Virginia Weddings

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The Ultimate Elegant Backyard Wedding Inspiration

From the Photographer…Rachel and Marc’s ceremony and reception both took place at Keswick Hall under the impeccable direction of their planner, Adam of Donovan-Groves Events. It was an honor to document the love between these two and to capture the love felt for them by their family and friends!

My dearest wedding planning pretties, if you’ve ever considered an at-home affair, please, please let this inspiration shoot from Luxe and Luna Couture Events be your guide. It’s all the convincing I need that a backyard wedding can be SO next level. Don’t you agree? This little setup makes me all sorts of happy. Thanks to Shannon Moffit, you can pin your heart out in The Vault.

From Shannon Moffit Photography… Our team of vendors met on the outskirts of Charlottesville for an editorial inspired by the romantic elegance of a private cottage. Our model wears a delicate beaded gown by Carol Hannah, antique Trumpet and Horn rings, and an Old World inspired crown by Anna Marguerite. She carries an organic bouquet, filled with a medley of hues ranging from yellow to pink to dark plum. A cool breeze rustled through the trees as we wandered the quiet woods around the property. A table was set besides the cottage, covered with loose floral arrangements, antique candles, and light snacks.

From Luxe and Luna… We started by designing around Porter & Ives’ private cottage in rural Virginia. We brought in rich colors and regal details, compliments of Carol Hannah’s beautifully beaded Iolite gown and Anna Marguerite’s Edwardian inspired headpiece. I wanted this editorial to feel like a countryside retreat, so it was only fitting to draw from nature when designing the tablescape. Organic flower arrangements and natural linen draped over the table.

Intimate Fall Wedding in a Gorgeous Garden Setting

This celebration is the epitome of dreamy garden wedding with the prettiest color scheme to boot. It evokes all the beauty of Fall with lush, layered blooms by Amanda Burnette, garland infused everything, cozy, family-style tablescapes and loads of gorgeous imagery by Ashley Cox Photography. See why Fall weddings are some of our absolute favorites with even more in the vault.

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An Intimate Chapel Ceremony To Remind Us Why We Love Weddings

From the Bride… Ross and I met at a mutual friend’s going away party here in DC, in early August 2014. He had sauntered over to our group to chat with our friend about her upcoming trip to Zimbabwe and pretty soon it was just the two of us talking and flirting for the rest of the evening. Right away I was charmed by his wit, intelligence, and adorable accent (he’s South African). Not much has changed! A year and a half later, as 2015 started to come to a close, we began talking more earnestly about what kind of wedding we’d like and both felt that an intimate garden wedding seemed to fit our style best – someplace home-like, where guests could stay the night and chat into the wee hours of the morning. We wanted it to feel like a retreat, with some fun activities planned (hello wine tour!) as well as free time to relax. When we visited The Clifton Inn, outside of Charlottesville, we knew it was the perfect fit for us – an easy distance from DC, nestled in the Shenandoah Valley, with an understated elegance and romantic charm. We wanted everything to feel natural but not overdone, and kept that theme in mind when deciding on the other details – from our simple and classic wedding attire, the lush and loose floral design, and a family-style meal served on long king tables. Like any modern bride, I definitely referenced Pinterest for ideas, but once the overall look was established, left many of the details in the capable hands of our amazing vendors. Early on I knew that I wanted to teach myself calligraphy and create all of the wedding paper products, from envelope addressing to the seating chart. The invitation design was a family affair – Ross and I collaborated on the invitation design and his talented mother created the custom watercolor for us, which we used throughout the wedding. However, what I didn’t expect in learning calligraphy was a love for the craft that has grown and developed into a new business for us! One of the more special and bittersweet moments of the day was walking down the aisle with my mom. My father passed away when I was in college, and having my mom next to me was both a moment that reflected our strong relationship, as well as kept him in my thoughts as I went to marry the love of my life. We honored my father in the ceremony by talking about his kind spirit and love of horticulture, which seemed duly appropriate as we said our ‘I do’s’ in the garden. The result was an unforgettable day that perfectly reflected us and our loving community of friends and family.

This feature was a bit of a struggle. Plain and simple, there were too many beautiful photos to include in one post – so more than ever, I encourage you to head to our Vault gallery and see every single stunning snap by Michael and Carina – you will not be disappointed. From the quiet insides of this classic chapel to the blush and burgundy bouquets (thanks to Hedge Fine Blooms), it’s a classic, romantic wedding that I’m loving more and more with every minute. Join me in this beautiful bliss right this way!

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Religious Institution Weddings in Wineries

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Classic Weddings Romantic

From the Bride… After long conversations during chilly walks around DC, homemade gnocchi, and more hearty laughs than I’d had in years, I knew Steve was the thoughtful, smart and witty man I’d one day call my husband. As it turned out, he’d made up his mind on day one. The evening we met, he told friends, “See that girl in the silver dress? I’m going to marry her.” Three years later I wore that same dress to our rehearsal dinner at The Brookville, in Charlottesville, VA.

Our hope for our wedding was the relaxed elegance and easy joy of a close-knit dinner party. We decided on a few key factors: a single venue for the whole day, wine, and a small list of family and friends-who-are-family.We fell head over heels with Charlottesville, VA – the leisurely pace, peaceful Blue Ridge Mountains, and the fact it was driving distance for my family in Kentucky and Ohio, Steve’s New England family, and all our friends from Washington, DC. When we stepped into the quaint, 50-year-old historic chapel at Trump Winery, my heart skipped a beat, and Steve squeezed my hand. It was a moment you can’t manufacture: sunbeams filtered through the windows and lit up the pastel colors on the ceiling’s painted mural. The classic red brick exterior and white steeple reminded Steve of growing up in Massachusetts. It was perfect for our ceremony, and because the chapel only seated 75 (our exact number of guests), we knew it would feel beautifully full. We were so struck by its charm we commissioned an artist friend, Nikki Smetters, to make a watercolor insert for our invitations and programs.

We chose a timeless, neutral palette with just a touch of Old World charm. We drew inspiration from Italy (Steve’s family heritage, and our honeymoon destination), antique books that we collected throughout our engagement (with our favorite author’s names as table numbers), and a special detail from my mother’s family’s Youngstown, Ohio roots: the cookie table, a labor of love with humble origins in which women (and men!) bake up a storm for weeks before the wedding. It was amazing, and people loved making up gift bags of cookies as favors.

I will remember the whole achingly beautiful day forever: watching my best friends lovingly do each other’s makeup, my grandmother peeking in the dressing area door, ready to be “one of the girls”, and of course, our first look. I saw Steve standing in the vineyard, and my heart had never felt so full. It definitely didn’t hurt he looked so handsome! Soft bouquets by Hedge Fine Blooms in blush, red wine, ivory, gold, and sage also had me swooning, I felt like I was holding an Italian meadow in my hands.

Our guests were greeted on the chapel patio with cold local cider and upbeat music like “Goin to the Chapel” and “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole. We purposefully kept the chapel doors closed so our guests could chat with each other and linger, looking out over the grapevines and rolling hills. I remember laughing out loud, while peeking through the window of the car with my bridesmaids, as people danced to the music when the chapel doors opened. My sister walked my mom down the aisle, my father wrapped Steve in a hug, and then I married the best man I’ve ever known.

It took a village: from the al fresco cocktail hour to the family-style dinner, Cristelle and her C&O Catering team made feeding decadent, delicious food to 75 people look effortless, and everyone was so friendly our guests raved about the people almost as much as the incredible food! C&O truly captured a little essence of each of our elements in our menu: from butternut-squash ravioli with Italian sage, to Southern ham on Virginia cheddar scones… let’s just say I was not a bride who forgot to eat! Our wonderful DJ’s, Chris and Rialand with Younique Moments, surprised us by serenading everyone with “Be Our Guest” as dinner was brought to the tables. Our dear friends, Michael and MaryAlice Viljoen, did AV and day-of coordination, and were a force to be reckoned with. Patrick, the coordinator at Trump Winery, was one of the most gracious people we met throughout the planning process, and Michael and Carina, our photographers, practically became family in their quiet, intentional ways… Carina even bustled my gown when no one else could! When we think of it all now we think of joy on joy on joy, and I know we always will.

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David Tutera

Fall 2017

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A Glam Styled Engagement Session

Michael and Carina Photography have a way with the camera that leaves us totally speechless and wanting more. Perfect example? This golden era engagement session that’s sure to inspire a bit of wanderlust. Complete with sweet kisses and one crazy chic couple, we’ve got it all waiting in The Vault!

From Michael and Carina Photography…This couple left me speechless. They have been best friends for years, have a baby boy together and the chemistry between them is unreal. Floriza wore two stunning dresses and Jerome wore a classic black suit. The light and the location of their session made for a beautiful atmosphere; this is definitely one of our favorite engagement sessions of the year!

A Greenery Filled Wedding in Wine Country

There are weddings, and then there are wine country weddings. The latter? Totally and undeniably perfect. With East West filming the fabulousness and Luna de Mare Photography behind the lens snapping the beauty, we’ve got this gorgeous greenery filled celebration waiting for you to witness in The Vault!

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Hotels + Resorts Weddings Weddings in Historical Venues

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From Luna de Mare Photography…The quintessential Virginian wedding of Lia and Thomas was the epitome of elegance and grace. Located in Wine Country, the Historical Keswick Hall is nestled amongst rolling hills and vineyards, with a grand view of the Blue Ridge mountains, boasting the sprawling landscape of a pristine golf course on the property.

Designed and produced by Amore Events, the palette was kept clean and understated, with lush green garlands lining the chairs of the ceremony site, and beautiful White florals interspersed throughout the design. Paired with cut crystal and soft candlelight glowing with an air of intimacy and classic elegance, guests enjoyed aperitifs and cocktails, along with cuisine served in the dining area indoors.

Under the Moon and Stars, this classically beautiful wedding continued for outdoor twilight dancing and merriment, complete with a grand sparkler exit for the sweetest bride and groom, who gracefully kept smiles on their faces even when faced with a bit of rain.

Truly a wedding filled with honest love, friends and family and even their little pooch who couldn’t resist a little FaceTime with the cutest floral garland, this was the stuff of dreams, and I was honored to capture it all alongside an amazing team.

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Written Word Calligraphy

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Bridesmaid Dresses

Amsale

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2014

Amsale Bridesmaids Spring 2014

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Amsale Bridal Fall 2014

Amsale Bridal Spring 2015

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Amsale Bridal Blue Label

Amsale Bridal Spring 2016

Amsale Bridal Fall 2016

Amsale Bridal Spring 2018

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Alvina Valenta

Fall 2015

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BHLDN

Bridal 2016

Bridal 2019

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Savor Fall with This Apple Orchard Engagement

Christine + Matt are here to remind us why fall is the FUN season. For starters, they planned their engagement session in an orchard (!!) and if that doesn’t make you want to throw on a cable knit sweater to set out the door to do the same then maybe this gallery captured by Sawyer Baird will do the trick. See it all in The Vault!

From Sawyer Baird…As fall approaches and we are gearing up for fall engagement season…What better way to kick off engagement inspiration than with a cozy apple orchard engagement session in the mountains of VA. Right outside of Charlottesville VA is the prettiest apple orchard upon a hill. With the perfect views and the perfect settings. This simple and yet tasteful engagement session proves location is key for a perfect engagement session. Personally I love creating an activity or doing something the couple would naturally do together. We figured grabbing some cider and enjoying our time along with creating a fun session would be the perfect engagement session. With that, it was!

Photography: Sawyer Baird | Location: Carter Mountain Orchard

The Only East Coast Vineyard Wedding You Need to See

There’s no denying that Ashley and Chad planned one picture perfect party. Because if there’s one thing we know, it’s a pretty wedding and this stunning affair has got just that written all over it. A semi-formal vineyard affair complete with elegant details and romance, Allison Kuhn Photography has captured it all to share and you can witness the wonder in The Vault!

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Lavender Fields Have Never Looked This Good

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Weddings in Wineries

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Romantic

From Allison Kuhn Photography … Ashley and Chad were married July 23, 2016 in the beautiful Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyard. Their incredible floral design by Petals and Twigs incorporated lush greens and whites. The overall feel of their day was romantic vineyard wedding and it was a semi-formal wedding that included blush, gold and grey colors to compliment the soft and gorgeous venue. Chad was coaching Ashley’s younger brother’s baseball team. When Ashley came home from college, she went to the team’s end-of-the-year party. Chad knew Ashley’s family for years prior to the two of them meeting. Chad proposed on and eight day trip to San Francisco and Napa Valley, so a vineyard wedding only seemed fit. They have dog named Pickles and they are a fun couple! Chad is incredibly positive, funny and always finds the silver lining in any situation. Chad is from Upstate New York and Ashley is from Minnesota, but they reside in Richmond, VA.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Everything captured by Michael and Carina already has a glow about it but when they set up shop in the lavender fields of Charlottesville, Virginia, well, we’re talking a whole other stunning story now. They snapped these two lovebirds as they strolled and snuggled among the lavender and the images in our Vault as as alluring as what we imagine the scent during this shoot must have been. See it all here!

From the Bride-to-be… Kenny and I fell in love during our senior year at Clemson University. We felt at ease around each other immediately, and suddenly our everyday tasks such as homework and grocery shopping felt special and exciting because we were together. We’ve been together for two and a half years, and our favorite way to spend time together now is exploring new cities and eating delicious food!

This engagement shoot felt like an ethereal fantasy; from the luscious scent of lavender to frolicking in the fields hand in hand with my Groom-to-be, every moment was dreamy and romantic. My favorite images from this collection are the ones that encapsulate the way Kenny and I look at each other; there is so much love between us, and I feel incredibly grateful that these photographs capture our love and admiration for each other.

Michael and Carina were incredible to work with. They put us at ease immediately, and we knew we could trust their artistic vision every step of the way. We are so excited to have them shoot our wedding next September!

Photography: Michael And Carina Photography | Dress: Asos | Earrings: Francesca's | Pants: J.Crew | Shirt: Banana Republic

A Rustic Celebration That Offers a New Take on Neutrals

Lara and Pat’s wedding is more than just a myriad of pretty pastels, for once you dig a little deeper in The Vault you’ll start to see one reoccurring theme. That being? A muted palette offset with major elegance a la Mallory Joyce. Sounds pretty darn dreamy, right? Captured by the incredibly talented Sally Pinera, it’s a celebration that proves love is in the details and we’ve got it all waiting for you below!

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Religious Institution Rustic Weddings

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Classic Weddings Rustic

From Sally Pinera…This beautiful wedding was designed by Mallory Joyce. Set against rolling hills of Charlottesville, Lara and Pat got married at the Castalia Farm private estate with their festive wedding party. Rustic charm paired with the beautiful views of Charlottesville mountains is always a winning duo. Easy and simple design and a muted palette surrounded this wedding as this couple danced and loved the night away.

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Elegant and Ethereal Bridal Session

I’m kind of at a loss for words that will do this bridal session justice. I’m pretty sure it’s because every little detail in this simple, yet elegant shoot is could truly stand on their own. The gown from Gossamer is just breathtaking. The antique ring from Trumpet & Horn? Absolutely perfect. And the lovely hair pieces from Liv Hart are truly works of art. With Laura Gordon Photography behind the lens, we end up with a gallery of images almost too good to be true.

From Liv Hart…I love collaborating with such creative and talented people that also love creating memorable and enchanting moments. This season we created an enchanting shoot with such an amazing group of artists on an beautiful rainy day at Albemarle Estate in Charlottesville, VA. There is something so poetic and beautiful about a rainy day.

This season I was also very inspired by my own upcoming wedding next June. I feel so excited about creating the accessories I will wear for my wedding and am loving designing while I am a bride myself!

My hope for every collection is to design accessories that are artfully handcrafted, enchanting, and memorable for our brides.

I am a designer, dreamer, stylist, and fashion lover. I love accessories that define a moment. I love creativity, quality in details, and a uniqueness that keeps you looking at each design for a while. There is nothing better, to me, than getting lost for a moment in a beautiful expression of art. I hope that each of my designs provides this moment.

Traditional-Meets-Rustic Verulam Farm Wedding

A traditional and rustic wedding may seem like an oxymoron, but this gorgeous Virginia couple pulled it off in the most beautiful day imaginable. From the slate blue Amsale bridesmaids’ dresses that inspired the color palette to the bluegrass band at the ceremony and cocktail hour to the Bride’s gorgeous crochet-lace from Monique Lhuillier, this day is a Southern wedding dream. See all the beauty from Rachel May Photography and Ians Creations in THE VAULT!

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Outdoor Weddings Rustic Weddings

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Classic Weddings Rustic

From The Bride…I was born in Charlottesville, Virginia, and that is where Billy and I met, at UVA, so how could we not choose Charlottesville as our setting?! :) But my definition and memories of Charlottesville were different from most, as I was raised near Monticello looking out on the Blue Ridge Mountains, before Charlottesville was the bustling town and destination it is today, so I always envisioned my wedding away from the University and Downtown Mall, out in the mountains on a beautiful farm or estate. I definitely wanted an outdoor setting, and I was drawn to barns as these reminded me of the beautiful farm homes in and around Charlottesville. Billy and I fell in love with Verulam right away–between the magnificent mountain views, the barn that felt so unique and unlike any other reception venue we have ever seen, and finally for the clean slate aspect of the venue as a whole. I felt like we could really make the day and every moment and detail that came with it truly encapsulate our vision coming to life. Verulam was like a blank slate with so many incredible options for how the day could unfold.

I wanted the colors to blend in with the setting, which was largely outdoors in nature, and to be honest it was really anchored around Amsale’s slate blue bridesmaid dresses. The color was perfection against the estate, outdoors and barn, and given how much it popped against the backgrounds I wanted everything else to match it and really blend in with it. We decided early against black tie given the venue, so we chose navy suits and ties, and then everything else was a shade of white, ivory, grey and light blue. The color palette was simple yet elegant, and subtle yet memorable. I just love looking at the colors in the pictures, I feel like they were meant for that venue. I also liked the rustic nature of the venue but did not want the wedding to feel too casual, so envisioned elegant accents that would make the wedding feel formal yet unique.

We had some really fun additions that I have never seen at a wedding before, that were really must-haves in the end for me and Billy. The bluegrass band playing both ceremony and cocktail music was such a nice touch for the outdoor setting. The drone was Billy’s idea and actually worked out to be such an awesome addition, because the guests loved our use of new technology and the video footage that the drone caught was great. Finally, as soon as we saw Verulam I envisioned a lot of walking for our guests, but instead of it being a burden I wanted everyone to enjoy it and participate, so we led the guests to the barn with the sunset in the backdrop (also offered flip flops for the walk!) and I think everyone thought this was such a cool and different way to move from cocktails to the reception. Oh, and late night we offered homemade donuts from Carpe Donut’s donut tent, which were a huge hit!

My favorite moment was when Billy and I snuck off during during for sunset shots. We hopped the fence and went off with our photographer and videographer to capture the moment. It was 10 minutes of just us, enjoying the setting, sunset and time together, right before the reception kicked off. That moment was absolutely perfect.

Amy Webb from Blue Ridge Floral really ran with my vision of simple whites, garland on the table, and lots of mercury glass and candles. She incorporated greys and blues into the bouquets as well, which looked perfect with the dresses.

My gown was a labor of love…it is a beautiful crochet lace from Monique Lhuillier that was altered and hemmed perfectly to fit me that day. Brenda Hill is the master seamstress that pulled that off, because that dress has no boning, just a simple slip so it fits right to the body, and it was ABSOLUTELY perfect.

Our favors were donuts from Carpe Donut, in favor boxes provided by Carpe with stickers I made from Etsy to match our colors.

Our cake was Albemarle Baking Company, almond cake with vanilla icing. I envisioned simple with elegant flowers, which Amy provided for the bakery. Also Billy’s sister, Elisabeth, is a master carver and hand carved our cake stand. It was one of the best surprises I could have imagined for that day!!

Bridesmaid dresses were Amsale, suits were OWNONLY (custom suits), ties were Ferragamo (groomsmen gifts), earrings were Kate Spade (bridesmaid gifts).

Hair was Elle Style Studio, and they included my grandma’s pearls as a hairpiece, that was my something borrowed :)

My piece of advice was be have a vision in mind and plan, plan, plan but in the end, just go with it, and take in every moment and appreciate the whole day for what it is, because it will truly be the best day of your life!!

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Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Spring 2016

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Amsale

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2014

Amsale Bridesmaids Spring 2014

Additional Styles by Amsale

Amsale Bridal Fall 2014

Amsale Bridal Spring 2015

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Amsale Bridal Blue Label

Amsale Bridal Spring 2016

Amsale Bridal Fall 2016

Amsale Bridal Spring 2018

Amsale Bridal Fall 2018

Amsale Bridesmaids

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Elegant Southern Wedding Inspiration

This elegant inspo from Abby Capalbo is speaking directly to our wedding loving hearts. Because when one of our very own steps out from behind the computer screen and onto the wedding scene, well we kinda lose our minds (in the best way possible). Joined with Jacin Fitzgerald Events and the lens of Elisa Bricker this powerhouse pretty is not to be missed. See it all in THE VAULT!

From Abby Capalbo… Perfect parts southern charm and southern elegance, we loved dreaming up this inspiration shoot at the lovely Clifton Inn in Charlottesville, Virginia for the Elisa Bricker Workshops. We started with a classic and sophisticated boudoir session in a stunning private estate (thanks to Stay Charlottesville), and then moved over to the Inn just in time for the light to work its magic. With a Carol Hannah gown that couldn’t be more stunning and a dapper Groom dressed head to toe in The Black Tux, the couple was just about as gorgeous as they come. Sprinkle in Jacin Fitzgerald’s ridiculously good florals and breathtaking design and Elisa Bricker amazing eye behind the lens, and the images turned out more beautiful than we could have ever imagined.

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At-Home Wedding in the Blue Ridge Mountains

When your future mother-in-law happens to be THE Lynn Easton of Easton Events, you can count yourself one of the luckiest brides on the planet. She’s got a way with planning and design that continually leaves us in awe, and paired with Southern Blooms on florals? Well, it’s the stuff wedding dreams are made of. Jose Villa put his incredible talents to work behind the camera and THE VAULT is where you’ll find each and every image.

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Backyard Outdoor Weddings

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5 Picture-Perfect Mid-Atlantic Wedding Venues

From The Groom’s Mother… I’ve planned hundreds and hundreds of weddings—each one unique in its own way—but nothing has come close to working with a young couple when one of them, say, a particularly adorable groom, happens to be my own son. Of course, this could have been a recipe for disaster but I knew that planning with my future daughter-in-law was going to be a pleasure, not only because she happens to be a truly lovely human being, but because she’s one of those fabulous brides who gets the big picture.

Elizabeth understood that the most important thing when planning a wedding isn’t a checklist. Sure, selecting the food, the wine or the band are super important, but the primary focus should be on creating a memorable experience for your guests. She believes, as I do, that a magical wedding leaves your guests feeling like they’ve done more than gone through the motions and matrimonial rituals. Being aligned in that goal made the wedding day a wonderful experience, and perhaps more importantly made all the planning a special and, believe it or not, fun time for our family.

Pippin and Elizabeth’s wedding took place at, Elizabeth’s family’s home — which made it all the more meaningful and personal. The late afternoon ceremony was in one of the “garden rooms,” followed by cocktails in the back of the property overlooking a gorgeous rolling hillside. Then we surprised everyone by inviting our 285 (somewhat hesitant) guests onto mini coaches and whisking them up to the highest point of the farm. There they discovered our gorgeous Sperry dinner tent with 280-degree breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

La Tavola’s Blue Marrakesh cloth—an Easton Events’ favorite—was the perfect backdrop for Southern Blooms to bring Elizabeth’s vision of tailored elegance to fruition. Photographer Jose Villa captured all the magic as he always does—flawlessly. A stunning sunset was the finishing touch. Granted, I might be a bit biased, but it was MEMORABLE!

I’m not sure which was better: getting to spend 12 months planning with Elizabeth and her amazing mother Anne, or watching two of my favorite people on the planet pledge their love in front of a swooning group of family and friends. All I know is that I am one lucky and very proud mother and mother-in-law.

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Event Planning

Easton Events

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Wedding Dresses

Carolina Herrera

Spring 2015

Spring 2016

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After finding the perfect man, finding the perfect venue is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your big day. And these Mid-Atlantic beauties? They’re as perfect as it gets. Rustic, glamorous, timeless and romantic, these gorgeous venues are some of the best the East Coast (and the rest of the country) has to offer.

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5 Picture-Perfect Mid-Atlantic Wedding Venues

Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards (shown above): Set amongst the Blue Ridge Mountains with sprawling lawns, rolling vineyard-covered hills and a rustic yet elegant event space, Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, in Charlottesville, Virginia, is the perfect setting for your dream day. Plus, with the founder of Easton Events behind this gorgeous venue, you know any wedding here is bound to be stunning. See it here.

Evergreen Museum + Library: Baltimore’s Gilded Age mansion and adjacent Italian gardens will transport you and your guests back to a more glamorous time. The exquisite estate is classic elegance at its very best, just like every wedding that takes place here. See it here.

DAR Constitution Hall: This National Historic Landmark Building offers couples a rich history, the excitement of Washington D.C., classic Beaux-Arts architecture and countless spaces for a glamorous affair. See it here.

Frick Art + Historical Center: Beautifully landscaped gardens surround this historic Pittsburg Gilded Age mansion. With a timeless elegance and sophisticated vibe, the Frick Art + Historical Center allows couples to create the stunning wedding of their dreams. See it here.

The Biltmore Estate: Asheville’s Biltmore Estate is as close to a fairytale wedding as you can get with expansive grounds and a European-style castle all nestled into the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. See it here.

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Photography: Josh Gruetzmacher

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Easton Events

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Intimate Mountain-Top Elopement

A good elopement gives me chills. They just scream romance to me. Two people running off to say I do? It’s just dreamy. So when they bring along the likes of Josh Gooden to capture the perfection on film, I get all sorts of excited. This beauty of an elopement at Broadhead Mountain Retreat will surely make you smile, and you can see even more of their oh-so-special day from Anna Reynal here.

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Winter Weddings

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Rustic Weddings

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Elegant + Romantic Southern Bridal Session

From The Bride…I didn’t always think that I would want to elope. It was something that I realized a couple of years ago, but before then I imagined I would do a traditional wedding with guests, tons of flowers (give me ALL the flowers), favors, dinner, brunch, bachelorettes and the whole nine yards. With Trevor and I both working in design and at times, a tad particular about aesthetics, it became clear at some point that it would be far too easy to get off track while planning a traditional wedding. It was really important that our wedding day be about the marriage and not about the place settings or the furniture rentals. Not that it’s wrong to be excited about those things. It is exciting! I’ll be the first one to say that I love a good wedding. We just decided that simple would be best for us. The moment anything became too stressful in our planning, it pretty much went out the window. I ordered my dress online for next to nothing and opted to do my own hair and makeup so that Trevor and I could just hang out together all day and keep things low-key. Eloping also allowed us to purchase a home right away, which is something that we ultimately decided was our first priority. Beginning with the end in mind and recognizing what would bring us long-term happiness was key in making this decision. Luckily, our families were incredibly supportive of our decision. We couldn’t have done it without them!

A lot of people have asked why we chose Charlottesville. We entertained lots of ideas for the location of the ceremony but we were both really happy with where we ended up. Charlottesville is an easy, three hour drive from our home in Baltimore, so it was just far enough away to feel like we were getting out of town, but close enough that we can go back and visit for anniversaries or just when the mood strikes us! The day was exactly what we hoped it would be, and we are so grateful to have these amazing memories to reflect on for years to come.

Abby Capalbo

Design, Styling, Parties

Abby Capalbo Styling

Your wedding day is going to be one of the most special days of your life, so I’m a firm believer that you should enjoy every minute of planning your big day. That includes a beautiful bridal session like this one from Michael and Carina Photography. In the soft, subdued lighting, the lush florals from Southern Blooms look even lovelier, especially with the romantic gown and beautiful bride. After taking a peek through the gallery, you’ll be calling up your photographer to plan your own bridal session ASAP.

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Classic Weddings Romantic

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From Michael And Carina Photography… We are sending you a beautifully styled indoor bridal session today, simple and elegant. The dreary weather that day turned out to be a blessing after all! This is the story of a bride preparing for her wedding day. Trying on the dress and the shoes for one last time before the big day is quite special. The bride’s letter to her (future) husband, her engagement ring, her shoes and a lush green bouquet added meaningful details to the clean look.

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Wedding Dresses

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Elegantly Rustic Virginia Wedding

What’s a couple to do when they want an intimate backyard wedding and 300 guests? This sweet Bride and Groom decided to take the party to a bigger backyard—the one at Willow Spring Farm, an antebellum estate in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Take a look at the gallery for all the little touches that kept this wedding intimate and personal.

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Outdoor Weddings Rustic Weddings

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Al Fresco Classic Weddings Rustic

From Michael and Carina Photography… Aaron and Bethany’s wedding at Willow Spring Farm in the Shenandoah Valley, just west of Charlottesville, VA, was simply perfect. Just a few minutes away from where we met them for their engagement session, he didn’t know what to say when he saw her for the first time. He held her hands, admired his bride in her wedding dress, and then he embraced her under the shade of an old tree. Their ceremony was a celebration not only of their love for one another, but their profound devotion & love of God. Afterwards, we walked through the fields under the setting sun, and joined them for an evening of laughter and celebration long into the night.

From the Bride… I’d always dreamed of a sweet and intimate backyard wedding, which is a little tough to do when you’re inviting almost 300 guests. When we stumbled on the back patio of Willow Spring Farm I knew we could make our dream come true (we just had to keep our fingers crossed for blue skies). We wanted our wedding to feel like us—fun, romantic, and very personal!

From start to finish, our wedding day was absolutely perfect. We couldn’t have asked for more beautiful weather and it was amazing to watch everything we’d been planning come to life. We put our heart and soul into designing our invitations, programs, favors (sweet little sachets of lavender), and florals. I loved every moment of handpicking each flower and piecing together my beautiful bouquet. My mom made my cute little bird cage veil and I wrapped my bouquet with a swatch of lace from her wedding dress (worn first by her mom, my grandmother). I wore my grandmother’s vintage wedding rings and one of my friends made the most beautiful cakes for us (my mom handmade the little birdie toppers). They say it take a village to raise a child- well it took a village to pull off our beautiful day, and we wouldn’t have had it any other way. Friends and family pitched in left and right making the space and feelings more beautiful than we ever could have dreamed.

We let the beauty of our venue (a gorgeous pre-civil war era home) speak for itself and got married on the front steps while our loved ones filled the front yard. Our friends and family read scripture and poems and played beautiful melodies while we exchanged our vows. Our day was anchored in Jesus and the purpose of our wedding was to bring Him glory and honor. We ended our ceremony with everyone (wedding party and guests alike) holding hands- united. That was important to us- that our wedding feel like a back yard party reuniting old and new friends, family, and strangers. All of us enjoying life and celebrating this beautiful day under the blue skies and twinkling lights. We’ve never felt more loved and encouraged and must say it was the perfect start to forever.

Colorful Charlottesville Virginia Wedding

What began with a sweet Superbowl story, eventually led to the perfect proposal and one chic celebration. Add in the state that held their hearts, this lovely pair wed on a Virginia fall day surrounded by rustic chic decor and pretty pops of color. While Amore Events made sure every detail was darling – from caricatures to a sparkling exit – Laura Gordon shared it all with us, here!

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Winter Weddings

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Rustic

From Laura Gordon Photography… Whitney and Cameron met while living and working in Washington, DC. Whitney grew up in Michigan and moved to the area a little over six years ago for work. Cameron was born in the States but grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia and then moved to DC to pursue his career in broadcasting nearly three years ago.

From the beautiful Bride… A little over two years ago, I, like every other American (and a large population from around the world), was tuning into the single game that culminates the entire NFL season: the Super Bowl. I had planned to meet a crew of my friends to enjoy the festivities and watch the New York Giants take on the New England Patriots. When I walked in with my friend we sat down and I noticed this tall good looking guy, and I shared that sentiment with my friend. He was a reporter covering the Super Bowl by getting fan reactions to the game and half-time commercials. When he came up to our group to ask if we would be interested in giving him some sound, my group was happy to oblige. And so our story begins…I have my version (backed by several other people) and he has his version.

The gist is that he thought he would be sly and leave his tie with me, as I was telling an animated story and of course, needed a prop, and what better thing than his neck tie, right? Eventually, I would have to give it back to him or as he would tell you, he would have a reason to come talk to me again. For all those that really know me, quiet and shy are not my thing, so, in true Whitney fashion, and full sassy mode, the game ended and I walked over to return his tie and asked, “are you going to ask for my number or what?” Yes, I actually said that. And for the record we both remember that part of the story very clearly. Since then, we have been happily navigating this thing called life, together.

Our first decision was where to get married with our families spread across much of the United States and into Canada. We really debated this and finally decided that it was not fair to have one side of our family travel and not the other so we made the decision to get married where we live and met, Virginia. Pippin Hill Farm was definitely part of the inspiration of the look and feel of the wedding, as I loved all of the details and the rustic chic vibe it embodies.

I found many of the vendors through lots of research…spending hours upon hours on wedding and style blogs. Once we hired Cody, she was able to direct us to the Charlottesville vendors that best suited our vision. We had a phone call and then were off to the races getting things booked on our end and continuing to further develop and execute our vision. The one other different thing we did was had a caricature artist. We felt like photo booths had been over done and Cameron was really pushing for the caricature artist so we booked it, much to the dismay of my mom, and it ended up being a HUGE hit.

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Vera Wang

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C20 Mothers 2012 Part I

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Rustic Tented Wedding at Fat Cat Farm

I might as well just come out and say it, farmhouse weddings are my favorite. Framed with natural elements, Beehive Events dressed this duos day in rustic elegance in the form of farm tables and geode filled centerpieces. From the handmade soap favors to the hay bale portraits, every detail Jen Fariello Photography is drownright darling and you can see them all here!

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