A New Meaning to the Word "Tent"

The Set-Up at Big Meadows

I have been a camper since I can remember.  The McDaniel Family trips to Big Meadows each year are not to be missed, and will not disappoint (if any of you would ever like to join!)  Although some people have wimped out on me and now stay in the lodge (yes - you all know who you are), some of us are still hard core and stick to our simple tents.  No fuss, no muss.  Now a days they make them so easy to assemble, you can have a temporary "roof over your head" in about 10 minutes, and then can enjoy hanging out by the campfire.


WEDDING tents however...are a bit of a different beast.  I'm no expert planner, but so far this has been our biggest challenge.

There are tents of every size, shape and some even let you choose whether you want it to be color or not.  Then, you have options like dance floor? stage? pole covers? draping? lights? your monograms on the dance floor? bathroom trailers? The list goes on and on!

A Sperry Tent complete with hardwood floors (I could just make this my house!)  

Tented Ceremony 

Tented Reception

We're working on find one to fit our needs, so stay tuned!

Love.

Just a fun thought for the day!  Happy Wednesday!

P.S.  This is from the front of a card from my sweet mom and dad.  

Venue Search

Since we're hoping for a June wedding, we quickly got to work looking for a venue for our big day.  Brodie and I both wanted to make it a place that had meaning and was special to us.  For those of you who know us well, you might be able to guess the front runners.  For everyone else though, check out the options!

Oak Ridge Estate

Oak Ridge Estate Carriage House

Cardinal Point Vineyards

Cardinal Point - In the Grapes!

The Clifton Inn - Cozy Room!

Front Lawn at Clifton

Nutmeg Farm

The Barn at Nutmeg

Any guesses as to our favorite?  Even though we want to make the place perfect, we also know it's important we stop and put it in perspective.  It's not where we say our vows, but the fact that we ARE that is lasting!  More details to come! 

Yes!

So, I've been talking about wanting to blog forever.  In the back of my mind I always told myself that when I got engaged I would start.

Long story short...here is my blog!

That's right.  I'm engaged!  I can't tell you how excited I am to share the news as part of my first post!

Now, I'm guessing you probably want to hear the story...

Brodie and I were scheduled to be in Haiti for 10 days after Christmas.  Much to our disappointment however, we found out on Christmas night that our flight had been cancelled.  Our trip leader was on the phone through the night trying to make alternative arrangements.  However, the Lord must have had some reason for us to stay back because nothing panned out.

The day  after Christmas, the trip was officially cancelled.  My mom drove me to the Downs' in Warrenton, as originally planned, and we had a wonderful brunch!  (Thanks again Mrs. Downs - it was so yummy!)  After exchanging Christmas presents with Brodie's family, he and I hit the road back to Charlottesville.  Once we got home we both un-packed and somewhat sulked around, although looking back, I was probably more out of it than Brodie since he knew what was to come.

We went to the grocery story and picked up dinner.  I received two hints during that time:

1.  Brodie let me rent Sex and the City II and told me he would watch it with me!
2. There was a bottle of champagne in his cart that he said was for New Years Eve - yeah right!

Back home, it was really like any other night.

Brodie made yummy bacon-wrapped dates for an appetizer and they went perfect with our cocktails!