Category: Weddings

You’ve found your life partner. You both share a love of the Blue Ridge and the outdoors, and you want to have family and friends gather and share your commitment ceremony. Enter Love Ridge Mountain Lodging. 

The name is no coincidence. The little town of Love sits astride State Route 814 (aka Love Road), close to milepost 16 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The hamlet has been here for almost 100 years, pre-dating the current wedding boom in central Virginia. But now there’s a new event venue right next door.

Love Ridge Mountain Lodging is—in the best wedding tradition—something old and something new. The site opened in the 1960s as Meadow Mountain Campground, then became Royal Oaks when cabins were added in the 1990s. Natasha Sienitsky and her husband Oliver Platts-Mills, who run Charlottesville real estate development and renovation firm 6th and Dice, took over the complex in 2022 and re-named it to fit their vision of creating an all-in-one site for getaways, events—and weddings. 

“We found this place that needed love and renovation,” recalls Sienitsky; she and her husband are both big nature and Blue Ridge fans and own a renovated cabin in the area. “It wasn’t hard to see its potential. But we needed to keep the place running, so we began renovating one building at a time.” 

The accommodation renovations are now complete. Love Ridge has 12 units available (three family houses and nine cabins) that can sleep up to 75. Or more, if you have adventurous guests—there’s also a newly refurbished, small-scale forested drive-in campground with a brand-new camphouse featuring a community kitchen, restrooms, hot showers, and two glamping bedrooms.

While Love Ridge is well suited for single, couple, or family mountain getaways, Sienitsky says they planned from the beginning to make it more workable as a single-event venue. The couple renovated the existing lodge into a 2,000 square-foot event space that can seat up to 120 guests (or handle up to 150 for a reception), with four restrooms and a catering kitchen. The adjacent 3,000 square-foot Gathering Lawn, rimmed by plantings of multi-seasonal flowering native plants, overlooks the Three Ridges Wilderness Area—making it a wonderful site for the ceremony or a post-wedding social gathering, open-air or tented to accommodate up to 200 guests.

As a fairly new event venue, Love Ridge is still developing relationships with wedding planners and a list of preferred vendors. But its owners are committed to being both flexible and helpful, and Sienitsky notes there will always be a staff person on site for events if help is needed: “We do have a great team up there.”

One added benefit: The setting is amazing for all sorts of outdoor activities. Love Ridge has its own walking trails, and the beauties of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Appalachian Trail, Sherando Lake, and Shenandoah National Park are only a drive, hike, or bicycle ride away. Man-made entertainment is also nearby—Nelson County’s Route 151 and Wintergreen Resort, and, during evening or bad weather, the shopping, dining, museums, and theater in Waynesboro, Staunton, and Charlottesville. And after a full day, Love Ridge is also a dark skies site to enjoy from your front porch or around the fire pit.

Wedding photos can be formal or casual, posed or of the moment. Or you can step into the booth…

Kyle Kirkeide turned his own wedding guest experience into The Photobooth Company. “I went to my sister’s wedding in Florida in 2011, and they had a photo booth set up,” he recalls. “Afterwards, I started thinking about it—my wife had left her job, we had young kids. I thought it was great idea for Charlottesville—we have so many events and weddings here. I found a company to get the equipment, and started out doing events at UVA [his alma mater].” 

A decade later, Kirkeide’s idea for a side hustle now handles about 60 events a year (“roughly one a week”). About half of them are weddings.

One of the things that makes The Photobooth Company perfect for weddings, in Kirkeide’s view, is that “we customize the whole thing to what you want.” The company offers two set-up options: the traditional booth, where people go in and sit before the camera (“although our booths allow for a much closer shot”), and a more open setup with an 8’x8′ customized backdrop. 

For each “sitting,” guests get photos printed on a strip customized for the big day. The booth produces copies for the guests, and an extra one for the newlyweds. “Then we bind all the photos together into a scrapbook for the couple—many of them use also use it as a guest book and have people sign,” says Kirkeide. The couple also gets a digital version.

It’s your day, so if you want formal photos, The Photobooth can produce them. If your wedding leans more to the causal and creative, you can have that too—with a wide range of props and costume items that the company provides. “We end up doing props for most of our events,” Kirkeide says. “People like that, and it can be something that fits with your wedding theme—or it can be your university, or people’s pets.” (And, in case you’re worried about posterity, there’s a television monitor in which guests can check how they look before the camera snaps.)

What makes photo booths so popular? Kirkeide thinks part of the appeal is “a bit of nostalgia” for the days before a camera/phone in your pocket. A photo booth also provides a memento for both guests and the couple, without anyone having to worry about carrying a camera, getting everyone in the selfie, or finding someone willing to take “just one shot for us.” 

“Kids love photo booths,” Kirkeide says—a real benefit for anyone who has tried to keep youngsters entertained or get reluctant adolescents into a family photo. “And this gives guests something to do—not everyone wants to dance, so during the music they can come play around in the booth. There are always a few guests who are really enthused about it, and bring other people over.”

Pricing for a wedding is in the $800-900 range for a four-hour rental, says Kirkeide, depending on the guest count and the distance to the venue. Because it is a side business, and there are busy wedding months, Kirkeide prefers a few weeks’ notice to help in scheduling and producing custom graphics.

Then, once the big day comes, all you have to do is smile for the camera.

When it comes to weddings, sustainability is always in. Thrifting centerpieces, upcycling a secondhand gown, and asking for charitable donations in lieu of gifts (do you really need that new set of silver?) are just a few easy swaps you can make that will have the planet—and your wallet—thanking you. To help you get started, wedding planner Marilyn Speight of Just a Little Ditty shares her green tips on everything from food to flowers.­—Maeve Hayden

The big question: How can I make my wedding more eco-friendly? 

From Marilyn Speight: Sustainability is an incredibly important factor in event planning. Reducing the effect of a celebration on the environment is crucial when navigating a typically high-waste moment like a one-off party. No matter the area or scale, there are so many ways you can be sustainable that are intentional and thoughtful, while still designing a moment that meets your vision. Here are a few areas we consider when trying to make our client’s weddings and events more eco-friendly.

Food & beverage

Here, we really lean into your catering team. Focusing on local or seasonal food and beverages is huge. We’re lucky to live in the heart of Virginia wine country, so many weddings we produce are connected to or take place at vineyards. Serving wine to your guests that was created on-site is about as sustainable as you can get. 

Plated dinners require less food than a station or buffet approach. If your goal is to produce less, this is often the way to go. Sometimes, we’ve also been able to donate leftovers to homeless shelters (make sure to check your local health codes). 

Florals & décor

The majority of floral designers we work with takes great strides to source their flowers locally, which reduces travel and shipping impacts. We’ve also had couples who incorporate potted plants instead of fresh-cut blooms. From orchids to herbs, there are so many gorgeous options that can be easily reused or transplanted into soil after the shindig is over. That’s always a top goal with any floral approach—to repurpose as much as possible on-site and then give them a second life post-event. 

As for other décor, using a solid rental company is one of the No. 1 ways you can positively impact the carbon footprint of your big day. Buying 200 new chargers that you’ll use one time, versus renting that same charger from a company, is inherently sustainable. 

Gifts

Welcome or celebration gifts for your guests are one of our favorite ways to show hospitality, and be environmentally conscious. Reusable items made of quality materials go a long way. Fabric bags over paper, glass bottles over plastic, minimal packaging over all the bells and whistles. You can make a big impression on your guests while keeping your impact on nature small.

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.