Early inspiration: At home with designer Michelle Adams

A second-generation interior designer, Michelle Willis Adams grew up “assisting” her mother, who had a design business in New York and Rappahannock, Virginia. She can remember sitting at her mother’s clients’ kitchen tables, “listening to them discuss fabrics and furniture arrangements,” she says. “I also remember browsing many antiques shops and going to auctions with […]

The water’s fine (and we have pool envy!)

Designer Ann Nicholson admits she borrows inspiration from unlikely places—Edgemont, a historic Albemarle residence possibly designed by Thomas Jefferson; a pool house in the Hamptons belonging to designer Tory Burch. But the pool at Lowfields Farm in Fluvanna, where she resides with her husband? That was all her. Installed by Charlottesville Aquatics, the double lap […]

Summer C-VILLE Weddings: On stands now!

Here’s what you’ll find in the latest issue of C-VILLE Weddings: a month-by-month guide to planning, a DJ’s top songs, Albemarle’s new venue, real Charlottesville weddings and a sweet proposal at C’ville Pride Fest. Albemarle’s newest venue comes with a layered history. What to consider when hiring a caterer. Candy Girl answers: Who should be in […]

Sweet romance: A soft palette warms a winter wedding

Maggie Gill and James Pacana March 12, 2016 It’s fitting that Maggie and James were married at a vineyard. The day the couple got engaged, they had been visiting one Loudoun County winery after another as, unbeknownst to Maggie, James’ surprise proposal was thwarted by a bachelorette party at each location. Once he was finally […]

Hit list: Work with your DJ to tailor your tunes

Though DJ John Garland once had clients text him a picture of a wedding attendant from whom he shouldn’t take requests, coming up with a playlist is typically pretty stress-free. But that’s just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to hiring a DJ. Garland says, regardless of which DJ they’re interviewing, couples should […]

Higher love: Three ideas for big-day hair

Even though updos are typically seen as a more formal style, we challenged hairstylist Brianna B. Adams to create three carefree, romantic options for inspiration. Model Amber Griggs wears earrings by Ana Cavalheiro (anacavalheiro.com) and a gown from Sealed With A Kiss (sealedwithakissbridal.com). Makeup by Nikki Benedikt of The Spot Beauty Shop.

#lovewins: An unexpected romance turns into marriage

Lisa Green and Amy-Sarah Marshall met four years ago, during the planning phase of Charlottesville’s first Cville Pride Festival, which Amy-Sarah founded. “I was a very happy single person, owned my own home and my dog and I had everything happily where I could find it,” says Lisa, a planning commissioner with the City of […]