The thing about old friends is not that they love you, but that they know you. They remember that disastrous New Year’s Eve when you mixed White Russians and champagne, and the uncomfortable couch in your first apartment and the smoky stove in your beach rental. They look at your and don’t really think you look older because they’ve grown old along with you, and, like the faded paint in a beloved room, they’re used to the look.- Anna Quindlen, Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake
Erin & Judson: A Pharsalia Plantation Wedding
Erin & Judson’s colorful Virginia Plantation wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty this week! Pharsalia has one of the prettiest views I’ve ever seen and I can’t tell you how much fun it was to have a small part in this day. E & J are two people who you would want to be around all of the time. They don’t stop smiling! I love it. Enjoy! xoxoKatie
Here are some wonderful details from Erin about the big day:
Pharsalia Plantation is in Judson’s family through marriage (and has been since it was built by William Massie in 1814). In fact, he and his family always celebrate Thanksgiving on the property next door (Judson is from Lynchburg, VA). For the last several years, I have as well. We wanted a Southern rustic feel that really brought out our love for the outdoors. We looked around the DC/MD area for a while and literally smacked ourselves in the forehead when we remembered Pharsalia and its beauty. We both envisioned a laid-back wedding with lots of charm, small and meaningful details, great food (and lots of it!), and tons of music. Judson is a huge Motown fan and I love classic country. We were able to mix the two together with Attraction and Bennie Dodd. In fact, Bennie Dodd and Attraction even went so far as to learn a song together to accommodate our wishes (Bennie sang George Strait’s “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” while Attraction played the background music for our father-daughter dance). We heard Attraction play at a friend’s wedding and knew we had to have them!
We didn’t want the wedding to be too matchy-matchy, and one of our big things was that we wanted a lot of color. In fact, we didn’t even pick “wedding colors.” Instead, we told our florist to have fun and just use as many bright colors as possible. In short, we told her to “have at it” and do whatever she wanted. Our florist was Betsy Burton from Lynchburg, VA and she could not have been more amazing, talented, or creative!
Our favorite part of our wedding coming together was the sunshine, rainbow, and music at every corner (our friends told us they felt like they were at a festival). We had no back-up plan if it stormed, so we held a collective breath the week before the wedding. The day turned out amazingly gorgeous. During the cocktail hour, clouds rolled over the mountain, but never settled in the foothills where we were. Needless to say, we were blessed with a beautiful rainbow without the rain!
Event Design: Amanda Gray with Ashley Baber Weddings / Venue: Pharsalia/ Floral Design: Betsy Burton/ Hair & Makeup: Avenue 42/ Catering: Avenue Foods / Furniture Rentals: Stonegate Event Rentals /Lighting: Blue Ridge AV & Lighting /Ceremony Music: Bennie Dodd / Band: Attraction (SO good!) / Cake: Magnolia Foods /Invitation Design: Rock Paper Design with watercolor artwork by Bea Gates/ Linens: Festive Fare
Heather & Greg: A Charlottesville, VA Engagement
I sat with you and my mind cleared. I laughed with you and my heart soared. I danced with you and my soul whispered to let you in.-M.M.
Robyn & Dustin: A Keswick Hall Wedding, Charlottesville, VA
I have been holding onto this wedding for quite some time. I knew it would take me forever to narrow down my favorite photos from one of my all time favorite weddings…and I was right. Robyn & Dustin could not be more in love. They are the type of people that you instantly want to be their friend and you can see their love for one another every second you’re with them. So, without further ado….I hope you enjoy their wedding! xoxoKatie
PS-You can also see it on Style Me Pretty!
Venue: Keswick Hall
Invitations: 42 Pressed
Dress: Jim Hjelm. Kleinfeld’s
Shoes: Valentino
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Twobirds, Bella Bridesmaid
Event coordinator: Adam Donovan-Groves (one of the BEST I’ve ever worked with!)
Floral Design: Hedge Fine Blooms
Cake: Keswick Hall
Suits: Men’s Wearhouse
Placecards: Inkybug
Stephanie & Adam: A Pippin Hill Wedding
For the past few months, I’ve been dying to share Stephanie & Adam’s Pippin Hill wedding with everyone and now…that day has arrived. Woohoo! I’m also excited to tell you that it’s been published in the current issue of Southern Living Weddings which will be available for all of 2013 so if you want to know the details from this wedding, go grab yourself a copy. It’s a beautiful mag and I love being a part of it!
Maggie & Asa: A Charlottesville Engagement
“I have for the first time found what I can truly love-I have found you. You are my sympathy-my better self-my good angel-I am bound to you with a strong attachment. I think you good, gifted, lovely: a fervent, a solemn passion is conceived in my heart; it leans to you, draws you to my centre and spring of life, wrap my existence about you-and, kindling in pure, powerful flame, fuses you and me in one.” Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte.
“Your longing for me is my message to you. All your attempts to reach me are in reality my attempts to reach you” Rumi