The Wedding Planner: Frankee Love

Few places offer the numerous scenic backdrops found in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Marriage celebrant Frankee Love performs customized weddings in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. And were you curious if Frankee Love was born with such an appropriate name?

"In case you're wondering, yes Love really is my name. My parents, Mr. and Mrs. Love, had a small town jewelry store that specialized in wedding gifts and diamond engagement rings. It runs in the family." Lovetripper.com recently spoke to Frankee Love about planning a wedding in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Describe a wedding that took advantage of a beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain location.

I recently performed a wedding that took advantage of a great backdrop - The Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. The location was the Blue Ridge Overlook at Wintergreen Resort. The overlook is a cliff that offers an expansive view of the mountains and valley. Wildflowers had grown really tall around the edges and this made for better decorations than anyone could have possibly done. There were about 100 wedding guests and since there was not enough room for them to all park at the overlook, a hay ride was arranged to pick them up from another location. Everyone in the wedding party and all guests wore denim, a guitarist performed the wedding music, and wildflowers were arranged in barrels and butter churns. The wedding guests were seated in a semi-circle open to the gorgeous mountain view and children sat happily on quilts in front of the chairs. I had the bride and groom face forward in the center of the semi-circle so their guests could actually see them take their vows and exchange rings. The atmosphere created was truly inspirational. People commented afterwards how moved they were by the experience.

How can brides incorporate some elements or traditions of the Blue Ridge Mountains into a wedding?

Some elements that could be used are: wildflowers, hay rides, log cabins, banjo and fiddle music, Virginia wine, quilts, split-rail fence, and (my favorite) homemade ice cream with fresh blackberries.

What are some of the most unique wedding sites in the area?

• Wintergreen Resort: an upscale 4-season resort with golf, tennis, skiing, horseback riding and a major emphasis on nature programs. Lots of scenic overlooks and some nice indoor possibilities, too.
• Oak Ridge Estate: a plantation-type mansion with a small ballroom, verandah, historic garden, 1910 stone train station, spring house/tea house-- lots of possibilities
• Pioneer Cabin: This is a 1700's cabin with a covered front porch and an enclosed front yard. A wedding could be held in the yard with a reception in the cabin.
• Love: a village on the Blue Ridge Parkway with cabins and some pretty areas.
• The exact spot where the Appalachian Trail crosses over the TransContinental bicycle route. Great for the bicycling and hiking couple. And it's actually photogenic. The AT crosses over the bike route with a graceful stone arch.
• Mountain Cove Vineyards: there is a pavilion at the vineyard with breathtaking mountain views, near sunset would be nice.
• Walton's Mountain Museum: the elementary school of John-Boy Walton (author Earl Hamner, Jr.)
• Confederate Cemetery (yes, really): this is better than you would think , for the Confederate history buff. There is a beautiful stone archway, a gazebo and historical statuary.
• Balcony Falls: an adventurous wedding for the whitewater canoeist or kayaker
• Several bed & breakfast inns: some have indoor wedding sites and some have beautiful outdoor spots.

After the wedding, what nearby romantic locations might the couple want to visit?

You could tour Oak Ridge Estate or Monticello (home of Thomas Jefferson) or Montpelier, home of James Madison. You could shop for antiques, pick blackberries, enjoy an outdoor concert, take a winery tour, then soak in a hot tub at Wintergreen. Or if you wanted to be more active, you could play tennis, golf, go horseback riding or swim in the indoor/outdoor pools.

For More Information:

• http://www.blueridgeweddings.com
  

Photo courtesy Frankee Love