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A LOOK BACK Remembering some of the best and worst moments of 2021 By Chad Anderson, Rich Griset, Jessica Ronky Haddad and Eileen Mellon | Illustration by Jamie Douglas
HIGHS
A site for flu shots in the past, Richmond Raceway took things to the next level in January, serving as a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for thousands of people each day, sometimes featuring performances by musicians from the Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra. The site, which had administered its 100,000th shot by early April, closed on May 27, as the state shifted its strategy toward more targeted efforts. In October, Richmond Raceway rejoined the fight against COVID, offering booster shots alongside the standard course of vaccines.
REPUBLICAN REPRIMAND
State Sen. Amanda Chase, a Republican legislator who calls herself “Trump in heels,” was reprimanded by colleagues and her party for her comments about the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol. After calling those rioters “patriots” and repeating Trump’s false claims of a fraudulent presidential election, Chase was censured by the Virginia Senate, and Republican leaders removed her from committee assignments. She later lost her bid to become the Republican candidate for governor to Glenn Youngkin. This likely won’t be the last we’ll hear from her.
SENTENCED TO LIFE
On March 24, Gov. Ralph Northam signed a bill abolishing the death penalty in the commonwealth, 28
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making Virginia the 23rd state — and the first Southern state — to do so. Following decades of efforts by activists, it’s hard to cite one particular deciding factor, but Democratic control of the General Assembly combined with a national reckoning around racial injustice following George Floyd’s 2020 murder at the hands of police certainly contributed.
WALK RIGHT IN, SIT RIGHT DOWN
As anyone navigating the DMV’s online system for scheduling appointments over the course of the pandemic can attest, the announcement that they would reopen for walk-in service on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays starting on Oct. 5 was welcome news. (Appointments were set to continue on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.) Sometimes you need a human being to help solve your problem, and once you get to the window, DMV employees do their best.
HOLLYWOOD HEROINES
2021 was a year of stardom for three local culinary leaders who appeared on major television networks. In April, Keya Wingfield (left) of namesake Keya & Co. earned the top spot on Food Network’s “Spring Baking Championship.” That same month, Richmonders tuned in to cheer on Brittanny Anderson, the chef-owner of Black Lodge, Brenner Pass, and Metzger Bar & Butchery, during Bravo’s “Top
Chef” season 18. And in the fall, Ruby Scoops and Suzy Sno owner Rabia Kamara was deemed the dairy queen of Food Network’s first-ever “Clash of the Cones.”
DUE RECOGNITION
It’s rare that achievement is recognized in its time, but the Pulitzer Prizes got it right with this one. Since 1992, Richmond Times-Dispatch columnist Michael Paul Williams (right) has used every writerly tool at his disposal to push Richmond toward a better tomorrow. Fearless in tackling tough topics and taking on powerful people, Williams is a vital voice as Richmond shapes its identity. His columns about the removal of our Confederate monuments will be read for decades to come. We’re lucky to have him.
LIGHT IT UP
On July 1, recreational marijuana use became legal for those 21 and older in Virginia, but the regulations surrounding legal pot have many dazed and confused. Unless you have a medical marijuana prescription, there is no legal way
to buy it. You can grow up to four plants per household, but you cannot purchase seeds. Perhaps that’s why a free seed giveaway at a Short Pump CBD store was temporarily suspended when hundreds showed up. It’s also illegal to smoke in public — but unless the local skunk population has exploded, our noses tell us that many are toking on city sidewalks.
LATER, LEE!
It was the day they finally drove old Dixie down. More than a year since protesters began marching in response to George Floyd’s murder — and after activists and the city separately took down most of Richmond’s other Confederate monuments — the massive stateowned statue honoring Robert E. Lee was finally removed from its graffiti-covered pedestal on Sept. 8. While the future of the pedestal remains unclear, many would like for it to remain as a reminder of Richmond’s most historic year since 1865. It’s our own Berlin Wall: a symbol of oppression that has been reinvented by those it once oppressed.
FROM LEFT: COURTESY FOOD NETWORK; ZAID HAMID; JASON SMITH
THE RACE AGAINST COVID
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COURTESY MARYLAND CENTER FOR HISTORY AND CULTURE
“View of North Front of Belvidere, Richmond,” a watercolor painting of William Byrd III’s Richmond residence on a bluff above the James, by Benjamin Henry Latrobe
moved Byrd to resign his command in September 1761. Elizabeth Carter Byrd remained at Belvidere, kept company by the roar of the James River and her servants and slaves. She wrote to her absent husband, “I am afraid my youth & life will be buried in retirement and dissatisfaction.” In August 1756, John Kirkpatrick gossiped by letter to George Washington that Byrd had “repudiated his wife who is now in Delirium for his Behaviour, and is Resolved to make a campaign under Lord Loudoun [John Campbell, the fourth Earl of Loudoun, for whom the county is named, the commander of Virginia forces in the French and Indian War] … with a design never to return to Virginia.” On July 25, 1760, Elizabeth Byrd died. The circumstances are murky. Though the general verdict was suicide, some lore maintains that at Belvidere, she clambered onto a highboy to retrieve letters sent by her husband’s mistresses, and the heavy furniture toppled and crushed her. Byrd’s “friends” included Peyton and Peter Randolph; Charles Turnbull, a Petersburg merchant; and Byrd’s brothersin-law, Charles Carter and John Page. By 1767, they sold for Byrd some £40,000 in both land and slaves. The amount totaled a great sum unconvertible into current currency, but Byrd’s ballooning debts eclipsed the money’s value. While quartered for the winter of 1760 in Philadelphia, WB3 met Mary Willing, a daughter of the former mayor. They wed on Jan. 29, 1761, moving the next year to Westover. The couple sired four sons and six daughters. Byrd became embroiled in a 1766 scandal when an audit revealed that the recently deceased John Robinson, speaker of the House of Burgesses and treasurer of Virginia, lent from public coffers more than £100,000 to financially straitened friends. Byrd received £14,921 — the most of any of them. WB3, and/or his trust, in 1768 hit upon
the not unusual Colonial idea of a lottery. The prizes included businesses and river islands, as well as lots in Richmond and Rocky Ridge, what is today Old Manchester. Tracts of 100 acres each spread to most of today’s North Side, Near West End and Fan District and along the river out to the present Three Chopt Road. Ticket sales in Virginia and England were to raise £50,000 from 839 “fortunate adventurers,” as publicity designated the winners. The plan tanked. As Drew St. J. Carneal wrote in his “Richmond’s Fan District,” “Many of the fortunate adventurers, particularly those who had won less valuable prizes, did not come forward promptly to claim and record their deeds.” The lottery didn’t alter Richmond immediately, though more than a century of control by the Byrd family of operations along the James ended. “Byrd sold additional lands, mortgaged slaves and all of the Westover silver,” describes Emory G. Evans in the Encyclopedia Virginia, “and finally sold for £15,500 the English estate that he had inherited from his mother. Even these efforts did not cover his debts, some of which burdened the Byrd estate well into the nineteenth century.” Evans recounts mounting problems as two of Byrd’s sons “ran amok at the College of William and Mary, destroyed property, and threatened the institution’s president; and the death of his mother in 1771 left him owing £5,000 to his children by his first wife.” Then came the Revolution. Byrd wrote
of having little sympathy for the “frantick patriotism” of many Virginia leaders and counseled moderation and remaining loyal to the crown. In his July 16, 1774, will, Byrd laid out plans for disposing of what remained of an estate that “thro’ my own folly and inattention to accounts the carelessness of some intrusted with the management thereof and the vilany of others, is still greatly incumbered with Debts which imbitters every moment of my Life.” The next year, Byrd offered his military services to the crown, while his son Francis Otway Byrd joined the Revolution on the Colonists’ side. Then in November 1775, John Murray, royal governor and the fourth earl of Dunmore, issued a proclamation declaring martial law and offering freedom to indentured servants and slaves who rallied to the British cause. This went too far for Byrd, who then sought a major generalcy in the Continental Army. No response came. Deprived of his reputation and most of his family fortune, and without political power in Virginia, the 48-year-old took his life at Westover on Jan. 1 or 2, 1777. He wanted burial at old Westover Church, but his grave is unmarked. Belvidere, for years an abused rental property, burned in 1857. Following the 1814 death of WB3’s widow, Westover passed from Byrd hands. Privately owned today, the gardens and grounds are open daily, with interior tours scheduled by appointment. R
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FROM HIS FULTON HILL STUDIO, ACADEMY AWARD-NOMINATED PRODUCTION DESIGNER DAVID CRANK CONCEIVES AND BUILDS SETS FOR FILM AND TELEVISION THAT TRANSPORT VIEWERS TO ANOTHER PLACE AND TIME By Harry Kollatz Jr. Portrait by Zaid Hamid RICHMONDMAG.COM
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One person can make a difference.” “I’m a storyteller,” Crank says about his approach to designing for the camera’s eye. “Before I begin a project, I sit down with the director and ask, ‘Why are you making this film?’ ” Many of his major projects have involved directors who also wrote the scripts. “And they can talk for hours,” he says. “And I love that.”
FURNISHINGS OF HISTORY
Crank can’t pinpoint where his interest in building sets started. His older sister enjoyed theater, especially musicals, which she pursued into high school. His family owned Henrico Furniture Co., but he took little inspiration from room arrangements. “No, I was dusting them,” he says, laughing. “That didn’t hold much creative allure for me.” As a youngster, Crank traveled with the family to Colonial Williamsburg, where he was fascinated by the Craft House, a home decor store in a place that looked like a residence. “They had little rooms set up; I vividly remember that,” he recalls. “I was the only fourth grader who liked going to the Craft House. “I wanted to be the president of Colonial Williamsburg,” he adds, chuckling, “until my mother said, ‘You know, he’s just a businessman.’ That didn’t really sound so interesting.” As a kid, he liked drawing Native Americans, which foreshadowed his later career designing the look of both “The New World” and “News of the World,” each of which feature depictions of Indigenous people. He gravitated toward theater at Manchester High School and interned at Dogwood Dell, where he spent two seasons working on various aspects of theater production. He recalls how his mother asked him what he wanted to do in the future, and he expressed his interest in theater. She told him that whatever he
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ichmond-based producfeaturing Ewan McGregor, Ethan Hawke, tion designer and art Maribel Verdú and Oscar nominee director David Crank Sophie Okonedo. first built a model of Jamestown Fort His career has taken him to Uganda, from Popsicle sticks for a fourth-grade England and Italy, among other locations, but “Ray and Raymond” is being school project at Crestwood Elementary filmed within blocks of the Fulton Hill in Chesterfield County. Fast-forward to 2005, and as art director for Terrence studio where he’s made his art for about Malick’s film “The New World,” he 15 years, a tidy retreat adorned by his charcoal drawings of birds, along with designed a set for the haphazard frontier portraits and a wall of postcards gathvillage that the production crew constructed from real mud and sticks. ered from museums. But there’s little Among the set pieces brought into evidence of Crank’s past two decades spent creating the looks of major film being through Crank’s handiwork are the productions. Braintree, Massachusetts, farmstead in “He’s built such an esteemed career,” the 2008 miniseries “John Adams,” the says Andy Edmonds, director of the Virmurderous bowling alley of 2007’s “There Will Be Blood,”’ the blade-festooned chair ginia Film Office, who has known Crank of the 2019 mystery “Knives Out,” and the since 1998, when he was working on the pre-Civil War horse-country drama weathered 19th-century Texas towns fea“Legacy.” “And when you have someone tured in the 2020 film “News of the World,” of David’s caliber who stays local to our where his meticulous design, down to the film’s re-created newspapers, earned him home state or city, this becomes a signifan Academy Award nomination. icant asset, especially in the decision Crank’s latest project is chain for a given production. For his graduate thesis in the Apple TV+ feature film “Directors accept someone theater design at Carnegie Mellon University, Crank “Ray and Raymond,” directed of his stature in the business, created this scale model of a by Rodrigo García (“In Treatand they look at making their stage set for “Candide” at Richmond’s Empire Theatre. ment,” “Albert Nobbs”) and shows here because of him.
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tors photographed the huge canvas one early morning, and a graphic designer stitched the pictures together. The faces in the reproduced Trumbull needed to resemble the miniseries’ key players. Amid the prominent central group were a few delegates who had not appeared on screen. “The other art director and I were without beards, so we’re the ones standing between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson,” Crank says. He showed the finished product to his mother. “Recognize anybody?” he asked. She didn’t see anyone familiar until Crank pointed himself out. His mother shrugged, “Eh, could be.” Which still makes her son laugh. In 2008, “John Adams” received 23 Emmy nominations, winning 13, including Outstanding Art Direction. For years, HBO displayed the madeover Trumbull painting in its offices.
“THESE PROJECTS ALLOW FOR AN OPENING INTO A WORLD YOU DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT. THEN YOU GET TO SPEND SIX MONTHS IN IT, AND THEN YOU LEAVE. IT’S KIND OF PERFECT, REALLY.” —David Crank
park. This was where Lee and Grant signed the Confederate surrender document. The construction took a couple of weeks, for what amounted to less than a minute of screen time. For “Knives Out,” Crank was tasked with creating three painted portraits of the mystery writer at the story’s center. But 11 days before shooting began, that actor hadn’t yet been hired. “We put a green screen over it, and they had it done afterwards and inserted it,” Crank says with a hint of frustration. “And it was fine, but the idea we could get it done PORTRAITS, KNIVES without a cast member was a ridiculous AND TEXAS TOWNS Literally making something from nothexercise.” Christopher Plummer wound ing, often on small budgets of both time up playing the role. The script of “Knives Out” also and money, is in the production designfeatured a prosaic description of a er’s job description. “display of knives,” Crank says. He’d not Among Crank’s tasks as art director for Spielberg’s “Lincoln” was yet seen an episode of “Game of Crank worked on building a three-sided represenThrones,” although his friend the memorable display of knives Gemma Jackson designed the tation of Appomattox’s Wilmer (below) from 2019’s McLean House — in Maymont famous sword-bristling throne. “Knives Out.”
Director Rian Johnson speculated about the knife display, sending Crank and his staff to the workshop figuring he’d know it when he saw it. Johnson, three days prior to shooting, hit upon the concept of a “swarm of knives.” Someone found the front of a giant exhaust fan, and this gave shape to the resulting sculpture. “I don’t think originally that the thing had as much prominence in the script,” Crank says, “but they spent eight days in that room, and they used it plenty — and I’m glad they did.” When hired to work on Paul Greengrass’ “News of the World,” set in Texas a few years after the Civil War’s end, Crank went on a scouting mission for roughhewn Western locations. Several movie ranch towns are located near Santa Fe, New Mexico, including the Bonanza Creek Ranch, which has been used for films since 1955. It featured enough streets and angles. “News” filmed both interiors and exteriors there. “We really had to plan carefully how we approached it so when we entered the town, we didn’t see repeats of things,” Crank says. Crank’s work earned a 2020 Oscar nomination for production design. He learned of the recognition while watching “Good Morning America.” Navigating COVID-19 protocols, Crank flew out to sit on a designer panel via Zoom and attend the ceremony. “Sure, I would’ve liked to have won, but the great thing about it is that your peers choose you,” Crank says. “That’s a great feeling.” R
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Clinical depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the U.S. and the leading cause of disability. According to the American Psychiatric Association, 10.3 million adults in the U.S. had depressive episodes in 2016 that fit that description; just over 2 million people with mental health disorders were receiving federal Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, 14% of all beneficiaries. According to a recent Boston University study, 32.8% of U.S. adults experienced elevated depressive symptoms in 2021, compared to 27.8% of adults in the early months of the pandemic in 2020 and 8.5% before the pandemic. It’s important to distinguish between temporary “blues” — which a lot of people experience during the holidays — and clinical depression, which can be the source of a variety of emotional and physical problems. Richmond psychiatrist James E. Sellman has been treating children and adults since 1978. “You’re the head of your health care,” he says. “It’s up to you to implement your care.” He advises looking at the triggers — things that cause anxiety and depression during the holidays — so you can work with and around them. Becoming more aware of our behavior and thoughts is what he termed “the philosophical intervention” involved in cognitive behavioral therapy, which enables clinical psychologists and psychiatrists to help individuals without medication. “Antidepressants are often more of a problem than a solution,” Sellman says, “and sometimes they’re handed out like candy. Sure, I prescribe antipsychotic drugs when they’re required — but so many people don’t need heavy-duty drugs. That’s why it’s important first to teach patients [cognitive behavioral therapy], so they stop believing what they think. I know that phrase sounds strange, but we have to alter people’s negative thoughts so they learn to think and act differently, more positively.” Popular literature sometimes refers to this treatment as “talk therapy.” Jacobs says psychotherapy involves “conversation as an empowering experience that is effective over time. A therapist helps you make positive changes in your thoughts and behavior.” Sellman also suggests checking online resources offered by NAMI. “Anxiety and depression are highly individual,” he says. “Journaling might be very helpful to one person and not at all for another.” In terms of medication for depression and anxiety, Sellman says, “There’s been a huge improvement in drugs since
Prozac was first used in 1986.” He praises the “new ketamine series, which has been shown to have low toxicity and works by blocking a chemical that creates depression through promoting inflammation of cells.” The following tips from Sellman, Jacobs and other mental health professionals can help us deal with negative feelings if they arise during the holidays:
Acknowledge your feelings.
We need to pay attention to ourselves and our behavior so we can determine if our feelings go beyond “feeling down,” Sellman says. If they do, the first step is to acknowledge those feelings and see a professional for an evaluation; don’t let your holiday schedule interfere with a therapist or psychiatric appointment. When looking for a therapist, be aware of the differentkinds of professional help. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medications for mental health as well as provide non-drug therapy. Psychologists and licensed clinical social workers provide therapy but cannot write prescriptions. Sellman says his practice saw a 50% increase in referrals during 2020. He found himself doing Zoom appointments as late as 10 p.m., but he couldn’t bear not helping families with suicidal children as young as 8 to 12 years old. Suicidal behavior peaks after the holidays because “people are expecting to feel better, but once they’ve opened the gifts and consumed the wine, reality sets in,” he says. This is the best reason for acting now on anxieties so that we avoid being disappointed when “reality sets in.”
LEARNING TO SAY NO AND LOWERING EXPECTATIONS MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
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Practice self-care.
Sellman, who keeps a book of jokes in his office, agrees with Oscar Wilde’s quote, “Life is too important to be taken seriously,” but he offers some serious daily advice from a graduation speaker he heard years ago: “Get up and plan your goals for the day. Ask yourself, ‘What am I going to learn today? What did I learn yesterday to help me get through today?’ A spirit of curiosity helps us in self-care.” Jacobs agrees that the best way to maintain mental health during the holidays — in fact, at any time — is to practice good self-care. “If we determine our emotions are the annual holiday anxiety of ‘How will we ever get everything done?’ we need to stop and take a deep breath,” she says.
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| EX PERT |
Sentimental Stitches
SEAMSTRESS FARIBA AZIMI SHARES ADVICE FOR CUSTOM GOWNS AND ALTERATIONS By KIM CATLEY
FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS,
Fariba Azimi has been designing and making dresses and clothing. She got her start creating garments for herself and her family, and she worked professionally as a seamstress while living in Australia. When she relocated to Richmond in the early 2000s, Azimi shifted her focus almost exclusively to wedding dresses. She opened Fariba's Bridal Alterations & Custom Design (faribadesigns.com) in 2010, and the shop at 11000 Three Chopt Road, Suite B, now makes between nine and 15 wedding dresses every year. Her team of seven seamstresses works with brides, bridesmaids and parents on alterations for fit and customization. They can make garment modifications such as adding sleeves, opening up the back, adding lace and embellishments, or completely changing a skirt. Azimi offers more than dresses, though. Everything in the shop is handmade, including a selection of custom veils available for rental. The boutique also offers embroidery and monogramming, as well as accessories such as a coordinating winter coat. “Everything around the wedding dress,” Azimi says, “we do it.” The customization process is intimate, and Azimi and her staff spend hours with their brides, beginning months in advance. She says that has led to lifelong friendships with clients who continue to return. “Many of our customers, we see them get married, and then they come back and they're pregnant,” she says. “They come for a bridesmaid dress, and they come with their kid. Some brides, they bring part of their dress to make a christening or baptism gown for the baby. That’s really fun.” We caught up with Azimi to get her thoughts on going custom-made, having alterations done and what dress trends she’s currently seeing. 16
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Seamstress Fariba Azimi inside her West End custom design and alterations shop
RICHMOND BRIDE: When should someone consider having a custom dress made? FARIBA AZIMI: I always tell my customers, when they come to me to make the dress, if you are looking for something that you can find in the bridal shop, don't do a custom dress. It doesn’t make sense to pay to get the look of something that you find in a store. If you want a special fabric, a special color, or you cannot find your
size, then it’s worth it to come and pay two to three times more and make a dress from scratch. Or if they find it, but it is over $20,000, $25,000, then I can make it for less. RB: What are brides looking for when they bring a dress in for customization? AZIMI: Sentimental items, we have every year. Recently, a big part of our work is brides bring their mom's
or grandma’s dress. We either make a dress for their wedding day, or for the rehearsal or reception. [One recent bride brought in] her mom’s dress, but of course, it was an ’80s or ’70s [style]. Dresses [from those eras] are completely different. We use whatever is from the dress and then change it to today’s new styles. Another customer came at the end of 2019. She had
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| TR ENDS |
Roll up Your Sleeves DETACHED AND OFF-THE-SHOULDER ARM COVERINGS ARE HAVING A MOMENT By KENNEDY WILLIAMS
WEDDING FASHION FORECASTS are predicting a rise in aisle-ready ensembles featuring detached sleeves. Whether
part of the dress structure or separated from the body of the gown, these looks have been popping up on bridal fashion runways. Get inspired by these designer options found at local boutiques. Fun fact: The sleeves on these dresses are detachable, creating different looks in one outfit, so brides can easily alter their ensembles’ style from ceremony to reception.
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Mist gown by Watters with detachable puff sleeves and streamers, $2,395, at Annalise Bridal Boutique
Atarah gown from Platinum by Demetrios with detachable sleeves that transition to beaded strands, $3,700, at Lex’s of Carytown
Cruz gown by Sottero and Midgley with detachable lace puff sleeves, $2,500$3,000, at Urban Set Bride
Celeste gown by Justin Alexander, $1,300; English net cape add-on (creating an illusion sleeve), $520, both at Tiffanys Bridal
Aiden gown by Madi Lane with detachable sheer pearl-accented jacket, $1,950, at Annalise Bridal Boutique
Flora by Rebecca Ingram gown with detachable lace off-the-shoulder beaded cap sleeves, $1,000-$1,300, at Blue Sage Bridal
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Photos courtesy boutiques
11/15/21 10:26 AM
| CA LENDA R |
Wedding Events 12/9
Doves by Doron Paloma Trunk Show Scout for an engagement ring or find your wedding jewelry during the Doves by Doron Paloma trunk show at Lustre by Adolf. President and chief designer Doron Hakimian’s pieces incorporate 18-karat gold, diamonds and gemstones. He’s created designs for Michelle Obama, Jennifer Lopez and other luminaries. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 1539 N. Parham Road. 804285-3671 or havelustre.com.
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Alyssa Kristin Trunk Show This event at Annalise Bridal Boutique showcases new designs from the Alyssa Kristin collection. Appointment required. 1309 E. Main St. 804-649-3000 or annalisebridal.com.
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BrideMuse Collection Showcase Shop wedding guest and bridesmaid collections featuring sultry hues and luxurious fabrics — all under $300. Also, create your own bridal party gift boxes at the Mamie’s Apothecary Pop Up Shop. Appointment recommended. 3020 W. Cary St. 804-3555425 or lexsofcarytown.com.
Through 12/24
Lustre Holiday Sale Find pieces at up to 60% off during Lustre by Adolf’s holiday event. This is an opportunity to scope out an engagement ring or pick up a piece for your bridal
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UPCOMING PLANNING EXPOS AND TRUNK SHOWS | By NICOLE COHEN
ensemble. There will also be extended times to shop, as Lustre will be open Sundays during the holiday season. 1539 N. Parham Road. 804-2853671 or havelustre.com.
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Blue Willow by Anne Barge Trunk Show For couture dresses at a more moderate price point, check out the Blue Willow by Anne Barge designs at Annalise Bridal Boutique. Select gowns are 10% off during the event. Appointment required. 1309 E. Main St. 804-6493000 or annalisebridal.com.
1/9
Richmond Weddings Winter Show This event in the historic Main Street Station features more than 100 vendors and wedding professionals. Register online to receive tips and offers from exhibitors and a discount ticket purchase code. 12:30 to 4 p.m. (Doors open at 11 a.m. for early admission ticket holders.) 1500 E. Main St. $20 to $30. richmondweddings. com/wedding-show.
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WEDDING EXPERIENCE IN RICHMOND Have fun while you taste cakes, explore wedding trends, see inspirational design ideas and find your perfect look in the runway fashion show. This planning event will surprise you with what you can accomplish in one day. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. $15 (tickets available online). Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N. Third St. weddingexperience.com.
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Sherri Hill Bridal Trunk Show Couture evening-dress designer Sherri Hill now has a bridal collection. See the 2022 line during this Lex’s of Carytown event. Appointment recommended. 3020 W. Cary St. 804-3555425 or lexsofcarytown.com.
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La Femme Bridal Trunk Show Lex’s of Carytown is now
a retailer for La Femme’s bridal line. Each design is unique; all under $2,000. Appointment recommended. 3020 W. Cary St. 804-3555425 or lexsofcarytown.com.
2/27
The Richmond Greater Virginia Bridal Show Enjoy a meet-and-greet with wedding professionals, view
the designer fashion show presented by That’s My Dress Bridal and take part in multiple giveaway opportunities. 1 to 5 p.m. $10 (at the door only). Richmond Raceway Complex Old Dominion Expo Center, 600 E. Laburnum Ave. vabridemagazine.com/ richmond-bridal-showfebruary-27-2022. PLEASE CHECK INDIVIDUAL WEBSITES FOR EVENT UPDATES.
Courtesy Wedding Experience
11/15/21 10:04 AM
| PLA NNING |
VACCINES BEFORE VOWS THE PROS AND CONS OF REQUIRING COVID-19 VACCINATIONS FOR WEDDING GUESTS By KIM CATLEY
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hen planning their August 2021 wedding, Kamala Payne and Adrian Arango knew one decision was simple: requiring COVID-19 vaccines for everyone in attendance. Their reasons were varied. They live in a largely retired community and expected an older crowd at their wedding. Many of Arango’s family members and friends live overseas, and while most were ultimately unable to attend due to travel restrictions, the couple was prepared to receive guests who traveled internationally. But above all, Payne worried about her 94-year-old grandmother. “I didn’t want to put her at risk,” Payne says. “I don’t think I’d be able to live with myself. So we decided everyone would have to be vaccinated, and we put that on the invitation.” The Arangos are hardly alone. While 2020 was the year of wedding cancellations and postponements, many couples in 2021 and into 2022 have been turning to vaccine requirements. Colleen Cook, a wedding planner and the owner of CCS Events, has been organizing weddings under COVID-19 guidelines since Virginia lifted its gathering restrictions in July 2021. She’s helped couples implement a variety of safety protocols, from masks and livestreamed events to creative approaches like a drive-in wedding where the bride walked down an aisle surrounded by cars filled with loved ones. Cook says protocols change from one wedding to the next, with some couples also requiring negative test results or conducting temperature checks at the door. Since vaccines became widely available, she says approximately 70% of her clients have required them for attendance. And while she’s yet to work with a venue that requires vaccines, some ask couples to submit a final guest list with contact information for every attendee in case of an outbreak requiring contact tracing. “Every weekend, we have a different set of rules,” Cook says, “based on the venue, the bride and groom’s personal feelings, and the current mandates.”
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With so many changing variables, as well as reports of breakthrough infections, many might wonder if a vaccine requirement is an effective step. Dr. Michael Stevens, M.D., MPH, who’s the interim hospital epidemiologist for VCU Health and associate chair of VCU’s Division of Infectious Diseases, argues that they are. “Where there’s a lot of [infection] activity, it makes sense to take precautions to prevent spread at a wedding,” he says. “I’m sure nobody wants their special event to be marred by the idea that people were hurt.” Stevens says vaccines radically reduce infections. However, he adds, couples shouldn’t assume that vaccine requirements will eliminate all risk. The Delta variant showed that breakthrough infections are possible, and there may be attendees who cannot be vaccinated or who don’t respond to vaccines. For those reasons, Stevens says, it’s also important to follow other CDC guidelines, such as wearing masks indoors. While Stevens — and many couples — believe a vaccine requirement is a worthwhile step, wedding guests don’t always agree. That’s where a wedding planner can help. Lindsay Force, an event management specialist with The Hive Wedding Collective, helps couples determine their boundaries and then decide on the best path forward.
“I ask couples to think about the fallout [of a vaccine requirement] and if it’s worth it,” she says. “If it is, that’s OK. If it isn’t, then let’s try to think of a different way to approach it.” Clear yet inviting communication is crucial when alerting guests to a requirement. Cook recommends “flowery” language over a message suggesting that certain attendees aren’t welcome. “[I tell couples] to say, ‘Because we love and care about you,’ or, ‘Because we want to party safely with you, we’re requesting the following,’ ” Cook says. “You’re not saying, ‘Because you’re not vaxxed, you’re a jerk.’ ” Couples often rely on the honor system when confirming vaccination status. Some might include a message on the RSVP card asking attendees about their vaccination status and plans, and then follow up separately for a conversation. For her wedding, Payne texted her guests to confirm their status — a process she says took 15 minutes. A few people backed out because they hadn’t read the invitation or didn’t plan to get vaccinated, but there were no hard feelings. And her guests were able to relax and enjoy the day. “I think it made people more comfortable at the reception because they knew everyone was vaccinated,” she says.
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KATRINIA & MICHAEL
A Day to Remember JUNE 11, 2021 Photos by KIMIE JAMES/IYQ PHOTOGRAPHY
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ichmond natives Katrinia Robinson and Michael Harrison met online in 2015. Even though Katrinia was an hour late to their first date at Kitchen 64, Michael waited for her, and the two ended up talking until the restaurant closed. Surrounded by close family and friends, Michael proposed to Katrinia on his birthday in July 2020 at Bookbinder’s Seafood & Steakhouse. COVID-19 pandemic restrictions caused the couple to reschedule their November 2020 wedding for the following summer at the scenic Dominion Club in Glen Allen. “We loved that there was airflow between the indoor and outdoor spaces, so people could gather and still feel comfortable,” Katrinia says. Even though heavy rainfall forced them to move their outdoor ceremony inside, The Dominion Club staff transformed the rotunda to make it look like two separate rooms for the ceremony and reception. Guests enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner that included salmon, chicken, potatoes, asparagus, and truffle macaroni and cheese. His and hers cocktails were a cognac and lemonade for Michael and a mai tai for Katrinia. Their four-tier wedding cake had four different flavors: honey cake with vanilla buttercream icing, almond cake with honey buttercream and apricot filling, strawberry cake with vanilla buttercream and strawberry filling, and vanilla cake with strawberry buttercream and lemon filling. Michael’s favorite moment of the day was seeing his lovely bride for the first time as she walked down the aisle. “Everyone tells you that you’re going to cry, and I didn’t think I would,” he says. “But I did — everything they tell you is true. She just looked so beautiful.”
TAKE YOUR SEATS: The couple’s color scheme included burgundy, ivory, blush pink and gold. A last-minute change in plans left the pair without a wedding coordinator and florist two weeks before the wedding. Luckily, Shalonda Collier of Posh Parties and Bron Hansboro of The Flower Guy Bron were able to step in.
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CLOUD NINE: During the couple’s first dance to Luther Vandross’ version of “If This World Were Mine,” the groom lovingly sang the lyrics to his new bride. “We were floating on clouds,” Katrinia says.
(Opposite page) PRECIOUS MOMENT: The heavy rainfall cleared up just long enough for the couple to take photos outside. Michael’s custommade ivory tuxedo with burgundy trim is from 707 Fine Clothing. Katrinia’s gown, veil and accessories were purchased at Caryn’s Bridals in Farmville.
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COORDINATOR: Shalonda Collier, Posh Parties FLORIST: Bron Hansboro, The Flower Guy Bron CATERER: The Dominion Club CAKE: Pearl’s Bake Shoppe HAIR: Phenice Boykins MAKEUP: Erika Nixon-Lambert
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(Left, from top) LITTLE HELPERS: The maid of honor’s 2-year-old son, Trulon, approached the aisle carrying a sign reading “Here Comes the Bride." He was then accompanied by Michael’s nephew, who served as the ring bearer. TOP IT OFF: The couple’s bride and groom cake topper was purchased at Party City, while the Mr. & Mrs. decoration came from Amazon. Their four-tier cake from Pearl’s Bake Shoppe satisfied a variety of tastes with its four different flavors.
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ALL IN THE DETAILS: Katrinia chose a strapless Maggie Sottero ballgown in antique ivory with delicate beading and lace details. Her peep-toe kitten heels are from Dillard’s, and she carried a bouquet of pale pink roses from The Flower Guy Bron.
(Above, from top) THE ROYAL TREATMENT: Michael’s only request for the big day was to have king and queen chairs at the couple’s sweetheart table. “I figured he could at least have that,” Katrinia says, laughing.
READY FOR THE DAY: Michael’s Magnanni shoes were ordered through 707 Fine Clothing, as well as his burgundy pocket square, bow tie and personalized socks, which said, “Forever Harrison.” His cologne is by Creed, and the Adesso watch was a previous gift from Katrinia.
(Opposite page) LET US PRAY: One of Katrinia’s favorite moments from the day was when their officiant asked everyone to bow their heads and unite in prayer for the couple.
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BAILEY & KENZIE
A Flair for the Dramatic OCT. 13, 2019 Photos by SHAWNEE CUSTALOW
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fter meeting at work in 2015, Bailey Bodine and Kenzie Anderson bonded over their mutual love of animals (they each owned a cat). A year later, they moved in together and added a dog to their fur family, and in 2017, the pair became engaged after closing on a home in the East End’s Fulton neighborhood. The couple planned a casual autumn celebration at the historic Hofheimer Building in Scott’s Addition, which consisted of a rooftop ceremony and a lively reception in the building’s spacious loft. “We are very laid-back people, so we wanted to have a low-pressure wedding,” Kenzie says. Their minimalist yet sophisticated decor consisted of moody fall colors such as navy, burgundy and dark green, with whimsical DIY floral arrangements sourced from local farmers. The brides say that “good food and beer” were among their top wedding priorities. The evening’s menu consisted of comfort foods such as roast beef, macaroni and cheese, mixed vegetables, and vegetarian lasagna, along with a selection of local IPAs, lagers and sours. Guests enjoyed assorted Country Style Donuts and Pearl’s Bake Shoppe cupcakes for dessert, while the newlyweds dined on two cutting cakes made by a close friend, one chocolate with cream cheese frosting, the other a hummingbird cake. Bailey and Kenzie agree that their favorite moments from the day took place before the wedding. They had their first look at The Black Pine, an Oregon Hill row house and Airbnb getaway, followed by a spooky-themed photo session at Hollywood Cemetery featuring their dog, Fisher. “We were nervous to see each other, and then after our first look, those nerves started wearing away, especially when we were with our dog at the cemetery,” Bailey says. “We really started to relax and have fun.”
NATURE’S BOUNTY: Bailey’s DIY bouquet included dahlias, eucalyptus and scented geranium.
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STUNNING SPACE: The couple held their reception in The Hofheimer's loft, with minimalist decor accenting the space’s high ceilings, hardwood floors, rustic exposed-brick walls and industrial skylight.
(Opposite page) DRAMATIC SETTING: The Black Pine’s dreamy, Gothic-inspired style provided the couple with a perfect backdrop for their firstlook photos. Its black walls are decorated with a hand-painted mural by Naomi McCavitt.
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FLORALS: Prospect Hill Flower Farm and Hummingbird Gardens CATERER: The Hofheimer Building DESSERTS: Country Style Donuts and Pearl’s Bake Shoppe HAIR AND MAKEUP: Avenue 42 Salon
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(Opposite page) MOODY BLUES: Kenzie accented her navy Sumissura suit with a burgundy dahlia boutonniere.
(Clockwise, from top left) ALL SMILES: Kenzie’s parents accompanied her down the aisle during the couple’s rooftop ceremony.
ETHEREAL BEAUTY: While visiting her family in upstate New York, Bailey purchased her beaded silk Nicole Miller dress. “I thought it looked so timeless, and it reminded me of my grandmother’s wedding dress,” she says. She purchased her hairpiece and earrings on Etsy.
TYING THE KNOT: The couple’s officiant led the brides in a traditional handfasting ceremony that symbolizes the binding of two lives.
TILL DEATH DO US PART: Huge fans of all things Halloween, Bailey and Kenzie love how this spooky cemetery photo turned out. “We just happened upon [these tombs] and thought it was a cool photo spot,” Kenzie says.
DOG DAYS: The couple’s border collie, Fisher, joined them for photos at Hollywood Cemetery after their first look. One of the locations on the grounds where they snapped some images was in front of the Palmer Chapel Mausoleum.
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GARGEE & MANISH
A Nod to Tradition AUG. 23, 2020 Photos by HARSH Y. PATEL/BYHYP
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argee Patel and Manish Patel met through mutual friends in college. (They already had the same last name, Patel being the Indian equivalent of Smith or Brown in the U.S.) Manish, a student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, was supposed to tutor Gargee, who attended James Madison University, in physics, but it never happened. They became close friends who eventually began dating, and Manish proposed on Memorial Day 2019. Though the couple currently reside in Laurel, Maryland, they had their wedding in Richmond because Gargee was working there at the time and had family and friends in the area. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, they downsized their 550-person, traditional Indian extravaganza at the Main Street Station Train Shed to a 100-person celebration in the station’s Headhouse. “It was the venue we originally wanted, but we had too many people, so downsizing was a blessing in disguise,” Gargee says. Their big day included classic Hindu traditions, such as a lively dance procession for the groom’s entrance, called a Bharath; an intimate ceremony beneath an elaborate floral canopy, or mandap; and beautiful henna and mehndi body art, provided by Ava’s Mehndi. Guests dined on a buffet of Indian delicacies, including crispy fried spinach chaat with mango poppers. Their multitier cake from Pearl’s Bake Shoppe had three flavors: spiced chai, dark chocolate espresso and vanilla. The couple shared several unforgettable moments during their ceremony, but Manish says he most enjoyed the “lifting of the veil,” when the bride is revealed to the groom at the altar. “I couldn’t see her enter until she was right in front of me,” he says. “It was very dramatic and beautiful.”
SWORN TO PROTECT: Hindu tradition dictates that the groom carry a sword to symbolize his promise to protect his bride from harm. This prop sword and Manish’s traditional wedding attire were purchased from Kora in the Indian city Ahmedabad. The Citizen watch belonged to Manish’s grandfather, purchased when he first arrived in the U.S. in the 1980s.
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SACRED SPACE: The couple held their ceremony beneath a mandap, or wedding canopy, decorated with pink and white roses, carnations and hydrangeas accented with mixed greenery. The bride and groom sat in the center chairs while the bride’s parents, who were involved in the ceremony, sat on the side.
(Opposite page) WALK TALL: The bride and groom took photos on the grounds of the Virginia State Capitol after their first look. “It was a really special, private moment just for us,” Gargee says.
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COORDINATOR: Nishana Events FLORIST/DECORATOR: Elizabeth Walters, Liz Decorations CATERER: Rupa Vira’s The Signature CAKE: Pearl’s Bake Shoppe HAIR AND MAKEUP: Empowder by Amola Surya
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BLUSHING BRIDE: Gargee wore a traditional Indian wedding gown custom made by Kamakshi Designer Studio in the city of Ahmedabad, in western India. Her bangles were a gift from her parents, and her necklace and earrings were from her uncle. “Each piece was given to me by close family,” she says.
FAMILY MATTERS: During the ceremony, Gargee’s brother placed dried rice grains and flower petals into her hands to symbolize her family’s commitment to supporting the bride in her marriage.
A NEW CHAPTER: The newlyweds deviated from tradition by doing a sparkler exit. “Usually, the farewell ceremony is somber and emotional because the bride is leaving her family, so we wanted to do something happy and exciting instead,” Manish says.
HERE COMES THE GROOM: As part of the Bharath groom procession, Manish arrived at the ceremony riding in a convertible with his sister. “We played music and danced and had a good time,” he says.
ALL ABOUT OPTICS: The couple opted for the canopy to be held up by gold pillars with open shelving so guests could easily see the ceremony take place. The shelves were decorated with candles.
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SP EC I AL ADV E RT I SI N G SECTI O N
HISTORIC POLEGREEN CHURCH Add another chapter to your story at Historic Polegreen Church! The openair church offers a simplistic and serene environment for your wedding day. Prior to your ceremony you can use the Visitor's Center as a place to get ready. Then, following the ceremony, you can utilize our lawn space for your reception. The idyllic Church Site, rolling greens, and location, make Historic Polegreen Church a perfect slice of wedding bliss! Contact us at 804-7303837 or historicpolegreen.org.
THE JEFFERSON HOTEL Majestic event spaces, gracious service and delicious food and beverage have created memorable weddings at The Jefferson Hotel since 1895. A team of wedding and event experts will carefully and thoughtfully assist you with the smallest details to ensure all of your wedding wishes are fulfilled. In-house florist, artisan wedding cakes, personalized menu and discounted guest room rates are also available. Visit jefferson hotel.com for more information or call 804.649.4612 to schedule a consultation.
JOHN MARSHALL BALLROOMS The historic John Marshall Ballrooms offer an enchanting venue for wedding ceremonies and receptions in the heart of downtown Richmond. We have two stunning ballrooms restored to their original 1920s grandeur with vintage, crystal chandeliers, soaring ceilings and handcrafted moldings. Our elegant ballrooms are ready for you to transform with your own unique vision. We offer a complete customized wedding experience, including our exclusive catering, linens, tables, chairs, flatware, bone china and sparkling crystal. Call 804.775.2355 for more information about our gorgeous venue! jmballrooms.com
JOLENE FAMILY WINERY Unrivaled in its naturally inspired dreaminess, Jolene Family Winery overlooks endless views of century-old pine trees and the serenity of Tom Brooks Lake. Exchange vows in The Pines right along the water, followed by 70
cocktail hour in The Greenhouse. Seat up to 120 guests in The Barrel Room, the perfect indoor venue for your entertaining needs. With award-winning wine, gorgeous views, and the deeply felt love of gathering with family and friends, Jolene Family Winery offers a beautiful and meaningful location for one-of-a-kind weddings and events. jolenefamilywinery.com.
LINDEN ROW INN With its rich history of love and romance, Linden Row Inn offers an idyllic setting for weddings, receptions, elopements, bridal showers, and rehearsal dinners. Whether you are looking for a relaxing garden atmosphere in the heart of downtown Richmond, or a historic banquet space, the Linden Row Inn is the perfect venue for your event. Our intimate garden courtyard and versatile board room are ideal for events of up to 125 guests. For the convenience of your out-of-town guests, Linden Row Inn also offers 70 uniquely appointed guest rooms with modern amenities and historic touches. Special group rates available. Visit lindenrowinn.com.
will last a lifetime. Wedding ceremony sites include the flower-filled Italian Garden and tranquil Japanese Garden which have made it Richmond’s “best outdoor wedding site,” and indoor rooms and outdoor tented spaces are available for receptions. A horse-drawn carriage ride adds a unique touch to the occasion. Maymont also is a great location for rehearsal dinners, bridal portraits, and creative custom engagement packages. Discover this urban oasis located just five minutes from downtown Richmond. 804-358-7167. Email rentals@maymont.org or visit maymont.org, facebook.com/maymont or twitter.com/maymont.
THE MONTPELIER CENTER The Montpelier Center for Arts & Education offers western Hanover’s most unique wedding venue for parties up to 200. Indoor options include the lightfilled atrium ballroom in our charming, nearly 100-year-old restored schoolhouse. Our beautifully landscaped village green is a truly magnificent setting for an outdoor event. Visit montpeliercenter.org. Call 804-883- 7378 or email info@montpeliercenter.org for more information.
MANOR HOUSE AT KINGS CHARTER
THE OMNI HOMESTEAD RESORT
2019 Couples Choice Award. 2020 Best of Weddings-TheKnot.com. Kick up your heels in the classically decorated ballroom, enjoy cocktails amidst the manicured lawn and formal gardens. Surround yourself with a lush array of blooms while you exchange vows in several garden ceremony sites. Delight on delicacies from the caterer of your choice! You choose the time of day, ceremony location, and caterer. Then relax while our outstanding on-site coordination services assist you in creating your enchanting day at The Manor House at Kings Charter. We have one great event per day, make it yours! TheManorHouseVa. com or 804.550.0020.
Once-in-a-lifetime events should happen in a spectacular setting and weddings at The Omni Homestead Resort do. The timeless elegance of this iconic resort is rivaled only by the Southern hospitality and attention to detail with which each event is approached. From the exquisite Crystal ballroom and sweeping grandeur of the Casino Lawn to the intimate and historic Tower Suite and rustic elegance of the Shooting Club, each venue creates an inspiring setting for your special day. Make your wedding even more memorable by incorporating the magnificentspa, award-winning golf courses, and dozens of other recreational amenities. From our talented chefs to our dedicated wedding team, The Omni Homestead family is at your service. TheOmniHomestead.com
MAYMONT From an intimate proposal to a gorgeous garden ceremony and every special moment in between, Maymont is the perfect setting for memories that
THE RENAISSANCE Coined as “Richmond’s best kept secret,” The Renaissance is one of Richmond’s
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