Meet the November Bride of the Month: Lauren!

Hey y'all! Let me introduce to our November Bride of the Month, Lauren! Can you believe she's getting married this weekend?! Lauren is an amazing photographer and owns Lauren Gay Photography. Tricia and I are packing our bags and trucking down to Charlottesville first thing in the morning. The fall colors will be perfect this weekend! I already can't wait to see the pictures!

Wedding Date: 11/2/13

Wedding Location: Verulam Farm, Charlottesville, VA

How did Nate pop the question: Nate actually proposed to me in our living room. I was completely shocked! We were leaving for the beach that weekend. Apparently it was his original plan to propose to me on the beach, but he claims that he was too excited to wait. He also mentioned that since we go to the beach with his family, he worried that maybe I would be a little sad that my family wasn't there to celebrate with us. And he's right, I would have been. I love him for always considering my feelings!

Tell us the story of how you two met: Nate and I actually met in Middle School, and we became friends shortly after in High School. Nate's a year older so once he went off to college we didn't really see much of each other. I was pleasantly surprised when he was at a bar in our hometown over Christmas break a few years later. We were so happy to see one another! I gave him a hug and he said, "Let me buy you a drink!" I sat down next to him and we didn't left each others side that night. He got my number that night and we kept in touch. He told a mutual friend, "I'm going to marry Lauren one day." Obviously, I enjoyed hearing that, but I didn't really think that would really happen! Not long after we hung out with mutual friends again and he made me a bet, "If I win, you have to take me out on a date. If you win, I'll take you out." I laughed and said, "Sure!" He actually won, but he ended up paying. (As he should!) The rest, as they say, is history!

What is the vision and design for your wedding: Classic, Elegance, and Vintage

What are you most looking forward to on your Big Day: Dancing!

Where are you planning to kick your feet up when the party is over: Hawaii! 

Be sure to check out our Instagram for pictures of her wedding tomorrow!

Till next time, happy planning!!

Lauren's beautiful pictures were taken by the talented Ali Caudill

Meet the October Bride of the Month: Jessica!

Hey y'all! Let me introduce to our October Bride of the Month, Jessica! Can you believe she's getting married this weekend?!

Wedding Date: October 12, 2013

Wedding Location: Ceremony: Saint John the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, Reception: Rust Manor House

How did Dave pop the big question: It was Saturday November 10, 2012 the day before my 27^th (eeek, I’m an old lady!) birthday. We had friends and family over at our place in Reston to celebrate. Dave gently took my hand and asked if I wanted my birthday present. I said “No, not until tomorrow!!” He then took me into our bedroom and I thought, “What is going on?” I could tell something was up at that point because Dave was acting nervous and weird. He closed the door, pulled out an ammo box and then another box out of that. Something get a little fuzzy here for the both of us because I was caught so off guard and was excited, nervous and didn’t know if it was really happening. Dave told me how much he loved me and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. He said some other things, which we both can’t remember too, hahaha! He got down on one knee, opened the box and asked me to marry him! With no hesitation, I said “YES!!!”

I then asked, "Now what?” and he said, "Well…go tell everyone!" As our friends trickled in, I tried my best to wait for them to notice my ring, but I couldn't contain my excitement. It took our friends forever to notice as I was waving my hand back and forth right in front of them! I loved everyone's reaction and it was a perfect engagement!  We got to share it with friends and family. Throughout the night we made our phone calls to my mom, dad and sister as well as Dave's grandparents and Aunts/Uncles! Thank you for those who were apart of that exciting night, it was perfect! :)

(Picture from actual engagement night!)

Tell us the story of how the two of you met: The short story: at a bar through mutual friends. The longer version :)  I was living out in Burke with my longtime friend, Kim. We went out to Buffalo Wing University in Fairfax and met up with a group of her friends from GMU. Kim worked with Brian at the GMU Fitness Center and Brian knew Dave through wrestling at GMU. We were all hanging out and having a great time and all the sudden this guy in a black shirt and black hat (Dave) decided to pick up our entire tab and I was like "Who is this guy? What the heck?" We then headed to Auld Shebeen up the street and Dave asked if I'd hold his Oakley sunglasses in my purse. Of course I did, and forgot to give them back (he thinks I planned this so he'd have to hang out with me again, haha!). Thankfully we exchanged numbers and he came over later that week to pick them up. The rest is history from there ;)

What is the vision/design for your wedding day: We are looking forward to having our closest friends and family celebrate our special day with us. Choosing the location of the ceremony was easy. We knew we wanted a traditional ceremony in the Catholic church. As for the reception, we fell in love with Rust Manor. It was exactly what we had in mind and is such a hidden gem in Loudoun County! We have a wooden theme going on, so I cant wait to see it all come together!!  

What are you most looking forward to on your wedding day:  Seeing Dave's expression as I walk down the aisle

Where will you be kicking your feet up when the party is over: Headed to San Francisco and Napa Valley in November for 7 days!!!!

Till next time, happy planning!!

Meet the September Bride of the Month: Brittany!

Hello ladies and gents! AVE is going to start to bring you a Bride of the Month. We work with gorgeous clients and love showing off their engagements sessions :)

Let me introduce one of our beautiful brides Brittany!

Wedding Date: September 21st, 2013

Wedding Location: We are getting married at The Thomas Birkby House in Leesburg, Virginia.

How did Michael pop the big question: After much persuading from Brittany, Michael decided it was time to put a ring on it on a beautiful, but windy February day in 2012. Michael had been planning the day for months and knew that Brittany had always dreamed of a wedding with a view like that of Bluemont Vineyard in Bluemont, Virginia. Michael conspired with Brittany's best friends, Taryn and Sally, and asked them to plan a trip to the Vineyards for a girls day to set the scene. Brittany left the house that morning thinking that lunch at the girl's favorite spot, South Street Under, and some wine tastings and pictures at the vineyards would make for a perfect day with her close friends. Little did Brittany know that the entire lunch and ride to the vineyard, Sally was texting with Michael letting him know the progress of their travels.

When Brittany and friends arrived at the vineyard, Michael appeared out of the corner of the terrace and thanked the girls for their help, taking Brittany's hand and leading her to the spot where the view from the vineyard is best. When they got to the perfect spot, Michael professed his love for Brittany telling her that he knows that she dreamed of getting married at that very location, and though he did not know whether that would be their decision, he knew that they would be getting engaged there. At that moment, Michael got down on one knee and reached in his pocket to pull out the perfect round solitaire diamond that Brittany had always dreamed of, while asking her if she would make him the happiest man in the world and spend the rest of her life loving him. Of course, after very little deliberation and lots of tears filled with joy, Brittany said YES! Meanwhile, not realizing that the entire time the two had been standing there, Brittany's cousin, Shannon, mother, Connie, and dear friend/photographer, Sze had been watching the two from above on the balcony while snapping photos to make sure that the moment would be remembered for the rest of their lives.

After Brittany ran to hug her mother, cousin, and friends, Michael advised her to get ready for the party, as he had invited all of their closest family and friends in the area to join them for the afternoon at the vineyard to celebrate their engagement! It was a perfect day full of family, friends, and love to begin the journey that will lead them to their wedding day and the rest of their lives together! :)

(picture from the actual proposal!)

Tell us the story of how the two of your met: We met through my cousin and her friends who just happened to all be friends with and went to high school with Michael. Though both of us had recently gotten out of long term relationships and were not looking for anything serious, as Michael was planning to accept a job offer in Richmond two days after our first date and then make the big move within 2 weeks. Life had a different plan because after hitting it off so well on our first date, Michael was offered a promotion when he put in his two weeks notice and decided to take the promotion and stay in Northern Virginia to see where things with his career and our relationship would go. Many dates and a year and 9 months later on February 25, 2012, Michael decided to make the best decision of his life and asked me to marry him (he would say after much persuasion from me ;)

What is the vision/design for your wedding day: Our vision for the wedding day is an intimate, romantic ceremony and reception with our closest family and friends. We have put little personal favorites and touches into the decorations and planning. Our final count is 125, which was exactly what we were looking for to keep it intimate. I live by the saying, less is more, so I'm not the crazy Pinterest bride of this generation...I love simple. Our thoughts during the whole planning process have been the more clean cut and simple the better, and we are excited about what we have planned. 

What are you most looking forward to on your wedding day: I think I'm most looking forward to that moment I've dreamed of since the day I fell in love with Michael. When I round the corner and come down the aisle knowing that neither of us have ever loved anyone or anything more and are about to commit to one another for a lifetime. I seriously get butterflies just thinking about it. I would say the other thing I am most looking forward to is having all of our loved ones in the same place to celebrate with us. The likelihood of ever getting all of those people together again in the same place is slim to none. 

Where will you be kicking your feet up when the party is over: We leave for our 7 days and 7 nights stay at the Westin in Maui on September 27, 2013!!!! We wanted a week to decompress between the wedding and honeymoon. We cannot WAIT to get on the beach! 

Till next time, happy planning!!

Special thanks to Kristine Pringle Photography for the pictures!

Featured: A Lowcountry Wedding

AVE's own Ashlee has her wedding featured today on A Lowcountry Wed!

Check out the entire article here!

Till next time, happy planning!!

Featured: Washingtonian

Love seeing one of our favorite fall brides featured in the Real Wedding section of the Washingtonian today!

See the entire article here!

Till next time, happy planning!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day from your two favorite Irish planners :)

photo credit: collage from wedshare

Till next time, happy planning!

Shabby Chic Glitter Mason Jars

DIY Glitter Mason Jars

Since I have such a knack for everything that has a girly shabby chic feel to it, I decided to create these adorable glitter jars. This country chic decor combines lovely glitter with the rustic touch of the ever so popular mason jar and the best part is...all the details are left up to you! This DIY project is incredibly easy and sure to dress up any table scape. 

Step 1:

Be sure to buy Mod Podge and a foam brush

Step 2:
Buy any color glitter that matches your theme

Step 3:

Paint the glue onto the bottom part of the jar and sprinkle the glitter on top of it. Then make sure to place the jar upside down to dry. 

Step 4:

Fill the jar up with either water or white sand and gently set the tea light on top. Top it off with a pretty silky ribbon and tie it around the neck of the jar! 

And there you have it - VOILA! 

Until next time...happy crafting.