Engagement photoshoot... finally!

After practically a year after he popped the question, Jon and I are FINALLY doing our engagement photos on Friday, October 22nd! They will be done in Northern Virginia and I think I have an idea where I want to have them done, but it is a secret for now! ;) BUT the timing should be perfect for the fall leaves!

Caroline & Jon Update: Rings and a Photographer

So last weekend Jon and I bought our wedding bands! Jon has always wanted a simple gold band, and because of my matchy-matchy nature, I went with the same. I am still trying to decide what to have written on the inside. Probably "Love forever - 6.18.2011" ... love forever is engraved on the inside of all the jewelry Jon has given me, so I think we'll continue the trend :) although I might decide to incorporate our initials (if there is room).

We have also chosen a photographer! I have been extremely picky throughout the photographer choosing process, in terms of skill, packages, and price. I am not going to say who I am using -- it's my standard not to give away the fine details of my own wedding :). That is a picture he has taken up top, though! These are the main things I was looking for in a package, and get with my photographer!

• Unlimited time on the wedding day
• Two photographers
• Engagement photoshoot included
• 60 image leather-bound album -- 60 is on the lower side, but it works out fine for me since I am doing a primarily matted album (my next post will be on album styles!)
• CDs with all the negatives (full files) a year after the marriage (pretty standard)
• Six 8 x 10s included

My photographer has great attention to detail, superb editing skills, and his photos have amazing clarity. Look out for my engagement pictures once the leaves get pretty!!! :) :) Any suggestions for cool places in the DC area are welcome!

Other pictures by my photographer:

Oatlands Wedding 9/18

So yesterday Jon and I both went to check out another Oatlands wedding. It was actually really helpful, the person had some of the same colors as us! There was a very youthful feeling to the wedding, but it was also very mod -- they had black bridesmaid dresses and pink bouquets, which is kind of the same trend I am doing for my wedding (pewter dresses with black tulle rose sash and different shades of pink bouquet). There really is something about the neutral bridesmaid dress + colorful flowers idea that I just LOVE... little injections of color are a great way to keep a wedding uber formal and classy. Check out the pictures... you'll see that I am posting more from the gardens -- there is a reflecting pool and boxwood alley that I didn't showcase last time. Enjoy!

Down near the aisle

DZ turtles represent

My fiance!

In the boxwood alley

We'll do a photo walk down here during the cocktail hour

Really pretty reflecting pool at the end of the alley,

the aisle is right on the other side of the tea house (white arch)!

Down in the Rose Garden

Walking to the cocktail hour from the reflecting pool

This bride opted for a couple tables in the cocktail area

for older guests... I like this idea

Tables to mingle around... but with a ribbon (I also like :)

The open bar!

This is where the escort cards were (not set up yet)

the moss acts as an anchor to prevent the cards from flying away!

The bride's colors were pink, green, gold, and black!

What a DZ - ish wedding :)

This bride alternated between tall and short centerpieces.

I am doing all short centerpieces, but the tall ones are pretty glamorous!

Loose flowers on the tables

Seriously... was this girl a DZ?

Love her flowers!

Mine will be light pink, fuschia/bright pink, and burgundy

It was a square tent (last wedding was rectangular)

with a dance floor, looong rectangular table, then lots of circle tables near the entrance.

The bar was in the bottom right corner, with a sitting area (a must!).

Beautiful view of Loudoun County, VA!!

Oatlands greenery... cute little pine cones!

On the way out :)

SNEAK PREVIEW!! Oatlands Wedding 9/4

SO one of the catering companies I am considering actually let me come on site to Oatlands before a wedding and see them setting up! Both the catering companies I am looking into also provide the ceremony chairs, reception chairs, glassware, tableware, linens, food, etc. so it it's a really easy way for me to organize that all into one point of contact.

Check out these awesome pics I got... they really give a feel for how my wedding will unfold!

Welcome to Oatlands!

Entrance

The Tent (Reception location)

Table setting

Sweetheart table in front of the dance floor

Yellow rose bouquet

Hydrangea tall vase display

King tables (long, rectangular) on either side of the dance floor

My *favorite* picture!

Limo dropping off guests near the ceremony area

(Oatlands is like the Lawn in that it slopes down at three or four different points)

Ceremony entrance

Guests arriving (while Oatlands was still open!)

water and lemonade stand before the ceremony

The aisle

Pomander Ball aisle decor (I'm doing this type also)

Garden Tea House (musicians play here; near top of aisle)

Walking from the ceremony to the cocktail hour

The rest of the way up to the cocktail hour

Signs directing the way

Garden decorations, cocktail hour in the background

Garden cocktail hour

Tables for the guests to mingle around

Restrooms

Entrance to the mansion and tent from the gardens


Escort card table and entrance to the tent

Side view of Oatlands