An Elegant, Chinoiserie-Chic Wedding at the Birkby House

Lauren Megerdichian
May 14, 2020
Categories: Real Weddings, The Blog, Traditional Elegance

If you’re as obsessed with chinoiserie as we are, then you’re about to fall in love with today’s stunning Southern fête at the Birkby House. Considering the bride planned and designed weddings with her wedding planner, Bright Occasions, for almost 4 years – it’s no surprise this wedding day is magical from beginning to end, complete with personalized touches at every turn. Holly Chapple Flowers made our SMP hearts flutter with her classic white and green arrangements. Head on over to the full gallery, captured by Manda Weaver Photography, for all the details!

From the Bright Occassions… Courtney included so many beautiful and thoughtful details. From the custom crest designed by Dandelion Patch to the venue drawing designed by her sister, which we included in the most beautiful wedding invitation and stationery printed by The Dandelion Patch. Courtney also sourced many of her own blue and white chinoiserie vases, including a special Virginia Tobacco jar that was a family heirloom.

The favors for the wedding also doubled as our place cards, which were blue and white coasters in a variety of prints and patterns. Holly Chapple did the flowers and kept the design classic with whites and greens, done in the garden-style she is known for. While providing a more modern architectural ceremony backdrop. We also worked with a local farmer to provide a boxwood wall, which we set the seating charts in front of and later became a perfect photo backdrop. Courtney & Mike love Margarita’s and chose to serve those as their signature cocktails. Local pizza from a Leesburg favorite was passed during cocktail hour among the other seasonal and local foods from Tuskies Catering.

From the Bride… Having planned and designed weddings with Bright Occasions for almost 4 years, I knew I wanted our wedding day to stand out – not necessarily with trendy concepts, but with heartfelt, meaningful details. The historic charm of Birkby House, nestled within quaint downtown Leesburg, was the perfect setting to share my husband’s and my love for our home state with our guests. Our chinoiserie-chic theme centered around an “Virginia” tobacco jar my mother had while growing up; this theme was carried through to our invitation suite, personalized escort coasters, bridal party attire, and reception place settings.

My very talented sister, an artist in San Francisco, hand drew the illustration of Birkby House on our invitation! From the use of my grandmother’s floral embroidered handkerchief, and pieces of both my mother’s and my mother-in-law’s wedding gowns sewn into the hem of my own dress, to the chapel-length veil I wore that was used by both of my life-long best friends, I was able to show just how special these women were to me on the most important day of my life. There was not a dry eye in the house, though, when Michael and I read our personal vows to each other. Later, my husband and I paid homage to our alma mater – Virginia Tech – by using “Enter Sandman,” the song the football team runs onto the field to, as our entrance song. The best part of the day, though, was getting to work with (as a bride this time!) the most incredible vendors I’m lucky enough to call my friends. Michael and my wedding day was absolutely perfect in every way.

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