Bridal Show

Jun. 2nd 2013

Today was our first adventure into Bridal Shows!

Our first Bridal Show Vendor Booth

Our first Bridal Show Vendor Booth

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We attended the Virginia Wedding Network Bridal Show in Fredericksburg. It was so much fun and we had a chance to meet allot of brides and vendors! Here are some great pictures from the show!

Thank you to Didi Russell, her team and Virginia Wedding Network for providing a great show today!

VAWE

www.vawenetwork.com

We want to thank my sister, Shay for helping us with items for the table.

It wouldn’t have looked as good as it did without your items!

And we want to thank Brigitte with Chikpea Florist for allowing us to use two of her bridal bouquets for the table! 

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One of the first vendors we met was NannyTainment. Here’s a thought. How many times have you gone to a family wedding and had children running ever where? This is a great service. They come to your event and watc h the children so you can enjoy the event!

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Nannytainment@gmail.com

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This is Lillie with Wild Lillie Events. She was our neighbor at the show. What an awesome person and great event planner!

www.wildlilliesevents.net

We were excited to see Cindie Reinhold, editor and publisher of Brides and Weddings of Northern Virginia.

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www.bridessndweddings.com

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I had to watch Brett at this show! This is Casnio2U. They provide Casino games for wedding receptions and other events. Brett and I are talking about having a Casino Night at Belle Grove! Anyone interested in having some fun?

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Brett got a lesson on how to play Black Jack

and

Roulette!

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He didn’t win at Black Jack but did pretty good at the Roulette Table. The neat thing about this service is you don’t play with your own money. When you come in, they provide you with 50 thousand in chips to play with!

Casino2U.biz

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This is La Mollioa Catering. They were also our neighbors. It was so hard not to go over and eat through the whole show!

It smelled and looked so good!

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lamollicacatering.com

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This is Teresa with Couture Jewelry.

She has some of the most wonderful pieces! Once we get our online store open, you must go and check her pieces out!

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www.couture-jewelry.com

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This is Michelle with Occasions by M&K .

She is THE Wedding Planner! You can’t go wrong with her planning your wedding!

www.occasionsbymk.com

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I just met these fine ladies. We are hoping to see them at the plantation for our Vendor Fair.

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This is Lou with Lou’s Blue Martini. He and I share a common background. We both served in the Marine Corps. He is going to work on a new martini just for Belle Grove based on our story about Carolinus Turner and the mint juleps at 5pm. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with!

www.louiebluemartini.com

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This is Simply Modern Bridal.

They have some amazing dresses!

www.simplymodernbridal.com

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This is catering company that will be coming to our Vendor Fair on June 30th. We had a chance to try some of their food and I have to say it was awesome! We had a tartlet filled with roasted red pepper and feta cheese that was just heavenly!

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www.clearwatergrill.com

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Balloonapalooza and The Popcorn Bag

Delicious Gourmet Popcorn and Balloons for all occasions!

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www.balloonapalooz.com

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Who needs flowers at a wedding? Why not have an Edible Candy Arrangement!

Do you know that allot of weddings are starting to put up “Candy Bars”? You place our jars of different candies and provide a bag for your guest to take some home. What a great idea for party favors!

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www.edible-weddings.com

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Ballroom Dancing anyone?

We are talking with Strictly Ballroom Dance Studio about providing some classes at Belle Grove Plantation!

www.striclyballroom.net

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We loved this!

Mike with Applied Science Fitness Studio brought his motorcycle with a great message!

appliedsciencefitnessstudio.com

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Calling all Chocolate Lovers!

This is the BEST Chocolate you have ever tasted!

Chocolates filled with liquors! They are out of this world! We can’t wait to get them to the plantation!

www.barterchocolates.com

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We were also treated to one of the most beautiful bridal fashion show!

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If you are s bride or know of a bride to be check out this brand new web search engine for wedding vendors!

GOWED.CO

(and its not missing the “m” at the end)

The show was provided by Ava Laurenne Bride.

We met with them and are hoping that we can get them to our first Bridal Show at Belle Grove!

www.avalaurennebride.com

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To see more picture of the Bridal Show

Facebook Link

Visit our Facebook Fan Page

Posted by Michelle Darnell | in Darnell History | 17 Comments »

Vendor Fair at Belle Grove Plantation

May. 25th 2013

We would like to announce that we will be conducting our first

Wedding Vendor Fair at Belle Grove Plantation!

Vendor Fair June 2013

This fair is for all Wedding Professionals that would like to work with Belle Grove Plantation Bed and Breakfast on future Social and Corporate Events at Belle Grove Plantation.

We would like to invite you to come if you are a

Florist

Wedding Planner /Coordinator

Bakery

Caterer

Photographer / Videographer

Entertainers / Musician / Singer

Limousine Service

Bridal Wear / Formal Wear

Rental Service

Make-Up Artist / Hairdresser

Jennifer Lay Bowden 09-12 8

 The fair will be Sunday, June 30, 2013 from noon to 4pm at

Belle Grove Plantation

For more information or to register, please email us at

virginiaplantation@gmail.com

Space will be limited so please register early.

We look forward to seeing you at the plantation!

Jennifer Lay Bowden 09-12 12

To see more about Belle Grove Plantation

Facebook Link

Please visit our Facebook Fan Page!

Posted by Michelle Darnell | in Darnell History | 9 Comments »

Brides at the Courthouse

Jan. 28th 2013

Our trip to Manassas, Virginia and the “Key to the Courthouse” Bridal Showcase was so much fun!

There are were so many brides there!

And so many vendors!

We are never going to be able to choose!

The Co-Host for the Event was

Wedding Event Host

Davis Talley Events & Design

Davis and Talley 2

Davis Talley Events & Designs
Lindsay Davis and Monica Talley
Contact them at 571-721-1538
www.davistalley.com

and

The Prince William County Division of Historic Preservation

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The Prince William County Division of Historic Preservation
www.pwcgov.org/historicpreservation or call 703-792-5546 to learn more about this and other historic location rentals

It was a great event and we can’t wait to meet with some of the vendors and brides in the coming months!

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The Old Manassas Courthouse

The city of Manassas originated in 1852 at the junction of the Manassas Gap and the Orange & Alexandria Railroads. This Romanesque Revival courthouse was designed by James C. Teague and Philip T. Marye, of Norfolk and Newport News. It was completed in 1893 and served the county until 1984 when a new courthouse was built nearby.

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Staircase inside Courthouse

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Chikpea
chikpeagraphics.com

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Chikpea
chikpeagraphics.com
Graphic designed by Raygan Ketterer
Contact her at 540-317-5516

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Chikpea
chikpeagraphics.com
Flowers designed by Brigitte Morrow
Contact her at 703-615-5128 or email at blm5505@gmail.com

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Chikpea
chikpeagraphics.com
Flowers designed by Brigitte Morrow
Contact her at 703-615-5128 or email at blm5505@gmail.com

We didn’t get a photo of this vendor’s table, but we wanted to make sure we told you about them to!

Half Light Studios
Rachael Boyd
Contact her at 571-201-9537 or email at halflightstudios@gmail.com

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Music and Master of Ceremony was performed by
Perfect 4th Entertainment
Chris Campbell
Contact him at 540-746-0405 or visit his blog at Perfect4thEntertainment.blogspot.com

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Hair and Make up Stylist
Enlightened Styles
Jacquelyn Rodriguez
Contact her at 540-560-2957

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Marine Corps Heritage Foundation / Marine Corps Museum
A Venue for Event is Washington DC
Pamela Dodson
Contact her at 703-649-2350 or www.marineheritage.org

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Ciao Bella Photos
Dan or Mona
Contact them at 540-349-0035

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Shirley’s Catering
703-239-0102

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Shirley’s Catering
703-239-0102

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Shirley’s Catering
703-239-0102

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Gateau
Distinctive Cakes and Desserts
Lora Vennettilli Gookin
Contact her at 540-347-9188

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Gateau
Distinctive Cakes and Desserts

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Gateau
Distinctive Cakes and Desserts

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Gateau
Distinctive Cakes and Desserts

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Gateau
Distinctive Cakes and Desserts

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Gateau
Distinctive Cakes and Desserts

See more of Belle Grove Plantation on our Facebook Page!

Facebook Link

Posted by Michelle Darnell | in Darnell History, Food and Recipes | 42 Comments »

You Be the Judge

Jan. 23rd 2013

They are giving away the Key to the Courthouse!

No, it’s not a building or even a new job…

Flowers by Chikpea

Flowers by Chikpea

It’s a Bridal Expo!

What better way for a future bride and her family to spend a cold Sunday afternoon than to come to the Old Manassas Courthouse in Manassas, Virginia and enjoy the warmth of hospitality this event has to offer!

While Belle Grove Plantation won’t be there to exhibit this time

we will be there to enjoy meeting new vendors!

In fact one of our own selected vendors will be there!

Chikpea Graphics and Weddings

Chikpea

You may remember Chikpea with its team of Raygan and Brigitte! As the graphic design side of Chikpea, Raygan will be showing off her newest designs in invitation and stationary needs. Florist, Brigitte will be there to show off her artist designs in bouquets and flowers for every occasion!

Raygan Ketterer

Raygan Ketterer

Brigitte Morrow

Brigitte Morrow

This event is called

Key to the Courthouse Local Wedding Showcase

It is being hosted by Davis and Talley Events and Designs and the Prince William County Division of Historic Preservation.

Wedding Event Host

www.davistalley.com

You will have an opportunity to chat with knowledgeable exhibitors while sipping on a mimosa and getting ideas for your special day.

Flowers by Chikpea

Flowers by Chikpea

There will be local vendors, consultations, entertainment, tasting tables and more!

Admission is Free!

They will also be giving away prizes every hour.

Door Prizes include

Date Night Giveaway, Girls-Night-In Basket, Pretty Paper Kits,

In-Shape Inspiration and Wedding Mini-Library!

Old Manassas Court House

Old Manassas Court House

This event will be held in

the Historic Old Manassas Courthouse

located at 9246 Lee Avenue, Manassas, Virginia.

The event is from 1pm to 5pm.

For more information, check out their website at:

http://keyweddingshowcase.vpweb.com/?prefix=www

Come out and join us!

We would love to meet you in person!

Flowers by Chikpea

Flowers by Chikpea

We hope to see you there!

Follow Us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!

Facebook Link

@BelleGroveVA

@BelleGroveVA

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Posted by Michelle Darnell | in Year of the Virginia Historic Homes | 20 Comments »