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