Newlywed game: To do's for I do's

While the details are fresh in their minds, we asked newlyweds to share tips or memories from their recent nuptials. (Coincidentally, many of them recall the name "Kim" being shouted. Read on to find out why.)

Adrienne and Chris Reiner

June 21, 2003

Ceremony and reception at Ash Lawn-Highland

 1. Identify three adjectives that you would like to describe your wedding (e.g. musical, delicious, floral) and use these to help with making decisions about your wedding. By drawing your wedding description down to just three adjectives, your priorities will become clear and give the wedding focus.

2. Have faith in your vendors– they know how to do their jobs (probably better than you do) and want to please you. Let them. On the other hand, if you do not have a good feeling about a vendor, consider hiring another.

Adrienne and Chris Reiner with wedding members of the wedding party.br>PHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO

Gillian Kane-Mobley and Scott Mobley

August 14, 2003

Ceremony at St. James Episcopal Church in Louisa, Reception at Prospect Hill

 1. Be organized. I had a large accordion folder with individual file folders for each different wedding item (i.e. groom, mother of bride, rehearsal dinner, wedding dress) in order to keep notes from meetings I had with the different vendors, and to keep ripped-out articles and pictures from wedding magazines. Organization is the key to less stress, especially if you're a working bride, because there are so many details to keep straight. You need a system that works for you.

2. Go for the wedding dress as early as you can– especially if you have a short engagement. Ordering a wedding dress can take longer than you think, and it really is the biggest stress of all once you start getting close to the wedding.

3. The biggest tip I can give is truly to put your money into the photographer–- you will be so happy you did!

Gillian Kane-Mobley and Scott Mobley
PHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO

Kimberly and Keith Sipes

September 27, 2003

Ceremony and reception at Groom's parents' home, Liberty Corner Farm

 "We got married outdoors on my in-laws' farm. They asked us if we wanted the cows moved into a field further from the house so that they wouldn't be a distraction. We actually thought they added to the charm of our setting and requested that they be in a field near our ceremony site. They were pretty well behaved through most of the ceremony.

"However, as our minister began to speak about the seriousness of marriage and all that it meant, he paused (for effect)– right then, one of the cows let out a very loud "moo." That pretty much had our guests (many from New York City) laughing hysterically. We even got a note from a friend after the wedding asking, "How do you get a cow to moo on cue?"

Kimberly and Keith Sipes
PHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO

Kirsten and Paul Nowak.

June 7, 2003

Ceremony and reception at Wintergreen Mountain Inn at Wintergreen Resort

 "We have one very strong recommendation: If you're planning an outdoor wedding, make absolutely certain that you have an indoor alternative in mind. We had long planned to have our wedding at the Blue Ridge Overlook at Wintergreen, so it came as a bit of a shock when we woke up the day of the ceremony to a torrential downpour. Thankfully we'd had the foresight to reserve a small chapel space at the Wintergreen Inn as a back-up location, and we had really terrific people from Wintergreen as well as florists, musicians, and a fantastic photographer working with us to make it look as if we had always intended for the wedding to take place indoors. As fate would have it, the rain broke just as the ceremony ended, and we were able to dash away from the crowd for a private moment in an otherwise very busy day to enjoy the Overlook and the beautiful view of the mountains.

Kirsten and Paul Nowak
PHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO

Kym and Robert Adams

April 12, 2003

Ceremony at UVA Gardens, reception at Downtown Grill

 "The cutest thing that happened during our ceremony was when my sister was reading the passage 'Love is gentle, love is kind, etc,' says Kym. "She became choked up in the middle of it, and my little nine-year-old niece took over and finished it for her. It turned out to be the most cherished and sentimental part of the ceremony and also reminded us to always have a backup plan."

Kym and Robert Adams
PHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO

Kim Wendel and Dustin Bugg

November 1, 2003

Outdoor ceremony and reception at a family home in Albemarle

 "Afraid he would break into tears, Dustin refused to look at me as he said his vows. I stared at him with all my might to try to get him to turn my way, but he was just as determined not to look. He spoke all his promises looking into the eyes of our officiant. After the ceremony, my sister remarked that, had we videotaped the wedding, the tape would reveal that Dustin was actually married to the officiant and not to me."

Kim Wendel and Dustin Bugg
PHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO

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