Virginia Weddings

It’s a fact — Jen Fariello and gorgeous weddings go hand-in-hand. So the very second she sent over this Charlottesville charmer, we knew pretty-filled moments were just a quick click away. And with Southern Blooms by Pats Floral Designs, just a little ditty, and Bella Figura behind every pin-perfect detail, there’s really no reason NOT to spend your whole morning cozied up in the gallery. Grab that coffee and join me!

From the Bride…Travis and I pretty much immediately decided on Charlottesville, Virginia. I am a University of Virginia graduate and Charlottesville is a lovely town  one of our favorite places  and perfect for us given our love for the outdoors. It doesnt hurt that it has one the most beautiful skylines of endless rolling hills and mountains. The east coast location also was favorable for us considering thats where my family resides.  It made it much easier for them to help and get involved. Before we decided on anything, I knew my wedding style: rustic-elegance. I envisioned the wedding to be romantic, intimate, full, natural and soft.

We chose Castle Hill Cider for our wedding ceremony and reception because it completely fit our vision. We loved the rustic elements of the venue– pastoral fields and meadows, a grove of hugely impressive trees, and a classically built post and beam barn. And we had a blank canvas to work, a concept I fully embraced because we wanted to create an event truly our own down to the last little detail. The romantic color palette was determined by the natural setting. Shades of light pink, cream and champagne complemented the natural greens and browns of the landscape. We had pewter accents (e.g., the writing on our personalized cocktail napkins, flower and candle holders, candle filled lanterns, drinking straws) that complemented the softer colors and matched the font color we used for our wedding invitations and calligraphy. The bridesmaids dresses were a favorite of mine! I picked the colors  three of them (blush, opal and vanilla)  and had everyone pick their own style, which ended up all being different. I thought that was fantastic! It reflected them as individuals, and the color and style combination was stunning.

We had several DIY projects that made the ceremony and reception both incredibly beautiful and extra meaningful. The chuppah (canopy) that we stood under during the ceremony was hand built and erected by Travis, while the wood slate boards we used for the escort cards and the wooden boxes that held our late night snack were made by a family friend. I made the ceremony programs that included handmade paper sourced from the Lokta plant in Nepal. The longevity of the paper makes it ideal for preserving important written words.??Many of our guests commented on the uniqueness of our wedding and how it was a perfect reflection of who we are as a couple. Here are a few highlights. We caught the wild Alaskan salmon (yes, its true) that we offered as one of two choices for the main course. We caught the Coho salmon in Kodiak, Alaska at Travis familys lodge (www.kodiaklegendslodge.com). We have been going up to Alaska every summer for the past five years and consider it a very special place. The handwritten menus placed at every guests seat included this detail.

Our guests started and ended the night with family favorites! If you were a beer fan, the night began with bottles of Spotted Cow that was personally driven by Travis all the way from northern Wisconsin. It is produced and sold only in Wisconsin and a favorite of Travis family. Our guests ended the night with personalized individually packaged brownies, my familys favorite, which were served with old-fashioned cartons of milk locally produced in Central Virginia. Most of our guests opted to take the transportation we provided, so it served as the perfect late night snack to enjoy on the bus ride back to town.

My surprise gift to Travis was an oil on canvas painting of our first dance. I flew in an impressionist style painter from California, Rich Flynn, who painted our first dance real-time, and continued throughout the duration of the reception. The painting is truly one of a kind! He managed to illustrate not only the physical elements, but also the emotion. He captured a cherished moment that we now can continue to treasure.

I want to share a few brief thoughts on lighting and florals because the barn was large and vast and from the start these two elements were critical in transforming the space from simply rustic, to rustic-elegance. We decided on bistro lights strung low throughout the barn to bring the ceilings down to create a warm, romantic feel. Amber uplights throughout the barn also helped to warm it up. The canopy of bistro lights extended seamlessly outside to the back of the barn where we had lounge area. Our table centerpieces were low, lush and overflowing arrangements in mercury glass containers surrounded by lots of candles. The mercury glass reflected the light and resulted in an intimate setting with an antique touch.  

We were so fortunate and grateful to have such a talented and creative team of vendors that helped to realize our vision and make our wedding better than we could have ever imagined. Travis and I cant thank them enough! It was an extraordinary day  the best day  and we cherished every moment!

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Photography: Jen Fariello Photography | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Castle Hill Cider | Cinematography: Zachary Shields of Toast Wedding Films | Floral Design: Southern Blooms by Pats Floral Designs | Event Design + Planning: just a little ditty | Invitation Designer: Bella Figura | Calligraphy for invitations, envelopes, menu + place cards: Debi Zeinert of The Blooming Quill | Personalized Paper Accessories (napkins, stickers + straws): foryourparty.com | Cake + Desserts: Cakes by Rachel | Caterer + Rentals: Harvest Moon Catering | Extra Rentals: Stonegate Event Rentals and Festive Fare | Lighting: Blue Ridge AV and Lighting | Artist: Rich Flynn | Reception Band: The Dickens | Hair: Lucas Shaffer | Makeup: Renee Smith | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids Dress: Amsale | Grooms Tuxedo: Custom, Astor and Black | Flower Girls’ Dress: OliviaKateCouture

Farm affairs are the unofficial “cool kid” of the wedding world right now. With bride after bride longing for a slice of that rustic charm, it takes a super special day to stand out in the crowd. But this Pippin Hill wedding did all that and more. Why? Because this couple opted for a modern take on the homespun classic. And with Easton Events, Southern Blooms by Pat’s Floral Designs and Smock Paper by their side, the only thing lovelier than the photos from Andrea Hubbell was the day itself. Have a look here for even more.

From the Bride…My parents were married inside of a courthouse in the Virgin Islands in 1982. They never had the ceremonious wedding party that my mother was born to plan. When Andrew and I got engaged at the beginning of 2012, after knowing each other since 1999, we knew this would be an all inclusive family affair centered around that feeling of closeness. When we found Pippin Hill Farm overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains in Charlottesville, Virginia, the four of us shared a meal and felt so at home. The farm to table menu and blue ridge mountain scenery surrounding the new construction was a huge draw for us as it combines our love for food and the outdoors.

The inspiration for the wedding celebration would be that feel of a wedding at a family estate but with the modern convenience of an all inclusive wedding venue designed by the geniuses at Pippin Hill. We wanted a homespun look with eclectic pieces organically placed within clean lines. We carefully curated individual details over a year to create the idea that we had pulled terra cotta from the shed, galvanized metal from the cellar, grandma’s goblets and enamelware from the shelf, ticking striped napkins from the hutch, herbs and vegetables from the garden, trees from the woods; all the colors were pulled from the skyline.

Collecting all of these pieces was an adventure in itself as my mom and I scoured markets and vintage treasures. I can remember once instance where we carried wire baskets from Brookfarm General Store in Brooklyn New York on 5 different subway trains. So many of the choices we made were conferenced on: my father an architect, built, refinished and painted many of the decor pieces.  Our monogram, designed by Meredith Bullock, was painted on a broken headboard by my Dad. We took a lot of inspiration from Kinfolk, Sunday Suppers and cues from the venues own styling. My husband is a golf course superintendent – essentially, a golf course “farmer,” and  we incorporated some tools and pieces relating to farming along with vintage bulb drying racks, chicken coops, crates and buckets.

As we got closer to the event, family and friends became our number one priority. As a mini-destination wedding, all of our guests would be traveling to Charlottesville and we spent hours working on planning a stress free weekend and wedding day, picking up on anything that might make anyone feel less than at home. It was so important to my parents as this was their ‘big day’ as well. Andrew and I wrote our own wedding vows to one another for the ceremony. It was so important to us to share those intimate words with the most important people in our lives. We wanted them to know how open we are to love and how committed we are to sharing our thoughts and feelings with one another.

Our beagle-dachschund Lloyd was a huge part of the ceremony and the planning required to get him to and from Virginia and to and from Pippin Hill so that he could be there was so worth it. He is family. I can only hope that the day was as full of happiness and hope for our marriage as it was for my parents who were married over 30 years ago inside that tiny courthouse. Now we dream of hosting an event for our own son or daughter one day, at our very own farmhouse, with herbs from the garden, etched glasses from the cupboard, flowers from the field, family and friends.

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Photography: Andrea Hubbell Photography | Flowers + Trees: Southern Blooms by Pat’s Floral Designs | Event Consulation: Easton Events | Day of Coordinator: Amore Events | Ceremony + Reception Location: Pippin Hill Farm | Invitations: Smock Paper | Calligraphy: Meredith Bullock | Dinner Menus: Paper Source with Meredith Bullock | Miniature Pastries: Hot Cakes | Custom Cocktail Napkins: For Your Party | Favors: Moleskine +  Rock Paper Scissors | Decor: Brookfarm General Store, Roxie Daisy | Vintage Found Items: Southern Blooms, Etsy | Hair: Top Knot Studio | Hair Piece: Vintage | Makeup: Charlottesville Makeup Artist | Shoes: Diane Von Furstenberg | Dress: Romona Keveza via  Kleinfeld Bridal | Dress Ribbon: Mokuba New York | Groom’s Suit: Boss by Hugo Boss | Groom’s Tie: Burberry | Groomsmen Suits: Kenneth Cole | Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale

It’s my wedding blogger obligation to warn you that this e-sesh may cause a little envy. Some ring, dress and wish-I-had-engagement-pics-this-cute envy. But fear not, loves. Because while re-creating this Charlottesville photo session from Eric Kelley and Easton Events would be next to impossible, we DO have a few ideas to help you get the look. In fact, we’ve rounded up our favorite LWDs (little white dresses) that’ll have you and glowing just like this gorgeous bride-to-be.

From the Bride-to-Be…For our Engagement Shoot, we wanted the pictures to capture the two of us as a couple, but our home and its surroundings are a huge part of our life together. Our mutual love for our hometown, Charlottesville, its country environment, and our animals – chickens, ducks, sheep, and a couple of dogs – has helped bring us together into our own little family. We wanted this time in our lives to be captured in full; from the formal to the very informal.  These photos to be reminiscent of our real life together.

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Photography: Eric Kelley | Planning: Easton Events | Hair + Make-Up: Lora Kelley | White Dress: BHLDN via Schuyler Fisk Bullock

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From proposal to parties, wedding to honeymoon, we’ve got all your little white dress moments totally covered! Have a look at some of our favorite frocks that are edging all those LBDs right out of the closet.

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1. Alice + Olivia | 2. Zara | 3. Shopbop | 4. Nordstrom | 5. Nordstrom | 6. Shopbop | 7. Nordstrom | 8. Shopbop | 9. Shopbop

Pippin Hill is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite venues. It’s the perfect balance of Southern elegance and rustic charm, making for a beauty-filled backdrop like you wouldn’t believe. And the latest object of my Pippin Hill obsession? This utterly gorgeous Easton Events’ wedding with to die for florals by Southern Blooms, all captured by the one and only Jen Fariello Photography. It’s a little slice of wedding heaven, and there’s much more to be swooned sitting right here.

From the Bride, Loren… Jake is a resident at UAB in Birmingham, and I am an attorney. We met while I was in law school and he was in medical school in the grove at Ole Miss at football game. Jake’s childhood best friend Camille and one my best friends in law school (and also a bridesmaid) introduced us! We had so many mutual friends but had never met & we clicked right away! Jake proposed two years later at my house in Oxford, MS. He told me to go grab shrimp so that we could make one of our fav dishes, shrimp risotto. I was supposed to call him before I left but I actually forgot to call him so he waited outside my house for 2 hours waiting for me to leave….however, he missed me leaving so I ruined the proposal surprise!! After he proposed, he told me to hurry up and get dressed because both of our parents were on their way into town. It was perfect–I told him before we got engaged that I didn’t want a big fuss and just wanted to celebrate with our families, which is what we did over several nice bottles of wine!

I went to school at UVA and have so many great memories from Charlottesville. My dad also went there so it is a special place. I attended a friend’s wedding at Keswick before I met Jake and knew that when it was my time, I would get married in cville too. After meeting and falling in love with Jake, we went up to Charlottesville for a visit and he fell in love with the place too. There is just something special in the Charlottesville air. Once we got engaged, I immediately called a college friend, Augusta Cole of Easton Events, because I knew I wanted her to do my wedding. She recommended Pippin Hill. We booked it sight unseen because the ambiance and scenery was perfect. Plus, Jake and I are wine lovers so what better place to get married than at a vineyard.

Our inspiration was a tailored european garden or english garden. We chose a palate of the palest pink, gray, and dark green. We used beautiful full bloom pale pink and white florals mixed with the dark greens of boxwood and ivy as well a beautiful stone gray color for the printed suite and containers. Our wedding was intended to be classically elegant with a touch of whimsy – I would say the lacey calligraphy, printed details, cocktail table linens, and loose, romantic florals expressed that touch of whimsy…We tried to incorporate a lot of southern traditions in our wedding-I am from Memphis and Jake is from Jackson, MS. We did a cake pull before Jake and I cut the cake where each bridesmaid pulled out a charm from our cake–each charm had a special meaning and the meaning was placed on a card so that each bridesmaid could keep it.

I carried my deceased grandparents wedding rings down the aisle with me tied to my bouquet as well as my living grandmother’s handkerchief, my something old. My something blue was Song of Solomon 3:4 stitched into my dress in blue. We had two specialty cocktails…mine was the champagne with lavender to compliment the lavender that was tossed by our friends and family after we left the church. Jake’s was the Sazerac, his favorite drink. We also handed out “late night” grab-n-go snacks, croque monsieurs, as people boarded the buses to head home.

Jake’s grooms cake was a chocolate cake in the shape of a case of wine, with all of our favorite bottles. It looked so real that some tried to pick up the bottles to take it with them! Our band played all of our favorite songs and lead the crowd in the Good Ole Song as well as Ole Miss’ Hotty Toddy cheer. They also played Walking in Memphis, my dads request, which was a Memphis crowd favorite! Some of my favorite touches before the big day was our wedding invitations. We had my family crest on the top of it, beautiful calligraphy, and different colored paper for the return address envelope and card, along with vintage stamps. Some of my favorite photos are from our sparkler departure, as well as the ones in front of our vintage car! All of the photographs captured what a beautiful night it was, all thanks to a great photographer & burying the bourbon!

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Photography: Jen Fariello | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Pippin Hill Farm & Winery | Floral Design: Southern Blooms | Event Design + Planning: Easton Events | Invitation Designer: Erika Jack | Calligraphy: Jen Maton, If So Inklined | Cake + Desserts: Favorite Cakes | Groom’s Cake: Maliha Creations | Linens: La Tavola | Lighting: Blue Ridge Lightforms | Car: Albemarle Vintage Limo | Rentals: Festive Fare | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale | Makeup:  Lora Kelley |  Hair: Lucas Shaffer of Bella Hair Studio (Bride) + Moxie (Bridesmaids)

I don’t say this often enough, but it makes my heart so happy to have brides and grooms share their special days with us. That they let us in on their most treasured moments and joyous celebrations. But when a wedding like this comes along–we’re talking about a couple who fell in love in the 6th grade!–it really, truly hits me how lucky we are share in people’s stories every single day. Jen Fariello captured this Pippin Hill Farm affair to perfection, and  you can watch the whole day unfold right here.

From the Bride…Although most people look back on their middle school days and cringe, those days hold a special place in my heart.  Steve and I met on the first day of 6th grade and before we went on to high school were each other’s first love.  We didn’t date in high school but remained friends, as we had several classes together each year.  As the saying goes, absence made our hearts grow fonder, and we reconnected during our freshman year of college even though we went to separate schools six hours apart.  We worked through long distance, studied abroad at the same time, and began a new part of life together when we moved to the Washington DC area.  Seven years later, Steve proposed in front of the Georgetown Christmas tree.
 
We wanted our big day to represent the parts of life we love most and decided that a vineyard setting would be the perfect homage to our fondness of Italy, where Steve studied abroad and where we knew without question that we would honeymoon.  Our research brought us to Charlottesville, a town we quickly grew to love, and after seeing the breathtaking views from Pippin Hill’s cozy porch, we knew we found our perfect venue.   
 
From here, Pippin Hill’s ambience really guided the feel for our day.  I loved the “rustic chicness” of the mercury glass mirrors on the Granary walls and used them as inspiration for our centerpieces, which were comprised of an eclectic mix of mercury glass vases and candles.  The mercury glass theme also extended into the frames we used, and we named our tables after regions in Italy.  Collecting all of these pieces over the months leading up to the wedding was a fun adventure in itself!
 
Steve and I also really enjoyed adding meaningful touches throughout the wedding.  I’ve always loved the art of beautiful writing and took calligraphy classes as a child, so having beautifully written and addressed invitations was important to me.  My matron of honor helped us design the printables for the ceremony and reception to coordinate with our invitation suite; she, Steve, and the ladies at our neighborhood Paper Source were so wonderful in helping to bring my crafting visions to life!  During our ceremony, we included the Prayer of Saint Francis to honor Steve’s parents’ college alma mater, and our violin music was provided by one of my former students.  Instead of offering a signature drink during the cocktail hour, we asked each member of our wedding party to create and name their own signature drink, and we shared their suggestions on menus at the bars.  Our dinner music included the first wedding dance songs of our guests, and we also brought in a photobooth to highlight a tradition from our annual shore vacations.  We also made sure to include tons of candles to help create the “hygge” feeling – one of coziness and candlelight shared with friends — that I loved during my time studying in Denmark.   As our guests left, they each received a bar of Hand in Hand soap.  A “one for one” company created by a college friend of mine, Hand in Hand Soap donates a bar of their sustainable suds to a child in need to prevent against water-related illness for every bar purchased.  Steve and I loved that we were able to donate to an important cause while also giving our guests a fun treat!
 
While nothing can compare to the thrill of being announced as husband and wife, our fantastic wedding-day team helped to prepare a moment before the wedding that is a very close second.  Adhering to the tradition of not seeing the bride on the wedding day was important to Steve, but I really wanted to have a special moment together before the ceremony.  To compromise, we wrote each other notes and exchanged them, using a door as a divider to keep from seeing each other.  It was such an emotional moment for us, and Jen captured our anticipation and excitement so beautifully! 

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Photographer: Jen Fariello Photography | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards | Cinematography: Paul Jones | Wedding Design + Planning: Julianne Giuliano, SOIREE |Floral Design: Couture Design | Invitations: Angelique, Ink | Cake + Desserts: Paradox Pastry | Wedding Dress: Paloma Blanca | Bridesmaid’s Dress: J.Crew | Special Jewelry: Mother of the groom’s pearl ring (given to her by the father of the groom for their college graduation)| Hair: Lucas Shaffer | Makeup: Carolyn Thombs

We love beautiful photography here at SMP. That’s a given. But when we get a first-hand peek inside a wedding day through film, that just makes us all the more giddy. So kick back and get cozy my dears, but today we’re swooning this Charlottesville affair through the stunning footage of Caravan Cinema Co. It’s a day handcrafted with love, and we’ve even got a gallery of photos from Jack Looney to bring it all full circle.

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From Caravan Cinema Co…We had an absolute blast filming this Vintage but classic wedding in Charlottesville, VA. The details were handmade and amazing and the guys had some fun on the rope swing in their suits.

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Cinematography: Caravan Cinema Co. | Photography: Jack Looney | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Turkey Sag Farm | Event Coordination: Amore Events | Floral Design: Couture Design | Catering + Dessert Bar: A Pimento | DJ: TD Layman | Rentals: MS Events + Skyline | Tent: Sperry Tent | Cake: Maliha Creations | Invitations: Wiley Valentine | Bow Ties: Vineyard Vines

Farm weddings are some of my absolute faves. Full of character and charm without any of the fuss, they’re the kind of weddings that marry elegance and ease to perfection. So when one such wedding happens to include design and florals by Beehive Events and Jen Fariello working her magic behind the camera, you can pretty much count on something special. There’s an entire gallery packed with pretties (including one ah-maz-ing flower wall), and you can see it all right here!

From the Bride…I had always imagined my wedding would take place during the fall season, and in my mind Charlottesville, VA, in the fall is about as close to perfection as you can get. Richard and I both went to the University of Virginia (me undergrad, he Law School) so Charlottesville is a special place for both of us. Because the area is so beautiful, we knew we wanted to have an outdoor ceremony to take full advantage of the season. We searched and searched until we found our perfect location – Fat Cat Farm outside of Charlottesville. As soon as we met the owner, Shawn Cossette of Beehive Events, and saw the farm with its numerous barns and gorgeous landscape, we knew we found our perfect place.

The farm provided an easy and elegant backdrop for our wedding. It’s beautiful views, gardens and barns were very easy to use as inspiration and incorporate into our wedding. We wanted our wedding to feel effortless, laid-back and natural, while  maintaining a graceful feel and highlighting the beauty of the farm. We also wanted simplicity – anything over-the-top just wouldn’t feel right in this type of setting (and also wasn’t us). The cocktail reception was in the garden and one of the barns was used as the backdrop for the ceremony. Fall served as the inspiration for the wedding colors – dark oranges, purples and pinks were dominant in the bridal and bridesmaids bouquets, and the graphite color of the bridesmaids’ dresses gave it a modern feel. We incorporated such things as sorghum, millet, apples, herbs and chinaberry into everything from the ceremony programs to the escort cards to the table decorations. Our goal was to make all the details tie into the farm setting, and the resulting feel was very natural. Our wedding planner/designer, Shawn, did an amazing job.

When guests arrived for the ceremony, we wanted them to immediately have a drink in their hands. We decided to serve them mason jars filled with Potter’s Craft Cider, a sparkling hard apple cider made by one of Richard’s friends who lives in nearby Crozet. We thought it was the perfect Virginia welcome for our guests as they arrived at the farm. My favorite part about the ceremony was the incredible ceremony backdrop Beehive created for us. The ceremony took place in front of one of the barns. There was a doorway located behind our “altar,” and my mom had the idea to fill the doorway from top to bottom with all types of flowers. Our pastor requested a cross to be placed somewhere, so Beehive made a beautiful, simple birch cross to place on the top of the doorway. The resulting backdrop took my breath away and was one of my favorite wedding details, because it was like nothing I had seen before.

Our guest book idea was borrowed from my sister who married 3 months prior to me. She lent me her Polaroid camera so guests could take pictures during the reception, then pin their pictures and notes of well wishes to the picture frame, which we made ourselves. We purchased the frame for $8 from an amazing DC salvage store called Community Forklift , painted it in our backyard, and then covered corkboard with fabric and glued it all together. The wedding favors were spice jars filled with herbs from The Spice Diva, a local vendor. Richard and I designed, printed, cut and applied the labels ourselves. Our friends continue to tell us how they use the herbs in their cooking. We LOVED our vendors. Each and every one could not have been more wonderful to work with.

One of my favorite moments was just prior to my dad and I walking down the aisle, when we had a brief moment of alone time. We could see the guests, but they couldn’t see us. He and I both took a deep breath and looked at each other as if to say “let’s do this!” It was a special moment between us. Another favorite memory is of the first dance and father/daughter dance. We purposefully picked songs that were unique – “La Vie En Rose” sung by Louis Armstrong for our first dance, and “When You Need Me” by Bruce Springsteen for the father/daughter dance. We had never heard either song at a wedding before, which made it feel like we could call them our own. I will always treasure the photographs of these dances.

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Wedding Photography: Jen Fariello | Wedding Design + Floral Design: Beehive Events  | Venue: Fat Cat Farm | Invitations: Sprout and Bean Design | Caterering: Harvest Moon | Cake: Cakes By Rachel | Cider: Potters Craft Cider | Wedding Favors: The Spice Diva | | Ceremony Music: Plum Blossom | Reception Music: Neal Becton (DJ) | Hair + Makeup: Daphne Latham | Wedding Gown Designer: Alvina Valenta | Bride’s Necklace: Antique | Bride’s Earrings: A gift from Beijing | Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew | Bridesmaid Necklaces: Queen Bee Designs

A wedding resulting from a chance meeting at a bar is something I know all too well. (Shout out to my hubs, Mr. Lepperd!) And you just know with a movie-esque start like that, the happily ever after is bound to be picturesque. With the help of Strawberry Milk Events and Jodi Miller Photography, this happily ever after was translated into a chic, black tie affair positively brimming with Southern charm and you can see it all unfold right here in the full gallery and in the film below captured by Shaking Hands Production.

Dave and Ali met randomly at a bar three days after Christmas in New York City.  Dave had just returned from traveling abroad for a year and was meeting a friend to catch up.  Ali had plans for a girl’s night with an old college friend.  Little did they know their lives would change after that fateful night.  Their connection was instant.  They had their first official date after the New Year — a visit to The Moma and cocktails after.  Although complete opposites…Dave, a financier, world traveler/ adventure seeker, photographer, bird watcher, environmental advocate, and New Jersey native…Ali, a dancer, English major, shopaholic, fashionista, and New York City girl…their relationship seemed to blossom effortlessly.  It didn’t take long for them or their families and friends to realize this was the real deal.  Their contentment within themselves and their love for each other was evident.

On the evening of November 30th, after two years together, and a big move down to North Carolina (for Dave to attend business school at Duke University) Dave got down on one knee with their ten week old puppy, Teddy, by his side and proposed to Ali. Having created a home and life together in the North Carolina, Dave and Ali wanted to share their newfound love of the south with friends and family.  After a visit to Keswick Hall in Charlottesville Virginia, the couple immediately fell in love with the understated elegance, sophistication, and intimacy of the venue, and knew it was the perfect location to host their weekend long celebration.
 
They brought on Julie Savage and her team at Strawberry Milk Events to help make their vision a reality. Using a color palate of blush, black, and white they created a chic black tie affair with special nods to the couple to make the evening unique.  A Bubbly Bar during Cocktail Hour offered guests a variety of the couple’s favorite champagne cocktails, and was a huge success. As opposed to a traditional guestbook, a beautiful Audubon coffee table book was displayed for guests to chirp and tweet sweet messages.  Pictures of family members were beautifully displayed in silver frames throughout the rooms.  The table names in the ballroom were all titles of Ali’s favorite story ballets.  And the overall look of the room was a reflection of the couple’s stylish, graceful, and sophisticated style. It was an exquisite and memorable evening filled with amazing friends, family, love and laughter. 

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Photographer: Jodi Miller Photography | Venue + Catering: Keswick Hall | Wedding Planner and Stylist: Strawberry Milk Events | Floral Design: Pat’s Floral Design | Invitation Suite: Vera Wang | Cinematographer: Shaking Hands Production | Cake: Maliha Creations | Lighting + Furniture: Skyline Tent Company | Band: Sound Connection |Officiant: Claire Goodman |Wedding Dress: Peter Langner | Shoes: Valentino | Hair and Makeup: Moxie Hair Lounge | Clutch: Vintage | Bridesmaid Dresses: Lazaro |Groom’s Attire: Hickey Freeman + Calvin Klein | Groomsmen Apparel: Calvin Klein |

When Jen Fariello sent us this intimate wedding at The Clifton Inn in Charlottesville, Virginia , I have to admit I had a really tough time selecting the pics to use in the feature. You see, this wedding isn’t just about the marriage of two people. It’s the story of a family joining together in a quiet place, with the realization that none of their lives would ever be the same. It’s the story of a father and a son and a soon-to-be-mom and their commitment to each other. Each image in the gallery tells a mini-story. Each image captures the essence of love and happiness that these three share. In a nutshell, Jen’s images are much more than pictures. They are a tale of pure joy and celebration.

The day-after …

From the Bride… Dave and I met very soon after I moved to the Washington, DC area. I had just quit a job of seven years, sold my house, and moved 400 miles, a move that was fueled by the desire to spread my wings. Enter Dave.  He and I met at work, and there is no denying that we had chemistry from the start.  Dave was a single dad to then four-year-old Gabriel. Fast forward ten months. It was obvious to both of us that we had the potential for a serious relationship, but we knew the stakes were high.  We couldn’t just think of ourselves, but had to take Gabe into consideration as well. The three of us slowly started spending more and more time together.  We found that we really enjoy doing simple things together: spending time outdoors, going for walks and picnics, swimming, going to farmer’s markets, etc. This was my first experience dating a man with a child, and I found myself really enjoying it. I looked forward to reading bedtime stories as much as going out on dates!

Six months later, we were both certain that we were headed for marriage — and we didn’t want to wait too long!  Dave had planned a trip to the Clifton Inn in Charlottesville, Virginia for my birthday.  I suspected he would propose while there, but he surprised me with a proposal the night before we left!  My birthday trip turned into a celebration of our engagement. We began talking about what our wedding would look like.  Surrounded by the natural beauty of Charlottesville, Dave and I decided we should get married right there at the Clifton Inn.  We set a date four months out, hired an amazing photographer (thank you, SMP Little Black Book!), and returned home to share our news.

We felt strongly that our wedding day was about the three of us becoming a family. We agreed that we wanted a very simple affair. I love weddings, but having a big to-do just didn’t feel right. When I thought about myself making a commitment to both Dave and Gabe, I envisioned being surrounded by the things that matter most to me: a beautiful outdoor setting, my parents, and the lovely details that make a wedding day special.

I absolutely wanted to feel like a bride on my wedding day, so my dress was really important to me.  I could envision the style, but four months realistically wasn’t enough time to go shopping, order a dress and have it altered.  When I happened upon the name of a wedding dressmaker near my home, I jumped on it.  I immediately made an appointment, printed out pictures, and hoped for the best.  My dressmaker was enthusiastic and very good at what she does.  I went for fittings every six weeks or so, and literally watched my dream wedding dress get made.  It was exactly what I wanted — classic, a little bit preppy, definitely bridal — and had the added bonus of being the only one of its kind.

On the morning of July 11, 2012, Dave and I were married in a very intimate, very sweet ceremony with just our parents and Gabe by our sides.  The significance of the day was offset by how relaxed we all were.  There were no nerves, no rushing.   The seven of us sat down to enjoy a private luncheon after the pictures had all been taken, and we were in the pool by 3:00!

One of the personal touches that we incorporated into the wedding had to do with Dave’s love of boating… he won a bronze medal in the 1996 Olympic Games in rowing, and as luck would have it, the Clifton Inn has a small lake on its property. Our very willing photographer hopped into one of the two rowboats – and we hopped into the other for a romantic photo shoot on the lake!

In every sense, our wedding day was a reflection of what matters most to both of us.  It was a joyous occasion, a celebration of our love for one another, our parents’ love, and the love we share for Gabe.  We asked Gabe to make a toast at lunch, and he summed it up perfectly: “To love and happy.”

Wedding Photography: Jen Fariello Photography / Wedding Venue: The Clifton Inn, Charlottesville, Virginia / Floral Design: Southern Blooms by Pat’s Floral Design / Wedding Officiant: Claire Goodman of Sacred Ground Ceremonies / Wedding Dress: Elegance by Roya / Hair + Makeup: Jeanne Cusick / Groom’s Suit: Macy’s / Music: Marco Escobar of C’Ville String Academy / Rentals: Festive Fare

I consider myself a city lover through and through and that reaches all aspects of my lifestyle except for one big part; weddings. I have nothing but love for a rustic affair full of home-baked pies, a ceremony in an overgrown field and dancing the night away in an old barn. There is something about that combo that will always be magical. The newest member of my rustic faves has every ounce of that magic and it comes at the hands of very talented vendors. Crafted by Tyler Flood, floraled by Sugar Magnolias and photographed so beautifully by Laura Gordon, this is worthy of a whole afternoon of gallery gazing, favoriting and definitely some pinning too.

From Laura Gordon Photography… I am so excited to share this beautiful, rustic wedding in the mountains of Charlottesville, Virginia with you! Tyler & Ben’s wedding was simply stunning! With panoramic views, southern style details and the prettiest barn you ever did see, this wedding took my breath away! The couple even designed and refurbished the chandelier in the main reception space!! With her succulent bouquet adorned with an antique pocket watch and lace gown with tulle accents she was ready to meet her groom. This wedding was full of charm and character and made for one spectacular event!! 

From the Bride… Ben and I met six years ago while attending the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.  Four years later, he proposed to me in the same beautiful town.  Having dreamed of a rustic-chic barn wedding, we were in heaven when we came across the barn at Panorama Farms in Charlottesville.  While Ben and I knew it was perfect location, it took a little convincing for our parents to come around and trust that we could pull off our dream wedding in the midcentury hay barn.  Ben and I worked hard to make it the wedding we had always wanted, spending hours transforming a three-tier brass chandelier that hung as the main focal point in the barn, finding the antique farmhouse shutters used in our place card display, commissioning my mother to create all of our custom burlap linens, and making horse shoe table numbers – just to name a few! Rather than picking a traditional palette of wedding colors, we decided that burlap would serve as our main backdrop with touches of plum purple and all white flowers surrounded in greenery.

Our favorite thing about the wedding day was the ceremony, which was so unique to us.  We sat our family and friends in a large circle that completely surrounded us. It was important for our guests to feel that they were part of the ceremony, not simply witnessing it. Ben’s friend Chris played the guitar and sang Calico Skies by Paul McCartney as my mother walked me down the aisle. I carried my late father’s and grandfathers’ wedding rings wrapped around my bouquet.  Our ceremony started with the Dr. Seuss quote, “We’re all a little weird. And life is weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutual weirdness and call it love.”  Perched atop a hill surrounded by the fall leaves and panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it was perfect.

Wedding Photography: Laura Gordon Photography / Wedding Venue: Panorama Farms in Charlottesville, Virginia / Wedding Planning + Design: Tyler Flood / Floral Design: Sugar Magnolias / Wedding Catering + Pies: Horse & Hound / Band: Class Act Band (classactbandrstephon@aol.com) / Lighting: The AV Company / Tent: FDS Tents / Wedding Dress: Wtoo by Watters / Bride’s Shoes: Vince Camuto / Bride’s Bracelet: Divine Jewel / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jim Hjelm / Hair + Makeup: Bristles Hair Design and Day Spa / Suits: Dan Ryan’s for Men

Well isn’t this just divine…a Southern photo shoot tied with a pretty teal ribbon. Elisa Bricker along with Lora Elaine and Beehive Events have created a story that features a beautiful color palette mixed with Southern grace. The groom’s gift of a bible to hold down the aisle, along with the quaint tradition of the charm pull keeps this modern couple tied to their roots while celebrating their new life together. You have got to look at the full gallery…it is bursting  at the seams with inspiration.

From Elisa Bricker… This styled shoot is inspired by the grace and soft color of the South. We chose our location for its historic plantation feel. We created color pallet of teal, pale pink, buttercream and accented with copper. In creating this shoot we imagined the couple. The Bride, Birdie Mae, was a pastor’s daughter who wanted a small, intimate wedding. Her fiancé , Hugh, wanted to make sure she got everything little thing her heart desired. His wedding day gift to her was a white Bible, traditionally carried down the aisle as a southern alternative to a wedding day bouquet.

Their menu was also a nod to their southern roots and included Black-eyed pea salad with garlic kale, white bean hummus and spicy peanut sauce, fried green tomatoes, pan fried fish, and sweet potato flan for dessert. Another southern tradition is the groom’s cake and charm pull. Charm City Cakes created a beautiful vintage car for our groom’s cake as well as a delicate wedding cake complete with charms for a charm pull!

Photographer: Elisa B Photography / Venue + Catering: Clifton Inn / Creative Director + Makeup: Lora Elaine / Floral Design + Table: Shawn Cossette of Beehive Events / Cakes: Charm City Cakes / Stationery: Rock Paper Scissors / Calligraphy: Maureen Koo Calligraphy & Design / Models: Modelogic / Wedding Dress: Lela Rose / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Coren Moore via Bella Bridesmaid / Shoes: Kate Spade / Jewelry: Fink’s Jewelers / Menswear: J.Crew / Bow Tie: Wickham House / Cross Back Farm Benches + White Cake Table + Grey Side Table: Stonegate Event Rentals

Jen Fariello Photography. Three words that speak for themselves. Everything Jen sends our way looks like it’s out of the newest Romantic Comedy – with a leading lady so stunning, a groom so handsome, and a wedding that could make anyone green with envy. In short, everything she sends our way is wedding gold. Our galleries are ever prettier thanks to Jen, and today we’re adding another pretty soiree to the plethora of beauty.

Make sure to visit the full image gallery for the whole soiree!

My husband and I met at the University of Virginia when we were both undergraduates. After about a year of harboring shy crushes on one another, I asked him out on a date. He took me out for frozen yogurt at a place called Arch’s and the rest is college sweetheart history. During one of those first couple of days, he spontaneously asked me to dance to a Van Morrison song next to a lit fireplace in one of Jefferson’s original lawn rooms. Four years down the road when we were both living in Boston, he surprised me by recreating the moment during his proposal at the Taj Boston. I was returning from an Alumni Association event at UVA and he had a limo waiting for me at the airport, a beautiful suite at the hotel, Van Morrison playing on the stereo, and a lit fireplace to dance next to.

While we’re currently living in the northeast for graduate school and work, it’s no surprise that we chose to celebrate our marriage at UVA. Virginia is home and we couldn’t think of a more beautiful place than where we first met and fell in love. We had a Catholic ceremony at the UVA Chapel and a Southern/South American-themed reception at UVA’s Alumni Hall. We wanted to blend our different backgrounds in a multicultural way – his family has deep roots in Virginia and my family is Colombian – so we had a Southern-themed cocktail hour and a South American-themed dinner. The cocktail hour included a bluegrass band, mint juleps, mojitos, and Southern appetizers. Our reception had a salsa band, cornbread muffins with honey butter, traditional Colombian tamales, and sangria at the table. Our tables were named after the 13 gold coins traditionally carried in Colombian wedding ceremonies called “las arras” – each stands for a different aspect of a healthy marriage (love, respect, joy, among others). For our colors, we chose sangria, ivory, and hints of gold. Our favor baskets included handmade soaps made by my husband’s step-mother at the family farm and artisanal boxes from my family’s hometown in Colombia.

There are so many incredible moments from the day thanks to our wonderful friends and family, but my favorite has to be seeing him when I first entered the chapel. I felt my face light up and all the stress of the day completely disappear. As I got closer, I realized he had tears streaming down his face. I managed to keep it together but, once we were seated, I took out the napkin I borrowed from his step-mother and wiped his cheeks. I married my best friend and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Photographer: Jen Fariello Photography / Hair and Make-up: Jen Skriloff / Dried Lavender Floral Design: FayeMarie / Floral Design: DIY / Ceremony and Reception venue: UVA Chapel and UVA Alumni Hall Jefferson Ballroom / Caterer and Reception Coordinator: Harvest Moon Catering, Kelly Mahanes / Ceremony Cellist: Adrienne Gifford / Cocktail Hour Band: Bull Run Grass / Reception Band: Laura Sosa and Pa’ Gozar / Lighting Company: Blue Ridge A/V and Lighting / Tres leches wedding cake: homemade by Mother of the Bride / Cake toppers: made by one of the bridesmaids / Wedding Gown: Maggie Sottero / Lace shrug bolero: Alex Bridal / Veil: made by Mother of the Bride / Wedding bands engraved with our signatures: Belenky Brothers SoHo

Fall has this way of making me want to bundle up in plaid blankets, gather round the fire and eat my weight in s’mores topped off with some steaming apple cider. Clearly I’m not alone because this inspiration designed by Jennifer Carroll is my cool weather aspirations realized. It has all the trimmings for a memorable get together, roasted marshmallows included. And even if you don’t have a knock-out of a backyard spread or an outdoor fireplace for marshmallow roasting, you can still grab so many adorable details from these images captured by Jen Fariello Photography and stick them in your hostess hat for safe keeping. Head to the gallery for so much more.

From Jennifer Carroll… Ahh, the crisp, cool evenings of autumn. It has always been my most favorite time of year! The cool evenings of October allow us to gather around the fire, to relax, and chat happily under light blankets while toasting marshmallows – another favorite of mine! Who needs a “reason” to have a party when the weather turns? I know I don’t! So, here’s my impromptu “Gather ‘Round the Fire” party.

Planning the menu: If you stick to what’s in season, you’ll never go wrong. Oddly enough, I’ve been to so many dinner parties where the menu didn’t have anything seasonal in it. I think it’s such a missed opportunity to not only further delight your guests but also to simplify the planning process. If you’re not sure where to begin, a trip to the farmer’s market or local organic grocer is a great way to get ideas for what’s in season. First, I think about starters. I like to offer a little bite to my friends when they first arrive. This delicious stall tactic has helped me on several occasions when some friends were running late, enabling me to delay the start of dinner without starving any of us. Second, I think about the first course. For this dinner since we are going to be outside, I don’t want to fiddle with trying to keep a soup warm and a salad is so easy. A few greens, a lovely fall pear, pomegranate seeds, some pepitas, blue cheese, a dash of oil and vinegar, and that’s it. Tasty and simple. Perfect. Third, the entrée. A pork roast cooked in apple cider vinegar is one of my favorite fall comfort foods and with my pressure cooker, it’s so easy to prepare fork-tender meat in under an hour. Add in a simple green veggie and some roasted potatoes, and our tasty meal is almost complete. Oh, I almost forgot – while I’m at the market, I grab a golden loaf of whole grain bread, too. Now, I save the best for last. I love planning desserts. In this case, I simply must include toasted marshmallows. I mean, who sits in front of a fire and doesn’t think of toasting a marshmallow? But to please my husband and any other folks who aren’t as enamored with toasted marshmallows, I’ve decided to add some delicious brownies and blondies. Now all my chocoholic friends will be happy.

Setting the stage: For this party, fire is a must. Don’t have an outdoor fireplace? No problem — today there are a wide array of affordable fire pits available at local home improvement stores. If you don’t have space for a fire pit, fear not! There are still options. If you have access to the outdoors via a deck or patio, consider a charcoal grill for toasting marshmallows. They are very economical, come in a variety of sizes from standing to tabletop, and you can still curl up in front of it. If being outside isn’t an option, I’m thrilled to tell you there are now indoor s’mores makers! This little tabletop gem is perfect for parties. The small hibachi style grills are also great conversation starters. Don’t forget to add extra fire light with candles, lanterns or torches. It will add to the overall sparkle and glow of the party! Want to put a fire pit grill on your deck? I recommend getting a fire mat to place underneath . This will protect your deck from any sparks that might go astray. Remember! Buy fire logs, charcoal or extra sterno (depending on what type of “fire” you are having) at the store if you don’t have some already. You don’t want to run out. Part of the allure of the fire is the cuddling-beside-it part! And what is cuddling without a blanket? I love collecting blankets & throws — from a fun faux fur to a simple giant jersey throw, they’re all cozy. Add in a few tossing pillows for good comfort measure and you’ll be relaxing in no time!

Photography: Jen Fariello Photography / Design, Paper Goods + Food: Jennifer Carroll / Floral Design: Pat’s Floral Designs / Rentals + Linens: Festive Fare

Do you want to know what never, ever, ever gets old in my book? The classic soiree at the beautiful vineyard. It will always be stunning, relevant, and timeless, especially when the sweet couple thinks to add their own personality in such a perfect way – like these two love birds did. Toss Jen Fariello Photography into the mix, and oh my goodness, you’ve got a gallery that will be visited for years. Decades, even.

Click here to see the full image gallery!

Francesco and I met in Charlottesville, Virginia where I was a medical student at the time. On our first date, we intended to have one drink and meet up with our respective friends afterwards – however, 5 hours later the bar was closing and we were still chatting happily over that one drink. We had our second date the very next day. He proposed a year and a half later on the deck of a cruise ship under the stars.

We knew we wanted our wedding to be in Charlottesville, in a country setting, and to have a fun, casual atmosphere. When we first visited Pippin Hill, it was still a construction site (read: building foundation and mud), and I had a hard time envisioning what it would look like. Francesco was the one who could picture it and convinced me it would be beautiful. We are foodies, and their mission to use fresh local produce in creative and delicious ways was the deal clincher. We moved to Zurich, Switzerland shortly after visiting the venue about a year before the wedding, and the first time Francesco got to see the finished Pippin Hill was at our rehearsal! He was definitely right – it was even more beautiful than we had imagined.

Our inspiration was to create a warm, lighthearted mood, and we decided to do this with neutrals, earthy tones and soft pinks, peaches and greens.  Pippin Hill is a vineyard with a large event space designed as a classed-up vintage barn, and we used accents of birch and burlap to fit with their natural wood and antique décor. Francesco’s parents run a catering company in Washington, D.C., and his mother stepped in to provide her floral genius to create our look. My crafty touches were to decorate mason jars for flowers and votives, create vintage photo-frame table numbers and homemade program fans for the hot Virginia May weather.

Some of our favorite details of the day: we set aside time after the “first look” before the ceremony to sit together and read each other our
handwritten vows in privacy. Having that moment alone really brought home the meaning and emotion of the words. We have multiple religious backgrounds in our families, so we incorporated aspects of both Jewish and Catholic traditions into our ceremony – my father read Corinthians, and we stood under a chuppah and broke a mazel tov glass. Our cake was topped by the well-worn bride-and-groom that has graced the cakes of my parents’ wedding as well as my brother’s wedding. Our favors were “honey bunches,” delicious cookies made by Cville Coffee, a local favorite coffee shop owned by a friend of Francesco’s. I spent innumerable hours there studying during medical school, and these treats kept me going! Another favorite was the photo booth with on-site printing set up by Jen Fariello. Guests got to take home a copy of their photos as a favor and place a second copy in our guestbook. The ridiculous props kept everyone laughing, and I could spend hours pouring over our beautiful, hilarious guestbook. Finally, a late-night donut stand with fresh coffee and donuts was the perfect cap to the evening.

Our most treasured memories of the night are the countless moments spent laughing and celebrating with our family and friends. These are my favorite photos, as well – the ones that capture the mood of the night.  We could not possibly have asked for more.

Photographer: Jen Fariello Photography / Floral Designer: Paris Caterers / Invitation Designer: Designs by DVB / Cake: Maliha Creations / Wedding Gown Designer: Augusta Jones / Bridesmaid’s Dress Designer: J.Crew / Bride’s jewelry: Diamond Dream / Band: The Dickens / Favors: C’ville Coffee / Donuts: Carpe Donut / Venue: Pippin Hill Farm / Tent: Sperry Tents VA / Officiant: Reverend Claire Goodman

Another Wedding Wednesday is upon us, SMPers – and you know what that means.  Bundles upon bundles of drop-dead gorgeous inspiration is coming your way – all thanks to seven seriously stunning weddings and one gallery after another filled to the brim with pretty.  Excited?  Yep.. we agree.

Up first in our gorgeous parade is a sweet, sweet Virginia soiree from the ever-fabulous Sarah Der Photography.  And when I say “sweet,” I mean a plethora of heartwarming moments, gorgeous bridesmaid frocks from Ann Taylor and one of the cutest duos you will ever have the privilege to virtually meet.  (Seriously.)  And that breathtaking Castle Hill Cider backdrop and gorgeous minty hues? Lovely.  See so much more right here.

Ready for even more pretty?  Check out this uber-sweet film from Cana Collective, aka all kinds of wonderful. Enjoy!

From the Bride… I wanted to allow the location to dictate the planning and details of the day, so I began my planning by choosing a venue. Josh and I were blessed to find a gorgeous venue in Keswick, Virginia, where we could be married outside and have a reception in a large, white barn. The venue, Castle Hill Cider, was a blank slate, and I loved it! In addition to the venue’s natural beauty, I was inspired by my family life and my hometown in Mississippi. As a southerner, I knew I wanted all my favorite southern dishes, as well as southern wedding traditions (like a proxy bride and a groom’s cake). With family life as my other inspiration, I decided to have an intimate “family reunion” feel by having a seated dinner. In addition, similar to any “family reunion,” I chose to have a mix of high and low items. For example, flowers were placed in ball jars and snuff bottles, but desserts were on crystal cake plates. Overall, the wedding had a very southern, casual and elegant feel. I really think that by focusing on the small details and not being afraid to mix the old and new helped create a beautiful and joyous occasion!

I wrapped my bouquet in a handkerchief from one great-grandmother and secured that handkerchief using a brooch from another great-grandmother. One of my favorite memories of the day was the homily our minister gave during the ceremony. His sermon was a beautiful reminder that the most important name we will ever have is the name that God calls us — beloved children of God.

Before you start “officially planning,” sit down with your fiancé and write out separate “top 10” lists. Your “top 10” should rank wedding details (cake, location, music, photography, etc.) in order of importance. After writing your separate lists, compare with your fiancé and then write one master list of priorities. Although this writing exercise might sound silly, it was a HUGE help for my husband and I when we were planning our wedding. We knew that we would need to budget more money for the top few items on our list, and that maybe we could DIY or cut corners on the items at the bottom of our list. It also allowed us to decide who was in charge of what detail. For example, my husband had written “music” as No. 2 on his personal list, which meant he would be in charge of booking a band and DJ for our wedding. Also, my husband and I agreed that if it was No. 7 or below we would give the task over to a family member or friend, which gave us more time to focus on our top priorities.

Wedding Photography: Sarah Der Photography / Wedding Venue: Castle Hill Cider in Keswick, Virginia / Event Planning: Julianne Guiliano of Soiree / Floral Design: Ingrid DeRoo + Ann Douglas Enghauser / Wedding Cinematography: Nathan Clendenin of Cana Collective / Wedding Cake: Sweet Fix / Wedding Invitations: Ann Elize Waller (The Maid of Honor) / Wedding Dress: Paloma Blanca / Hair: Look Boutique Salon / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Ann Taylor

We welcome Monday mornings with open, inspired arms at SMP. We raise our coffee mugs to the morning most dread because even though weekends are glorious in their own right, Mondays are when we get to start unveiling another week of prettiness. Well, when we have a rainy day soiree as sweet as this one captured by Elisa B Photography waiting in the wings all weekend, Monday morning could not come fast enough. Thankfully the moment has arrived to uncover all the charm, so join us in toasting to a full gallery that is just as lovely as they come! Cheers!

From the Bride… Wedding inspiration comes from so many sources, but my source was a little bit atypical: a Pantone color chart. My inspiration was a beautiful, rich blue-green color.  I stumbled upon some thick grosgrain ribbon that matched our color exactly and carried swatches of it around for months as we planned. The wedding consultants at J.Crew headquarters an hour away helped me find discontinued bridesmaid dresses that matched the color, and a tip from another bride led me to linens that also matched. As a design and home improvement blogger, my tools of choice are paint fan decks and my orbital sander. I never thought of myself as “crafty” and wasn’t sure my skills would translate to DIY projects for our wedding. My first few projects, which wound up not being used on our wedding day, were done while consulting detailed blog tutorials. In time, I got more comfortable with creating my own projects. My favorite details were ones that served as a nod to my love of design. I used an upholstery fabric called Vintage Plumes by Robert Allen for Dwell Studio on our escort card board, and the cards were hung from decorative, antiqued brass upholstery tacks, which are used to create nailhead trim on furniture.  My good friend Michelle Duncan, who owns a handbag company called Elle & Anne, designed beautiful fabric clutches for each of my bridesmaids using the same upholstery fabric I had used on our escort card board.

We joke that we booked the venue that didn’t exist. Four years working for a start-up allow me to be comfortable with things that lack a track record but have great potential. When we first visited our venue, Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, it consisted of some wood framing on a dirt hill. We heard that many people couldn’t buy into the project, but I was intrigued by the plans. Marc’s familiarity with the venue’s executive chef solidified our decision to sign with them. There were many questions that couldn’t be answered about how the venue would operate, and there were some surprises along the way, but in the end, the wood framing and red dirt gave way to a gorgeous vineyard that is one of the most stunning venues in our region.

The weather on our wedding day makes me feel connected to every other rainy day bride. One of my biggest wishes was to have our ceremony outside with the Blue Ridge Mountains behind us. I became convinced we’d need to use our rain plan as early as a week before our wedding. People repeatedly told me that the the weather reports were wrong, and we’d have a sunny day and the outdoor ceremony we wanted. When the rain started coming down on the morning of our wedding, I immediately received lovely email messages from women in my life who were married on rainy days. They mentioned being married for 26, 38 and 40 years. Thinking of those messages as the rain (and at one point hail) fell helped me remember what was really important about our day.We didn’t get to have our ceremony outside, and we didn’t get pictures of us frolicking in the vineyard, but we a charming ceremony and a fantastic celebration with our friends and family.

Wedding Photography: Elisa B Photography / Wedding Venue: Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards in Charlottesville, Virginia / Day of Coordination: Amanda Gray of Ashley Baber Weddings / Floral Design: Southern Blooms by Pat’s Floral Designs / Wedding Cake: Anita Gupta of Maliha Creations / Wedding Invitations: Minted / Save-the-Dates: The Happy Envelope / Other Paper Goods: DIY / Ceremony + Cocktail Music: William Walter + Tucker Collins / Reception Music: Derek Tobler / Lighting + AV: Christopher Lawson / Transportation: Albemarle Limousine / Favors: Jonathan McIntire / Cake Forks: LoreleiVella / Guest Book Poster: Tasha Montgomery of AmpersandInk / Dress Paintings: Lara Harris of Studio Lara / Parents’ Handkerchiefs: Designs by Gloria / Bridesmaids’ Hangers: Wires by LilaFrances + DIY Construction / Ring Bearer Flags, Flower Girl’s Corsage + Boutonnieres: DIY / Corn Hole Boards: Corn Chucker + Painted by the Bride / Birdhouse: Clegg Farm Creations / Wedding Dress: Jorge Manuel “Star” / Bride’s Veil: Jorge Manuel / Bride’s Ceremony Shoes: Nina / Bride’s Ceremony Earrings: J.Crew / Bride’s Reception Dress: Amsale / Bride’s Reception Shoes: Bibi Lou via BHLDN / Bride’s Reception Hair Band: Acute Designs / Bride’s Reception Earrings: Adriana Orsini via Saks Fifth Avenue / Bride’s Bracelet: Tejani / Hair + Makeup: Jeanne Cusick / Bridal Party Robes: Pottery Barn / Bridal Party Clutches: Elle & Anne / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Flower Girl’s Dress: David’s Bridal / Men’s Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse

I want to marry this gown. This Jim Hjelm gown with it’s many delicate layers, full skirt, and amazing top. Seriously. A gown this fabulous simply must be worn to a stunning wedding. Done and done. Jen Fariello Photography sent over a day worthy of the dreamiest gown on the planet and it has been total chaos in the SMP offices since setting sight on the full image gallery. It’s AMAZING.

Click here to see the full image gallery!

We met while at UVA through our fraternity and sorority. We both graduated in 2005 but it was not until 2 years later when we “re-met” through mutual UVA friends in DC that our relationship started. We joined the same kickball team, happened to live right across the street from each other, and before long we were spending all of our time together!

Austin’s surprise proposal at the top of a mountain overlooking the valley at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia was breathtaking. He planned everything right down to champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and one beautiful hot pink “final rose”. Knowing that I’d want photos to capture the moment, he made sure to have a photographer on site! Just when I thought the surprises were over, both of our families were there to celebrate over a beautiful dinner together. It was truly amazing!!

I had wanted to be married in the UVA Chapel since my first day at UVA. We wanted the reception venue to capture the historic, elegant charm of Charlottesville and Farmington Country Club did just that! The Jefferson Room is just gorgeous and the Blue Ridge Mountains provided the perfect backdrop for our romantic, fairytale wedding!

We aimed to strike the perfect balance between deep and pale pinks (I have always loved pink) and the traditional, Jeffersonian architectural influences that distinguish our alma mater. It was the perfect combination between the romantic, whimsical and bold pinks with a touch of southern flare. We incorporated fun, personalized touches but maintained the atmosphere of a traditional, formal wedding.

I loved planning all the little details to really personalize the evening and make it a memorable celebration for us and our guests. Our tables were named after our favorite places at UVA. We served his and hers signature cocktails with pink and white striped straws and a
3-tier ice sculpture raw bar during cocktail hour as well as an extensive dessert bar of special wedding chocolates and sweets. Pink uplighting, draped white lights and a dance floor monogram created the dramatic atmosphere we wanted while our band’s classic and modern hits drove the energy up on the dance floor! We displayed our parents’ and grandparents’ wedding photos to honor and remember our grandparents and to signify the merging of our two families. Our friends and family surrounded us with bubbles following the ceremony and brilliant sparklers following the reception as we pulled away in our golf cart with its hand stamped, heart-shaped “Just Married” banner and tin cans that my siblings had made for us.

I will never forget when the doors to the UVA Chapel opened and all of our family and friends were on their feet watching me come in with my dad. The sound of Trumpet Voluntary filled the chapel, my sister and my best girlfriends looked beautiful in their bridesmaid dresses, and I was amazed by the floral arrangements that truly transformed the aisle and altar into a fairytale entranceway. As I walked down the aisle toward my groom, whose smile lit up his face, I was so happy that this moment was finally here!

Photographer: Jen Fariello Photography / Videographer: Kirby Martin / Floral Designer: Pat’s Floral Design / Event Planning & Design: Iris Luck of Barb Wired / Invitation Designer: Veronica Zulauf, of Printcbf / Wedding Cake: Farmington Country Club / Grooms Rotunda Cake: Maliha Creations / Wedding Gown Designer: Jim Hjelm, purchased at Adrienne’s Bridal NYC / Bridesmaid’s Dress Designer: Jim Hjelm, purchased at RK Bridal NYC / Reception Band: The Dickens Band / Cocktail Hour Music: Terra Voce / Garden Reception: Willy Dalton and Conrad Zulauf from The Dalton Gang / Hair and make-up stylist: Judy Hayward of Bristles Salon / Lighting: MS Events

Now this is how you start a new work week. With a sweet Virginia wedding under the stars and a couple so adorable you just want to squeeze them. It’s all downright darling with splashes of steal-worthy style. From the lace and bud vase ceremony alter to the stunning ceiling poof display at the reception, Jon Schaaf Photography captured every so-pretty-you-can’t-help-but-smile detail and it’s all sitting pretty right here!

From the Bride… Michael and I met during a year-long leadership program through the Fellows Initiative. We, along with 13 other recent college graduates, attended seminary classes together, volunteered together, shared meals together and lived in close community with one another in Charlottesville, Virginia. Within days we were smitten, and within months we had fallen for each other deeply. Michael proposed as the sun set over the Blue Ridge Mountains on the deck of a home where we had shared some of our favorite memories. A weekend full of surprise parties and toasts with friends who had traveled near and far followed. Michael even got my mom to fly in from Chicago. It was perfect.

When we sat down to plan our wedding, a few things stood out: We wanted the day to reflect our love for each other, our love for our family and friends, and ultimately our love for Christ. We wanted to get married outside, somewhere that would showcase the beauty of Virginia. And we wanted to throw an awesome dance party. We quickly chose Ash Lawn-Highland, the historic home of James Monroe, for our venue. The many private gardens, views of the mountains and tented pavilion suited our vision perfectly. The rest of the planning was truly a labor of love. As a budding stylist, I was excited to handle much of the decor and details myself, and thankfully, we are blessed with some amazingly talented friends and family. Almost all of the vendors are close friends, and that made the day so much more meaningful. The decor reflected the softness of the Virginia landscape. We chose a mostly neutral color palette with some soft greens and blush pinks thrown in. My mom, sisters, bridesmaids and I made or found most of the items that detailed the space. Michael created a rad dance playlist for the reception, and I surprised him with a late-night food station featuring ice cream cones (his favorite dessert). The whole evening was so full of love.

Perhaps my two favorite moments (if I have to choose!) of the day were the ceremony and taking a moment alone with my husband at the reception. We wanted the ceremony to be really personal, so we chose to sing two of our favorite hymns and to read two of our favorite Bible passages. We also had our musicians (my aunt and a close friend) perform the song “Dancing in the Minefields” by Andrew Peterson, a song that both of us love. Then at the reception, a family friend recommended that we take a moment to ourselves, and I’m so glad we did. Just as the sun was setting, we walked out into a field and looked back at the twinkling reception where all our closest family and friends were dancing. That moment is something I’ll remember forever.

Wedding Photography: Jon Schaaf Photography / Wedding Venue: Ash Lawn-Highland in Charlottesville, Virginia / Event Design + Planning: Mallory Joyce (The Bride) / Floral Design: Floral Designs by Jacquelyn Collmus / Wedding Day Coordination: Ashley Coe, A Friend of the Bride / Wedding Cinematography: Meet+Cute Films / Catering: Traditions Fine Catering / Desserts: Maddy Picker of Sweet Madeline / Late-Night Ice Cream Cones: Chaps Ice Cream / Wedding Invitations: Grip Design in Chicago, Illinois / Programs: Maureen Lovett / Ceremony Music: Josephine Lee-McConkey (The Bride’s Aunt) + Sam Bush of The Hill and Wood / Photo Booth: Blinkbooth / Rentals: Festive Fare / Wedding Dress: La Sposa / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Bride’s Reception Hair Flower: EmersonMade / Bride’s Wedding Bands: Tiffany & Co. / Bride’s Getaway Outfit: Anthropologie / Hair + Makeup: Lora Elaine / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Various / Men’s Suits: Jos. A Bank

A Ventian Carnivale. A Venetian Carnivale AND a gorgeous Virginia vineyard wedding. A Venetian Carnivale, a gorgeous Virginia vineyard wedding, AND Jen Fariello behind her camera. If I haven’t got your attention yet, I don’t know what will – because what you are about to see is BE YOND. Promise me, after devouring this fabulous fête, you simply must check out all the delish carnival food in the full image gallery!

Click here to see the rest of the wedding in the gallery!

My vision was for a formal evening wedding with effortless elegance and sophistication. We found the setting at Veritas Vineyard surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains to be very spiritual and meaningful given our love for the outdoors. We met in the Outdoor Adventure Social Club.

To create an elegant, celebratory and chic affair, I envisioned many candles for warmth, cream and blush flowers for a muted color palette with gold for shimmer. The bridesmaids were in long satin dresses with short trains and the men in tuxedoes with tails.

I also wanted to include a subtle classy French Parisian motif to reflect my long history of French studies and the time I lived there. This manifested in the scrollwork on the plates, the fleur de lis Murano glass wine stopper favors, and Parisian street café sign at the cocktail hour. As a late night surprise for our guests, I thought of a Venetian Carnivale with all of our favorite fair foods: Local kettle corn and fresh cotton candy for me, salty popcorn and pretzels for Patrick and fresh funnel cakes for the both of us. We had torches, deep red linens, and festive carnival masks to create a glamorous, magical atmosphere while indulging on sweet and salty snacks. 

Photography: Jen Fariello / Cinematography: Kirby Martin / Flowers: Pat’s Floral Designs / Event Planning + Design: Shindig / Ceremony + Reception Location: Veritas Winery / Dress: Essence of Australia / Rentals: Festive Fare / Cake: Cakes Unlimited / Transportation: UTS & Camryn Limousine / Papers: Good Press Paper Co. / Calligraphy: If So Inklined / Officiate: Claire Goodman / Ceremony Music: Brass Quintet led by Dr.Nathan Dishman / Reception Band: The Dickens / Rental of “The Moon”: The AV Co. / Groom’s and groomsmen’s attire: Men’s Wearhouse

This gorgeous bride knew exactly what she wanted for her big day: a wedding with a twist of southern style, a dash of preppy and a whole lotta quatrefoil (that fun, geometric shape seen on everything from the invitations to the cookies). With pretty hues of blue and green (and a cute doggie in a tux) this wedding is sure to inspire you. Jen Fariello Photography snapped up all the goodness and there’s a whole lot more for you to enjoy here in the gallery.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… John and I met at the beginning of our third year at UVA when we moved into apartments across the hall from each other. We immediately became friends, but it wasn’t until the end of our third year that we started dating. Almost four years later after graduating and moving to DC, John took me back to Charlottesville for a day of wine tasting and proposed on the steps of the Rotunda! We immediately knew we wanted to get married in Charlottesville — we both love it there (we hope to move back one day), and it’s where our story began. The UVA Chapel was the perfect place for our ceremony because UVA is so special to us, and we got engaged on the lawn. Picking the reception venue proved to be much more difficult because there are so many amazing places in Charlottesville! We ultimately decided on King Family Vineyards and couldn’t have been happier. We visited there on the day we got engaged so it had special meaning to us and has such a great feel, not to mention the incredible views of the mountains!

I really wanted the day to have a Southern, preppy Charlottesville feel, incorporate my personal style and be fun for all our guests. Sticking with the vineyard theme, we sent personalized corkscrews with a note encouraging our guests to “uncork some fun” with us as our save-the-dates. We also made wine and designed personalized labels to include in our welcome bags, along with Virginia-themed snacks, custom koozies and other personal touches. We chose navy and lime green for our colors because it had a classic, preppy feel but with a fresh twist for summer. I also have always loved the quatrefoil shape, so it became a consistent theme throughout our wedding — on our invitations, the cake, and we even had quatrefoil cookies as part of the candy bar for our guests.

I wish we could do that weekend all over again, but luckily we can relive some of our great memories through the wonderful pictures (taken by the talented Jen Fariello) and our video (from Blue Sky Films). I’ll never forget the amazing feeling when the doors opened to the chapel, the music played, and I saw John’s smile as I walked down the aisle, surrounded by all of our family and friends. While the hurricane may have changed our plans for an outside cocktail hour, nothing could have spoiled our wedding day!  I loved all of the little details we incorporated, but at the end of the day it was all about us and it just felt perfect!

Wedding Photography: Jen Fariello Photography / Ceremony: University of Virginia Chapel in Charlottesville, Virginia / Reception: King Family Vineyards in Crozet, Virginia / Décor: Pat’s Floral Designs / Consulting: A. Dominick Events / Wedding Cinematography: Blue Sky Films / Catering: Keswick Hall Catering / Wedding Cake: Maliha Creations / Custom Cookies: One Creative Cookie / Wedding Invitations, Programs + Signage: Cheree Berry Paper / Calligraphy: Lettering by Lynne / Menus: Etsy / Lighting: Blue Ridge Light Forms / Rentals: Festive Fare + Nuage Designs / Transportation: A Goff Limousine & Bus Company + Albemarle Limousine / Ceremony Musicians: Linden Trio / Band: Adrian Duke / Wedding Dress: Amsale via Hitched Salon / Bride’s Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Hair: Fred of One80 Salon / Makeup: Face Value Studio / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jenny Yoo via Hitched Salon