Intimate Charlottesville Wedding

If you were hoping for a dose of elegance, then today is your lucky day thanks to Jon Schaaf Photography and Mallory Joyce. Stephanie and Chris’ Virginia wedding was ‘casually elegant,’ mixing rich fall tones with classic gold and white touches throughout the reception. Don’t you just love Stephanie’s BHLDN wedding gown?

From the bride, Stephanie: We wanted our wedding to feel casually elegant, just like its setting at my aunt and uncle’s house in Charlottesville, Virginia. We’d planned an outdoor ceremony, but, when the day came, it poured! And I’m so happy it did, because the resulting ceremony was wonderfully intimate – all of our family and closest friends packed into the house to share the moment with us. I didn’t want to choose a single color for the wedding, but went with colors inspired by the changing season – deep reds, shades of purple, soft peaches, and yellows. In keeping with the casually elegant feel, we kept the place settings white and gold.

We chose vendors who, if they weren’t already friends, felt like they could be our friends. Mallory, who coordinated our wedding and styled much of it, is a very talented friend of my sister’s. A dear friend, Allie, created our invitations, escort cards, and menus. Another friend, Ansley, created any signage, and my cousin, Kim, played violin for our ceremony. Our DJ’s (all three of them!) traveled from South Carolina to celebrate with us. Sam, who did my hair and makeup, had also done hair and makeup for two of my sisters on their wedding days. And Jon, our photographer, made every photo a comfortable, effortless event for us. Mallory designed our floral arrangements herself — everything from roses and berries to a touch of eucalyptus. She went foraging the day before the wedding to add foliage truly authentic to the place.

Any advice for couples planning their weddings now? Determine your boundaries — be they budget or number of guests — early in the process. And rely heavily on others in your life — your very capable mom, mother-in-law, and your wedding coordinator — if you can. Chris and I were in the midst of career changes and a move half-way across the country, so we enjoyed the process so much more by leaving many of the details to others we trusted. When the day comes, commit to enjoying it no matter what happens. It won’t be perfect (it might rain), but it can’t help but be joyful!

See Also

Italian Castle Fairytale at Castello Di Piovera

Wedding Music:
Processional: For the Beauty of the Earth; Jupiter Hymn
Recessional: Simple Gifts; Somewhere Over the Rainbow
First Dance: “Overwhelmed,” Tim McMorris

From the wedding planner, Mallory Joyce: When Stephanie and Chris got engaged, they immediately knew they wanted to be married in beautiful Charlottesville with the Blue Ridge Mountains framing their celebration. Stephanie’s uncle’s home, with its panoramic views and family memories, was the perfect location. Not ones to get caught up in what can be a lot of wedding noise, Stephanie and Chris kept just a few things at the forefront of their minds throughout the planning: making a large wedding feel like an intimate family affair, simple yet elegant decor, a meaningful faith-filled ceremony, and a delicious dinner party. Stephanie was the image of grace and beauty throughout the day. Even when a torrential downpour moved her outdoor ceremony inside, the couple remained focused on what matters most: their love for each other, a commitment made in front of all their dearest family and friends. We transformed the living room with garlands, florals, and candles, and as the rain poured down, we had a gorgeous ceremony indoors. The reception was held under a beautiful white peaked tent with guests enjoying a carefully selected menu at long tables adorned with whimsical flowers in deep reds to softer pinks and yellows and with touches of gold in the paper details and place settings. It rained for the majority of the wedding, but it only made the tent feel more cozy, with guests dancing the night away by candlelight.

Wedding Location: Charlottesville, VA / Photographer: Jon Schaaf Photography / Event Planning, Design, and Floral Design: Mallory Joyce / Venue: Private residence / Wedding Dress: BHLDN / Hair and Makeup: Lula Hair and Makeup / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Various / Caterer: Glorious Foods / Wedding Cake: Favorite Cakes / Ceremony Musician: Kim Vu, cousin of the bride / DJ: Justin Lambert and Zack Smith / Signage: Ansley Heath, a friend of the bride / Wedding Invitations: Small Batch Prints by Allie Hasson