A Minimalistic Modern Wedding at The Retreat at Cool Springs

Lauren Megerdichian
January 26, 2019
Categories: Real Weddings, The Blog, Traditional Elegance

Elegant, refined, modern… STUNNING – basically all the words that come to mind when admiring this summer wedding at The Retreat at Cool Springs planned by Linda Ha Events. Lush florals by Wild Green Yonder in a classic color scheme of fresh green and crisp white decorated the day. Vicki Grafton Photography captured every moment perfectly (per usual)… don’t miss out on a single detail at the full gallery!

From Vicki Grafton Photography… Briana & Jesse planned an outdoor wedding in the Virginia countryside incorporating a minimal and modern aesthetic. Lush florals by Lori at Wild Green Yonder soften the clean lines and helped bridge the gap between the outdoor country estate location and the couple’s modern vibe. The invitation was designed by the bride herself, and Linda Ha Events helped style and coordinate the day despite a torrential downpour during cocktail hour. Some of my favorite details included Briana’s dress from the BHLDN Ghost London line with it’s deep plunging neckline and back and how the material draped.

From the Bride… Together at last. We fell in love when we were young, but chose to follow careers in football and design which led us to different cities. After almost a decade of long distance, and countless prayers to follow where God was leading us, Jesse proposed forever to me in our hometown, where we first fell in love. After he proposed, we walked hand in hand along the water in Georgetown. I was surprised to find our families and closest friends waiting for us on a private boat. Jesse had planned a beautiful evening celebrating with those we cherish most. We were so grateful to have Jesse’s sister, the talented Hannah Smith Photography, capture the evening.

Just like the ring Jesse chose for me, I envisioned our wedding to be effortlessly elegant and timeless; filled with warmth, laughter, and love. Every vendor we chose, from Linda Ha Events’ beautifully refined aesthetic, to Vicki Grafton’s film photography, reflected this vision. When we discovered our wedding venue, The Retreat at Cool Spring, the search was over. The stunning understated beauty of the historic home became my inspiration for planning every detail of the day. My wedding gown reflected this same effortless beauty, it’s flowing curves and endless train recalling the Shenandoah river The Retreat overlooks. As a graphic designer, I always knew I’d want to design my wedding stationery.

As a graphic designer, I always knew I’d want to design my wedding stationery. I created a suite that was minimal and refined, using a white and soft gray color palette and warm serif typography, tied together with subtle blind embossing throughout. My favorite detail is the custom seal I drew featuring an S for “Smith”, my new family name. I embossed the envelopes with this seal by hand before my dear mother sent off each invite with love.

Every detail of the day used this same white and gray color palette, accented by the soft pinks and yellows introduced in our florals curated by the talented Lori Tran. On the day of our wedding, we awoke to a forecast that was less than ideal. It had been raining for days, and it wasn’t supposed to stop. An hour before the ceremony, the clouds started to part, and the sun peeked through. Before heading down the aisle, my mom helped place finishing touches on my look from both of my late grandmothers; my Grammy’s favorite ring on my right hand and my Nana’s pin on my bouquet. Another moment I cherish is the words I exchanged with Jesse’s mom as I got ready. I have her to thank for the man her son is today. Meanwhile, Jesse got ready with his groomsmen, enjoying a toast his best friend wrote called A Coach’s Tale, a nod to Jesse’s career in football. My father walked with me over a white rose petaled aisle while a pianist played Yiruma’s River Flows in You. We exchanged vows under the magnolia tree to the words of my dear family friend and pastor who has known me since the day I was born.

A highlight of the ceremony was Jesse’s dad’s scripture reading, a moment we’ll treasure forever. After being introduced as Mr. And Mrs., we departed the ceremony while the pianist played Here Comes the Sun. We didn’t realize just how perfect that song was until that moment. Guests were invited to celebrate cocktail hour al fresco, on terraces surrounding the home overlooking the river in the distance. A classic quartet played while guests enjoyed small bites, rosé, and Jesse’s favorite Dogfish Head IPA. To open the reception, we danced to Finally Mine by Juliet Roberts, a song whose lyrics celebrate being together after so long. After my dad, sister, and Jesse’s brother shared stories and words of welcome, we danced the night away to the sound of the Bachelor Boys Band. The next day, Jesse and I stayed at The Retreat for a day of rest and reflection, celebrating that we were together at last.