Jane & Stephen
Jane and Stephen's ceremony at First Lutheran Church in Norfolk was beautiful. The couple exchanged personal notes prior to the ceremony. The reception followed at the fabulous Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Perfect settings, beautiful weather, wonderful couple! Many of the elements that added excitement to this event also complicated it. This weekend the oceanfront was teeming with activity from the Neptune Festival, host of the North American Sand Sculpting competition - 32 blocks of bands, food, art, and a parade to boot! **(Always check your date to see what events are ocurring). When the couple took photos on the beach they were treated like rock stars! 
Immediately after contracting with the couple we designed a wedding website with a beach theme to coordinate with their save the date cards. There we provided information on the couple, ceremony and reception, hotels, and transportation. Jane & Stephen's guests were given a choice of 5 hotels as well as shuttle information and driving directions. We delivered Italian cookies from the groom's parents to welcome guests at check-in.
There was plenty to see and enjoy but the parade and resulting street closings kept us all on our toes. The couple, wanted to make things as easy as possible for their guests and provided transportation for the entire weekend. Fortunately Tom Johnson, Director of Catering, at the Hilton was on his game as usual. Tom used his connections at FestEvents to keep us up to date on best routes for the buses, gave access to special parking areas for loading and unloading, and personally walked a block to escort the groom's limo. We all stayed in constant contact with the shuttles and one another. My assistant, Stephanie, was onsite to assist vendors with load-in and setup and any issues that might arise. We scheduled spa appointments and pickups as much as possible around street closings and it all went smoothly.
Guests were treated to excellent food, beautiful decor, and music by the band Butter. We designed a setting of gold chiavari ballroom chairs with burgundy cushions, our burgundy beaded runners, and gold chargers and napkin tassels from the Hilton. It was all crowned with amazing florals from Helga Macko Flowers and soft uplighting. I can't wait for the professional photos! But here is one of mine.
The gold-wrapped chocolate seashell favors were from Schakolad and were presented in clear boxes that we tied them with personalized burgundy ribbon. Sweets were in abundance - sorbet, marble cake with fresh strawberries, and a Viennese table - YUM!
To top off the evening, guests enjoyed fireworks from the hotel's oceanfront balcony outside the ballroom!