Seven Ways to Wow Your Guests

12-18 Months

Determine the style of wedding you want – formal, semi-formal or casual

Decide how many guests you will be inviting before getting your heart set on a venue. The Estate at Independence can accommodate 300!

Start scheduling visits to wedding venues Interview & choose a wedding coordinator Figure out your budget & discuss who will be helping with which expenses Nail down your reception venue *As soon as the venue is booked, get wedding insurance. If the venue was to burn down or be inaccessible, the couple would be covered.

Choose your wedding party

10-12 Months

Choose & book a ceremony venue if separate from your reception location

Set up tastings with caterers unless you have a full service venue like The Estate at Independence with a highly experienced culinary staff.

Start working with your coordinator on the wedding day timeline

Schedule appointments with bridal salons Choose wedding party attire Interview & choose a photographer Find the perfect florist Schedule your engagement photo session Peruse the portfolios of videographers & find the right person to document your day on video Find an officiant & meet with him or her to talk about ceremony details Talk with your officiant about pre-marital coaching Make sure your visas & passports are up to date Nail down your caterer Interview & choose DJ and/or Band

Hire a hair and makeup artist or team Send out your Save the Date cards

6-9 Months

Set up cake tastings

Determine the order of the ceremony events. The Estate at Independence’s in-house coordinator will help you through this.

Create a wedding website

4-6 Months

Consult with a professional lighting company Select ceremony musicians Meet with your DJ about music for your wedding dinner & reception Consult your travel agent about honeymoon plans Schedule fittings for men’s formalwear Talk with a stationer about invitations, programs & other paper goods Pick & reserve your perfect honeymoon destination Shop for your wedding bands Set up your wedding registry at your favorite stores or set up an online honeymoon fund Reserve wedding day transportation Carefully choose & reserve rental items Visit the Planning Tools page on RichmondWeddings.com to find our free downloadable Rental Return Checklist! Finalize floral design Order your wedding cake & if you’re a traditional Southern bride, order the groom’s cake Reserve hotel room blocks for guests Send local activity information to guests Make sure you have all of your travel immunizations Keep up with your gown fittings Consider dance lessons

Set up an outing for your future spouse. The Estate at Independence offers golf, laser tag, zip lines and more!

If you are planning on coloring your hair, schedule the appointment now. This will give you time to color correct if you don't like it

2-4 Months

Send a wedding announcement to your local newspaper with a photo Arrange professional addressing of invitations

Select gifts for the bridal party and each other. This service is included with your package at The Estate at Independence.

Schedule hair & makeup trial Make sure your bridesmaids have chosen the right shoes Schedule final gown and men’s formalwear fittings Make rehearsal dinner reservations

Consider planning a welcome party if you are having a lot of out of town guests Schedule your bridal portrait session Order favors or forgo favors & make a charitable donation on your guests’ behalf Provide planner with welcome baskets for out-of-town guests Think about adding late night snacks to your menu Mail out formal invitations

1-2 Months

Make sure all written contracts with vendors are in place

Go to your final gown fitting & be sure that your mom or Maid of Honor learns to bustle your dress. Or relax knowing the coordinator at The Estate at Independence will handle this!

Plan bridesmaid outing Confirm honeymoon reservations & be sure that your luggage meets current travel regulations. Record gifts as your receive them and write thank you notes Invite wedding party & out-of-town guests to rehearsal dinner

Review your reception seating chart Get wedding license – it can be obtained from any courthouse in Virginia

2-4 Weeks

Make it official – secure marriage license Confirm wedding rehearsal time and address with participating parties Confirm transportation and arrival times Confirm hotel room blocks

Arrange to professionally clean & preserve your gown after the wedding Write or choose your wedding vows

Finalize your wedding timeline and make sure a copy goes to all vendors. Another included service with The Estate at Independence!

1-2 Weeks

Pick up wedding bands. Be sure to check sizes & engravings Get your engagement ring cleaned so that it sparkles on your wedding day

Have final consultations with vendors. The Estate at Independence’s team will take care of confirmations and timing.

Send final guest count to caterer & venues Remind your future spouse and their wedding party members to pick up their attire Stock your bridal emergency kit Write vows/speeches Get excited! Your big day is almost here!

After the Wedding

Ensure formalwear is returned

Review your vendors on RichmondWeddings.com Preserve your dress Write thank you notes

ALTERATIONS

Inspired by the Dress 350 Valley Street Scottsville, VA 24509 (804) 513-9165 Ad page 85

Tiffanys Bridal Ridge Shopping Center 1517-D North Parham Road Henrico, VA 23229 (804) 273-6303 Ad inside back cover

BACHELORETTE PARTIES

Buddy’s 600 North Sheppart Street Richmond, VA 23221 (804) 355-3701 Ad page 45

Steam Bell Beer Works 1717 Oak Lake Boulevard Midlothian, VA 23112 (804) 728-1876 Ad page 41

Taylor’s Classic Travels (804) 767-6387 Ad page 134

Cosmetic and Laser Dental Spa of Richmond Sarah C. Wilmer, DDS 27 Briggs Drive Manakin- Sabot, VA 23103 (804) 784-2386 Ad page 5

Island Glow Tanning & Beauty 306 North Main Street Farmville, VA 23901 (434) 603-0703 Ad page 123

Island Glow Tanning & Beauty 3820 Courthouse Tavern Lane Powhatan, VA 23139 (804) 501-6222 Ad page 123 Island Glow Tanning & Beauty 14734 Village Square Place Midlothian, VA 23112 (804) 399-2675 Ad page 123

Tialma Moirai Day Spa 8413 Patterson Avenue Suite A Richmond, VA 23229 (804) 533-6926 Ad page 123

BRIDAL REGISTRIES

Dillard’s Short Pump Town Center (804) 253-0182 Stony Point Fashion Park (804) 253-1860

BRIDESMAID DRESSES

Inspired by the Dress 350 Valley Street Scottsville, VA 24509 (804) 513-9165 Ad page 85

Tiffanys Bridal Ridge Shopping Center 1517-D North Parham Road Henrico, VA 23229 (804) 273-6303 Ad inside back cover

CALLIGRAPHY

Papeterie 3048 Stony Point Road Richmond, VA 23235 Appointment recommended (804) 560-7955 Ad page 119

Papeterie 107 West Broad Street Richmond, VA 23220 By appointment only (804) 560-7955 Ad page 119

CATERERS

A Sharper Palate Catering & Events 5511 Lakeside Avenue Richmond, VA 23228 (804) 553-0495 Ad page 71 Atlas 42 4032 Cox Road - Suite A Glen Allen, VA 23060 (804) 965-0420 Ad page 42

Cater 2 Events 8534 Patterson Avenue Richmond, VA 23229 (804) 269-0359 Ad page 73

Deep Run Roadhouse Catering 12379 Gayton Road Richmond, VA 23238 (804) 740-6301 Ad page 73

The Place at Innsbrook 4036-C Cox Road Glen Allen, VA 23060 (804) 346-2100 Ad page 60

Roma Ristorante Italiano 7240 Bell Creek Road Mechanicsville, VA 23111 (804) 559-9200 Ad page 73

Tarrant’s West 11129 Three Chopt Road Richmond, VA 23233 (804) 205-9009 Ad page 61

CEREMONY MUSIC

Lyric String Quartet (804) 233-1642 Ad page 107

CHURCHES

Henricus Historical Park 251 Henricus Park Road Chester, VA 23836 (804) 748-1611 Ad page 62

St. Joseph’s Villa 8000 Brook Road Richmond, VA 23227 (804) 553-3215 Ad page 62

Tiny Chapel Weddings Richmond, VA (804) 396-4245 Ad page 62 Unity of Bon Air 923 Buford Road Richmond, VA 23235 (804) 320-5584 Ad page 62

Waverly Estate 11586 Courthouse Road Lunenburg, VA 23952 (434) 321-4032 Ad page 36

CUSTOM ATTIRE

Inspired by the Dress 350 Valley Street Scottsville, VA 24509 (804) 513-9165 Ad page 85

DISC JOCKEYS

Bow Tied Weddings BowTiedWeddings.com Ad page 107

EVENT STAFFING

The Coordinated Event (804) 344-0011 Ad page 16

FAVORS & GIFTS

The Candy Lady Richmond, VA (804) 399-0516 Ad page 17

Crown Trophy 8111 Staples Mill Road Richmond, VA 23228 (804) 262-1000 Ad page 17

Flowers Make Scents 1272 Alverser Plaza Midlothian, VA 23113 (804) 897-6100 Ad page 103

King of Pops (804) 350-4400 Ad page 17

Northern Neck Popcorn Bag 41 South Main Street Kilmarnock, VA 22482 (804) 577-4200 Ad page 17 Northern Neck Popcorn Bag 6620 Main Street Gloucester, VA 23061 (804) 210-1511 Ad page 17

Northern Neck Popcorn Bag 132 Main Street Warsaw, VA 22520 (804) 250-2299 Ad page 17

Papeterie 3048 Stony Point Road Richmond, VA 23235 Appointment recommended (804) 560-7955 Ad page 119

Papeterie 107 West Broad Street Richmond, VA 23220 By appointment only (804) 560-7955 Ad page 119

FLOWERS

Blooms at The Jefferson 101 West Franklin Street Richmond, VA 23220 (804) 649-4676 Ad page 3

Designs by Victoria Floral 2801-A Hathaway Road Richmond, VA 23225 (804) 560-7700 Ad page 102

Flowers Make Scents 1272 Alverser Plaza Midlothian, VA 23113 (804) 897-6100 Ad page 103

Vogue Flowers 1114 North Boulevard Richmond, VA 23230 (804) 353-9600 Ad page 100

GOWN PRESERVATION

Puritan Cleaners 13 Locations to Serve You (804) 355-5726 Ad page 82

Tiffanys Bridal Ridge Shopping Center 1517 North Parham Road Henrico, VA 23229 (804) 273-6303 Ad inside back cover

HAIR & MAKEUP

Amanda M Perry (804) 510-6720 Ad page 122

Island Glow Tanning & Beauty 306 North Main Street Farmville, VA 23901 (434) 603-0703 Ad page 123

Island Glow Tanning & Beauty 3820 Courthouse Tavern Lane Powhatan, VA 23139 (804) 501-6222 Ad page 123

Island Glow Tanning & Beauty 14734 Village Square Place Midlothian, VA 23112 (804) 399-2675 Ad page 123

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Cosmetic and Laser Dental Spa of Richmond Sarah C. Wilmer, DDS 27 Briggs Drive Manakin- Sabot, VA 23103 (804) 784-2386 Ad page 5

Relationship Foundation of Virginia 2101 Maywill Street Richmond, VA 23230 (804) 288-3431 Ad page 123

Tialma Moirai Day Spa 8413 Patterson Avenue Suite A Richmond, VA 23229 (804) 533-6926 Ad page 123

HONEYMOON & TRAVEL

Journeys, Inc. (804) 288-0188 Ad page 133

Ruth Stirling Travel (804) 746-1838 Ad page 132

HOTELS

Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Innsbrook 4050 Cox Road Glen Allen, VA 23060 (804) 521-2900 Ad page 58

Hilton Richmond Downtown 501 East Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 (804) 344-4300 Ad page 55

The Jefferson Hotel 101 West Franklin Street Richmond, VA 23220 (866) 247-2305 Ad page 3

Linden Row Inn 100 East Franklin Street Richmond, VA 23219 sales@lindenrowinn.com Ad page 43

Marriott Richmond Short Pump 4240 Dominion Boulevard Glen Allen, VA 23060 (804) 965-9500 Ad page 58

Omni Hotels and Resorts 100 South 12th Street Richmond, VA 23219 OmniHotels.com/Richmond Ad page 58

Richmond Marriott Downtown 500 East Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 (804) 343-6905 Ad page 59

INVITATIONS & PAPER GOODS

Papeterie 3048 Stony Point Road Richmond, VA 23235 Appointment recommended (804) 560-7955 Ad page 119

Papeterie 107 West Broad Street Richmond, VA 23220 By appointment only (804) 560-7955 Ad page 119

JEWELRY

Diamonds Direct - Short Pump 11131 West Broad Street Glen Allen, VA 23060 (804) 967-0500 Ad back cover

LIGHTING DESIGN

The Lighting & Sound Company 4208 Sarellen Road Henrico, VA 23231 (804) 893-5066 ext. 1 Ad page 81

LUXURY RESTROOM TRAILERS

Ashland Posh Potties (804) 519-2555 Ad page 78

Edmunds Waste Removal (804) 478-4688 Ad page 80

Silver Stagecoach 11479 Fox Cross Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 807-4720 Ad page 78

MOTHER’S APPAREL

Inspired by the Dress 350 Valley Street Scottsville, VA 24509 (804) 513-9165 Ad page 85

Tiffanys Bridal Ridge Shopping Center 1517 North Parham Road Henrico, VA 23229 (804) 273-6303 Ad inside back cover

OFFICIANTS

Tiny Chapel Weddings (804) 396-4245 Ad page 62

PHOTO BOOTHS

Social Party Booth (804) 402-7397 Ad page 80