Today I have another romantic getaway location to share with you, this one is in Virginia.

Keswick Hall at Monticello is a 48-room Orient-Express luxury hotel nestled on 600 acres of lush Virginia countryside known as Keswick Estate. Located just six miles east of Charlottesville, VA, this English country-style property is set in the beautiful Virginia rolling hillsides.

The area features an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course and a variety of award-winning vineyards – sounds like a wonderfully romantic setting for couples desiring a relaxing escape on their honeymoon.

Keswick Hall is offering a Celebration Package that would be perfect for honeymooning couples and newlyweds.

The Celebration Package includes:

• Luxury accommodations
• Daily continental breakfast for two ($30 max per room, per day)
• Three course dinner for two at award-winning Fossett’s Restaurant, named after Thomas Jefferson’s head Chef Edith Fossett

• One $150 spa credit per stay
• A bottle of champagne on arrival
• Turndown chocolate amenity
• Keswick Club amenities (Arnold Palmer golf course, tennis courts, fitness center, and more)
• Rates from $365 per room, per night*

This special package does require a minimum two night stay, and is subject to availability, but it does sound like a wonderful getaway for the bride and groom.

Images Keswick Hall

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When you pick one cocktail to serve you can make the drinks in larger batches, and you don’t have to stock your bar with several different types of alcohol. A couple big bonuses when you’re trying to stick to a budget, and you have so many other things to plan and keep track of on your wedding day.

Today I have a couple cocktail recipes from (ri)1 (pronounced pronounced “rye one”) Whiskey that would work great for a wedding signature drink. (ri)1is a new Ultra-Premium rye whiskey that offers a refined flavor, striking look and new take on cocktail couture. Bottled at 92 proof, (ri)1 features a light, slightly spicy flavor as well as a long, luxurious finish and is the perfect spirit for mixing up a cocktail for that special occasion.

(ri)1 Clove & Oak

1 ½ parts (rī)1 whiskey
½ part Allspice Dram
½ part freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 ½ parts cloudy apple cider
½ part simple syrup

In a mixing tin, add spirits, juice and syrup. Fill tin with ice and shake vigorously for at least 6 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with apple slices.

(ri)1 Gold Standard

1 part (ri)1 whiskey
½ part freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ part house-made clover honey syrup
2 parts Brut Champagne

In a mixing tin, add spirit, juice and syrup. Fill tin with ice and shake vigorously for 6 seconds. Strain into a flute and top with champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist.

(ri)1 Apple of My Rye

1 1/2 parts (ri)1 whiskey
1/2 part Lemon Juice
1/2 part Simple Syrup
3 parts Hot Spiced Apple Cider (or hot unfiltered apple juice with Holiday spices added)

In a pint mixing glass, add spirits, juices, and syrup. Give a quick stir with a barspoon, pour into a toddy glass, and top with hot apple cider.

Do you have a favorite cocktail recipe you can use for your signature wedding cocktail?

Just make sure you remind your guests to drink responsibly.

Images and recipes courtesy of (ri)1 Whiskey

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The custom printed wedding newspaper would make a wonderful wedding favor or thank yous to your wedding guests.

You can use the newspaper to help guests get to know you better through editorial articles, letters from parents of the couple, photos, bridal party information and more anything else you’d like to include.

Katie (Greengurl) started by creating her own wedding newspaper, then decided she was on to something, so she set up shop to help others create lasting keepsakes too! Greengurldesigns isn’t a big impersonal company that plugs information into software, Katie customizes your wedding newspaper to your unique wedding details. No two Wedding Times are alike.

You can find out all the details by visiting Greengurldesigns Etsy Shop Wedding Press page.

Image Greengurldesigns Etsy

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Michelle loves to give her clients the best possible salon experience in her own salons, and she is here today to give brides a few tips for planning a bachelorette party that centers around relaxation and pampering.

Who doesn’t want to be pampered for the evening in a relaxing setting with just friends. I hope you enjoy these ideas for a spa night bachelorette party as much as I did. This would even be fun if your not getting married. Get a few friends together for your own spa night mini retreat. Relax and have a great time!

Girls Night Pampering for Bachelorette Parties
From Michelle Lo Conte

If a male revue, a red-eye to Vegas or a crazy bar isn’t the type of Bachelorette party you dreamt us – sit back, relax and enjoy the utmost in pampering with these ideas for your Bachelorette Beauty Party!

Stay In:

Pick a spot to host a party, whether it be your home or a fancy hotel room(you’ll save money by not renting a limo, paying a bar tab, etc so why not splurge?) and hire outside spa vendors to come in.

There are massage therapists, nail technicians and make-up artists that make “house calls” – they will bring the spa or salon to you. Spend the night getting a variety of services done and have the party catered – just don’t forget the champagne!

Spa weekend:

If you want to plan a weekend getaway but want to relax check out places that are a driving distance away. Figure out how far you want to travel from home and go from there.

There are many types of places that offer these services. There are Bed and Breakfasts, Resorts, hotels – everything from Basic to Deluxe, it is all what your budget can handle. Be creative. There is something out there for you!

Start your night at a spa or salon:

You can also go to a spa or salon, get pampered and head out to paint the town red! Why not arrange to have a limo pick you up at the spa or salon after you are done getting all dolled up?

Research spas and salons in your area that offer what you want in a price point that works for you. Do you want to do mani’s and pedi’s? Makeovers? Hairstyles with make-up? The options are endless. Take a poll from your girls to get a feel on what they would want to do and take it from there.

Make dinner reservations after you are done at the spa or salon then continue the fun looking like a million bucks!

At my salon, we offer several packages. We will serve the ladies pink champagne and get it catered from a restaurant. There are a few different options we offer, and these can always be tweaked to suit your needs. Here are some of the combinations we offer to our clients

• Pink Daisy Package includes our Basic Mani and Eyebrow Design
• Pink Tulip Package includes our Basic Manicure, our Perfect Pink Pedicure and Eyebrow Design
• Pink Rose Package includes our Basic Manicure, our Perfect Pink Pedicure and Blow Out
• Pink Lily Package includes our Basic Manicure, our Perfect Pink Pedicure, Eyebrow Design and Blow Out

I want to thank Michelle for sharing her ideas here today. You can learn more about Michelle Lo Conte and setting up your own girls night pampering party at her website Pink Comb.

Image istockphoto

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Today I have a cozy little inn called the The Mountain Top Inn & Resort to tell you about, in Chittenden Vermont. It would make the perfect place for a winter destination wedding. Picture yourself riding in the sleigh with the mountains as your backdrop on your wedding day.

Or toast your nuptials with some fresh warm cider curled up in blankets riding the sleigh.

Just check out the views, the winter wonderland setting looks like it’s out of a story book.

After the ceremony you and your wedding party and guests can warm up in the lodge.

Or hit the slopes for some skiing.

The Mountain Top Inn and Resort is set on 350 acres with sweeping views of a mountain lake and Green Mountain National Forest, the resort offers an endless array of outdoor adventures, ideal for the wedding couple, and their wedding party.

Doesn’t it just look like the picture perfect wedding and honeymoon destination?

Images courtesy of BnBFinder.com

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You can pack your emergency kit in a cute basket, and add it to your dressing room. Then if you have a last minute wardrobe malfunction, or makeup blooper you can handle it without a problem.

So what should you include in a bridal emergency kit?

• Nail repair items, like a nail file, and nail polish (the color you’re wearing).
• Makeup, makeup remover, tissues, and cotton balls
• Dress repair kit, including thread, spare buttons, and safety pins.
• Spare stockings
• Spare earrings
• Anything you might need for your hair, such as a hairbrush, bobby pins, hairspray, gel, hair dryer, curling iron or curlers
• Emergency medications like antacids, and headache medications.
• Band Aids and antibacterials
• Spot cleaners and baby powder for last minute spills
• Pads and tampons

If you’re a bridesmaid, it’s an excellent gift idea for the bride. Put everything in a basket so it’s available for any last minute problems the bride, or the bridesmaids may have.

Image sxc.hu

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• Wicked Wines has Trueblood and Dracula wine for your guests enjoyment
• Reproduce Bella’s New Moon birthday cake for your wedding cake.
• Serve this Vampire Cocktail as your signature Twilight wedding cocktail
• I love this Twilight wedding inspiration board.
• Check out In Style’s designer sketches of possible Bella Eclipse wedding gown ideas.
• Most of these Twilight party ideas would also work great for a wedding.

You can add your own touches and interpretations of the Twilight books and movies to your wedding to make it your own.

Image (c) L Gerlach

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Here are a few winter white wedding ideas to help you get started.

If you’re planning a winter wedding one of the first things you should consider is a winter white wedding cape, or jacket to look stunning with your dress, while it keeps you warm.

Go for a winter white wedding gown with a little bling to sparkle in the winter sunshine.

Winter White Wedding gowns and cape Linda’s Bridal and Formal

I love this all white floral bouquet centerpiece because the flowers remind me of puffy snowballs.

Image (c) L Gerlach

It would go great with a winter white tablescape, with silver accents.

Image (c) L Gerlach

You’ve got to have the cake, so here’s one with silver bling, inspired by winter’s snowflakes.

Image (c) L Gerlach

Don’t forget about the accessories, it’s all about the detail. You can find some of the greatest custom and handmade wedding accessories at Etsy.

1. Winter Wonderland White and Silver Boutonniere
2. This Winter White Tissue Pom would be the perfect decorating touch.
3. I love these Winter Snowflake Invitations, check out the snowflake bling!
4. For your hair~Snow Blossom Bridal Clip

If you’re looking for a traditional but elegant color scheme for your winter wedding you can’t go wrong with white accented in silver.

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What I like most about these chocolates is that each one has a fresh fruit inside, along with the delicious filling. They’re so elegant, all natural fresh blueberries, raspberries, or cranberries, dipped in sweet dark chocolate and individually wrapped.

They’re sweeter and richer than you’d expect. They’re definitely a little different than your normal chocolates. Fresh fruit and chocolate, is there a better combination?

I would definitely have these chocolates again. My husband enjoyed them, he made off with several for a snack before I even had a chance to try them, and he usually doesn’t have a sweet tooth.

Image: Wolfgang Candies

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If you’re interested in winning this cool prize hop over to the $100k San Francisco Dream Wedding website and share your special love story. One couple will win their dream wedding. You might want to get entered soon, the contest ends in less than a month on November 25th.

Then on December 17th the Top Five finalists will be announced. Then the public gets to vote for the winning love story. I’m a total romantic so I can’t wait to check out the stories.

The final winner will be announced on Valentines day February 14th 2010. Finally, The Wedding of the Year will be May 14, 2010 at the fabulously green Hotel Vitale in San Francisco.

Image: $100k San Francisco Dream Wedding

Good luck! Stop back and let us know if you enter.

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