Weddings | Winter 2021

Dream team

Wedding pros work together at The Bradbury downtown

Copy this

How to use styled shoots for inspo

Forever love

Don't toss the bouquet— a new way to keep it 'alive'

FALL/WINTER 2021

Plan on!

A month-bymonth guide to the big day PAGE 23

So much Four weddings—from itsy bitsy to Italian-inspired—that got every detail just right

joy

CELEBRATE TOGETHER AGAIN

and let us handle the rest.

S I N C E 19 6 4

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Historic IT'S YOUR DAY. MAKE IT

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Beautifully restored, the historic Jefferson Theater is the perfect place to host your wedding celebration.

Located on the Downtown Mall, you and your guests will enjoy a friendly staff, two full bars, professional staging, technical support and an on-site event manager to make your wedding day stress-free and truly memorable.

We can host up to 200 seated guests for dinners and up to 500 guests for cocktail-style receptions. The Jefferson offers a variety of design options for your event including seating on the stage, use of both balconies and the grand lobby.

CONTACT US TODAY TO SET UP A TOUR

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SIP! What to do with apples?

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TABL E O F C O N T E N TS

In this issue...

Wedding Planner Month by month, we help you plan your special day.

13 How to use styled shoots for inspiration 15 A better way to save your bouquet 15 An idea we love: neon signage!

16 Custom cookies make for an extra sweet treat 19 Honeymooning? A local travel agent points the way 20 Introducing...The Bradbury

23 Your month-by-month big-day planner 46 Making Marry Sarah Miller is preserving your precious moments

SYDNEY KANE PHOTOGRAPHY

21 Cocktails from a vintage horse trailer?

C HA RL OTT ESV I L L E W E D D I N GS

You’re invited...

28

Tia & Mark An intimate big-day at Lewis Catherine House.

32

37

Erin & Tim At King Family Vineyards, two families come together.

Liv & Hannah Creating a dream outdoor wedding on the family farm.

40

Hagan & John Italian-inspired nuptials in a modern art gallery.

ON THE COVER: Erin and Tim pause for a pre-ceremony smooch. PHOTO: Carrie Coleman

7

Bridal Party Gifts Give them something special to remember your special day.

Charlottesville’s Premiere Wedding Beauty Expert Team

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Weddings, a supplement to C-VILLE Weekly, is distributed in Charlottesville, Albemarle County and the Shenandoah Valley. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Weddings Editor Caite Hamilton. Copy Editor Susan Sorensen.

Art Director Max March. Graphic Designer Tracy Federico. Account Executives Chloe Heimer, Lisa C. Hurdle, Gabby Kirk, Stephanie Vogtman, Beth Wood. Production Coordinator Faith Gibson. Publisher Anna Harrison. Chief Financial Officer Debbie Miller. A/R Specialist Nanci Winter. Circulation Manager Billy Dempsey. ©2021 C-VILLE Weekly.

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Wedding Planner

100 percent inspiration JEN FARIELLO

Styled shoots open up the possibilities 13

The details PHOTOGRAPHY:

Jen Fariello FLORALS:

Southern Blooms ACCENTS:

Kiki Slaughter VENUE:

Quirk Charlottesville TABLETOP:

Emerson James LINENS:

Nuage Designs RENTALS:

Festive Fare STATIONERY:

Rock Paper Scissors CALLIGRAPHY:

Jodi Macfarlan CAKE:

Commonwealth Cake Co. ATTIRE:

The One Bridal Salon HAIR:

Top Knot Studio MAKEUP:

Rouge 9

By Caite Hamilton

N

o doubt it’s fun to flip through magazines and gather inspo for your big day (we’re banking on it!). But sometimes it feels a little like sifting for outfits at a thrift store: The best parts take a little hunting. That’s where styled shoots come in.

What’s the purpose of a styled shoot? It’s three-fold: Yes, they’re meant to provide couples with plenty of inspiration during their own planning phase, but they can also serve as a way to see the possibilities.

“They provide your creative team a chance to design for themselves versus a client’s request,” says Just A Little Ditty planner Marilyn Speight, “so you can truly get a sense of the full scope and scale of talent that your planner/designer, florist, venue, etc. can offer.”

And, Speight says, they can help introduce you to an unfamiliar vendor. In the case of the styled shoot on these pages, Quirk Hotel, one of the area’s newer venues.

“The overall theme was modern, bold, and artistic,” Speight says of this winter shoot. “It was largely inspired by the whimsical setting of Quirk.” She and the rest of the team—which included Southern Blooms, Emerson James, and Commonwealth Cake Co.—aimed to take the idea of a winter wedding

14

in a new direction, bringing in plenty of bright, vibrant colors, and playing up the increasingly popular idea of a microwedding (which, Speight says, “afford you the opportunity to get more creative with vignettes or up the luxe factor with your tablescapes since you have a lower overall quantity to factor in”).

In other words, use styled shoots to imagine the possibilities—from the big-picture vendor choices, to the fun touches you haven’t even thought about yet (read: luxe welcome boxes).

WEDDING PLANNER

Pressed for time

A better way to keep your wedding flowers

By Caite Hamilton

PHOTOS: JEN FARIELLO

he bouquet is one of the most fussed-over details of any wedding, but it’s also the thing that often gets forgotten or—worse yet!—tossed at the end of the night. Self-professed “flower fanatic” Karly Murphy of Kmpressed offers a solution: Press them!

The artist began pressing plants in 2015 after working in weddings and events with Nature Composed, and suggests it’s a great way to hold on to your bouquet long after the sparkler exit.

As long as you get the flowers to her within four days of the event, the process is pretty straightforward: “I carefully press the flowers until perfectly dry before designing the artwork to represent and immortalize the bouquet,” Murphy says. “Apart from pressing, the flowers are kept in their natural state—no chemicals or dyes are added, so their form and character is preserved, but the exact color can evolve over time.”

The timeline varies, but for custom wedding artwork (Murphy creates all of the glass wall-hanging and tabletop art by hand, as well as cuts the glass to size inhouse), expect a turnaround time of four to six months.

SUPPLIED PHOTO

T

HEATHER DODGE PHOTOGRAPHY

Bright idea A recent trend we’re all lit up about: neon signage. After so many years of wooden planks with calligraphy, we’re jazzed to be moving into a new, more punk-rock wedding era. Use them over the bar, as Kelly and Eric Books did, or as an Instagram-worthy photo-op for guests. Bonus: It’s yours to keep at the end of the night.

“I felt like it added a modern and festive flare to our reception,” Kelly, who purchased the sign on Etsy, says. “It now hangs in our kitchen.”

15

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home.

@carrielillycookieco While planning a baby shower for her sister, Carrie Lilly kept noticing adorable themed cookies on Pinterest.

“I thought, ‘These are amazing. I have to have something like this for this shower,’” she says. Trouble was, none of the local bakers in her hometown were able to do such a thing. So she decided to do it herself.

Down the rabbit hole she went, until she found herself with a full-on business decorating sugar cookies. Her signature flavor, vanilla almond, sells for $45/dozen.

Inside.

Outside.

Home.

FALL 2021

Woodworker Tate Pray returns to form—and function

OM, AHHH

A zen box holds space for a local artist

SHOP HOP

Three décor retailers we’re obsessing over

MIXING IT

UP

Rethinking the performan ce of a family kitche n

To be continued

With an eye toward its second life, a designer reim agines a city cottage

Inside. Outside. Home.

16

WEDDING PLANNER

JEN FARIELLO

SUPPLIED PHOTO

As if offering guests a delicious cookie wasn’t enough, these three bakers up the ante with flawless custom designs.

They make a great wedding favor, certainly, but you might also consider them for a fancy day-of treat while getting ready, an addition to welcome bags for guests, or an addition to a “Will you be in my wedding party?” care package. Whatever you decide, don’t forget to share (a few).— Caite Hamilton

One Creative Cookie

Jaclyn’s Cookies

onecreativecookie.com

jaclynscookies.square.site

The OG of local cookie-decorating companies, One Creative Cookie specializes in everything from decorated cookies (with its signature vanilla-almond glacé icing) to printed cookies (read: sugar cookies with your engagement photo or custom wedding crest printed on its top).

Owner Kelly Trout estimates that she bakes anywhere from 250 to 750 each month, with the bulk of the baking in April to June and September to December (aka, order in advance!). More than a decade into her business, she says, “I’m baking and decorating more cookies per week than I ever would have thought possible.”

A scientist by trade, Jaclyn Shaffer always had in mind that she’d bake full-time and stay home with her children. She started her company while working for a biotech company, but the dream became a reality in 2013 when she moved to Crozet.

Each batch­­—custom-designed for every client to suit the look and feel of their event—starts at $55/dozen.

Shaffer says she finds it hard to pick a favorite set she’s made, but that “most of my favorites involve some sort of floral element.”

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bra fittings and intimate apparel

Lingerie and intimate apparel for who you are

6 0 5 W M A I N S T C H A R L O T T E S V I L L E VA 2 2 9 0 3 4 3 4 - 9 7 7 - 7 4 5 5 W W W. S I L K Y B O T T O M . C O M

WEDDING PLANNER

And away we go

FILE PHOTO

Don’t sleep on planning the best part of the wedding: the honeymoon.

We asked Peace Frogs Travel owner Julie Arbalaez to let us in on the best spots to relax after the big day, according to recent travelers.

Europe “Any one of the many Greek Islands are romantic destinations, but the oft-overlooked Peloponnese Peninsula also has some incredible, secluded honeymoon locations with easy drives to unique cultural sites. The Romanos Resort on Costa Navarino is a great choice. On the picture-perfect island of Santorini, try the romantic Oia neighborhood for fantastic sunsets, and the Katikies Resort.”

The oft-overlooked Peloponnese Peninsula offers a few secluded honeymoon locations.

Caribbean

Hawaii

“The Caribbean Islands have weathered the COVID storm well and are a romantic, nearby destination. For a luxurious retreat, I recommend Jade Mountain on the lush, green island of St Lucia.

The resort boasts incredible views of the Pitons and the sea, a wide array of activities on site, and villas with a lot of privacy. Sister property Anse Chastanet (where I took my honeymoon) is also incredibly special at a lower price point and with many of the same amenities.”

“Hawaii is ideal for honeymooners looking for gorgeous accommodation and lots of things to see and do. I recommend splitting the trip, to get a taste of more than one of the islands. For instance, mixing a stay at the Four Seasons Lanai with time at the adults-only Hotel Wailea on Maui would make for a diverse, romantic honeymoon.”—CH

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WEDDING PLANNER

Prime location Local wedding biz standouts look to keep Downtown spot hot

By Shea Gibbs ew weddings-and-more venue The Bradbury is open for business on the Downtown Mall—and the team behind the new spot is a who’s who of weddings and events experts: Harvest Moon Catering’s Mark Hahn, Ken Notari, and Anne Peterson, photog Sarah Cramer, Just a Little Ditty’s Dickie Morris, and Second Line Business Management’s John Spagnolo.

The group came together when heralded restaurant Prime 109 met its untimely demise last year due to the pandemic.

Morris says she and Hahn had been talking for some time about creating a “venue collective,” and the newly opened spot at 300 E. Main St. checked their boxes.

“It’s just a beautiful space, and Mark put together a great group of like-minded people,” Morris says.

The Bradbury venue proper, which the group named after the architect who designed the building, offers room enough for a standing party of about 250 or 140 for a seated dinner. Hosts can also book the gallery space abutting the venue in the Vault, giving them at least another 150 standing or seated.

The planning supergroup has not made their new venue’s price list publicly available, but Morris assures it’s in line with similar event spaces.

In addition to booking events now—not just weddings but rehearsals, brunches, birthday celebrations, graduation parties, work gatherings—the group intends to launch a café in the space in front of the Vault. It’ll be a place “you could just come in through the front door and grab a coffee or a sandwich,” Morris says. The team has not yet decided on the café’s hours and offerings but is targeting a November 2021 opening.

“We are really trying to get more traffic through the space because it’s such a beautiful centerpiece,” Cramer says. “We would love to get more people enjoying that space, and not just for events and gatherings.”

Morris and Cramer say they know event hosts have many options in Charlottesville, but they think The Bradbury offers several things most other venues don’t. Harvest Moon provides their in-house catering, and they have a pastry chef onsite, a central downtown location, and a “breathtaking” main events room—not to mention that group of experienced planners bringing different expertise areas to the table.

“We all work together beautifully,” Cramer says. “We’ve worked together for such a long time, and we love it. This space just sounded like a fantastic idea. We love Charlottes­ ville—all of us. We want to give back to the community and be a part of it.”

SARAH CRAMER SHIELDS

N

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SUPPLIED PHOTO

WEDDING PLANNER

Pour decisions

A mobile horse trailer-turned-bar adds buzz

By Caite Hamilton

E

ver wanted to drink from a horse trailer?

Now’s your chance: The Loaded Pony, a Staunton-based mobile bar, offers just that.

Combining her love of entertaining, creativity, and hospitality with a unique setting (a vintage 1960s horse trailer), owner Kimerly Crawford launched the business in 2019 after transforming the formerly pale pink structure into an elegant mobile bar.

Here’s how it works: Book your date (sooner rather than later, Crawford says) and Loaded

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Pony will help craft a menu that works with your event. The team offers beer, wines, and specialty cocktails, as well as non-alcoholic beverages like mocktails and coffee.

“We specialize in perfecting custom craft cocktails for your big day using fresh ingredients and custom simple syrups,” Crawford says. “And we offer personalized menu recommendations.”

Make it your own: Loaded Pony also offers add-ons like a 6-foot whiskey barrel bar, vintage ice tubs, and other décor.

“Our goal,” says Crawford, “is to be your best pour decision.”

PREMIUM WEDDING TENTS

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WEDDING PLANNER

Six months before

Start taking dance lessons for your first dance.

Get your marriage license with your fiancé.

One year before

Work out your budget. Know your limit

before considering much else.

Set a tentative date for your wedding.

Decide on your wedding style and formality.

This may be determined, in part, by how many guests you want to invite, so think about the guest list now, too.

Settle on a ceremony location.

Put down a deposit for the reception location.

Begin the search for other wedding vendors (transportation, flowers, invitations, music, makeup artist), starting with photographers and videographers.

Once you’ve chosen your wedding photographer, schedule an engagement photo session.

Start shopping for wedding rings.

Reserve your officiant.

If your reception venue doesn’t have a caterer, decide who’ll provide the food and book a tasting.

Choose a rehearsal dinner location.

Shop for a dress. It may seem too soon, but it can take several months for your dress to arrive, and it may require alterations.

After you’ve found the perfect gown, schedule fittings and a delivery date.

Choose your bridal party and invite them to be part of your special day.

Nine months before

Start finalizing the guest list and gathering addresses.

Register for gifts.

If there is a groom, decide to rent or purchase attire for him and the groomsmen. Once that’s decided, place your order.

Finalize all the vendors and secure your wedding date by putting down deposits.

Select the bridesmaids’ gowns. These’ll take a few months to come in, too.

Send out save the dates.

ceremony and reception.

Meet with your florist and choose arrangements for the ceremony and reception, as well as bouquets.

If your caterer doesn’t provide one, order your wedding cake.

Begin doing research for your marriage license.

Meet with both sets of parents to coordinate their day-of attire.

Reserve accommodations for out-of-town guests. (Consider doing this even earlier if you’re planning a wedding on busy in-town weekends like homecoming or during other local events that draw a crowd.)

Order invitations.

Start thinking about honeymoon destinations.

Three weeks before Pick up wedding rings.

Confirm all arrival times with vendors.

Confirm hotel arrangements for out-oftown guests.

Have your final dress fitting.

Finalize the seating arrangement for the reception.

Attend your bachelor/bachelorette party.

One week before

Give the caterer your final guest count.

Have final fittings for your groom and groomsmen.

Give gifts to your wedding party, family and fiancé privately, or at the rehearsal dinner.

Make arrangements for your wedding gifts to be brought to your home.

Four months before

Address and send out your invitations and

announcements. Include information regarding the accommodations. (Also consider creating a website with all of the accommodation information. Guests might like to get a head start on making those arrangements and most hotels close your block four weeks out.)

Arrange for final dress fittings.

Purchase wedding guest book.

Order your wedding favors, bridal party gifts and other wedding accessories (Champagne glasses, ring bearer pillow, cake knife, etc.).

Two days before Get a mani/pedi.

Get a wax and a spray tan.

Confirm flight, hotel and packing arrangements for the honeymoon.

Make payment envelopes for each vendor and give them to your wedding day assistant along with your marriage license to take care of at the wedding.

Confirm arrangements for the getaway car.

One day before

Three months before

Attend your rehearsal dinner.

Make an appointment with your stylist for

wedding day hairstyles for the bride and bridal party, as well as appointments for manis, pedis, massages or other spa treatments.

Schedule a trial with your hairstylist and makeup artist.

Start gathering your RSVPs. Finalize the dates for your last-minute dress fittings.

Meet with all your wedding vendors to finalize any orders and reservations.

Purchase bridal party gifts and a gift for your fiancé.

Finalize the plans for your honeymoon. Update your passport and vaccinations, if necessary.

Finalize ceremony.

One month before

Finalize the details of your rehearsal dinner.

Go over song lists and requests with your band or DJ. Draw up preliminary seating arrangements for the reception.

Have a trial session with your wedding-day hairstylist and makeup artist.

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Your wedding day

Get in a wedding day workout.

Get your hair and makeup done early.

Make sure you get plenty to eat, and drink a lot of water.

Have fun!

MEREDITH COE PHOTOGRAPHY

JEN FARIELLO

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e v o L stories Four weddings with romance, beauty, and beaucoups of real-life inspiration

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Despite a few curveballs, an intimate wedding delivers a happy ending

Roll with me 28

&

Tia Troester Mark McLewee words by

Caite Hamilton photos by

Meredith Coe

T

he plan was always to have their wedding on a private property, rather than a vineyard or other event venue.

And even as plans changed (thanks to restrictions of the pandemic), Tia and Mark McLewee rolled with the punches.

“It was definitely hard to be engaged in 2020,” Tia says.

“However, it taught us to shift our focus more on what we wanted and how we envisioned our day.” For the couple, that meant a relaxed vibe that kept the spotlight on their relationship and commitment.

They shifted the venue from a friend’s estate to Afton’s Lewis Catherine House, which meant a much more intimate ceremony (“We had as many people standing as we did sitting,” the bride notes), and put together a few special details: Mark’s mom handcrafted jewelry holders as favors, the matron of honor made koozies with sketches of the couple’s beloved dogs, and the matron of honor’s mother blended eucalyptus with complementary flowers, which helped establish the event’s color palette.

In all, the day felt intimate, special, and­—finally—easy.

“Walking back up ‘the aisle’ (two rows of chairs), we both felt a huge sense of relief that we’d made it through all the challenges and disappointments of the process,” Tia says.

“We could finally relax and celebrate with our guests.”

S E P T E M B E R 19, 2 0 2 0 , AT L E W I S C AT H E R I N E H O U S E

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hedgefineblooms.com HEATHER DODGE PHOTOGRAPHY.

LOVE STORIES NOW WE EAT

Ellen English’s catering menu included crab cake appetizers (Mark is from Maryland) and mini chicken-and-waffle sandwiches as a post-reception treat.

BEAUTIFUL MUSIC

Mark and Tia met at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in 2012 while working for Red Light Management—Mark in Charlottesville and Tia in Denver. They dated long-distance for a year until Tia relocated. Five and a half years later, Mark popped the question on the Rivanna Trail.

TUNES FOR TWO

With careers in the music business, Mark and Tia had fun selecting songs from their relationship for the reception playlist. “We have a lot of songs that are near and dear to us and ones that just make us want to dance,” Tia says. “It was fun to be able to share those songs with our family.”

THE DETAILS

Officiant: Christi Ughetta Catering: Ellen English Cake: Paradox Pastry Bride’s attire: All Who Wander Adley from Tiffany’s Bridal (gown), Morning Ritual Studio (earrings), Cole Haan (shoes) Groom’s attire: Indochino Groomsmen’s attire: Indochino Bridesmaids’ dresses: BHLDN Rings: Sarah O Jewelry (Denver, Colorado) Hair and makeup: Crystal Helberg (hair), Elizabeth Wilson (makeup) Rentals: Stonegate Event Rentals (furniture), MS Events (tableware)

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Sentimental journey After moving far from home, a couple brings two families together

Words by

Caite Hamilton Photos by

Carrie Coleman

32

LOVE STORIES

&

Erin Hairston

Tim McDonnell

J U LY 5 , 2 0 19 , AT K I N G F A M I LY V I N E YA R D S

33

WEDDING PLANNER

E

rin Hairston and Tim McDonnell had never lived too far from family, but in 2018, after they got engaged, they made a huge leap— to Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“Tim got a great job offer, and I was a teacher, so we decided to journey out to a state we had never been before,” Erin says. “No family, no friends, but we went.”

So when they got married—closer to home, at King Family Vineyards—it felt even more special. The wedding turned into a kind of family reunion, which they honored with special details. The venue itself reminded Tim of the landscape in his native New Hampshire, and some of the décor recalled loved ones (Erin’s late grandmother’s vases held floral arrangements, a hutch displayed photos of those who had passed).

The DJ played The Pointer Sisters’ “We Are Family” to encourage everyone to the dance floor post-toasts—which ended up being a favorite moment for the bride.

“In that moment, Tim and I were surrounded by all of the people that have loved and supported us throughout the years,” Erin says.

THE DETAILS

Event planner: Sarah Waller (Day by Fay) Officiant: Phil Gates (Sacred Ceremonies) Catering: The Local Flowers: Colonial Florist Cake: Kuba Kuba Music: Eve Watters (ceremony), DJ Shaggi (reception) Bride’s attire: Tiffany’s Bridal Groom’s attire: Men’s Warehouse Groomsmen’s attire: Men’s Warehouse Bridesmaids’ dresses: David’s Bridal Rings: Johannes Hunter Jewelers (groom), Summerwind (bride) Hair and makeup: Dora Boone (hair), Tish Perkins of Beauty by Tish (makeup) Transportation: Albemarle Limousine Rentals: MS Events

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LOVE STORIES

COLOR ME MINE

The couple was at Lowe’s in search of a color palette when Tim turned to Erin with a photo in an inspiration pamphlet. “There was a vase that was blue and white and I immediately said yes,” Erin says. “My grandma (who had passed away) had a ton of vases, plates, and knick-knacks in that pattern.”

THAT’S TASTY

The cake, a tres leche from Richmond’s Kuba Kuba, was a special one. “We would go on dates to Kuba Kuba just order the tres leche cake and get coffee,” Erin says.

NO S’MORE!

To make the 200 favors they needed for the event (a DIY s’mores kit), Tim, Erin, and Erin’s parents created an assembly line—four graham crackers, two marshmallows, and a chocolate bar in a clear box. Five hours later, they finished the task (“but Tim was questioning plenty about how my family and my parents operate,” Erin jokes).

THEY SWIPED RIGHT

A “Tinder success story,” as Erin says, the couple had their first date at Postbellum in Richmond. They were together three and a half years before getting married.

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Add some zen to your wedding day by incorporating crystals! Rocks and crystals make great centerpieces and perfect wedding favors your guests will want to keep. Plus, add in some extra love with Rose Quartz and Selenite for calming to really enjoy your day.

Looking to make your wedding extra special?

We are happy to help at Minerals & Mystics!

www.mineralsandmystics.com Facebook.com/MineralsMystics 345 Hillsdale Drive Charlottesville VA 22901 434-284-7709

So happy An informal wedding focuses on the important things

Words by

together

Caite Hamilton Photos by

Sydney Kane Photography

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LOVE STORIES

&

Liv Kirk Hannah Hellman SEP TEMBER 5, 2020, AT A DAV E N FA R M

L

iv Kirk and Hannah Hellman were on a hike at Adaven Farm—Hannah’s family’s property—when they decided on their forever. So when COVID derailed their original Castle Hill wedding plan, it seemed only natural that they’d pivot back to the family home.

“Given that it was an intimate ceremony with just our immediate families, we decided we wanted the theme to be casual and rustic,” Liv says. “The backdrop of getting married on the farm made that theme fall into place.”

It turned out to be the perfect setting for a family reunion—plenty of space outside to feel safe to spread out, gather for the ceremony, and take pictures—and made some of the moments often taken for granted even more special.

Liv’s favorite memory? “Looking around the dinner table at our family,” she says. “We hadn’t all been together in so long given the restraints of the pandemic, and being separated geographically throughout Virginia in Arlington, Richmond, and Charlottesville. In the midst of a tumultuous year, it felt like there was a bright light surrounding us that day.”

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WEDDING PLANNER

PUPPY LOVE

During the ceremony, the couple’s dog, Bode, barked right as Liv said, “I do.” “He couldn’t wait, so he said it for us,” she says.

HELPING HANDS

DIY was the name of the game: Hannah’s mom designed the table settings and ceremony space, while Liv’s mom handmade flower collars for the four family dogs and a flower bridal for Hannah’s mom’s horse, Asta. Liv’s brother and sister-in-law created the couple’s “just married” sign and paper flowers, as well as calligraphied the place settings.

A TASTE OF ITALY

After nixing the idea of cooking the food themselves, the couple returned to Charlottesville favorite: Tavola. “Whenever we have a special occasion, or want fantastic Italian, it’s where we go,” Liv says. The menu included the restaurant’s signature pappardelle bolognese, pork Milanese, and burrata antipasti.

THE DETAILS

Officiant: Sarah Hutchinson Catering: Tavola Flowers: Casey Neeley (Cultivate Event Co.) Cake: Albemarle Baking Company Music: (DJ, Ame Hellman) Brides’ attire: BHLDN Shoes: Soludos (Liv), BHLDN (Hannah) Rings: Todd Reed engagement ring and Nathaniel Owens wedding band (Hannah), Clarke’s Jewelers engagement ring and Etsy wedding band (Liv)

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All eyes on us Amalfi meets Virginia at a gallery wedding

Words by

Caite Hamilton Photography by Jen Fariello

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LOVE STORIES

&

Hagan Rushton

John Tampellini

J U LY 31, 2 0 2 1, AT L E S Y E U X D U M O N D E

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G

WEDDING PLANNER

etting married in your childhood home is already extra special. If your childhood home is also home to one of the best galleries in the area? Even better.

“It’s a really special place and I’ve always known that I wanted to get married there,” says Hagan of her mom’s W.G. Clark-designed art gallery, Les Yeux du Monde. “The gallery made for the most beautiful first-look venue and place to welcome our guests.”

It wasn’t the first wedding on the property— artist Dean Dass’ daughter married there a decade ago—and the couple drew some inspiration from that event (using Beehive Events’ Shawn Cossette for florals), but put their own spin on it.

“I love Italian-inspired food and décor, so we landed on an Amalfi-meets-Virginia ‘theme.’”

Hagan says. Utilizing her and her mom’s favorite colors of yellow and blue as the palette, they filled out the vibe with custom touches, from flowerpatterned napkins and matching cocktail and dinner table linens, to hanging wicker lanterns and Italian-inspired tile calligraphied for table numbers. “Lots of those details made the wedding feel really different and special,” she says.

Still, the couple’s favorite parts are the ones they couldn’t have planned—like Hagan’s mom’s toast or their send-off.

“It was so nice to have a moment of quiet after the excitement of the wedding to just be together and talk about the wedding and let how wonderful it all was really sink in,” John says.

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LOVE STORIES

UNDER THE LIGHTS

The placement of the dance floor outside of the tent—“under the stars and bistro lights,” says Hagan—helped achieve the relaxed, Italian café feel.

MANGIA!

Harvest Moon Catering kept the Italian theme throughout the menu, with a watermelon granita garnished with basil between courses, plus specialty cocktails—a Negroni Collins and an Aperol Spritz.

THE DETAILS

Event planner: Dickie Morris of Just A Little Ditty Officiant: Reverend Ken Henry Catering: Harvest Moon Catering Flowers: Beehive Events Cake: HotCakes Music: Gallatin Canyon (ceremony and cocktails), The Adrian Duke Project (reception) Bride’s attire: Mira Zwillinger (wedding dress), Galvan London (second dress), Jimmy Choo (shoes) Groom’s attire: Suit Supply (tuxedo), Allen Edmonds (shoes) Bridesmaids’ dresses: Fame & Partners Hair: Erica Haskins (Top Knot Studio) Makeup: Linda Livernois (Rouge 9) Videographer: Monika Garland of Sam Stroud Photography

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CHARLOTTESVILLE’S FAVORITE PARTY RENTALS & SPECIAL EVENT LIGHTING COMPANY!

Photos courtesy of Lieb Photographic

we love to party www.mseventscville.com | 1135 River Road Charlottesville, VA 22901 | 434-984-1155

M AK I N G M A R RY

SARAH MILLER

For keeps This one’s not for the album—it’s for the wall. In addition to her own still-life work, artist Sarah Miller accepts commissions for paintings of couples’ favorite wedding scenes, from candid engagement photos to their first look. It’s a great alternative for folks who want a more artful display of their big day.

She paints each work from high-res photography the couple supplies after the wedding, and turns around the keepsake piece in a couple months (“as far in advance as possible is always wise,” she says).

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Fall in LOVE with...

Heartstone Lodge Lexington, Virginia only 4 miles from center of historic downtown Lexington

Perfectly elegant & unique country setting for your wedding event!

Idyllic destination venue in the rolling farmlands of the Shenandoah Valley

♦ beautifully furnished re-purposed dairy barn ♦ professional catering kitchen ♦ gorgeous vistas ♦ large wood burning stone fireplace ♦ outdoor fire pit ♦ multiple ceremony possibilities ♦ grand piano ♦ 65 ft vine covered pergola ♦ overnight accommodations in log cabins, studios or private guest suites

www.HeartstoneLodge.com

540.463.2593

www.SouthRiverHighlands.com

c-ville.com/weddings

In 2008, soon after the restaurant opened its doors in the heart of downtown Belmont, The Local introduced its fullservice offsite catering and event coordination services to central Virginia. Whether your event is grand or intimate, each menu is customized to match the style of meal and experience you’re envisioning when dreaming up your big day. Comprised of locally grown and cultivated products, our menu includes gourmet food items from small farmers, local purveyors, artisan cheese makers, breweries, distilleries and award-winning vineyards. Just as we’ve done for clients that become family over the last decade, we look forward to bringing the event you’re envisioning to life. Cheers!

catering@thelocal-cville.com 434-422-5140