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."