Richmond Bride - Summer/Fall 2024

Suiting Threads

FINE

CLOTHING DESIGNER ANDRE’ MCLAUGHLIN BRINGS HIS BESPOKE ATTIRE TO RICHMOND

By SOLACE CHURCH

A CLOTHIER to the stars, professional stylist Andre’ J. McLaughlin opened a second location of his custom suit and tuxedo business, Andre’ Julius (andre julius.com), in Richmond at the end of 2023. Founded in Williamsburg in 2021, the business has gained a celebrity following.

The showroom, located at 1309 E. Main St., is filled with fabric books, the sounds of soft jazz music, suits hanging on every wall and an antique Singer sewing machine. There are two dressing rooms available, each equipped with floor-length mirrors, but McLaughlin notes the by-appointment-only setup of the boutique ensures customers receive one-on-one attention.

Andre’ Julius designs bespoke and made-to-measure suiting for men and women. Garments can even be expedited when clients are in a pinch and need them within a week or two.

A Williamsburg native, McLaughlin became interested in custom-made suits when he recognized that off-the-rack options just didn’t fit him the way he would like. However, his passion for fashion developed much earlier in his life.

“The fashion portion definitely derives from church,” McLaughlin says. “I was the kid playing the drums in a suit at 5.”

Most of his design knowledge was obtained through personal research, and he taught himself how to measure and recognize various fabric qualities. Andre’ Julius sources its fabrics from around the world, offering more than 10,000 books of texture and design samples created everywhere from Australia to Italy. The materials are also exclusive to Andre’ Julius.

“I wanted fabrics that no one else had. You won't see anyone wearing my fabrics from my mills unless you’re a client of Andre’ Julius,” he says.

Richmond Bride sat down with McLaughlin in his showroom to learn about the business and for advice on acquiring a bespoke suit for weddings and formal events.

RICHMOND BRIDE: What apparel options do clients have when designing clothing with Andre’ Julius?

ANDRE’ MCLAUGHLIN: Suits, tuxedos, shirts, leather garments, trenchcoats, overcoats. I make skirts, I make business dresses. I don’t really dive into gowns, but I can make a business A-line dress.

RB: What’s the di erence between bespoke and made-to-measure suits?

MCLAUGHLIN: Made-to measure is the process of when you come in here, you pick all your garments, pick your buttons, you pick your liners; I measure you, and I make the whole suit, and you come back for one fitting usually. If some alterations are needed, we’ll do the alterations as well. A bespoke process is a longer process. Same front-end portion of the made-to-measure, so you get the fabrics and pick all the buttons, etc. The dif-

ference is your first fitting will be a basted garment. A basted garment is an exposed garment. It still has stitching exposed. So, we can alter your jacket, your vest, whatever it is, before we finalize it. So, a true bespoke is multiple fittings. The first one is the basted garment. The second one is the finalized garment. And a third if alterations are needed. The benefit of the bespoke is the fit is going to be even better than made-to-measure.

Courtesy Andre’ Julius

Andre' McLaughlin, owner of custom suiting business Andre' Julius

A Decade of I Do's

LESSONS LEARNED DURING 10 YEARS OF OFFICIATING WEDDINGS

By JOHN CHARLET

Ten years ago, I was asked to officiate a wedding for a friend (something I knew little about), and I was asked to write an article about my experience as a wedding celebrant for this magazine. My friend’s wedding day marked the beginning of a personal odyssey. I've teamed with more than 100 couples from varied backgrounds, in dozens of venues, through every type of weather, and have loved every minute. It’s a privilege to connect with the couples to help their ceremony reflect their personal story. And while I’ve honed my wedding officiant talents over the decade, I’ve also learned what couples should look for, and ask for, when enlisting their celebrant. Based on my own hits and misses, here are some tips and tricks for your ceremony.

1. START WITH THE BASICS. Talk to your partner about your shared vision for the ceremony. What, if any, religious elements would you like to include? How long do you want it

to be? Knowing the answers to these questions before meeting with your officiant will establish the groundwork for the ceremony and assist your celebrant in working with you to execute the matrimony of your dreams.

2. WHAT’S ESSENTIAL TO YOU? Once you’ve got the basics down, brainstorm with your partner about what’s meaningful to you as a twosome. This will help you determine themes you’d like to weave into the ceremony. Maybe it’s music, or your professions. Maybe it’s your love of the beach, or your favorite college football teams.

3. THE PERSONNEL MAKE IT PERSONAL. Think about whether you'd like to honor any of your family or friends by making them a part of your ceremony. Do you have an uncle or aunt who’d shine by doing a reading or reciting some poetry? Maybe a particularly spiritual member of your family can say the opening prayer.

LEFT: John Charlet officiates an intimate Luray Caverns August 2020 wedding ceremony for Richmond couple Chelsea and Joe.

4. CAST A WIDE NET. Don’t get hemmed in by convention. Some of the most meaningful add-ins are silly inside jokes that your officiant can explain to the gathered group (or not). I’ve heard a set of vows made entirely out of quotes from “The Simpsons,” and truly heartfelt readings of Earth, Wind & Fire lyrics. When it comes to including wedding readings, the sky is the limit: Do four readings, or none — it's totally up to you.

5. TO PHONE, OR NOT TO PHONE. If you’d like for your ceremony to be sans phones, let your officiant know. They should be able to manage announcements stating your preference. Just keep in mind that there’s always a rogue who thinks rules don’t apply to them.

6. HOW DOTH THOU VOW? There are two main ways to create your vows: You can write your own, or you can repeat them after the celebrant. If you go for the former, be on the same page with your future spouse. Consider a time estimate (2 or 3 minutes is a good start). This may not be a good option if you have trouble speaking in public or when you’re highly emotional. As a person who nearly didn’t get through their own vows because of my uncontrollable sobbing, I can attest: If you’re a crier, consider repeated vows. If that’s the path you choose, there’s nothing stopping you from scripting some yourself (or finding something that’s already been scripted). Your officiant should have something traditional or may be able to help you find something suitable.

7. COMFORT IS KING . When choosing a celebrant for your nuptials, your priority should be comfort. Is the person you’re considering easy to work with, and are they open and considerate of your feedback?

There are details galore to explore with your officiant, but referencing these tips will get you well on the road to crafting a ceremony that’s meaningful to you and your guests.

John Charlet has been officiating weddings for more than 10 years. A husband, father, teacher and music enthusiast, he loves working with couples to bring their ceremony visions to life. He can be contacted at virginiaweddingofficiant.com.

Pro-wedding, ‘ANTI-BRIDE’

Couples are doing away with traditions and saying ‘I do’ to more UNCONVENTIONAL WEDDINGS

by CHRISTINE WINDER illustrations by CARSON MCNAMARA

When you think about the last wedding you attended, it probably had the same mainstays: a bride in a white dress, a first dance between the newlyweds and a bouquet toss to the tune of “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé. And, understandably so. Wedding traditions have been passed down for generations, becoming common practice over time and, in a digital age, perpetuated by the rise of social media.

However, in recent years, there’s been a shift away from some of these longstanding traditions. Microweddings gained popularity in 2020 due to gathering limitations during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now, nontraditional weddings are on the rise. This alternative wedding trend has been dubbed “anti-bride,” and according to a 2023 wedding trends report from Pinterest x Zola, searches for this keyword increased 490% last year. Additionally, internet searches for unconventional ceremo-

ny vows rose 205% and interest in nontraditional wedding dresses went up 110%.

While the term “anti-bride” can sound negative at face value, the point is to create a nontraditional style event that focuses on the love and celebration of the engaged couple sans the usual wedding checklist. The rulebook can be tossed away, allowing for as big or small an affair as desired. If a 12-piece band is a priority, go for it. Prefer a food truck-style reception over a sit-down dining experience? Book it. The planning decisions are much more flexible when following the “anti-bride” trend.

It can also be misconstrued that “antibride” shames the bride role itself, which certainly is not the case. Brides are encouraged to embrace the title and all the joy and pomp that comes with the life event. Be the bride you want to be — creativity and personality are key, rather than making sure you’re following all the customary expectations of the role.

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“No black tux anymore. [Couples are] going for cool colors and uniquepatterns.”

-ANNE-MICHELLE FORBES, THE HIVE WEDDING COLLECTIVE

did a sit-down dinner. It was almost like getting married at your rehearsal dinner. The larger reception was held the next day,” Lexie says.

Whether couples are participating in karaoke, square dancing, wearing colorful garments or getting creative with the structure of their big day, the primary focus of the “anti-bride” trend is to celebrate personality and uniqueness.

THE REASON FOR THE (WEDDING) SEASON

Beyond a one-of-a-kind look or out-ofthe-box activities for nuptial celebrations, most “anti-bride” couples also focus on the meaning behind their big day without

getting distracted by the stress of planning. “I’m seeing people take more autonomy with their events and what makes it special to them and their family as a couple,” Clarke says, adding that there’s a mindset move away from what partners think they’re supposed to traditionally do at a wedding and toward what is important to them, and what they want to put their time and financial resources toward.

Many couples are breaking with conformity, opting for more time spent with loved ones throughout the day rather than sticking to a traditional schedule. The Gunthers prioritized quality time during their wedding, and their two-day affair helped them achieve that. “We wanted time to spend with the people who are most important to us,” Lexie says. “We actually got to spend all that time with our family and bridal party the first day and then spent our cocktail hour the next day with friends without cutting anyone short.” Sam adds that the structure of their event afforded them one-on-one time that an evening reception often doesn’t allow for. “We were always with people. We got to spend a lot of time with our people,” he says.

This was also important to Christian Griggs-Drane and Adam Roher, who married at the Linden Row Inn on Feb. 19 of this year. The couple hosted a microwedding with 10 close friends and family members. “I really wanted to integrate us into our community, and that doesn’t happen with a flashy wedding where you don’t speak to anyone. It was important to me to have a meaningful conversation with every person who was there that day,” Griggs-Drane says.

Clarke notes “anti-bride” couples are looking for more quality time in a wedding, especially with one another. Where typically they’re separated until a first look or the walk down the aisle, couples are getting creative to spend more time together. “I’ve seen more couples spending more time together on their wedding day overall — engaging more before the ceremony and people not wanting to be separate from their partner. I have a couple going for a swim together the morning before their wedding at River Run,” she says. “It’s about your friends and family and two families coming together, but it really is about the couple.” In this spirit, couples are focused on making sure that their wedding is an accurate depiction of themselves, their love

Left: The “Sapphire” gown by Soleil James at Blue Sage Bridal is an example of color infusion in wedding-day apparel.

ABI & JAKE

Falling for Art

SEPT. 4, 2022

Photos by KIM STOCKWELL

Abi Roodman and Jake Strange connected through JSwipe — an online dating app for Jewish singles — and went on their first date in 2016. In 2020, while on a drive through upstate New York, they stopped at Storm King Art Center, where Jake popped the question as they strolled through the contemporary art museum’s outdoor sculpture collection.

Though the couple resides in New Jersey, Abi grew up in Richmond and wanted to get married in her hometown. “I wanted to show our guests how wonderful the city is,” she says. In keeping with their art-themed engagement, she and Jake chose the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to host their nuptials, featuring an outdoor ceremony on the Belvedere Terrace followed by an elegant reception in the Marble Hall. “The museum has this classic feel with lots of modern touches,” Abi says. “It felt like a dream come true.”

Guests enjoyed a grand cocktail hour with passed and stationed appetizers — including smoked salmon latkes and chicken tempura — before feasting on a plated dinner of jicama and cucumber salad, a filet mignon and grilled salmon duet, and tiramisu for dessert. There were also endof-the-night snacks of hot dogs and french fries.

Abi says she will always cherish the memory of entering the reception with Jake as husband and wife. “We walked down the stairs together and got to see all of our favorite people in one room,” she says. “It was the best adrenaline I’ve ever experienced.”

CLASSIC TASTE: Tiger Lily created the custom wedding invitation suite, including an invitation to the bride’s parents’ home for a traditional Shabbat dinner the Friday prior to the wedding. The decorative items were sourced from the VMFA.

ABSTRACT DESIGN: Reception table centerpieces included fresh and dried hydrangeas, dried amaranths, to ee roses, snowberry, lisianthus and dried agapanthus.

(Opposite page) DRESSED TO THE NINES: The bride wore a high-neck Monique Lhuillier gown that she describes as “a piece of modern art” with Sophia Webster strappy heels. The groom wore a navy tuxedo with black lapels from Enzo Custom.

PLANNER: Stephanie Murtaugh, LK Events & Design

FLORIST: Photosynthesis Floral Design

CATERER: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

CAKE: Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods

HAIR AND MAKEUP: Transformations Artistry and Stephanie Parker Makeup

(Opposite page) TO HAVE AND TO HOLD: The bride’s bouquet contained larkspur, scabiosa pods and flowers, dried agapanthus, gomphrena, hydrangeas and lunaria.

(Clockwise from top left)

PARTY ON: Abi and Jake joined the band onstage during the last song of the night, “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, an ode to their time as New York City residents.

SEALED WITH A KISS:

The couple shared their first kiss as husband and wife after completing the Jewish wedding tradition of “breaking of glass.” Their chuppah (canopy) was decorated with pampas grass and hydrangeas.

BOUND TOGETHER: The rabbi signed the couple’s ketubah, or marriage contract, which asserts their commitment to each other and to maintaining a Jewish home.

SWEET DREAMS:

Abi and Jake had a lemon buttercream wedding cake from Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods. “I grew up right near Ukrop’s bakery, so it was a special part of my childhood,” Abi says.

SQUAD GOALS: The bridal party strolled the grounds of the VMFA after the ceremony. The bridesmaids were asked to wear a black gown of any design and groomsmen to wear a black tuxedo and bow tie.

CHANEL & TADDY

Afternoon Brunch Party

NOVEMBER 2023

Photos by CHELSEA SCHMIDT

Chanel Gray met Taddy Ternh while on a service trip in New Orleans in 2008. The pair began dating a year later and got engaged in 2023. Though the pair doesn’t reside in Richmond, Chanel is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and wanted to host their wedding in the River City.

After touring several venues, the couple selected Common House Richmond. “As soon as we walked in, we felt a warmth and intimacy to the space,” Chanel says. “We loved the exposed brick and midcentury modern design.” They said their vows in the courtyard before moving inside to Union Hall for a brunch-themed afternoon reception. “We knew we wanted to do something casual during the day, so we chose to have a wonderful brunch with family and friends,” she says.

Guests dined on crab cake deviled eggs, croissant breakfast sandwiches (scrambled eggs, white cheddar and pepper jam) and hot honey chicken and waffles. There was a pastry bar with almond croissants, chocolate chip scones and biscuits, and a signature apple ginger fizz mocktail made with ginger beer and apple juice.

The couple shared a sweet first look the morning of their nuptials. “We got to spend some time together before the wedding, and it was just awesome,” Chanel says. After the big day, they retreated to a cabin in the mountains for a minimoon.

FRESH TOUCH:

Guests sat at family-style tables for the reception in Union Hall. In addition to floral centerpieces, the tables were decorated with peppers and tomatoes.

“Taddy and I love fresh veggies and wanted to bring nature into the space,” Chanel says.

BEADED BLISS:

Chanel purchased this celebratory seed bead purse from online marketplace Poshmark. Taddy designed her engagement ring, which features an Ethiopian fire opal. Paired with the two matching bands, the bride’s ring trio represents the couple’s past, present and future.

The groom’s wedding band is silver.

(Opposite page)

ROOFTOP ROMANCE:

Chanel and Taddy took photos at Common House’s rooftop bar. The bride’s lace gown, which features a low back, and veil were from Avenir Bridal Boutique. The groom’s suit was from Men’s Wearhouse.

COORDINATOR: Jessica Hill, Dear Summer Events

FLORIST: FIELD Floral Design

CATERER: Common House Richmond

DESSERT: Pearl’s Bake Shoppe

(Left, from top)

SAY CHEESE: The ceremony space was transformed into an openair photo booth (provided by Richmond Photobooth) for guests during the reception.

SWEET TOOTH: Pearl’s Bake Shoppe made the couple’s wedding cake as well as several flavors of cupcakes (candied sweet potato, bourbon-pecan, gingerbread and corn mu n) and vanilla to ee cheesecake tarts.

LOVE IS CALLING: Chanel’s mother found an antique rotary phone to decorate the reception space. The small marquee board beside the phone echoes the Stevie Wonder song titled “I just called 2 say I <3 you” because the couple were in a long-distance relationship when they first started dating.

(Above, from top)

FLOWER POWER: The bridesmaids wore velvet dresses from Baltic Born. Their bouquets, along with the bride’s, featured amaryl-

lis, locally grown chrysanthemums and amsonia.

HUSBAND AND WIFE: The newlyweds were all smiles after saying their vows. The exposed brick wall was decorated with hanging carnations in lieu of a formal altar.

(Opposite page)

STYLISH PAIR: The bride and groom took photos in the Common House library after doing their first look. “I was so happy we could have that time together,” Chanel says.

BLAKE & VERA

Love You to Pizzas

APRIL 9, 2022

Photos by ON THREE PHOTOGRAPHY

Blake Gillespie and Vera Magdeeva met in 2019 but the pair didn’t become close until March 2020 — right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. “We realized we only lived three blocks apart at the time, so we ended up spending the lockdown together,” Vera says. A year later, and after several foiled proposal attempts, Blake proposed to Vera in front of her apartment after walking home in the rain from dinner at Kuka Kuba in the Fan.

The low-key couple opted to have their wedding at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, where Vera formerly worked as a special events manager. Their ceremony and reception took place in the center’s spacious outdoor courtyard. For their DIY event, Blake and Vera enlisted the services of as many local and/or independently owned vendors as possible, many of whom are close friends or family. “My mom and sister own a floral boutique in Charlotte, North Carolina, so it was really cool to have them decorate our wedding,” Blake says.

The couple’s friend Rob Zorch, owner of Zorch Pizza, was hired to bring his popular food truck to the reception. Guests dined on a selection of pies, including pepperoni, Wing Night, White Out, Hawaiian Lunch and Super Veggie. The drink menu included brews from Reason Beer (the Charlottesville-based brewery has since closed) and local wine. Another pal, a former professional baker, made the couple’s cake and a selection of mini pies and cheesecakes, and helped with day-of coordination.

The lively reception played host to one of the bride’s favorite moments. “We are big ’90s music fans, and Third Eye Blind was playing,” Vera says. “We just had so much fun singing and dancing in the middle of the dance floor, surrounded by all of our friends and family.”

DOG DAD:

The groom wore a custom pair of socks featuring the couple’s beagle, Fitz.

SPIN ME RIGHT

ROUND: The duo are huge audiophiles and own more than 400 records. For the wedding, they ordered a custom vinyl sleeve and labels and put out records for guests to sign.

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CITY VIEW: Blake and Vera got ready in separate suites at the Graduate Richmond, then took photos at the rooftop bar. Her boho, fitted lace gown was purchased from Blue Sage Bridal and his gray suit was from Men’s Wearhouse.

FLORIST: Willow Floral Boutique (Charlotte, North Carolina)

CATERER: Zorch Pizza

HAIR AND MAKEUP: Merry White, Circle Square Salon