Virginia Weddings

There’s no denying we see lots of gorgeous al fresco celebrations here at SMP and there’s also no denying that they’re amazing. But sometimes ya’ need a little change of pace because let’s get real – not every wedding can take place in the great outdoors. And when a venue is as stunning as this one, there’s no need to head outside. These two said “I do” surrounded by light and sparkle and Michael and Carina captured it all, giving us ideas and inspiration to fill our eager Pinterest pages – see it all this way!

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From Michael and Carina Photography… A crystal decorative sailboat, clear chairs, a sailcloth arbor and this bride’s dress are just so dreamy! An indoor wedding, like Alysha and Max’s, is a wonderful opportunity to create a bespoke ceremony and reception space. Our couple was inspired by the nearby ocean and included clear, blue and boat elements. The clear chairs and the large sail-inspired ceremony arch made the interior of the venue appear larger and almost created the illusion of being aboard a ship. Such a unique idea! Alysha’s bouquet of wild greenery added to the windswept feel and her long-sleeved lace gown made this wedding one of the most elegant celebrations of our season.

From the Bride… Six years ago, I entered college absolutely sure that I was not going to date anyone seriously while I worked towards my degree. Within the first month, some friends invited me to a birthday party for someone I did not know. As it turned out, the handsome, confident, and engaging guy teasing me about eating mints at a party was the guest of honor. He asked me out the next day, and very soon I realized he was someone special. He was the most understanding, protective, and interesting man I had ever dated, and I knew he was the one I was meant to marry.

Less than a year afterwards, he graduated and moved five hours away, and we transited into a long-distance relationship – only seeing each other once a month. Through this, we developed an incredibly strong sense of patience, trust, and appreciation. After about two and half years of long-distance dating, Max moved back north for us to be closer together and made the decision to propose! He organized the most amazing surprise. He took me to a phenomenal dinner and afterwards walked me to a hidden marina. He then led me onto a houseboat he had rented, which was decorated with candles and roses. He proposed inside and we danced on the deck to our song while fireworks burst above us. It was like a fairy tale, and we wanted our wedding to be just as special.

About our wedding: As our engagement was on the water with fireworks overhead, we hoped our wedding could imitate the same look. In Norfolk, Virginia, we found a neat cruise ship stop overlooking the Elizabeth River. The modern design, three-story glass wall, and glossy beige floor inspired us to feature neutral monochromatic tones and clean lines, balanced with classic black accents and pops of greenery. The SS Wisconsin was docked at the complex, so we knew we had to tastefully incorporate a nautical flair.

For our ceremony, we brought in a 20 foot high mast, and draped ivory tulle through to set the clean, modern, and nautical look we wanted. We also wanted to play on the reflective quality of the room and decorated it with candles, fairy lights, starry light projectors, and a gorgeous crystal ship chandelier. We hoped it would look like you were on a ship deck at night, where you can see the overhead stars and their light bouncing off the waves.

To coordinate with the rounded glass wall, we used glass vases and candle holders, clear Chiavari chairs, and glass mug favors. Mixed with the candles, the shimmery rose-gold bridesmaid dresses, and the layers of lighting, the room twinkled from floor to ceiling! The venue had a gorgeous glass-blown chandelier that made for our moon atop the dance floor. As the evening came to an end, Max and I shared a last dance alone in our sparkling room, while our song played overhead – just like our engagement night. We are so thankful for the friends, family, and vendors who helped put together such a beautiful and special evening.

Photography: Michael And Carina Photography | Coordination: Cherry Blossom Planning Factory | Floral Design: Roost Flowers & Designs | Wedding Dress: Stella York | Invitations: Connie Taylor Krupp | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Badgley Mischka | Catering: Omar's Carriage House | Makeup: Rebecca Wood | Hair: Hair by Magan | Lighting: Stage Right Lighting | DJ: Colonial DJs | Groom's Attire: Indochino | Groomsmen's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Venue: Half Moone Cruise And Celebration Center | Bridal Boutique: Posh Bridal | Rentals: Distinctive Event Rentals

Traditional elegance has nothing on these two sweeties, because this pair? They know how to party, classic glam style. Think an awe-inspiring museum setting, personalized Coca-Cola bottles (so cool) and a stunning custom gown. Press play on the sweet film from Crystal Blue Productions to see sophistication in action, then see every beautiful moment captured by the talented Still55 Photography in THE VAULT.

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From Still55 Photography… Caiti and Jack are amazing people. They both attended Elon but didn’t start dating until they met in New York. Jack proposed in Dumbo on a bench that overlooked the Manhattan Skyline. Once engaged they decided to host their wedding at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk VA. Caiti’s family has ties to the area and she absolutely fell in love with museum when she visited it. Mainly the architecture, she adored the stone archways, muted grays and neutral tones and the grandeur of the imperial columns that the museum showcased. She incorporated those elements into the overall design of her wedding. Blending both her style and the existing features of the space together to create a elegant cohesive space for her family and friends to enjoy.

Caiti was no stranger to blending things together, in fact she wound up taking pieces from three separate dresses to create her very own dream dress! With the help of talented ateliers and many fittings she wore a one-of-kind on her wedding day. Another one-of-kind item introduced itself at the cocktail hour, Jack’s father is a Coca-Cola Exec and had custom glass bottles created for their wedding. The outstanding team of vendors all helped bring to life the wedding of their dreams! All in all we couldn’t be happier for these two, they truly are great people and we wish them the very best in the life ahead.

Photography: Joseph Rogero | Cinematography: Crystal Blue Productions | Event Planning: Style Events | Floral Design: Palette Of Petals | Wedding Dress: L'Fay Bridal | Cake: Incredible Edibles | Invitations: Stephanie B Design | Ceremony Venue: Ghent United Methodist | Reception Venue: Chrysler Museum Of Art | Bride's Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Monique Lhuillier | Catering: Cuisine & Co. | Makeup: Rebecca Wood | Hair: Flawless on Site | Band: Atlanta Showstoppers | Groom's Attire: Brooks Brothers | Groomsmen's Attire: The Black Tux | Honeymoon: Giltedge | Photo Booth: Joseph Rogero

There’s something so beautifully personal about a hometown wedding. It’s a sweet nod to family roots, and exactly what this Hermitage Museum & Gardens’ affair is all about. Echard Wheeler chronicled the day, and it’s all sitting pretty in the inspiration-packed gallery.

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The Bride and Groom felt that their hometown of Norfolk, Virginia was the ideal location for their nuptials to take place. In particular, the Hermitage Museum and Gardens, located on the Lafayette River, had always held a special place in Meredith’s heart, as she had spent many days throughout her childhood exploring the riverbanks and gardens. The Bride’s Uncle Mark officiated the wedding under a large oak tree in the East Garden overlooking the river. Meredith walked down the aisle in an ivory Temperley London gown with an illusion neck line and appliqué flowers while Ambrosia Quartet played a rendition of “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles.

For the reception, the couple wanted to play on the arts and crafts style of the Hermitage using antique furniture and rustic decor provided by River Designs (Vintage Furniture Rentals) and Distinctive Event Rentals. The farm tables displayed beautiful arrangements from the talents of Bloom, the Art of Flowers, in vintage toolboxes along with white milk glass vases. The incandescent string lighting and candle-lit mercury glass contributed to an enchanting and intimate ambiance for the evening.

Catering was provided by Chef by Design, which designed a menu that brought their own unique flare to Southeast Virginia’s culinary tastes. Fried green tomatoes, bacon-wrapped scallops, and macaroni and cheese coquettes were passed to guests during cocktail hour, and dinner station highlights included beef tenderloin with asparagus and whipped potatoes, ahi tuna bites, cheeseburger sliders, chicken and vegetable dumplings, and Mai Tai shrimp. For dessert, Doumar’s Cones and BBQ, a local Norfolk institution since 1904, was on sight to serve chocolate and vanilla ice cream cones to guests using their original (and the world’s first) waffle cone maker. The red velvet wedding cake was baked by Chocollage. The couple ended up dancing the night away with their closest family and friends to the sounds of the very talented and entertaining local band, Rare Mixx.

Photography: Echard Wheeler Photography | Wedding Coordinator: Reva Stein | Flowers: Bloom The Art of Flowers | Wedding Gown: Kleinfeld Bridal | Cake: Chocollage | Catering: Chef By Design | Hair: Behind The Veil | Ceremony Music: Ambrosia Quartet | Venue: Hermitage Foundation Museum | Decor Rentals: River Design Vintage | Invitation Suite: Christina Egan | Make Up Artist: Holly Browne | Reception Band: Rare Mixx | Rentals: Distinctive Event Rentals

I love great details and decor as much as the next girl, but it’s the people, the stories, the love that speak straight to my heart. It’s stories like this bride whose 9-year-old son escorted her down the aisle or the fact that they traded formalities for a family-style Southern comfort food affair that make a wedding come to life. Jodi Miller captured every bit and you can click right here for so much more.

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From the Bride…. Adam and I met while at one of our favorite bars in the summer of 2011. We danced the night away to an amazing local 90’s cover band, and after our failed attempt to play matchmaker for our two best friends (who we still haven’t managed to get on a date) we decided to have dinner ourselves – going out for sushi the following week. We’ve been inseparable ever since.

As the Development Director of our local Habitat for Humanity affiliate and a fundraising events manager PETA before that, I am used to have to design events that please other people. That’s why it was so important to us to have a wedding that had our stamp on it and that didn’t subscribe to all of the formal wedding traditions.

After Adam proposed to me in a tree while on a hike in Escondido Canyon Park in Malibu, California, we knew we needed to find a venue that incorporated our love for the outdoors and of course, it also had to have a really amazing tree. When we found the Hermitage Museum & Gardens, with its immaculate gardens, river views, the giant magnolia tree on the back lawn, and the craftsman style architecture we both love so much… we knew there was no turning back! Our desired aesthetic for the entire day was “rustic romance,” and I think we were able to capture that in part because of the gorgeous setting – and by incorporating some nature elements through the use of twine and birch planters for the flowers which were all done in creams and shades of muted blush and mint. [And as an avid terrarium lover/maker, we just had to include succulents!]

For the ceremony and pre-ceremony we hand selected all of the songs (from a Fleet Foxes processional to our first kiss to the music of the Flaming Lips), and we were married by one of our closest friends which made everything so much more special. Perhaps the most emotional part of the day was when my dad walked me to the beginning of aisle, so that my 9 year old son could then walk me down to be given away. It was really important to be able to incorporate him into that important part of the ceremony, as it was just as much about becoming a family as it was Adam and I exchanging vows.

For the reception, we really wanted an evening that was an intimate gathering of our closest family and friends, so we did away with things like the bouquet and garter toss and the traditional cake cutting (we wanted donuts instead!). Southern Comfort food is a staple in our kitchen at home, and our caterer was able to create a delicious meal served family style – so it really felt like a Sunday dinner among friends. We also enjoyed sharing foods from our engagement dinner with our guests, like mini ahi tuna burgers.

Although the weather forecast changed on us the day before the wedding and we had to give up or vision of a tentless wedding, we had a spectacular night and didn’t even notice the drizzle. Fittingly, the night ended in the way our story began – dancing the night away to a 90’s cover band with our bridal party, at the same place we first met almost two years ago to the date.

Photography: Jodi & Kurt Photography | Flowers: Leslie Hartig Floral Design | Dress: Pure English Couture Bridal | Caterer: East Beach Catering | Makeup: Makeup By Kim Porter | Hair: High Voltage Hair By Crystal Casey | Lighting: Blue Steel Lighting | DJ: Atlantic Digital Entertainment | Bridesmaid Fashion: Donna Morgan | Ceremony & Reception Venue: Hermitage Foundation Museum | Day-of-Coordination: Sunkissed Events | Donut Truck: Carpe Donut | Signage And Paper Goods: Paper Tangent

Modern day fairy tales are the absolute best. This Virginia wedding is just that – a soiree fit for Cinderella, Snow White, or this lucky, beautiful bride and her Prince Charming. Everything about the day was stunning – but to really turn up the grandeur, the ballroom was dripping in pretty in pink petals from Isha Foss Events. Jeff Greenough | Photographer captured the magic wonderfully, and was fabulous enough to fill an entire gallery with more – just for us!

When Matthew proposed, he worked hard to surprise me (not an easy task to surprise a nosey girl like me!). One night, Matthew told me that he had to work late in Maryland and would not be able to come visit for the weekend. I made dinner plans with my friends at the Blue Talon in Williamsburg. During dinner, Maddie told me that she just received a text message that there was a research group at the Williamsburg Lodge and she really wanted to go get their autographs. After dinner, Maddie, Kaci, and I drove to the Williamsburg Lodge until Maddie stopped her car and asked me if she knew of a garden near the Lodge because that was where the group was meeting. I, still oblivious to what was going on, said “Well there is the rose garden where Matt’s parents got engaged to your left.” Maddie swerved her car to the front of the rose garden and Kaci and Maddie both screamed “Get out of the car!” while speeding off with me still thinking they were playing a trick on me. I decided to walk down the stairs of the sunken rose garden only to find no one there. I kept walking until I saw Matthew come out from behind an archway with a huge smile on his face. Matthew walked toward me, knelt down on one knee with an open box in his hand, and asked me to marry him in the same spot that his father asked his mother to marry him. Matthew then told me that he planned a weekend for us in Ocracoke, North Carolina to celebrate our engagement!

While planning our wedding, I knew I wanted our personalities to shine through in every aspect. Both Matthew and I have traditional, classic taste with a modern twist. We decided to have our wedding ceremony in the Catholic Church where my parents were married and where I grew up. Matthew’s father is an Anglican pastor, so we wanted to incorporate both of our families’ religious traditions. He gave a memorable and personal sermon that made the ceremony seem intimate even with a room full of 400 people. The ceremony music was also very important to us. We had a trumpeter, organist, a string quartet, and a soloist who all beautifully performed songs we selected together. As I walked down the aisle, I wore my great grandmother’s diamond and sapphire ring as my something old, borrowed, and blue. My grandmother passed away one month before my wedding, so honored her by carrying her handkerchief in my bouquet.

Matthew and I chose the Chrysler Museum of Art for our reception venue not only because we loved the Renaissance style of the museum’s atrium, but also because I studied Art History in college. For the flowers and décor, I wanted a romantic atmosphere with blush tones, ivory, and metallics. My team at Isha Foss Events transformed my vision into a breathtaking display of draped arches, cascading crystals, and various tones of pink flowers.

While our wedding was a formal black tie affair, Matthew and I wanted our reception to be a party for our guests to enjoy good food and great music. For this reason, we decided to do heavy hors d’ ouvres instead of a sit down dinner. We had themed food stations around the museum with our favorite cuisine including fresh seafood on the rocks, a southern fare station, a beef carving station, and a chocolate bar. Instead of assigned seating, Isha Foss designed a lounge-like cocktail set up that outlined the dance floor and gave a contemporary spin on the traditional black tie affair.

My two favorite memories from our wedding day were our First Look and walking down the Chrysler’s marble staircase into the reception for the first time as husband and wife. Matthew and I met in the museum’s garden before the ceremony. I loved being able to share a quite and private moment with my soon to be husband before our night of craziness ahead. I will never forget the look on his face when he first saw me (luckily, my photographer Jeff Greenough captured this moment on film). My second favorite memory from our wedding day occurred when my father introduced us to our reception. I felt like royalty on my new husband’s arm as we walked down the staircase and moved straight into our first dance. The entire day was the perfect representation of Matthew and me as a couple, and it could not have been possible without the hard work of our family and all of our fabulous vendors.

Ceremony Venue: Sacred Heart Catholic Church / Reception Venue: Chrysler Museum of Art / Photography: Jeff Greenough | Photographer / Event Coordinator: Daylily Weddings / Floral Design: Isha Foss Events / Catering: Cuisine & Co. / Entertainment: Right On! Band / Lighting: Blue Steel Lighting Design / Cake: Glenna Cason, Sugar Art / Videography: Digital Dreammakers / Rentals: Distinctive Event Rentals, AFR Furniture Rental, & Isha Foss Events / Transportation: Royal Coach / Hair: Al Kelly from Changes Salon / Makeup: BridesMade by Kim Wadsworth

And we are here again! Wedding Wednesday, the day of the week where we fill your day with loads of inspiration by showcasing seven gorgeous weddings. We have to keep them a bit brief to fit it all in, so be sure to check out the full gallery of each fete to see all the gorgeousness. OK, now that you know the drill let’s get this pretty party started.

So this is what happens when a graphic artist, designer, chef of a groom marries a fashion editor bride with loads of style. I’m sure after reading that sentence you are ready to start scrolling on down, and I don’t blame you one bit. The shoes, the amazing venue that is The Chrysler Museum of Art, the rings – it’s all enough to have you swooning for days. So start the scrolling, and don’t forget there are more gorgeous images by Gabriela Herman to swoon over in the full gallery.

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From the Bride… Matt and I wanted our wedding to be more like a fun, summer party than a stiff, formal affair. He’s a graphic designer, artist and chef. I’m a writer and fashion editor. It was important to us that the day feel like an extension of us as a couple. So we decided to get married at a museum in my home state of Virginia, which meant we were faced with the tricky task of Transatlantic planning (Matt and I met in New York, but we currently live in London). We ended up working with a wedding consultant, Emily Peterson, who was really great with handling the logistics. As a result the whole planning process was surprisingly not that stressful.

Matt designed our wedding stationary and had a traditional letterpress printer produce them here in London. He also designed our rings (made by his friend, jeweler Asher Hoffman) in addition to the menu boards, place cards, guest book and favors. One of the hardest things about planning our wedding in Virginia was the fact that our options for some things were quite limited. For instance, we had to search hard for a florist who would order and work with English garden roses (which I’ve grown to love living in the UK.)  Fortunately, we found one. It was also important to us to have seasonal foods on the menu (our wedding was officiated by our friend Hubert, who is an organic farmer). We lucked out with an amazing caterer who was able to incorporate foods from her company’s very large garden into our menu, which included steak with blue cheese butter, seared chicken with mango chutney and poached seafood. Our guests still talk about how good the food was.

And last, my dress. That was the hardest search because the bridal options were still pretty dismal when I was looking for something to wear. A friend suggested Lucy Martin, an emerging English bridal designer. I liked that her dresses were clean and simple and could be customized according to the bride’s wishes. She also sources her silks from Italy, which was impressive considering how reasonable her prices are. I changed into a dress by Isabel Marant during the reception.

Wedding Venue: Chrysler Museum of Art / Wedding Photography: Gabriela Herman / Wedding Dress: Lucy Martin / Reception Dress: Isabel Marant / Bride’s Shoes: Miu Miu / Groom’s Tux: Spencer Hart / Makeup: Ardis Giles / Flowers: Bloom The Art of Flowers / Wedding Cake: Patti Cakes, Inc. / DJ: Big Dose and AJ Slim / Wedding Planner: Emily Peterson of Emily Weddings, Inc. / Caterer: Cuisine & Company / Rings: Asher Hoffman

Echard Wheeler is one of our long-time Little Black Book members based in Virginia. As we’ve told you over and over again, our Little Black Book members ARE the best of the best. Each comes highly recommended by you, Style Me Pretty readers and their industry peers … and Echard is the epitome of the best!

Here’s one of his recent weddings … Nicole + Scott

Nicole’s gorgeous gown was by designer Michelle Roth. She wore her mother’s veil (Priscilla of Boston)!

Nicole and Scott were married at the Annnunciation Cathedral, Norfolk, VA.

Their reception was held at the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club. Norfolk Wholesale Florist designed the bridal party flowers. The tall floral arrangements on the tables were created by the bride’s Aunt Vivian.

Looks like these guys truly knew how to celebrate!

Congratulations Nicole & Scott! And a huge thank you to Echard Wheeler Photography for sharing the photos of their beautiful day. If you’d like to see more from Nicole and Scott’s wedding, here’s a link to Echard’s blog.