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New Year Wedding Resolutions

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As the new year rolls in, engaged couples everywhere are setting their sights on one of life’s most significant milestones: their wedding day. For those planning to tie the knot in 2024, the journey is filled with excitement, dreams, and admittedly, a bit of stress. New Year’s resolutions can be a perfect tool for brides and grooms to ensure their wedding planning process is as smooth and joyful as possible.

Resolution 1: Set a Realistic Budget and Stick to It Financial planning is key to a stress-free wedding. This year, resolve to create a detailed budget that covers every aspect of your wedding, from the venue to the thank-you notes. Regularly review and stick to this budget to avoid last-minute financial surprises.

Resolution 2: Delegate Responsibilities Remember, it’s your special day, but you don’t have to do everything alone. Make a resolution to delegate tasks to family, friends, or a wedding planner. This will help reduce your workload and allow you to enjoy the process more.

Resolution 3: Prioritize Self-Care Wedding planning can be overwhelming, so make sure to take care of yourself. Schedule regular date nights with your partner where wedding talk is off-limits, practice mindfulness or yoga, and ensure you get enough rest. A healthy body and mind are crucial for making the best decisions for your big day.

Resolution 4: Communicate Openly and Often Communication is the cornerstone of a strong relationship and successful wedding planning. Resolve to have regular check-ins with your partner about your hopes, concerns, and decisions related to the wedding to ensure you’re both on the same page.

Resolution 5: Be Flexible and Open to Change Sometimes things won’t go as planned. Resolve to stay flexible and open to changes. Whether it’s a vendor cancellation or a change in the guest list, being adaptable will help you navigate these challenges more smoothly.

Resolution 6: Keep the Bigger Picture in Mind It’s easy to get caught up in the minutiae of wedding planning. This year, make a resolution to always keep the bigger picture in mind: the celebration of your love and commitment to each other. This perspective will help you enjoy the journey to your wedding day.

Embarking on your wedding planning journey in 2024 with these resolutions can help ensure a more organized, enjoyable, and love-filled experience. Remember, the goal is not just to plan a wedding but to build the foundation for a lifetime of happiness together.

Nesselrod winter Wedding Planning

What to do this Winter!

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Planning a wedding for any season in 2024 requires thoughtful preparation and organization, especially during the winter months preceding it. Here are some key tasks to prioritize, along with insights on how Nesselrod can assist in each step.

  1. Finalizing Your Guest List: Winter is the perfect time to finalize your guest list. This step is crucial for all other aspects of your wedding planning, such as invitations, catering, and seating arrangements. Nesselrod can help you manage RSVPs and provide tools for organizing your guest list efficiently.

  2. Choosing Your Wedding Theme and Colors: Decide on the theme and color palette for your wedding. Whether you’re dreaming of a rustic fall wedding or a vibrant summer celebration, Nesselrod can offer expert advice on the latest trends and how to incorporate them seamlessly into your big day.

  3. Booking Key Vendors: Secure your photographer, caterer, florist, and other essential vendors. Winter months are less busy for many vendors, making it an ideal time to book. Nesselrod’s extensive network of trusted vendors ensures you get the best service and value for your spring, summer, or fall wedding.

  4. Wedding Dress and Attire Shopping: Start shopping for your wedding dress and attire for your bridal party. This process can take longer than expected, so beginning in winter gives you ample time.

  5. Planning Your Menu: Work on your wedding menu, considering the season of your wedding for appropriate food choices. Nesselrod’s culinary experts can assist in crafting a menu that delights your guests, whether you’re looking for a light spring meal, a hearty fall feast, or anything in between.

  6. Designing Invitations: Begin designing your wedding invitations. The invitation sets the tone for your wedding, so take the time to choose a design that reflects your theme and personality. Nesselrod can guide you through design options and etiquette, ensuring your invitations are as special as your event.

  7. Organizing Accommodations for Guests: If you’re expecting out-of-town guests, winter is a good time to arrange accommodations. Nesselrod can help you secure group rates at local hotels and provide guests with information about the area, making their stay enjoyable and convenient.

  8. Planning Pre-Wedding Events: Start planning pre-wedding events like the rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, or bachelor(ette) parties. Nesselrod can offer innovative ideas and assist in organizing these events, ensuring they align with your overall wedding vision.

  9. Creating a Wedding Website: Develop a wedding website to keep guests informed and excited about your big day. Nesselrod can assist in setting up a user-friendly website that includes all the essential details about your wedding. With many templates and styles to chose from, we can make your wedding webpage POP!

  10. Self-Care and Wellness: Lastly, don’t forget to prioritize your wellness. Wedding planning can be stressful, so incorporating self-care routines is vital. Nesselrod has an extensive list of self-care checklists, tips, and suggestions to help make your day as relaxing as possible.

By focusing on these key areas during the winter months, you’ll be well-prepared for a beautiful wedding in the spring, summer, or fall of 2024. Nesselrod’s expert planning and coordination services will ensure that each aspect of your wedding comes together flawlessly, making your special day truly unforgettable.

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Pulling off a Halloween Wedding

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Planning and implementing the perfect Halloween-style wedding is an adventure that combines the spookiness of All Hallows’ Eve with the romance of a wedding. Let’s embark on this whimsical yet eerie journey, sprinkled with humor, as we explore how to create an unforgettable Halloween-themed nuptial celebration.

1. Spine-Chilling Invitations: First Impressions Matter

Begin by sending out invitations that set the tone. Think parchment paper, Gothic fonts, and designs featuring jack-o’-lanterns, haunted mansions, or elegant skulls. For a humorous twist, include phrases like “Till Death Do Us Part…or until one of us becomes a zombie.”

2. Dress Code: Ghoulishly Glamorous

The attire should be a blend of traditional wedding elegance and Halloween fun. Brides can consider a black or deep red wedding dress, while grooms can opt for a classic suit with a Halloween-themed tie or boutonniere. Encourage guests to come in costume, but maybe suggest they leave the inflatable T-Rex outfits at home – we don’t want anyone mistaking the bride for a prehistoric snack.

3. Décor: Elegantly Eerie

Transform your space with a color palette of black, orange, and purple. Use dim lighting, candles, and jack-o’-lanterns to create a mysterious ambiance. Incorporate elements like spider webs, skeletons (maybe sitting in some chairs as ‘guests’), and vintage Halloween decorations. Remember, a fake ghost hanging from the ceiling adds character, but a real ghost might frighten your mother-in-law away.

4. Ceremony: A Bewitching ‘I Do’

Craft a ceremony that’s both spooky and heartfelt. Consider having an officiant dressed as a famous horror character (Dracula, anyone?) and writing vows that include “in sickness and in health, and even in a zombie apocalypse.”

5. Music and Entertainment: Monster Mash and Beyond

Hire a DJ who’s ready to play a mix of love songs and Halloween classics. Think “Monster Mash” meets Ed Sheeran. You could also hire a magician or a tarot card reader for extra entertainment. And let’s not forget the “Thriller” dance – mandatory for all, including Uncle Bob, who claims he can’t dance.

6. Food and Drinks: Frightfully Delicious

Serve dishes that are delicious yet on-theme, like ‘mummy’ hot dogs or ‘witch’s brew’ soup. The cake can be a real showstopper – think black icing, edible ‘blood’ drips, and maybe a cake topper of Frankenstein and his bride. Signature cocktails? How about a ‘Bloody Mary’ or a ‘Pumpkin Martini’?

7. Photography: Capturing the Spooky Spirit

Hire a photographer who can capture both the romance and the unique theme. Imagine a wedding album filled with photos of you and your partner looking lovingly at each other…with a zombie photobombing in the background.

8. Favors: Ghoulish Goodies

Send your guests home with Halloween-themed favors like personalized mini pumpkins, ghost-shaped cookies, or vials of ‘vampire blood’ (red candy syrup).

9. After-Party: The Witching Hour Continues

Host an after-party that could double as a Halloween bash. Include a costume contest, a horror movie screening, or even a haunted house walkthrough.

10. Memories: A Lifetime of Spooky Love

Remember, this wedding is a celebration of your unique love. Embrace the Halloween theme, but don’t forget the reason for the season – your union.

In conclusion, a Halloween-style wedding is all about balancing the macabre with the magical. It’s a day filled with love, laughter, and a little bit of terror. As you plan, keep in mind that the best weddings are those that truly reflect the couple. So, unleash your creativity, have fun with it, and create a wedding that will be remembered for a lifetime…or at least until the next full moon.

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Fall Fun in Southwest Virginia

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Southwest Virginia in the fall is a hidden gem that’s about as underrated as a squirrel’s ability to predict the weather. So, if you’re looking for a place that combines the charm of a small town with the excitement of a squirrel on an acorn spree, look no further. Here’s your guide to the best things to do in Southwest Virginia during the fall.

1. Leaf Peeping with a Twist

Sure, you’ve heard of leaf-peeping, but have you ever done it while riding a llama? That’s right, in Southwest Virginia, you can join a llama caravan and trek through the picturesque landscapes of the Appalachian Mountains. The trees are showing off their best reds, oranges, and yellows, and the llamas are… well, they’re llamas. What more could you want?

2. The Great Pumpkin Regatta at Claytor Lake

Picture this: giant pumpkins, carved out, turned into boats, and raced across Claytor Lake. It’s like Cinderella meets NASCAR. Get your life jackets and pumpkin-carving tools ready for the most gourd-geous race of the year!

3. Haunted Coal Mines: The Spooky Side of History

Ever wondered what it’s like to explore a haunted coal mine? The Haunted Coal Mine tour in Southwest Virginia offers a chilling journey into the past. It’s part history lesson, part ghost story, and a 100% chance of someone screaming when a bat flies by.

4. The Floyd Country Store Jamboree

Get your dancing shoes on for the Floyd Country Store’s Friday Night Jamboree. It’s a hoedown with a mix of bluegrass, folk, and a bit of banjo magic. And if you’re not a dancer, just tap your feet and enjoy the local apple cider. It’s like a barn dance, but with less hay and more harmonicas.

5. The Big Walker Lookout & Country Store

Big Walker Lookout isn’t just a scenic spot; it’s an experience. Climb the lookout tower for breathtaking views of the fall foliage, and then browse the country store for local crafts and homemade fudge. It’s the perfect place to pretend you’re a bird… if birds loved fudge.

6. Mountain Biking on the Virginia Creeper Trail

If you’ve ever wanted to yell “I’m king of the world!” while biking down a mountain, the Virginia Creeper Trail is your spot. With stunning fall scenery and a name that sounds like a horror movie villain, this trail offers a thrilling ride through nature’s artwork.

7. The Galax Smokehouse BBQ Challenge

Let’s talk about the real reason to visit Southwest Virginia in the fall: barbecue. The Galax Smokehouse BBQ Challenge is where the best grill masters in the region come to show off their skills. It’s a battle of the briskets, a duel of the drumsticks, and a chance to eat your weight in BBQ.

8. The Wytheville Witch Tours

Explore the spooky side of Wytheville with a guided witch tour. It’s part history, part folklore, and a great way to walk off that BBQ. Plus, you might just learn a spell or two. Disclaimer: Actual witchcraft not guaranteed.

So, there you have it. Southwest Virginia in the fall is not just a feast for the eyes but a banquet for the soul. And remember, if a llama can enjoy the fall foliage, so can you!

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The Virginia Paw Paw Tree: A Hidden Gem of the American Forest

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The Virginia paw paw, scientifically known as Asimina triloba, is a small deciduous tree native to the eastern United States. Often overshadowed by more popular fruits, the paw paw holds a unique position in America’s natural and cultural heritage. It thrives in the understory of hardwood forests, particularly along riverbanks and in rich, well-drained soils.

Physical Description: An Unassuming Presence

Typically growing to a height of 10 to 20 feet, the Virginia paw paw is modest in size. Its large, broad leaves turn a striking yellow in the fall, offering a visual treat. The tree’s flowers, which appear in early spring, are small and inconspicuous, with a deep purple hue. However, the most remarkable feature of the paw paw tree is its fruit.

The Fruit: America’s Forgotten Banana

The paw paw fruit is the largest edible fruit native to the United States. Oval-shaped and green, it turns yellow-brown when ripe. The flesh is soft, creamy, and custard-like, often compared to a banana or mango in both texture and taste. The fruit contains several large, dark brown seeds.

Culinary Uses: A Versatile Ingredient

Paw paw is a versatile culinary ingredient. It can be eaten fresh or used in various recipes, including ice creams, smoothies, baked goods, and even savory dishes. Its unique tropical flavor makes it a delightful addition to the American fruit palette.

Nutritional Benefits: A Nutrient Powerhouse

The paw paw is not only tasty but also packed with nutrients. It is rich in antioxidants, vitamins C and A, magnesium, iron, and dietary fiber. These nutritional qualities make it a healthy addition to any diet, supporting immune function and overall well-being.

Ecological Significance: A Keystone Species

Ecologically, the paw paw plays a crucial role. It provides habitat and food for wildlife, including the zebra swallowtail butterfly, whose larvae feed exclusively on paw paw leaves. This ecological relationship highlights the tree’s importance in maintaining biodiversity.

Historical and Cultural Importance

Historically, the paw paw has been a significant food source for Native Americans and early European settlers. Thomas Jefferson cultivated paw paws at Monticello, and Lewis and Clark reportedly subsisted on them during their expedition when other food sources were scarce.

Challenges and Conservation

Despite its benefits, the paw paw faces challenges. It is often difficult to cultivate due to its unique pollination requirements, as the flowers are pollinated by flies and beetles rather than bees. Conservation efforts are focused on maintaining its natural habitats and educating the public about this native treasure.

The Virginia paw paw tree, with its delicious fruit, nutritional benefits, and ecological importance, is a true gem of American flora. It represents not only a unique culinary opportunity but also an integral part of the country’s natural heritage. As interest in native and sustainable foods grows, the paw paw stands poised for a well-deserved resurgence in popularity.

This hidden gem, with its rich history and promising future, invites us to explore and appreciate the lesser-known bounty of the natural world. The Virginia paw paw tree, in all its understated glory, is more than just a fruit-bearing tree; it is a symbol of natural abundance and resilience.

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Addison Caldwell

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A significant character in the history of Virginia Tech and southwest Virginia was Addison Caldwell. Caldwell, a resident of the area who was born in 1875, devoted most of his life to enhancing the quality of life for locals.

Caldwell was a fervent supporter of education and was instrumental in the creation of Virginia Tech. He led the university through a period of substantial growth and expansion while serving as its president from 1920 until 1944. Virginia Tech expanded its academic offerings and departments while also starting to engage in a wide range of research activities under Caldwell’s direction.

Caldwell was also a dedicated supporter of economic development in southwest Virginia. He made an effort to entice new businesses and industries to the region, which boosted employment and the local economy.

Caldwell participated in numerous additional community initiatives in addition to working at Virginia Tech. He made an effort to improve the lives of locals through his charitable work and civic involvement. A number of regional organizations included him on their boards of directors.

Addison Caldwell Virginia Tech Hokies

Southwest Virginia and Virginia Tech are still affected by Caldwell’s legacy. Numerous top-ranked academic programs are offered at the institution, which is known as a top-ranked research university. Caldwell’s initiatives to attract new companies and sectors to the area have also benefited the local economy in southwest Virginia.

Despite Caldwell’s death in 1952, his impact may still be seen today at Virginia Tech and in the surrounding area in southwest Virginia. He is considered as a dedicated and visionary leader who improved the future of the area and the standard of living for its citizens.

The Cadet March for Addison Caldwell is a long-standing tradition at Virginia Tech. The march is held annually to honor Caldwell, who served as the university’s president from 1920 until 1944, and to recognize his legacy.

The cadet march is typically held on the Virginia Tech campus, and it involves a procession of cadets from the university’s Corps of Cadets. The march is led by the Corps’ drumline and honor guard, and it is followed by a ceremonial wreath-laying at Caldwell’s grave site.

The cadet march for Addison Caldwell is a significant event at Virginia Tech, and it is attended by a large number of students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Cadet march virginia tech Addison caldwell

The march is an opportunity for the Virginia Tech community to come together and pay tribute to Caldwell’s contributions to the university and to the region. It is also an opportunity to honor the university’s rich history and traditions.

Addison Caldwell’s story is near and dear to the hearts of the Caldwell Family and Nesselrod on the New’s owner Jeff Caldwell, who is a descendent of Addison’s.

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History of Virginia Tech

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Public research university Virginia Tech, previously known as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, is situated in Blacksburg, Virginia. The Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, the institution’s original name when it was established in 1872, was replaced by Virginia Tech in 1964. The university is well known for its robust engineering, scientific, and technology departments. In addition, it is home to several other highly regarded academic programs.

The word “Hokies” has a proud history at Virginia Tech. The phrase was first used in the 1890s and was invented by O.M. Stull, a member of the school’s first football squad. The expression rapidly caught on as a nickname for Virginia Tech athletes and supporters, and served as a rallying cry for his teammates.

The term “Hokies” has grown to be intimately connected with Virginia Tech throughout time. In addition to being the name of the school’s sports teams, Virginia Tech students and alumni also use it as a way to express their ardor and devotion to the institution.

Academic and athletic success at Virginia Tech has a long history. The university has a long history of generating highly regarded engineering and science programs, as well as numerous other top-ranked academic programs in disciplines including business, agriculture, and education.

The athletic department at Virginia Tech is successful, and the Hokies teams have recently had a series of outstanding seasons. The Hokies have won numerous Atlantic Coast Conference championships while competing in sports like baseball, basketball, and football.

Virginia Tech is well known for its strong feeling of community in addition to its achievements in sports and academia. The school has a strong history of community service and volunteerism, as well as a number of student clubs and organizations. It is commonly known that Virginia Tech alumni and students are committed to making a positive difference in their communities.

Among Virginia Tech’s prominent alumni are a number of politicians, business moguls, and other well-known figures. Many of these graduates have gone on to achieve success in their professions and have helped to establish Virginia Tech as a top university.

The school’s motto is “Ut Prosim,” which means “That I May Serve.” This slogan sums up Virginia Tech’s commitment to improving society and transforming the planet. Students and alumni of Virginia Tech adhere to this slogan and put out great effort to enhance their local communities and the globe at large.

Today, Virginia Tech is a successful research university with a solid academic reputation. It is situated on a stunning 2,600-acre campus in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains and has a varied student body of over 30,000. Hokies from all over the world are pleased to call Virginia Tech their alma mater because of the school’s well-known strong sense of community.