Virginia Wedding Ideas and Inspiration - Style Me Pretty

This Boho-Accented Wedding Weekend Was a Marriage of Love, Heritage, and a Springtime Palette!

A celebration of love and heritage, Patina & Sean’s wedding weekend at The Ivy Rose Barn is one you’re going to remember! Nicole Colwell Design & Co. beautifully designed a traditional Indian ceremony followed by a brunch, along with a Christian ceremony and cocktail hour featuring muted neutrals, bohemian-chic accents, and personalized touches! We’re gushing over the ratan accents and avant-garde floral arrangements by Wild Fleurette! Get lost in all the delightful details at the full gallery, photographed by Nicole Colwell!

From Nicole Colwell Photography… Patina & Sean’s wedding weekend was one for the books. Patina knew The Ivy Rose Barn was the perfect location for her and Sean’s dream wedding even before it was built. Patina & Sean joked often about how their families were nervous with choosing a location before it had walls but Patina had the perfect vision which resulted in one of the most beautiful weddings we were able to help design & plan.

Patina & Sean had three events in one wedding weekend. The couple chose the Greenhouse for their Indian Ceremony that was followed with a brunch. Patina was very clear that she did not want the typical red & gold look that you see in a traditional Indian ceremony. Instead she chose the beautiful palette of blush and sage green which was stunning. The couple, family & friends returned that evening for their Rehearsal Dinner inside the Greenhouse. We kept the Indian ceremony color palette and elements for the table designs. A picnic style head table for the bridal party which included a mix of boho and traditional elements adorned with beautiful florals by Wild Fleurette was the most dreamy setting.

The next day the couple had their Christian Ceremony at the barn. The couple chose to say their vows with the Blue Ridge Mountains as their setting. Cocktail hour was located in front of the barn and the guests dined inside the barn.

Boho florals, a soft neutral palette and we can’t forget out the honey favors directly from Ivy Rose Farms. This wedding weekend is filled with jaw dropping details that you will love.

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BBJ La Tavola

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Majestic Mountaintop Wedding Overflowing With Style In Virginia

This majestic mountaintop wedding is overflowing with style. From the scenic ceremony designed to look like an outdoor church to signature drinks topped with custom cookies cut out in the shape of the couple’s dog, every creative detail was carefully curated by Just A Little Ditty. Southern Blooms filled the day with lush summer florals in bright and happy hues, and Jen Fariello Photography captured all the love of the day perfectlyin her elegant imagery. Visit the full gallery for a closer look at all the lovely.

From Jen Fariello Photography… Shannon and Jono met around St. Patrick’s Day in 2017 and quickly realized they led basically parallel lives, both floating through the same towns, schools, and social scenes but just missing each other. When they finally connected though, the rest was history. Taking inspiration from their Irish heritage and Shannon’s killer personal style, they collaborated as a team with Marilyn Speight of Just A Little Ditty, Sherry Spencer of Southern Blooms by Pat’s Floral Designs, Danielle Redmond of Occasions Caterers, and Jen Fariello Photography to bring their whimsical yet elevated garden party dreams to life. Originally, the ceremony was planned for a historic church with the reception to follow at a luxury resort in Charlottesville, but we were forced to pivot nine months prior to the wedding due to covid and renovation-related setbacks. Plan B, however, turned out to be even better than anyone dreamed!

A private mountaintop setting provided the perfect celebration scene. Accommodations and auxiliary events, like the rehearsal dinner, a pool party, and the farewell brunch were held at a nearby luxury inn, The Clifton. Guests were also treated to a modern welcome party at The Quirk hotel in downtown Charlottesville. When it came to the wedding itself, guests experienced a progressive event, starting with the outdoor ceremony on the mountaintop, cocktails at the historical home on the property, dinner in a sailcloth tent overlooking all of Central Virginia, and dancing in another sailcloth tent designed as a lounge meets ballroom space. In an attempt to recreate a church vibe, Shannon, Marilyn and Sherry designed a custom cross arbor which the team at Southern Blooms by Pat’s Floral Designs executed magnificently. White Glove Rentals provided gorgeous white garden chairs which featured an arc detail reminiscent of the church’s windows, accented by a meadow aisle of lush summer florals. Julie and the team at The Stylish Bride helped Shannon with all of her various wedding looks which featured custom dresses by Oscar de la Renta, Mark Ingram Collection, and a wedding gown Monique Lhuillier. They also worked with the wedding party to coordinate a mix of ready-to-wear styles in various floral patterns and shades of blue.

Occasions Caterers helped to create many custom touches that reflected Shannon and Jono’s personal style – like signature cocktails inspired by the couple’s Hawaiian honeymoon, a tableside ordering experience for guests that gave a restaurant feel, dishes using ingredients sourced and inspired by the setting, and late-night treats of espresso martinis (the couple’s favorite drink) with cookies perched on the side of the glasses shaped like their dog TJ, cheesy bread from the couple’s UVA college days and Detroit-style pizza as a nod to their new home base. Dinner featured classical string music by Melodious Strings, who covered everything from Beethoven to Bruno Mars. Tables were set in three distinct yet coordinated looks that provided many opportunities for the eye to dance around the layers of texture, color, and light. The crown jewel of the dinner tent was a stunning five-tier wedding cake by Anita Gupta of Maliha Creations. Smooth, white fondant icing provided the perfect canvas for sugar flowers, leaves, and clovers all echoing the blooms featured in the couple’s day. Emily Baird Design designed all stationery elements which included custom hand calligraphed clover escort cards, bar inserts, paper cones in various prints pulled from the invitation suite, and ceremony booklets with custom wax seals. The couple’s wedding monogram, designed by Emily as well, was also featured on the dance floor. Simply Irresistible kept guests dancing all night long and the evening ended with a visit to a special stargazing area where the couple took advantage of the elevation to treat their friends and family to a one-of-a-kind viewing experience.

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This Intimate Private Estate Wedding Proves There’s No Place Like Home

This backyard Virginia wedding is one for the books! With the help of Cheers Darling Events, Camille and Dwight turned their home into the wedding venue of their dreams. The neutral color palette played perfectly with the green of their garden and the pop of blue for their poolside reception! Floral & Bloom Designs created organic, free-flowing arrangements for the perfect touch of relaxed elegance. The intimate celebration was perfectly captured in the imagery by Kim Branagan, proving that there really is no place like home. See the full day unfold in the full gallery.

From Kim Branagan… Camille and Dwight were married on Saturday, September 18th at their home in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. They were engaged early in 2021, knowing that they wanted to wed before the end of the year (they had been together for six years), and decided to welcome a small group of their family and friends to their new home would be the perfect way to celebrate. Camille and Dwight wanted the focus to be on their love, family, and sharing a good meal, with good drinks.

After exchanging vows, the couple mingled with their guests around the pool before inviting everyone to take a seat at one long table, set for 55 guests. The group enjoyed a long, al fresco meal under bistro lights – the meal was served family-style, with french-passed proteins, to encourage conversation throughout the meal. Guests enjoyed a multi-course meal from Heirloom Catering & Event Design – starting with individual mezze platters of dips, veggies & bread, followed by a grilled romaine salad, ribeye steak, sea bass, crispy asparagus, and roasted fingerling potatoes.

Following dinner, Camille’s stepfather serenaded the guests with a few songs on the saxophone while Camille and Dwight cut into their beautiful, three-tiered Buttercream Bake Shop wedding cake. Camille and Dwight kicked off the dancing with their first dance, with Dwight’s four daughters joining them on the dance floor to “Shake it Off” to get that party started. As guests enjoyed dancing, mini gelato cones and wedding cake were passed around the party.

Multicultural Farm Wedding With Spiced Up Tradition In Virginia

Ever feel like you can’t decide between a colorful and vibrant wedding or a chic and neutral one? Well, Hailey and Rishil got to have both! The couple had three events at the same venue, but each one felt unique and fresh. Jessica Ashley Events pulled the celebrations and blending of cultures together perfectly, from the fine-art-inspired American affair to the citrus-themed Indian reception. Floral design by Sarah Khan Event Styling brought the pair’s love story to life throughout the entirety of the festivities. You’ll love every special detail beautifully documented in the imagery by Michael And Carina Photography, visit the full gallery to get inspired.

From the bride, Hailey… Our wedding vision changed many times due to postponing from COVID. We had to pick a new wedding venue and photographer and took that as an opportunity to transition from a boho vibe to something more European and fine art inspired. Our new venue had a home that reminded me of something in the English countryside, so I wanted to lean on that for a timeless style that we’d look back on in 10 years and be happy with our choices! I had only been to one Indian wedding prior to planning my own, which was a fun opportunity to learn more about the culture and the traditions. Thankfully my mother-in-law is incredible and very modern and was up for doing things a little differently than what’s traditional. Given we had three events at the same venue, we wanted them to feel distinctly different through our choice of style and location. The Hawaiian-inspired rehearsal dinner was on the wisteria-draped patio and had tropical elements like Monstera fronds, plates made from palm trees, and everyone wore Hawaiian-themed outfits. My husband’s favorite part of his wardrobe is his extensive collection of Hawaiian shirts, so this was our way of incorporating that into our wedding weekend.

For the American wedding, we wanted to keep everything very classic and neutral to contrast with the Indian wedding. Florals were a combination of cream, mauve, and dusty blue-toned greenery, my bridesmaids wore champagne slip dresses, and Rishil wore a tan linen suit. We had the wedding at the top of the hill so we could use the silo up there for cocktail hour- the acoustics inside of it were amazing, and we did a champagne fountain in there right after the ceremony! We draped the stunning barn in ivory and the tables had woven rattan placemats and bud vases filled with the same florals as our bouquets. The ghost chairs added a modern look and broke up all of the wood in the barn. For the Indian wedding, our wedding planner, Jessica Ashley Events, suggested a citrus theme which was so fun to design! The florals were vibrant fuchsias, oranges, and yellows, a deviation from the typical red of an Indian wedding. We used the ghost chairs for the ceremony that looked stunning against the sunlit mountains, and the ceremony set up from the Maharaj was truly incredible. For the reception, the tables were lined with fresh-cut citrus and the barn was lit up with pinks and oranges. Rishil and I love making craft cocktails, so we decided to hand-make our drinks for both weddings and have them on tap in a vintage mobile bar! I love mezcal, so I made a passionfruit, mint, and mezcal cocktail with fresh flowers as a garnish. Rishil loves bourbon so he made a maple Old Fashioned named after our Goldendoodle puppy, Maple. For the Indian wedding, I crafted a mango gin and tonic and he mixed up a chai spiced simple syrup that went into a Moscow mule. Our guests raved about the cocktails, which made all of the muddling, steeping, and taste testing well worth it! We are also big espresso martini people, so our fantastic caterer Smokin Willy BBQ served the drink late night with an edible print of our puppy floating on top! Another labor of love was our escort display. My maid of honor and I DIYed it based on drawings from Jessica. The American wedding side was titled “Bon Appetit, Please Find Your Seat” and held recipe cards, our favors, with a treasured recipe from Rishil and me. His recipe was a watermelon cocktail and mine was a honeycrisp apple cake, and the cards were designed to match the liners from our invitation suite. The Indian wedding side of the massive board was titled “You’re My Main Squeeze” and held lemon and orange-shaped cards with guest’s table numbers on them.

During our American reception, we had Mehndi (henna) artists in the lower level of the bar so guests could take a break from dancing and get a design done. Everyone was so excited by this, and we were shocked by how many of the guys got a design done too! My parents own a classic and exotic car dealership, so we were lucky enough to be able to borrow a 1940 Ford Cabriolet to use during the wedding weekend. My Dad drove me up to the ceremony in it, he and my mom drove Rishil and me down to the reception in it, and guests got to use it for photos. For the Indian wedding, Rishil rode in it for his Baraat. We tried to incorporate a number of details into the Indian ceremony to make it special. Given it was August it was very hot out, so we served Mango and pistachio kulfi pops (a delicious Indian ice cream) as guests took their seats. As part of an Indian wedding ceremony is to take 7 steps together, each representing a part of an ideal marriage. With each step you have a couple you respect throw flowers on you to bless you, so we chose seven couples whose marriages we admire to partake in this sacred ritual. My favorite moment was the speeches. Our bridal party gave them at the rehearsal dinner, our MOH and best man gave them at the American wedding, and Rishil’s brother gave one at the Indian wedding. His was filled with some of the sweetest most authentic words we could ever ask for, and we’ll treasure that recording forever. We also loved doing the Hora dance at the beginning of the open dancing as it got the energy up and everyone on the dance floor! My favorite crafted detail was the Indian dance my bridesmaids and I performed during the Indian reception. None of us were professionals by any means, but we had the best time practicing together and it meant so much to me that they were willing and excited to do this together! My dress was a difficult decision for me and I’m thankful that my MOH and Mom were willing to go to at least 10 different boutiques to quell my fear of finding a better option (FOBO as my MOH fondly refers to it as)! After trying on dozens of gowns I found the fitted strapless style looked best on my body, and I wanted to stay away from anything with sparkle. I kept going back to this Pronovias with chantilly lace, a dramatic sheer train, and the perfect neckline. I felt like it fit the venue and my style perfectly! Our cake was a simple ivory-toned cake with fresh florals, and it truly was one of the best things I’ve ever tasted. We went with a chocolate cake and a salted-caramel buttercream; I can’t wait to eat it again on our anniversary! Our American wedding favors were the recipe cards and our Indian wedding ones were bags of our favorite Indian snacks (chevdo, chakri, etc.) for our guests to eat on the bus ride back to the hotel! If I had to offer one piece of advice to brides-to-be, it would be not to stress about making it perfect, instead, make it personal. The wedding will be incredible as long as it reflects the unique things about you and your partner. Also, hire an amazing planner, it’s worth every penny and will allow you to enjoy the event.

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You’ll Never Believe This Magnificent Italianate Palace is in the Rural Part of Virginia, Atop Mountains!

You won’t believe this Italian palazzi-inspired wedding took place in the Virginian mountains! Channeling luxurious intimacy and balancing timelessness with modernity, Fleur Avenue Events reimagined a traditional Italian wedding for this fashion-forward couple at the Swannanoa. Drama was infused into every grand detail — from the bride’s French lace cathedral veil and not one — but two — ornately-crafted gowns, to the venue’s lofty archways and artistically-styled florals. Nikki Santerre captured the ultra-chicness of the celebration with a fine-art style. Experience the splendor of this beautiful day at the full gallery!

From Nikki Santerre… Inspired by classic bridal look, epic architecture of Italian palazzi, and couture wardrobe, this editorial designed and planned by Fleur Avenue Events channeled the luxurious intimate celebration at former splendor and now decaying grandeur of Swannanoa Palace behind the modern interpretation of a traditional Italian wedding for a fashion-driven couple.

Featuring stylish ornate wedding gown, a show-stopping cathedral veil with French lace detail, lush and dramatic reception setup in between archways of the majestic Italianate summer villa, and vibrant fine art style of film photographer Nikki Santerre, modern wedding planning couples are invited to take inspiration from sumptuous iconic locations to create an elegant heirloom-driven day for their marriage celebration.

Classic Virginia Spring Wedding At The Clifton Inn

Wanting to mirror the aesthetic of a spring day, Shelby and Scott’s wedding was equal parts romantic and classic. Set in the Virginia countryside with lots of greenery, neutral blooms, and charming garden touches Sophie Felts Floral Design helped bring their wedding dreams to life. Shelby and Scott spent a great deal of time focusing on the details, and enlisted Social Graces Weddings to help them fill the day with intimate and thoughtful touches. From their custom monogram incorporated throughout various elements of the wedding, from the wax seal on the escort board to poolside pillows, to the inclusion of their newly adopted Shih Tzu, Gigi, every detail was thoughtfully curated. The love and happiness of the day shine in the artful imagery by Sidney Leigh Photography. You’ll find even more meaningful moments in the full gallery.

From Sidney Leigh Photography… Shelby and Scott met at work where Scott claimed, “love at first sight.” Although it took a little time and persistence before the two became official, they soon became inseparable. Scott proposed during dinner at The Inn at Little Washington on January 25th, 2020 a very special location to Shelby and her family as her grandparents used to frequent this remarkable place.

Charlottesville, Virginia was always a favorite destination for Shelby and Scott while living in the DC area. The rolling countryside, beautiful wineries, pristine golf courses, and charming downtown perfectly captured the vision for the wedding weekend festivities. The Clifton embodied all the characteristics that Shelby and Scott were looking for as a backdrop for their celebration. The history of the estate coupled with scenic mountain views and intimate accommodations for their immediate family and friends made their selection of the venue effortless.

The one facet of the wedding day that couldn’t be planned for was the weather, and although the rain started falling about 20 minutes before the outdoor ceremony started, both Shelby and Scott agreed that it was incredibly special to watch everyone come together to celebrate with them all the same. All in all, every inch of this Charlottesville wedding day was customized to perfectly fit Shelby and Scott as a couple, and even with the rain, it could not have been a more beautiful wedding day!

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Sidney Leigh Photography

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A Kitchen Reno that Went From Drab to SERIOUSLY!?

This might be the single most “are you serious” transformation we have ever seen. While subtly changing up the footprint, moving around cabinets and the positioning of the island, saturating the room in head to toe white and gorgeous hardware, this kitchen had a full on swan song makeover. Designed by Anna Beth Eskridge of Making Room for Peace, we are SO here for all of the pretty. Head to the end to see the incredible before and afters! Photos by We are Luke & Ashley.

Talk about serendipity and you would have to talk about the Del Ray Project. The location, the social connections and overall design process. There was a seamless workflow that was an absolute pleasure to be apart of!

While this might sounds crazy, the saying is true…”inspiration is everywhere!” So no joke, one of the very first decisions that we made was that we HAD to have these Gabby Decor counter stools! From there, the look and feel of the new kitchen began to really take shape.

When it came to the styling of the Del Ray Project, we kept the accent pieces light in color but heavy in texture! With such a bright, white kitchen we didn’t want to bring anything jarring, as it would take away from the elegance of the space; so we used a lot of materials such as worn wood (i.e. vintage cutting boards), blown glass seltzer bottles, heirloom silver trays and European apothecary jars. We also brought in special pieces that belonged to the client like a gorgeous vintage rug!

Pro Tip: We love using heirloom pieces when styling our client’s homes. In the Del Ray Project we were able to incorporate our client’s Turkish rug and vintage salt and pepper shakers. These moments, these found objects, are what really make a space feel like “home.”

Since the space isn’t incredibly large, we thoughtfully chose each piece to have meaning and purpose. To elevate the bones and provide a useable moment of beauty, from the hardware we chose to the furniture and decor. This Gabby accent table was another splurge but one that was well worth-it! The beautiful flower-shaped rim adds a softness and feminine nod to the space.

Wanting to keep the design of the room fairly simple to bring a more open feeling to the space, we incorporated the existing love-seat while also bringing in matching floor lamps and woven accent tables. This set-up really helped to create a cozy space that still provided a large enough walk-way for kitchen traffic.

We have to give a special shout-out to Moore Construction Group, who designed the layout of this space. They did a fabulous job not only creating better flow but incorporating enough storage so that every nook and cranny could be put to use. You walk into this kitchen now and feel like you can breathe (and move!).

The accent pieces within the space are absolutely beautiful, and are ones that will age well over time. The Circa Lighting pendants tie in beautifully and emphasize our goal to allow this space to age gracefully, the textiles capitalize on forever fabrics, the decor is a balance of old and new and the simple, clean palette means that food, family and love can take center stage.

BEFORE / AFTER

Brace yourselves for the incredible, full bodied before and after.

Before, the kitchen was dark and crowded, to say the least. As with most older homes, space is at a premium so one of the things that we knew would have to go was the peninsula! Not only did it make the kitchen tight but it blocked any sort of flow. We opened up that side of the kitchen and instead, installed a sleek island for more counter space and seating.

While it is our desire to create beautiful spaces, it is our goal to create those beautiful spaces that will also be functional, that will bless our clients with a life more easily lived. It’s been music to our ears to hear from Andy and Babs on how much they’ve enjoyed using their kitchen. Due to Covid (and working from home), Babs often finds herself working at the island here.

Photography: We Are Luke & Ashley | Interior Design: Making Room for Peace

In the evenings, you can bet that Andy is at stove whipping up something magical. In the months to come, as more people are vaccinated and cases continue to go down, you can bet that there will be friends and family over, eating and laughing around the island!

This Inspired Shoot Will Convince You To Have A Micro Wedding

This inspired shoot highlights everything we love about micro weddings. Just A Little Ditty planned a day that proves a more intimate guest list gives you free rein to play around with luxe touches that otherwise might have been out of budget, like extravagant welcome baskets. The florals in this feature are a feast for the eyes, all lovingly designed by Southern Blooms by Pat’s Floral Designs. Don’t miss the explosion of crisp color beautifully captured by Jen Fariello Photography. There’s even more pretty to see over in the full gallery.

From Just A Little Ditty… The initial concept was for a winter shoot full of bright colors, whimsical details, and luxe touches. Taking inspiration from the Quirk Hotel’s artistic vibe we designed a seasonally appropriate shoot that was crisp, bold, and modern.

Building a collected palette using shades from Pantone’s colors of the year, gray and yellow, we accented this foundation with neutral, pink, and metallic hues while incorporating various textures of acrylics, crystals, velvets, and wood to create a moody yet vivid aesthetic.

This petite shoot featured a ceremony with wild yet structured florals framing the altar and modern gold wire chairs, then transitioned to cocktails and mimosas, wrapping up with an intimate dinner featuring a show-stopping head table and small guest tables for two where a bountiful brunch was served.

A Whimsical Secret Garden Meets Monet’s Water Lilies Wedding

When two worlds collide the results are captivating. A powerhouse team of wedding experts came together with an original concept to create an ethereal, secret garden-inspired editorial. When they arrived on the grounds of their venue The Clifton they couldn’t help but remark on the resemblance to the painting Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies by Claude Monet. The inspiration then shifted to an event experience combining the two concepts together, which Karen Duckett Events pulled together beautifully. Inside the sailcloth reception tent florals by Floral & Bloom inspire. Each detail was artfully captured by cinematographers Deanna and Grant Harrison of Harrison Films and film photographer Hana Gonzalez of Weddings by Hana. Head to the full gallery for all of the eye-catching inspiration.

From Karen Duckett of Karen Duckett Events… We crafted a color palette of saturated greens, jade, and chartreuse as our pops of color, but wanted a softer base of taupe, cement gray, and cameo pink to allow the bolder colors to really shine. When it comes to eye-catching elements, the balance of color, texture, and detail are key to creating sensory pleasure for all those who partake in the experience.

The focus for this inspiration shoot was heavily on the tabletop details tucked away within the sailcloth tented reception space. Tabletop florals of local limelight and lace hydrangea, garden roses, dahlias, spray roses, butterfly ranunculus, campanula, delphinium, and foxglove were masterfully installed by Rachel Johnson of Floral & Bloom. On the head table, she created a way to bring the eye up by using flowers along the existing columns within the sailcloth tents and a cascading floral runner dripping down to the wooden tent floor.

We hope that the classic, sophisticated garden reception will entice couples to take a second look at the existing grounds and architecture of their chosen venue to create bespoke designs that tie back to natural elements of beauty surrounding their family and friends.

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EDEN LUXE Bridal

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Here’s Why We’re Welcoming Jewel Toned Color Palettes With Open Arms in 2021

There’s no wonder why the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia are one of the most beautiful and iconic parts of the American landscape…OR why countless couples are drawn to hosting their weddings amidst the mountains transforming with fall color. With the incredible design help of Wild Fleurette, this mid-November shoot at The Ivy Rose Barn showcases how beautiful a fall wedding can be, even after the leaves have fallen to the ground. We just can’t help but crush hard on the vibrant floral entryway that added visual interest to an otherwise simple greenhouse and the unbe-leaf-able flatlays inspired by Sugared Fig Paperie’s invitation suite. Designs like this are the reason why we’re welcoming jewel toned color palettes with open arms in 2021. Don’t miss the full gallery of captivating imagery, all taken by Nicole Colwell Photography.

From Nicole Colwell Photography… Here in the Blue Ridge Mountains couples are drawn to hosting their wedding in the fall. However, Mother Nature is moody here in SWVA. One day in October the temperature will be 85 and the next day 40 degrees and our leaves are vibrant and full for weeks at a time or a wind storm can make fall disappear over night.

With this in mind we planned an editorial in mid November to showcase how beautiful a fall wedding can be even after the leaves have fallen to the ground.

Our inspiration was driven by the natural beauty that surrounded the greenhouse. We love fall weddings but didn’t want our design to be too predictable. We decided on a more vibrant color pallet, with jewel tones, mixed with different textures and florals that are jaw dropping.

Written by Lauren Megerdichian and Carly Zumar

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Sugared Fig Paperie

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A Cherry Blossom-Inspired Spring Wedding at Pippin Hill You Just HAVE to See

If you know SMP, you know we’re biggg fans of Pippin Hill Farm – and today’s wedding planned by Just A Little Ditty might just be our favorite one yet. Coral charm peonies from Southern Blooms by Pat’s Floral Designs, floral bridesmaid dresses from Jenny Yoo and the sweetest couple of all time, I mean… can you even blame us?! If you’re looking for some inspiration to get you in the spirit of Spring, look no further. Lucky for us Rebecca Yale was there to capture every can’t-miss detail of their day – head on over to the full gallery to watch the magic unfold!

From Rebecca Yale Photography… Mechelle and Julia were married in late April at Pippin Hill in Charlottesville, VA. Mechelle is originally from Florida and Julia from Maryland and they’ve lived all over the world together, including a 2 year stint in Norway, so choosing a wedding venue was difficult, but they fell in love with the rolling hills of Virginia wine country. April is peak cherry blossom season so they decided to embrace the beautiful bloom and let it serve as inspiration for the design of the day.

Rock Paper Scissors made a custom crest using the bride’s initials and a wreath of cherry blossoms, echoing the infinity circle altar that served as their ceremony backdrop and the hoops of cherry blossoms over the head table and dance floor in the granary. The custom crest was used on the save the date, programs, menus, cocktail napkins and was even engraved onto their custom ring box and made into a sticker on their wedding favors (homemade fudge by Mechelle using her late grandmothers recipe, placed inside mugs with drawings of the two cities they’ve lived in together, Austin and Oslo).

The brides opted for a first look, but wanted it to feel a little different so decided to stand back to back to each other and hold hands so they could be close the first time they saw each other. Some other fun details of note were Mechelle’s ready-to-wear black and white Monique Lhuillier Gown and mismatched printed bridesmaids dresses from Jenny Yoo. The brides’ wrote their own vows in custom vow books, which combined their cherry blossom crest with a silhouette of one of their favorite photographs taken on top of a fjord in Norway during their engagement session.

They also used the same silhouette on the back of their cake later in the evening, which they cut out in the courtyard surrounded by their friends all holding sparklers. Mechelle and Julia honored their beloved late dog, Huck, with a photo of him on her bouquet and drawing of him on the back of each of their vow books. The brides loved the outdoor patio area of Pippin and wanted to take advantage of it as much as possible so in addition to cocktail and cake cutting they opted to have their first dance out there under the string lights before inviting their guests in to eat.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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How to Pull off the Microwedding of Your Dreams? It’s All in the Details.

Think you can’t still have the wedding of your dreams during COVID times? Enter microweddings. Today’s gorgeous shoot from Sweetly Southern Events highlights all the beauty and plus sides that come with hosting a microwedding. That downsized guest list means more room to splurge on an insta-worthy floral arch, handcrafted details and personalization at every turn. To see all the inspiration this whimsical editorial has to offer for your Big Day, head on over to the full gallery – taken by e.losinio photography!

From e.losinio photography… Combining the natural beauty and high end details, Sweetly Southern Events sought to draw out the plus side of a microwedding and highlight the beauty in a time of darkness. She designed a color palette of soft peach, blush, muted green, and gold accents. Every detail was perfectly crafted to highlight the beauty of a micro wedding; from the handcrafted stationery pieces from Tortoise Designs to the custom hand painted backdrops provided by Lindale Studios.

For the table design, Sweetly Southern Events, set an intimate table setting with a wispy blush runner that ran right down the middle of our Something Vintage Rentals’ Brentwood farm table. The couple selected high-end end Louis French-styled upholstered chairs with crisp natural linen fabric and two Carved His and Hers Chairs. Real-life couple Shanda and Jonathon were excited to celebrate their anniversary with a short vow renewal while supporting local wedding vendors in bringing this inspiration to life.

There was not a dry eye in the room as they each shared handwritten vows preserved for years to come in beautifully crafted vow books by The Art of Etiquette. The bride wore a Watters gown from Bridal Elegance which was chosen for its simple yet elegant composition. The sheer sweetheart bodice fit and flare was the perfect touch of classic yet modern. Hair and makeup were completed by the talented Styled for Elegance and Beauty by Brigid. Her bouquet, a signature piece for JR Flowers, included pops of peach, white, and blush roses. The relaxed, modern, and romantic feel of the wedding gown and bouquet reflected the personality of the bride that Sweetly Southern Events hoped to capture.

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What Happens When an Inspiring Group of Creatives Come Together for One Very Powerful Reason

We couldn’t be more honored to be able to share this influential editorial, dreamt up by Amy Marie Events – it embodies the immeasurable beauty that comes from true unity, something we ourselves are hoping to inspire and strengthen within the wedding community. Read on for Amy’s beautiful words about the heart behind the shoot – and don’t forget to check out the full gallery of inspiration, all captured by David and Tiffany Photography. This might just be one of our most special features yet here on SMP.

From Amy Marie Events… Moving to Richmond, Virginia from a small rural town in VA I expected to see a world of diversity, integration, and unity. I had dreams of finding a home where my love for people of all colors, race, way of life was embraced and encouraged, something completely the opposite of the small town I was leaving. As I began to network myself with vendors I quickly realized that the world I dreamed I would encounter in “the big city” was not much different than the world of segregation I had started my business in.

As I looked through magazines, Instagram accounts, venue brochures, and all things events I quickly realized that there were the “black venues” and the “white venues”. The majority of what I saw around me caused my world to crash and me to grow sick to my stomach. I didn’t want to be blind to the prejudices all around me. So, on a cool spring day, I reached out to a black female friend of mine in the industry and asked her if I could ask her some candid questions. As we talked and discussed the culture in which we both worked it became very apparent that everything I was seeing was certainly not a part of my imagination but VERY VERY real. I began to share with her how I desired to start a change in our culture. I wanted to start having real conversations with real vendors, both black and white and help to bridge the gap and heal the prejudices that have plagued our society and city for far too long.

I reached out to multiple venues and vendors to begin the conversations. I had a dream of creating a styled shoot that brought together vendors of different colors and backgrounds and style it at a venue that was predominantly geared toward a white demographic and see what happened. As I began to reach out and build relationships and connections the push back and red flags were blaring in my face. I knew this would be harder than I imagined. THEN, the death of George Floyd took place. The morning I woke up to see his death on my newsfeed all I could do was sob. Another innocent life taken. The country was no longer willing to be quiet, nor was I.

At that moment the fire was lit even more. I COULD NOT BE QUIET, I was not taking no for an answer and needed for the cause to be known, no matter the cost.

In just a few weeks, after many hard conversations, we had vendors and a venue who were ready to stand with me in our city and open the door for racial reconciliation. I deliberated over the color palette and design, asking from input from each vendor and the decision was made, we would keep it classic, simple and yet make a powerful statement. The power of black and white has always made a bold statement. The two exist for one another and there is true beauty in their unity.

The date was set, the details designed and now it was time to bring it all to life. Xaneya and Clay met the day of the shoot and it was as if they truly were in love and getting married. Their genuine kindness and affection were contagious and it defined the shoot, Love is Color Blind. And while they are able to see the color of each other’s skin their heart of love shone so brightly. Every detail from the backdrop over the James River to the stone of the terrace, the wild Queen Anne’s Lace lining the wedding aisle, and the composition of the tablescape complimented one another and perfectly melded the vision of the Unity of Black and White. So, while I do personally believe that this shoot is balanced, with white space, detail shots galore, breathtaking views, the vision behind this shoot is truly what makes it all “STYLE ME PRETTY WORTHY.”

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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How to Make Your Micro-Wedding Feel Artfully Curated and Timeless

If you ask us, there are million advantages to hosting a micro-wedding. What’s our favorite, you might ask? Well, besides the sheer intimacy they provide for both you and your guests, our favorite thing about micro-weddings is the ability to break boundaries throughout the curation process, in ways a traditional wedding could never. Looking for some inspiration on how to artfully curate your micro-wedding while keeping it timeless in style? Allow Elle Loren & Co to pave the way. Head on over to the full gallery, captured by Nicole Colwell Photography for all the inspiration (including all the heavenly, bright blooms from Wild Fleurette!)

From Elle Loren & Co… Micro-weddings & elopements are here to stay, and we are elated to be able to focus on a refined look that is artfully curated and feels ever so timeless. We believe in all the small details; putting together a complete flow from the dainty paper suites, that custom Susie Altzman ring (taking our breath away), and waving back at smiling poppy blooms dancing amidst the honey bees. Locally sourced flowers from family-owned farms in Virginia mingled our team of vendors organically. With a smaller guest count, the options for your ceremony location are endless.

We chose a humble wooded grove, through a ray of sunshine, almost as if the universe whispered, love is here. Styling a lush setting for our couple to share vows, we wanted to make the structure disappear with two strong foundations of greenery and blooms shooting up to surround Maddie and Mark. With our ability to really hone in on our couple, we could feel the warmth radiating from their gaze.

We were overjoyed witnessing Maddie’s groom swooning over her! Those blue eyes and statement DAISY earrings were the perfect touch. Whimsical, effortless, and glam vibes. A statement, that is tasteful and delicate. Lovers of everything floral, we let this eloquently flow into our detailed design, using handpicked elements to carefully curate every part of the design. We styled a lush palette of wild greens, yellows and a touch of the white to round out a mountain canvas nestled at Ivy Rose Barn. Our table was adorned with abundance of florals sweeping off the end. White classic ceramic tied the wooden garden chairs and wooden chargers together for a living tablescape, matching the landscape within the valley. Fluttering in a field of wildflowers with your favorite person on the best day ever.

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These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Sugared Fig Paperie

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An Elegant, Chinoiserie-Chic Wedding at the Birkby House

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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These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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This Modern Monochromatic Wedding Inspo Will Have You Rethinking That Airy Color Palette

Bye bye airy, hello monochrome! The Blush Events, Nikki Santerre Photography and The Flower Guy Bron joined forces on a styled shoot that’s here to inspire brides to add a bit of color to their inspiration boards. From crisp whites to matte blacks to velvety textures and elegant layers… modern brides – this one’s for you! Head on over to the full gallery to see why we’re crossing our fingers monochrome weddings make a major splash in 2020!

From Nikki Santerre… As a collaborative effort, the creative team wanted to demonstrate the diversity of this incredible venue, Upper Shirley Vineyard, located just outside of Richmond, Virginia. Usually a space utilized in a more classic and romantic manner, we went with a modern and monochromatic motif, with a surprising pop of matte black and a golden yellow velvet for this editorial’s details.

From Kerri of Blush Events… Golden color palette and velvet, yes please! Challenging the airy style that we know so well to bring a more dynamic, modern, style and splash of color to our dream board. We love an edge of uniqueness, while bringing a clean polish that makes each design special and one of a kind. Reaching for combinations of yellows with deep, velvet textures, pops of white modern ceramic and black accenting gold flatware gave us classic and chic tablescape.

An organic climbing Smilac wall was the perfect backdrop for bridal details. Adorned as if growing inside, surrounded by taper candles with their light bouncing off polished wooden floors for an ethereal glow. Add our model to the mix and its bridal heaven! We wanted chic, simple yet elegant dress from Urban Set Bride and hair by Emily Artistry to be a clean knot to show off the back of the dress – swoon! Of course, silk wrapped Bella Belle heels with a bow and soft tear drop jewels accented the bride’s look. We saw the Marigold Tuxedo Jacket from Black Tux and had to feature for the groom because what goes better with velvet loafers and a black bow tie if not for a pop of color. The artistry each creative partner brings to our designs guarantees our level of caliber. The day of the shoot, we always are surprised by the interpretations of our design fitting together, piece by piece, after months of prep. Flower Guy Bron brought the centerpieces coherent with our palette, and blew us away with how well the ceramic vases mixed with the menu, velvet pale tablecloth, juxtaposing the clean white backdrop with black bent wood chairs overlooking the winery, making a layered, cozy, and dainty winter look.

An Emerald Green Vineyard Wedding Complete With Meaningful Personal Touches at Every Turn

If you’re feeling stumped on ways to make your wedding feel more like you – allow this gorgeous vineyard wedding to inspire! With the help of Kate Phillips Events, this couple was able to personalize every nook and cranny of their special day – from the signature drinks to the floral arrangements, every detail was thoughtfully designed to represent a significant moment in the bride and groom’s lives. Not only was their wedding filled with sentimental touches, but it also looked absolutely stunning, too! We’re still not over their one of a kind ceremony decor adorned with blooms from Photosynthesis, bound to grace the pages of Pinterest for years to come. Head on over to the full gallery to see all the pretty – taken by Shannon Moffit Photography!

From the Bride… From the moment we started planning the wedding, we knew we wanted it to be authentically “us” in every way possible. My mother always told me growing up that “the love is in the details”, a mantra I repeated constantly throughout the planning process. As a result, all of the small touches had a tie to James and I as individuals, our relationship, and/or our families. Some of our favorite details were our signature cocktails, The Bitsy and The Gunner, lovingly named after our two dogs. While the Bitsy, a French 75, was served traditionally in a champagne coupe, the Gunner, a bourbon and ginger, was served in a glass flask with a custom label that James designed himself. In addition to these, we also had a fabulous champagne tower greeting guests as they entered the venue, which I always dreamed of as an avid champagne drinker.

Guests also saw small gold bunnies on each of the tables which were in homage to my beloved grandmother, who we affectionately call Bunny. The Irish flag, hanging next to the American flag outside of Upper Shirley, and the bagpiper greeting guests as they got off the bus, then eventually leading me to the altar and James and I back down the aisle as husband and wife were also in honor of Bunny and the Wright family’s Irish heritage, something that was very instrumental in my upbringing. Two touches I have to give all of the credit to James for are our live painter, Matt Lively, and our neon “Poole Party” sign. James searched through local Richmond Facebook groups, Reddit posts, and reached out to several friends all over Virginia when looking for a live painter to document our special day. He was finally able to find Matt Lively, and we feel so lucky! We asked Matt to paint our ceremony, as this was the most important part of our celebration, and he captured it beautifully- individually painting each and every guest. Our neon sign reflected our wedding hashtag “Poole Party” and came from a local store that deals primarily in store front signs and industrial projects. I’ll never forget the charm of walking into their offices in Richmond with James, and them telling us how fun and different the sign was for them to make and them trying to explain to us how to set it up on the big day- they don’t often work with clueless newlyweds!

In lieu of a traditional cake, James and I decided to cut an apple pie as neither of us care for cake. Ernie, the chef de cuisine at Upper Shirley, crafted the crust of the pie we cut into an image of the tree of life- one of the most spectacular things we’ve ever seen. The Tiffany and Co. Pie server we used was a gift from our friend Katie, a bridesmaid and the woman who introduced us. Guests were treated to mini apple and pecan pies in addition to cookies and cream milkshake shooters for dessert. Our outfits were also each accented with special touches. James’ tuxedo liner was a collage of cigar wrappers and this was carried through the outfit into his shoes, Stubbs and Wooton slippers, that had a cigar on one shoe and a glass of scotch on the other. If you couldn’t tell that James enjoys cigars, it could also be seen in our cigar and bourbon bar! This was a must-have for James and his father, who always enjoy a nice glass of bourbon and a cigar whenever they are together. James also wore his late Grandfather Jim’s watch, a gift that was given to James by his Grandmother Judy when he passed away. I wore my mother’s diamond earrings, and my Grandmother Bunny’s emerald and diamond bracelet on the day of. Apart from being my favorite gemstone and favorite color, the green emerald coordinated with all of the deep greens we used in our wedding. Last, but certainly not least, were the presence of tulips both in the wedding and in our invitations. Growing up, my father frequently traveled to Amsterdam and would always bring me back wooden tulips and tulip bulbs for my garden, solidifying them as my favorite flowers for life. James later asked me to marry him in the middle of a tulip field at the Kukenhoff Gardens in Amsterdam, when the tulips were in full bloom. He proposed with a ring that my beloved grandmother, Bunny, had given him for the occasion just one month before, and a book of letters written by our best friends and family congratulating us. James maintains that traveling internationally with a diamond ring is one of the scariest things he will ever do. We rented a house boat that was parked on a canal in downtown Amsterdam for this trip, and I had been in a sour mood the morning of the proposal because James had insisted on this lodging choice, while I wanted to be in a hotel. I quickly forgave him when we returned from the Kukenhoff Gardens, newly engaged, and the whole boat was decorated with tulips and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, my favorite champagne, that my 3 best friends had sent us, sat in an ice bucket. Needless to say, having tulips apart of the wedding, even in November, was essential!!

Favorite Moments:

Truth be told, our whole reason for having a wedding was to celebrate our union with those that we love most. When discussing what we saw in a wedding, James and I (very briefly) talked about eloping. This was quickly shut down, however, because we both knew part of the importance of professing our love to each other, would be professing it in front of our friends and family. This was echoed in our large bridal parties- each of us had 9 attendants that were a mixture of family and friends from every stage of our life, from kindergarten through graduate school. To avoid it looking like too much of a wall on either side of us, we opted to have our bridesmaids and groomsmen sit down, front row, during the ceremony while my maid of honor, my sister Cara, and James’ best man, his best friend Seth, stood next to us. It felt so great to have all of those special people have a perfect view as we said our vows. One thing James and I agreed upon immediately was that we wanted a live band. When we each pictured our wedding receptions, after the sanctity of the ceremony had concluded, we both envisioned a big party where we would be able to let loose with our nearest and dearest. Kustom Made quickly made all of these dreams come true for us and more. From the moment they played the first couple of notes, as they lead guests into the reception space from our cocktail hour, we knew we had made the right decision by hiring them. Their interaction with each other and the audience was unbeatable and I’ll never forget me and my bridesmaids being on stage singing “Proud Mary” after James and his groomsmen had been led in a fabulous rendition of “My Girl”. Their music selection made it so everyone, no matter their age, was able to get up and dance and this allowed for a spectacular moment where James, Bunny (my grandmother who is 92 years old), and I did a three way tango in the middle of the dance floor.

Romantic Vintage Inspired Christmas Home Tour

This glamorous Christmas home tour is the perfect way to kick off our holiday season! The neutral color palette, vintage detail (we’re talking personalized vintage channel-quilted velvet stockings, people) and gorgeous use of greenery all come together to create a romantic, chic holiday look.

Christmas is the most magical time of the year and I always strive to create a home that reflects that. This year I was inspired by the memories of my childhood Christmas at my grandparents. My grandmother always had a gorgeous variety of fresh greenery and floral and on every surface there would be a flower arrangement fit for a wedding. As a young decorator in the making, just seeing the house perfectly staged on Christmas Eve excited me more than the thought of presents. The glowing lights, perfectly wrapped gifts that coordinated with each year’s decor, bows that had to take hours to make, delicately placed Christmas china with personally written name tags. Every detail created memories that I’ll never forget. And It’s those thoughtful details that I wanted to incorporate in my own home this year.

Our Christmas tree is layered with soft gold ribbon and ivory lace, along with white berries, floral, and eucalyptus. My ornaments are a combination of gold and silver mercury glass and a collection of Lenox ornaments passed down from my grandmother who has collected them for the past 30 years. My wrapping paper is gold and ivory toile mixed with textured ivory ribbon and beige buffalo check ribbon. I always use the gifts as part of the decor and never feel like my tree is complete without them

The mantel is one of my favorite parts of the space with it’s garland of mixed greenery and snow flocked floral and wreath to coordinate. The embroidered channel quilted velvet stockings are subtle, but with the ribbons of lace, they bring romance and charm. I sewed the holiday stag pillows out of napkins because I fell in love with the pattern. I love how they look combined with the beige fawn pillows and ivory knit throw. A warm, glowing fire and candles throughout make the space feel cozy and inviting. And with the classic Christmas music in the background, you won’t ever want to leave. I may not be able to make it home for my grandmothers Christmas this year, but I know we’ll create special memories of our own with the help of the traditions she has started.

The bedroom is often a space that gets neglected or forgotten during the holiday seasons, so this year I wanted to make it into something special. What started as me dreaming of a white Christmas soon became something much more. With just a subtle touch of sage tones, soft golds, and florals, the space evolved into a romantic and elegant retreat. I used a variety of greenery to give the space a cozy Christmas feel. Along the top of the canopy bed lies several layers of lightly flocked garland and throughout the room, you’ll see eucalyptus, lambs ear, and frosted cedar.

The tree is decorated with a mix of ivory florals, gold leaves, silk ribbon, and beaded ornaments. I layered a chunky knit throw blanket with other textures like my linen duvet, velvet pillows, and white fur runner along the bench. Candlelit sconces and Christmas lights make the space glow and create the perfect setting for the Holidays. At the end of the day, I can’t wait to cuddle up in my bedroom, read a book, and admire the dreamy ambiance.

Photographer: Courtney Davey | Interior Decorator: Courtney Davey

Soft, Sun-Kissed & Fluttering Florals Will Have You Craving Warm Weather Again, Already!

As we get into the colder weather months, here on the East Coast, this inspiration shoot, planned and designed by Blush Events already has me daydreaming of warmer days! Taking place at Agecroft Hall in Richmond, VA with a ‘boss babe’ list of vendors, romance along with a bride frolicking through the gardens made up for this sun-kissed shoot, shot by Kim Stockwell Photography! With a simple tablescape crafted of pastel plates and soft, blush blooms by Wild Fleurette, every detail came together and has us thinking of those warmer months already! So, go ahead and take a look and hug that blanket a little tighter!

From Blush Events…Editorial shoots are what happens when we get to play with our favorite colleagues in this niche industry of Richmond, Virginia. Creating the eye candy of the season’s style layered with timeless details is so rewarding to communicate on brand. Working alongside our team of boss babe vendors, precisely conveying our vision to represent a snapshot of everything Blush Events.

Wild Fleurette brought an organic, soft, and fluttering floral vibe. This was essential. We used a combination of greens and delicate blooms, while also keeping a minimalist look. Make way for dogwood, butterfly ranunculus, lisianthus, and sweet pea bliss. We strive for the natural pallet, designing movement for flowers to speak for themselves, a look that’s effortlessly beautiful.

The Elizabethan Gardens are a symmetrical setting for a ceremony, of the 16th century Historic Tudor Estate, Agecroft Hall. The views, manicured landscape, charm of climbing ivy archways and stone balcony, radiate off our model. Making an intentional oasis in something already spectacular, was an enticing feat. The ceremony framed the estate’s unique exterior rich patterned paneling. Paisley & Jade’s Linden chairs blended with the aisle lined florals as if intentionally growing on either side of the rows. The cohesive flow of the invitation suite reflects the blue hues and soft grey of order and opulence!

The bridal style accomplished a natural and soft look for makeup, highlighting a sun-kissed glow. The dress inspiration needed to reflect ethereal and dreamy, bridal being minimal and delicate. The silk dress and lace bolero made two seamless looks, both complementing the bride and the grounds.

Fine Art photography was essential to capture the beauty of the venue and the decisive components that embellished the greenery backdrops for an ethereal glow. The breeze throughout the day created shadows off the flowers on the tables-cape. Kim Stockwell also shot in film which was a huge treat! The collection leans into the dancing rays capturing the ambiance for a warm blanketed look surrounding the shoot.

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A Ceremony Entrance on Horseback, a Pottery Decorated Boxwood Garden, and a Miniature Pony Processional – Yup, This Is a Real Wedding.

Listen up, folks. We’ve seen a lot of weddings here at SMP – it’s been over a decade so you’d think we could safely say “we’ve seen it all”. Well, today’s wedding hit us with a big fat “nope!” as every inch of this day is truly unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. There are so many words we could use to explain this wedding planned by Kate Phillips Events with blooms by Photosynthesis – whimsical, enchanted, ethereal, floral-filled, animal obsessed… completely and utterly unique, but we figured it’d be best to see for yourself at the full gallery – taken by Shannon Moffit Photography!

From Shannon Moffit Photography… Emy and Jaime are an adventurous couple currently living in Los Angeles. The two share a love for travel, art, and hiking, so it was only fitting that they got engaged on the top of an Aspen Art Museum and planned to travel across the country for their wedding. Emy’s family owns a beautiful property in Virginia on the James River, a well-known wedding venue, Upper Shirley Vineyards. When it came time for Emy and Jamie to plan their own wedding, there was no question that the pair would host a destination wedding on the water in front of Emy’s childhood home.

Some of the most memorable moments of the day include the bride’s ceremony entrance on horseback, a quaint cocktail hour in a ceramic pottery decorated boxwood garden, and a miniature pony processional to the reception. Many guests gasped as they walked into the reception space that was transformed into an indoor garden. There were black and white plates and flatware set on green velvet tablecloths. In the center of each table were unique floral arrangements situated in large beds of moss. Also, a custom hanging installation of greenery drew eyes to the ceiling. Other unique details… Custom horse opener gifts, family style charcuterie boards, a hand painted cake that looked like a living Monet painting, and homemade donuts covered in edible flowers. There was definitely no shortage of flowers at this whimsical garden wedding.

From Kate Phillips Events…When I first spoke to Emy and Jamie, it became a priority to put together a wedding day design that would compliment their artistic and whimsical style. One of the first elements of inspiration came from a Dutch Master’s floral painting that hung in their home. We incorporated similar types of colorful, loose, and wild floral arrangements with contrasting black and white chargers and candles. Once it all came together, it felt very true to their whimsical garden vision with subtle glam accents. The invitation suite featured a custom illustration of the bride’s childhood home (also the location of the ceremony) and a custom watercolor crest by Empress Stationery. One of the highlights of the day was the couple’s waterfront ceremony, framed by a birch chuppah covered in colorful blooms by Photosynthesis Floral Design.

From the beginning, Emy wanted to incorporate her love of horses into her wedding, so we arranged for her to make a grand entrance on horseback. After the ceremony, guests were invited to enjoy cocktails in the boxwood garden, featuring the family’s heirloom blue and white vases. We added a touch of glam the the decor by incorporating beautiful embroidered linens from La Tavola Fine Linen. The garden theme was woven into every facet of the day, including the custom menu–Chef de Cuisine Ernie LaBrecque incorporated edible flowers into spring rolls and house-made rosé donuts. Mini horses led guests through the hidden garden to Upper Shirley Vineyards, and were greeted by the couple in a carriage pulled by a team of white horses.

For the reception, we wanted to transform the space into a wildflower garden. Greenery hung the length of the room, with accent candles to draw guest’s eyes up. Moss green velvet linens set the base of the table tops and textural moss and blooms ran down the center of the tables. We wanted it to feel as if the blooms were growing naturally. Gathering around the table, sharing a meal, and drinking wine evokes such a sense of togetherness, so for the first course we wanted to hone in on that feeling by offering a shared first course. Charcuterie boards were nestled into the centerpiece design, paired with the vineyard’s award winning wine. The cake, by Kadi Bakes, was an artistic site to behold. The custom flavor and design was inspired by the bride’s favorite wine and love of art. Infused with Upper Shirley Vineyards Sparkling Rosé, this was truly a one-of-a-kind wedding cake.