Southern Weddings

Considering we’re based here in the good ‘ole Tar Heel state, it’s only natural that we get extra excited about real-life North Carolina weddings, like this one from Angela Stott Photography and Occasions by Emily.  While we absolutely love the dramatic peacock theme (the groomsmen wore peacock feathers in lieu of traditional boutonnières!), what’s most special about Marcy + Brian’s wedding, of course, is that the couple’s nuptials at the Biltmore Estate joined not only this adorable twosome but also their five children!  I love how the jewel-tone purples of the bride’s tulip and orchid bouquet from The Bloom Room gave this sophisticated black, white and green affair just the right pop of color.  And how better to recreate the dramatic, nouveau feel of the 1930’s and ‘40s the couple tried to weave into every aspect of their swanky Asheville soiree than with a wonderfully vintage Jenny Packham dress like Marcy’s?

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. We first met when I was a summer law clerk and Brian was an associate at the firm. He thought the firm should hire a different clerk. He lost and won, all at the same time! 

Describe the proposal: I was a French major in college but had never so much as been to French-speaking Canada. Suffice it to say, visiting Paris was high on my “things to do before I die” list. Brian had a conference in London, and we agreed to meet up in Paris after the conference ended. At the time, we both wore rings we had given each other as gifts. The first night in Paris, we walked out to the Pont des Arts to enjoy the view. Brian asked to see my ring. He took it, took his ring off, and locked the two together. He then proceeded to pitch them both into the Seine. Brian then dropped to one knee and proposed. He told me that he wanted our children and grandchildren to be able to come to that spot and know that those rings were down there, inexorably linked the way that we are.  

What was the design inspiration for your wedding? We fell in love with Asheville and the Biltmore Estate on a weekend visit. The Inn on Biltmore had a display case outlining the significance of the peacock in Biltmore history. We wanted an art nouveau feel and the peacock was emblematic of that period. Naturally, we incorporated peacocks into nearly every element of the wedding.

Favorite design element of your big day: Instead of having several small tables, we elected to go with one large rectangular “feasting” table. It really gave the space an intimate dinner party feel. Also, each napkin was tucked with (what else) a peacock feather. But the highlight of the tablescape for me was the vintage candelabras we found in a local antique shop. They now adorn our mantle at home and are a daily reminder of our wedding.

Tell us about finding your wedding dress: I originally started looking for a vintage 30s or 40s wedding dress. It turns out that women of the 30s and 40s were unnaturally tiny, so that idea was out. Luckily, I came across a photo of Jenny Packham’s “Claire” dress, which had the same vintage look I was hoping for.

Describe your wedding flowers: We were married during the Festival of Flowers at the Biltmore, so we wanted a simple, elegant look to complement and not compete with the gardens. I carried an arm bouquet of white and purple tulips, calla lilies, orchids and peacock feathers. The bouquet was tied in satin ribbon and accented with a black and white jeweled peacock brooch that I bought in France. Brian had a calla lily boutonnière and the rest of the groomsmen had peacock feather boutonnières. The bridesmaids all carried a single calla lily.

Describe your wedding cake: The cake had three offsetting square tiers. Each tier was covered in white fondant with a black ribbon border. The pastry chefs at Biltmore used our wedding invitations for inspiration, creating a black and white replica of the art nouveau peacock feathers.

Our favorite detail of the wedding: We loved the music at our reception. In lieu of a band, we downloaded vintage 30s and 40s music and created a playlist that was piped into the Conservatory. We have the playlist stored on our ipods. Whenever we want to be transported back to that moment, all we have to do is hit play — instant romance!

Hardest decision you made in planning? We did a full weekend event, renting out an entire B&B so our guests could stay with us. Deciding which activities to plan was a challenge, since we had guests ranging in age from 5 to 85. We wanted our guests to experience the things that we like to do when we go on a weekend getaway, but still have time to relax and enjoy what intrigued them in Asheville. We settled on a half day whitewater rafting trip, a comedy trolley tour of Asheville and tours of the Biltmore house and gardens.

Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase/verse/or line? We wrote vows to our children. After we said our vows to each other, we had our children join us at the altar and promised: Today [my children] and I also take [Brian’s children] to be a full part of our family. [Brian’s kids], I will support you, guide you, and love you. Together with your dad, I will provide you with a home filled with joy, laughter, security and peace.

What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? We bought a beautiful brick 1876 farmhouse that we have been renovating. 

Congratulations to Marcy + Brian and their children! We wish you the best with your new home and expanding family! 

Today really is a happy Monday!   As a Virginia girl myself, I was beyond ecstatic when our Art Director, Emily, first showed me Sarah + Duncan’s sweetly Southern and perfectly Virginia wedding from Brian Tropiano.  The dramatic arch of birch and maple trees shading the bride and groom as they exchanged their vows at the historic Tuckahoe Plantation made me miss the sprawling estates, wide lawns and friendly drawls of my home state.  Even if you’ve never had the chance to visit our dear Commonwealth, it’s hard not to love how Sarah expertly incorporated the natural beauty of her surroundings in everything from the quilt-covered bales of hay to the wildflower-inspired centerpieces from Rivah Flowers.  Naturally, Sarah was the epitome of Virginia elegance in her classic v-neck Lela Rose gown.  (How sweet is the delicate lace detailing on the bride’s dress?)  Eager to see more of this wedding (and of beautiful Virginia)?  Check out the rest of the pictures here!

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. A mutual friend introduced us while we were living in Jackson, Wyoming. Duncan came to a party we were hosting, where I teased him for leaving early in the evening. He walked away thinking I was snide; I thought he was boring. Things changed the next time we hung out and got out on the dance floor together. We quickly realized the other was much more than a typical ski bum!

Describe the proposal: We had been away from each other for six weeks the summer after our first year of grad school. Duncan flew into Virginia (where my parents live) from Costa Rica, and I could just tell something had changed in him. A week later he flew up to visit his parents in New Hampshire and returned to Virginia with his great great Aunt Clara’s ring. After conspiring with my parents, Duncan took me to my favorite lunch spot just down the road from the Tuckahoe Plantation where I grew up riding horses. When we finished lunch, he suggested driving up to Tuckahoe to look around. I thought it seemed weird because it was steaming hot and all I wanted to do was go back to my parents’ house for a dip in the pool. Fortunately, I agreed and Duncan proposed to me in a gorgeous hay field next to the cedar-lined lane at the place that had meant so much to me as a child and where we got married ten months later.
What was the design inspiration for your wedding? What I really wanted was for our design to play second fiddle to the breathtaking natural beauty of the ceremony and reception site, Tuckahoe Plantation. Everything I chose was meant to showcase the gardens, trees and architecture of the site. I also wanted our guests to feel totally relaxed and really be able to feel our unique sense of humor.

Favorite design element of your big day: My favorite element was the clothesline we set up in the garden with pictures of our family and friends from weddings they had been in or attended. It was really fun for people to mosey through the garden looking for people they knew in the pictures while sipping a cold beer between the ceremony and reception.

Tell us about finding your wedding dress: We live in Boulder, Colorado, which is eight and a half hours away from my closest bridesmaid. I was worried I would have to go wedding dress shopping all alone. Thankfully, my mother flew in to save the day. We found my dress at the third boutique we visited, Anna Bé in Denver. I tried on a lot of dresses, but hadn’t found a definite. As I was about to walk out the door, my mom spotted this incredibly unique but classic Lela Rose dress on a mannequin. When I tried it on, I knew it was my dress, but I made myself sleep on it before calling to order it the next day.

Describe your wedding flowers: I wanted all our bouquets to be perfectly springtime and to feel very “loose.” He used blue and purple lisianthus, peach roses and cream tulips for the bridesmaid bouquets. My bouquet was mostly gardenias and amazing variegated greenery that came from Tuckahoe’s gardens. All the bouquets smelled divine!

Describe your wedding cake: We wanted traditional pound cake, chocolate pound cake, carrot cake and red velvet cake, so we served all three!

Were there any special family traditions you included in the wedding? We didn’t include any family traditions, but my brother, who was my attendant of honor (or “man maid,” as he preferred to be called), and Duncan’s sister, who was in Duncan’s wedding party, each read a poem that had been read at both our parents’ weddings. It was so touching.
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase/verse/line? The vows were so special for us. Not only did we write our own vows, but Duncan’s father, a judge, officiated our ceremony. I loved every single thing Duncan said in his vows. My favorite line of his vows really spoke to how important my family and friends are to me: “I will make

 your family and my family, your friends and my friends, our family and our friends.”

What are you looking forward to in the future? After our wedding, we had to hurry back to Colorado for my summer school. Next summer we’re taking a one-year anniversary/honeymoon trip to the coasts of Turkey and Croatia. I can’t wait!

Congratulations, Sarah + Duncan!  Enjoy your fabulous honeymoon!