When it comes to picking a season to say “I do”, springtime seems to be the bride favorite. But, there’s something about the elegance added to a black tie affair when the wedding is a winter one, and this Virginia bride wouldn’t have had it any other way. Kelley Cannon Events was on point with all the tiny details and Sweet Tea Photography captured the classic shots in the prettiest gallery right here.
Lauren and Adam dated for 13 months and then the proposal was made.
From The Bride…It was the day we closed on the house we were buying and we also moving in that afternoon. So our apt was packed up and boxes were everywhere. He asked me to help him look for something so we had to start unpacking boxes. Inside one of them was a smaller box and inside that he had put a small bag from one of our favorite restaurants in the city (Mermaid Inn). When he told me he loved me for the first time the year before he said he knew during a dinner we had there that he was in love with me. He told me to look in the bag and he had the ring inside. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.
As soon as we got engaged, I knew Alexandria would be the perfect place. I had taken Adam there on one of our trips to visit my parents and he loved it. Plus with a number of people flying in from out of town, being 5 minutes from the airport was just what we needed. Also I knew all of our New York friends would love the walk ability of the town. I really only had 1 option in mind and that was Hotel Monaco. When we went down to see it, I had all fingers and toes crossed that Adam would like it and luckily he did (hard not too!). The hotel was the perfect size plus it was down the block from the church. And all the staff were so helpful and accommodating which made the decision even easier.
Since our wedding was the last day of February, I wanted the colors to be more on the winter side and less summery. We knew the guys would be in tuxes, so I suppose the tux inspired the black and white theme. I also knew that I wanted all my bridesmaids to pick their own dress. I chose black because there are so many dresses to choose from in this color and everyone looks great in black.
We were going for simple elegance and I definitely think we achieved it. All of our vendors totally got on board and understood our vision. All our vendors were just the best – I know we are biased but we couldn’t have had a better team!
Holly Chapple nailed our flowers. They were to die for and I knew they would be. When Lisa Marie gave us her recommended vendors, I went onto Holly’s website I knew I just had to have her for our wedding….and I was right. When our planner Kelley Cannon showed us the room for the first time, we were so taken aback – everything was stunning.
I also loved our wedding cake. One of my bridesmaids (who I have known since I was 3) made our wedding cake. She has always been skilled when it comes to the kitchen so when it came to picking a baker, Paige Allen was the only one who got a call. Although she was a little hesitant since she is not a professional baker (but she should be), she accepted the challenge and knocked it out of the park! We also had pieces of cake for breakfast the next morning – cake for every meal (and yes I have a sweet tooth!).
I am obsessed with my bridesmaid gifts. One of my bridesmaids recently started a bag company (Beau and Ro) and she made a special edition bag for my wedding and my ladies. They were such a hit and the perfect gift!
DJ Dan, there really is nothing else to say except he is amazing. Everyone had such a blast at our wedding and danced their faces off and I attribute that all to Dan. Our make-up and hair Stylist, Amie Decker, was phenomenal. Similar to Holly, I was flexible on a lot of things but hair and makeup is something that I knew I wanted / needed the dream team and Amie Decker and Kelley Small were just that. Couldn’t have trusted 2 people more and they both made me and the rest of the bridal party look stunning.
I hired Kelley Cannon as a day of planner. After the wedding, I was raving to my mom about Kelley – I kept calling her my 7th bridemaid. She literally did everything for us and made the day completely perfect. I didn’t worry about 1 thing knowing Kelley had everything under control. She really was the glue that held everything together and I can’t thank her enough for doing such a fabulous job.
I really had never envisioned having a winter wedding but I would do it again in a heart beat. There was something magical about it. And for anyone on a budget – you can get some major deals because it is definitely not as busy of a season!
My favorite memory was our ceremony. Adam walked me down the aisle and walking in to the church together. We are also blessed to have prepared and married by Father Kleinmann at St. Marys who I can’t say enough amazing things about. There are just know words for how special he made our wedding day. Hearing the homily, saying our vows and exchanging rings was something I will never forget. Truly life changing.
Photography: Lisa Blume Photography | Planner: Kelley Cannon Events | Cake: Paige Allen | Ceremony Venue: St. Mary's Catholic Church | Reception Venue: Hotel Monaco Alexandria Courtyard | Catering: Jackson 20 | Hair + Makeup: Amie Decker Beauty | Calligraphy: Rachel Carl Co. | DJ: Bialeks Music | Bridesmaid Gifts: Beau And Ro | Floral: Holly Heider Chapple Flowers LTD | Garter: The Garter Girl