guests. When booking a room block, it’s important to secure it early and carefully read through each contract. If the hotel you’re considering offers both a courtesy block and a room block with a contract/attrition rate, I recommend starting with the courtesy block. This gives you flexibility—you can usually add more rooms later, but you can’t take them away.

If you’re considering a room block at a pricier hotel, it’s a good idea to offer an additional, more affordable option. This ensures your guests don’t feel financially pressured and gives them choices that suit their budget. 💼💒

31/08/2024

We’re so excited for these two! Congratulations! 💍

29/08/2024

DIY Tip: Planning to buy your own tablecloths? If you’re adding a bow or sash to the middle of your cocktail tables, make sure to order 132” rounds—not 120”! 🎀

The longer tablecloth will ensure the feet of the table are covered, giving you that seamless, polished look. If you prefer not to tie the tablecloth in the middle, then 120” rounds are perfect for a clean and elegant look. 🌟

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27/08/2024

How Should You Spend Your Money on Signage? 🖋️✨

Signage is one of those decor elements that varies greatly from wedding to wedding. Some weddings need a lot of signs, while others might only require a few. Depending on your wedding logistics, you might even get away with having no signs at all!

That said, I do believe that signage plays an important role. It helps guests know what’s happening, reassures them that they’re in the right place, and provides instructions for activities like using an audio guest book or uploading photos to an online album. 📸💌

Here are some types of signage I typically see at weddings:

* Directional Signs
* Welcome and/or Unplugged Ceremony Sign
* “Sit on Either Side” Sign at the Ceremony
* Seating Chart and Place Cards
* Guest Book Sign
* Gift and Cards Sign
* Table Numbers
* QR Codes
* Dinner Menu
* Bar Sign

One of my personal favorites is a blown-up version of the timeline. 🕒 This allows guests to know what’s happening throughout the day. It’s especially helpful for those who might be planning to leave early, so they can decide when the best time to head out is. If you’re planning a fake exit, bouquet toss, or cake cutting later in the evening, it’s a great way to make sure everyone knows when these moments are happening.

Where to Get Your Signage: If you’re DIY-ing your signs, I recommend using Canva for design and printing through them, a local print shop, or Vistaprint. If you prefer to have someone else create them, Amazon and Etsy will be your best friends! 🛒✨

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25/08/2024

Congratulations! We are so honored to play a part in your special day! ✨💍✨