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A Peachy Pink Swedish-American Disco in Coastal Virginia


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From the beginning, the couple knew they wanted a white-to-beige base color palette bursting with touches of pink, peach, and orange. Virignia Beach-based florist The Wandering Petal was the main vendor assigned to really nail the color pops along with the bridal attendants’ mix of gowns.

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Mix together the band ABBA, an early summer garden, an Aperol Spritz, and a black tie dress code. What do you get? This wedding. Disco balls, colorful blooms, and a party atmosphere took front stage for this country club fête. The Sweden-based couple wanted to transform the groom’s hometown of Virginia Beach into a European-focused party town; we think we accomplished that with vim to spare.

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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]A clean, a-line, square neck gown is an easy way to infuse modern tradition with classic silouhettes. It complimented the more wild, colorful nature of the bouquet as well as stood out among the array of patterned and textured bridesmaid dresses.[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Matching bridesmaid dresses are a thing of the past; today’s bridesmaids are given instructions to select their own gowns given a set of parameters. This wedding was no different with gowns ranging from solid hot pinks to patterned tiered yellows. It all ended up being a great match to the floral recipes as well as an excellent pairing aside the men’s classic tuxedos.[/field]
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One Swedish tradition that the couple wanted to bring to the United States was the longer, multi-course dinners that happen on wedding evenings. For this particular wedding, we worked with Princess Anne Country Club to create a stunning three course meal comprised of a crab Napoleon stack, filet mignon with pasta primavera, and passed cake slices with coffee. Between courses, guests were served wine and treated to different speeches and activities from the Swedish hosts, known as toastmasters.

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For this wedding, we attempted and succeeded in doing something Princess Anne Country Club hadn’t seen previously: a tented wedding. All newlyweds-to-be elect to hold their reception in the club’s ballroom. However, we raised the bar and figured out how to hold their wedding in a tent on the grounds a couple of blocks from the Atlantic Ocean. With rentals from Curated Events, Astro Entertainment, Stage Right Lighting, and BBJ La Tavola, we executed their initial vision with precision from the tent entrance draping to the haning disco balls to the linen selection. The florals played the largest role in bringing color to complete our clear top tent goals.

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The wedding cake from Custom Cake Shoppe was a classic three-tier with a gluten free version off to the side. Blooms were added to accentuate the cake, and the cake slices were passed to each guest during the final course of the evening’s dinner.

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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]

One highlight of the evening was the couple’s first dance following the final course of dinner and parent dances. In coordination with Amber Justine Events and the couple’s DJ, DJ Cuban of Zandi Entertainment, the groom surprised all guests by serenading the bride with the first verse of Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”. They switched to dancing with guests literally standing in their seats and cheerings. From there, all the guests joined the dance floor for the end of the song, kicking off the rest of the epic evening.

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[field title=”Special Detail #1″]One new-to-us element of the wedding was the introduction of Swedish toastmasters, which are pre-determined guests that act as hosts for the evening. The verdict? We loved it. The toastmasters took over all announcements from cocktail hour to the end of dinner service. From welcoming guests to explaining Swedish traditions to humorous little quips between courses (including a Michael Jackson dance-off session in a silver jumpsuit), they were the life of the party.[/field]
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Disco balls took the literal center stage during this wedding. Guests entering the tent from cocktail hour were greeted with three escort mirror “walls” designed by creative The Native Lion. On the mirrors were suctioned mini disco balls and escort cards for guest to take and keep. Inside the clear top tent, we focused attention on the hanging elements such as rustic chandeliers and a cluster of greenery with disco balls over the dance floor. ABBA vibes were the goal, and the disco balls helped us to achieve it.

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This five-hour wedding included copious dancing via Zandi Entertainment after dinner service was complete. European disco was the vibe, which meant maximizing party time and going until midnight with transportation to an after party to follow in the wee hours. And a party it was – light up viking helmets to honor the bride’s ancestry, silver kitten ears thrown into the crowd, a mix of Swedish and American favorites, and lighting effects to rival the best clubs in Europe. It was a party to end all parties!

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Photography: Danielle Defayette Photography | Cinematography: Fredericks Photo & Films | Event Planning: Amber Justine Events | Floral Design: The Wandering Petal | Cake: Custom Cake Shoppe | Invitations: Jacobson Fine Papers & Gifts | Ceremony Venue: First Presbyterian Church of Virginia Beach | Reception Venue: Princess Anne Country Club | DJ: Zandi Entertainment | Men's Attire: Suit Supply | Beauty: Haley Kurtze | Rentals: Curated Events | Rentals: Astro Entertainment | Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: The Native Lion | Rentals: Stage Right Lighting

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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

Glamping Themed Baby Shower

Camping? Not a huge fan, but glamping I can certainly get behind. The ladies of Isha Foss Events + Antonia Christianson Events crafted a gorgeous glamping themed shower for their friend and mama-to-be. Boasting a tee pee gift area, a kayak full of goodies and hearty “cowboy food”, this shower is perfect for celebrating a little baby boy on the way and his gorgeous mama too. See even more captured by Echard Wheeler in the VAULT.

Michelle Kilgore, our honored guest, is a dear industry friend of shower hosts, Antonia and Marcy and an amazing mommy to be! She is a “retired” wedding planner, and together with her husband Jeremy, they own Blue Steel Lighting. Coastal Virginia (and beyond’s) go to event lighting and production company. To say that baby JTK is a miracle is an understatement. After nearly 2 decades together and almost as long trying to conceive a baby, their bundle of joy is finally almost here! The much anticipated birth of baby JTK is one that the wedding and event industry has rallied around, embraced and prayed for. When it was announced that Michelle and Jeremy had a viable pregnancy, Marcy and Antonia knew that this baby (and his parents) would need to be celebrated! And Celebrate they did!

A fun glamping theme was chosen, as a way to embrace both the fun of an upcoming baby boy, but also the femininity of Michelle. (And boy is she gorgeous!) Isha Foss created a gorgeous teepee gift area for Michelle to be spoiled in, and the full camping inspired menu that Chef John created was absolutely delicious! Guests enjoyed cake pops from Patti Cakes, and Michelle got to indulge in gluten free deserts as well! Something that she gave up while trying to conceive baby J. The fun mix of patterns on the Waterford Event Rental linens went gorgeously with the awesome camp inspired centerpieces and wooden details, including the “Camp JTK” sign that now hangs above the babies nursery!

It was an amazing reason for the industry to come together! The most fun memory from the shower was the game. Each guest had a quarter sheet of paper to hold behind their back, and they had one minute to tear out the shape of a baby, without looking. Every one was crying from laughing so hard. Such a fun memory!

Photography: Echard Wheeler Photography | Design: Isha Foss Events | Planner: Antonia Christianson Events | Cake: Patti Cakes | Stationery: RSVP Stationery | Catering: Chef By Design | Venue: The Water Table | Linens: Waterford Event Rentals

Elegant Great Gatsby Wedding in Virginia Beach

The luxury and general aura of the roaring 20’s often serves as inspiration for many weddings, but this beaming couple Did. It Right. With an art-deco inspired invitation suite, ostrich feathers accenting the arrangements and Bride’s hair, and some seriously beautiful custom signage, the opulence of this affair was perfectly captured by Michael and Carina Photography in the full gallery right here!

From Michael and Carina Photography… This is inspiration galore—a Great Gatsby wedding at its most beautiful.

Guests in flapper dresses and head pieces, chandeliers, extravagant florals and a bride in a sparkly wedding dress. Everything was meticulously styled by Emily Weddings.

Red lips and a sophisticated updo were a must. And the feathers in the bridal bouquet and the table center pieces fit the theme perfectly. The guests were welcomed with cocktails and an art deco painting of the bride and groom. The Metropolitan Players entertained with a variety of hits that kept the mood swinging as if it were a party thrown by Gatsby himself.

Jessica and Jack celebrated with their friends and family at the Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club in Virginia Beach. Their last bride and groom portraits were taken with the green Gatsby light surprising them from behind across the lagoon. The stylish couple made their big exit in a 1920s car.

Photography: Michael And Carina Photography | Cinematography: A Vision Quest Production | Floral Design: Isha Foss Events | Wedding Dress: Sottero And Midgley | Wedding Cake: Patti Cakes | Ceremony Venue: St Gregory The Great | Reception Venue: Cavalier Golf & Yacht Club | Makeup : Makeup By Kim Porter | Hair: Hair By Alice | Band: Metropolitan Players | Event Coordination & Styling: Emily Weddings | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Lighting & Design: Blue Steel Lighting | Photo Booth: Boardwalk PhotoBooth Company

Virginia Beach Anniversary Session With Fur Babies

You know what makes an anniversary session even better?  Fur babies.  Three crazy cool pups who know a thing or two about being adorable.  Add that brood of awesome to a couple of gorgeous sweethearts celebrating their first year of marriage and it’s what we call the perfect jump start to the weekend.  See it all captured beautifully by Michael And Carina Photography right here.

From Michael And Carina Photography… Ashley and Jeremy are a couple of extremely talented photographers/videographers themselves. To celebrate their first year of marriage, we met them in Virginia Beach for an anniversary session with their three pups! They were proudly wearing flower crowns and showing off their latest tricks. We loved watching them forget about the cameras and just enjoying their time together!

Photography: Michael And Carina Photography | Floral Design: Studio Posy | Makeup: Sarah Rillon Makeup Artist | Event Venue: Holly Ridge Manor | Film Lab: The Find Lab | Wardrobe: Lulu's

Virginia Beach Wedding at Bayville Golf Club

When modern styling meet a gorgeous traditional wedding like this one, I always take note. It’s perfectly fresh, yet filled with timeless touches that will never go out of style. With floral design from Isha Foss Events and images from Jen And Ashley Photography, it goes without saying this gallery is gorg.

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From Antonia Christianson EventsKristin and Mark were awesome to work with. They were trusting of each vendor and truly wanted to make a memorable event for their loved ones. Guests traveled from as far as Turkey, and as close as the neighborhood that Kristin grew up in to celebrate with this fantastic couple. From the engagement, Kristin and her mom Karen, carefully chose their wedding vendors with those that they thought would best fit their wedding vibe. Due to Mark’s military orders, he was based nearly 3000 miles away from the planning, but he still made sure to stay involved with the details that mattered most.

It was an easy decision that the ceremony would take place in the sprawling home of Kristin’s family, and the reception at Bayville Golf Club, a local private country club, with a gorgeous clubhouse and back lawn. Each detail that was planned was diligently thought out and perfectly executed.
The overall aesthetic and flow were key discussion points throughout the planning of the wedding. Floral Designer, Isha Foss, was brought on board to create a gorgeous blue, white and silver masterpiece. The all-white ceremony, was stunning against blue water as the bride and grooms backdrop. Pop Culture Strings played a myriad of musical tunes for the guests to enjoy before Kristin walked out of her parents’ home to greet Mark at the altar. After the ceremony guests were shuttled over to the Bayville Golf club for a modern, sophisticated cocktail hour while waiting for the reception to begin. Once guests made their final move of the evening into the tented reception space they were sure to notice the stunning blue and white floral arrangements, custom draped tent, and the multitude of different silver and gray linens that dressed each guest table. Caterer, Cuisine and Company, created a menu that included options such as Filet Mignon, Grilled Rockfish, Ahi Tuna Bites, even garlic French fries and warm pretzel bites for a late night snack. Guests were also able to enjoy an attended cappuccino bar and a delicious (And swoon-worthy) cake creation by PattiCakes, Inc.

As a planning firm, there were many details that stand out in the forefront of our mind, really, too many to name, but if we were guests at this wedding we definitely would have been astounded by the number of things that were created to make sure that the guests really savored each moment, and made new friends in the process. Our most favorite detail of the entire wedding weekend was the custom made lapel pins that Kristin and Mark had created with the help of, Atlanta Based, Sweet Peach Stationery. Each pin had a brief word or statement that evoked some sort of memory for each guest. It was an amazing way for guests to get to know each other, ask questions of new friends and really mingle. A few other details included, a gorgeous “S” neon lit monogram that sat behind a guest bar at dinner, beautiful stationery from RSVP Stationery and a ten foot long “Kristin and Mark” sign that hung above the cake table, from Pit Bulls and Posies.

Kristin and Mark were a joy to work with. Their families loved them as much as they love each other. No leaf was unturned when it came to celebrating their guests as much as they celebrated their love. It was an honor to help create this marvelous event.

Photography: Jen And Ashley Photography | Planner: Antonia Christianson Events | Floral Design: Isha Foss Events | Wedding Dress: Modern Trousseau | Cake: Patti Cakes | Stationery: RSVP Stationery | Catering: Cuisine & Co. | Hair And Makeup: Dupres | Calligraphy: Coastal Calligraphy | Lighting: Blue Steel Lighting Design | Entertainment: Pop Culture Strings And Rhythm 6 | Favors: Just Cupcakes | Transportation: James River Transportation | Transportation: Royal Coach | Acrylic Name Plate: Amber Moon | Aisle Runner: The Original Aisle Runner Company | Cinema: Jeremy Mitchell Cinema | Club: Bayville Golf Club | Lapel Pins: Sweet Peach Stationery | Men's Pampering: Jake’s Place | Neon Sign: Signet Signs | Photo Booth: Boardwalk PhotoBooth Company | Rentals: Distinctive Event Rentals | Wedding Dress Boutique: Ava Clara Couture

SMP Destination Welcomes Our Advertisers

You know how to make your Saturday infinitely more amazing?  Spend the day daydreaming about Virginia Beach, the dazzling East Coast destination that offers a plethora of fabulous (+ oh-so-beautiful) venues for your Big Day.  I’m talking everything from the traditional (here’s looking at you, Cavalier Hotel) to the contemporary (hello Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art) with 38 miles of waterfront property and 17 miles of pristine beaches, just in case you’ve always dreamt of that beautiful “toes in the sand” wedding.  Even better?  This magical destination is joining our SMP family, so you have an entire weekend to get to know them.  And, really, is there a better way to spend a Saturday and Sunday?

From Virginia BeachVirginia Beach offers brides and grooms a “Beach Wedding Permit” that creates a private setting by reserving a location along the sand, closed to the general public for up to three hours, for $200. Couples may also set up ceremony elements such as arches, temporary fencing or seating and may use amplified sound at a reasonable decibel level. The permit must be obtained by the City of Virginia Beach Special Events and Film Office. (Many other beach destinations do not offer this type of permit.)

Virginia Beach is the perfect destination for a wedding, receptions and honeymoon vacation. We are the only beach on the East Coast that allows you to pick the exact spot where you want to say vows, we offer reception venues that accommodate all types of brides and grooms… and for honeymooners we have beach activities designed for couples! From relaxing ocean-side to learning how to surf together, Virginia Beach is a well-rounded honeymoon destination.

For those brides who are more traditional, Virginia Beach offers many venues perfect for the traditional wedding ceremony and reception…

Virginia Beach Convention Center – Enjoy the elegance of the ballroom or amazing ocean view from the tower. The Virginia Beach Convention Center offers more than 500,000 gross square feet of space that can comfortably accommodate groups of any size. 

Cavalier Hotel – The Cavalier was opened in 1927 and reined throughout the Big Band era. Today, couples can choose to have a ceremony or reception at the stunning grand foyer of the original Cavalier on the Hill or plan a large, oceanfront wedding in the Beach Club at the more contemporary Cavalier Oceanfront. 

The Founders Inn – Exchange vows amid the elegance of grand Georgian architecture surrounded by the beautifully landscaped English Gardens. During the honeymoon, enjoy a variety of treatments including a couple’s massage at the Flowering Almond Spa, located on the property. 

Virginia Beach also offers many non-traditional venues for those looking for a different type of wedding…

Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) – Houses several galleries, a 268-seat auditorium and a grand atrium perfect for nuptial events. Its modern style and art creates a dramatic backdrop for a wedding. 

Military Aviation Museum – Enjoy a ceremony or reception with a little history at the home of one of the largest private collections of vintage military airplanes in the world. 

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center – Enjoy an intimate sit-down dinner for 20 or an elegant reception for 2,000. Choose a menu based off the Sensible Seafood program. A portion of each rental-fee is tax-deductible and helps support the aquarium’s animal care and conservation programs. 

Sandler Center for the Performing Arts – Located at the Virginia Beach Town Center, the performing arts venue offers a Grand Lobby with two staircases and beautiful chandeliers in the center of the atrium as well as an outdoor plaza with amazing views of the city block. 

Virginia Beach boasts 38 miles of waterfront property, with a total of 17 miles of beach that are free and open to the public.

The Virginia Beach resort area offers a 3-mile long boardwalk that stretches from 1st Street to 40th Street. Be sure to stop by one of Virginia Beach’s most popular photo op spots – the King Neptune statue located on the boardwalk at 31st Street overlooking Neptune’s Park.

If you’re seeking a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere, try Chicks Beach on Virginia Beach’s north end, or Sandbridge, located on Virginia Beach’s southern shore, boasting beautiful rental homes, cottages and a serene atmosphere. Both of these areas are popular for nuptial exchanges.

Virginia Beach offers more than 18,600 acres of state parks and wildlife refuges to give visitors a variety of landscapes for exploring the great outdoors.

For the military Bride & Groom, Virginia Beach has options for active, retired, Reservist, National Guard or Department of Defense civilians.

The Cape Henry Inn and Beach Club boasts spectacular beachfront property that creates the perfect backdrop for your wedding, with the dual Cape Henry Lighthouses nearby.  

The Chapel by the Sea (Dam Neck Annex ) was built in 1989. This contemporary lakeside chapel is nestled among pines and joins lakeside trails, serving as a safe haven and scenic refuge for sailors and families alike.

Shifting Sands Beach Club & Seabreeze Beach Club are both located on Dam Neck Annex and have professional staff on hand to provide for your special catering needs, weddings, dinner parties, hail and farewells, dining in/dining outs and cookouts.

For more information please visit the Virginia Beach website.

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Welcome to the family, Virginia Beach!  We are so happy to have you! xo

Sponsored-Post

Virginia Beach Wedding by Cat Thrasher Photography

I’m just going to begin by telling you that I am full-on OBSESSED with this stunning Virginia Beach wedding, so you can prepare yourselves for some major gushing – starting NOW.  Yep, this darling duo seriously set the bar with their crazy talented DIY skills, oh-so-chic style sense and downright cuteness – and I’m promoting myself to #1 fan.  All captured brilliantly by Cat Thrasher Photography, there’s not a single glorious second that isn’t pure L.O.V.E.  Click here for all of the pretty.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… We wanted to have a gathering of our friends and family in a very intimate, whimsical and relaxed place. We just wanted everyone to have a good time, not worry about what they were wearing and just eat, dance and play! It was very important that our guests feel the freedom that Fair Winds Farm was so generous to share with us. It’s a horse farm on Knotts Island, where chickens and horses run free. The horses are let out of their pens so that they can run, explore and be horses! It was about being natural and care-free. The horses, un-coaxed, made our bride and groom portraits look like a Disney movie. One of them came up between us and rested its head on our clasped hands! Then it proceeded to try to eat Cappy’s boutonniere. The venue couldn’t have been more perfect for all of this to happen, and to top it all off, there was a meteor shower the whole night, so there was a plethora of shooting stars. I think that’s why Cat was such the perfect choice to document our wedding. She used film as well as digital. She really understood what our aesthetic was, and the film came out wonderful. Everything was magical and glowing.

A lot of our cakes and desserts were made by friends and family, with the exception of the pies and cookies. Even our wedding cake was made by our good friend. We wanted a large table devoted to desserts — all types to satisfy anybody! Almost everything was DIY, with the exception of the caterers and rentals — even the wedding planner was my father. The bridesmaids found all their dresses on Etsy themselves, and we did each others’ hair and makeup. They also did all the centerpieces for the tables. All of the paper pom-poms were made by my bridesmaids and my mother’s friends. They worked so hard we actually had a ton left over! Our photo booth was also done by our good friend Greg Bethmann. Our party favors were pint glasses with a design printed on them and were made by one of the groomsmen, Mickael Broth. He made a “family crest,” which showcased our Frenchie Napoleon, a toothbrush and paintbrush since Cappy’s a dentist and I’m an artist. My ceremony and reception dress were made by a long-time friend, Jane Henry. She now works at Brochu Walker, but she made the time and performed miracles to make me stunning. The dresses were designed and made by her. She was so patient during fittings, and it was incredible to bounce ideas back and forth between us.

Our wedding could not have happened without the help and support of our families and friends. The same with our marriage — it’s the strong support and love from them that gives us our strength in our own relationship. It only made sense that the whole day be about all of us, not just the bride and groom, but as much about friends and family as it was about us.

Wedding Photography Cat Thrasher Photography / Wedding Venue: Fair Winds Farm on Knotts Island in Virginia Beach, Virginia / Floral Design: Greenbrier Florist / Wedding Planning: The Bride’s Father / Catering: Creative Catering of Virginia / Pies: Flour Child Bakery / Cookies: Lenora Belle Cookies and Cakes / Wedding Cake: A Friend of the Couple / Cake Toppers: RoyalMint / Tent: Distinctive Event Rentals / Party Favor Glasses: Mickael Broth (A Friend of the Couple) via Arton Products / Photo Booth: Greg Bethmann (A Friend of the Couple) / Table Centerpieces + Pom-Poms: DIY / Wedding Dress: Jane Henry (A Friend of the Bride) / Bride’s Headpiece: LaCocoRouge / Bride’s Jewelry: tundradear / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Various Etsy Vendors / Bridesmaids’ Boots: Tretorn / Hair + Makeup: DIY / Groom’s Suit: John Varvatos / Groomsmen’s Suits: J.Crew

Virginia Beach, Virginia Outdoor Wedding

I hope you aren’t on wedding overload quite yet because we are only halfway through today’s lineup and it just keeps getting better and better. Take for instance this cute couple from Virginia who had a lovely outdoor soiree packed to the gills with vibrant color and fun details and get this, the bride designed EVERYTHING. She is an aspiring wedding planner and I think she may have found her niche. Check out the gallery for more from this color-packed day straight from the camera of Catie’s Photography.

see more of the festivities here!

We really wanted our wedding to be creative, unique, modern, yet charming with a slightly laid back approach. As a designer, I thought about every little detail and knew much of the event would be DIY. My love of brightly colored patterns is what lead me to find a few Kaffe Fasset fabrics. These inspired the design and details for the day. Our color palette was predominantly black and white, with pops of red, purple, magenta and chartreuse green. A wedding coordinator was not in our budget, so I knew I would be wearing the bride and planner “hat”! Finding the right outdoor location for the ceremony and reception was so important to us. Dave and I first met on the beach in our neighborhood, a small community located on the Chesapeake Bay. We spent so much time together here -enjoying the beach, the quaint restaurants, building friendships with our neighbors, sharing bike rides. Knowing we didn’t want a beach wedding, we noticed our neighbor’s home more and more as a venue option. Once we had the approval, we knew it was the perfect location!

Many of our guests had not met before, and I wanted everyone to feel like they were part of one huge family. We created a table, which included framed photos of Dave and I as children, our families, and bridal party members. Guests wrote messages, and attached strips of photos in a custom guest book I found from Kolo. The black and white classic photo booth was our splurge, as it had to be driven from New Jersey for the event. The homeowner had lots of lush outdoor plants that I incorporated into the lounge and reception area. Decorative ceramic lanterns and candle holders were scattered throughout. I spray-painted old containers, and borrowed some vintage milk glass for potted plants. I also used my grandparents’ vintage chairs to create a smaller lounge area. Our guests were greeted at the reception with fresh purple mojitos, Purple Mojo’s, (we named them)! I made the purple simple syrup and our friends helped pre-mix and muddle the limes and mint beforehand. Towards the end of the evening, the servers passed around Slice ‘o Lime Shooters, which were lime slices filled with vodka and lime jell-o. My mother and friends helped to make these a couple nights before the wedding! We must have cleaned out 100 limes!

The day was so special to Dave and I because we were able to share it with our families, and friends in the neighborhood we called home. We utilized so many resources available to help with our budget and customize our day! It was truly memorable!

Photography: Catie’s Photography /  Caterer: East Beach Catering / Cake and cupcakes: Carrie’s Cakes in Virginia Beach, VA / Florist: Leslie Hartig Floral Design / Photo booth: Photo Illusion / DJ: Dr. DJ Entertainment / Dress: Cymbeline / Hair: Shannon Fortin of Gary Allen Hair, Virginia Beach, VA / Makeup: Michael Eason of Bobbi Brown, Norfolk, VA / Flower Girl Dress and Ring Pillow: Jesse Curtis / Paper Goods:  thegirltyler

Virginia Beach Wedding by Steve DeVries

I really heart today’s first wedding. There is just something so simple and clean about the style…something that screams elegance and yet it still has that perfect infusion of rustic charm that we all love so much on SMP. Photographed by Steve DeVries, I am pretty sure that this was an incredibly special day.

virginia beach wedding

The wedding took place in Virgina Beach at an old family fame. The couple went with a palette built completely out of neutrals…bamboo chairs, queen anne’s lace, crisp white linens. Everything was understated and yet everything was perfectly designed. And what I love the most is that Steve, the photographer behind the day, allowed the natural elegance to dictate the tone and style of his photographs so that through his images we feel like we are right there, celebrating with the gorgeous couple.

steve devries

I am kind of madly in love with the casual vibe of the wedding. From the men’s khaki suits and leather flip flops to the family style dinner that they served with their nearest and dearest creating such a warm, intimate ambiance. Love, love, love this wedding…it’s so refreshing, so completely lovely.

virginia beach wedding

Thank you so very much to Steve DeVries for sending us this little piece of heaven!!