Photo by Nina Tisara/Hollin Hall & The Meeting House

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Anne and Andy met at a philosophy conference in Bellingham,Washington in August 2007. One evening we went with a few mutualfriends to an ice cream parlor, and we all played a game of Taboo. Anne noticed Andy's remarkable ability to read her mind; luckily we were on the same team.At the time, Anne was a grad student in New York City and Andy was a professor in Michigan, so a relationship seemed unlikely. But the next month, Andy came to New York for a wedding, and Anne and Andy met upin a café for a game of Battleship. It was a rout; Anne won in record time, after she correctly predicted Andy's strategy (clump the battleships in the center of the board, because your opponent will expect them to be evenly spaced throughout the board). That pretty much sealed the deal. When Andy had a sabbatical in the spring, he moved to New York. We’ve had jobs in different states during most of our 3-year relationship (currently Andy works in New Jersey and Anne works in Washington and Baltimore), but we’ve managed to spend almost every weekend together.We wanted to get married in a Unitarian Church, because Unitarian Universalism supports marriage equality. As a straight couple, we have the privilege of getting married anywhere we want, and having our marriage recognized anywhere we go. We’re taking advantage of that privilege, but with the hope that marriage becomes a fully equal institution during our lifetime. We want to get married in a church that shares that hope, and fights for it. We chose Hollin House and the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church in particular because it is a peaceful and interesting place. The garden is quiet, and very green; we think it’ll be a simple, beautiful place to get married. The grounds are full of delightful surprises, for our guests to wander off and explore. And the meeting house seats 175 for dinner, so we don’t have to cut anyone from the guest list!

Anne and Andy will be married at Hollin Hall (www.HollinHallWeddings.com) in October 2010.

Love Stories

Erykah and James first met in the fall 2002 while starting their freshman year at George Mason University. The two were placed on the same freshman dorm floor and within a week became acquainted. Over the next four years their friendship grew over mutual interests including outdoor adventure, travel, photography, and music. They shared adventures in hiking, biking, camping, and snowboarding. Their love for traveling took them up and down the East Coast and abroad to Europe. Though they very much enjoyed each other's company, they maintained being strictly friends over the years. That is until the fall of 2006.
One evening after spending a long day on campus, James asked Erykah to dinner where they discussed the possibility of developing their relationship. Both a bit hesitate, they decided to leap! Now 4 years later, they are engaged and preparing to vow in front of close family and friends their commitment to spend the rest of their lives together.
Note: Hollin Hall was recommended to Erykah and James by Aylene and Kevin who were married there in May 2007.

Love Stories

This Week's Tip:

Ask your Maid of Honor or a friend to keep your make-up kit handy and to watch for when your hair or make-up needs attention, especially for the times of those important photos-- announcement, toast, cake cutting, first dance and father-daughter dance.

Love Stories – How We Met

We're expanding our blog to include stories about how couples met. Send your stories and photos to mvucevents@earthlink.net and we'll do our best to publish them in future blogs.

Here's the first story (photo to follow):

Tying the Knot

“In 2008 Christian and I met at a Gala fundraiser for a community theatre in Charlottesville, VA called LiveArts. Every November LA rallies local restaurateurs, businesses and artists and pulls off a fabulous all night party which funds a good percentage of their annual operating costs. My friend Ian was wrangling aerial dancers to fly and spin over the heads of well healed supporters busting a move on the dance floor at the party. When I was called to volunteer, he told me he had something special in mind for me. Two dancers would be suspended over the side of the theatre wall to greet party goers as they entered the Gala. The day before the event, Ian introduced me to his old friend from graduate school, Christian, who had driven all the way from DC to volunteer, on his birthday, when the person who was supposed to be my safety guy canceled late in the game.

“Christian showed Steven (the other 'crazy enough' dancer) and me how to tie a few knots, then somehow got me to trust him as he lowered me over the side of a 4 story building- tied to him and the building. I was terrified. He was supremely patient and did a good job of instilling trust - still, it took a while to work up the nerve to experiment with jumps and to flip about while looking down on the street below.

“Throughout the weekend we chatted a lot. We began getting to know one another over e-mail and decided to meet for a first date about a month later. Coffee turned into lunch, turned into a long walk, then a chocolate shop expedition and a movie. We started talking on the phone, and going on dates and were pretty much goners not long after the New Year. Little did we know that first day, the significance a knot tying lesson would have.

“Hollin Hall came up in our venue search months ago. Christian stumbled over it even before we purchased our house only about a mile or two from Mount Vernon Unitarian Church. We thought it outside of our budget at the time, so we dismissed it. We looked at a lot of other venues and had pretty much decided on one in Vienna. Then last week we attended a summer service. We felt very warmly welcomed, took a stroll around the grounds and spoke with a few church members after the lovely service, and decided to reconsider our venue choice. I did some math, we did some thinking, and finally chose Hollin Hall because of it's beauty, flexibility, and accommodating space. There is also something attractive about being wed in our own community, rather than a transient space we'll likely not revisit. We were also really impressed with your knowledge and obvious love of the place. It shows that you all truly care about keeping a special space for community, reflection and spiritual cultivation.”

Wedding Day Tips

July 28, 2010

Wedding Day Hints

Based on more than 25 years of wedding photography experience, here are three tips for your wedding day ...

(1) If you're dressing at the site, make a list of what you need to bring. Have someone you trust go over the list and make sure everything is packed. I've known brides who arrived without their veils or their slips. Sending someone to pick them up adds unnecessary stress. It's a good idea to pack a small bag of things like deodorant, mouthwash and safety pins.

(2) Make sure the security tags have been removed from bridesmaid's dresses. They can't be cut off at the site without risking damage to the dress.

(3) If the groom and groomsmen are renting tuxedos, they should check the delivery when it arrives. Besides checking for correct size, look to make sure the studs are included and the cumberbunds are the right color. You'll probably want to wear or bring black socks. It's a hassle to have to shop for them on the wedding day.

Look for more tips on Wed-nes-days.

“Like Us” on Facebook: Hollin Hall Weddings & Events

Nina Tisara
Rental Events Coordinator
Hollin Hall & The Meeting House
at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church

Wedding Photography

How can you help your photographer get the photos you want quickly and efficiently?

First most important thing: Make a list! Decide which are the "have to" photos.

Second most important thing: Tell everyone who is in the photos to follow you out from the ceremony and where to assemble for the photos.

We recommended doing photos before a Receiving Line. For starters, Receiving Lines take longer than one would think. And, after you've been hugged and kissed by many guests, you may need to spend even more time freshening up.

In another life, when I was with Tisara Photography, our goal was to move people in and out of photos as efficiently as possible. (It's still the goal of Tisara Photography.)

For example:

Bride and Groom with Bride's Family
(This would include siblings and might include grandparents. You might individual shots with each set of grandparents)
Bride and Groom with Bride's Parents
Bride and Groom with Bride's Parents and Groom's Parents
Bride and Groom with Groom's Parents
Bride and Groom with Groom's Family

If there are more than one set of parents, consider whether there will be one photo with everyone or separate photos. An important factor is how comfortable the parents feel being in a photo together. This will affect how they are placed. It's very helpful to decide in advance.

Bride with Bridesmaids
Bride with Maid of Honor
Bride and Groom with Maid of Honor and Best Man
Bride and Groom with Bridesmaids and Groomsmen*
Groom and Groomsmen
Groom and Best Man

Bride Alone
Bride and Groom Together
Groom Alone

*If there are young flower girls and ring bearers, it might be best to do this one first.

Ask your caterer to provide water but not food until after the photos are done.

Nina Tisara
Look for new posts on Wed-nes-days
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Wedding Dresses

July 19, 2010

I spent several hours yesterday at the Alfred Angelo Grand Opening Event in Springfield. Alfred Angelo specializes in dresses for brides and bridesmaids. I was there to distribute information about Hollin Hall (www.HollinHallWeddings.com) but the photographer in me kept seeing the pictures that wanted to be taken. I didn't have a camera with me so I have to paint this one for you in words.

Picture a mirrored room with a couple of round seating areas in the center. At one end is a pedestal. Well, maybe not a pedestal, just a small stage. Up steps the bride in the dress she is modeling. Thumbs up from the onlookers, including those of us who were there to promote our own services. And the mom? The mom pulls out a tissue and dabs at her eyes. I'm thinking that she's thinking, "There's my baby, my princess, grown up, growing away, and stepping into the wide world with all its joy and all its pain."

The picture was reflected from all sides in every mirror.

Nina Tisara