Seated in an alcove of vines, nestled next to the Blue Ridge mountains… that all sounds pretty amazing, doesn’t it? One look at this gorgeous wedding photographed by Lauren Kinsey and you’ll be on Team Mountainside. It’s a classic beauty with pretty pastel blooms by Floral and Bloom Design and sun kissed portraits all sitting pretty in the vault. Have a look!
From the Bride… My husband and I were married in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, halfway between our current home in Georgia and our hometowns in the Northeast. The whole day felt like a dream. It was a perfect breezy summer day, with blue skies. We had an outdoor ceremony that was held at a local vineyard, among our family and friends. Our guests were seated in an alcove of vines, nestled between the rolling blue mountains that surrounded them. As our loved ones began to walk down the aisle, the sun slowly started setting over the mountain tops in the distance.
The date we picked for our wedding was special to us because it marked ten years from the day we first met. We were first introduced when we were just fresh out of high school, and over the years, we have watched each other grow into the adults that we are today. We have waited so many years for this day, that I couldn’t believe I was finally seeing him all grown up, standing there, as we said our “I do’s”. The moment felt surreal.
Our wedding day was one that was filled with love and it showed. Everyone in our family had come together to help make our day a reality. My father had built the wine barrel tables for our ceremony and reception. Our three tier wedding cake was baked by my mother, and she had also sewn the textured damask linens for our reception. Our sweetheart table was set with vintage plates collected from various family members and antique stores. My husband was wearing his late grandfather’s cuff links, that his grandmother had given him as a wedding gift. For a more personalized touch, I had learned calligraphy and hand addressed our wedding invitations, and place cards. My husband constructed the escort card display using an antique frame from his mother. As a thank you to our guests, we left tiny, hand wrapped, wine related gifts at each place setting.
We had envisioned our day to be elegant, whimsical, and romantic. We pictured soft pastels, chantilly lace details, candle lit rooms, chandeliers, delicate summer blooms, and airy bouquets. Our color palette consisted of natural greens – paired with dusty rose, soft purple, and petal pink hues. We were inspired by organic elements that would play up the natural beauty of our venue. My bridesmaids and I carried free-form bouquets, accented with pastel peonies, clematis, dahlias, and handfuls of greenery. As our guests approached the ceremony site, they passed a flower bar, where they could fill cones with petals and lavender “wishes”. The ceremony and reception areas were decorated with soft florlas, light green pears, hand-made paper goods, and silk textiles. Our stationary consisted of recycled paper, and a hand-painted, watercolor monogram that accented the invitation suite.
For my wedding gown I knew that I wanted a look that was timeless and feminine. I was inspired by the iconic dresses from years ago, with soft, airy ballgown silhouettes, and lace details. When I first tried on my gown, it immediately reminded me of the dress that Jackie O. wore on her wedding day. Once we paired the dress with a chapel length lace veil, the whole thing felt like a vision from a dream, we all knew that this was exactly the gown that we were looking for.
I had given my bridesmaids the freedom to pick their own dresses. I chose a soft rosy pink and lilac color scheme for them to follow. They all looked like a vision in their gowns. One of our favorite moments of the night was when my two childhood friends privately sung a song they wrote for Jason and I, it perfectly summed up our ten years together.
After the last song was played, and all the lights were dimming out, we were having such a great time with our family and friends, that we lost track of time. Our last few guests were heading home, when my husband and I realized we missed our limo ride back to our house. We piled into the last two cars that were leaving the vineyard. With layers of tulle filling up half the vehicle, we laughed and snuggled with our wedding party until we made it home.
Photography: Lauren Kinsey Fine Art Weddings | Floral Design: Floral & Bloom Designs | Wedding Dress: Lazaro bridal | Invitations: Stephanie B Design | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Savoir Faire Limited | Hair and Makeup: Ana Buitrago | DJ: Y It Entertainment | Groomsmen's Attire: Jos A. Bank Rentals | Calligraphy Decor: Spurle Gul Studios | Day of Coordination: Infatuating Affairs | Event Manager: Breaux Vineyards | Rentals: Select Event Group | Rentals: White Glove Rentals | Ribbons: Silk and Willow