Category: Weddings

Words by Caite Hamilton | Photography by Kir Tuben Photography

Karly Bardy  &  AJ Neuharth-Keusch

September 17, 2021, at Keswick Vineyards

When Karly and AJ had to switch from a Washington, D.C., wedding on New Year’s Eve to a fall wedding in Virginia due to COVID, all of the details ended up switching, too.

“Everything was white, green, and gold,” says Karly. “When we had to pivot to a fall wedding, I wanted the complete opposite.” The bride gave creative liberty to her florist, specifying she wanted tons of florals, greenery, and pattern play. Oh, and lots of candles. 

What the couple ended up with was beyond their wildest dreams, and Karly says seeing the reception space after their “I dos” was her favorite moment.

“While everything was planned to a T, somehow seeing it all come together felt like a surprise,” she says. Because they had to cancel their original wedding, “it felt like such a special triumph within those first few wedded moments as husband and wife following the ceremony.”

On the menu

Guests arrived and were greeted with an Aperol Spritz. For dinner, family-style Italian cuisine from Harvest Moon created a convivial feel. Plus, the food continued late into the night, with a wall of Italian desserts. “Lots of carbs!” says the bride.

School rules

Karly and AJ met during their senior year at Radford University and were together eight years before tying the knot.

Signature moves

The bride says she and AJ incorporated lots of personal touches throughout the day to make their wedding feel more like “them,” including having the string quartet play current hits from Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber, using a classic black and white dance floor, and changing outfits (both of them!) toward the end of the evening.

The details

Event planner: Rachel Rice (The One Moment Events) Officiant: Sarah Pete Catering: Harvest Moon Catering Flowers: Bee Inspired Music: Gravatt Productions (ceremony), DJ Dan Huynh (reception) Bride’s attire: Lovely Bride (first dress), Bronx and Banco (second dress) Shoes: Lulu’s Bridesmaids’ dresses: Revelry Rings: Ascot Diamonds, Cartier (bands) Hair: Claudine Fay  Makeup: Makeup by Shirin Videographer: TLIC Media 

Words by Caite Hamilton | Photography by Hannah Malloy Photography

Laura Muñiz  &  Dustin Harrell

April 30, 2022, at The Market at Grelen

A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Laura knew weddings there tend to be more formal. But when it came time to plan her own big day, she and her fiancé Dustin wanted to make sure the event felt like them: fun and friendly (with a little formal thrown in). 

The venue helped guide the choices they made, right down to picking their wedding planner. 

“I told [them] I had a vision of a black-and-white checkered dance floor, and ’60s mod colors like fuchsia, orange, pistachio and of course black, white, and metallics,” Laura says. “The team at Grelen said, ‘You need Heather Clarke.’”

The Richmond-based planner helped the look come to life, with a retro orange TV set and matching phone booth, plus pistachio table cloths, a checkered dance floor, and a disco ball. 

“I had never seen a wedding like that,” says Laura. “All the elements came together harmoniously.” 

Precious moments 

The couple’s favorite moments? Laura says it was the first look, a moment when they could take in the day—and one another—alone together. Dustin’s? “Our first kiss.”

Big plans 

Their original Japanese honeymoon was postponed thanks to COVID, so the couple re-routed, doing a tour of Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. “In May of 2023, we are planning to go to Japan and enjoy the second part of our honeymoon,” Dustin says. 

Fancy meeting you here

The couple met in 2016 through a dating app called Happn, where you cross each other’s paths. Dustin sent Laura several heart charms, and they agreed to meet at Barnes & Noble.

Crazy hour

For the “hora loca,” a Latin wedding tradition, the couple amped up the party with blow-up farm animals, guitars, and a 6′-tall alien. “It was so random,” Laura says, “and a great addition to the fun feel of the wedding.”

The details

Event planner: Heather Clarke (The Hive Wedding Collective) Officiant: Casey Dokoupil Catering: Groovin’ Gourmets Flowers: Photosynthesis Floral Design Cake: Maliha Creations Music: Hercules Entertainment Bride’s attire: Atelier Lisa Porrata (Puerto Rico) Groom’s attire: Jos. A. Bank Groomsmen’s attire: Jos. A. Bank Rings: Brilliant Earth Invitations and stationery: Fingers in Ink Hair: Samphois Vickers Makeup: Rachel Austin Boxley Videographer: Amanda Monroe Finn Linens and décor: Rent Equip Rentals: Something Vintage Rentals

Words by Caite Hamilton | Photography by Ashley Cox

Emily Zboril  &  Brian Moy

June 25, 2022, at The Clifton

Emily and Brian knew from the start that they wanted to create a colorful experience for their guests. 

“I knew I wanted our wedding to be something we’d never seen before—a day that was completely our own,” Emily says. 

Achieving the goal started with the flowers. Maryland-based Sophie Felts Floral Design brought in live trees for the reception area, creating a kind of enchanted forest vibe. In fact, many guests said they felt they were on a movie set (“Harry Potter, to be exact,” says Emily). From there, a floral ceremony arch featured an ombre of orange, yellow, and fuchsia, colors reflected in bouquets throughout the wedding, as well as a unique seating display of custom vases with calligraphied names of each guest.

But while the colorful details contributed to guests’ enjoyment of the day, the couple looks back on a few particular moments that have nothing to do with the details at all. Like this one: 

“After we said our ‘I dos,’ our officiant asked us to turn and look at all the people who came to support us on our wedding day,” Emily says. “We felt so much love and gratitude and having a moment to acknowledge our wonderful guests was very special to us.” 

All in one

Emily and Brian wanted a venue where guests could stay on the property after the big day was over. “We knew we wouldn’t want the night to end—and we really didn’t,” says Emily. “We stayed up until like 5:30am.”

Call me

Brian and Emily met at a conference for scientists. “He told me about his dissertation work and handed me his business card!” she says. 

 The details

Event planner: Kim Newton Weddings Catering: The Clifton Rentals: Something Vintage Linens: La Tavola Invites and paper goods: Kelsey Malie Designs Calligraphy: Leah Letters Vinyl signs: Grofik Designs Flowers: Sophie Felts Cake: Liberty Baking Co. Music: Dan Goldman Entertainment Bride’s attire: The Bridal Room Shoes: Vans (embroidered by After August Co. Groom’s attire: J.Crew Groomsmen’s attire:  J.Crew Bridesmaids’ dresses: Revelry Hair: Styled for Elegance Makeup: Avenue 42 Salon Videographer: Silver Streak Media

Words by Caite Hamilton | Photography by Omar Zeta Photography

Ashlynn Manning & Kevin Teng

August 27, 2022, at Eastwood Farm & Winery

First they decided on a cross-country move from Colorado to Virginia. Then they decided to have a baby. In the spring of 2022, Kevin proposed and they decided on a small, intimate celebration over the summer before the baby’s fall arrival. But when Ashlynn’s parents revealed they’d been saving a wedding fund for the occasion, they decided to go all in. 

“We figured we’d rather have the party we could plan impulsively in a couple of months, versus the party we might never have if we waited until after the baby came,” Ashlynn says.  

Mia Crump of Little Acorn Events helped them achieve their east-meets-west wedding dreams, with inspiration from Kevin’s native Singapore and Ashlynn’s artist heart. (“We both felt represented by bold, vibrant colors,” Ashlynn says.) 

Between the short notice, spiked airfare, and lingering COVID concerns, they ended up with a more intimate guest count after all, but it worked in their favor. 

“We had a small wedding with a big wedding lineup,” Ashlynn says. “It was abundant and glorious.”

Music-makers

The couple entered their reception to Elvis’ live intro of “Also Sprach Zarathustra” (better known as the 2001: A Space Odyssey theme). “Kevin really hammed it up with Elvis poses and a fierce air guitar solo in the dance, using one of our party favor parasols as a guitar,” says Ashlynn. “It was truly magical.” 

Setting pretty

“I had a vision of an outdoor tent, lit up at night,” says Ashlynn. “Eastwood had the prettiest outdoor tent we could find in the area, and a gorgeous outdoor setting for the ceremony.” 

Plentiful palates 

L’Étoile provided a menu to accommodate vegan and gluten-free guests. Plus, sent the couple home with leftovers that froze well and lasted until their sleepless newborn days in November.

Best dress

Kevin’s aunt is a retired fashion designer in Singapore, so while the couple was visiting, she and his mother took Ashlynn to the garment district to choose materials for her dress. She would be 28 weeks pregnant at the time of their wedding, so they decided on an empire waist and silk tulle in the skirt. 

It’s tradition

To honor Kevin’s Chinese heritage, the couple poured tea for their parents.

The details

Event planner: Mia Crump (Little Acorn Events) Officiant: Arehn McCarty of Soulprint Journeys Catering: L’Étoile Flowers: Good Vibes Garden Cake: Bowerbird Bakeshop Music: 2Hype Entertainment (who was able to offer karaoke!) Bride’s attire: Custom, with modifications by Yady’s Alterations  Groom’s attire: Bonobo’s Bridesmaids’ dress: Anthropologie Rings: Aurum Jewelers (Iceland) Hair and makeup: A More Beautiful You Videographer: Henri Saint-Jean (Piximpress) Transportation: Easy Riders Bus Company Ceremony and cocktail hour music: Beleza

Words by Caite Hamilton | Photography by Jen Fariello

Rose Cunnion  &  Neil Henry 

May 7, 2022, at The Wool Factory

When the curtains parted and Rose saw the reception area for the first time—that modern, industrial Wool Factory space covered in bright blooms—she gasped. “It exceeded all of my expectations,” she says.

The couple had wanted it to feel and look fun. A shy person by nature, Rose says it was important to the both of them that wedding be as much about “family and friends being together and having a good time” as it was about the couple themselves. 

Mission accomplished: Neil’s family flew in from Ireland and his brother, Shane, brought the house down with his best man’s speech. Of particular importance was the memories they were able to make with Neil’s dad, who has since passed. 

“It gave us an amazing memory to have him there and remember how much he loved it,” Rose says. 

Modern elegance

Rose says they chose The Wool Factory for a few reasons: “Convenient to downtown. Elegant without being stuffy. A gorgeous natural setting of the Rivanna River. Known for great food!” 

Ode to C’ville

Though the couple has been living in Durham, North Carolina, for eight years, they wanted to hold their wedding in Charlottesville as a nod to how they met—as undergrads at UVA in 2008.

The details

Event planner: Wilson Keller (Evoke Design and Creative) Officiant: Vinny Ringrose Catering: The Wool Factory Flowers: Mallory Joyce Design Cake: The Wool Factory (by Rachel De Jong of Cou Cou Rachou) Music: DJ Stoundyn Bride’s attire: Alexandra Grecco from Gilded Bridal, alterations by Cordella Bridal  Shoes: Loeffler Randall Jewelry: Jennifer Behr Groom’s attire: Men’s Wearhouse Groomsmen’s attire: Men’s Wearhouse Bridesmaids’ dresses: Park & Fifth Co Rings: Melanie Casey (bride), Hamilton Hill (groom) Hair and makeup: Avenue 42 Salon  Invitations: Steph B. & Co

The practice of throwing grains at the newly married is an old one—from the ancient Romans to the Celts. A symbol of prosperity, fertility, and growth, guests of the celebration would toss rice as a way of wishing the happy couple luck beyond their wedding day. Except…ouch? We can’t imagine anything less romantic than being pelted with uncooked kernels at our happiest moment. Instead, we’re in favor of these four modern-day twists on the tradition, from feathery slips of paper to a straight-up bubble bath. —Caite Hamilton

Confetti

Whether it’s popped out of a cannon or just stored in a cute bag until it’s go-time, confetti is an easy option, and fully customizable to your color palette. Just be sure to use biodegradable paper—your love may be forever, but Earth certainly isn’t. 

Ribbon wands

Subtle and celebratory, ribbon wands are like pom-poms, but less aggressive. They say, “2, 4, 6, 8, we wish you luck with your new mate!” but in an understated, classy way. We especially like the elegant choice one couple made (wedding white!), but could see these going glam in gold, or whimsical in a shimmery iridescent. 

Flower petals

Your florist will be able to hold back a few blooms from your bouquets for this one. Pre-fill sachets or, like this couple, a rolled piece of your song’s sheet music. Hot tip: Check with your venue before committing to this idea; some don’t like leaving petals on the ground to get slippery or stain. 

Bubbles

You’ve walked down the aisle, you’ve said your “I do,” you’re finally married. Now the fun begins, and nothing says fun like bubbles. Playful and silly, they float through the air (maybe they’re even scented? Are we crazy?) then POP! right on your nose. Time to get this party started.

There’s so much to consider when it comes to your bouquet for the big day—color and kind, style and season. Not to mention the blooms you choose can be symbols, telling stories through floriography, or the language of flowers. Good thing there are experts who can keep you from going too far afield. We asked floral designers at Liliharp Flowers, Hedge Fine Blooms, and Tourterelle Floral Design to share their favorite flowers to feature as focal points. These are their top picks.  

Heirloom tulip

With a rainbow of hues, these perky posies announce the arrival of spring. Originating in Central Asia, the tulip signifies eternal love in Persian mythology and, with its inclusion in your bouquet, that meaning still stands today. 

Peony

These late spring baubles burst in bunches ranging from coral to crimson. The peony’s abundant blossoms portray prosperity, symbolizing a happy life and a happy marriage. The plush petals make a beautiful bouquet accompanied by larkspur, nigella, and snapdragons. 

Ranunculus

In a plentiful palette from light to bright, this parade of paper-thin petals begins its bloom in spring. The romantic ranunculus represents radiance—just as you do on your special day.   

Sweet pea

It’s a French custom to give this fragrant flower, named by Romantic poet John Keats, to a bride on her wedding day as a symbol of gratitude and pleasure. In a bouquet, the delicate clusters of ruffled resplendence show off in solids, stripes, and bicolor combinations. 

Garden rose

The soft and supple symbol of love comes alive in just about every shade under the summer sun. Different from modern roses, these fragrant florets have lush layers with a tender, dreamy feel.

Gallison Hall is grand. If you’ve always dreamed of arriving at your wedding in a coach-and-four, like Cinderella at the ball, this place is for you—come through the ornate ironwork gates, down the tree-lined drive, and step down into the stone courtyard in front of the palace.

In fact, it’s likely the Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg was one of the inspirations for Gallison Hall. The home’s original owners, Julio Suarez-Galban and his wife Evelyn (who met while attending UVA), loved to tour Virginia’s historic homes. In the early 1930s, they commissioned Lynchburg-based architect Stanhope Johnson to design them a stately home in Farmington; Johnson’s style was sometimes called James River Georgian because he drew on famous Virginia houses from Westover and Shirley to Gunston Hall and Bacon’s Castle. Gallison Hall’s landscape architect, Charles Gillette, was also known for his work on Virginia sites such as Kenmore, Agecroft, and Lewis Ginter Gardens.

Galban was the scion of a Cuban sugar dynasty, and Gallison Hall (the name is an amalgam of Galban and Evelyn’s maiden name, Allison) is the epitome of the lifestyle of the rich in the 1930s. The house, on both the National Register of Historic Places and Virginia’s Landmarks Register, is remarkable for its quality craftsmanship and wealth of architectural detail, from the intricate woodwork on the entry stair (modeled on one at Gadsby’s Tavern in Alexandria) to the graduated Buckingham slate tiles of the steep-pitched roof. 

Gallison Hall has always been a private residence, and it’s currently being carefully restored and brought to modern standards by Jason and Susan Williamson. The Williamsons love a good reno. “Our first house [in the 1990s] was a renovation,” says Jason, “and Susan has a great eye.” The North Carolina-based couple are both Wahoos (at separate times); two of their four children currently attend UVA, so the Williamsons were looking for both a local base and a project when Gallison Hall came on the market in 2020. 

“We didn’t even know this house was here,” says Jason. “So when we found it, we thought ‘This is cool!’ We love history, we love Charlottesville, and we want people to be able to enjoy this place.” Thus, the wedding venue idea.

Gallison Hall is not available for parties to spend the night, but couples can certainly take advantage of the extensive and beautiful grounds. Much of the back lawn of the Hall (which was originally the barn and paddock area) was redesigned in the 1990s. The house’s eastern wing was extended to create an airy pool pavilion with a lounge area featuring an enormous carved marble fireplace. The pavilion doors open onto a wide double staircase featuring two parterre rose gardens, and leading to a spacious lawn half again as large as a football field.

At the end of the lawn is a galleried building that houses the former indoor tennis court, refloored for use as a dining or party space. (Its two small locker rooms are completely tiled in that hexagonal-white-and-black pattern that’s so midcentury modern.) There’s also a full-sized catering kitchen—and an apartment above, in case anyone needs a nap.

The house’s rear façade, facing north and west, has a spacious patio and a small knot garden around a fountain, overlooking the sweep of lawns and the Blue Ridge views. To the west is a brick courtyard and boxwood garden, being restored according to the original Gillette drawings (“We’ve just planted 6,000 tulips,” says Jason). Another level down is the walled croquet court—what reception is complete without a spirited croquet match? 

Set into the court’s wall are the delicately worked iron gates from the Galban mansion in Havana where Julio grew up, displaying the family’s initials. They are a reminder that, aside the from the historical architectural references, Gallison Hall has its own history. 

Charlottesville truly is the ultimate wedding destination. Not only are the views insane and the catering options delicious, but the city is home to many talented musicians who offer their services at weddings. Whether you’re looking for toned-down elegance, a stand-out soloist, or just  a rockin’ good time, these five local wedding performers make saying yes (to the band) easy.

Ibis Music Group

You name it, and Ibis Music Group can play it. The group was founded by Patrick Keese with the belief that exceptional music should be accessible, relatable, and extraordinary. With options for ceremonies, cocktails, and receptions, and a repertoire that includes everything from Bach to Bruno Mars, Ibis can make it work for all kinds of weddings. $700-1700. ibismusicgroup.com

Classical Hillbillies

Stressed at the thought of having to pick out different performers for the ceremony and reception? The Classical Hillbillies, a new offering from Plum Blossom String Quartet, is like three bands in one. The string quartet plays classical music for the ceremony and lively Appalachian music for the cocktail hour, before transitioning into a full-on bluegrass hoedown for the reception. Around $1,150. classicalhillbillies.com

Terra Voce

It’s hard to resist the dulcet tones of the cello, especially when it’s paired with smooth flute. Cellist Andrew Gabbert and flutist Elizabeth Brightbill of Terra Voce have more than a decade of experience performing for weddings and events. The Crozet-based husband-and-wife duo play everything from well-known wedding staples to classic rock and modern pop. $440 and up. terravoce.com

Stan Hamrick

Sometimes, less is more. Take your wedding up a notch with understated, acoustic guitar. Hamrick’s gentle strumming is the perfect accompaniment for walking down the aisle and mingling at cocktail hour. Build your own music package from Hamrick’s extensive repertoire, which includes Duke Ellington classics, Ed Sheeran, The Beatles, and much more. $350 and up. stanhamrick.com

Duo Bohème

If you’re looking for timeless elegance, give Duo Bohème a listen. The violin and guitar duo of Anna and Dave Hennessy throw it back to the ’20s and ’30s with a selection of classical wedding tunes, mellow pop, and compositions by Romani-Belgian jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. $400 and up. duobohememusic.com

Designer, entrepreneur, sewist, activist—it’s hard to use just one word when describing Gabriela Romo.

Through Refemme, her Charlottesville-based business, Romo offers a thoughtful and approachable take on garment repair, upcycling, and alteration.

Romo’s passion for design and sewing developed as a young girl, watching her mother embroider and her grandmother sew. By age 9, she was using her mother’s sewing machine. 

“I grew up surrounded by very creative and hardworking women,” says Romo. “I grew up watching my grandma make the same dress over and over, probably like 20 pieces of the same model using different fabrics, and I think that’s what really sparked my curiosity to make and play with fabric.”

That curiosity and desire to create something new led Romo to her first entrepreneurial venture, a swimwear line started with her twin sister.

In 2017, Romo left all of her equipment behind and moved to the U.S., where she settled in Aspen, Colorado. The chilly temps made swimwear a hard sell, so she pivoted to part-time alterations and worked full-time as a surgical assistant (talk about steady hands). Last fall, Romo landed in Charlottesville and launched Refemme as her full-time gig, her commitment to sustainability at the core of Refemme’s mission. 

Every year, thousands of pounds of scrap fabric are burned, and millions of tonnes of garments end up in landfills. Romo works to divert unnecessary textile waste by giving well-worn or damaged items a second chance using a variety of repair techniques, including invisible and visible mending. In addition, she fully reworks and restores old garments with sentimental value that wouldn’t get much wear today due to their dated style. 

Romo also hosts visible mending workshops at The Scrappy Elephant, and regularly pops up at Darling x Dashing and Bluebird & Co. to accept alterations and repairs. 

“Throughout all of these [popups] we’ve been able to divert close to 200 garments that otherwise would have just simply followed the process to a landfill,” says Romo. “I’m so happy that I actually get to impact the people that I work with and at the same time create a positive impact in the environment.”

During wedding season, Romo’s schedule is packed with gown fittings. She recommends brides schedule an initial fitting at least four months in advance of their big day.

“At the initial consultation I get to learn about your dream day, your dream dress, and how we can tailor a custom alteration package for you based on that,” Romo says. “I really like to start with knowing what their relationship with their dress is. How long have they been searching for the dress? How did they feel when they said yes to the dress? What’s the expectation that they have fit-wise?”

Most fittings are completed in three to four visits, depending on how drastic the changes are and how much design work is needed. (One of Romo’s more involved alteration projects, for instance, involved hemming a poofy princess-style wedding dress with yards and yards of fabric.) 

“You have to remove all of the embellishments and appliqués from the tulle, process the alterations, execute all the changes, and then bring it back on to the dress as if nothing happened,” she says.

The best part is after the wedding, bridesmaids, and even brides (who says you can’t wear it twice?), can bring their dresses back to Refemme for a complete rework. Instead of a one-and-done bridesmaid dress collecting dust in the closet, or a landfill, now you’ve got a whole new look.

Smooth size-up

Here are a few of Gabriela’s tips for a flawless fitting.

< Bring your shoes! Or a heel with a similar height.

< Wear any undergarments you’ll be wearing under your gown—sticky cups, Spanx, tape, bra, etc.

< Accessories, accessories, accessories—bring them.

< Have an open mind and don’t overthink it.

< Bring a friend—or two—to the final fitting. Someone’s going to have to help you bustle on the big day, and this is a great practice run.