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

{Featured Venue} The Settlement at Powhatan Creek

We will be hosting a series of features on local professionals over the next couple of weeks. These are our colleagues from the Where to Wed Guide and we are grateful for their support and for their participation.

The Settlement at Powhatan Creek

 

From grand and elaborate to casual and comfortable, The Settlement at Powhatan Creek’s spacious 15,000 square foot clubhouse has both indoor and outdoor spaces for the wedding, reception or rehearsal dinner of your dreams.

The Settlement at Powhatan Creek is a quality, custom home, active adult community for those 55 and older and is conveniently located in Williamsburg off Monticello Avenue, 1.3 miles west of Monticello Marketplace. You don’t have to be a neighborhood resident or 55 or older to rent the clubhouse.

Our award winning clubhouse is both elegant and affordable. Areas available for private events include a ballroom, catering kitchen, atrium and gallery, arts and crafts/meeting rooms, a game room and outdoor pool area. You can rent as little or as much as you need. There is pricing by the hour (thee hour minimum) or by the day (up to 10 consecutive hours). Onsite tables, chairs, a serving bar, podium, and wireless microphone are included at no extra cost. A dance floor and gorgeous damask tablecloths are available for an additional charge.

The clubhouse is wheelchair accessible. There is plenty of parking with a covered porte-cochere at the entrance, perfect for valet parking or drop-off.  The clubhouse can accommodate events of all sizes from small and intimate up to 300 people. 

You can have exactly the food you want as outside caterers are welcome. An on-site host is present for your entire event from setup through cleanup to make sure that your wedding, reception, or rehearsal dinner is the one of your dreams.

The building has wonderful architectural detail with beautiful moldings, columns, and archways—perfect for those memorable wedding photos. Make your first memory together an unforgettable one. Visit us on the web at www.thesettlement.net or contact Nancy at 645-3000 to schedule a tour or for more information. Call now as we are booking up fast for 2011!

The Settlement at Powhatan Creek

4101 Monticello Avenue, Williamsburg, VA 23188

757-645-3000 | www.thesettlement.net

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. However, The Settlement at Powhatan is an advertiser in our sister publication, the Where to Wed Bridal Guide.

Complete Guide to Weddings in Williamsburg

I guest posted for the Hampton Roads Bride Blog - a post that was featured on Monday and that looks even better on their blog than it ever would have here! Please take a look. It's the quintessential resource for couples trying to find a venue for their Williamsburg weddings!

Choosing a Location for Your Williamsburg Wedding

 

Providence Forge Wedding from the Antonia Christianson Events Blog

Missy has done it again - see a beautiful event at a unique location in Providence Forge, just a 20 - 30 minute drive from Williamsburg (that happened to feature one of our favorite caterers and one of our favorite bakers).

On the Antonia Christianson Events Blog

Williamsburg Weddings: Bring Your Own Caterer

 

(Photo Courtesy of Brad Howe Photography)
 

Looking for Williamsburg, Virginia venues that permit outside catering for your wedding or rehearsal dinner? Here is a post on The World According to Weddlady that will help!

BYO Caterer

And if you're still weighing the "On-Site" vs. "Off-Site" catering choice, this follow up post may help:

On-Site vs. Off-Site Catering

Find out how you can request your free "Where to Wed" bridal guide for Williamsburg, Yorktown, Newport News and Providence Forge here.

From the wedding planning experts at Williamsburg Wedding Design!

Wedding Venues in Williamsburg & Yorktown, Virginia

If you're planning a wedding in the Historic Triangle, the first thing you're going to need is a venue (or two). We have a couple of tools to help you with just that search!

 

(Photo courtesy of Brad Howe Photography)
 

Check the World According to Weddlady blog for a pretty comprehensive list of local sites that permit ceremonies and/or receptions.

Or, send an email to shayna{at}williamsburgweddingdesign{dot}com and request a copy of our Where to Wed: Williamsburg, Yorktown, Newport News and Providence Forge bridal guide. Be sure to send your name and complete mailing address.

Kate & Brian - A Ceremony & Reception at The Freight Shed in Yorktown

We were honored to provide Wedding Day Management Services for Kate & Brian's wedding at The Freight Shed in Yorktown on April 30. Kate was an absolutely stunning bride! To see the "people" shots, check out Brad's blog entry. Below are some of my favorite details (creatively planned by Kate and her family...we just did the execution!).  Thank youto Brad Howe Photography for the following photos. The respective vendor credits also follow the pictures.

Congratulations Kate & Brian!

Shayna Walker, Williamsburg Wedding Design

Thank you to the following wedding professionals for making Kate's day a success:

Wedding Day Management: Williamsburg Wedding Design

Catering: Riverwalk Restaurant

Florist: The Flower Cupboard

DJ & Ceremony Sound: DJ On the Side

Photography: Brad Howe Photography

Cake: Cakes by Charlie

Hair & Makeup: Skin Care to Black Tie Affair

Where to Wed: Williamsburg, Yorktown, Newport News & Providence Forge

Our advertiser-based bridal guide, Where to Wed: Williamsburg, Yorktown, Newport News & Providence Forge, is here! We are busily distributing the magazine which features awesome wedding professionals who service our region to our colleagues this week. You can request your complimentary copy for Where to Wed by emailing shayna{at}williamsburgweddingdesign{dot}com. Send your complete address please!

 

Thank you to the following participants:

Dia Caffey Designs (graphic artist who formatted and produced the guide)

Brad Howe Photography (provided cover photo and several ad photos)

Green Leafe Catering

Jodie Davis, Independent Consultant for Tastefully Simple (TM)

Virginia's Finest Chocolates by Mary

Black Iris Floral Events Co.

The Flower Cupboard

Isha Foss Events

Morrison's Flowers & Gifts

Williamsburg Floral and Gifts

Skin Care to Black Tie Affair

DJ On the Side Entertainment

Carol E. Hayes Photography

Keith Cephus Photography

Williamsburg Event Rentals

Colonial Heritage Club

Ford's Colony Country Club

The Settlement at Powhatan Creek

Two Rivers Country Club

William & Mary Alumni House

Art of Creative Celebrations - Vivid Expressions

Chickahominy Weddings and Events

  

Krissy & Ernie: An April 2010 Williamsburg Wedding

 

Krissy, Ernie and their families all became very special to me as we planned their wedding day over the past few years. These two fought so hard just to be in the same place at the same time, let alone pull off a super-elegant yet super-fun celebration of their marriage. It was an honor to plan with them, and I wish them the absolute happiest of futures together.

Thank you to Brad Howe Photography for providing these sneak-peak images of Krissy & Ernie's big day:

William & Mary Alumni Association Wedding Show

You are invited to the William & Mary Alumni Association's first-ever Wedding Show on Sunday, March 21 from 1 - 4 PM. The Alumni House is located at One Alumni Way, Williamsburg, VA 23185.

Come tour the beautiful and historic Alumni House and meet the event planning professionals along with select caterers, florists and photographers (and bakers...lots of bakers!).

The event is free and if you show up, I'll sneak you in even if you didn't register. Just tell them that Shayna sent you.

Williamsburg Wedding Design will be there, so stop by and please say hi!