Charlotte Baird & William Crandall September 25, 2021, at Boxwood Villa For about 90 percent of their engagement, Charlotte says, she and her future husband were deployed overseas, adding a layer of complication to an already stressful process. They found their venue—Boxwood Villa—online, ordered silk flowers on Etsy, and hired a caterer they both already knew […]
With its small-town feel, beautiful mountain views, historic landmarks, and a strong local food and wine culture, the Charlottesville area is a popular spot to get hitched. For brides and grooms looking to make their celebration truly representative of place, local wines are an important piece of the planning. Here are some can’t-miss recommendations for […]
COVID-19 spurred lots of creativity among couples planning weddings, including some new ideas about venues. But unusual places can also require some creative thinking ahead to ensure your perfect day comes off perfectly. Here are a few options you might not have (yet!) considered. The gallery wedding Sarah Fay Waller, principal of Day by Fay, […]
It may seem fussy to worry so much about your wedding’s tabletop décor, but it’s a great way to carry out the vibe of your big day,from floral centerpieces to charger plates. Here are three ideas worth a second look.—Caite Hamilton Colorful tapers The days of romantic pastels and rustic details may never be behind […]
Want to host your wedding reception at a city-based venue that makes you feel like you’re in the mountains? That’s the jam at Level 10, an event space perched above downtown Charlottesville, and offering unobstructed views of the Blue Ridge. “We’re the highest venue in Charlottesville, and that is pretty fun,” venue director Mary Blanton […]
Former librarian Flannery Buchanan had always dreamed of openingher own bookstore, but financial limitations forced her to get inventive: She bought a 1966 Banner camper and turned it into Bluebird Bookstop, a bookstore on wheels. The curated collection includes a little something for everyone—by design. “Right now times are hard and stressful and I’ve found […]
Back in the spring of 2020, while a student at UVA, Alec Brewer noticed something outside of his apartment complex that didn’t sit quite right: mattresses stacked 20-high, ready to be sent to the landfill. Around the same time, he was learning about the concept of customer discovery in one of his classes. He put […]
Jacquelyn Lazo thinks a lot about communications. So, as the Charlottesville resident spoke to a friend whose child was having trouble with the COVID-19 pandemic, she was really listening. A former Darden Report managing editor and current poetry magazine proofreader, nonprofit communications consultant, and engagement specialist for Save the Children U.S., Lazo sprung to action. […]
Esther Bobbin only had to be near the chocolate industry to fall in love. Now, through her nonprofit United By Chocolate, she’s trying to change the business for the better by breaking down language barriers. “There are about 4.5 million cacao producers worldwide, and the majority of them don’t speak English,” Bobbin says. “And yet, […]
Kylie Britt knows the wizardry behind winemaking. And she wants you to know it, too. “I think it’s important to know where wine comes from and the people who make it, but I want to share that in accessible ways,” says the aspiring consultant and current “wine specialist” at The Wool Factory. Britt’s journey into […]