This celebration is the epitome of dreamy garden wedding with the prettiest color scheme to boot. It evokes all the beauty of Fall with lush, layered blooms by Amanda Burnette, garland infused everything, cozy, family-style tablescapes and loads of gorgeous imagery by Ashley Cox Photography. See why Fall weddings are some of our absolute favorites with even more in the vault.
From the Bride… Ross and I met at a mutual friend’s going away party here in DC, in early August 2014. He had sauntered over to our group to chat with our friend about her upcoming trip to Zimbabwe and pretty soon it was just the two of us talking and flirting for the rest of the evening. Right away I was charmed by his wit, intelligence, and adorable accent (he’s South African). Not much has changed! A year and a half later, as 2015 started to come to a close, we began talking more earnestly about what kind of wedding we’d like and both felt that an intimate garden wedding seemed to fit our style best – someplace home-like, where guests could stay the night and chat into the wee hours of the morning. We wanted it to feel like a retreat, with some fun activities planned (hello wine tour!) as well as free time to relax. When we visited The Clifton Inn, outside of Charlottesville, we knew it was the perfect fit for us – an easy distance from DC, nestled in the Shenandoah Valley, with an understated elegance and romantic charm. We wanted everything to feel natural but not overdone, and kept that theme in mind when deciding on the other details – from our simple and classic wedding attire, the lush and loose floral design, and a family-style meal served on long king tables. Like any modern bride, I definitely referenced Pinterest for ideas, but once the overall look was established, left many of the details in the capable hands of our amazing vendors. Early on I knew that I wanted to teach myself calligraphy and create all of the wedding paper products, from envelope addressing to the seating chart. The invitation design was a family affair – Ross and I collaborated on the invitation design and his talented mother created the custom watercolor for us, which we used throughout the wedding. However, what I didn’t expect in learning calligraphy was a love for the craft that has grown and developed into a new business for us! One of the more special and bittersweet moments of the day was walking down the aisle with my mom. My father passed away when I was in college, and having my mom next to me was both a moment that reflected our strong relationship, as well as kept him in my thoughts as I went to marry the love of my life. We honored my father in the ceremony by talking about his kind spirit and love of horticulture, which seemed duly appropriate as we said our ‘I do’s’ in the garden. The result was an unforgettable day that perfectly reflected us and our loving community of friends and family.
Photography: Ashley Cox Photography | Floral Design: Amanda Burnette | Wedding Dress: Alexandra Grecco | Hair + Makeup: Daphne Latham | Groom's Attire: Suitsupply | Wedding Venue: The Clifton Inn | Bridesmaids Dress: Reformation | Bridesmaids' Dress: Asos | Calligraphy + Design: Lacquer | Month of Coordination: Rachael McKenzie Events