Google+ Virginia Gold Cup Wedding from Kristen Gardner, Part I - Southern Weddings

Southern Weddings

Tory + Doug’s church ceremony was sweet in more than one way. While we love the green hydrangeas and white tulips that hung from the pews and lined the aisles and the kiss that the couple shared after their vows, we were even more moved that Tory’s walk down the aisle didn’t leave a dry eye in the place! Tory got to walk down the aisle with her father, who had been sick and in and out of hospitals leading up to the wedding. We love how it reminds us about this simple but meaningful tradition. Another tradition we love? How the groom doesn’t get to see the bride before the ceremony! Doug’s blindfold even matches Tory’s bridesmaids’ Lula Kate dresses. Big thanks to Kristen Gardner who shared this wedding with us!

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. We were both at a Lance Armstrong fundraiser in Austin, Texas. Doug was friends with the person I was with and he asked me to dance (which we did) and we started talking. A few weeks later we had our first, second and third date.
Describe the proposal. Doug hired a driver just after midnight (making it June 6, our 2 year anniversary) to take us around DC to see the sights. We asked the driver to pull over and take our picture. He took one and said, “Let’s try from another angle.” When I turned back around, Doug was down on his knee.
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Unique, perfect, amazing.
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: The horse races it provided the perfect atmosphere. Everyone dressed as if we were at the Kentucky Derby, drank mint juleps, smoked cigars, wore Derby hats and enjoyed the outdoor venue. A majority of our guests were not from the area so we wanted the reception to have a party feel, thanking them for all making the trip out to horse country Virginia for our big day!
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? My dad telling me how gorgeous I looked right before we walked into the church. Since he had been sick, there wasn’t a dry eye in the place when he walked me down the aisle. It was amazing!
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: I had tried on around 40 dresses that were all very similar in style, but I was waiting for my Mom to come into town before making the final decision, so I took her to the shop almost as soon as she landed. As I went to grab the dress, I saw the one beside it and thought that it looked perfect for an outdoor setting. I had to try it on. The next thing I knew, I was calling one of my bridesmaids to meet me the next day so she could see the new dress. She said it was obvious that it was the one because of how excited I was.

Photographer: Kristen Gardner // Planner: Lauren McWilliams // Ceremony venue: Grace Episcopal Church // Reception venue: Virginia Gold Cup at Great Meadows // Florist: Robin Pegler & Vicki Hanley // Wedding Cake Baker: Market Salomander // Caterer: Marriot Ranch // Paper Products: Marriot Ranch // Bride’s Dress: Alexia Gavela // Bride’s Hair Accessories/Veil: Unbridaled // Bride’s Shoes: Lilly Pullitzer // Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Lula Kate // Accessories: Blue Nile

nicoleyang Written with love by Nicole
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