Matt & Lysa: Our Story

Matt & Lysa met in 2008. Lysa was back from college and taking a summer course at the local community college while Matt was doing the same thing. If it weren’t for their class, Economics, these two love birds would have never met!

After many long (and not so interesting) classes, Matt & Lysa got to know each other. They went on dates and soon began to realize that this was more than a summer fling. After the summer months flew by, Lysa returned to Norfolk where she was attending college. They spent their weekends traveling back and forth trying to keep a long distance relationship going…and it worked! They soon began to realize that their love for each other could withstand anything.

Then on November 23, 2011 Matt proposed to Lysa. With the help of her coworkers and her dad, Matt was able to pull off a wonderful proposal.

Lysa is a teacher and the day Matt proposed happened to be a day that she was working. It was early in the school day when Lysa got a phone call from the office saying that she needed to go to the principal’s office. So they sent another teacher to her class while she went to the office and waited for the principal, which felt like forever! She felt like she was in trouble..and she was the teacher not a student! However, after many minutes, Lysa was sent back to her classroom because “the principal was still in a meeting and would call her back later.” So Lysa returned back to her room and little did she know that the principal and assistant principal had snuck out of the office (while Lysa was waiting) to get to her classroom. When Lysa opened the door to her classroom she was surprised to see her students standing in the front of the room and each of them was holding out a letter that read the phrase, “Lysa Will You Marry Me?” And then at the end of the line stood Matt with the ring in hand!

It was such a joyous occasion and they were so thrilled that her dad, students, and coworkers could be a part of the special day!

Therefore, July 21, 2012 cannot come soon enough! Both, Matt & Lysa, are ecstatic about having their dream wedding at Eden Try!

From High School Softball to Wine and Roses: Love through the “ages”

Heather and Josh

Josh and I met in high school during my freshman year and his sophomore year; he played baseball and I played softball. We talked to each other on the bus every now and then on our way to away games.  Little did we know, we lived seven houses down from each other; which we found out when we were reunited years later.  Once Josh moved away, we had lost touch, never knowing what would happen a few years later.

A week after my birthday during my junior year in college, Josh had sent me a facebook message to wish me a happy birthday and to catch up.  We exchanged numbers and talked on the phone with each other for the next few days.  During a huge snowstorm Josh made his way up to Winchester from Fredericksburg on his day off from work to visit me in person; we talked endlessly and realized that our friendship could be something more.  While home for Valentines day a few weeks later, Josh had told me that he left something for me outside while he was on his way to work.  While still dressed in pajamas, I went outside and saw a bottle of wine and a bouquet of roses laying on my car; I knew then that he could possibly be the one.
We started casually dating for the next few weeks but were still not officially together.  As our first real date, Josh surprised me and took me to Potomac Point Winery in Stafford, VA for a wine tasting and a romantic day to spend together. On St. Patrick’s day, we met up with my sister and her friend at Murphy’s Pub in Old Town Alexandria.  With the slight pressure of my sister, Josh and I had made it official that we were now together. After a year and a half of dating, vacations together, and me graduating college; Josh had surprised me once more and took me back to the same place where we had our first date, Potomac Point Winery.  We had a nice wine tasting and then sat and talked at a private table for a while.  Next thing I know, he hands me a wine glass engraved with “Heather, will you marry me?” After I read this, I looked up and saw him down on one knee with a beautiful ring.  After I said yes, Josh handed me another wine glass engraved with “The Future Mrs. Prica”  Needless to say, we were both very happy and can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together.
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Heather Lonsinger

Gayle and Ryan Plan a Spring Wedding

The brilliant Gayle (in Ryan’s words) and the local “catch” Ryan to wed at Eden Try!  Ryan is of Belvedere Plantation fame; Gayle is the NC women’s basketball coach.  When asked about their “story” Ryan replied…I  let her pick the location for our first date and she picked a sports bar!  I knew it was a great match right from the start.  Even after signing with Eden Try he was going to take her out for a nice dinner.  She asked if they could go watch the game instead.  She’s just great he says.

Suspended Love: The story of Lia and Courtney

Courtney and Lia’s Union is a testament to the words of the famous Napoleon Bonaparte, “There are no accidents, only fate misnamed.”

The unlikely union of a Jamaican born man, living in Montreal Canada and a North Carolina bred woman, living in Virginia, began in May of 2000.  After they each travelled hundreds of miles for a vacation cruise getaway, neither of them suspected or could even imagine what was to transpire as they boarded the Carnival Cruise Liner.  From the onset, they both had an eye for each other but male posturing and female bantering would slightly delay their official meeting.   Fortunately fate accounted for their stubborn egos and put them in the enclosed environment of the Carnival cruise ship.  Before long, they were poolside sharing drinks, laughs and trying their best to hold in their guts.   Despite their apparent polar opposites in upbringing, style and experiences, they felt a connection neither of them could ignore. The five day cruise turned into the start of a love affair though they did not know it at the time.  As they disembarked the ship to head in separate directions, not even these two hardened souls could mask their discontent.   Lia was to return to Fredericksburg and Courtney another 600 miles further north to Montreal, Canada.  They Exchanged e-mail addresses and in true Shakespearian fashion, their parting was such sweet sorrow.

For some time after their return home, although they would read each other’s e-mails with giddy smiles on their faces, they did not see any reality in a serious relationship. Unsurprisingly, the course of true love never did run smooth.  They lost contact when Courtney changed his email address in favour of a more professional sounding one, one which Lia did not recognize.  Consequently, his emails sat in her inbox without reply for years.  Six years later, curious to know who cdsewell was and why he was emailing her, she opened an email and was stunned to realize that it was her Janadian friend from the cruise.  Months of daily emails and conversation ensued.   Though they had went on to live completely different lives, the connection they shared still lived within them.  Unfortunately, so did their stubborn egos.  While they tried to highlight the circumstances that would make their relationship difficult at best, their shared values and love for each other would prevail.  Inconvenience gave way to challenge and borders faded.  After months of communicating, Lia knew she would have to put her feelings to the ultimate test so she boarded a plane to Canada to look him in the eyes.  The instant she did she felt Goosebumps.  Some from the bitter winter cold, others from the renewed connection she felt on the Carnival.   Courtney’s heart raced as he wondered what he was thinking in 2000 to have allowed this woman walk away.  Neither of their obstinate ways would permit them to show it but by the time the brief weekend visit had concluded, Courtney was certain he had found his caramel Queen.  The rest as they say, is history.

A Perfect Fall Wedding

Jennifer and David!  Last Saturday was a picture perfect Fall day at Eden Try when our new friends Jennifer and David celebrated their union in style.  Following a dramatic arrival on the Frederickburg Trolley with the rest of the wedding party, Jennifer and David were greeted by our ace DJ Eric Herod who introduced each member of the wedding party in a “unique” way followed by a “love story” put to muisc for the bridal couple.  Wine flowed freely and a great time was had by all who came to celebrate the union of this very special couple.  Following a playful farewell  through a parade of bubbles, the couple rode off into the sunset together on their striking white “carriage”!

John and Mikala Upcoming Wedding!

Congratulations to John and Mikala for their upcoming wedding on June 9, 2012!  The couple has chosen Torre Photography to capture their wedding day memories.  John & Mikala’s wedding won’t be just another wedding. It will be a reflection of some of the happiest moments of their lives. When their wedding day is over, all that will be left to remind them of the fun and romance will be their memories and beautiful photographs. Let Torre Photography capture these memories for you!

Editor’s Pick “Best of Weddings” 2008, 2009 & 2011 – The Knot.Com

Voted “Best of Prince William County 2011″

“Bride’s Choice Award” 2010 – Wedding Wire

10 Fall Wedding Favor Ideas

Caramel Apples

1. Treat guests to the quintessential fall indulgence — caramel apples. Have them packaged individually and tied off with a ribbon that matches your colors so guests can grab the treat as they exit without getting caramel on their nice clothes.

 Soy Candles

2. Capture the coziness of autumn with soy candles in shades of burnt orange, yellow, or brown. They can double as place cards, or pack them into pretty boxes that match your color palette.

 Autumnal-Shaped Chocolates

3. Chocolate is always a favorite favor (who doesn’t love a sweet after a night of dancing?), so consider chocolates in the shapes of maple leaves and acorns. Display them in individual boxes at each place setting or on trays near the dessert table.

 Mini Maple Syrup Bottles

4. Few things represent the fall season better than maple syrup. Give mini maple syrup bottles to your guests as a sweet thank-you, or include them in farewell bags at the postwedding brunch for all to enjoy with their breakfast.

 Apple Cider Mix

5. Packets of apple cider mix are perfect for welcome baskets and reception favors alike. Buy them prepackaged with cute sayings such as “Falling in Love,” or make them yourself — and don’t forget the cinnamon stirring sticks.

 Pumpkin Spice Soaps

6. They’re practical and pretty, and your guests will love the fall scent. Get pumpkin-shaped soaps and leave them at each place setting.

 Individual Apple Tarts

7. You don’t want to upstage the cake, but fresh apple tarts are a tasty way to wow your guests.

Sunflower Seeds

8. Both for eating and for planting, packets of sunflower seeds are ideal for a rustic fall wedding. Display the packets on a table alongside fresh sunflowers in vases, or simply place little pouches filled with seeds at each setting.

 Fresh Candied Pecans

9. Warm pecans coated in brown sugar will leave your guests feeling snug and satisfied. Have your caterer arrange for a pecan cart to give out the snacks toward the end of the evening.

 Apple Butter

10. Whether you buy it or make it yourself, apple butter is a unique fall favor that not only looks the part, but tastes great too. Package the sweet spread into mini jars; cover each jar lid with fabric to match your wedding day colors; and tie them off with a thin piece of raffia and a small thank-you note.

Bells Soon to Ring at Eden Try!

Eden Try is in the process of lovingly restoring a centuries old bell that has been in the owner’s family for generations.  We don’t know when the ancient bell was cast, but its origins can be traced back at least 5 generations to the 1800s!  Ask about it during your personal tour!  It’s possible  You may be able to literally “ring in” your nuptials with a REAL centuries old bell for your dream wedding at Eden Try!

New Website!

We’ve redesigned our main website www.edentryevents.com – please check it out and let us know what you think. We welcome suggestions for making our site as attractive and user friendly as possible!

Theme Weddings – Ideas and Tips to make your Wedding Memorable (Part 1)

To make your wedding a truly memorable event it helps to have a theme. A theme doesn’t have to be outlandish to be memorable, doesn’t have to be Disneyland or jumping out of an airplane:  it should just be a coordinated look or feel throughout the invitations, placecards, centerpieces (if possible), colors, etc. Themes can be elegant, whimsical, casual, etc. and should always reflect the personalities of the bride and groom.

Here are some possibilities for a theme wedding, if you have tips, suggestions or stories to share about your theme wedding we would love to hear from you!

An outdoor wedding is both beautiful and good for the Earth!

Print invitations on recycled paper!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ECO-FRIENDLY THEME

Choosing a venue helps set the stage and theme for any event and is usually your first major decision. Traditional venues, such as hotel ballrooms and fancy resorts, tend to use lots of electricity, water and other typically not-so-earth-friendly products. Get married in the beautiful outdoors! Print invitations on recycled paper or give up printed pieces altogether and get the message out digitally. For the brides’ bouquet choose organic and locally grown flowers, for the tables try decorating with potted herbs that guests can take home and enjoy. Skip the small plastic favors for your guests and give them something edible or reusable so it doesn’t end up in a landfill. For your bridal dress shop for vintage – not only is it tres chic but it’s also earth friendly!

 

MASQUERADE BALL

For an elegant and enchanting wedding with a whimsical touch you may want to try a Masquerade theme. Require guests to come in black tie dress and set out masks at each place setting for guests to wear during the reception. Gold, cream and black would be excellent colors to complement, but not compete with the masks. Tall gold or silver candlesticks would add a romantic touch. Choose decor with lots of detail – feathers, beading and ribbons (just keep them away from the candles!)

Masquerade Style Scroll invitation by RenaissanceWritings.com

Masquerade Bride