Fire on the Rappahannock

On Dec. 7-9th, the commemoration of the Battle of Fredericksburg will take place on it's 150th anniversary!  This weekend event titled Fire on the Rappahannock will include re-enactments, living history demonstrations and educational programs.  Additional programming will take place through December 15th.  To see a full calender of events, click here.

Jingle Bell Wine Trail

Looking for a fun way to spend the weekend?  Four local wineries will be participating in the Jingle Bell Wine Trail December 1-2.  From 11am-5pm, Lake Anna Winery, Cooper Vineyards, Grayhaven Winery and James River Cellars will have snacks, tastings and a souvenir glass.  Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at any of the wineries.  Click here to learn more about the Heart of Virginia Wine Trail.

Movie Lincoln filmed in Virginia

Today is a big day for Virginia... Steven Spielberg's film Lincoln opens nationwide.  Filmed entirely in the Petersburg and Richmond areas, the tourism industry is hoping this will bring some history enthusiasts to our state for years to come. Stevenson Ridge is especially excited about the films' debut because one of our own was hired as an extra.  Congrats Trevor Spear!!  Here he is, so try to spot him in the movie...

Trevor Spear 

Happy America Recycles Day!

Happy AMERICA RECYCLES DAY!  Today is a happy day to be a member of Virginia Green.  In honor of America Recycles Day, they have announced an initiative to introduce recycling to many of Virginia's State Parks... one being our own Lake Anna State Park.  Congratulations to Virginia Green on their endeavor to Keep Virginia Beautiful!  Visit the Stevenson Ridge Virginia Green page here.  For more information on Keep Virginia Beautiful, click here.

Melissa & Ryan Lilley's Wedding

Bride Q&A- Melissa Green-Lilley

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Reception at The Lodge

How did you meet your husband?

Ryan and I met when I was a junior in high school at my first job.  We both worked at Tropical Smoothie during high school.  I moved on to a different job and Ryan began college.  We met back up a year later and began dating.  Ryan went to school at JMU and I went to Virginia Tech.  We dated throughout college and got engaged after I graduated with my master’s degree.

How did you choose your wedding date?

I am a teacher, so the summer was always a great fit for us to have our wedding followed by a honeymoon.  The month of August just fit, and August 4^th sounded perfect.

What was the one thing about Stevenson Ridge that made you know it was the one?

I loved the garden and rustic look and hadn’t quite found a place that met those needs along with a venue that could comfortably fit over 100 guests.  When we walked into the lodge and saw the extremely high ceilings with the wooden beams throughout we just knew it was the most beautiful venue to have our wedding reception. 

What was your overall wedding theme?

Our overall wedding theme was a mix of a rustic, garden, and vintage feel.

Which detail from your wedding was your favorite?

My favorite detail from our wedding was the groomsmen suits.  I absolutely LOVED how well the colors ended up looking together. All of the groomsmen looked extremely handsome!

Give us your favorite moment of that day.

My favorite memory of the day was when we first arrived at Stevenson Ridge.  The limo driver stopped at the end of the long driveway leading to the property to give us the chance to take a picture that I really wanted.  The guests began arriving for cocktail hour at that time and began to honk their horns in the excitement of seeing us.  Following that picture we went to the basement of the lodge to “chill out” for a minute and have some appetizers and drinks.  Caroline Catering did a wonderful job bringing us wonderful snacks and drinks while we were taking pictures.  This was the perfect time for us to relax and enjoy the moment with our wedding party (our best friends).

Advice for any brides-to-be.

My advice for any brides-to-be is to soak up every moment of the day.  The day goes by so fast and it is so wonderful to see all of the small details you planned all put together.  Soak in the smallest moments as well. The time you have with your groom when you are taking pictures just the two of you, or the intimate time you have with your bridal party is extremely special and wonderful.  Stay calm and just enjoy every moment!

Caterer: Caroline Street Catering I Florist: Jane Guerin Flowers I Photographer: Reed Photography I Coordinator: Elizabeth Timms, Stevenson Ridge I DJ: Richard Green Entertainment I Cake: The Icing

Hello, it’s nice to meet you!

Have you ever attended a wedding where you are sitting with a bunch of people you have never met? You don’t know much about them except maybe their name and where they are from so there is that awkward tension around the table. That uncomfortable tension is about to become a thing of the past. A new startup company in Washington, DC has created a social media website called Social Tables. This new website allows your wedding guests to learn about their fellow table members before actually attending your wedding.

This is how it works:

First, you name your event such as “Katie & Michael’s Wedding”. Then you fill out the details about your event such as how many tables, how many at each table, start and end times, venue and address.  You can add guests from Gmail, Excel, Facebook, and any other email site. There are separate instructions on how to upload your wedding guests from Wedding Wire or The Knot’s websites. The website also has a tool for engaging your guests by letting you create your own custom questions. Social Tables is a great way for your guests to get involved before and after your special day.

Seating is one of the most important aspects of planning a wedding.  Placement of your guests is crucial for their enjoyment.  Will his cousins get along with your co-workers?  What if you have a bunch of singles at a table... who will break the ice first?  With Social Tables,  you drag-and-drop your guest list into their seats. The website auto saves as you complete your seating chart. You then have the option to show or hide the guest’s name. Next, you invite your guests to the event and an email will be sent to everyone. The email will let them know who is attending, RSVPs and who is sitting at their table.   

After the email blast, it is up to your guests to socialize with one another. Adding that option of the custom question could help break the ice between them. Check out this new website as they have a video to help explain the setup process as well as how to use the drag-and-drop interface.  Stop the awkward silences and have your guests enjoying the party!  Advantage # 2… Money-Saver!!  No more having to write “and Guest” on those invitations; your guests will have a blast with their new friends!

Written by: Elizabeth Timms

Assistant Events Coordinator

Battle of Fredericksburg Anniversary

To celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg, the National Park Service will recreate the events that occurred in 1862.  Special events will include children’s programs, fireworks, music, walking tours, bus tours and a visit by Virginia’s History Mobile.  Eight historians from the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park will assist in interpreting the 1862 fighting.  Events begin Friday, December 7.  Find a full schedule of events at http://www.nps.gov/frsp/sesquicentennial.htm.  The program will commence December 15.