The Williamsburg Wedding Blog

Weddings and the Crim Dell Bridge, College of William & Mary

One of the most iconic images of the Williamsburg wedding scene is the Crim Dell Bridge on the campus of the College of William & Mary. Every freshmen learns the legend on the first day of orientation: kiss your sweetheart on the Crim Dell and someday the two of you will marry.

The bridge dates back to 1966 when it was opened on the first-ever "Parent's Day". It is nestled in a private little dell at the end of the Sunken Gardens and is the result of damming College Creek. Evidently before becoming a romantic destination students used to use it to dispose of their trash (nice). Most visitors wouldn't even know it was there, especially in spring and summer when the foliage has returned and shrouds it in secrecy.

The bridge was funded by the 1964 class gift - that class seems to have endowed half of the college, incidentally. It is named after "distinguished alumnus" John Crim (Class of 1901). The plaque that is mounted near the bridge features a quote from the college president who commissioned the bridge, Davis Paschall: "that one may walk in beauty, discover the serenity of the quiet moment, and dispel the shadows".

It is certainly the beauty (and even the shadows) of the bridge, along with the legend of the kiss that bring to it newlywed and engaged couples alike, with photographer in tow. But there are other rumors about Crim Dell too (that would be as cool in photographs if you ask this alumna): the only cure if you've kissed on the bridge to prevent marriage? You must throw the person you kissed off the bridge (I'm sure campus security loves that one). And another gem: women should not walk alone over the bridge. If they do, they are doomed to a life of spinsterhood.

It's lucky, then, that the bridge doesn't provide convenient access to anything. In fact, if you decide to take the requisite "Crim Dell Bridge Photo" on your wedding day, be prepared for a little offroading. All paths that lead to the site are unpaved and involve weathered steps or steep grading.

Did you, or will you have a Crim Dell photo taken on your wedding day? Why don't you share your photo on the Williamsburg Wedding Design Facebook page and tell your best bridge story!

Resources:

Photo courtesy of Brad Howe Photography: www.bradhowephotography.com

Wikipedia.org: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crim_Dell

Website of the College of William & Mary: https://alumni.wm.edu/magazine/spgsum_2006/feature_5.shtml

Candlelight Wedding at the Williamsburg Winery

Videographer Jason Faulkner shared this highlight video with me from a wedding we did together in 2010. The family...from the bride, Sarah, her groom, James, to their parents (especially wonderful Carol and Jay - my planning partners in crime) were absolutely lovely. There was so much love, and so much good nature on this October evening that I feel truly blessed that it was captured so masterfully by Jason and his team.

Congratulations Sarah & Jimmy!

One of my favorite 2010 weddings...enjoy.

 

Sunset Wedding at The Williamsburg Winery from Image 3 Media on Vimeo.

Thank you Jason. If you are looking for a great videographer, please call Jason. He was pure joy to work with, and anyone who knows me knows that I don't say that about more than a handful of pros in his field. Here is Jason's contact info:

Jason Faulkner | jason_d_faulker{at}yahoo{dot}com

Website | YouTube | phone: 804.399.8682

Coordination by: Shayna Walker, Williamsburg Wedding Design

Natural Williamsburg Wedding - Gorgeous Photos by Eleise Theuer

You positively need to see the photos on Eleise Theuer's (photographer extraordinaire) blog from Whitney and Rob's April Williamsburg wedding. Whitney's instructions to her pros were to celebrate what was most beautiful about her family farm - to compliment, not compete. She was the most beautiful bride, and Elise capture with artistry what we all enjoyed as one of the season's most entertaining and loving weddings.

What are you waiting for? Go now to Eleise Theuer's post about Whitney and Rob's Williamsburg Wedding.

Williamsburg Weddings: Planning Fabulous Fall Weddings

 
(Photo Courtesy of Brad Howe Photography)

If you're planning a fabulous fall wedding anywhere, you're probably knee deep at the moment in swatches of rich hues. Seems silly to post autumn inspiration in June, but we know how planning goes, and summer brides are busier folding programs and confirming limos at this point than finalizing linen choices. So here are some of our favorite fall photos and posts just for you September/October brides:

Beautiful Fall Weddings

From the experts at Williamsburg Wedding Design

Personalizing Your Engagement Photos on the Weddlady Blog

There is a great guest post by Richmond photographer Meghan McSweeney that just went up on the World According to Weddlady blog this morning. The photos are completely adorable. You can't miss this one. Check out "Personalizing Your Engagement Photos".

~Shayna

Pretty Pictures: Ceremonies in and around Williamsburg, Virginia

I keep starting these epic posts to review all of the possible places to get married in and around Williamsburg, and I keep deleting said posts. They get all wordy and involved, I get a headache, and I'm not sure they help anyone at all. I like useful information and sometimes I get caught up too much in the presentation.

So, I'm going to attempt to spread it out a little bit with a mini-series called "Pretty Pictures".

Simple? Yes.

Random? Totally. 

Helpful for couples choosing a wedding location? I hope. You can let me know!

These weddings were coordinated (day-of through full-service) by Williamsburg Wedding Design between 2005 and 2009. Photo credits will appear with each picture, unless I took the photo (and trust me, you'll be able to tell!). If you want to know anymore about the ceremony or site, please feel free to contact me at shayna(at)williamsburgweddingdesign(dot)com. I tend to be friendly and very rarely bite!

This could be more artistically presented, but I know how couples are starved for any real-life photos of weddings in the area, so for now this is a start. I'll post more random photos soon!

Enjoy!

 
Williamsburg Winery (pre-Gazebo), photo courtesy of Brad Howe Photography

 

Above - Williamsburg Winery, photo courtesy of Brad Howe Photography

 

Above - Two Rivers Country Club

Above, Jamestowne Island (a special exception was made for this location due to an employee relationship - most weddings on the island are held in the Historic Church)

 

A ballroom ceremony at the Omni Newport News hotel (can you tell who took this photo? Be nice.)

Omni Newport News Hotel

St. Bede's Cathedral, Williamsburg, photo courtesy of Brad Howe Photography

Outdoor ceremony at Warner Hall, Gloucester

 

The Chapel of the Sir Christopher Wren Building of the College of William & Mary, Photo courtesy of Brad Howe Photography

Private Estate in Williamsburg, Photo Courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design

St. Bede's Parish, Williamsburg

 

Private home, Deltaville, Photo Courtesy of Brad Howe Photography

 
 
Historic Church at Jamestowne Island, Williamsburg, Photo Courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design