Day #6: How to incorporate the Sport you Love...

It's Football Sunday and as we get ready to cheer on our favorite teams, we remember how our couples incorporated their alma mater, their favorite teams or the sport they enjoy playing together. 

Incorporate your team with your theme, your linen colors for the tables, grooms cakes, wedding cakes and more!

Day #5: Have a little Trust...

We are going to dedicate our 5th Day of KISSmas to Michelle and James Chu.  They were our Wedding of 2015! I recently asked her what advice she would give future couples and one was to "Trust Aleks".  Well she did, she trust me and the Chantilly Team a LOT.  

Knowing renovations were to be complete in January-February timeframe, they still decided to book their wedding on March 28, 2015.  Now, I have worked with a lot of couples, but these two were calm, cool and collected the ENTIRE time...there is a chance that I was "freaking out" more than they were.  But as we expected, renovations completed, they got married at a nearby church and came to Chantilly National to dance the night away.  

Michelle, your advice is flattering but really...Michelle and James...Thank YOU for trusting us but also just being you. 

It was our pleasure to be your host.

Day #4: Ceremony Programs

Ceremony Programs are not necessary but if you DO have them, 

remember your wedding is OUTSIDE :)  

Chalkboards & Fans were the most popular choices in 2015

Day #3: Let's Enjoy A "KISS"

Today, lets reminisce a Chantilly National "First Kiss"

Rachel and Joe Norcio got married here on a perfect summer day in June, 2015.  

They are expecting a baby boy in March of 2016. Congratulations to the newlyweds! 

We are looking forward to seeing pictures of the little one soon!  

Thanks again for hosting your wedding here with us!

KRISTI MCKEAG PHOTOGRAPHY

Day #2: Unique Wedding Guest Book Ideas

A wedding guest book is one of the things you physically get to take away from your wedding day.  It contains sentimental notes from your loved ones wishing you happiness, good luck and endless joy.  A guest book is a great way to tell a story about the two of you, give them an idea of what you all like to do together.  It is a way to make it a little more personal and something you'll see more around your house versus a book you might put on a shelf.  

Here are some fun ideas from our 2015 Brides

Board games:  Do you and your perfect match enjoy playing board games?  What if every time you played Jenga with your friends you were reminded of your special day?

Benches: We had a couple this year that actually MADE their  bench (shown in picture, top photo) but you can easily buy a bench for your guests to sign.  Can't you just imagine drinking a nice cup of coffee in the morning reading the sweet words from your family and friends?

Something for the wall:   You can take a photo of the two of you for guests to sign around or do a cool shadow box where your guests sign hearts and drop them into the box.  These are things that can be displayed in your house for all guests to see.  One of my favorites was when a couple incorporated the fact that they were from two different states.  The states were printed and their guests were able to sign all around the states.  It was like two states became one that day!  I am sure it is hanging on their wall now.

Polaroid Picture: Shake it like a...yeah we all want to sing it and boy do your guests actually sing it!  I have watched this option be a great way to "break the ice" and get your guests ready for the party.  Want to see what happens when you give your guests the camera?  This is the option for you!

Day #1: Holiday Weddings Dos & Don'ts

With Thanksgiving kicking off the Holiday Season, I thought a Holiday Wedding DOs and DON'Ts would be a perfect way to start our 25 Days of KISSmas!  So if you are thinking about or already saying "I do" on a Holiday/Holiday Weekend, here are a few things you should think about.

1. Save the Dates are VERY important  - DO them and DO them early! 

People plan vacations in advance, sometimes have a yearly beach trip that they may need to change.  So the more notice they have, the better. Save the Date magnets work great for these because they look at their fridge daily, multiple times.  It won't just get thrown in that "mail pile" we all shamelessly have.

2. DO incorporate the Holiday but DON’T go overboard with the theme. 

You can tie in the theme by making a signature drink, centerpieces, favors or even your color scheme.  However, DON'T do them all and please stay away from playing seasonal holiday music at your reception. As much as we all love holiday carols, you want your guests to feel they are at a wedding, not a holiday party.

3. Is the venue of your dreams a little over budget? DO pick a Friday or Sunday on a holiday weekend.

Now all venues and vendors are different BUT sometimes you can find great deals on a long holiday weekend.  A lot of your guests are already taking off a day or two to travel for your wedding so why not give them the extra day that they may have off anyways?  Travel Friday, Rehearsal Dinner Saturday, Wedding Sunday, Travel Monday.  DO remember your guests are spending a holiday weekend with you instead of maybe relaxing or going on vacation with their family, so an extra 'thank you favor' may not be a bad idea to show them how much you appreciate them.

25 Days of KISSmas!

Hello All,

My post from yesterday was accidentally deleted so I wanted to get it back on here because it was an important one!  SO please see below...

Long time, no blog - I am sorry about that.  The summer got very busy and the blog took a back seat.  But we want to get us back up and running so starting December 1st, we will be doing 25 Days of KISSmas!  Every day we will post something wedding related.  We have reached out to vendors, past couples, current couples and employees to get the tips, photos, love stories and more!  You are NOT going to want to miss this KISSmas fun!

For the wonderful couples who have not been highlighted on the blog yet, I promise you will be!  The New Year will bring many photos of the 2015 summer, fall and winter weddings we hosted here at Chantilly National.

Thank you all and Happy Holidays!
The Chantilly National Team!