by Guest Blogger, Lynn Pirozzoli – Owner,  Black Horse  Inn

 A wedding is a complex event to arrange. Here is some advice to help you stay organized. Before a final date for the wedding can be set you must decide what sort of ceremony you would like and then check with the church, minister or register’s office for availability.

Booking a Reception

View from The Gilded Fox at the Black Horse Inn

Spring and fall weddings are very popular and should be arranged well in advance. Many reception sites and caterers do not like to have more than one wedding on a day. Contact several locations for availability and estimates. Perhaps try a meal or schedule a tasting with various caterers to get an idea of what to expect. Caterers will provide sample menus and a list of beverages they will be able to supply. Obtain estimates and as soon as you have decided, make a firm booking.

Planning the Wedding

Organizing a wedding can be quite stressful on all those involved as everyone has strong opinions on every detail. Following is a checklist; alternatively, you may deicide to hire a bridal consultant if your reception site does not provide planning services. They can be very helpful with organizing the details, acting as a mediator throughout the planning process and making sure that everything runs smoothly on the day itself.

Grounds of the Black Horse Inn

Soon After the Engagement

• See the minister to arrange the ceremony date and time.
• Select the reception site and caterer for the reception.
• Make a guest list and work on a budget.
• Book a photographer, videographer, musicians and rentals.
• Organize the cake or cakes if the hotel or caterer is not providing them.
• Choose your bridesmaids, best man and ushers.
• Take some dance lessons.
• Organize all your wedding attire.
• Decide on clothes for your attendants.
• Consult with and book a florist.

Three Months Before

• Register with a bridal gift registry.
• Consult with the minister and organize the details of the service.
• Finalize the guest list.
• Order invitations, personal stationary and extras for the reception (matches or napkins).
• Choose your wedding rings.
• Develop an agenda for the big day. Include activities for out of town guests including winery tours, golfing and horseback riding.
• Organize transportation to the ceremony and reception for you and your  guests.
• Organize the honeymoon.
• Organize the rehearsal and dinner.

Two Months Before

• Select attendant’s gifts. Personalized gifts are always nice.
• Apply for the marriage license.
• Book hair and make-up appointments at Salon Emage.
• Send out invitations and make a list of acceptances and refusals as they come in.

One Month Before

• Check that your fiancé has chosen ushers and has organized the rings, his clothes, the rehearsal dinner and the honeymoon.
• Have a trial run at Salon Emage. Confirm arrangements with the florist, photographer, caterer, musicians, etc.
• Arrange for overnight accommodations for out-of-town guests.
• Have a night out with your girl friends. Consider a pajama party at the Black Horse Inn with your bridesmaids and have some fun!

Two Weeks Before

• Give the final number of guests to the caterer.
• Have a final fitting of your gown and try on everything together, including your shoes and underwear.
• Give a luncheon for your attendants.

One Week Before

• Finalize all the arrangements: church or register office, cake, caterer, florist, photographer, musicians, rentals, honeymoon, rehearsal and dinner.

If you have followed this checklist, the day of your wedding will be a breeze! Sit back and enjoy your own wedding. Before you know it, after all that planning, the actual event flies by—so enjoy!!!!

View the Black Horse Inn website at www.blackhorseinn.com

Stylist, Noella Evans

My name is Noella Evans; I am a twenty-three year old hairstylist from Grand Rapids, Michigan. I grew up with two older brothers. Instead of doing ballet, playing dress up and loving the color pink like most little girls… I was playing basketball, wearing my brother’s clothes and getting as dirty as possible while playing outdoors. So it came as a shock to my family and friends that I wanted to become a hairstylist. Every year that passes I get a little more on the girlie side but don’t get me wrong playing basketball and wearing sweats are still two of my favorite things to do. Little did I know my career would bring me to the beautiful town of Warrenton, Virginia.

Noella and Mark

 About a year ago I met the love of my life, Mark, an attorney for the United States Marine Corps, in Michigan. Come to find out he was only visiting his family and soon would be returning to South Carolina where he was stationed at Parris Island. Long distance relationships are not the easiest so when we found out he would be stationed at the Marine Corps base, Quantico, in Virginia I was ready for a new adventure in my life. I came here without a job and no place to live. Fortunately, I have an Aunt and Uncle that live in Culpeper, Virginia and they were kind enough to let me stay with them until I got on my feet. I then was lucky to get in contact with Melanee at Salon Emage Day Spa, who gave me a job. Although my Michigan hair just wasn’t cutting it, they hooked me up with a stylish new cut and color.

Noella also does makeup - Must Haves Fashion Show

 I’m becoming more of a southern bell everyday, so I am told. The people in this salon are some of the most amazing people I have met. They took this Yankee in with open arms, they inspire me more and more each day and I know each one of them will be life time friends. Each person is so different, we are a family and that is what makes this salon so great. Although I still can not understand everyone’s Virginia accent and I refuse to say ya’ll, I know I will fit in here just fine.