The Tall and Short of it

Your wedding day can be a time to show off your decorating sense in addition to your fashion sense. Creating a gorgeous space with ambiance can contribute to the feeling of joy, celebration, and happiness at your reception. Centerpieces are an essential part of wedding décor, giving your wedding a personal touch that makes it special. They reinforce your theme, show off your creativity, and can even serve as a bonus favor for your guests.

The size of your reception space, tables, and type of wedding reception, whether formal or informal, are important factors when determining the size and shape of centerpieces. Having your guests enter a reception space that feels vibrant and full can be achieved by mixing short and tall centerpieces. Every choice should make sense in the grand scheme of things, as they give purpose to the rest of the décor.

Tall centerpieces can be a dramatic choice and are great for formal wedding receptions. They also work well in a large reception space since the added height helps to make the room feel more elegant. Shorter centerpieces work well for accommodating conversation among guests. An important factor of designing a great centerpiece is remembering that you want your guests to be able to talk while they’re sitting down at your reception. Whether you opt for low centerpieces or tall centerpieces, keeping them from blocking guests’ view is key.

Your floral designer is there to provide guidance and ensure your vision comes to life. They have design experience with everything from room size to table shape, ensuring that the space feels comfortable and reflects your overall wedding theme. A creative floral designer will also assist with using local or seasonal flowers to help you stay on budget.

If you want to guarantee your centerpieces get a second life after your wedding, there are some options. You could donate them to a hospital or nursing home that has a connection to you, your family, or your guests. Another option would be to have guests take them home. Since there will not be enough centerpieces for each guest, couple, or family, you’ll want to plan out how to orchestrate this. For example, the couple that traveled the farthest or the person whose birthdate is closest to the wedding date would be the one to take the centerpiece.

The possibilities are endless and choosing the perfect centerpieces for your reception will give your wedding the personal touch that makes it truly special.

Photos courtesy of: http://j-ellisphotography.com/; https://www.ameighphotography.com/; http://www.jessryderphotography.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving: A Wyatt’s Eye View of Gratitude

Gratitude is a funny thing. On some days it is incredibly hard to find and on others, it seems as if my heart overflows. The really funny thing about gratitude is that the more you have, the more you find – it is a magnet for itself! Despite this fact, at some points this year, gratitude was hard to sniff out – especially with it starting in such a roller coaster sort of way. 

Mom and Dad (and the rest of the family) took a trip to Rwanda to visit with Emma (my youngest sister) and spend the holidays gallivanting on safaris and other adventures (picture gorillas in the mist – because that is certainly what they saw!).

 

Winston and I missed them desperately BUT our cousin Ryland was able to come to visit for two whole weeks with us and it ended up being the best time ever. We ran all day, slept (most of) all night, and we had parties galore – including our first-ever New Year’s Eve Bash! 

 

Even though Winston (and Erin) tried to keep me in line, I am thankful Mom and Dad got home before I could totally destroy our home and find myself in the doghouse for good. 

Winston had already spent many years on the farm when I first came home, and unfortunately, years gone by aren’t something that can be reversed. I am grateful for the time I had with him to learn his manners (both good and bad), but it was also through him that I had to learn the hard lesson of loss. I still miss Winston, but even more than that, I am grateful for the love and care that he showed me over the short months I was able to spend with him.

We lost Winston at the very beginning of February, and while we all knew he was an old man, nothing could have prepared us for the grief we felt at his passing. Winston was one of the most gentle and loving dogs you ever met. He never knew a stranger, and everyone he met was grateful to have spent the time with him. I am grateful that our community was able to get together to create a beautiful and loving monument to him. If you haven’t seen his cork portrait on the patio, be sure to check it out next time you come to visit me.

With Winston gone, my responsibilities as a wine dog kicked into high gear. It was now my job to greet people as they pull in and to make all the kids and 4 legged visitors feel welcomed. The special touch that I like to employ is to take their toys and run with them. This usually ends in a good game of chase (which I always win- hello long legs!) and everyone has a great time.  

I was doing an amazing job until March hit and we had to cancel nearly everything. There was no music, no guests, nothing to get into at all except trouble. I began to take daily trips to the surrounding houses – visiting Jackie every day for my cake (yummy!) and visiting Farmer Baugher to talk about the cows. I had a lovely time on all of my new adventures, but Mom told me almost every day that I was being a naughty boy – and that something had to change. 

Enter Gus! Gus has been my most favorite addition of 2020. He is my best friend in the world, and I am so grateful that his mom (Stacy) brings him over to play every day. We run all around to get our energy out – swimming in the pond, chasing groundhogs on our walks, and getting plenty of treats for being such good boys. He is the absolute best friend and almost my favorite part of my day.

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My favorite part of every single day is getting kisses from my Mom (and the rest of the Brix Crew). We get to spend lots of time together each day, and I especially love it when we take our daily walks around the farm. There are so many sights to see and scents to sniff. As we go, we get to check how the grapes are growing and investigate any other changes that we see.  

 

Speaking of investigating – I especially love investigating the RVs that come to visit us with the Harvest Hosts program. I always go down to greet them and see what they are having for dinner. Sometimes, when nobody is looking, I even go into their RVs to see how comfortable their beds are!

 

RVs aren’t the only things I get to oversee at the vineyard. Each month, Mom brings a load of wine from our storage facility. She and Walt work very hard moving the boxes from the truck to the cellar, and I am grateful that I am able to make sure they keep working and put all the wines where they are supposed to go. I think it is safe to say that I find the sweetest spot in the house while they are unloading  – always on top of the boxes and in the truck if I can manage it. 

I also have the sweetest wine in the vineyard! In September, we released the Sweet W which features ME on the label! Talk about things to be grateful for – how many dogs can say that?! 

I know that my life is pretty perfect here at Brix & Columns Vineyards, and I am especially grateful for how each of you help make it better every single day! 2020 had a few “ruff” patches for all of us, but I know the next year will have so many more sweet moments for us to share!

Circle of Love

“With this ring, I thee wed” is commonly heard during the exchange of vows at a wedding ceremony. 

The wedding ring has been an emblem of love through time, an agreement between two parties to love and cherish one another for the rest of their days.  A round ring, with no end and its opening representing a gateway to the unknown, welcomes the newlyweds to an unexplored life ahead and serves as a powerful symbol of eternity.  

It is believed that the first examples of wedding rings were found in ancient Egypt.  Relics dating back to about 6,000 years ago provide some evidence of the exchange of braided rings of hemp, reeds, leather and stone between spouses.  The ancient Egyptians considered the circle to be a symbol of eternity, and the ring served to signify the perpetual love of the newly wedded couple.  This is also where the custom of wearing the wedding ring on the ring finger of the left hand began.  The ancient Egyptians believed that this finger had a special vein, the vena amoris, which was connected directly to the heart. This belief continues to be recognized in western cultures and is the main reason the engagement and wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger, referred to as the ‘ring finger’, on the left hand.  However, there are some cultures and religions where the ring is worn on the right hand since that is the hand used for oaths and vows.  And then there are countries where couples wear plain bands as engagement rings on one hand, and then switch them to the other hand once married.

While the history of wedding rings is interesting, the different styles of rings and materials takes us on quite the journey.  Signet, Lovers Head, Fede, Claddagh, Posy, Gimmel, Jewish Marriage and Diamond are some of the more historically significant styles.  Each one has deep religious or cultural meaning and unique qualities.   

The wedding ring is quite possibly the most recognizable symbol of marriage.  After all, wedding rings are designed to last forever and many are passed down through generations.  They often become heirlooms and are intimately connected to personal or family history.  Whether you choose something simple or ornate, wear it on your left hand or right, it’s your marriage, you get to have fun determining what works best for you.

 

  

Photos courtesy of: http://j-ellisphotography.com/; https://www.ameighphotography.com/; http://www.jessryderphotography.com/

 

Little and Loved

Practically everyone has been to a wedding where the charming little ring bearer or flower girl steals the
show as he or she walks down the aisle in their adorable outfit. What many of us do not know, is how
these traditions began. While there are many different explanations, each having its roots in various
cultures, the origins are hard to pin down.

Some date the tradition of ring bearers back to ancient Egypt, when jewels were often carried on
ornamental pillows during various celebrations including weddings. In medieval times, rings were often
presented to the bride and groom on the tips of swords. These swords were likely carried by adults
while a page boy would carry the bride’s train and a prayer book. It is thought that wealthier families
replaced the swords with pillows (a rarity in that day) to display their wealth, and thus transferred the
duty of carrying the rings to the page boy. The ring bearer having a role in traditional weddings, grew in
popularity during the Victorian era. The outfit for ring bearers, back then, was typically velvet jackets,
kinckerbockers, and big collars. Today’s ring bearers tend to wear a boy’s tuxedo that matches the other
groomsmen, while some bridal parties get creative with these little guys whether it be a theme or full
out costume.

 

The tradition of flower girls seems to date back to the upper-class Greeks and Romans. In those days
flower girls would walk ahead of the bride, showering her path with grains and herbs, which
represented the hope that the bride could have children. The interpretation of this tradition got a little
looser around the Elizabethan era. During this time, the inclusion of children in the wedding party itself
was more a reflection of how that culture idealized childhood, seeing them as symbols of hope and
innocence. Since the flower girl walks down the aisle before the bride, she was seen as representing a
younger, more innocent version of the bride and her transformation from child to adult. Today, most
couples, include a flower girl in the wedding party to honor a little one who is a family member or close
to the family. She is usually outfitted to match the bridesmaids or complement the bride. And, while
most carry a bouquet or basked of flowers we see some who carry pretty lanterns, flags or scrolls with
messages like ‘here comes the bride!’

While researching the tradition of ring bearers and flower girls reveals some interesting information,
their main duty today is to set a cute tone and leave guests smiling from ear to ear.

Photos courtesy of  http://j-ellisphotography.com/

The Beautiful Bridal Bouquet

Planning a wedding is exciting, time-consuming, and sometimes stressful. Since all eyes
will be on you, in your wedding dress as you walk down the aisle, brides put a lot of thought
into what kind of bouquet to carry. After all, a stunning bouquet can complement your dress,
tie in with your décor, match the season of your wedding, and provide a pop of color to
make you feel and look absolutely gorgeous. But have you ever thought about why brides
even carry bouquets?

Believe it or not, the practice of brides carrying bouquets dates back to ancient times. The
Greeks, Romans, and even Egyptians carried fragrant herbs and spices to ward off evil
spirits and bad luck during weddings. In those times, flowers also symbolized a new
beginning and brought hopes of fertility, happiness, and fidelity. During the Victorian age,
flowers became more widely used in bouquets and were selected to send secret messages
between partners. Exchanging flowers became a popular way to express love. The
modern version of the bridal bouquet was popularized by Queen Victoria who, when
marrying Prince Andrew, incorporated a sprig of myrtle from her grandmother-in-law’s plant
into her bouquet. Ever since, all of the royals have used a sprig of myrtle from this original
plant.

Today’s brides carry a bouquet for any number of reasons and attach as much or as little
meaning to it as they choose. Some brides pick a bouquet that matches their favorite
colors, makes them feel beautiful, or incorporates florals from a relative’s garden. Other
brides focus on what complements the design of her gown or overall décor. Whether it’s
traditional, loose and organic, minimal, or non-floral, at Brix and Columns Vineyards we
enjoy seeing how brides choose to add that air of romance and elegance to their wedding day.

 

White and Airy

 

Colors of Spring

 

Classic Red Roses

 

Colorful and Fun!

 

Thank you to:  Tamaras Designs LLC,  lavender Dreams VA,   J. Ellis Photography,  Kara Leigh Creative,  and Meghan McSweeney Photography

 

Putting Your Best Foot Forward

Grooms and their groomsmen are starting to show their fun side by accessorizing their tuxedos or suits with funky socks.

Traditionally the groom and groomsmen match their sock color to their suit or tuxedo.  But lately we’re seeing an uptick in mixing colors and adding a pop of pizzazz with fun and festive socks. From vibrant solids, stripes, polka dots and argyle, to abstract or theme-based, we love when grooms show their style with fun socks on their wedding day. How about adding ‘something blue’ or a pattern that pulls in colors from the flowers, ties or bridesmaid dresses?  Socks can be a perfect way to add some personality to a groom’s ensemble.  Have a little fun, while you say “I Do”.

The photos below offer some inspiration.

 

Classic Argyle –https://bessieblack.com/

 

Something Blue – https://classictuxedos.net/

 

High Stepping It – http://j-ellisphotography.com/

 

Circle of Fun – https://classictuxedos.net/

 

Photos Courtesy of – J Ellis Photography, Bessie Black Photography, and Classic Menswear and Tuxedos.

Walk Into Your Wedding in Style

We all remember the magic of those glass slippers that the beautiful Cinderella wore to the ball.  But do we think those glass slippers were really as comfortable as the movie portrays?  The story certainly confirms the connection between a woman and her footwear.  And while a bride’s wedding dress may get all the attention, it’s her shoes that bring in the final bit of magic.  We can all agree, our choice of shoes can be a fun way to show your personality and complement your wedding dress to make a statement.

Your wedding location, and the time of year, is something to consider when shopping for the perfect shoes to pair with your dress. Think about a comfortable choice and one that won’t sink into the ground, if an outdoor ceremony is in your plans. Or, if the thought of teetering around in a pair of heels all day makes you cringe, there are stylish choices in wedges, flats, sandals, sneakers, and even boots!  

In our last blog, Rainy Days and Rainbows, we highlighted many positives to having a rainy-day wedding.  Fun and colorful rain boots would also be a way to brighten a rainy day, while keeping your feet cozy and dry.   

Here at Brix and Columns Vineyards, we have enjoyed seeing what some of our brides have chosen.  From cowboy boots, to sneakers to sandals and everything in between.  Whatever your choice, be sure to get some memorable pictures that show off your wedding day shoe personality.

 

Comfortable and casual

 

Elegant and strappy

 

Bedazzled

 

Sporty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos courtesy of: http://j-ellisphotography.com/ and https://www.tallandsmallphotography.com/

 

Rainy Days and Rainbows

After months and sometimes years of careful planning, a rainy forecast on your wedding day can feel like a major annoyance.  This is especially true if you have been planning an outdoor wedding.  However, there are some superstitions and various cultures that recognize rain on your wedding day as a sign of good luck.  

One superstition is that when you ‘tie the knot’ on a rainy day, your marriage will be hard to unravel just like the knot in a wet rope is hard to untie. And in some cultures, a light wash of raindrops on your wedding day is considered good luck, symbolizing cleansing and renewal for your new life together

There are many positives to having a rainy-day wedding, so if Mother Nature sends some rain your way, don’t despair:  

Rain makes for one-of-a-kind wedding photos.  The mist and soft light are not easy to recreate on a sunny day.  

For an outside ceremony, a little rain keeps your flowers looking fabulous for longer.

Rain is one of those forces that makes people want to slow down, take a breath, and enjoy the place they are in…can you think of anything better for this memorable day?

And one of our favorites here at Brix and Columns Vineyards…. there’s a chance of a rainbow!  What could be more incredible or romantic than a rainbow in the background of your wedding photo?

So, while you may be dreaming of a beautiful sunny sky to enhance your wedding day, have a fun contingency plan in case Mother Nature sends a few raindrops your way.

Photos courtesy of: Erin Baugher and http://j-ellisphotography.com/

Brix and Columns Vineyards is an elegant all-season farm winery and premier wedding venue.  We are located in the heart of the Central Shenandoah Valley, surrounded by both the Blue Ridge and Massanutten mountains.  We offer southern charm, stunning views, and award-winning wines.

We are conveniently located near Harrisonburg and Charlottesville.  A two-hour drive from Richmond and Northern Virginia, Brix and Columns Vineyards is the perfect vineyard wedding venue location.

To Veil or not to Veil

There are many aspects of a wedding that give us goosebumps here at Brix and Columns Vineyards. One of those is a glowing bride with a beautiful, traditional-style veil, flowing in the breeze, as she heads down the aisle to say her wedding vows. Of course, there are many brides who choose to not wear a traditional-style veil or have opted for alternative hair accessories like a flower crown, tiara, or flowered-comb, depending on what they feel goes best with the overall vibe and style of their wedding. These bridal hair accessories are equally as beautiful. On the other hand, a traditional-style veil can be one of the most essential and beautiful bridal accessories, for those who choose to wear one, and it certainly has withstood the test of time.

Though many brides recognize it is tradition to wear a bridal veil, many might not understand why. Here is a look at a little history behind the veil.

While there is no definitive reason for the wearing of a veil, many believe it has to do with the ancient Greeks’ and Romans’ fear of evil spirits and demons. The bride would walk down the aisle with a veil over her face in order to disguise herself from these evil spirits who wanted to thwart her happiness. In many cases, the veil prevented the bride from seeing well, which is why her father or another person “gave her away.” She was actually being escorted down the aisle so she wouldn’t bump into anything or trip. The veil has also served as a method of shielding the bride’s face from her future husband, especially in cases of arranged marriages.

Regardless of the origins, traditional-style veils continue to be worn by many of today’s brides who choose anywhere from a longer veil, which presents a more dramatic and elegant look to a shorter veil, which can be fresh and fun. Some brides choose to wear one over their face, but more often than not it’s draped over the back of their hair and dress. 

Here at Brix and Columns Vineyards, we are always excited to see the variety of veils and hair accessories that our brides choose to complement their special day.

Brix and Columns Vineyards is an elegant all-season farm winery and premier wedding venue.  We are located in the heart of the Central Shenandoah Valley, surrounded by both the Blue Ridge and Massanutten mountains.  We offer southern charm, stunning views, and award-winning wines.

We are conveniently located near Harrisonburg and Charlottesville.  A two-hour drive from Richmond and Northern Virginia, Brix and Columns Vineyards is the perfect vineyard wedding venue location.

 

Photo Credits – https://www.tallandsmallphotography.com/, Kara Leigh Creative, J. Ellis Photography

Rice throwing, a long-standing tradition

The last time you attended a wedding, did you toss rice at the newly married couple or did you celebrate their marriage with bubbles, real rose petals, sparklers, or even streamer sticks?  It was likely one of the other options, since rice throwing has become less popular over the years due to the thought that that uncooked rice might be harmful to birds and even some guests who could slip on the rice.

It turns out, though, that rice tossing has been around for a very long time and has history back to ancient times.  Why rice?  Well, this delicate little grain is considered a symbol of prosperity, good fortune, and fertility.  Consequently, showering the happy couple with it has been thought to be a perfect way to usher them into their new life together. During the Middle Ages, the act of throwing rice was even believed to help keep evil spirits away from the bride and groom!

Today, this tradition of throwing rice is not practiced by all couples, and at Brix and Columns Vineyards, we prefer guests send the newly married couple off with bubbles, sparklers, or real rose petals.  These options make for great photo opportunities and are much more environmentally friendly.

 

Brix and Columns Vineyards is an elegant all-season farm winery and premier wedding venue.  We are located in the heart of the Central Shenandoah Valley, surrounded by both the Blue Ridge and Massanutten mountains.  We offer southern charm, stunning views, and award-winning wines.

We are conveniently located near Harrisonburg and Charlottesville.  A two-hour drive from Richmond and Northern Virginia, Brix and Columns Vineyards is the perfect vineyard wedding venue location.

 

Photos courtesy of: Nvision Photography, J. Ellis Photography, and Berkley M. Todd Photography