Southern Weddings

Ashley + Ross’s light brunch reception was an ideal wedding celebration for this couple who wanted to keep things simple. White flowers in milk glass from the bride’s mother’s collection decorated the space at Collina Farm at Clifton Inn while burlap table runners broke up the white-on-white effect and kraft paper signs directed guests to yummy Southern breakfast fare. (I spot some ham and cheese biscuits!) Self-proclaimed cupcake-obsessed, Ashley wanted to serve up a batch of classic chocolate and vanilla cupcakes for their family and friends to nibble on. Though they love cupcakes, the couple also chose to have a small cutting cake made. We love how it incorporates tradition without stepping on Ashley’s devotion to the smaller sugary treats! Thanks again to Elisa B Photography who captured this lovely affair!

Describe your wedding cake: I am obsessed with cupcakes. We had a local cupcake company whip up a batch of classic chocolate and vanilla goodness and a cutting cake to boot!
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: To be honest, our favorite was the lack of details that we had to think about. It was our goal to keep things simple. We did not have specific wedding colors and rather opted for a neutral palette of sand, grey, and lots of white! A good friend helped me turn some scrap burlap into two ring pillows and table squares. Our guestbook was a custom Etsy find and I made most of the other details by hand, like “gluten-free” flags to mark the special cupcakes and cinnamon rolls, signage galore, and wedding wands. We put out some décor and hung a photo line under the tent the night before the wedding, but aside from those small things, we truly enjoyed not being concerned with details whatsoever. We just focused on getting married, on each other and our beautiful families and friends.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? Keeping our array of out-of-town guests informed and comfortable. With the majority of our family traveling to Virginia from North Carolina and Texas, it took some extra TLC to make sure each person was clear on the plan for the rehearsal and wedding. We did our best to communicate with everyone ahead of the wedding and then flood them with smiles and thanks when we were finally face-to-face for the big day!
What range did your wedding budget fall into? $10,000-$25,000
What is the one thing you are most happy you splurged on? Our venue! We wanted to have a simple wedding. We are not the kind for a get-on-the-dance-floor-and-party-all-night kind of wedding. Plus, we were working with a strict budget. We opted for a morning ceremony and light brunch reception. Collina Farm at Clifton Inn was the ideal location for our wedding. Not only was the farmhouse beautiful and the venue’s team incredible, but we had every convenience. My bridesmaids stayed with me and my parents in the guestrooms of Collina Farm, so when we woke up to get ready on the big day, we were already on site! In the days leading up to the wedding, it barely felt like work. All of the preparations felt more like fun! Being with my best friends at Collina Farm made for the ultimate slumber party, and having my parents so close by really allowed me to include, appreciate and honor them each step of the way. Our out-of-town guests appreciated not having to travel to a different location for the reception, too. Collina Farm had a courtyard space behind it that we used for our ceremony site. Afterward, guests walked across the yard to the farmhouse for the reception. Guests mingled indoors and outdoors, walking about with coffee mugs and plates of fresh fruit and pastries. It felt easy – perfect for our quaint wedding!
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? I did not realize it until I was getting dressed, but I had not yet put on everything together before the big day! So looking in the mirror for the first time with my veil, jewelry, dress and all was so exciting! I felt so ready!
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? Our vows were fairly traditional, but we did include two elements in the ceremony that made it extra-special. First, both Ross and I walked down the aisle with both of our parents, and during the ceremony, they jointly gave us their blessing. And second, for our benediction, my very dear friends who are married did a reading and prayer adapted from “A Wedding Sermon” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It read, “What God has joined together, can no man put asunder.” They spoke it in unison and their voices together sounded so strong and loving. It was the perfect ending to our ceremony – apart from the kiss, of course!
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? Cooking good meals together, singing James Taylor songs together, visiting bed & breakfasts across America, and maybe even having our own bed & breakfast someday!

Photographer: Elisa B Photography // Venue: Collina Farm at Clifton Inn // Florist: Floral Designs by Jacquelyn // Wedding Cake and Cupcake Baker: Charlottesville Cupcake // Cinnamon Rolls and Gluten-Free Cupcakes: Hungarian Bakery // Caterer: Clifton Inn // Paper Products: Delphine Press // Bride’s Dress: David’s Bridal via OnceWed // Bride’s Hair Accessories/Veil: ARoyalWedding // Bride’s Shoes: Steve Madden // Bride’s jewelry: TZTUDIO // Flower Girl Dresses: Crewcuts from J.Crew // Ring Bearer Shirts: Crewcuts from J.Crew // Groom & Groomsmen’s Ties: Jos.A.Bank // Hair and Makeup: Lora Elaine Cornhole // Rentals: CornChucker // Classical Guitarist: Rafael Scarfullery // Guestbook: Parkside Harmony

Oh yes, and before you go…

Written with love by Nicole