Black Horse Inn

Budget Wedding Cake--Luxe Flavor

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:19:00 -0400

Here’s how to get the most cake for your money. If you don’t watch it, the wedding cake can quickly become a huge expense. Splurging on five tiers with multiple flavors and sugar flowers in every bite isn’t worth the high cost for everyone, so here are some inexpensive ideas for a cake that is right on target.

Price tiers—the first and most important thing to remember is to be honest and clear about the budget you have in mind. If you are having a bakery prepare the cake, be sure to tell them about your budget concerns up front at the tasting. Some bakers also have price minimums, so it is a good idea to get the cost issue squared away first.

When planning the cake of your dreams, the general rule is that the more time-intensive it is will be to make, the more it will cost. This means adding flavors, tiers or even changing the shape from round to square will increase the cost. Heavy use if fondant icing or sugar flowers can also bump up the price, as can custom colors if the decorator charges for hand coloring. To keep costs down, choose simple, round and white. Many brides add their own decorations, just before the reception, such as fresh flowers, lace or ribbon. They are not hard to work with and they make a big impact!

One thing that you should not skimp on is flavor. The cake should always taste really, really good. The money should go into having a great tasting cake. Many bakers suggest getting a small, tastefully decorated two or three tiered cake for cutting in the ceremony, then sheet cakes to serve the guests. This way you don’t have to skimp on ingredients. The money should go into having a great tasting cake. Your guests will remember the taste of a world-class chocolate more than they will the intricate details of the sugar flowers. Plus, it’s not going to last forever—you are going to end up eating it anyway!

Shannon & Rob's Wedding

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:44:00 -0400

Shannon & Rob at Black Horse Inn

by: Tracy Timmester, Timmester Photography

Oh my goodness, there is so much I could say about this fabulous wedding I’m not sure where to begin. Let me first say that I fell in love with this family of three - Shannon, Rob, & Abby - when we did their engagement shoot earlier this year. They are such an affectionate, loving bunch of people and after that afternoon, I knew their wedding was going to be an emotional, joyful day.

The day was in fact fabulous, and here are a few reasons why. (1) Shannon’s dress was epic. That gown almost deserves it’s own blog post, it was so fabulous. Shannon bought it at Kleinfeld in Manhattan and turned down “Say Yes to the Dress”, who asked if they could film her experience. (2) Shannon has a loud, big, beautiful laugh that is contagious. (3) Rob’s relationship with Abby. These two are super affectionate with one another. There is a lot of love between these two and it’s evident in how they interact with one another. (4) Abby. Wow, this girl is really special. She’s expressive, affectionate, precocious, and she’s an AMAZING dancer (see pictures below). She gave a lovely toast during the reception where she welcomed Shannon to the family and then she lost one of her front teeth. She had a busy day :)

And, finally, I have to make a special note about the charming venue, The Black Horse Inn in Warrenton, VA. The beautiful grounds feature a stable, an outdoor ceremony site, a lovely reception venue, and a great staff. Thank you also to the talented Debi Parker who assisted me at this wedding. It was an amazing day!

LIVE. LOVE. 101. A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:29:00 -0400

A Farmers Market filled with flowers, watermelon, peaches, corn, honey, and strawberries picked fresh from the fields (some with a little fuzz, lol). A fully restored 1955 Chevrolet PickUp Truck. A wedding cake. A quiet table for two tucked away behind the barn. A picnic blanket laid out under a grouping of chandeliers at sunset. Just some of the things found at the wedding photography workshop I was lucky enough to attend right here in Warrenton, VA at The Black Horse Inn. Organized by Terra Chandler of Terra Dawn Photography and let me tell you she went all out! She did not miss a thing! I had a great time & met some awesome photographers. Thank you Terra, can’t wait for the next one girl! and Thank you Abby & Matt for being such gorgeous models!

All vendors that helped to put the entire shindig together!!!
Lynn from The Black Horse Inn - http://www.blackhorseinn.com/
Pam and Anne from Atrendy Wedding - http://www.atrendywedding.com/
Holly from Holly Chapple Flowers - http://www.hollychappleflowers.com/
Maureen from Blush Bridal - http://www.blushbridalboutique.com/
Rachelle from Dominion Jewelers - http://dominionjewelers.com/
Katherine from KPHairandMakeup - http://www.kpnhairandmakeup.com/index2.php
Capital Decor - http://www.capitaldecorandevents.com/ (Chandeliers, barrels and tables…..)
Kendall Cakes - http://www.kendallscakes.com/
Occasions Catering - http://www.occasionscaterers.com/oc2003_www/home.html
Etsy Vendor “Lilmissi” for her chair signs - http://www.etsy.com/shop/lilmissi
Joe – For his EXCELLENT blue truck!!! Yeah….he was AMAZING!!!

This Blog is by : Lisa Burgess 703-209-0127

www.lisaburgessphotography.com

http://blog.lisaburgessphotography.com/

Honeymoon Secrets

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:39:00 -0400

Sometimes you just have to get away. Travel Channel’s host of "Great Weekends", Samantha Brown knows just how to do that! Here are her suggestions for leaving the wedding all behind and having a blast on your honeymoon.

1) You’ve just spent a year deciding on things like the perfect dress to the napkin fold—give yourself a break and don’t over-plan your honeymoon. Wait to book excursions like snorkeling and helicopter rides fro when you get there.

2) Factor in “door-to-door” travel time. It may be a five hour flight, but total travel time could be almost double that amount. If you only have a week, choose a closer location so you are not spending a chunk of your honeymoon in transit.

3) Look beautiful in you pictures. It’s a gorgeous sunset picture of the two of you, but your face is so shiny it’s almost reflective! Always bring powder, waterproof mascara and a little lip gloss~ and now post those pictures on Facebook!

4) Stay away from organized tours—there is nothing romantic about being with 30 people on a bus. Splurge on a personal guide or driver and get a local’s perspective of where the best beaches and spots (hint: not tourists) are.

5) Find out the peak times of the places you want to go—beach, Machu Picchu, museum—and avoid at all costs. General rule is if you go first thing in the morning or after 4 pm you will have the place to yourself. Happy honeymoon!

Hunt Country Celebrations Wedding

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:03:00 -0400

Trevi Fountain has inspired millions of lovers since the 1954 Academy Award-winning film “Three Coins in a Fountain” featured Rome’s largest and loveliest fountain as a backdrop for three American women seeking love abroad. According to the film, a coin tossed over one’s shoulder was sure to bring the right man into each woman’s life. Trevi Fountain is a place for wishes and dreams, and was witness to a dream come true, when Lynn Pirozzoli, one of the original founders of Hunt Country Celebrations and proprietor of the Black Horse Inn in Warrenton, Virginia, celebrated her marriage to James Mauro, not once but three times: first an intimate wedding on the steps of the Black Horse Inn; a second marriage in Rome, Italy and finally a third time for all to see on September 9, 2006 with the cast of Hunt Country Celebrations hosting the wedding. Three coins for three weddings…and the third one was a dream hunt country wedding on horseback at the Black Horse Inn, where wishes most always come true. <more/>

As one of the original founders of Hunt Country Celebrations, it was only natural that Lynn would use all of the members, to fashion the best wedding ever in the history of the Black Horse Inn…her own wedding of course! Olivera Music Entertainment provided a string quartet for the wedding ceremony and cocktail hour followed by a seven piece band that played everything…from Sinatra to the traditional Italian “Tarantella.” Better Events Catering catered the event with a tantalizing buffet for 200. Guests dined on apeirtivo, prosecco, tartine, canapés, cavatelli (home made flour and water pasta) served with a sauce of cherry tomatoes, diced eggplants and hard ricotta cheese, shavings, fillet of beef seared with balsamic vinegar and seasonal vegetables, a trio of sorbets served in a biscuit wafer molded cup, café, and wines selected by Better Events Catering especially for the event. Wanda's Cake Decorating featured a decadent wedding cake that was as beautiful as it was delicious. The festivities were photographed for eternity by Regeti’s Photography who did an award-winning job of capturing every moment…from start to finish. Marriott Ranch created a warm and relaxed atmosphere for the rehearsal dinner, with a Western barbecue theme, held outdoors on the Garden Terrace. Raggo Advertising furnished gilded invitations and announcements. Like Water for Tulips did the original bouquets and flowers for the first wedding. Jim Burch of Beautiful Weddings by Jim Burch was our officiant in all the weddings with the exception of the one held next to the Vatican!

Lynn and Jimmy couldn’t resist tossing their coins into the crystal, swirling waters flowing beneath the bridge leading to the grand ballroom of the Black Horse Inn, much as they did at Trevi Fountain with the famous sculptures of Neptune and his marvelous horses, and making a wish. The other legend of Trevi Fountain, established long before the movie hit the silver screen, is that if you toss your coin just right, you will have the good fortune to relive the moments of your wedding day on each anniversary forevermore. And for Lynn and Jimmy, with the help of our friends from Hunt Country Celebrations, it is a wish that will definitely come true.

Fox Hunting in Snowy Aiken, South Carolina

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:12:00 -0400

There is a beauty and a passion in fox hunting and Aiken, S.C. is a great place for foxhunters, with five recognized foxhunts of its own. Do you want to hunt every day? If you have the horse power and the energy, you can hunt six days a week. Whiskey Road Foxhounds hosts an unforgettable week of festivities every year. Fox hunters come from near and far to partake. This year my trusty mount “Houston” and I escaped the snow in Virginia, to enjoy a few days of wonderful weather. However, on our last day of foxhunting, 5 inches of snow fell, which is unheard of in sunny South Carolina. Nonetheless, we saddled up for a great ride in Hitchcock Woods, just outside of downtown Aiken which is the largest urban forest in the United States, a 2000-acre tract of land maintained by the Hitchcock Foundation for public use. The snow was magical as we bid farewell to another decadent holiday with our fox hunting friends from around the world.

The White House Crasher's~Wedding Cake

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:00:00 -0400

The infamous White House Crashers, Tareq and Michaele Salahi had the most fabulous wedding cake ever, created by Wanda's Cakes www.wandascakes.com. Their cake was nearly five feet tall with 250 fresh red roses, carefully placed by Wanda herself the day of the wedding! It took the supporting cast about 2.5 hours just to assemble the cake. I attended the wedding ceremony at the Cathedral of St.

Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C. and the reception held at Oasis Winery in Hume Virginia. The beautiful and gracious Michaele often prepared Black Horse Inn brides with wedding preparation, including makeup.

The Ghost of Christmas Past

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 15:23:00 -0400

Charles Dickens has nothing on us! Did you know the Inn has a Ghost of Christmas Past? He takes great pleasure in knocking the Christmas tree over with such a vengeance that it breaks the ornaments. This happened consecutively for three years. The first time was just after our “Inn naming" Holiday party. All of our guests brought a special ornament for the tree. That evening, I heard a thud and the sound of breaking glass in the living room. I ran downstairs and found the tree thrown over so forcefully that many of the ornaments had broken. The second time it happened only a half-hour before the rehearsal dinner of a very prominent member of the community. Much to my dismay, I ran outside and secured two large cinder blocks and some bailing twine. I tied the tree in the corner, to prevent further tree bashing during the formal dinner. The third year that it happened, I believe that I may have exorcised the ghost when I angrily vented my displeasure at the top of my lungs! Just call me the “exorcist of the Ghost of Christmas Past!”

The Wedding Photographer

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:47:00 -0400

This is hysterical! This was sent to me by Jim Burch of Beautiful Weddings by Rev. Jim Burch. He is a terrific officiant and has married many couples at the Black Horse Inn, including Jimmy and me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NF3OWNJgYw

A Romantic November to Remember

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:46:00 -0400

This past November was full of beauty and festive holiday fun for all of us at The Black Horse Inn. We hope it was for you too! We especially enjoyed this touching and beautiful wedding in the middle of the month. Please enjoy these few pictures in and around The Black Horse Inn and the bride & groom as they begin their lifelong journey together. As always, we feel honored & privileged to have played our part in helping celebrate their great love. Many thanks to Mike Lesnick Photography for these great images!

Recipe for Successful Entertaining

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:57:00 -0400

Whether it is a masquerade party with festive costumes, like our recent Halloween party or a wedding in the grand ballroom, the rules are always the same. My mother taught me the key to success is to be well prepared. The following tips will ensure that whatever the occasion, it will be a complete success:

Decide on the type of party and the number of guests. The larger the guest list, generally the more time that should be set aside to prepare.
Choose a theme and follow it through invitation, table settings, decorations, menu, etc.
Based on the guest list, check that there are enough tables and chairs, linens, plates, glasses and silver. Clean everything!
Write down the confirmed guest list. It is helpful to have numbers on paper to confirm there is enough food, decorations, ice, etc.
If hiring a caterer, musicians or renting supplies, call to reserve the date before sending our invitations.
If sending out written invitations, time is needed for printing and mailing. For weddings, it is customary that invitations be received about six weeks prior to the wedding day (or eight weeks for those who will be travelling). For all other occasions three to four weeks is plenty of time.
Plan the menu, if selecting specialty items; make sure they will be available on the day. The same applies for flowers; daisies and roses are usually in stock but check prices and availability for anything unusual or seasonal.
Order beverages, wine liquor and sodas for children and drivers.
Make as many items ahead of time as possible, whether it is writing place cards, recipes that suggest being made early or decorations that will keep.
When rentals arrive, inventory them just in case! Better to know ahead of time if the numbers are not exact.
For evening gatherings, make sure the stairs are well lit.
On the day, ensure staff arrives well in advance. Be sure to have a check list, whether entertaining alone or with hired help.
Set tables, assemble decorations, and finish cooking.
Just before guests arrive, light the candles, uncork the wine and have a glas with your spouse. Enjoy your own party!

Tying the Knot

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:56:00 -0400

WOW! It has been weekend after weekend of rain for our weddings. Fortunately, we have wonderful brides with great attitudes, and several different contingency plans to offer them for the inclement weather.

Next time you say you are "tying the knot," perhaps you will have more of an appreciation as to what that actually means. Inclement weather the day of your wedding is a sure sign of good luck. The reason for this goes back to the 14th century, when the groom would wear a tunic with a rope "belt." The rope was tied in a knot. When the rope got wet, it was impossible to untie the knot! Thus comes the saying "tie the knot." It was a surefire sign for a strong and grounded marriage!

During the Roman Empire times, the Bride wore a girdle that was tied in knots. Before the couple consummated the marriage, the Groom would untie the knots on the girdle in order to undress his new Bride. So then, wouldn't it be called "untying the knot?" Im confused. Just a little tidbit I thought you would find interesting!

Accolades

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 12:25:00 -0400

Over the years I have collected snippets from thank you notes and our guest book at the Inn of the compliments about our weddings and wedding coordination. There definitely is an art to making it all look easy and go seamlessly smooth the day of a wedding. Many times we forget to "toot our own horn" about our accomplishments. Today, I want to post our accolades in tribute to the Black Horse Inn staff--particularly Joyce, in charge of Innkeeping & Sales, and Jennifer, our Event Coordinator. They are a joy to work with and greatly appreciated.

Accolades – from our brides, grooms and guests!

Everything and everyone was way beyond excellent! It was a remarkable, stress free and fun weekend. I couldn’t say enough how wonderful it was. The elegant but comfortable Inn…Joyce and Jennifer having all the vendors coordinate for us…delicious breakfast... the beautiful Gilded Fox and all the grounds. We will be back for our other daughter’s wedding J. THANK YOU! -- Cindy July , 2009

I attended the wedding on June 7, 2009, I wanted to let you know that the experience was spectacular! It was truly a “storybook wedding”. I could not be any happier for my family to pick your venue for their nuptials. Furthermore, your staff really went above and beyond in being available for the wedding party and the guests at the Inn. I am very thankful for them and their service throughout the weekend. They really made our stay relaxing as everything went off without a problem. Thank you again for all your wonderful service. -- Thaddeus June 7, 2009

Lynn and her staff were friendly, professional, and helpful and a real joy to work with. We couldn’t be more pleased with how the planning went. The communication was excellent for all phases of the wedding. We especially appreciated the fact that contingency plans were in place in case they were needed. There were no surprises, no extra costs or charges and that made for a happy bride and groom and parents of the bride and groom. All went as planned. Lynn, you were fabulous! Your warmth and charm made the special day even more special. We won’t forget all your efforts. Fondest regards, -- Angela & John; Jenny & Bob June 27, 2009

Thank you for making our day very beautiful and special! You have great staff! -- Katie, May 30, 2009

Thank you for opening up the Black Horse Inn to immediate family and friends. Your staff went above and beyond in service and kindness…--Elaine (mother of the bride), May 23, 2009

We want to thank you for MAKING our wedding day perfect. Being wedding photographers ourselves, we have consultations with brides that sometimes don’t have their locations picked yet. We always tell them to check you guys out!-- Lisa & Ian, SoftBox Media Photography September 27, 2008

Thank you so much for everything you have done for us over the last six months. You have been so amazing to work with and we had such a wonderful experience. We couldn’t have done it without you. -- Brett & Holly September 20, 2008

Budget Tips

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:05:00 -0400

Wedding Budget

Which elements are the most important to you? The romance of a wedding …the reality of paying for it…

Whether you want to have a barbecue for 20, a formal dinner for 100 or a cocktail reception for 400, the first thing to do is to sit down with your fiancé and work out who is going to contribute.

Although it was once tradition for the bride’s family to pay for most, if not all of the wedding, this is no longer the case. Today many couples pay for their own wedding, with help from either or both sets of parents. Therefore, the bride and groom must add up the amounts that they have from various sources and plan their wedding accordingly

After deciding what the budget is, the next step is to prioritize expenses. For example, the bride might insist on an elegant evening reception. After some research, it may be determined that up to 60% of the budget will need to be spent to achieve her ideal, leaving few funds for a designer gown, fabulous photographs, quality invitations, flowers a plenty and a dream honeymoon. Or perhaps, the top priority is flowers, with orchids spilling form Lalique crystal vases on every table, or maybe the groom hopes to commission Harry Connick Jr. to sing at the reception. Obviously, your budget will strongly reflect these preferences.

Try to group expenses into major categories: reception (to include the location, rentals, food, drink and cake), fashion (to include bridal wear and other accessories for the groom and wedding party), flowers, photography and videography, music and entertainment, honeymoon and miscellaneous (to include initiations, stationary, favors and transpiration). Ideally the reception should be about 50 percent of your budget and the remaining categories the other 50 percent. It might be a good idea to have your budget outlined on paper. This hard copy will aid in resisting vendors who will try to tempt you to stay beyond your means. Be sure that you understand all costs involved before finalizing any arrangements and read contracts carefully before signing.

Remember that many companies will require a deposit so it might help to highlight dates for payment on your spending plan.

There are a few key elements that will vary the cost tremendously; time of day, menu, length of reception, level of formality and the size of the guest list.

If you set out your budget and find you keep cutting where you would rather not, perhaps a longer engagement period would give you a chance to put away the extra cash needed. A monthly savings program as little as one year can make a big difference to achieving the wedding of your dreams.

Another way to economize is to accept generous offers from family and friends; whether an aunt volunteers to fill the church with flowers from her garden or a friend from school sings a rendition of Ave Maria, not only will enhance the personal side of both the wedding and your memories.

A little creativity will stretch your budget a long way. Church decorations and flowers can be reused at the reception and, if you have the inclination make your own gifts for the bridesmaids and the ushers. Take a course at the local college in stained glass, ceramics or even Chinese painting; these gifts shall be cherished and will cost nothing more than the registration fee, materials and your time. Plus, the class might be a good way to wind down each week throughout the stressful planning period.

Finally, many travel agencies have savings plans for honeymooners; if you don’t mind waiting a few months before departing, then go ahead and register your honeymoon, then invite guests to contribute. This is an ideal registry for couples who have already set up house and are more in need of the dream vacation that an additional set of china or glassware.

Bride Can't Stop Laughing

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:14:00 -0400

Check out the bride on U-Tube. She can't stop laughing! Too funny!!! This couple definitely has a sense of humor! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clw7SAJs_6w&feature=player_embedded