Kristen & Landon
Kristen Gates & Landon Smith
October 3, 2009
Mariners Landing
I had the pleasure of being the wedding coordinator for Kristen and Landon for almost a full year before her wedding day. Kristen and Landon had met while students at Virginia Tech and were living in Charlotte, NC. The couple chose Mariners Landing for both the wedding ceremony and reception.
During the week of the wedding, the weather forecast looked like it would rain on Saturday but the good news came on Thursday when the weather man announced that the rain would skip our area so a beautiful wedding day was planned for their outdoor event. The ceremony was on the Pointe Lawn with beautiful Smith Mountain Lake and mountains as the backdrop for their wedding. The Danville trio was placed under the gazebo which added a classic touch to the event.
The Blackwater Room at Mariners Landing was decorated with ivory and brown to accent the bridesmaids cinnamon dresses. The guest tables were draped with a mixture of Ivory Classic linens with Chocolate Lamour table runners and Brown Classic linens draped with Ivory Lamour table runners. Instead of the typical guest book, the Bride and Groom had a record made with their picture on it and matted for guests to sign which will add a unique decor piece to their home.
A few months ago I had received a phone call from a friend of the couples with a surprise that she needed help with. As a wedding coordinator when someone wants to do a "Surprise" for the Bride and Groom on their wedding day, I'll admit it scares me. However, without a doubt after meeting Kristen and Landon I knew the surprise would turn out terrific. After the guests had finished dinner the Bride and Groom had their special dances with their parents and then the party began with a huge hit. The DJ made an announcement about how the Bride and Groom had met at Virginia Tech and VT had one their away game that day, then all of a sudden the Virginia Tech Hokie Bird decked out in a tuxedo jacket and a boutonnière made an appearance and the guests went wild!!!! The Hokie Bird danced with the couple to Sandman and various other songs, had his picture taken with the happy couple then left for a short time to take pictures with other guests in a nearby hallway. He then revisited the Bride, Groom and their guests on the dance floor for a few more dances and slow songs. The couple was definitely surprised and everyone loved having the Hokie Bird at the wedding. One of the grandfathers at the wedding was extremely happy as he was the first of many generations of people in their family to attend Virginia Tech and had fun see the dancing with the Hokie Bird. The grandfather also shared with me that when he had attended VT there was only 3,000 students in attendance and he was so proud of how the school has grown.
Other special moments in the night included the Groom singing a surprise song to his Bride and a slideshow of pictures of the couple that was played after guests were done eating. Without a doubt it was a fun night for everyone and we were happy to be a part of Kristen and Landon's special day. Pictures will be coming from Christi Austin Photography soon!
Ceremony & Reception: Mariners Landing
Catering: Benjamin at the Pointe
Photographer: Christi Austin Photography
DJ: Sandi Conner
Flowers: Budget Designer Florals
Cake: Billie's Cakes
Ceremony & Reception: Mariners Landing
Catering: Benjamin at the Pointe
Photographer: Christi Austin Photography
DJ: Sandi Conner
Flowers: Budget Designer Florals
Cake: Billie's Cakes
Posted by SML Weddings at 10/13/2009 12:40 PM 
Categories: Real Weddings
Tags: Smith Mountain Lake Weddings Hokie Bird Virginia Tech Mariners Landing
Categories: Real Weddings
Tags: Smith Mountain Lake Weddings Hokie Bird Virginia Tech Mariners Landing
Comments