This Couple Wed Beneath a 15-Foot Lush Floral Arch at Anderson House
Kyle and I have a very modern love story so we met on a dating app of course. We both went to James Madison University but ran in different social circles, so we never would’ve crossed paths if it weren’t for Tinder. After Kyle graduated and I was finishing up my final year in college, we did long-distance for a bit. But once I graduated, we took the next big step and moved to Arlington together, starting the next chapter of our lives side by side. Our engagement began with a surprise trip to Newport, Rhode Island. We set off on a long but delightful road trip together, spending the day exploring the iconic Breakers mansion and uncovering some true gems in Newport. As the sun began to set, we arrived at Forty Steps, a stunning spot along the coast. In that magical moment, Kyle got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! What was meant to be a private moment turned into an unforgettable memory, thanks to a lucky photographer who happened to be in the perfect spot at the perfect time to capture it all.
I’m notoriously picky and had a pretty good idea of exactly what I wanted my dress to look like. I wanted a ball gown-style dress that was simple, but not boring. I fell in love with the texture of the fabric of one Anne Barge dress but didn’t love the neckline on me. I was so pleasantly surprised when my bridal stylist told me I could swap it with another top to have a neckline that was more flattering on me, and keep the same stunning fabric. I loved the final result of my dress. It was exactly what I had envisioned and felt like it matched the venue and the vibe I was going for perfectly!
The three bridesmaids each chose a style from Jenny Yoo in the shade Whisper Blue.
The groomsmen all wore classic black tuxedos.
For cocktail hour, guests enjoyed a variety of passed bites, such as corn + crab coquette, spicy tuna cones, honey grilled shrimp wrapped in bacon, grilled tenderloin with horseradish aioli, mini tacos, and garlic tomato crostini with whipped feta. For the al fresco dinner, guests dined on strawberry salad and then had the choice of truffle short ribs, cedar salmon, or squash ravioli. For dessert, miniature bites were displayed along with passed espresso martinis. Kyle’s signature drink was a Gold Rush, while Amy's was a St. Germain cocktail. Although it was whisky, Kyle’s cocktail was so refreshing—just the perfect summer drink. Our guests loved it too; it quickly became a crowd favorite.
Lush, white florals were used abundantly throughout the wedding design. The most amazing part of the design was the 15-foot arch the floral created onsite in the ballroom! It was quite literally awe-inspiring as guests entered the ballroom and saw it! Flower gardens also lined the aisle and were repurposed around the sweetheart table outside. White floral centerpieces and taper candles adorned each dining table. At cocktail hour, chinoiserie bud vases were placed on top of the cocktail tables. Florals used included roses, ranunculus, and lisianthus.
The wedding cake was a petite two-tier cake with buttercream frosting and a cascade of florals displayed in front of the ceremony arch in the ballroom.
. Reverend Laura Cannon was truly incredible. From our very first conversation, we felt an immediate connection, and she put so much thought and care into creating the perfect ceremony for us. One of the most meaningful moments was when she asked us, privately, to share five of our favorite things about each other. We thought it was just to help her get to know us better, but to our surprise, she shared those beautiful lists during the ceremony. It was such an intimate and personal touch that made the moment even more special. For my walk down the aisle, I chose New Year’s Day by Taylor Swift—a decision I knew right from the start. It was the perfect song, and hearing it at that moment felt so right. Kyle has always had an incredible talent for setting the perfect vibe, no matter where we are. Naturally, he wanted to take the reins when it came to selecting the music for our reception. He carefully curated a playlist of songs that held special meaning for us and our friends, full of memories and history. It was absolutely perfect, and we danced the night away, celebrating the soundtrack of our lives.
The stationer designed a modern AK monogram for Amy and Kyle along with a sketch of the venue's facade. This was used on the wedding invitation suite, various day-of papers, and even matchbooks. The bars were also personalized with the AK.
The blue floral print linen from Stradley Davidson was chosen from the beginning, and as such, we were able to incorporate its print onto the invitation suite card and the signature drink bar sign. We also used pillows in this print on the lounge in the ballroom.
