New Sign

Check out our new sign -- ready for our summer season. The Copper Beech as leafed out and the gardens are beautiful.

Summer Comes to Leesburg

Beginning of Spring

The cooler weather and the many moist days give the area green, green grass and longer lasting flowers.

Virginia has a wide and beautiful variety of flowers and foliage. This weekend was the culmination of the azalea blooms. Virginia is known for their azaleas. The United States national Arboretum is in the NE section of DC: http://www.usna.usda.gov/Gardens/collections/azalea.html,

Admirers come to the U.S. National Arboretum’s Azalea Collection every spring to witness one of Washington’s premier spring attractions.  Thousands of azaleas cover the flanks of Mount Hamilton in a blaze of color.  The first warm days bring out the flowers, and the slopes take on a surreal, almost luminescent glow.  Few shrubs have more impact on the spring landscape–azaleas are an enduring favorite in gardens throughout the country.

The Arboretum has many other displays and collections as well http://www.usna.usda.gov/

Other interesting web sites supplying information on our plants are:

From the Charlottesville Garden Club information on Container Gardening—some useful information and other links. http://www.gardeninginvirginia.org/

Garden forum for Virginia: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/vagard/

Helpful Web Sites for Smaller Weddings

There are a few web sites that are designed to give informatin and ideas for smaller weddings. However, smaller wedding is an undefined term. It sometimes means less that 50 guests, often less then 100 guests. It seldom means 20 or so which is what I think of when I think of a small wedding.

At our Chapel, ceremonies are often about 10-25 guests. The bridal party is small, usually just a MOH and best man. Check your state for their laws about witnesses. Marriage License Information for Loudoun County is found at http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=2053

Before or after the ceremony there may be a few appetizers or a toast and cake, then the bridal party and guests either walk or drive to one of the nearby restaurants for dinner. It is often find it easier to hold the ceremony in a different site than the restaurant.

A few of the web sites I found with good ideas are

http://www.hudsonvalleyweddings.com/guide/small.htm

http://ideasforsmallweddings.com/

http://weddings.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Small_Weddings

Photo courtesy of Marc Kent Photographers.

Small Intimate Weddings

We just attended a friend’s wedding. It was small and personal —and the most meaningful and tender wedding we have attended. There was a dinner the night before at a local restaurant. The next day, before the ceremony, appetizers and drinks were served; after the ceremony were toasts, photos, cake and champagne.

Everyone, especially the bride and groom, got a chance to talk with everyone.

Sometimes these are destination weddings, renewal of vows, a second wedding, a wedding before moving across the country to the family for a celebration, or to another continent , or just a preference for a smaller, more private event.

Guest list is limited to very close family and friends and usually just a maid or honor and best man, usually under 20 people.

The event can be held at a home, an inn, city hall or a chapel. If at home, remember the chairs, tables, decorations and tableware. Or the ceremony can be followed by a dinner at a restaurant.

 

Flowers in Leesburg

Spring is here—as of March 20^th.

And this weekend, April 16^th and 17^th, Leesburg has it’s annual Flower and Garden Show:

Historic Downtown Leesburg will once again be in full bloom as lush landscapes and gorgeous gardens fill the streets. On April 16 and 17, 2011, over 130 vendors will be on display, featuring landscape designs, gardening supplies, outdoor living items, plants, flowers, herbs and so much more! Stroll the streets and take in the sights and sounds of springtime. Whether gathering ideas for your new outdoor patio, stocking up on gardening supplies, or searching for a perfect gift for the avid gardener in your life, this event will have something for everyone! The event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information about the Flower & Garden Festival, call Ida Lee Park Recreation Center at 703-777-1368 or visit www.flowerandgarden.org 

Virginia has a myriad of native plants, 3,500 plants native or naturalized here. The Flora Of Virginia Project is documenting and publishing a comprehensive reference work on these plants.

To find out more, go to http://www.floraofvirginia.org/index.shtml   

Wedding Ceremony Chair Decorations

You can decorate all the chairs at a ceremony, or just the aisle chairs, or at a dinner the Bride's and Groom's chairs. Ribbon, sashes, flowers can all be used. These photos are from weddings at the Thomas Birkby House and WoWS. For other suggestions search wedding ceremony chair decorations on the internew or ask your DOC, wedding planner or florist.

Leesburg, Historic Downtown



Downtown Businesses

 Leesburg was established in 1758 at the crossroads of the major north-south Carolina Road (now U.S. Highway 15) and the east-west oriented Potomac Ridge Road (now Virginia Highway 7) and is the seat of government for Loudoun County established in 1757.

The town's rich history spans three centuries. The old downtown buildings reflect the early years in Leesburg’s history. Come visit and see this quaint town just 45 miles from Washington, DC and 14 miles from Dulles Airport.

Downtown Leesburg Businesses http://www.downtownleesburgva.com/index.php

Loudoun County Visitor Information: www.visitloudoun.org

Downtown Leesburg Dining, with private dining rooms:

Eiffel Tower Café, 107 Loudoun St, SW, 703-777-5142, http://www.eiffeltowercafe.com/

Lightfoot Restaurant, 11 North King Street, 703,771.2233, www.lightfootrestaurant.com

Tuscarora Mill, 203 Harrison St. SE, 703.771.9300, www.tuskies.com

Palio Ristorante, 2 W. Market St., 703.779.0060, www.palioofleesburg.com