The Town of Events and Parades, part I

Throughout the year, downtown Leesburg merchants host First Fridays -- when the shops stay open in the evenings and many musicians play at the various shops, http://leesburgfirstfriday.com/. Thoroughly delightful and fun.

On Saturday nights, Acoustic on the Green entertains the crowd with a myriad of different musical groups throughout the summer months, http://www.acousticonthegreen.com/

On Sunday evenings also during the summer, the Bluemont Concert series performs at Dodona Manor, originally the home of General George C. Marshall, http://www.bluemont.org/Concerts/Leesburg.html

On the third Thursdays the downtown cerebrates Girls Night Out, from 5-9PM.

Come downtown, visit the shops, hear the music, dine, and enjoy these fine events. 

http://www.downtownleesburgva.com/ 

What's in a Number?

Getting married by the Number (day and month and year) is one way to choose your wedding date.

From eHow: point number 5 on how to choose a wedding date:

If you can, choose a cool wedding date. For example, 11/11/11 or 8/9/10 makes excellent and memorable wedding date. Just be aware that there is a lot of competition for these dates, so you'll have to book early to grab a day like these.

We’ve missed 2008, but 2011 November 11^th is coming up and so is 9/10/11. Think how easy it will be to remember—there will be no excuse in forgetting this anniversary!

Call us for exceptional rates in hosting your ceremony on 11/11/11. A perfect day to marry. 703.777.2729.

DIY # 4 for the man, Proposals

Even today, it is the man who often proposes. So how is this done?

Wedding Channel has a well organized list. Look for The Top 12 Rules of Proposing, www.weddingchannel.com. Or go to www.Askmen.com and search for The Perfect Proposal. At How to Do Things, a useful worksheet is provide. http://www.howtodothings.com/family-and-relationships/a2408-how-to-propose-marriage.html

All articles say to keep her in mind. You know her, right? What does she like? Think about how, when, and where, and check out your approach. Make it personal via the right location (such as first date restaurant), significant day or date, favorite flower or special song. Think of your time together and select something meaningful for the two of you.

Another site with fun information is http://www.engagementexperts.com/.

Scan the web, jot down ideas you feel most comfortable with, move ahead with a proposal for a lifetime.

Event at Weddings on Wirt Street

A great event, a shower, took place at the little brick house, Weddings on Wirt Street. Call Suzanne Fox if you have a shower coming up. 703.777.2927, http://www.weddingsonwirt.com/

DIY #3 Your Wedding Vows and More

You can find quite a lot of wedding assistance on the internet. There are sites that will help you select readings, write vows, figure out placement of your attendants, explain processional and recessional ideas and tell you how to conduct a rehearsal.

http://weddings.about.com/cs/bridesandgrooms/a/vowwording.htm

http://diy-weddings.com/DIY_Wedding_Vows.html

http://www.wedd101.com/w12-wedding-rehearsals.html#A%20Rehearsal%20Described%20in%20Great%20Detail

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

http://www.chicagomarriage.com/wedding_rehearsal.htm

http://www.getmarriedohio.com/ceremony/rehearsal.php

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

Farm to Fork—eat local - drink local

Farm-to-Fork LoudounSM is a collaborative effort between the agricultural, culinary, and winery communities of Loudoun County, Virginia. … (it) brings the fresh bounty of Loudoun farms and vineyards direct to the tables of its finest eating establishments in a celebration of community and food.

http://farmtoforkloudoun.com/

Loudoun Farms: http://www.loudounfarms.org/ 

Loudoun Wineries

Almost 30 wineries make their home in Loudoun Country.

The oldest, Willowcroft, http://willowcroftwine.com/, opened in the early 1980s.

The vineyards at Willowcroft date back to the early part of the modern viticulture era of Virginia. They were planted at a time when advisors from the Virginia Extension Service still considered growing European varieties to be very risky business indeed. The first vines were planted in 1980, Those first vines died and were replanted the following year. The second planting survived. Many of those vines grow to this day, and you can see them in the home vineyard.

The newest will be in Taylorstown, http://www.taylorstowngeneralstore.com/index.htm, http://taylorstowncommunityassociation.blogspot.com/.

Most wineries have events during the weekend, music, festivals, dinner. Come out and enjoy the countryside: http://www.loudounwine.com/ , http://www.loudounfarms.org/Default.asp?contentid=54

Find at driving tour at http://www.visitloudoun.org/Experience-Loudoun/Wine-Country