Pastel details are the quickest way to make my heart happy. And this charming southern affair? Well it’s bursting with plenty. Pretty pink hues married with outdoorsy, country details, it’s rustic chic from Pure Whimsy Events done oh-so-right. With that said, I’ll be spending the rest of my days ogling every detail Gabe Aceves captured here!
From Gabe Aceves… Kelly and John got married on John’s parents private home in Warrenton VA. It was a beautiful day with southern charm and outdoorsy, country details.
From the beautiful Bride… John and I met at a local restaurant where I was waitressing one summer during college; he was a patron that left me the best tip a handsome man could give – a date! He proposed along the cobblestone streets in Old Town, Alexandria where we’d had our first date five years ago.
In the beginning stages, we only had a couple things we knew we wanted to incorporate into the wedding: pink (against John’s wishes!) and personal touches that felt like we were more at home than in a grand ballroom. With Eric Church’s “Springsteen” as our inspiration, we chose a July Saturday night date and went from there…
We started with the venue – the beautiful home and property of John’s parents that they designed with John’s aunt and built with their family business Thorsen Construction. Located on top of a hill in Warrenton, Virginia, it was the perfect backdrop to begin building upon. We had so much fun incorporating touches that were dear to our hearts and reminded us of a summer party that you just don’t want to end: A cocktail hour featuring martinis – my sister and I’s favorite – and Bell’s Oberon beer for the boys. Mismatched blush bridesmaid dresses selected by my sisters/ best friends; from floral to feathers they looked every bit beautiful and one-of-a-kind. John’s dad’s green tractor equipped with goodies trailing the wedding party up the hill for pictures with a blue mountain backdrop. A grand pole tent at the bottom of the property strung with café lights acting as a cozy makeshift sky of stars. Virginia pulled pork with Virginia sweet sauce paired with pink champagne. Tiramisu cake designed and baked by John’s aunt and carried to the tent by John’s uncles for the cake cutting. A soulful big band playing Motown music for dancing the night (and those cornbread calories!) away. And last but not least, a 1977 Scout II getaway car from my dad and uncle’s personal collection to escape the sprinkling that started just as the last sparkler went out.
As we drove down the driveway away from our friends and family, we looked at each other and knew it was the best night of our lives and just how we had pictured it all those months of planning. Our family, friends, and each of our vendors played such a large part in turning our ideas into a real life dream.
Katie, our amazing planner, assisted with every little thing from signs to timing to layout. And our brilliant photographer, Gabe, is a close Del Ray neighbor who captured our day with the most stunning and special photos. We couldn’t have done it without the talented team we built around us, and its one July Saturday night that we’ll never forget.
Photography: Gabe Aceves Photography | Floral Design: Affordable Arrangements | Catering: Old Blue BBQ | Band: EastCoast Entertainment | Bow Ties: Murray's Toggery Shop | Groom's Attire: Suitsupply | Venue: Private Residence | Tent: Gibson Rental | Brides Dress: Watters | Cake Design & Creation: Aunt Of The Groom | Getaway Car: Father Of The Bride's IH Scout | Hair Makeup: Salon Emage | Music: Doug Allen Music | Planning: Pure Whimsy Events | Rentals: Capital Party Rentals | Rompers: Plum Pretty Sugar