Every January Virginia Living releases their special Weddings issue that celebrates Virginia couples and highlights their big day. Virginia Living Weddings is a treasure trove of inspiration for cakes, florals, keepsakes, trends, and traditions. You can submit your wedding—or someone else’s—for editorial consideration and to be profiled in our January 2024 special issue.
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And see the chosen couples for our February 2023 issue below.
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Sara & Cory
A late summer sunset showed off its brilliant colors as Sara and Cory King’s family and friends settled in under a sailcloth tent for a candlelit dinner filled with romantic peach and coral florals. The lush dahlias, roses, ranunculus, and stock in the arrangements complemented the landscaped beds and thoughtfully planted containers throughout the property. Striking coral tapers, blush old-fashioned glasses, and soft-pink napkins united the elegantly set farm tables. It was the kind of Blue Ridge Mountain evening they’d envisioned when they booked the Goodstone Inn for their wedding. They were looking for a place where they could create a welcoming and private weekend-long getaway, focused on savoring every moment of togetherness with friends and family, and they found it in Middleburg amidst the rolling hills of Virginia farmland.
Tessa & Wes
Countless couples get married at Virginia vineyards, but most couples don’t buy the vineyard first. Tessa and Wes Roberts aren’t most couples. They were living in Jackson, Wyoming, when the pandemic hit and, with Tessa’s parents in Afton, they began daydreaming on Zillow. A turn of the century farmhouse with a bonus—a winery—hit the market. And, with rose-colored glasses and many evenings spent poring over spreadsheets, they made it work. It only made sense they’d celebrate their marriage at Lovingston Winery, which has become their passion project and life’s work. Tessa spent hours thrifting china plates, jars, and flower pots to set the stage for a garden party soirée. With flower grannies and a ring bearer entourage, a mini horse, and a dog named Arnie, the day was a warm and welcoming celebration of a couple and a dream brought to life in Virginia wine country.
Brittany & Jonathan
Brittany Tyler and Jonathan Cho’s wedding celebration was a beautiful union of two people—and the marriage of two distinct styles. The pair collaborated on the design and details, with Brittany infusing mystical woodland touches with mossy features, avian elements, and an earthy color palette, while Jonathan brought a refined minimalist sensibility through the paper details that he designed. Though the couple had floated the idea of a destination wedding, they decided to stick with Pippin Hill. “Every time I tried to think about my wedding, I could only think about the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background,” says Brittany. Hummingbird motifs and white orchids honored the bride’s late mother, Pi-Hsiah, who loved both. The storybook day touched everyone who attended the mountaintop ceremony.
Suzanne & Hank
The historic Reedville Marine Railway was at one time the busiest railway on the Chesapeake Bay, welcoming boats from near and far. And, after Hank Smith’s father, Matt, took on restoring this piece of history, it once again welcomed visitors from around the world—this time for a wedding. Despite coastal flash flood warnings on the day of the couple’s nuptials, the celebration went off without a hitch. Although Suzanne and Hank Nuss live in Berlin, Germany, home will always be the Northern Neck, and that’s where the couple said “I do,” on a boat built by Smith’s ancestors. The celebration, held with an intimate group of family and friends, included boat rides in a 1940s Chris-Craft, custom-labeled Virginia Diner Peanuts, springtime blue-and-white florals, and even a cameo by Hank’s parents’ dog, Bruiser.
Alexi & Geoff
Alexandra Garrett and Geoffrey Skelley knew Charlottesville was the perfect place for their wedding: It’s where they met and spent the first five years of their lives together. The two history buffs spent time researching venues, ultimately landing on James Monroe’s Highland. “We specifically chose the venue because it’s not just a historical or museum site; it’s also an active research center,” Alexandra explains. The pair planned a Colonial American-inspired celebration with a modern twist. “We chose cream damask tablecloths with turquoise napkins, since the latter resembled the famous Prussian blue walls at George Washington’s Mount Vernon,” the bride notes. They incorporated bright, bold florals to contrast the historic touches. After a ceremony co-officiated by the couples’ respective siblings, the night ended with an epic dance party complete with an impromptu performance by the newlyweds. Their al fresco summer celebration was one for the books.
Esther & Allan
Weddings may be focused on the union of two people, but for Esther and Allan Oloo, the big day also honored the coming together of their two families and cultures. The result was an afternoon full of friendship, dancing, and all the color. “I was born in Nepal and Allan was born in Kenya, so we wanted our wedding day to represent the many cultures that we come from,” Esther explains. The menu nodded to the groom’s African roots, while the bride, who wore a traditional sleeveless gown, changed into a stunning red number, traditional for Nepalese brides. Esther’s bridesmaids wore elegant and authentic Nepalese saris. The late summer celebration, outside with sweeping views of the Shenandoah Valley, was brimming with color, friendship, and worldly love.
Renee & Patrick
Born and raised in Naples on the Adriatic Coast, Renee Robus dreamt of an Italian wedding, but, with the realities of travel in 2021, she and her husband, Patrick Castello, decided a Virginia-based celebration would allow as many of their friends and family as possible to share in their joy. So they set out to infuse their stateside wedding with the beauty and culture of Renee’s home country. The Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk provided a dramatic backdrop for their vision. Florals, in blue, yellow, and white, were complemented by a decidedly Italian theme of lemons, which were liberally incorporated into the décor and included individual bottles of limoncello at every place setting. Despite being an ocean away, the couple brought to life the relaxed elegance of Italy for a stunning and memorable celebration in Coastal Virginia.
Grace Ann & Chris
Grace Ann and Chris Crimmins bring new meaning to the phrase “home is where the heart is.” The bride always envisioned a wedding at her childhood home. Her grandfather built the gazebo that served as the backdrop for the Crimmins’ nuptials. Faced with postponing their wedding, the couple chose the same date, exactly one year later. They tied the knot on October 24, 2021, as the date aligned with the street number of the family home, 1024. Their celebration flowed to a reception at the historic Bassett Train Station, with garden-inspired details throughout. “We wanted our wedding day to represent us,” says Grace Ann. “And there is nothing more ‘us’ than enjoying a beautiful day under a sunny and clear Virginia sky with all of our family and friends close by.”
Morgan & Corey
Pops of pink, showstopping florals, and a sparkling new venue marked Morgan and Corey Edson’s wedding day, the first-ever held at Capital One Hall and the nearby Watermark Hotel. “From the food and drinks, to the rooms our guests got to stay in, our wedding was a dream,” says Morgan. The couple threw an epic party to celebrate their new life together, one they’d been growing towards since they started dating nearly nine years ago. A classic black and white color scheme for the ceremony was accented with bold roses and lush greenery. The bride and groom did a dual wardrobe change into hot pink party clothes for the reception. “It was the most joyous day, filled with love, laughter, and, of course, lots of dancing,” says Morgan.
Liz & Stephen
Liz and Stephen Cathcart wanted a wedding venue with a history as interesting as their own. The pair’s unconventional backstory was a perfect fit for the Blackburn Inn, which was once a hospital, then a prison, before transforming into the beautiful hotel that it is today. “We were roommates before dating and dog parents and co-homeowners before being engaged,” says Liz. “But it was perfect for us—a unique story to build our lives on.” The couple worked with the Inn to create a modern atmosphere with sophisticated nods to the historic setting, using primarily white décor with gold and royal blue accents and white calla lilies. Each bridesmaid wore a different floral dress, chosen to suit their personality and style. “One guest told us he ‘didn’t know two people could smile so much in one day,’” adds Liz. “That perfectly describes how we felt, surrounded by our nearest and dearest.