Loved our weddings from i do! Magazine? Check back every Wednesday as we share some of our favorites that we have pulled off the cutting room floor
and the WONDERFUL owners themselves, Shawn and Carolyn
We are just thrilled to bring you our bi monthly I do! Spotlight- a chance for us to give you an insider’s look into the amazing professionals that make up the I do! Family
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We are just thrilled to bring you I do! Spotlight- a chance for us to give you an insider’s look into the amazing professionals that make up the I do! Family. Without further hesitation… Chef by Design!
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We are just thrilled to feature Ice Art on today’s I do! Spotlight- a chance for us to give you an insider’s look into the amazing professionals that make up the I do! Family.
To see more check out the website here: Ice Art VA
The brilliant & talented owners, Andrea and Steve on their special day….!!!
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We are excited to bring you some amazing photos from the very talented Heather Hughes.
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We are SO excited to have released the Spring/Summer 2012 publication of i do! Thanks to all of the i do! supporters and a special thanks to all of our i do! advertisers!! xo
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We are just thrilled to bring you our bi-monthly i do! Spotlight- a chance for us to give you an insider’s look into the amazing professionals that make up the i do! family.
Today we are thrilled to be featuring the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Katie Glaser, Marketing Coordinator at the Convention Center was kind enough to share a little insight with us.
Your wedding is an extra ordinary occasion to be cherished forever. Our romantic ballroom and meeting rooms have the flexibility to meet your every need, from the floor where you first dance as husband and wife to the first-class dining where guest will toast to your lifelong commitment. Set the mood with the custom lighting to match the colors of your wedding theme. Enjoy your reception knowing that our caring and hardworking staff is behind the scenes tending to every detail. Our vow is to make your wedding day perfect.
How did you get your start in Weddings?
Predominantly through word of mouth. Back in 2006, we hosted a large wedding for 900 guest. We were the only facility in the are that could accommodate that size. From that wedding, we received a number of leads who complimented our building and raved about our on-site caterer, Distinctive Gourmet.
What are the ingredients for a memorable wedding day?
Every wedding here is completely unqiue. The menu is customized to the bride and groom and each space is designed different based on their wishes. Our building’s architecture offers so many stunning options for photographs. Serveral photographers have commented that the building is a “photographer’s dream” Our moderns spaces are so easy to decorate with lush carpeting, metal accents and the oak walls in our ballroom. The glass,light, water features and wood decks lend itself to that “outdoor” feel but you don’t have to worry about the weather conditions. We can host the ceremony and reception here and provide a holding space for the bridal parties in the tower’s VIP Lounge. We have received so many testimonials from brides that say we treated them with sincerity and the truly felt special.
What are some of your personal wedding dos and don’ts for brides as they plan their wedding?
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Entrust us and your family and friends with the details and delegate an on-site coordinator and/or Master of Ceremonies to manage the “small stuff” and keep everyone on schedule. Do coordinate a lot of the decor and other details off-site so that you’re not rushing around on your big day. For example, assemble your centerpieces ahead of time and make an extra or two just in case. Do confirm with your vendors that they’re familiar with the wedding location-make sure they know where to park, which space you’ll be in, which door to enter through, etc.
Do review the bridal checklist that we’ve created for you. We produce our own checklist, based on our experience hosting weddings here.
What is your most favorite wedding memory?
Opening the doors of the space once the bride and groom have become husband and wife. We feel like we’ve taken a part in a new chapter of their lives. We were part of making their special day and one that they’ll cherish forever. We’ve had so many extravagent entrances and “wow moments” including a helicopter carrying in the bride and groom, a horse and carriage, the bride and groom arriving on horseback. We’ve set up so many unique arrangements including setting up tables in X’s and O’s and orginized in “pods” where tables are arranged together in clusters allowing several guests to sit together. We’ve also held smaller ceremonies in the tower’s glass observation deck with views of the ocean and resort area and also in our tower’s VIP lounge. We are always looking for innovative ways to set each wedding apart and make it that much more unique.
What advice can you give brides to ensure they enjoy their big day?
Please remember that we are professionals and to trust us. We are here to ensure that every detail is done to a “T” There are so many moving parts to a wedding and as professionals, we are always a step ahead. We also encourage the bridal party to just embrace the day and remember that all of their favorite people are in one place, celebrating them and their new lives together.
Thanks for sharing Katie!
Contact information:
Virginia Beach Convention Center
1000 19th Street Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(757) 385-2000
Top photo: Keith Cephus
Middle Photo: Calma Photography
Bottom Photo: Eric Green
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We are just thrilled to bring you our bi-monthly i do! Spotlight- a chance for us to give you an insider’s look into the amazing professionals that make up the i do! family.
Today, we’re excited to sit down with Bob of Royal Coach Limousine, located here in Virginia Beach. It’s great when all of the wedding details come together but everyone knows that the details won’t mean a thing if you can’t get to where you need to go! J
Without further ado, here’s Bob!
How did you get your start in Weddings?
I have been involved in the limousine industry in the local market for 30 years. Royal Coach was started 15 years ago to cater specifically to wedding clients by offering the only vintage Rolls-Royce Phantom-V formal limousine available in Virginia.
What are the ingredients for a memorable wedding day?
The best ingredient for a memorable wedding day is planning. I prepare for each wedding by putting together a tentative transportation itinerary for the clients so they know what to expect and when. That also helps the clients wedding coordinators…
What are some of your personal wedding dos and don’ts for brides as they plan their wedding?
When it comes to transportation I recommend the client take the time to visit the transportation service and view the vehicles they have available for their day. Once an agreement is reached be sure to write the tag number of the vehicle on your receipt. That helps resolve any potential “bait & switch” issues.
What is your most favorite Wedding memory?
I have so many, and they all involve getting a big hug and a “Thank You” from my Brides at the end of the service.
What advice can you give brides to ensure they enjoy their Big Day?
Hire a professional wedding coordinator! They have contacts with many wedding professionals that are tried-and-true. Selecting any vendor off a Website is no guarantee you have a reputable vendor. You may not think you need a wedding coordinator 6 months to a year out , but by the time the wedding rolls around you will wish you had.
Thanks Bob for stopping by today!
Contact info:
Phone: 757.420.9331
Email: royalcoachlimo@gmail.com
Photo Credit: Hayne Photography
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We are just thrilled to bring you our bi-monthly i do! Spotlight- a chance for us to give you an insider’s look into the amazing professionals that make up the i do! family.
Today, we’re sitting down with the wonderful Sam Hughes of Sam Hughes Photography. A long time photojournalist, Sam found the perfect fit with wedding photography when he moved to the Hampton Roads area over 10 years ago. As Sam says, “Seeing the ins and outs of how a story works, with a beginning, middle and end, I take that same approach with my wedding photography, to be sure to cover everything that is important to the bride and groom.”
It sounds like Sam has enjoyed every last bit of the past decade as he went on to say, “Weddings are emotional and I am always ready to capture that emotion, whether it be a tear streaming down a bride’s face while dancing with her father or bellowing laughter after someone’s cracked a joke. I never tire of seeing those things.”
Without further ado, here’s Sam-
How did you get your start in Weddings?
“While working for a newspaper in Mississippi, I had a father call me to say he was really enjoying seeing my images and wondered if I might be interested in photographing his daughters wedding? I told him I’d think about it and after doing some research on how to actually shoot a wedding, I told him “sure, but I can’t promise anything.” He told me he wasn’t worried. Since shooting her wedding, I’ve been hooked and have been doing them ever since.”
What are the ingredients for a memorable wedding day?
“I think the biggest killer to the emotion of a wedding is S-T-R-E-S-S. Well, at least emotion you’d want me to capture. Take it easy and enjoy the day.”
What are some of your personal wedding dos and don’ts for brides as they plan their wedding?
“There are so many, but I think the most important one is sticking to your schedule. My weddings are usually timed down to the minute, so if there’s any interruption, it could throw things off. Also, and this is a big one, DON’T YELL AT YOUR MOTHER!!”
What is your most favorite Wedding memory?
I think I’m going to stay clear of this one, as I have so many great memories. I will say, the moment that gets me emotional is when the bride and groom dance that special dance with their parents. I tend to tear up at most of my weddings. I think it has a lot to do with me having a 10 year old boy and I think about when he will be dancing with his mom at his wedding one day. That’s the icing on the cake to say that person is really leaving the nest…kind of a goodbye. Gets me every time.”
What advice can you give brides to ensure they enjoy their Big Day?
“Just relax! I know this seems a bit cliche, but it’s true. There’s nothing you need to stress about. Strut down that aisle to your man, get hitched, and have a great time!”
Thanks Sam for stopping by!
Contact info:
Sam Hughes Photography
1119 Larchmont Crescent
Norfolk, VA 23508
757.489.1320
sam@samhughesphotography.com
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We are just thrilled to bring you our bi-monthly i do! Spotlight- a chance for us to give you an insider’s look into the amazing professionals that make up the i do! family.
Today, we’re excited to introduce you to all around wedding guru Rachel Butler of Blue Steel Light Design, who specializes in wedding and event lighting, assisting brides with setting the mood for their Big Day, as well as transforming the venue with lighting accents that are impactful, unique and exciting for events. Their flagship office resides in Virginia Beach and this past Spring, Blue Steel Lighting Design opened the doors to its Richmond office.
Without further ado, here’s Rachel!
How did you get your start in weddings?
I first began working for Blue Steel in April of 2010 and currently serve both the Virginia Beach and Richmond markets. Since then, I’ve worked with hundreds of brides to set the “stage” for their event- from their “walk in” look used to wow the guests upon arrival, to changing the color of the room for the First Dance to the custom monogram that can be displayed on the dance floor throughout the evening.
What are the ingredients for a memorable day?
Happiness, love, and an all star team of vendors! Surrounding yourself with the experienced, seasoned wedding professionals will make you breathe a bit easier on your wedding day. And I may be biased here, but great lighting on all the great details, doesn’t hurt either!
Any do’s or don’ts for wedding planning?
Do- Hire experts.
Don’t- Invest in event lighting without also having a professional wedding photographer.
Do you have a favorite wedding memory?
It’s hard to narrow it down to just one wedding. I think the best moment for me is when the bride get’s to see their venue lit up for the first time.
What advice do you have for our brides?
Don’t stress! That’s our job. 
Thanks Rachel for stopping by!
Photography Credits:
Brooke Mayo Photography
DM Photo
Hayne Photography
PW Photography
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About Us
Michelle Kilgore & Kim Pietsch
Michelle Kilgore was introduced to the wedding industry in 2000, and Kim Pietsch joined the team in 2007. Weddings by Michelle clients recognize the passion both Michelle and Kim have for the bride and her day, going above and beyond to create a memorable event for the couple, their family, and friends.
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