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.