Southern Weddings

There is nothing quite like the sight of rolling Virginia hills. I imagine that anyone who lives in Virginia at some point, myself included, has a soft spot for these sweeping views, and it is easy to see why Lindsay and Bryan cite their venue as their favorite wedding detail! Once they selected the gorgeous location, they worked with vendors they love (including many family and friends) to fill their wedding with sentimental details that nodded to their relationship and the place they call home. And of course, since Lindsay works for the incredible Southern Blooms team in Charlottesville, it’s no surprise that her fall-inspired florals were breathtaking!

Thank you so much to Jen Fariello for capturing Lindsay and Bryan’s day so beautifully, and then sharing it with us!

Bryan proposed during a baseball game six months after our first date, on July 15, 2012–he played for a local league. He asked a friend who pilots antique airplanes to fly over the field with a banner: “Lindsay, will you marry me?” Turns out, everyone at the game knew about it (but me!) and both of our parents were there to celebrate. It was such a special day!

Describe your wedding flowers. They were incredible! For the palette, we were inspired by the rich and vibrant colors of fall in Virginia, and loved the idea of using local foliage and flowers in the bouquets and decor. Southern Blooms nailed it and truly outdid themselves–it was everything we could have hoped for and beyond anything we could have imagined. They are an amazing team of designers!!

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: The venue. Bryan and I knew we wanted to be married outside with a backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, so my dad suggested visiting his friend’s farm. We knew right away that it was the perfect spot! We were drawn to the wide open space and the panoramic view of the mountains.

Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? We decided against doing a first look. I guess we’re a bit traditional that way, but also, I couldn’t wait to see his expression as I walked down the aisle! There’s something so special about that moment: being dressed in a gown you’ve been hiding for months, wearing something old, new, borrowed, and blue. Even though you are standing in front of everyone you love most in the world, it’s as if they all melt away and the universe only consists of two.
What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? E.E. Cumming’s “I Carry Your Heart.” This poem spoke to us in such a way that there was no question of whether or not to include it in the ceremony. To carry the heart of another, to carry it in our hearts, is to carry the whole of our emotional lives–the good and the bad. This type of love creates a new identity through the unity of two hearts living for each other. On our wedding, day we promised to carry each others’ heart within our own.

The biggest challenge of planning an outdoor wedding was coming to terms with the possibility of bad weather and convincing myself to not be afraid of the rain. Whenever I found myself stressing about an inclement weather plan or what to do in case of a late season hurricane, I would look up beautiful weddings of couples who got caught in the rain: romantic photos of drizzly ceremonies, colorful rain boots and flower girls splashing in puddles, dreamy shots of the bride and groom beneath an umbrella. I even found myself secretly hoping for a little precipitation!

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? So many Southerns details were a part of our wedding, from the farm venue to the locally-grown flowers and foliage in the bouquets, to the sweet potato pie and corn pudding on the buffet table. We loved the idea of incorporating family heirlooms and little personal touches, like an old mantle displaying family wedding photos. Bryan’s bout included a fishing fly, and his old baseball glove was used as the ring bearer’s pillow. The bridesmaids were transported to the ceremony site via hay wagon and an antique tractor, a nod to my family’s farming roots. We used my great grandparents’ china on the head table, my dad’s homegrown sorghum syrup as favors, and Bryan’s mother’s cranberry glassware for the bride and groom.

What is the one detail or vendor that you were so happy to have as a part of your wedding? We are blessed to call all of our vendors, who worked so hard making our day seamless and perfect, our friends. My father works for Mill Valley BBQ, who provided the delicious Southern-infused meal. Shindig’s seriously talented and organized Meghan Streit was my Young Life leader in high school, our dear friend Tod baked the wedding cake, and Bryan’s childhood minister presided over the ceremony. We were honored to have the stunning flowers provided by Southern Blooms’ skillful crew. I am so lucky to work for this amazing design company, whose owners have a great eye for detail and an unbelievable collection of everything from lanterns to the spectacular arbor they constructed of old windows salvaged from a barn in Pennsylvania. And we knew, without a doubt, that our photos taken by Jen Fariello would be gorgeous reminders of the most important day of our lives.

What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? When others offer a helping hand, take them up on it! We absolutely could not have planned our wedding without the support and help from our wonderful parents, family, and friends. Trust your vendors and designers: they’ve been there, done that, and know what is best.

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. Our mothers have known one another for years and worked together at a private school in Culpeper, VA–they even hatched a plan to set us up when we were in college. Despite this, we didn’t meet until a blind date years later in January 2012, when our good friend decided to play matchmaker.
When did y’all get married? September 28, 2013
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 200
Tell us about finding your wedding dress. My mom and I went dress shopping on a whim–we were in Richmond running errands and dropped by a bridal shop. I tried on several styles, including one I had fallen in love while looking online. That dress was the first that I tried on and I knew that it was the one!
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. Walking down the aisle, “Arioso in A” was performed by violin and cello. “Ave Maria” was sung by Sherry Spencer, who wears many hats and is also lead designer/co-owner of Southern Blooms. Bob Dylan’s “To Make You Feel My Love” performed by Garth Brooks was our first dance. “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole was the father/daughter and mother/son dance. The last dance was to “Ain’t That Love?” by Ray Charles.
Describe your wedding cake or dessert. Our friend who introduced us is also an accomplished chef and baked our wedding cake. Each layer had different flavors and fillings, and it was as beautiful as it was delicious!
Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! I did! My borrowed was my friend’s sixpence, the old was a pair of pearl earrings that Bryan gave me, blue was my grandmother’s blue handkerchief, and my dress was new.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? There were so many special moments! Riding in the 1949 Ford truck to the ceremony. Seeing Bryan for the first time while walking down the aisle and not realizing how fast I was moving until my dad whispered “slow down!” The surprise petal toss as we exited the ceremony. Our first dance and looking out at all of the people that we love in one space–that was an incredible feeling. Seeing our parents’ smiling faces, because none of this would have been possible without their love and support. The moment the sun broke through the clouds after the ceremony. Looking across the field after dark and seeing the illuminated cross on the ceremony altar. The sparkler exit and leaving on the old hay wagon, only to find our Jeep completely and thoroughly decorated.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? Married life is great! Bryan and I are very excited to build our new home and to start a family.

Photographer: Jen Fariello / Planner: Meghan Streit / Venue: Buckner Farm / Florals, Farm Tables, Lounge Furniture, Altar: Southern Blooms by Pat’s Floral Designs / Cake Baker: Tod Dodson / Catering and Pies: Mill Valley BBQ / Linens, Glassware, Flatware, Chairs, Round Tables: Festive Fare / Sperry Tent and Lighting: Skyline Tent Co. / DJ: Adam Smith / Bride’s Gown and Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal / Paper Products: Wedding Paper Divas / Bride’s Necklace: Ananda Fashions / Hair Stylist: Gena Mills of At Last Salon / Makeup Artist: Kara Spangler of Studio 500 / Bride’s Shoes: J. Renee / Men’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / Antique 1949 Ford Truck: Tony Morris

Written with love by Lisa