Day #19: Don't stress over the favors!

After speaking with a lot of my couples, after their wedding, the most common advice I heard from them was: "Don't stress over the favors. Your guests don't care that much!"

We had a lot of great ideas for wedding favors this year. What I loved the most about some of the favors is that I saw a lot that were more sentimental versus the most expensive gift they could find. We had a couple who put together a CD of their favorite songs, they named the CD: "The Soundtrack to our Love Story". We had a bride whose grandma's jam was famous within their circle, so everyone received small jars of grandma's jam! There wasn't one jar left behind! Other couples personalized mugs, mason jars and coozies!

Day #18: Golf

Did you know Grooms (or Brides) can Golf for free! Before you say "I do" enjoy a round of golf with your friends and family! Guests are $65/per player (cart & range included).

Contact our Golf Pro Shop at 703-631-9560 x118

Day #17 of KISSmas goes to another KISS

Today we go back to July 18, 2015 when Emily and Jed had their first KISS as a married couple.  They had the LARGEST wedding with us this year with a guest count of 256 and what fun those guests were.  Both Emily and Jed work at a local High School so they knew a lot of our staff here at Chantilly, making the day feel like we are all part of one big happy family.

We thank you Mr. & Mrs. Williams for hosting your wedding here with us - come see us soon!

Day #16: Invitations!

Day #16 of KISSmas is ALL about invitations, and paper goods for your wedding day. Invitations are one of the first things that your guests formally receive with information about your wedding, so it is the perfect opportunity to bring in personal touches and set the stage for the look and feel of the celebration you are planning. Brides often receive many questions leading up to their wedding about their reception, and a guest's understanding of the nice meal that will be provided can be unclear. Use your invitations as an opportunity to communicate to your guests about what to expect. There are several ways to do this, whether you're having a heavy hors d'oeuvres cocktail reception, or a formal plated dinner. Caitlin Creative Works provided this concise infographic to help our brides navigate this important step in the planning process. 

Caitlin designs custom and semi-custom Save the Dates, Wedding Invitations and Day-of Details to brides in the Washington, DC Metro area. www.caitlincreativeworks.com/contact

Day #15: Place Card Ideas!

Place cards are used to tell your guests where they are sitting but it is also a way for our servers to know what their guests chose as their meal (ex: filet vs salmon). At Chantilly National, your cocktail hour is outside.  It is windy outside so those classic place cards don't work best outside. So most of our couples prepared for that - they put together boards, picture frames, wood pieces and more.  Place cards are still made for each guest to indicate their meal choice but they are preset at the tables so they will find their names when they find their seat.  It is also a great way to help assign seats for that table of "singles" - you never know, maybe you'll help your friends find their match.

Day #14: It's time for another KISS!

After 17 years, Alena & Jeremiah still have "butterflies" for each other.  They had their first KISS as a married couple on November 7, 2015 at a local church and came to Chantilly National to celebrate their love.  We are wishing you many more years of happiness.  Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Andrew's for spending your special day with us.

Photographer: George Street Photo & Video

Day #13: Centerpiece Ideas

Flower, books, teraniums, candles, lanters or all of the above.  Centerpiece ideas can be found just about anywhere but my advice would be: You can choose Centerpeices or Linens.  If you have a simple centerpiece, maybe upgrade your linen.  If your centerpiece is extravagant, maybe stick to a simple table linen and napkin color.