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.
Following the ceremony, our guests proceeded to a tented cocktail hour on the barn’s front lawn before heading inside to the reception. Our rocking band kept our guests on their feet, a fire pit outside kept us all toasty, and we bid adieu with a sparkler farewell at the end of the night. Our most precious memories center around the family and friends who were there to celebrate with us in person and spirit. How blessed we are.
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