A Love Story - Megan and Sean

Meagan and Sean on the Ice

(Courtesy Photo)

Sean and Megan met while working together at a small school for students with disabilities in Springfield, VA. They became friends, chatting before and after work. As they got to know each other more, they found they had a lot in common and felt very comfortable together. As their friendship became closer, Megan realized that Sean was the one for her, and said yes when he asked her on their first date, driving along Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. Three years later, he took her to the same location and proposed during a beautiful Fall sunset. They are planning to be married at Hollin Hall thus summer. Sean, a native of Northern Virginia, and Megan, who relocated to the area from Ohio in 2006, both continue to work with students with special needs in the area. They are looking forward to celebrating their love with family and friends on the beautiful grounds of Hollin Hall.

Megan and Sean will be married on July 30, 2011

Honeymoon Hints

Adventures in Paradise is a member of the Bliss Collection, a group of Northern Virginia's finest wedding professionals.  Hollin Hall joined the Bliss Collection this year. 

Valerie Romano Novak
Adventures in Paradise, LLC
Specializing in honeymoons and destination weddings.
Phone: 703-867-7245
www.adventuresinparadise.travel
valerie@thetravelgoddess.net

Expert Advice

When should we start planning our honeymoon?

It’s best to make your honeymoon reservations soon after you select the date for your wedding.  That will ensure that you’ll get the room you want at the resort you choose. The best rooms usually sell out first, and if your honeymoon is during high season, it may be very difficult to get reasonably priced plane tickets.  If you plan your honeymoon in the early stages, you won’t have to worry about it when you are working on all the final details for the wedding.

How do we work with a travel consultant to help us plan our honeymoon or destination wedding?

First, ask friends for recommendations.  When you meet with the consultant, make sure she/he is an expert in the area that you plan to travel to.  Be prepared to answer questions about what type of hotel you like, what you would like to do while you’re there (are you looking for something active, or do you want to spend most of your time relaxing).  Be prepared to give a realistic idea of your budget.  The consultant cannot make appropriate suggestion if you say your budget is $10,000 when you really only plan to spend $6,000.

How much lead time do we need to plan a destination wedding?

At least one year.  More if you are going to have a large number of guests.  Not only does the planning take a lot of time, your guests will need enough notice so they can request time off from work.  If you are inviting children, there are school schedules to be considered as well.

Alaina and Richard will be married at Hollin Hall

in May 2011.  (Courtesy Photo)

Alaina writes:  "Richard and I met in the spring of 2004, during our freshman year at Virginia Tech. You might be expecting to hear that we met at a football game or on spring break. Rather, both being engineering majors, we met in Physics class. No, it wasn't Chemistry class…. Believe it or not - we've heard that one a few times before. In class, we sat with a mutual friend and met through him. Strangely enough, it turned out that we lived only a few floors away in the same dorm. Over the next six and a half years, our relationship has only grown stronger. Needless to say, we are extremely excited to celebrate our marriage next May at Hollin Hall with the company of our friends and family."

Kelly & Joe - A Love Story

Kelly and Joe pose for a wedding portrait on the slate terrace.

Kelly and Joe were married in the walled boxwood garden at Hollin Hall on October 9, 2010. They rated their experience a 5 out of 5 saying “We think everything went amazingly well.”

                                    

Kelly and Joe both attended American University's Washington Semester program in the Spring of 2005. Joe lived in the room next door to a student from the College of Wooster named Jen. Kelly also came to the program from the college of Wooster. Jen introduced Kelly to Joe, who was immediately drawn to her monochromatic blue fleece. They started dating a few weeks later. About 2 weeks into the relationship, Kelly told him she saw herself marrying him in the future. She says she "just knew."



Kathleen & Ed - A Love Story

Kathleen and Ed are planning to be married at Hollin Hall on October 8, 2011

Photo courtesy of the couple

Ed and Kathleen actually met over 10 years ago during high school, although they attended different schools. A mutual friend had introduced them because Kathleen didn’t have a date for an upcoming dance. So, Ed, the polite gentleman that he is, stepped in so that she wouldn’t have to go alone. They really hit it off, but being as how things are always complicated in high school, they decided it would be best to go their separate ways, even though, unbeknownst to either of them, they were both really interested in each other.

Some years passed, they went on through their lives in college and their careers.  After some time (and a break-up), Kathleen was on MySpace one day and thought about Ed.  Randomly, he had popped into her mind, so she decided to look him up. Somehow, out of all the people named “Ed” on MySpace, he was one of the first listings to show up in the search. So, she decided to contact him, assuming he probably wouldn’t remember who she was since it had been a long time since they had since each other.

Luckily for them, Ed wrote back and did in fact remember her and they agreed to meet up and watch a preseason Redskins football game at a local bar. So, from Alexandria, Kathleen drove out to Ashburn and, after getting lost on the way, met with Ed. They talked the whole night, caught up on where their lives had taken them, and had an all around great time. I don’t think at the time either of them was expecting much; just catching up with a friend. But, they hit it off so well that this time around they weren’t going to let this opportunity pass them by, even if they now lived about 40 miles apart.

After a year of dating, Kathleen and Ed moved in together, and Kathleen brought her dog, Gigi, as well, who adores Ed.  And after four years of dating, Ed and Kathleen began to talk about marriage. Then, at the end of October 2010, Ed and Kathleen went to Shenandoah National Park to enjoy one of the last beautiful days of the year before winter.  Ed, Kathleen, and Gigi hiked to the highest point of the park, where Ed proposed, and Kathleen, said, “Of course!”

A Walk In The Park - Selen & Jason

Selen and Jason were married at Hollin Hall on July 26, 2008

I recently found Selen and Jason on a walk through Huntley Meadows Park, my favorite "sacred space" along with the grounds of Hollin Hall at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, and asked them to send a photo and a paragraph about their experience with us.  This is what Selen wrote:

“We had a very special time in our wedding ceremony in Hollin Hall. Ms. Nina Tisara was the main reason for everything to work out as smoothly as it did. The atmosphere of Hollin Hall's grounds and beautifully manicured 7 feet tall hedge plant natural 'room' that is found on their ground and romantic setting of the white fences and the windmill at the background is just perfect for the wedding reception. My husband and I had a very relaxed and happy wedding reception in beautiful Hollin Hall.”

I particularly like the phrase "natural room" to describe the walled boxwood garden.  Thank you, Selen!



A Love Story - Nancy and Alex

Nancy and Alex celebrated their marriage on November 6, 2010. Here's the story of how they met and their experience at Hollin Hall.

“Alex and I met for the very first time in first grade. We had the same teacher. I still have a video of us at our first grade recital. He moved away soon after, but we met again through a mutual friend in high school. We became good friends and remained so for another five years before we began to date. Seven years after that, we were meeting with Nina at Hollin House to see if that would be a good place to get married. And it was! Nina was great from the very first meeting. We left that meeting very excited and thought she was extremely sweet, knowledgeable about what would work and what wouldn't work, and offered valuable suggestions. The entire process was pleasant to the end. We changed our mind a lot, from everything to moving the wedding inside and to changing the chairs the day before the wedding. Nina was extremely accommodating and never did she skip a beat. We had a wonderful experience, and we thank Nina and Hollin House for making our wedding vision come to be.”

Alex and Nancy are all smiles moments after their ceremony.

Photo by Nina Tisara/Hollin Hall

Anne & Andy; Expert Tips on Selecting Your Photographer

Anne and Andy were married in the Walled Boxwood Garden

on October 16th.  Photo by Steven Halperson/Tisara Photography

Asked to rate their experience on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being the best), they rated Hollin Hall a "5", saying simply "Everything was smooth and easy for us ... Many of our guests commented on how lovely the space at MVUC is!"

Expert advice from David Madison Photography

    What are some things to look for when choosing a Professional Photographer for your wedding?

Aside from style and artistic ability, search out a full time photographer that gels with your personality.    Full time because you want them fully invested in your wedding, bringing with them the experience and professional approach that produces the highest quality photographs. Personality because the photographer’s presence will be with you and your guests all day long and will be expressed in the end product. These are some of the ingredients that ensure great photography on your wedding day!

http://www.DavidMadisonPhotography.com
info@david-madison.com
866.276.9018 | 703.318.7773

Lara & Erics Ceremony and Photo Tips from Tisara

On a sparkling October day, Lara and Eric were married

in the Circle Garden in front of Hollin Hall

(We're looking forward to publishing the story of how they met.)

Photos by Nina Tisara/Hollin Hall

 





Tips from Steven Halperson/Tisara Photography

If you want the best possible photos of your wedding but don't want to spend the day being photographed, you can help by working with your photographer on a list of the “must take” photos. Let everyone on the list know where and when the photos are being taken so time won't be lost looking for people. Usually the best time is immediately after the ceremony. Once the posed shots are made, your photographer can watch for those moments which capture the essence of the day -- the love and joy, pride and happiness, the smile and sometimes, the quiet tear.

Cocktails were served in the Circle Garden in front of Hollin Hall

The Dinner Reception was held in a tent in the Meadow.

Meegan and Matt were married at Hollin Hall on October 10, (10/10/10). Their ceremony was in the Walled Boxwood Garden, cocktails were in the Circle Garden in front of Hollin Hall, dinner was in a tent in the Meadow and dancing was in Hollin Hall.

A Thank You note from the groom reads:

All,

A year of planning and it was all worth it. All the emails and phone calls and in person mtg's turned out a great weekend....

And the Wedding - Wow - what a great time!!! We've heard people saying this was the best wedding ever. Things like "Wow - the site was so awesome", "The Officiant was so organized and thorough", "The cocktail hour went so smooth", "What great weather", "The food was amazing", "The staff was so helpful", "The rehearsal dinner was the best I've ever been to", "Whomever put this together deserves the highest compliments ever", "The cupcakes were amazing - I've had 5 so far!!", "The flowers and decorations are so beautiful", "I couldn't stop dancing", "Who has ever seen a wedding band do an encore song - omg they were so awesome!", "Your friend Kathleen really knows her (stuff)", "The girls looked so amazing",

We've also had several of some of the ultimate compliments ever - "This was the best wedding we've ever been to" and "I can't wait to get married and throw a party like this, we've taken several notes from this for our big day". That's just awesome to hear and w/o you none of that would be the case.

Thank you so much and this all happened due to you!!

Michelle @ Main Even Caterers - http://www.maineventcaterers.com/

Phyllis @ Enchanted Florist - http://www.enchantedfloristoldtown.com/

Kevin @ The Rollex Band - via Cast of Thousands - http://www.castofthousands.com/

Kathleen @ Cast of Thousands - http://www.castofthousands.com/

Laurie @ Laurie Bracewell Photography - http://lauriebracewellphotography.blogspot.com/

Sally @ Sally's Gourmet Cupcakes - http://www.sallysgourmetcupcakes.com/

Nina @ Hollin Hall - http://www.hollinhallweddings.com/

Jodi @ Waterfront Wedding Services - http://www.waterfrontweddingservices.com/Virginia_Wedding_Services.html

Christine + Sarah @ Joe Theismann's Restaurant - http://www.joetheismanns.com/index.php/parties-catering/

Morgan @ Premier Make-up - http://www.premieremakeup.com/

Kathy Bell @ Bellawest Salon - http://bellawest.net

Caitlin and Matt are married on October 9, 2010; Ask a Make-Up Artist

Caitlin and Matt were married in the boxwood garden

 The Columbus Day weekend weather was perfect for an outdoor reception

 Matt surprises Caitlin with a song during the cocktail hour

 Lanterns add magic to the Wisteria Arbor

Photos by Nina Tisara, Hollin Hall & The Meeting House

Caitlin and Matt were married at Hollin Hall on October 9, 2010. Asked to rate their experience from 1 to 5 (5 being the highest), they rated us a 5.

Everything was absolutely wonderful - Nina was a great help and support to us throughout the planning and also on the day of the wedding. The one thing I can think (to add) would be lighting for the outdoor space on the grounds. We are so pleased with our choice - Hollin Hall was the perfect place for our wedding!  Thank you so much for everything!!

Caitlin and Matt selected Catering by Windows from our Preferred List. They rated them “5” saying “We were very impressed and satisfied with Windows. The food was amazing and the service was excellent. Carl Price and his staff certainly exceeded our expectations.”

Expert Advice - Things to ask a Makeup Artist before Booking

By Tracie Rosales of Makeup Artistry by Tracie (a mobile beauty service); 571-201-5942

www.tracierosales.com

Booking a makeup artist for your wedding should be like booking any other vendor. There are questions that you should ask to make sure that you have all the information before your big day. It also will help you decide before the trial if the artist is a good match for you.  Ask to look at the artist’s portfolio or check it out if it is online. Ask to look at the artist’s portfolio or check it out if it is online. This will give you an idea of what style of makeup your the artist typically does and if he/she works with brides.

• If you are having your videographer or photographer shoot in HD (high definition), is your artist able to use makeup that works with HD?
• Is airbrushing an option?
• What products does your artist use? This way you will know if you have any allergies to the brands. And if you do, can your artist work with your personal makeup?
• Will your makeup artist travel to you on your wedding day? Is there an extra fee for travel?
• Will your makeup artist do bridesmaids and the mothers? What are the rates?
• If you want the option for after ceremony touch-ups, what is the charge?
• If the groom has rosacea and/or breakouts before the wedding, can the artist do a touch-up for him? What is the fee?

Be sure to schedule a makeup trial. If you’re doing engagement photos, have your trial the same day. This way you can test the makeup and have it professionally applied for your photos.

A makeup artist should also ask questions to find out your personal style and to make sure he/she can achieve a look that will meet your expectations. Here are some questions to expect:

• What does your everyday makeup style look like?
• What is the style of your wedding dress and hairstyle?
• Are you having an indoor or outdoor wedding?
• What time of day is the wedding taking place?
• What are your wedding colors?
• Do you have any allergies to product brands or ingredients?

October 7 2010

R&R Open House and a testimonial from Erin & Tim

skip to main | skip to sidebar

Hollin Hall Weddings

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Photo by Nina Tisara/Hollin Hall & The Meeting House

********

Hollin Hall & The Meeting House have joined The Bliss Collection. The Bliss Collection includes Northern Virginia's premiere wedding vendors. Membership includes a variety of event professionals, each of whom has been carefully selected for their outstanding reputation. Members of The Bliss Collection are committed to providing the best offerings and service to its clients. For information, visit www.theblisscollection.com.

From time to time you'll find expert advice from Collection members on our Hollin Hall Wedding Blog. For starters, here's some guidance on hiring a wedding planner taken from their website.

Why Hire a Wedding Planner? A professional wedding planner can actually save you not only time, and energy, but can save you money by being the one to assist in the negotiating of contracts. A good planner takes care of the what-ifs and the unexpected and is the go-to person before and during the wedding so you and your family members can enjoy the entire wedding experience.

Is a Budget Necessary? The first thing you should be doing before making any phone calls for your wedding is decide on a budget. If you are not working with a planner on budgeting advice, then there are many budget formulas on the internet and in reliable wedding books to be used. Once the budget is determined, it is very important to stick to it!

How Do You Find Good Vendors? You should be using vendors that have been recommended by a wedding professional or a friend who has had a good experience with a vendor. With that said, you still need to meet with those vendors to make sure they fit your criteria. Always ask for references. Make sure to have a signed contract.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

R&R Open House and a testimonial from Erin & Tim

Gourmet Tasting and Boutique Style Wedding Fair

Historic Hollin Hall and R&R Catering sponsored a Gourmet Tasting and Wedding Open House on Wednesday, September 15. The event featured a creatively designed array of appetizers, salads, and food stations by R&R catering. Exhibitors included Alexandria Pastry Shop, Floral Specialties, All Seasons Floral Preservation, Jan Davis Entertainment and Events, Tisara Photography, Prime Transportation, Perfect Honeymoons, Capitol Chocolate Fountains, Frost Lighting and Union Street Pub.

Photos: top - Wisteria Arbor; bottom - Hollin Hall Fireplace Room. Photos by Steven Halperson/Tisara Photography

A testimonial from Erin and Tim, Hollin Hall, September 4, 2010

We very much appreciated the responsiveness by Nina. Anytime I called or sent an email, I could expect a very quick response, which was so helpful in making time-sensitive, wedding-planning decisions! The price to rent the grounds for our wedding and ceremony was very affordable, and we felt that we had been transported to a peaceful countryside rather than the metropolitan D.C. area. I think our photographer even snapped a few pictures of deer at the property before the ceremony began! Nina was very flexible in accommodating our needs, and responding to the input of our caterer and our personal wedding coordinator. We couldn't have asked for more from Hollin Hall and will definitely recommend the use of Hollin Hall to all of our family and friends.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Juleen Stacy and Jan Davis of Jan Davis Entertainment, Inc.

What happens if you book an independent band or ensemble and they disappear a week before your wedding? And if you have sent them a deposit, what now? Well, you really have no recourse. If you have booked entertainment with a legitimate agency, you will have entertainment for your event.Here are a couple of really important questions. Say you have "surfed the net" and found a band that looks good. How can you be sure of their track record for a wedding? How can you be sure that they know the protocol for a wedding? How can you be sure that you have been charged a fair price? Professional agencies know what the fair market price of a band, DJ or ensemble should be, and they know the bands that know wedding protocol.Some entertainers brag that they will not work for an agency, or that you can save a little money if you go directly to them. Aside from the pointers that we have just given you, try getting some of these entertainers on the phone during the day or on a weekend to go over details for your wedding. Chances are that they are out doing their “other job”. Professional agents are there for you all day,every day to answer your questions and meet all of your needs. You won't spend days trying to catch up with them. And-don't forget-most independent bands are not be licensed or insured.

Jan Davis, Jan Davis Entertainment and Events
Event Design, Decor and Production
Phone: 703-461-7253 x10 FAX: 703-461-7927 www.jandavis.com

A Love Story – by Erin and Tim

“After meeting in the summer of 2008, we began talking and getting to know one another long distance. As our friendship grew, we both realized that we had found someone special. By December of 2008, we began dating, and were engaged a year later! We have been excited to see how God has led us through a long-distance relationship between Georgia and Virginia, and how He answered a multitude of prayers as He opened doors for us while we approached our marriage. We are thankful for friends and for our wonderful families who have supported us as we prepared for a life together. We appreciate your prayers through law school and bar exams, multiple moves, and job changes, as we worked toward this moment, one of the most important of our lives...”

Erin and Tim were married at Hollin Hall on September 4, 2010.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Sean and Matt - A Love Story On Target

Sean writes: Our paths first crossed in March 2007 at a well known and loved location that we often find ourselves back at, reminiscing. Where? None other than Target! We struck up a conversation in the check out line, exchanged phone numbers, went on our first date and the rest of it all just fell into place. Our introduction into each others lives didn’t have a storybook beginning, but our wedding day is sure to be an absolute dream!

Sean and Matt will be married at Hollin Hall on May 28, 2011.

Gourmet Tasting and Boutique Style Wedding Fair

Historic Hollin Hall and R&R Catering are sponsoring a wedding Open House on Wednesday, September 15, 5-8 p.m. The event features a gourmet tasting prepared by R&R catering and exhibits by Alfred Angelo Bridal Shop, Alexandria Pastry Shop, Floral Specialties, All Seasons Floral Preservation, Jan Davis Entertainment and Events, Tisara Photography, Prime Transportation, Capitol Chocolate Fountains, Frost Lighting and Perfect Honeymoons.

Hollin Hall is 4 miles south of Old Town Alexandria at 1909 Windmill Lane. It was placed on the Fairfax County Registry of Historic Sites in 1993.

For reservation information, see www.rrcatering.com under the tastings tab or call 703-451-2798.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Erin and Tim (above) were married at Hollin Hall on Saturday, September 4, 2010. Bunny and David exchanged vows in the walled garden on Sunday, September 5. We're looking forward to posting their stories in a future blog.

Preserving Your Wedding Flowers

(excerpted from a presentation by All Seasons Floral Preservation, 2/07)

All Seasons Floral Preservation will be among the wedding service providers exhibiting their work at the Gourmet Tasting and Boutique Bridal Fair at Hollin Hall on Wednesday, September 15, 5-8 p.m. See http://www.hollinhallweddings.com for registration information.

There are two common methods of flower preservation. "Freeze drying" is a process that results in a 3-D floral arrangement, typically displayed in a table top dome or shadow box. With this method, the flowers are very fragile and brittle and, as a result, may deteriorate and crumble over time. "Pressing" is a process that became popular in the Western world during the Victorian Age. Pressed floral art created with your wedding flowers will be in a frame that can either hang on a wall or be placed in a stand for table top/shelf display. This technique results in a floral design that is literally "pressed" against the glass, thus remaining in a fixed position for you to enjoy for years to come.

Because the freshest flowers make the most beautiful art, your florist plays a key role in the outcome of your artwork. Choose a florist who will use high quality, fresh flowers and arrange them in a way that is not only beatiful, but "durable." The wedding and reception are high enery events that can take quite a toll on a poorly constructed bouquet. The better condition the flowers are in when they are delivered for pressing, the better the otcome of your floral art.

During the pressing process it is natural for the colors of the flowers to change somewhat. Generally speaking, flowers with an "intense" color will press darker--red roses will become a deep burgundy; while flowers with a "softer" color will become lighter--pale pink and white flowers will become a cream color. During a design consultation, it is important to discuss your specific flowers and how they will look once they are pressed.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

A Love Story - Kim and Bruce and Uniquely Yours

September 1, 2010

Photo by Nina Tisara

A Love Story - Kim and Bruce

We asked Kim and Bruce to rate us and their caterers on a scale of 1-5 (5 is best) and this is what Kim said:

"5 and 5!!!! We had such a lovely time. The place was gorgeous. R&R did an excellent job catering, the food was awesome. All of our friends and family were asking us how we found Hollin Hall and were so impressed with its charm! It was definitely a wedding like no other!

"Bruce and I met through friends from work. He is a psychologist and I am a talker. I guess I felt like he listened when I talk. He would stop everything to listen to me talk and I, in return would do something nice for him, simple things, like cook or bring him coffee.

"We chose Hollin Hall for the charming outdoor garden and the details on the inside of the house. We love "old charm", history and unique things that are still very simple. I think Hollin Hall was the perfect choice for us and our friends and family felt so welcomed there.

"Thank you for the memory! It was better than we envisioned!"

Uniquely Yours

If you're looking for a custom-designed engagement or wedding band, something that will be uniquely yours, you might start by looking through magazines, catalogs and ads to discover what you really like. Or you might try your hand at sketching the design that's in your mind.

Remember that your designer is your consultant, your engineer. Choose someone whose style fits yours and someone you feel comfortable with. Select a designer with the experience to help you understand what is possible and what is not feasible.

Your meeting at Gold Works will start with an introduction to the world of custom jewelry. There is a basic selection of rings in the shop and you will helped to visualize your own special design by looking through catalogs, photographs, drawings and sometimes with the help of a computer.

David Martin Gold Works
1400 King Street, Alexandria
www.goldworksusa.com
703 683-0333

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

A Love Story - Caitlin and Matthew--and--Hints for the Glowing Bride

Caitlin and Matthew met in Cambridge, Massachusetts in March of 2005. They were having a great time at a mutual friend's birthday party. Matthew noticed how Caitlin always closed one eye when she took a beerpong shot. He liked her freckles and curly hair. Caitlin noticed how sharply dressed Matthew was and she thought he was funny. The next week after the party, Matthew asked his coworker, Tag, how he could get to know her better. His friend told him that they all had plans to go to Southie for the St. Patty's parade that Sunday. If you have ever been to Southie on parade day, then you know that the whole town is party-hopping. So, Matthew followed his friends from house party to house party, meeting lots of people, toasting the Irish Patron Saint, and always keeping his eyes open for the young lady he was hoping to see that day. They seemed to keep missing each other. Finally, after a long day, they made their way back to Cambridge, Caitlin and Matthew's paths never having crossed in Southie. When they got there, Caroline, Tag's girlfriend and Caitlin's best friend, called to say they were right down the street and they were coming over!

Caitlin and Caroline came through the door first, followed by seven or eight dudes. The ratio of this gathering had tipped in the wrong direction for a man who was looking to spend some quality time getting to know somebody. However, within the first few minutes, it became apparent that the place down the street where they were all hanging out, was in fact Caitlin's place. Matthew knew that all he had to do was be patient and he might get the opportunity to walk her home. The mob of dudes slowly dwindled until only Tag, Caroline, Matthew and Caitlin were left. As people started to yawn, Matthew offered to escort Caitlin home. Despite a long day of house parties, they talked for hours. They found out about the uncanny amount of things they have in common. When it got really late and they were both struggling to stay awake, they decided it was time to call it a night. But just before he got to the door, he turned and kissed her. They made plans for an official first date. Five and a half years later, their next official date will be the most significant one yet: plans to be married at Hollin Hall on October 9, 2010.

The Glowing Bride~
The bridal "glow" comes from within. but take care to avoid the outward "shine" - the shine that comes by not keeping a matte finish to your makeup for those wedding photos. While a more-than-dewy complexion may look fine to the wedding guests, it can translate into an unattractive shine in photos. There's even the horrifying chance you'll look like you just finished a workout and slipped right into the wedding gown!I recommend using a finely milled powder matched to your skin tone exactly at the jawline and then touching up throughout the wedding day. Blot any oil or sweat that appears with a facial blotting sheet (drug store purchase), and then lightly touch up your look with a light dusting of powder. The powder absorbs light and keeps a more matte look so your features project your joyful glow - not shine! Pressing, not rubbing, blotting paper on your face absorbs the oil/sweat and pushes the powder back to the surface of your skin.Emergency Tip: those disposable seat covers in the ladies' restroom make great blotting paper. no residue, easily available. Shhh.only tell your girlfriends.The scoop on powder - opt for a compact rather than loose powder. It's so much easier to control in a hurry. Avoid bare mineral powders. The edges of the ground minerals reflect light and can give a gray cast or odd luminescence in photos. Mineral powders also don't have the necessary staying power or light-absorbing effect of talc-based powder foundations. A makeup pro experienced with on-site makeup (out of the controlled lighting of a studio) can further advise you on the best choices. We useArtistry Ideal Dual Powder Foundations and have gotten rave reviews!
Relax. Just a minute for a quick touch-up takes away the shine and brings all the attention back to your expressive eyes and lips where a little sheen enhances rather than distracts!
Barbara Hill, www.bridalartistryDC.com

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Followers

Blog Archive

• ▼  2010 (13)
  • ▼  October (1)
    • Photo by Nina Tisara/Hollin Hall & The Meeting H...
  • ►  September (4)
    • R&R Open House and a testimonial from Erin & Tim
    • Juleen Stacy and Jan Davis of Jan Davis Entertai...
    • Sean and Matt - A Love Story On Target Sean wri...
    • Erin and Tim (above) were married at Hollin Ha...
  • ►  August (5)
    • A Love Story - Kim and Bruce and Uniquely Yours
    • A Love Story - Caitlin and Matthew--and--Hints for...
    • Anne and Andy met at a philosophy conference in ...
    • Love Stories
    • Love Stories
  • ►  July (3)
    • Wedding Day Tips
    • Wedding Photography
    • Wedding Dresses

About Me

Nina Tisara

View my complete profile