Most Romantic Wedding Venue
Maymont
1700 Hampton St., 358-7166
Maymont offers a variety of indoor and outdoor wedding options, but none more full of romantic spirit, says special-events coordinator Rebekah Davis, than the Italian Gardens, a columned walkway and pergola covered with budding wisteria in spring. Adding to the charm, the pergola is set in a garden that teems with 200 blooming rosebushes in the summer months. But Davis says the most romantic moment is post-ceremony. After the ceremony, the bride and groom take a carriage ride around the Maymont Mansion," she says. 2. The Jefferson Hotel, 101 W. Franklin St., 788-8000
3. Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, 1800 Lakeside Ave., 262-9887
Best Stationery/Invitation Store
By Invitation Only
4017 Lauderdale Drive, 364-8474
Monica Horsley purchased By Invitation Only while prepping for her own wedding in January 2003. Since then, she moved the shop to Short Pump, where she offers 170 books of invitations, including eco-friendly Blooming Invitations, which blossom after being planted. One Richmond couple Horsley won't forget requested invites for a five-day marriage celebration at a Sonoma County winery, with activities ranging from a post-wedding brunch to shopping and golfing outings. Horsley also offers custom invitations available within 28 to 48 hours.
2. Merrymakers, 3022 W. Cary St., 353-8518
3. Papyrus, Stony Point Fashion Park, 323-6491
Best Limousine Service
James Limousine 1207 N. Boulevard, 273-1540 James Limousine provides transportation for Richmond's executives, nightlife lovers and wedding parties — in what co-owner Randy Allen says is Richmond's largest fleet of sedans, sport-utility vehicles, vans, stretch limousines and miniature coaches. The most popular ride is the limo coach, dubbed the "party bus" because of its 16-passenger perimeter seating. With up to 1,200 trips per month, Allen says the staff is trained to provide discreet transportation — such as one instance where a chauffeur had to help a bride out of her corset-style gown post-wedding after the groom had become too intoxicated to assist. "We are a full-service provider," Allen adds with a laugh. 2. Down Under, 2050 Valpark Drive, 784-4024 3. TNT Limousine, 10124 W. Broad St., 965-0990
Hippest Wedding Venue
Science Museum of Virginia 2500 W. Broad St., 864-1400 Once the thriving Broad Street Station, the Science Museum of Virginia now welcomes Richmond students and wedding parties instead of trains — one of the areas' best examples of reusing a historic structure, says Beth Voelkel, director of guest operations. About 100 couples each year are married in the venue's gargantuan atrium or under its historic wrought-iron train canopies. "You don't have to decorate, the [location] itself is the decoration," Voelkel says. "What a backdrop!" And the hippest touch? Many brides choose to use an original train car as their changing room. 2. Main Street Station, 1500 E. Main St., 523-3328 3. Plant Zero, 0 E. Fourth St., 523-7174
Best Unique Engagement Rings
Vera's Fine Jewelers 16701 Midlothian Turnpike 794-5671 When Vera's Fine Jewelers opened its doors, co-owner Vera Caniglia says they had just four jewelry cases. The store now boasts 27, including custom fine-jewelry pieces designed by Caniglia and her husband, Mike. Caniglia fondly remembers a female customer who placed an engagement-ring order for her slow-to-propose boyfriend. Upon hearing the story, Caniglia discovered that her boyfriend's custom ring design for her was already under way. Through Caniglia's subtle hints, the couple exchanged rings on the same day. 2. Capri Jewelers, 11525 W. Broad St., 364-6000; 10069 Brook Road, 553-1444 3. Fink's Jewelers, finks.com
Best Wedding Planner
Weddings by Naomi 270-1237 A self-taught event planner, Naomi Meyer has planned weddings in Richmond and as far away as California for 20 years. Details are Meyer's passion, and one reception she orchestrated included a Sylvia Weinstock cake imported from New York City, cascades of tulips and centerpieces hanging from the Science Museum ceiling. A perk of wedding planning is that it extends one's family, Meyer says — by the wedding day the bride and groom "are my own children, but I do give them back to their families at the end of the event." 2. Occasions Events, 687-925 3. All Occasions Planning, 304-0379
Best Mother-of-the-Bride Selection
Bella Rosa Bridal 11114 W. Broad St., 360-8120 Mothers-of-the-bride have long been stuck between a matronly look and an exorbitant price point, says Heather Harton, owner of Bella Rosa. "Moms want the elegant but a little bit sexy look that has been hard to find in Richmond lately," she says. That's why Harton keeps her ears open to Richmond women's preferences and then goes to market twice a year, hand-selecting dresses to match a variety of body types, offering options from conservative to sexy. And each fall and winter, Bella Rosa has a trunk show, selling mother-of-the-bride and bridal wear for discount prices. 2. Saks Fifth Avenue, Stony Point Fashion Park, 320-6960 3. (Tie) Dillard's, dillards.com; Jingles, 11739 W. Broad St., 364-4009
Best Floral Designer
Tom French Flowers 17 N. Belmont Ave., 278-9420 Tom Binns took over as owner of Tom French Flowers 16 years ago, but he hasn't tired of handpicking flowers each week from local growers and wholesalers. "You know a quality flower when you see one," he says. The stargazer lily is still the No. 1 local pick, he adds, with hydrangeas and tulips as close runners-up. Binns says his most elaborate bridal event called for a fresh floral archway draped with hydrangeas, roses and baby's breath — which he created with just 10 days' notice. 2. Flowers Make Scents, 1272 Alverser Plaza, 897-6100 3. Coleman Brothers, 2104 Dumbarton Road, 262-8681
Best Photographer
Hayes & Fisk The Art of Photography 1003 N. Parham Road, 740-9307 Master photographers Jamie Hayes and Mary Fisk-Taylor joined forces 15 years ago. Hayes describes their portrait process: "We start with the color, design, the feeling and the scale of the room, and we design the portraiture specifically for that space." Wedding photography is custom-designed as well, with styles ranging from classic to photojournalistic. 2. Caston Studio, 9000 Quioccasin Road, 754-2800 3. (Tie) Mike Topham Photography, 9400 Charter Crossing, 285-1979; Eagle Eye Photography, 389-9115; Heather House Studio, 1312 Sycamore Square, 794-0017
Best Outdoor Wedding Venue
Maymont 1700 Hampton St., 358-7166 Maymont's 100 acres provide an array of panoramic wedding options, from the tranquil Japanese Garden's koi pond and waterfall to the Italian Garden drenched in budding coral roses (former estate owner Mrs. Dooley's favorite). Yet with about 70 weddings at Maymont each year, Richmond's weather does not always hold up. During last fall's Hurricane Hanna, a bride and her bridesmaids pulled on matching galoshes and held umbrellas. 2. Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, 1800 Lakeside Ave., 262-9887 3. The Boathouse at Sunday Park, 4602 Millridge Parkway, 744-2545
Best Caterer
Mosaic Café & Catering
6229-A River Road, 288-7482
Since general manager Jeff Weaver joined the Mosaic team two months ago, the café has received a complete renovation, including the addition of a full bar that offers specialty mixed drinks while the catering operation has continued to work on everything from boxed lunches to wedding receptions for up to 1,000, handling about 350 events each year. Mosaic's executive chef, Jordan Cregger (previously a cook at Walt Disney World's Grand Floridian hotel), develops creative menus, including the café's most popular dish: shrimp and grits.
2. A Sharper Palate, 5511 Lakeside Ave., 553-0495
3. Catering by Jill, 8574 Sanford Drive, 262-5787
Best Wedding-Gown Selection
Bella Rosa Bridal
11114 W. Broad St., 360-8120
Since planning her own December 1998 wedding, Heather Harton dreamed of owning a bridal shop — a dream that was fulfilled in 2004 with the opening of Bella Rosa, where she helps more than 2,000 Richmond brides discover their perfect gown each year. Bella Rosa offers more than 300 dress options by designers such as Barcelona's Monique Lhuillier and Los Angeles' Pronovias.
2. Jingles, 11739 W. Broad St., 364-4009
3. David's Bridal, 9101 W. Broad St., 747-9920
