Cake Cutting: How and When

Formally cutting their cake is a tradition many couples include in their wedding festivities. Along with being a guest favorite, it is also a great photo opportunity and the perfect moment to shine the spotlight on your beautiful wedding cake. Despite this long-standing tradition, it can be difficult to know when to place this moment within the series of events. Although 89% of couples choose to add this rite of passage to their reception, there are a variety of ways to make this tradition your own. Here are some things to keep in mind when planning how and when to cut your wedding cake:

• When to cut your cake depends on the type of reception you have and your personal preferences. The most common time to cut the cake is right after dinner, but before dancing. As cutting the cake is often a favorite tradition among guests, scheduling it right after dinner ensures that the highest number of people will be there to enjoy the moment. It also puts everyone in a happy mood before heading to the dance floor. Be sure to coordinate with your photographer so they can document the moment in just the way you want. If you want to go a less traditional route you could cut the cake immediately after your grand entrance and first dance. This option rolls all of the more theatrical moments of the reception into one, allowing the bride and groom to relax and enjoy the rest of the evening after being in the spotlight.
• Guests typically view cutting the cake as the first act the newlyweds accomplish together. It also represents the couple’s commitment to provide for one another. These more romantic ideas are often what attract couples to the tradition. However, according to the rules of etiquette, cutting the cake also plays a more practical role: it signifies that the main portion of the reception has ended. Many guests, and especially those of older generations, view the cake cutting as a sign that they are free to leave at their convenience. If you cut the cake earlier in the evening it doesn’t mean the party has to stop, but rather allows those who may need to leave early to do so without feeling they have committed a social faux pas. If you choose to have the cake cutting toward the end of your reception keep in mind the signal you are sending your guests and the extra hours you may have to pay your photographer to ensure you capture the moment.
• Don’t hesitate to forgo smashing the first bite of cake into your loved one’s face. Dessert forks are always an option over fingers. They will also make a nice memento along with your cake knife and server. Be sure to consult with your cake provider about the best part of the cake to cut first (typically the bottom tier). Consider also having a smaller grooms cake to highlight a different flavor profile and showcase the groom’s interests or hobbies. Tradition dictates freezing the top tier to eat on your first anniversary. If year-old frozen cake doesn’t appeal to you, try ordering a smaller cake from the same bakery to celebrate your first year of wedded bliss. Without all the excitement, photographs, and people watching, it might even taste better than it did on your wedding day!

Lauren Paige Photography

Non-Traditional Valentine's Day Ideas in Roanoke, VA

Valentine’s Day is here! We are offering a few non-traditional suggestions to help show your loved ones that you care. It is not too late to take part in most of these events! 

Many local restaurants are offering Valentine’s dinner specials this week at any price point. We have gathered regional activities will make a great addition to a traditional Valentine’s dinner. Whether you are scrambling for some last minute ideas or plan on extending your celebration into the weekend, don’t forget to stop by Fresh Baked this week for the most essential part of any Valentine’s Day celebration, the dessert!

Get Creative
There are many different classes on offer this weekend to get your creativity flowing. The Taubman Museum of Art’s “Crayola Hand Lettering” class is the perfect way to step-up your homemade Valentine cards. Try a new hobby with a class on furniture painting at Black Dog Salvage or learn a new art form at The Studio School’s “Beginners Encaustic Class”. These are all greats ways to spend some quality time with a loved one and maybe even discover hidden talents you both can enjoy for years to come.

Be in the Spotlight
Valentine’s Day is a great time to try something new. Get in character with a murder mystery event hosted by Big Lick Brewing Company on Sunday, February 18. Performed by Step into Mystery, “Valentine to Kill For” is an interactive and immersive mystery experience. Prefer to remain in the audience? The 1980s musical “Heathers” debuts at Showtimers this Friday, February 16. Enjoy this absurd look at the extreme results of teenage love and high school feuds. (Recommended for mature audiences).

Relax
Feeling the need for peace and quiet this Valentine’s Day? Spend some quality time with your partner this weekend. Stop by Roanoke’s newest independent bookstore, Book No Further, pick out a new book to read, head to your favorite coffee shop or quiet spot, and enjoy some time reading together. Want to do something relaxing but a little more active? Try a Candlelight Partner Yoga class at the Mountain View Center.

Love Your Family
Valentine’s Day doesn’t only have to be for romantic relationships. Enjoy spending time with the whole family. The Taubman Museum of Art’s exhibition “Play: Toys Re-imagined as Art” closes on Sunday, February 18. This exhibition is especially geared to children and there are any family events going on at the museum this weekend. Are your kids up for a little adventure? Try “Night Howls” at the Mill Mountain Zoo on Thursday, February 15. Learn about nocturnal animals, listen to the wolves howl, and enjoy snacks together.

Love Your Community
Extend your feelings of love to those around you by serving others in your community. Communication is often said to be the most important part of any relationship. Rethink the way you communicate by taking a class on American Sign Language at the Main Library (across the street from Fresh Baked!). Looking for a larger commitment? Ready to add a pet to your family? Fall in love at PetSmart’s Mega Adoption event to celebrate. National Adoption Weekend. Adoptable animals from Angels of Assisi will be at PetSmart on Franklin Rd. each afternoon February 16-18.

Written by Sara Stanley w/ Fresh Baked

2018 Wedding Trends

2018 is finally here and with a new year comes new trends.  Here are five wedding trends to look out for this year.

1. “The wedding cake is back!”

Weddings in 2018 will see a return to formality and tradition.  This has caused some wedding planners to proclaim, “The wedding cake is back!” and leaves us asking, “Did it ever leave”?  More couples are showing an interest in traditional wedding moments, like cutting the cake.  As such, having a cake that makes a statement is important.  This doesn’t mean you can’t add variety and an element of fun with an array of desserts. Creative dessert bars continue to be a popular complement to the more formal wedding cake.  When it comes to wedding desserts in 2018, it’s the best of both worlds.

Anna Bowser Photography

Jared Ladia Photography

2. Cooler colors, but lots of them

With Pantone naming Ultra Violet as their 2018 color of the year, wedding planners are looking to the cooler shades of the color wheel for inspiration.  Any variety of blues and purples will be popular this year.  Don’t be afraid to highlight this broodingly romantic palette’s darker tones.  These shades beautifully complement the popular metallic accents we saw last year and will keep seeing in 2018.  It also underlines a growing preference for navy, over black, as a grounding neutral at many weddings. 

3.Geometric shapes

Last year many brides took inspiration from nature for their decorations.  This trend continues in 2018 with natural elements like stone and marble gracing everything from cakes to the dance floor.  Looking for a subtler nod to the natural world?  Geometric shapes will also star in the weddings of 2018.  2-D tessellations can add a unique look to any cake. Opting for 3-D forms as cake toppers or table decorations is increasingly popular and can really make a statement.

Alex Mari Photoraphy

4. Textural Details

2018 is a year to celebrate texture from the wedding dress to the table linens to the invitation.  When it comes to this trend there are very few rules, so be bold.  Get creative and draw attention to your favorite details.  Always loved the bold patterns of Art Deco or the romantic embellishments of the Victorian era?  2018 is the time to highlight classic design at your timeless event.  This is an excellent opportunity to bring in some personalized, hand-made, and even couture elements to your wedding day.  

Noah Magnifico Photography

Chelsea Anderson Photography

5. Elegance

While rustic outdoor weddings may have been dominating the scene for the past few years, 2018 will see a return to indoor weddings.  This fits in with the overall return to formality.  Indoor weddings are taking a cue from interior design.  The popularity of Mid-Century Modern design is influencing weddings in a variety of ways.  Nods to this sleek design period can be as simple as a cake topper or pervade the entire look of the event.  Venues with large windows and transparent tents invite the whimsy of the outdoors while framing the environment in a more modernist setting.

Edmistons Photography

Gaudium Photography

With so much variety, there is sure to be a trend in 2018 that fits in with your personal wedding vision.  Many of these trends are highly adaptable and provide ample room to highlight the personal tastes and personalities of the bride and groom. 2018 seems to be the perfect year to make your wedding dreams come true.  Happy wedding planning and happy New Year!

If you are still looking for a professional to make your wedding cake call us at 540-493-6812 or email us info@freshbakedva.com. Take a moment to check out our  wedding cake gallery and see what other couples are saying about their wedding cake experience. We would love the opportunity to work with your wedding day. -Sarah Blanchard, Owner 

Written by: Sarah Stanley

Creative Occasions

Photo by Red October Photography

Meet Mark Frye

            Mark Frye is the owner of Creative Occasions and he has been a floral designer for 22 years. His passion for floral design "stems" from a job that he had as a teenager in a flower shop. He delivered flowers, sweep floors, and helped with day to day cleaning. During his time there he realized that he was interested in the work that the floral designers were doing. When he expressed his interest, the owner showed him the basics of design and for many years Mark thought of floral design as a fun hobby. While working in another career and continuing to do florals, someone approached him to do a wedding. After his first wedding he began receiving personal referrals and his business took off.

Photo by Kemper Fant Mills Photography

Photo by Kemper Mills Fant Photography  

Photo by Kelly Niederlehner.

Creative Occasions

            Creative Occasions is a top-notch floral design business located in downtown Vinton. In addition to floral arrangements, they also offer "all things décor" for events.  Creative Occasions began as a home based business 22 years ago but when an opportunity arose to purchase an established flower shop,  Mark moved Creative Occasions to downtown Vinton.

Does Creative Occasions Have a Particular Style?

            Mark Frye says, “Hopefully we don’t! I’ve always believed that it’s important that we reflect the customer’s style so we’ve tried really hard not to have a signature. Now it’s interesting because I have a lot of people say, ‘I can spot your work right away in a room of other flower shops’ work.’ And I said, ‘Really, how can you do that?’ And they say, ‘Because it’s always unique!’ So from that standpoint we really work hard to take what it is that the customer’s trying to convey, that message that they want to send, and then kind of develop the arrangement around that..”

What a great answer!

What Sets Creative Occasions Apart?

            First of all, the uniqueness and their personalized approach to floral design makes them very appealing to customers. Mark says, “There are a lot of flower shops that work on a production model where they do 30 arrangements that are the same every day. That just sends shivers down my spine.  Even when we’re doing 6 funeral baskets I want all 6 of them to be different. We really are trying to make it a very personal gift that they’re sending to whoever it is that they’re trying to convey that message to.  Same with brides. That’s why we spend so much time with brides. Trying to figure out exactly what their look is, their style, and what it is that they’re trying to achieve at their event.”

            Mark has also been told many times that he’s extremely easy to work with. He strives to make the process easy for his customers. He does this by responding favorably to changes, guiding couples through the process, and helping couples to implement their ideas and visions.

Mark’s Advice to Couples Searching for a Floral Designer

            “First and foremost, vet the person that you’re going to talk to.  Check out their reviews online. Look at Facebook and Instagram to see what their social media presence is like. Then look at places like Wedding Wire and The Knot to see what kind of feedback other clients have given who’ve worked with them in the past. All of those reviews speak very highly to whether they’ve loved working with them, it was not a good process, whatever the case may be.

            Next, schedule an interview, never book somebody unless you’ve talked to them in person, "I would bet that in the first 3 minutes you will know whether you want to work with this person or not" says Mark. 

           When you’re interviewing floral designers you should already have your budget in mind. Expenditure for flowers can be a hard thing to figure out and most couples planning their weddings have no idea what to expect. Mark offers to help couples with this because it is so important  in terms of the floral designer being able to guide you through choices. Don't be afraid to share your budget with any wedding professional because knowing this information helps us create an outcome that fits your event. 

            Mark also encourages his clients to create Pinterest boards that reflect the style they would like to create for their event. Pinterest can be a great resource for ideas and inspiration but keep in mind that price points are not listed and some things may not be doable depending on your budget. Mark works with his clients during their initial consultation to educated them on pricing and creating unique ideas that are within their budget. 

Mark Frye Outside of Creative Occasions

            Mark has been happily married for 36 years. He and his wife have 2 children, a daughter and a son. Both of his children are married and of course Mark designed the florals for both of their weddings! When Mark has spare time he enjoys reading, particularly books that will help him grow his business.

Creative Occasions is well respected within the wedding vendor community. They have a great reputation for delivering beautiful florals that are customized to meet the needs of their clients. Not only does Mark Frye have a wealth of experience, he also has a fantastic team. He has a 12 person staff and each one of them approaches every event with attention to detail and take pride in their work. Clients can have confidence in Creative Occasions given their 5 star rating on both The Knot and Wedding Wire. Thank you Mark for taking the time to meet with us and thanks for letting us share your story!

For more information:

Website: Creative Occasions Events
Instagram: @creativeoccasionsevents
Facebook: Creative Occasion Events Flowers & Gifts  

Written by Blake King

Cara Cait Creative

Meet Caitlin Cranwell Cheatham

            Caitlin Cranwell Cheatham is the owner of Cara Cait Creative. Cara Cait Creative offers floral design and event coordination. Her arrangements have a beautiful, organic style that offer a fresh take on floral design.

 About Cara Cait Creative

            Cara Cait Creative offers florals and event coordination but ower Caitlin limits herself to one booking per weekend. “I’ve learned that it’s best to focus on one thing and do one thing to the best of your ability and not take too much on,” says Caitlin. Her passion is in florals but she wants to make sure she helps couples and their families have the best possible experience on their wedding day.  She believes in the importance of having an advocate on your special day. The scope of services Caitlin offers extends beyond weddings to parties, baby showers, even flowers for your kitchen counter.

 The Start of Cara Cait Creative 

            Caitlin spent years as a “lost soul,” finding it difficult to get a good job with a studio art degree in a recession. In the meantime she worked for a mortgage company as a loan officer assistant, a front desk position at a gym, and a merchandiser for Anthropology.  During that time she was still searching for something she was passionate about and wanted something that was her own. This was a difficult process as she is passionate about many things: art, clothes, flowers, jewelry, interior design, and anything that is creative.  I would imagine her creativity and diverse interests contribute to her fashion forward design in her florals. The idea to start her own company doing floral design came after putting together some florals for church. “Everybody kept telling me you’ll have a moment where you realize what you love and then you can finally do something you love for work. Finally one day I was doing flowers for church and it clicked. It was that aha moment. I love to do flowers. Why don’t I try and do flowers for people?” Through the encouragement from friends and other wedding vendors, she got the courage to start Cara Cait Creative.

Caitlin’s Style

             Caitlin describes her style as organic, not so placed, wild, hand tied bouquets mixed with traditional elements for an end result that is not traditional. She finds that brides are starting to branch out and not feeling a need to follow traditional rules. As someone with a studio art degree Caitlin has a free flow artistic approach that carries over into her florals. When asked if she had a favorite flower or combination of flowers, she found it difficult to choose just one. “That’s really hard, yes and no. I love to try different things. I like really happy flowers, things that dance and move. Those are my favorite types. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a certain color or anything. I like what’s not done all the time. “

Life Outside of the Business

            Recently being a new mom has kept Caitlin very busy. In her spare time she loves to stay active. Her favorite activities include working out and spending time outside. She loves to run, walk, and play with her dog. Family is super important and she enjoys spending time with her parents and sisters who live close by.

Photo by Jared Ladia Photography

 Caitlin’s Advice for Engaged Couples Looking for a Floral Designer

           “It’s all personality. Everything is personality.  Find somebody that you click with, that gets you, that gets your vision, that is going to be understanding. Because things come up, things change, budgets change. I’m not here to make a million dollars off somebody’s wedding. I want to make someone happy. So find somebody who’s going to make you happy and facilitate your vision. I wish I had that when I got married.”

          Caitlin is very easygoing and fun to be around. Anyone who sits down to chat with her can see that. You forget you’re talking to a wedding vendor and feel like you’re talking with a friend. Her easygoing personality carries over into her business and makes her very accommodating to her client’s budget and schedule. As a free spirit she doesn’t feel the need to be too regimented or structured in what she’s creating. You would have no problems having an open dialogue with Caitlin because she’s so easy to talk to and always wants to be available for her clients.  Thank you Caitlin for giving us your time and allowing us to tell your story!

Written by Blake King

To find out more about Cailtin visit her Facebook Page

Pumpernickel Pickle

Meet Sarah Pendleton

           Sarah Pendleton, owner of Pumpernickel Pickle, used to work in the medical field as a respiratory therapist. Sarah’s husband Willie, co-owner and culinary director for Pumpernickel Pickle, has been in the catering industry for 15 years. Sarah recognized Willie’s talent and decided to leave corporate America to start their own catering company about 5 years ago.  As Sarah says, “Sometimes those things pick you, you don’t necessarily get to pick it.” The decision to start Pumpernickel Pickle is a decision she does not regret and she has not looked back.

Photo Credit: Pat Cori Photography

About Pumpernickel Pickle

            Pumpernickel Pickle is an award-winning catering company whose style can be described as Southern with a twist. They have an amazing creative approach in their food presentation offering buffets, plated food, stations and family style service. During the past 5 years, their success has taken off. They currently employ 6 full time and 34 part-time employees. Due to their success, they have plans to expand regionally to Charlottesville and Lynchburg. 

            In addition to being a full-scale catering service, Pumpernickel Pickle also offers rental pieces. They have mixed vintage China, settees, sideboards, buffets, linens, and other accent pieces to create a unique look for any special event. 

            Customer service is important to Sarah. She makes sure to employ a staff that is pleasant and fun to work with becasue she wants all of their clients to feel special.

Photo Credit: Jared Ladia

What Sets Pumpernickel Pickle Apart

            Sarah and Willie made a very conscious decision to keep Pumpernickel Pickle mid-level. They have high quality standards and did not want to be a low-end company. However, they didn’t want to be really high-end either because they wanted to be affordable to working class and blue-collar families.  They have tiered menus with different pricing to ensure that they have something to offer everyone. Sarah wants to offer the same level of service to all clients, no matter how big their budget is.  “I want them to feel like a million dollars,” says Sarah.

Photo Credit: Haniel Singh Photography

Sarah’s Advice to Couples Looking for a Caterer

            Sarah would first warn brides about reading too many wedding blogs, sites, and magazines that are filled with “fluff”.  “A lot of that information that they go to automatically, especially for catering, is just a bunch of fluff. It is written by people that have absolutely no idea what in the world they are talking about,” says Sarah.  

           She would recommend starting with an Internet search of local caterers and then start vetting the companies. Sarah says, “You can do business license searches. You can also access health inspections, things like that. That is one of the biggest things I advocate for. Any unlicensed and unregulated catering company can absolutely outbid me. But, they’re not playing by the rules. They’re not paying taxes. They’re not under the microscope of health regulations. It might seem to you that that’s worth it but in the long run the thing is you’re going to pay for it in one way or the other. You’re either going to pay for it in poor product or you’re going to pay for a decent execution, good product from a professional catering company.” Sarah also recommends talking with other vendors and having conversations about which caterers they have had experience with.        

           The last piece of advice Sarah offers is to meet with different caterers. You want to ensure that your caterer’s personality fits with yours and that you will enjoy working with them. Also, food is subjective and different people have different tastes in regards to what they think is good.  Once you choose a caterer you should be able to trust them completely and just enjoy your day.

Life Outside of the Business

            When Sarah is not working she enjoys swimming in her pool, playing video games and watching documentaries and foreign films. Sarah is also a self proclaimed “Harry Potter nerd.”  Recently Sarah has started digging deep into her genealogy and has been pleasantly surprised with the amount of information and the connections she has found.  She is an animal lover and advocate with a cat and 2 dogs.

Photo Credit: Jared Ladia

            When sitting down to talk with Sarah, her bubbly personality and infectious laugh make her very comfortable to be around.  It’s always nice when you find someone who is not only professional but relatable and fun.  When you work with Pumpernickel Pickle you can expect to receive a reliable, quality product. They have won The Platinum Award from The Roanoker for the past 2 years and were awarded the Silver Award in 2015.  Be on the lookout for their upcoming feature on Style Me Pretty. Thank you Sarah for giving us your time and letting us tell your story!

For more information visit their website: http://pumpernickelpicklecatering.com

Written by Blake King

RSP Entertainment

 Meet Roy Prusak

            Roy Prusak is the owner of RSP Entertainment, an experienced DJ service based in the Roanoke area. In addition to a wealth of experience, they are proud to be a family owned business that provides a consistent, customizable, and quality experience for their clients.

 The Start of RSP Entertainment

            Roy never went to school dances himself but his interest in becoming a DJ was sparked when he picked up his brother, Russel, from a middle school dance.  After seeing the DJ on stage he checked out his gear, and decided it was something that he would like to pursue. Luckily he had two uncles that were in bands who let him borrow their equipment and his father let him use some things from their attic. From there he spent time at home learning to use the equipment and put together his first album, “Hey DJ.” Roy’s father helped him get his business started around 1996 and Roy’s brother Russell joined the business around 1999.

About RSP Entertainment

            RSP Entertainment is a family owned business that employs 8 DJs including Roy and his brother Russel. They offer varying levels of experience to accommodate any client’s needs.  Although they still book other events, most of their business is wedding related. Roanoke is home base for RSP Entertainment but they are willing to travel outside of the Roanoke area. 

What Sets RSP Entertainment Apart in the Industry?      

            They have over 20 years of experience and Roy himself has worked at least 600 weddings. This experience gives them the ability to adapt to situations that may occur the night of your event and offer you a quality service that is proven. They pride themselves on being customizable and friendly to their clients.  It is important to Roy that the couple is the focus on the day of the wedding. “The number one thing is at the wedding the bride and groom are the center of attention. They’re the focus, we aren’t. We’re there to have a good time and make sure things kind of progress but we’re not meant to be the center of attention,“ says Prusak.

All of the DJs with RSP Entertainment carry backup equipment to ensure that faulty equipment does not affect the experience delivered at your event.

As a family owned business, all of the DJs employed are either friends or family. They are not an agent, which means they have their DJs on staff and do not book out to other people or companies. This provides consistency in the service you receive.

Roy’s Advice for Couples Looking for a DJ

            “Really and truly I think personality with your DJ is the number one thing, especially if you’re expecting performance out of them. If you want them to be in charge and do those kinds of things definitely meet with them and make sure your personalities mesh. If you don’t need them to be in charge, if you don’t really need all of the major mc work and things of that nature then you can go ahead and find somebody that’s going to make sure they play your requests and make sure they’re willing to be flexible with the things that you want, especially for weddings. It’s different when you have a club DJ. They’re making they’re own name. That’s their style, that’s their thing. When you’re doing it for a wedding you want to make sure that they’re going to want to integrate your ideas and still be able to offer ideas in return.

            If you truly just need somebody to play music then just make sure they have quality gear that’s not going to go out during the show and see if they have backup gear. Maybe have a couple referrals, just somebody that’s heard them before. That’s always a good thing. “

Life Outside of the Business

            In addition to owning RSP Entertainment, Roy has a job in civil engineering.  Roy also enjoys spending time with his family and friends at Lake Norman. He is a father to 2-year-old twins, a boy and a girl.  When he has spare time he stays active by rollerblading and playing soccer.

Photo by Kemper Mills Fant

            Roy was very pleasant to meet with and it is apparent that he takes customer service seriously. He wants to make sure that all of his clients are happy and felt that their experience was customized based on their wants and needs. Roy is truly a professional and I would highly recommend RSP Entertainment. Thank you Roy for your time and for allowing us to tell your story!

For more information, visit their website: www.rspentertainment.com

Written by Blake King

Charter Hall

            Charter Hall is a venue that offers the appealing blend of rich history, a great central location, and modern day elegance.  Located in the heart of downtown Roanoke, it is convenient to local churches, hotels, and nightlife.  The space is flexible to host a variety of events including weddings, wedding receptions, proms, homecomings, reunions, corporate meetings, and fundraisers. Wedding receptions remain to be their most popular event.

Photo Credit: Anna Bowser Photography

The History of Charter Hall

            Charter Hall is located on the top floor of the City Market Building, which is one of the oldest buildings in downtown Roanoke. The Market Building served many different purposes over the years including a meat market, gymnasium, and a bar. In 2011 a complete renovation was done on the building and Charter Hall was created at that time.

Charter Hall Layout and Design

            Walking in to Charter Hall, you are greeted with an entryway that includes a built-in marble top bar and coat check area. This area leads into the ballroom that has a large open area for tables with a dance floor and a stage at the front.  Although there is purple carpet, the overall color palette is pretty neutral. Once you get tables in the space you don’t notice the color of the carpet as much. The rest of the décor is cream and gold. The neutral palette allows the versatility for you to dress the space up or down and give it the decorative feel you desire.

Photo Credit: Kemper Mills Fant

Booking Charter Hall

            It is recommended that you book your wedding venue at least a year in advance to make sure you can reserve your ideal date. Some couples are choosing to book even earlier than that. Tours are available by appointment only. Contact Event Manager, Kalee Freedy for more information, pricing, or to set up a site visit. You can do this through the website at the following link: http://citymarketbuilding.com/charter-hall/

            When you book Charter Hall for your wedding reception it is a full day rental. All of the in-house tables and chairs are included in your rental package. There is a high quality audio-visual system available for your use. The system includes a large projector, microphones, and a Bose surround system. A catering kitchen and bridal suite room with a private restroom are also included in your rental.  In a formal wedding reception with round tables, holding 8 people each, Charter Hall can accommodate up to 240 guests.

            If you are booking Charter Hall for your wedding and reception it is a 2-day rental. With this package you have the option to rent the 2nd floor mezzanine for a cocktail hour. If you choose to do a 2-day rental with the wedding and reception at Charter Hall, the number of guests must be limited to 150, due to the size of the mezzanine.

Photo Credit: Cherished Memories Studios

Why Choose Charter Hall?

            They do not place vendor restrictions. This gives you the flexibility to bring in the vendors you want to work with.

            Charter Hall is in a great location in the heart of downtown Roanoke.  There are two parking garages and street parking right next to the Market Building. This makes it convenient for your guests to park. The central location is also convenient for guests traveling to Charter Hall from wedding ceremonies at local churches and other locations downtown. There are also hotels available nearby. When you walk off of the elevator at night you can see the Roanoke star. You step out of the building and right into the vibrant activity of Market Street.

            The pricing to rent Charter Hall is a package price. There are no extra fees or risk of added costs. Their price is comparable to other locations downtown.

Thank you to Event Manager, Kalee Freedy for taking the time to meet with us and give us more information about Charter Hall!

Photo by Adam Mullins

For more information about booking Charter Hall check out their website 

Written by Blake King

Kemper Mills Fant

Meet Kemper Mills Fant

Kemper Mills Fant is an incredible wedding photographer in the Roanoke Valley. Kemper would describe his wedding photography as romantic fine-art in appearance with a concentration on portraiture and photojournalism. If you’ve ever taken a look at his work, it really speaks for itself.

A Love of Photography is Born

I loved hearing Kemper’s story about his initial interest in photography. Kemper knew from the young age of 12 that he wanted to be a photographer. In fact he was already so passionate about the idea that he wrote off to colleges to get their catalogs, to learn more about their photography programs, and bought an SLR camera. Focused on his goal, Kemper attained a job as a local newspaper photographer working for free. I think this speaks to the fact that Kemper knew his passion from a young age and was willing to work hard to reach his goals. How many 12 years olds do you know that are already writing off to colleges for more information and willing to work for free?

After college, Kemper followed another career path but was drawn back into photography after digital photography became mainstream. Digital photography was appealing to him because it allowed him to produce an art quality print that he had control over from start to finish. Prior to digital photography he would have had to hand over his work to a print making artist or have access to a darkroom. Being in control of the creative process re-ignited Kemper’s passion for photography and he dove back in.

The Start of a Business

In 2004, Kemper decided to leave his career job and start a wedding photography business. Admittedly it was scary to leave the stability of a career and start his own business. However, a transition at his company allowed him the perfect opportunity to part ways and follow his passion. It was difficult at first to develop a reputation and break through in the industry. Kemper spent a lot of time introducing himself to local wedding vendors and attending wedding shows. During this time he visited and fell in love with Sundara, a local wedding venue. He reached out to owner, Patty Trostle and was immediately struck with how nice she was and how willing she was to speak with him. Shortly after, Kemper booked a wedding at Sundara and quickly built a relationship with the venue. From there he continued to create contacts throughout the industry and build his reputation. 

Kemper’s Strengths

There are many things that Kemper does well but he views couple portraiture as one of his strong suits. He is an engaging people person, which you can tell the moment that you meet him. He also has a strong understanding of emotion and body language. This gives him the ability to visualize portraits that are natural and do not look posed. He also has a great understanding of light and how to use light to create unique looks. In addition to photography Kemper is a watercolor artist who knows about color and texture and has an eye for composition. Something that struck me about Kemper was his dedication to photojournalism. There are many pretty details that can be photographed for a wedding. However, Kemper is passionate about his photographs not only looking pretty but also telling a story and capturing special moments that are meaningful to the couple. With his wealth of experience he can anticipate the unexpected to capture those truly meaningful moments.

Kemper’s work doesn’t end after capturing the couple’s special moments on their wedding day. He takes great care in the editing process to give all the photographs a cohesive look. This is not an easy feat given the diverse lighting you can encounter throughout the day.

Kemper’s Advice for Couples Looking for a Wedding Photographer

You can find a multitude of advice for couples planning their wedding but Kemper offers some great insight from the perspective of a seasoned photographer. It is important to dig deeper than surface level when choosing a photographer. The industry is flooded with photographers. However, not all of them have the experience or the eye for capturing moments and interesting photographs on the day of your wedding.

Social Media accounts can be deceiving because only select, chosen photos are being posted. Kemper recommends asking your photographer to see the complete portfolios of 2-3 recent weddings they have done. When looking through the portfolios, you need to be focused on a few things. First, did the photographer create a well-rounded portfolio? Are there only a handful of great pictures? Also, does the portfolio have a cohesive look? Finally, did the photographer capture a couple of pretty details or did they produce interesting photographs that capture meaningful moments and document the day?

Beware of styled photo shoots. Many photographers take styled photo shoots and produce beautiful images. This does not show their ability to take the same quality of photographs on your wedding day. When doing styled shoots the circumstances are ideal. It does not compare to a fast paced wedding day where there is a potential for things to go wrong. Furthermore, a styled shoot does not show you whether the photographer has the ability or the experience to anticipate the special moments you want captured on your wedding day. If a photographer has more styled shoots than actual wedding photographs you need to dig deeper.

Be careful when asking around for advice on which photographer to use. Many wedding planners have established relationships with photographers they always refer. This does not necessarily mean that they are good photographers. Instead ask other vendors such as florists or caterers. They know who the good wedding photographers are because they see their work and see them working. Kemper recommends narrowing down your choice for a wedding  photographer a year in advance to ensure your favorite photographer is not booked on your wedding day. Although it really depends on the couple, he typically books weddings 18 months -6 months in advance.

Who is Kemper Outside of His Photography Business?

When Kemper is not doing wedding photography, he stays incredibly active. He is a fitness instructor at the local YMCA, teaching yoga and pilates. He also is into running (marathons and local races), hiking, and mountain biking. “When I’m planning my work week, fitness is a top priority. Not only is it fun but it’s good for my business. Anybody who’s ever had me photograph their wedding, they know that I’m all over the place and I don’t stop. It works out for me and it makes an impression on my clients and their guests" says Kemper. His other interests include his dog, friends, travel, and staying involved in the community. The Roanoke community is extremely important to Kemper. He serves as the President of Pathfinders for Greenways, this organization funds the building of trails and greenways in the Roanoke Valley. 

I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with Kemper. He was so fun and easy to talk to and I can imagine how great he is to work with. Given that he is incredibly experienced couples can count on him to deliver a product that will not disappoint. If you are looking for a wedding photographer in the Roanoke Valley or one who will travel to locations such as The Homestead, Charlottesville, Richmond, Lynchburg, or Northern VA, look no further than Kemper Mills Fant. Thank you Kemper for giving us your time and allowing us to tell your story!

Visit his website for more information www.kempermillsfant.com

Written by Blake King

Sinkland Farms Wedding: Pearl & Jonathan

Pearl and Jonathan chose a lovely rustic four tier wedding cake decorated with raffia and fresh flowers. I love the custom wooden cake topper and their fun setup for the cake. The cake sat behind their sweetheart table on the stage and was truly the centerpiece for their wedding reception at Sinkland Farms. The cake was displayed on a white wooden door and surrounded by an antique window and beautiful flower wreath. Congratulations to the happy couple!  

Venue: Sinkland Farms
Photos: Folklife Photography
Flowers: Sinkland Farms
Cake: Fresh Baked

This lovely wedding was also featured on Wedding Chicks check out the blog post here!

The W Loft Editorial: A Styled Photo Session

Featured Vendors:
Photography //  Nicole Colwell Photography
Floral Design // Gloriosa
Cake Design // Fresh Baked Bakery
Cupcakes // Viva La Cupcake

If you are still looking for a professional to make your wedding cake in Roanoke, Salem, Vinton, Blacksburg or Radford Virginia call me at 540-493-6812. Take a moment to check out my wedding cake gallery and see what other couples are saying in Roanoke, Virginia about their wedding cake experience.  I am one the most popular wedding cake bakers in Roanoke, Virginia and I would love the opportunity to work with your wedding day. -Sarah Blanchard

Water's Edge Country Club Wedding: Dusty & Stephanie

Stephanie and Dusty held their beautiful wedding at The Water's Edge Country Club at Smith Mountain Lake. They chose a simple buttercream cake decorated with fresh roses and hydrangeas.  

Melissa Durham Photography

Melissa Durham Photography

Melissa Durham Photography

Melissa Durham Photography

Melissa Durham Photography

Featured Vendors:
Photography //  Melissa Durham Photography
Floral Design // Cuts Creative Florist- Mark Campbell
Cake Design // Fresh Baked Bakery
Gown Boutique // Patina Bridal Formals Roanoke, VA
Gown Designer // Pronovias
Bridesmaids' Dresses // Lilly Pulitzer
Menswear // Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Inc.
Jeweler // Fink's Jewelers
Hair & Makeup Artists // Les Cheveux Salon & Day Spa
Band // The Whiskey Rebellion
Caterer // The Water's Edge Country

If you are still looking for a professional to make your wedding cake in Roanoke, Salem, Vinton, Blacksburg or Radford Virginia call me at 540-493-6812. Take a moment to check out my wedding cake gallery and see what other couples are saying in Roanoke, Virginia about their wedding cake experience.  I am one the most popular wedding cake bakers in Roanoke, Virginia and I would love the opportunity to work with your wedding day. -Sarah Blanchard

Yellow Sulphur Springs Wedding: Matt & Alley

Alley and Matt were married at Alley's childhood home in Yellow Sulphur Springs that could double as an exclusive wedding venue. Just looking through the wedding photos put a big smile on my face. For the cake, they chose a lovely three tier rustic buttercream cake with fresh wildflowers and gold dusted blackberries. 

Photo by Kaitlyn Phipps Photography

Their family and friends enjoyed almond cake with blackberry filling and chocolate cake with mocha filling. I just love the custom wooden "Broomell" cake topper that symbolized the beautiful tree that they were married under. 

Photo by Kaitlyn Phipps Photography

Photo by Kaitlyn Phipps Photography

Photo by Kaitlyn Phipps Photography

Photo by Kaitlyn Phipps Photography

Photo by Kaitlyn Phipps Photography

"Sarah's cakes are absolutely amazing! She was flexible, professional and super easy to work with. The cake looked gorgeous and was unbelievably tasty. Her prices are totally fair for the quality of ingredients she uses, but it can get expensive. I would definitely recommend her services!" - Alley

Venue: Yellow Sulphur Springs
Coordination: Morgan Knott
Florals: Stone Crop Farmers
Hair & Make-up: studio 700
DJ: RSP entertainment
Cake: Fresh Baked
Caterer: The Blind Pig

View all the images by Kaitlyn Phipps Photography

Sundara Wedding: Clint & Crystal

If you are planning a wedding in the Roanoke area and are looking for a truly unique outdoor venue you must visit Sundara in Boones Mill. The grounds are immaculately kept and the charming space is one of the most romantic spots you will find to say "I do." Crystal and Clint described their experience as "a magical night."

For their intimate gathering they chose a two tier "naked" cake decorated with fresh baby's breath and mint leaves. Both tiers were vanilla cake with mocha filling decorated with a vanilla buttercream. The Kokeshi cake topper was a hand-painted gift from a family member, such a lovely detail. 

I love the chalk board displayed next to the cake with a the beautiful quote "Always remember, there was nothing worth sharing like the LOVE that let us share our name."

Pure happiness while cutting their cake.

These two are completely, hopelessly, deeply in love. 

A BIG thank you to Cardinal Studios for sharing their beautiful photos. Congratulations Crystal & Clint!!

"Sarah absolutely captured what the bride and groom wanted in cake design and flavor, which was an amazing feat since the planning was all done from across the country. From the initial inquiry to the delivery on wedding day, Sarah's attention to detail, professionalism and prompt responsiveness was impressive. The wedding cake was exactly what the couple had in mind. It was not only a work of art in it's simplicity and design, but incredibly delicious as well."- Sue, Mother of the Bride

Venue: Sundara
Catering: Blue Ridge Catering
Photos: Red Cardinal Studios
Florist: Melinda Amos
Cake: Fresh Baked

If you are still looking for a professional to make your wedding cake in Roanoke, Salem, Vinton, Blacksburg or Radford Virginia call me at 540-493-6812. Take a moment to check out my wedding cake gallery and see what other couples are saying in Roanoke, Virginia about their wedding cake experience.  I am one the most popular wedding cake bakers in Roanoke, Virginia and I would love the opportunity to work with your wedding day. -Sarah Blanchard

Center in the Square Wedding: Thomas & Jessica

Thomas and Jessica were so much fun to work with planning their wedding desserts. They had a beautiful wedding in downtown Roanoke on the rooftop of The Center in the Square building overlooking the city.  An elegant two tier chocolate wedding cake decorated with buttercream dots and sugared beads was the centerpiece of their dessert table. 

Photo by: Sarah Blanchard

Guests enjoyed red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing as well as strawberry cupcakes with buttercream icing. I love the shimmering table linen paired with the bamboo trays and little flavor signs. 

Photo by Jared Lidia Photography

Photo by Jared Ladia Photography

Photo by Jared Ladia Photography

What wedding is complete without a great cake cutting photo? They are so happy! 

Jared Ladia Photography

Rainbows are said to be a lucky omen on your wedding day. I don't think they will need luck, you can tell that these two are in LOVE. 

Congratulations Jessica and Thomas! 

Jared Ladia Photography

To see more photos of Jared Ladia's amazing photos of Jessica and Thomas check out his Blog.

• Venue: Center in the Square
• Photos: Jared Ladia Photography
• Desserts: Fresh Baked

If you are still looking for a professional to make your wedding cake in Roanoke, Salem, Vinton, Blacksburg or Radford Virginia call me at 540-493-6812. Take a moment to check out my wedding cake gallery and see what other couples are saying in Roanoke, Virginia about their wedding cake experience.  I am one of the most popular wedding cake bakers in Roanoke, Virginia and I would love the opportunity to work with you on such a special occasion. 

Chateau Morrisette Winery Wedding: John & Jennifer

Classic, elegant and romantic are just a few words that I would use to describe Jennifer and John’s wedding. Their lovely wedding was held at Chateau Morrisette Winery in Floyd Virginia. 

Natalie Gibbs Photography 

For the wedding cake, each tier was covered in a rustic buttercream design and fresh flowers were added to the top and sides. The cake was displayed on a white pedestal stand and set up in front of double door leading out onto the indoor terrace. On the inside: Vanilla bean cake with vanilla bean filling; Strawberry cake with a fresh strawberry filling and Lemon cake with lemon curd. 

Natalie Gibbs Photography

Jennifer also wanted to incorporate a grooms cake for John into their reception. I created a simple two tier naked cake covered with fresh berries. I just love the custom cake stand that she provided for the cake display. Vanilla cake with white chocolate filling and a fresh raspberry puree was enjoyed by the guests who had a slice of the grooms cake. 

Natalie Gibbs Photography 

Lastly each guests enjoyed a custom made Virginia shaped cookie as a favor to take home. As take on the "Virginia is for Lovers" theme I placed a pink heart over Floyd on each cookie to symbolize their love.  

Natalie Gibbs Photography

And a cake cutting picture because that is my favorite part :) This photo doesn't disappoint, I love John's expression! 

Natalie Gibbs Photography

A big "Thank You" to Natalie Gibbs for sharing her beautiful photos. If you are still looking for a photographer for you big day take a peek at her website, Natalie Gibbs Photography her work speaks for itself. 

• Venue: Chateau Morrisette Winery
• Photographer: Natalie Gibbs Photography
• Cake: Sarah Blanchard with Fresh Baked Bakery

If you are still looking for a professional to make your wedding cake in Roanoke, Salem, Vinton, Blacksburg or Radford Virginia call me at 540-493-6812. Take a moment to check out my wedding cake gallery and see what other couples are saying in Roanoke, Virginia about their wedding cake experience.  I am one the most popular wedding cake bakers in Roanoke, Virginia and I would love the opportunity to work with your wedding day. -Sarah Blanchard

Mountain Lake Lodge: Semi Naked Wedding Cake

A Tale as Old as Time...Semi naked wedding cake with an assortment of fresh berries and red cherries topped with a Beauty and the Beast topper.

Fire & Sports Themed Wedding Cake

Happy Thursday! Excited to share this non-traditional wedding cake on a non-traditional day of the week. Chocolate cake with chocolate filling and lemon cake with raspberry filling decorated with smooth buttercream. The couple met through the fire and rescue department and the other logos represent their favorite sports teams. All of the logos and decor are edible!

Venue: The Kyle House
Catering: Schaal's Catering
Cake: Fresh Baked
Photo: Sarah Blanchard

Diamond V Farm: Vintage Wedding Dessert Bar

Aimee and Earl were the best couple to work with for their wedding planning. For their wedding they wanted to give their guests several options for dessert so we created a custom dessert bar to reflect their favorite desserts. Individual pecan and strawberry pies along with lemon cake pops and chocolate cupcakes.  I adore the setup for the dessert bar. Aimee rental a beautiful vintage dresser to display all the yummy desserts. 

To compliment the dessert bar, I created a small two tier wedding cake for the cake cutting ceremony. The cake was vanilla bean filled with strawberry filling and it was decorated with a hand-painted floral pattern and fondant ruffles topper with two "Love Bird's."

Nesselrod Bed & Breakfast: Wedding Dessert Bar

Tasher and Cory were married Nesselrod Bed & Breakfast in Radford, Virginia on a beautiful May day. The wedding took place at the gazebo with the reception to follow in the sunken garden surrounded by gorgeous landscaping and a lovely waterfall. The guests enjoyed a very yummy dessert bar filled with the couple’s favorite sweets. They had cake pops in flavors of Almond Joy & Reese’s as well as  chocolate, vanilla, almond & red velvet cupcakes with vanilla bean buttercream. They also had chocolate chip & snickerdoodle cookies and "Papa's Favorite Brown Sugar Cake” shaped to represent a rotary engine. 

Red Velvet Cupcakes, Almond Joy Cakes Pop and Cookies

Cake shaped to represent a rotary engine 

Almond Cake Pops

Snickerdoodle & Chocoalte Chip Cookies

Almond Joy Cake Pops

• Location: Nesselrod Bed & Breakfast
• Photos: Sarah Blanchard
• Desserts: Fresh Baked

If you are still looking for a professional to make your wedding cake in Roanoke, Salem, Vinton, Blacksburg or Radford Virginia call me at 540-493-6812. Take a moment to check out my wedding cake gallery and see what other couples are saying in Roanoke, Virginia about their wedding cake experience.  I am one of the most popular wedding cake bakers in Roanoke, Virginia and I would love the opportunity to work with you on such a special occasion.