There’s something so beautifully personal about a hometown wedding. It’s a sweet nod to family roots, and exactly what this Hermitage Museum & Gardens’ affair is all about. Echard Wheeler chronicled the day, and it’s all sitting pretty in the inspiration-packed gallery.
The Bride and Groom felt that their hometown of Norfolk, Virginia was the ideal location for their nuptials to take place. In particular, the Hermitage Museum and Gardens, located on the Lafayette River, had always held a special place in Meredith’s heart, as she had spent many days throughout her childhood exploring the riverbanks and gardens. The Bride’s Uncle Mark officiated the wedding under a large oak tree in the East Garden overlooking the river. Meredith walked down the aisle in an ivory Temperley London gown with an illusion neck line and appliqué flowers while Ambrosia Quartet played a rendition of “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles.
For the reception, the couple wanted to play on the arts and crafts style of the Hermitage using antique furniture and rustic decor provided by River Designs (Vintage Furniture Rentals) and Distinctive Event Rentals. The farm tables displayed beautiful arrangements from the talents of Bloom, the Art of Flowers, in vintage toolboxes along with white milk glass vases. The incandescent string lighting and candle-lit mercury glass contributed to an enchanting and intimate ambiance for the evening.
Catering was provided by Chef by Design, which designed a menu that brought their own unique flare to Southeast Virginia’s culinary tastes. Fried green tomatoes, bacon-wrapped scallops, and macaroni and cheese coquettes were passed to guests during cocktail hour, and dinner station highlights included beef tenderloin with asparagus and whipped potatoes, ahi tuna bites, cheeseburger sliders, chicken and vegetable dumplings, and Mai Tai shrimp. For dessert, Doumar’s Cones and BBQ, a local Norfolk institution since 1904, was on sight to serve chocolate and vanilla ice cream cones to guests using their original (and the world’s first) waffle cone maker. The red velvet wedding cake was baked by Chocollage. The couple ended up dancing the night away with their closest family and friends to the sounds of the very talented and entertaining local band, Rare Mixx.
Photography: Echard Wheeler Photography | Wedding Coordinator: Reva Stein | Flowers: Bloom The Art of Flowers | Wedding Gown: Kleinfeld Bridal | Cake: Chocollage | Catering: Chef By Design | Hair: Behind The Veil | Ceremony Music: Ambrosia Quartet | Venue: Hermitage Foundation Museum | Decor Rentals: River Design Vintage | Invitation Suite: Christina Egan | Make Up Artist: Holly Browne | Reception Band: Rare Mixx | Rentals: Distinctive Event Rentals