Brides and Weddings: Allie and Ethan’s New Years Eve Wedding
Although Ethan and Allie attended Longwood University throughout their college years, they didn’t officially meet until after they had both graduated through mutual friends. After dating for a few years, Ethan knew it was time to pop the question. He planned a dreamy, intimate beachside proposal for Allie with some of their closest friends and family present. [Read More]...
Glamour and Grace: Romantic and Elegant Virginia Mansion Wedding
When it came to their wedding day, Cecelia and Brandon were inspired by the simple elegance of black and white. They softened that palate with greenery and soft pinks in the flowers to create something truly timeless. Their garden ceremony at Historic Mankin Mansion was an absolute dream, with their bloom-covered arbor creating a romantic statement piece. The reception kicked off with a choreographed first dance by the couple in the courtyard before guests moved into the tent for dinner and a delicious 5-tier wedding cake. You won’t want to miss a moment captured by Bri and Wes Photography! [Read More]...
Woman Getting Married ~ Paula Ramirez Feature
Back in the day, weddings were notorious for bad bridesmaid dresses and even worse food. But thankfully, both of those things have majorly changed in the past 10+ years. Now, foodie couples and their guests can actually appreciate thoughtful wedding menus that actually feel like you ate at a 5-star restaurant and not your grandma’s catering hall. (And yes, there’s even a chance that you’ll get to hear this longed-after compliment: “That was the BEST wedding food I’ve ever had!”) ... [Read More]
Real Richmond Wedding | Ginny and Aaron
It happened just the way it was meant to, friendship first. Ginny and Aaron met through mutual friends and soon fell in love… “Aaron was the missing piece to the puzzle,” professed Ginny. Overcome with anticipation, Aaron popped the question on a random pandemic Monday. He dropped to one knee and blurted out, “I just can’t wait any longer.” In yoga pants, surrounded by their pups, Bru and Lyla, Ginny happily whimpered “Yes” through streaming tears. Read More....
Getting Hitched? Wedding Boom!
Shelby Henry, 25, thought she would have no problem compiling the perfect team for her wedding on April 9.
After all, weddings are her business: Ms. Henry is the founder, lead photographer and videographer of Amavi, a wedding studio in West Palm Beach, Fla., and Indianapolis. She got engaged last June and started contacting vendors in August, assuming that nine months would be ample time to plan her 80-person wedding in Key Largo.
Not to be. Read More...
Multi-Category Winners – 10th Annual Richmond Bride A-List
You made your voices heard once again, voting in 94 categories for your favorite wedding professionals. This year, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the A-List survey, we’re honoring repeat winners who have topped their categories every year. In 2012, the first survey included 32 categories, but it has grown to nearly 100, including more local vendors and service providers. Here are this year’s best of the best, presented in an extended edition of the A-List. Read More....
9th Annual Richmond Bride A-List Survey Results
You voted in 94 categories for your favorite wedding professionals, who have had to get even more creative lately to help couples tie the knot during challenging times. From the cake to the venue and everything in between, here are this year’s top local vendors and service providers. Read More...
Hill City Bride – Flawless Black and White Wedding Theme
Are you thinking about using a black and white wedding theme? Even though some may say the palette is plain, it can be one of the most gorgeous combinations around. A monochromatic wedding is classic and has the perfect level of formality as you’ll see with this big day... Read More
Richmond Weddings – Wedding Planning Budget Tips
Hosting weddings is a classic tradition which will always be in fashion. Given that the average cost of weddings nationally is $35,000, it behooves you to spend wisely with a well-defined budget. Having a sit-down, heart to heart, open and honest conversation with contributors about finances. as well as to set expectations, is key. A wedding budget should be comprised of your savings (less 3 months expenses) plus contributions from family members added to what you can accumulate in the meantime... Read More
New York Times – Relationships with Grandmothers Drew Them Closer
Aaron Jay Ledesma knew that Timothy-Keith Schau Earley would one day be his husband on their fourth date. Mr. Earley, who goes by Tim, had cooked for Mr. Ledesma for the first time that evening, in June 2015, serving one of his specialties, shepherd's pie. After dinner, the two snuggled on the couch with Mr. Earley's mixed-breed dog, Sullivan, and shared their first kiss. "I felt the safest I'd ever felt, and the most comfortable," Mr. Ledesma said. "I knew it was exactly what I wanted my life to be." ... Read More
Wedding Wire – The History of the Ring Finger
It's common knowledge that engagement rings and wedding bands are standard practice when it comes to getting married. But there's one thing that you might not have considered before: What hand does the engagement ring go on? Unless you've done the research ahead of time, there's a good chance you'll be left feeling confused in the moment when it's time to put on your own diamond ring or wedding band—but that's what we're here for... Read More
Black Bride – An Intimate Garden Estate Wedding in Richmond, VA
Latrell and Arun met in 2016 as first year graduate students, when they were both studying to become occupational therapists. What began as an invitation to an anatomy study group led to months of casual hangouts. Latrell says, "I went out on a limb and flirted with Arun at our end of the year party and we've never looked back." After being together for four years, the lovely couple tied the knot in a beautiful garden estate wedding captured by Awesomesauce Photography... Read More
The Knot – The Importance of Celebrating Hispanic and Latinx Love
Wedding vendors are often the unsung heroes of beautiful weddings. Stunning images float around social media and couples reminisce about their perfect wedding day, but it can be easy to overlook the dedicated teams that work together to bring wedding dreams to life... Read More
Real Richmond Wedding – Courtney and Austin at HMM
How it all began
Courtney recalls, “We were out and about in the Bottom in 2013 with our respective friends. As introverts we both gravitated to the fresh air outside. Our friend groups eventually merged, and we slowly realized that we shared a unique cross section of interests.” The two hung out many times in a group setting before finally meeting up alone for their first date at Tarrant’s Cafe. After close to a year dating, Courtney got a job offer in NJ and Austin agreed to leave the only city he’d ever lived in to be with her... Read More
Essence – Bridal Bliss – Historic Mankin Mansion Couple Came Red-Carpet Read To Say “I Do”
Rachel and Kornelius Bascombe’s love story began at their college pep rally. Since then, a hallmark of their relationship has been the tendency to show each other love in a big way. It is one of the reasons their proposal went viral back in 2016...Read More
Forbes – How To Plan A Southern Wedding
Traditional English gardens give way to an upscale southern wedding celebration in Richmond Virginia. The destination is the Historic Mankin Mansion an estate dating from 1903 where one can have an outdoor wedding in the English gardens or if you prefer indoors, inside a recently restored vintage European gallery...Read More
Orbitz – Best Place To Get Married In Each State
If you’re looking for the perfect place to host your wedding, you’re in luck! We’ve rounded up the best spots in every state in the country. While some are the expected spots—a hotel or a garden, perhaps—others are so unique and special, you may have never even considered them, even if they are right in your own backyard...Read More
Forbes – Step Back In Time At Richmond’s Stunning Historic Mankin Mansion
If you find yourself planning a southern destination wedding, be sure to witness history and luxury collide at the Historic Mankin Mansion located in Richmond, Virginia. The Georgian Revival property dates back to 1903, when it was built by the entrepreneurial brick maker and founder Edward Thurston Mankin...Read More
Forbes – Q & A With A Wedding Venue Owner
Paula Clark Ramirez is the co-proprietor of the Historic Mankin Mansion, a Richmond-based venue that has been a destination for over 700 weddings. She has seen how weddings can be diverse in nature; the countless variables that occur from wedding to wedding, which reinforces the need for an amazing planner...Read More
Southern Living – Hidden Wedding Venue Gems
Weddings are such beautiful celebrations, and those celebrations deserve the perfect setting! Whether a couple is looking for a laid-back casual beach wedding or a black tie evening at a museum, there are hidden gems all over Virginia when it comes to finding the perfect spot to host family and friends on one of the most important days of a couple's life...Read More
Richmond Weddings Magazine – Couple Spotlight
Manuel and Essence’s love story starts all the way back in elementary school, where these two Maryland-natives met. They grew up together, going to the same schools all along the way, but it wasn’t until high school that Manuel decided to take his shot. Essence worked at a local hair salon, and Manuel would ask her to do his hair every time he saw her. They both went to college, but Manuel’s interest never wavered...Read More
Tide Water And Tulle – Sweet Historic Mankin Mansion Wedding
As if meant to be from the very start, the military brought both Brendan's family to Chesapeake and Ali's family to the good ole Dominion State in 2001. When it was time for them to go to college, Virginia Commonwealth University played the catalyst to Brendan and Ali finally meeting at their campus' InterVarsity Christian Fellowship chapter...Read More
Style Me Pretty – Richmond Wedding
I planned on gushing about the gorgeous peach + steel grey combo woven throughout this affair because honestly, it's drop dead gorgeous and such a lovely addition to the backdrop of the Historic Mankin Mansion. But my words left me the very second I spotted the Bride and my thoughts immediately turned into a gush fest about the leading lady and her veil...Read More
Richmond Weddings Spotlight – Historic Mankin Mansion
Our friends Paula & Martin, the owners of Historic Mankin Mansion, are celebrating ten years in the business in a BIG way! Read on to learn more from Paula about this beautiful venue and the crazy promotion they’re running right now for 2016 brides!..Read More
Style Me Pretty – Richmond Wedding
Every day is our favorite day here on SMP, but we have a VERY special place in our hearts for Wedding Wednesday. It's the day of the week that we get to dive into eight (!) gorgeous weddings with each of you... and all are filled to the brim with pretty, pretty inspiration and some of the most heart-warming moments you will ever see. So, prepare yourselves for an ENTIRE day of lovely, SMPers. It's going to be awesome...Read More
The Bash – Plan The Perfect Wedding, Vintage Chic Wedding
As we've been discussing Jazz Age, Ritzy Ranch, Hipster, and other wedding trends we may have forgotten to mention that you don't actually have to choose one trend for your wedding This wedding from photographer Melody Smith of Twilight Images in Virginia is a perfect example of how wedding trends can combine...Read More
Top Wedding Sites- Brides, What Are The Wedding Priorities On Your Wedding Checklist?
It is often said that your wedding day will be the happiest and most magical days of your life. At the same time, it can also be one of your most anxious. Your wedding checklist is full of hundreds to do. As the details begin to mount, it’s easy to let the little things get to you, which is why brides are often encouraged to focus your wedding to do list on the top three priorities for your wedding day...Read More
Henrico Magazine – Romance Architecture, Resort Marries Past And Present
In the early years of the 20th century, at the end of a country road four miles from where 3.5 million travelers now fly in and out of Richmond International Airport every year stood the palatial residence of one of the true giants of the Industrial Revolution in the American South...Read More
Richmond Times – A Showcase Again
After more than two years, countless hours and about $750,000, Mankin Mansion is nearly back to its glamorous showcase status of the 1920s. The property, an all-brick Georgian revival estate at 4300 Oakleys Lane in eastern Henrico County, is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places...Read More